“You shall live a life of unparalleled glory and wealth, with a harem of three thousand beauties, enjoying the peak of mortal pleasures.”
The Sect Master’s voice was as harmonious as a celestial melody.
Lu Xuan froze.
No way? This actually sounds pretty good! Three thousand beauties in a harem… that’d be easy as pie.
The Sect Master frowned. “What are you smiling about?”
“Just utterly content,” Lu Xuan drawled, his mind already drifting to idyllic pastures.
The Sect Master shook his head slightly, a quiet sigh escaping him. Truly, rotten wood cannot be carved! Lu Xuan is beyond saving.
“Never mind,” the Sect Master continued. “I’ll let you bumble about this month. Let Fuyao take this detour for another month; it will make her realize the importance of a good master.” He paused, his gaze hardening. “If, in a month’s time, Ji Fuyao fails to claim first place in the inner sect competition, she shall leave Azure Mystery Peak. How does that sound?”
Lu Xuan cracked a lazy smile. “And what if she does take first place?”
The Sect Master scoffed, shaking his head. “Impossible! Even setting aside the top true disciples, Ji Fuyao is hardly a match for the strongest inner sect disciples. You must understand, the strongest contender in this year’s inner sect competition has already reached the late-stage Profound Sovereign realm! Ji Fuyao is merely a Grand Profound King. What could she possibly use to compete? There are two entire major realms separating them!”
Without another word, the Sect Master patted Lu Xuan’s shoulder, retrieved his jade seal, and departed.
Not long after, the Sect Master arrived at the Grand Dao Hall and found Elder Mu, recounting Ji Fuyao’s dishwashing escapade. Elder Mu’s eyes widened. “Such a thing happened?”
The Sect Master repeatedly shook his head. “I, too, am at a loss as to why Ji Fuyao holds Lu Xuan in such high esteem.”
Elder Mu’s brow furrowed slightly, his clouded gaze drifting toward Azure Mystery Peak. He asked unexpectedly, “Do you think Lu Xuan has been hiding his true power all along?”
The Sect Master burst into laughter. “Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
Elder Mu fell silent. He supposed it was true. What in the world did Lu Xuan know about teaching disciples anyway?
“Anyway,” the Sect Master said, “I’ve discovered that Ji Fuyao is now at the late-stage Grand Profound King realm.”
Elder Mu’s face, etched with wrinkles like deep ravines, showed surprise. “Could it be that Fuyao concealed her cultivation during the entrance examination, and this is her true realm?”
The Sect Master smiled. “Most likely.”
Elder Mu stroked his beard, his expression turning solemn. “That girl carries secrets. However, our Grand Dao Sect has never feared such things. Now that Fuyao has sworn a Heavenly Dao Oath, she is a true member of our Grand Dao Sect! Not only will we refrain from prying into her secrets, but we will actively safeguard them for her.”
The Sect Master nodded. “Precisely.”
***
Back on Azure Mystery Peak, Ji Fuyao had already returned to her cave dwelling, resuming her rigorous cultivation. She simultaneously refined spiritual beast meat and absorbed high-grade spirit stones. A torrent of spiritual energy surged around her, forming a miniature storm. Ji Fuyao’s cultivation was rapidly ascending!
She had already formulated her cultivation plan: first, elevate her realm, then temper her cultivation within the Grand Dao Sect’s Fire Abyss Trial Grounds to consolidate her foundation and refine her spirit and soul. One month was more than enough time for her to achieve her goal.
First place in the inner sect competition was hers for the taking! Now that her Dao Foundation was perfectly restored, she would despise herself if she couldn’t claim victory. A dignified Empress, reincarnated and cultivating anew, could not possibly fall short!
With that thought, Ji Fuyao calmed her mind and sat cross-legged, her fiery red phoenix robes fluttering. A faint divine radiance swirled around her, making her appear ethereal and profoundly mysterious.
At the same time, Lu Xuan was sprawled out in his own cave dwelling. The System’s voice chimed:
“Ding! Host’s eldest disciple Ji Fuyao’s cultivation is increasing! Initiating synchronization!”
As the voice faded, a massive wave of spiritual energy began to surge, impacting Lu Xuan’s limbs and bones. Within his dantian, his cultivation foundation steadily grew.
Lu Xuan stretched lazily. Looks like Fuyao’s cultivating again! Ji Fuyao is already at late-stage Grand Profound King; she’ll definitely break through to the Profound Emperor realm within three days. It’s a sure thing. And at her cultivation speed, it won’t just be early Profound Emperor!
Lu Xuan couldn’t help but sigh. So talented, yet she still works so hard… This makes me feel so guilty for just lying here.
Truly worthy of being my disciple!
Feeling the continuous surge of spiritual energy within him, Lu Xuan leisurely picked up a book. Late that night, he still felt his cultivation rising. He yawned, then drifted back to sleep.
Upon waking, Ji Fuyao had directly broken through to the early Profound Emperor realm! And he, in turn, had reached the late Profound Emperor realm!
Lu Xuan blinked. That fast?
The thought of himself sleeping soundly while Fuyao was diligently cultivating… This feeling… it’s truly wonderful.
Lu Xuan emerged from his cave dwelling and saw Ji Fuyao already preparing breakfast. He casually observed her fire control techniques. They were already exceptionally proficient, not far from reaching the perfected stage.
Looks like the ‘nurturing task’ is almost complete, Lu Xuan mused. Too easy!
Lu Xuan lay down outside the thatched hut, watching the clouds drift across the sky, his mind clear and utterly content.
Not long after, Ji Fuyao presented the meal. They ate.
Ji Fuyao was in excellent spirits. Just two days after joining the sect, she had already advanced to the Profound Emperor realm! Such rapid cultivation was undoubtedly linked to that Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill.
With that thought, Ji Fuyao turned to Lu Xuan, her expression earnest. “Master, thank you for your profound assistance.”
Lu Xuan blinked, then responded blandly, “It’s a small matter.”
If anything, I should be thanking her, he thought. After all, I didn’t actually do anything. Just lay around.
Ji Fuyao’s eyes shone with divine radiance, her elegant neck slightly bowed as she insisted, “Master, that Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill granted me a new beginning, and your guidance on the Path of Spirit Fire has also benefited me immeasurably. Both have been a tremendous boon.” This is nothing short of rebirth! In this life, I shall reach even greater heights!
Lu Xuan offered a casual smile. “Keep up the good work.”
Ji Fuyao returned a radiant smile. “I will. My Path of Spirit Fire is nearing perfection; I need to comprehend it more deeply.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan extended his right hand. A wisp of gentle flame appeared in his palm. This spiritual flame, formless yet cohesive, shifted from incredibly violent to incredibly soft with a mere thought from Lu Xuan.
Ji Fuyao was utterly stunned. This is the manifestation of perfected Path of Spirit Fire! Indeed, Master is no good-for-nothing!
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, affecting a mysterious air. “Understand?”
In truth, he had no idea how to guide her. But he trusted that with Ji Fuyao’s talent, she would undoubtedly grasp some profound insight. His Path of Spirit Fire was, in essence, a future version of what Ji Fuyao would eventually comprehend, simply a ‘version ahead’ of her.
Ji Fuyao’s beautiful eyes sparkled like stars. She understood. The so-called perfected Spirit Fire meant complete control, shifting with one’s will and taking any form. Just now, she felt that Lu Xuan’s Path of Spirit Fire resonated deeply with hers, as if from the same origin!
No! Even with the same cultivation technique, it wouldn’t be so strikingly similar! Master must have deliberately condensed this specific spiritual fire to guide her! It must be so!
As this thought solidified, a colossal wave crashed in Ji Fuyao’s heart. Master is truly too powerful!
Following this, Ji Fuyao sat cross-legged, fully immersed in comprehending the Path of Spirit Fire. She was but one step away from achieving perfected Path of Spirit Fire, with only a thin veil remaining to be pierced. But Lu Xuan had, without a doubt, shown her the way to break through.
One hour. Two hours…
Half a day later, a spiritual flame erupted from Ji Fuyao’s body, its power soaring directly into the clouds. She extended her jade hand, gently waving it, and the spiritual flame became incredibly soft. Her fire control was fluid and effortless!
Ji Fuyao’s Path of Spirit Fire had directly entered the perfected stage.
“Ding! Synchronizing eldest disciple Ji Fuyao’s Spirit Fire comprehension!”
Due to receiving double the gains, Lu Xuan’s comprehension increased enormously! He was now even closer to the perfected Path of Spirit Fire!
Once again, a version ahead of Ji Fuyao!
At this moment, Ji Fuyao slowly opened her starry eyes, her delicate body trembling slightly as she said, “Thank you, Master.”
Lu Xuan’s lips curved into a slight smile. “There’s no need to be so formal in the future.”
Ji Fuyao offered a radiant smile and nodded. In her heart, she couldn’t help but think, This time, by sheer coincidence, I found an extraordinary master. A single word from him is worth months of bitter cultivation!
Many images flashed through Ji Fuyao’s mind… She began to meticulously re-evaluate every word Lu Xuan had spoken. When she was cooking, Lu Xuan would often chat idly with her. She had never paid much attention before, but now she suddenly realized that Lu Xuan’s seemingly casual remarks were actually subtle guidance.
Ji Fuyao murmured, “It’s clear that Master’s fire mastery is superior to mine. But by how much? He was guiding me all along!”
Moments later, Ji Fuyao snapped back to reality. “Master, I will return to consolidate my insights.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “You can take a bit of a rest if you like.” The nurturing task is complete now. Tomorrow, I’ll be able to claim the mission reward.
Lu Xuan felt utterly relaxed.
But Ji Fuyao shook her head. “Time waits for no one. I need to seize every moment to cultivate.”
Lu Xuan offered a wry smile. “Alright then.”
Soon after, he felt his cultivation continuously rising again. A refreshing sensation impacted his limbs and bones, like a dragon swimming through the four seas, crashing against his meridians. Lu Xuan couldn’t help but sigh. Having a disciple like Ji Fuyao is the absolute best! So incredibly diligent!
***
On the third day, Ji Fuyao finished cooking for the last time and washed the dishes. Her face was slightly flushed. “Master, I have fulfilled our agreement. Are you satisfied with these three days?”
Lu Xuan instantly understood: Ji Fuyao wanted to stop cooking. He gazed at her, his eyes hinting at a profound depth. “Satisfied, and yet… not entirely satisfied.”
Ji Fuyao was bewildered. “What do you mean?” She found Lu Xuan’s words impossibly profound.
Lu Xuan adopted an air of sagely wisdom, his words imbued with hidden meaning. “Fuyao, do you truly believe I merely had you cooking?”
“Hmm?” Ji Fuyao’s beautiful eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she frantically tried to decipher Lu Xuan’s deeper intention.
What did he mean?
A moment later, she understood. Cooking, first and foremost, required the use of the Path of Spirit Fire. Secondly, it could also improve her mentality. Mentality. She fell deep into thought.
She was, after all, an Empress. Even in reincarnation, she carried boundless pride, which often made her look down upon others and led to a slight impetuousness. But the past was the past, and the present was the present. In this life, she was not yet an Emperor! She needed to transform her mentality!
Lu Xuan continued, “What satisfies me is that even though you dislike cooking, you remained incredibly focused. What doesn’t satisfy me is… your culinary skills still need improvement!”
Ji Fuyao immediately seized upon the key phrase: need improvement! I still need practice! To walk the path of cultivation anew, I must shed my arrogance and embody the heart of an apprentice.
She understood.
Ji Fuyao looked at Lu Xuan, her voice soft. “A true master often harbors the heart of an apprentice! Master, is that what you wanted to teach me?”
Lu Xuan was speechless. Is that what I meant? No, I didn’t. Don’t just make things up.
He had merely said it casually, hoping Fuyao would continue cooking for him. If Ji Fuyao refused, he could always ‘reason with her’ once the System’s reward arrived tomorrow. But how had Ji Fuyao suddenly started constructing such elaborate interpretations in her head?! He was utterly dumbfounded.