"Teacher, I'm here." Liu Ling hurried excitedly into the courtyard, calling out to Gu He, who was dozing in the gazebo.
Hearing him, Gu He slowly opened his eyes, glanced at Liu Ling, then sat up and said indifferently, "Come here. What brings you here?"
Liu Ling grinned and said, "Teacher, isn't it time for my special training?"
"Hmm."
Gu He gave a slight nod, then waved his hand. A large wooden barrel materialized in the courtyard.
Liu Ling stared at the barrel in confusion. "Teacher, didn't you say you were changing the training method today?"
He couldn't hide his disappointment.
After breaking through to the Five-Star Dou Master Realm, the Burning Blood Powder had little effect on him anymore.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Get in there, now." Gu He glared at him.
"Yes, Teacher!" Not daring to argue, Liu Ling quickly filled the barrel with water and obediently jumped in.
"Hmph."
Gu He shot him a look before pulling out a jade vial and walking over. As he uncorked it, a stream of emerald-green liquid trickled into the wooden barrel.
Liu Ling's eyes widened in surprise. "Teacher, did you make a mistake? This is Purple Jade Liquid. Shouldn't you use the Burning Blood Powder first?"
Gu He gave him a cold glance. "I am is worried you might die later, so consider this a precaution."
"D-Die?!" Liu Ling's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Gu He fearfully and stammered, "Teacher… you're not serious, are you?"
Gu He smirked. "Oh? Scared now? Who was the one swearing yesterday that they'd push themselves harder?"
Liu Ling shrank back guiltily but still pleaded, "Teacher… can you go a little easier on me?"
"No." With that, Gu He retrieved another jade vial from his storage ring and tossed it to Liu Ling. "Drink this. Every last drop. It's a fifth-grade spirit liquid—worth millions in gold."
Then, without another word, he turned and returned to the gazebo.
Inside the barrel, Liu Ling stared at the vial in his hand, baffled. "Drink it? Why the change this time?"
Remembering Gu He's earlier warning, he didn't dare hesitate further.
Meanwhile, Gu He poured himself tea in the pavilion. Seeing Liu Ling's hesitation, he said, "The Purple Jade Liquid's medicinal properties will evaporate. If you keep dawdling, its effects will weaken—and your life really will be in danger."
Liu Ling's expression changed. Without another thought, he uncorked the vial.
The moment the seal broke, a scorching aura erupted from within.
Liu Ling's face paled. He shot a glance at Gu He, gritted his teeth, and downed the contents in one gulp.
The crimson liquid flowed into his throat—and instantly, it felt like he had swallowed molten lava.
A searing heat exploded in his stomach, spreading through his limbs and bones.
Liu Ling's face twisted in agony.
Then, blood-curdling screams once again echoed through the courtyard.
…
Inside the room…the Little Fairy Doctor stirred awake, faint traces of black powder lingering at the corners of her lips.
Recalling the torment of swallowing poison the night before, a shadow of fear crossed her face.
"AHHH—!!!"
Liu Ling's agonized shrieks reached her ears, making her expression shift slightly.
"Senior Brother is undergoing special training again…" she murmured.
"Compared to his suffering, my poison training seems almost mild."
"Even though his talent is inferior to mine, he pushes himself this hard. As someone born with Woeful Poison Body, how can I afford to slack?"
With renewed determination, Little Fairy Doctor sat up cross-legged and began stabilizing the surging dou qi within her.
…
An hour later…
Liu Ling weakly dragged himself out of the barrel and collapsed onto a seat in the gazebo.
"Teacher… that training nearly killed me…" he gasped, still trembling.
Gu He smiled faintly. "Was it effective?"
"Effective?" Liu Ling blinked, then nodded weakly. "Well… yes…"
Gu He cut him off. "Then stop whining. From now on, this Crimson Flame Spirit Liquid will be your new training standard."**
He retrieved dozens of jade vials from his ring and placed them on the table.
"This is your supply for the next month. Your progress depends on you now."
Liu Ling stared blankly at the vials before realization struck. "Teacher… are you going somewhere?"
Gu He nodded. "I have matters to attend to. I will depart tomorrow and will be gone for about a month."
His tone turned stern. "Do not slack off in your training. When I return, I will test your progress. If you've stagnated, don't blame me for being harsh."
Liu Ling straightened immediately. "Teacher, I swear I'll train diligently!"
Gu He nodded in approval. "Though your talent falls short of your junior sister's, hard work can bridge the gap. Keep at it, and you may yet catch up."
"I will, Teacher!" With that Liu Ling Left.
After Liu Ling left…Gu He summoned the Little Fairy Doctor.
"How is your cultivation progressing?" he asked warmly.
Little Fairy Doctor smiled softly. "This disciple has already reached Seven-Star Dou Master. In about ten days, I'll break through to Eight-Star."
Gu He sighed inwardly. 'The Woeful Poison Body truly is formidable.'
Originally, the Woeful Poison Body was already a heaven-defying constitution.
Combined with his guidance, her growth was nothing short of monstrous.
"Disciple, I've left a gift for you in the room—a reward for your efforts this month."
Gu He patted her head gently. "However, you may only claim it after you break through to Eight-Star Dou Master."
It had been nearly a month since her last empowerment.
But Gu He didn't want to delay any longer.
'To avoid complications, I must secure Qing Lin and the Green Lotus Core Flame as soon as possible.'
As for the "gift," it was an experiment.
The system never specified that rewards had to be given in person.
Perhaps this method could still trigger a return.
Hearing of a reward, the Little Fairy Doctor's eyes sparkled with delight.
Though puzzled by the condition, she nodded obediently. "This disciple understands."
Gu He smiled. "Good. I am leaving tomorrow. Continue your diligent cultivation in my absence."
She bowed. "Teacher don't worry. This disciple has always been earnest in her training."
Gu He chuckled. "Indeed. You're far more diligent than your senior brother."
…
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 10 advanced chapters for just $3.
Your support helps me bring more translated content to you, faster.
patreon.com/DarkLord621