The Training Begins Let's Go

Central Continent, Ten Thousand Blossom Ridge.

Cui Hao raised his cup slightly, first clinking it gently with San Dong, who sat at the table.

What San Dong drank was naturally not wine but tea brewed by Chen Baiqing.

Perhaps plant spirits had certain sensitivities to liquids—despite San Dong’s frail constitution, as a being with cultivation, they should have been able to handle alcohol.

Yet the reality was that San Dong had zero tolerance for liquor.

One cup would leave them tipsy, two cups would make them wild, three cups would erase their memory, and four cups would knock them out, drooling in their sleep.

Even when drunk, San Dong’s antics were harmless—just swaying and dancing, which was rather amusing to watch.

Under the moonlight, the flower spirit twirled gracefully, performing dances unlike any mortal routine, a sight quite pleasing to the eye.

Though entertaining, it felt somewhat tasteless to take amusement in someone’s obvious lack of alcohol tolerance.

Unless San Dong insisted on drinking, even Qinghe, who loved a good spectacle, wouldn’t dare offer them a single drop.

Cui Hao glanced at San Dong, who had taken a sip of Third Sister’s tea and now squinted contentedly, before shifting his gaze to Chen Baiqing.

"Third Sister, do you think Master went off traveling with Senior Uncle Xie, or is there actual business to attend to?"

If Chen Baiqing’s fully matured appearance brought Chu Xingchen relief, for Cui Hao, it simply made addressing her as "Third Sister" flow more naturally.

He still remembered the early days when he had to call the waist-high Chen Baiqing "Third Sister."

Though he accepted it in his heart, the title always felt a little odd back then.

Now, with Third Sister blossoming into a tall, elegant beauty, the words rolled off his tongue effortlessly.

Chen Baiqing didn’t turn to look at Cui Hao. Instead, her eyes remained fixed on the fish gliding through the deep pond as she replied,

"Whether it’s leisure or business, it’s Master’s choice. Why pry?"

"But Fourth Sister is about to break through to the Golden Core realm," Cui Hao pressed.

"If even you know, do you think Master wouldn’t? Given Master’s temperament, even if they were traveling, they’d wait until after Fourth Sister’s breakthrough." Chen Baiqing’s gaze returned to him. "You’ve slacked a bit in your cultivation, haven’t you? Only just reached late-stage Foundation Establishment."

Cui Hao’s expression faltered. "My talent’s just a notch below my seniors’, but I’ve been working hard."

Chen Baiqing lifted the teapot and refilled his cup, offering encouragement.

"I’m just reminding you. Your talent isn’t poor. Once you venture outside, you’ll see mountains of cultivators worse off than you."

Cui Hao sighed, his tone tinged with dejection.

"Journeying… Who knows when that’ll happen? The Golden Core realm feels so far away. Even Fourth Sister’s breakthrough is taking forever."

Chen Baiqing ignored the complaint, her attention shifting to the courtyard entrance.

Lin Luoyu walked in, her face alight with barely contained excitement.

A gentle smile touched Chen Baiqing’s lips as she flipped over an unused cup, poured tea, and set it on the table.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister, on joining the ranks of Golden Core powerhouses."

Only then did Cui Hao whirl around to look at Lin Luoyu.

After Li Xingtian’s breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm triggered awe-inspiring celestial phenomena, Chu Xingchen had hastily constructed a barrier to mask the aura of subsequent breakthroughs.

Without the Tianyan Sect’s assurance that the demonic cultivators had been eradicated, the spectacle of Li Xingtian’s ascension might have driven countless households near Ten Thousand Blossom Ridge to flee.

Even if other disciples’ breakthroughs lacked such grandeur, unusual phenomena could still draw unwanted attention.

While most wouldn’t dare cause trouble, the world had its share of fools. Better to avoid unnecessary complications.

Lin Luoyu was the first to test the newly completed formation, and it worked flawlessly.

From her seat by the pond, Chen Baiqing hadn’t sensed even a ripple of spiritual energy from Lin Luoyu’s breakthrough.

"Third Sister, you’re teasing me," Lin Luoyu said as she took her seat, lifting the teacup. "A newly formed Golden Core is hardly a ‘powerhouse.’"

Chen Baiqing chuckled softly. "Why wouldn’t a Golden Core cultivator count?"

Lin Luoyu took a sip, steadying her exhilaration before smiling.

"Then wouldn’t Third Sister be a powerhouse among powerhouses?"

Chen Baiqing nodded matter-of-factly.

"Of course. Do I not look the part?"

Lin Luoyu fell silent, at a loss for words. She was never one for banter, only occasional lighthearted jests—still livelier than Second Brother, though.

Before she could respond, Cui Hao clicked his tongue in admiration.

"Third Sister, having shadowed Master for so long, you’ve truly mastered his art of unshakable composure. Traveling the world has only honed it further."

Chen Baiqing turned her gaze toward him, silent, but her calm eyes spoke volumes.

Cui Hao coughed awkwardly and backpedaled. "What I meant was, Third Sister’s closeness to Master is something this junior envies deeply. If only I could share even half such a bond with Master."

San Dong, seated beside the teacup, tilted their head, listening to the exchange without comprehension—these humans always spoke in riddles.

After a moment of fruitless effort, San Dong returned to their tea-drinking mission.

Chen Baiqing let it slide. She knew Cui Hao well enough; the remark wasn’t truly offensive. Instead, she reminded him,

"Enough. You can give Master’s letter to Fourth Sister now."

Lin Luoyu blinked in confusion. "A letter from Master?"

Cui Hao retrieved an envelope from his spatial ring and handed it over, sighing dramatically.

"This time, it’s all thanks to Fourth Sister’s glory."

Lin Luoyu accepted it, opening the letter without hesitation. Her eyes skimmed the contents before lifting to meet Cui Hao’s eager gaze.

The message was brief.

If Lin Luoyu reached the Golden Core realm before Chu Xingchen’s return, she was to undertake a task as part of her training—and could bring along the "bored-out-of-his-mind" Cui Hao.

However, if she preferred not to, she had every right to leave him behind.

Cui Hao, noting her hesitation, quickly pleaded,

"Fourth Sister wouldn’t abandon your pitiful Fifth Brother, would you?"

Lin Luoyu exhaled lightly. She was well aware of Cui Hao’s longing for adventure, and refusing outright would be heartless. Still, she set conditions to avoid ending up as his minder.

"You can come, but you’ll consult me before acting. No reckless decisions."

Cui Hao sprang to his feet, thumping his chest.

"Fourth Sister’s goals are my guiding light!"

Lin Luoyu shook her head at his earnestness but finally relented.

"Then we’ll go together."

"When do we leave? Today or tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, then. We still need to pack and prepare."

"Fourth Senior Sister makes a fair point. I’ll go get ready too. I’ve prepared quite a few treasures for this expedition—guaranteed to impress you." Cui Hao seemed to recall something as he spoke, already heading out the door to gather his belongings.

Lin Luoyu watched Cui Hao’s hurried departure and shook her head slightly, hoping he wouldn’t cause too much trouble along the way.

Her gaze shifted to Third Senior Sister.

Chen Baiqing remained expressionless as she retrieved a letter from her spatial ring. Without hesitation, she set it alight, reducing it to nothing but ashes in moments.

Noticing Lin Luoyu’s faintly puzzled look, Chen Baiqing explained, "That letter contained a mission meant solely for Fifth Junior Brother. If you don’t take him along, he’ll go alone. But Master believes having you guide Cui Hao will make the journey much safer."

Lin Luoyu took another sip from her teacup before smiling and replying, "Don’t worry, Third Senior Sister. I’ll bring Cui Hao back in one piece."

Chen Baiqing gave a solemn nod. "Good. Be careful out there."