Time passed once again. This time, five days slipped by like a fleeting dream.
Finally, I reached the peak stage of Qi Gathering. Just one more step, and I'd officially step into the ranks of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill in my possession didn't feel ordinary—it pulsed with a strange, profound energy. So, I decided to take no chances. I spent extra time stabilizing and tempering my foundation, polishing it to perfection.
Meanwhile, Bai Lianhua had nearly fully recovered. In those five days, we grew quite close. We'd often chat during our breaks—though I mostly nodded and pretended to understand what she was talking about. She had a way of speaking that assumed I was some veteran cultivator who had seen the heavens split and the earth crumble.
She explained that she was being hunted down because she had inherited a powerful legacy—and the Wu Sect had sent assassins after her.
I nodded solemnly. "Wu Sect, huh… I see."
Of course, I had no idea who or what the Wu Sect was. I didn't even know a single sect in this world. In fact, I could probably mistake a sect for a local teahouse.
When I asked her what sect she was from, she replied, "Xuzhou Sect."
"Ah, the Xuzhou Sect… naturally." I nodded again, squinting like I knew exactly what that meant. Truthfully, it sounded more like a noodle brand than a sect. She gave a faint smile—bitter and nostalgic. Her usual cold expression seemed to thaw, if only slightly.
Later, while cultivating alone, I suddenly heard the familiar system chime echo in my mind.
[Ding! Your disciple has reached Foundation Establishment. As a reward, host has received: "Frostveil Sword."]
I sighed, shaking my head. "This system really does love spoiling my disciple."
Still, I couldn't help but smile. I opened the description.
[Frostveil Sword: When wielded by someone with the Cold Ice Physique, the sword can unleash its full potential. Forged from every kind of snow in the world, it is a weapon of unparalleled frost.]
I stared at the description, sighing once more. Even the sword seemed tailor-made for her. I couldn't decide if the system was a doting parent or a biased grandparent at this point.
Bai Lianhua, too, was surprised at how quickly Xue Lian progressed. Just a week ago, the girl was only beginning cultivation. Now, she was firmly in the Foundation Establishment realm.
"She has potential," Bai Lianhua murmured one night, smiling faintly.
She decided to pass on two techniques from her legacy—useless to her, but possibly perfect for Xue Lian.
The first was Cold Ice Domain: a technique that, when mastered, would turn a thousand-mile radius into her personal domain, plunging the temperature and empowering her to a terrifying degree.
The second was Ice Wall. On the surface, it seemed plain, but it would enhance speed and physical strength, encasing the user in icy armor with exceptional defense—especially deadly in the hands of someone with her physique.
When I returned to our cottage, I spotted Bai Lianhua making strange hand signs—like she was preparing an attack aimed at my disciple. Instinct surged through me. Without thinking, I bolted toward her at full speed, fueled by my newly reinforced cultivation.
And then…
I tripped.
Somehow, I ended up falling forward and accidentally tying her hands together above her head using a nearby hanging curtain sash. Don't ask me how—it was a mystery even to me.
Bai Lianhua's eyes widened in shock. Her usual icy expression broke, replaced by a visible blush. She stared at me, stunned, and for a moment, I could tell she was reconsidering every decision she had made since waking up.
He's… handsome. And that look… mysterious… wait, why am I thinking like this!?
She could've easily broken free, of course—but she didn't. Her hands remained tied. She didn't even budge.
Just then, Xue Lian emerged from her seclusion. Her face was calm, emotionless as usual, but there was a subtle excitement in her step. She was clearly eager to share her breakthrough.
And then… she saw us.
Me hovering above Bai Lianhua, her hands tied, her cheeks flushed, my expression somewhere between panic and nonchalance.
She froze.
I sighed inwardly. "Well, there goes my reputation."
If she really thought I was assaulting someone, I'd already be a goner. Which meant… she knew I wasn't. She said nothing, just stared, expression unreadable.
To her, I must've looked like a seductive master, taming beauties with nothing but my face and some vague, profound phrases. Honestly, not the worst misunderstanding to have.
Composing myself, I slowly stood up. My face returned to my usual calm, unreadable demeanor—the mysterious expert mode.
Bai Lianhua also regained her composure, though the blush on her cheeks stubbornly lingered. She sat down gracefully, acting like nothing happened, but a closer look could still see the pink hue.
She suddenly raised her hands and sent two glowing beams into Xue Lian's forehead.
Immediately, Xue Lian's body trembled as knowledge flooded her mind. Her eyes sparkled ever so slightly, and for the first time, she smiled—even if it was small and restrained.
"Thank you, Senior," she said, bowing slightly.
I nodded sagely. "She's a Senior. Show her the respect she deserves."
Xue Lian nodded again, cupping her hands in gratitude. Bai Lianhua finally returned to her usual icy demeanor.
"It's a legacy technique. Useless to me," she said flatly.
"Since she's already given you something, more would be too much," I said. I reached into my robe and brought out the Frostveil Sword. The moment Xue Lian touched it, her eyes widened. A sense of closeness—of resonance—ran through her.
Even Bai Lianhua looked impressed. "This… this sword is perfect for her. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't easily acquire something like this."
Xue Lian, though reserved, was clearly moved. Her life had been full of hardship—an orphan with no family, surviving through sheer will. To suddenly be given so much, her determination reignited.
"I will not let Master down," she whispered to herself.
Bai Lianhua, having done her part, stood up. Like a graceful butterfly, she bid farewell. I watched her vanish into the distance, feeling a strange emptiness.
In just a week, I had grown strangely fond of her. Cultivating nonstop might make one stronger, but it was unbearably boring. Her presence was... entertaining.
Looking at my disciple, I smiled. "Since you're in the Foundation Establishment realm now, you can start training in the forest. Hunt some beasts, gain experience."
She nodded, eager to test her new sword and techniques. Her beauty, somehow, seemed enhanced. I narrowed my eyes.
"Wait... if disciples get prettier after breakthroughs… does that mean I'll get even more handsome?"
She leapt into the sky, wobbling at first, but soon finding balance. Flying was easy once one entered Foundation Establishment.
As she soared, her Qi felt deeper, more profound. That pill really had worked wonders.
[4 powerstone for extra chapters TvT]