The Only One Who Reached Out a Hand.

【Third Disciple: Chen Baiqing】

【Cultivation Technique Granted: Violet Allure Immortal Art】

【Quest Completed: True Martial Hall】

【Rewards have been sent to the system inventory】

【Series quest completed—cultivation realm advanced by one tier】

【Golden Core Perfection upgraded to—Nascent Soul Realm】

【New Series Quest Issued: Construct the True Martial Hall】

【Reward: Enlightenment Chamber】

【Series Quest Two: Recruit Four Disciples】

【Reward: Martial Demonstration Hall】

Chu Xingchen finished reading the system notifications when a surge of pure spiritual energy erupted from within his Golden Core. Focusing his divine sense inward, he watched as the core trembled violently before shattering into streams of radiant light. Flecks of spiritual essence coalesced into a pristine lotus pedestal.

Seated atop it was a miniature, chibi-like version of Chu Xingchen, eyes shut in serene meditation. The energies that once cycled through his Golden Core now flowed entirely into this nascent infant form.

Yet, despite his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm, neither of his disciples seemed to notice.

The Nascent Soul Realm—where life’s transformations turned inward, dividing existence into inner and outer worlds.

Chen Baiqing’s hands were still clasped firmly, but her eyes darted around in confusion, as if struggling to piece together her surroundings.

Chu Xingchen asked softly, “Do you remember who you are?”

Li Yingling whipped her head toward him in disbelief—Master?! What kind of question is that? Did you kidnap this kid or something?

Chen Baiqing blinked, her gaze settling on Chu Xingchen with a puzzled tilt.

“Of course. I’m Chen Baiqing.”

“Wait, that’s really your name?”

She grew even more bewildered. “Didn’t… you say that, Master?”

Chu Xingchen froze.

“I don’t know exactly what happened,” Chen Baiqing murmured, glancing down before meeting his eyes again. “But the last thing I remember… was you saving me.”

“You said… ‘A few spirit stones aren’t worth a life.’”

“And then you cursed… ‘Damn, that was expensive.’”

Li Yingling, who had been moved by the words, immediately reconsidered her emotions upon hearing the last line.

Chu Xingchen blinked. “You were unconscious. How did you hear that?”

“I only caught that part… then I really blacked out.” Chen Baiqing shifted slightly, her frail frame edging backward.

Releasing her small hands, Chu Xingchen pressed gently, “What else do you remember?”

She lowered her head, thinking.

“I remember… being sold.” Her voice faltered. “Mother said selling me was the only way for the family to survive.”

Then she looked up, her young face solemn. “So… did you buy me now? If so, you might’ve overpaid. I’m actually very cheap.”

The trio fell silent.

Chu Xingchen knelt to her eye level. “Do you know what ‘Master’ means?”

Chen Baiqing frowned, racking her memory, before shaking her head dejectedly.

He reached out, ruffling her hair gently.

“It means you’ve found a new home. From now on, you’ll live with us.”

“Live… together?”

She stared up at his warm smile, lips parting as if to speak—then closed them again, letting his hand rest atop her head without protest.

Ever since waking, Chen Baiqing had sensed something strange—an instinct that let her perceive others’ emotions toward her in an instant. And for reasons she couldn’t explain, she trusted this ability completely.

The three before her had been easy to read.

The one she’d first seen—her shixiong—radiated a cold detachment. No malice, but no warmth either. Combined with his piercing glare, his presence had startled her.

Her shijie, Li Yingling, carried a gentle, pitying kindness.

As for her master… she’d caught a flicker of something from him earlier, but now, nothing.

The word “master” meant little to her. The closest association was “father,” but even those memories had blurred. This awakening had left her mind in fragments, entire chunks of her past lost. Only the sharpest pains remained.

She didn’t know where she’d been sold to this time. But at least here, it seemed… safe.

No more bitter medicines that wracked her body with agony. No more shouts to shut up when she cried out in pain.

Yet one memory clawed at her:

“Keep crying, and we’ll send you back! Let your whole family starve!”

Those words had choked her sobs into silence. She remembered her mother’s tear-streaked face, helpless.

She couldn’t let them starve.

Chen Baiqing didn’t understand terms like “master.”

But servant girl? That, she knew.

And the one who bought her was called master too.

At first, her mind was muddled, but now she had figured it out—buying her own master meant he was the master of the household!

As Chu Xingchen’s large hand lifted from her head,

Chen Baiqing cautiously looked up and asked, “Master, what should I do here?”

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen raised his eyes and warmly explained,

“I’m not your master—I’m your shifu (master/teacher). For now, just eat, sleep, and play with your shijie (elder martial sister) when you’re free.”

Chen Baiqing was taken aback, not fully understanding what he meant, when she saw Chu Xingchen stride toward the door, smiling as he said,

“To celebrate the arrival of a new disciple today, this master will personally cook.”

The master… cooking?

Chen Baiqing still remembered her mother’s stern words—once she entered the master’s household, she must be diligent, or she’d be sent back.

She quickly wriggled free from Li Yingling’s grip, hopping barefoot off the bed, her voice trembling slightly as she said,

“M-Master… Shifu, let me. I often cooked at home.”

Chu Xingchen turned back in surprise, only to see Chen Baiqing gazing at him pleadingly, her small hands clutching tightly at her tattered clothes.

In a timid, uncertain voice, she added, “I… I know how to stir-fry dishes and cook rice.”

“Yingling, go buy clothes and shoes for your shimei (younger martial sister). Xingtian, get some candied fruits and sweets,” Chu Xingchen instructed his two disciples before extending a hand toward Chen Baiqing. “Then, shall we cook together?”

Even an adult would feel uneasy in an unfamiliar place—let alone a young girl.

Rather than letting her sit there anxiously waiting, it was better to engage with her and help her grow accustomed to her new surroundings.

Chen Baiqing studied the sincerity in Chu Xingchen’s expression. Though she couldn’t yet read his thoughts, in this moment, she didn’t hesitate to reach out.

And so, she took hold of the only hand offered to her.