"However, what if I were to keep this painting?" Helian Chi looked at Duan Lingyun. "A young girl like you probably doesn’t need this."
Duan Lingyun thought for a moment before nodding.
"If the Sect Leader likes it, consider it a junior’s gesture of respect on behalf of her master."
Hearing this, Helian Chi couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
"Young lady, I was initially worried that Little Wei wouldn’t teach you well. But seeing how sensible and talented you are—very well, I’ll gift you a magical artifact."
"Uncle, that’s not appropriate," Little Wei quickly interjected.
They had just acquired a secret realm, and now he wanted to give something else? That was too much.
"Ah, why must you be so dense? This girl is still your disciple, a member of Qingdao Sect. Besides, the secret realm was left behind by our ancestors—if he wishes to give it to someone, there’s nothing we can do. And it’s not like it’s going to an outsider."
"Moreover, our Qingdao Sect has deep reserves. After a thousand years, the treasures inside are mostly just common spirit herbs. The sect certainly doesn’t lack those."
Helian Chi saw things with remarkable clarity, and his words were soothing.
Of course, if he found out someone had taken things without reporting them, that would be another matter entirely.
Losing a secret realm was no big deal, but the dignity of Qingdao Sect had to be maintained. If any disciple displayed poor character, they would be expelled without hesitation.
As he pondered this, Helian Chi stepped into a hidden chamber. When he returned, he held a delicate waist ornament in his hand.
"This Nine Revolutions Soul-Calming Bell can withstand three full-power strikes from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, or one from a Deity Transformation expert." He handed the small, exquisite string of bells to Duan Lingyun.
Duan Lingyun accepted it without hesitation.
This treasure was invaluable. Though Helian Chi claimed it was for her, his true intention was to use the artifact to protect her. After all, she was someone even the secret realm’s owner had shielded. Helian Chi was genuinely curious—just what kind of talent did Duan Lingyun possess?
If she truly was a prodigy, she might even contend for the position of Sect Leader in the future.
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
Meanwhile, Little Wei kept sneaking glances at Duan Lingyun.
She really resembled the protagonist.
In such a short time, she had already replaced Little Wei’s privileges. And such a precious artifact—Helian Chi could have easily given it to Cheng Yuguang instead.
Perhaps…
Helian Chi wasn’t short on resources?
Well, that made sense. As a Mahayana-stage powerhouse with centuries of cultivation, his encounters and fortunes were beyond counting. To him, something like this was probably just discarded trash.
If only he’d give out more of this "trash"—she wanted some too.
But though she thought it, Little Wei didn’t voice it aloud.
"Then we thank you, Uncle. We’ll take our leave now."
"Very well."
The two soon returned to Zhong Lingfeng. With some time still remaining before their descent for training, Little Wei sprawled lazily on her warm jade bed, yawning as she looked at Song Huanqing.
"Remember to make a few extra dishes, Huanqing. I’m going to sleep first."
As she spoke, she rubbed the sore spot from sitting all day. Damn it, how did those old men endure those icy, hard chairs without complaint?
It was truly baffling.
Song Huanqing: "…"
The real person was far too lazy. If she kept sleeping like this, she’d drop dead one day from exhaustion.
Wait—no, no, she shouldn’t curse the real person like that.
At least Senior Sister Duan, despite spending so much time with her, had only picked up her love for food—not her habit of oversleeping.
When Song Huanqing stepped outside, she saw Duan Lingyun still meditating in the courtyard, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
She couldn’t help but grimace. If the real person put in a little more effort, she wouldn’t still be stuck at the early Nascent Soul stage.
But the moment Song Huanqing left, Duan Lingyun abruptly opened her eyes, a trace of confusion in her expression.
She felt her Dao heart wavering.
She wasn’t sure if it was her own issue, but she couldn’t stop dwelling on what had happened in the secret realm.
She knew exactly who that person was—Gu Wei, the founder of Qingdao Sect.
After joining the sect, she had heard fellow disciples speak of inheritances and the like, but those were rare treasures. For centuries, there might not be a single person worthy of receiving one.
Was this secret realm an inheritance?
An inheritance should consist of cultivation techniques or something similar.
But none of that mattered to her. The fact that she could now cultivate like a normal person was already more than enough.
In the world of cultivation, talent was everything. A pure Heavenly Spirit Root made others envious, but she firmly believed that human will could triumph over fate.
Three parts talent, seven parts effort—if she persevered in the years to come, she would undoubtedly become a formidable powerhouse, one who commanded awe.
Just like the Sect Leader.
With this thought, Duan Lingyun cast aside her distractions and felt the barrier within her dantian—the one that had long constrained her—begin to loosen slightly.
A surge of joy rose in her heart.
She was about to break through to Foundation Establishment.
Realizing this, Duan Lingyun immediately focused her entire being on circulating her spiritual energy, channeling all her strength to shatter that barrier.
Meanwhile, Little Wei remained oblivious. She had simply taken a nap, only to wake up to the news that Duan Lingyun had reached the early Foundation Establishment stage.
"Are you serious?" Little Wei studied Duan Lingyun, who seemed different from usual, and couldn’t help but feel surprised.
What was going on? She had just advanced out of nowhere?
"Though I’ve only just broken through and my foundation is still unstable, I have indeed reached Foundation Establishment," Duan Lingyun replied, lifting her gaze to her master.
Why wasn’t her master praising her?
She had outperformed both Cheng Yuguang and Ye Mingtian.
"Well, this descent for training will be a good opportunity to solidify your foundation," Little Wei said, yawning again. But when she glanced at Duan Lingyun, she noticed the girl standing motionless, staring intently at her.
What was this about?
That expressionless gaze—was she… waiting for praise?
The thought startled Little Wei, who took a step back. Seeing Duan Lingyun still watching her, she cleared her throat awkwardly.
"You’re already stronger than most. Keep pushing, and you’ll grow even more formidable." She rose on her tiptoes and patted Duan Lingyun’s shoulder.
Only then did Duan Lingyun’s expression soften slightly.
Little Wei was at a loss.
This little disciple of hers was really…
Equal parts exasperating and amusing!
Ah, well—after all, she was probably the only person Duan Lingyun was close to.
If this were "Big Orange," then she might be considered a wife. If not, then the protagonist. But no matter what, she was still her precious disciple.
She had no choice but to spoil her. It wasn’t like she could just abandon her, right?
As she ate, Little Wei studied the young woman before her. She hadn’t paid much attention before, but now that she looked closely, Duan Lingyun’s matured features bore an uncanny resemblance to Big Orange.
This was really going to be trouble.
Before, it was just a matter of her being a rebellious disciple. But now the roles had reversed—how was she supposed to handle this?
Little Wei nibbled on her chopsticks.
No matter what, she had watched this girl grow up. It just didn’t feel right to make a move!
Fine, she’d just slack off. The other host hadn’t appeared yet anyway.
But Little Wei had a feeling—this descent for training might very well lead her to the other host.
"Master," Duan Lingyun suddenly asked, "when do you think… I’ll reach the Nascent Soul stage?"
The question left Little Wei utterly stunned.
What?
Nascent Soul?
This site is about to undergo a major upgrade, adding more books and timely chapter updates.