The day passed slowly.
And in the blink of an eye, I reached the late stage of Qi Gathering, while Xue Lian advanced all the way to the peak stage. Of course, from the outside, it didn't look like I was cultivating. From her perspective, I was just in a lotus position
on the grass, staring at the clouds like an idle wanderer trying to comprehend some vast, ineffable truth. She couldn't possibly fathom what was going through my mind—or what I pretended was.
When I finally stood up, seemingly finished with my "comprehension," she approached, cupping her hands respectfully.
"Disciple greets Master."
I gave her a nod of approval. "Hmm, good. You're at the peak layer now." Even though I couldn't see her exact cultivation level, I could feel it. It was an instinct now.
She smiled with grace, her eyes twinkling with pride. "Disciple has reached the peak layer. Within a week, I'm confident I'll break through to Foundation Establishment."
I nodded solemnly. Though it pained me deeply, I reached into my sleeve and pulled out a radiant pill, handing it to her with a graceful motion. "Then take this."
Her eyes lit up with surprise and gratitude. She bowed deeply. "Disciple thanks Master for the reward."
Inside, my heart was crying.
That was supposed to be mine.
Goodbye, Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill...
> [Host has given their disciple a Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill. In return, Host will receive a Superior Grade Foundation Establishment Pill ×15.]
My internal sobbing stopped.
Xue Lian stared at the pill in her palm. It gleamed with an amber hue, pure and lustrous. She remembered once seeing a Foundation Establishment Pill when she was cleaning another sect's alchemy chamber—it was a dull brown lump that smelled faintly of burnt herbs. The cultivator who consumed it had bragged about it for days, like he'd just swallowed a heavenly treasure.
Yet the pill I handed her was different. Its quality radiated calm power. Even if she didn't understand the exact grade, she knew it was something far beyond ordinary.
She carefully stored the pill in her pocket, then looked at me with renewed determination.
"Disciple will work hard to be worthy of Master's generosity."
I gave her a faint nod, feigning the serenity of a sage. "If you work diligently, disciple, you may yet reach immortality."
She nodded gratefully and turned to enter closed-door cultivation again, determined to break through. As she shut herself inside the wooden house once more, I sighed.
"Why do I feel homeless...?"
Sitting beneath a tree, I gazed at the drifting clouds and let the cool breeze play with my hair. A few strands danced backward, revealing my slender, pale neck. I had to admit—being reincarnated came with perks.
With a smug grin, I whispered to myself, "Damn, I'm handsome."
Just as I was about to return to cultivation, a sharp crack split the air—and with a speed that defied logic, a figure slammed into the ground nearby.
My eye twitched.
"What now?"
The heavens really had a sense of humor.
A woman knelt in the center of a small crater, her body broken and bleeding. Her long golden hair was matted with dirt, yet it still shimmered faintly under the sun. Her violet eyes, however, glared coldly despite her state. A deep wound split her abdomen, and blood soaked her robes—but none of it could conceal her beauty. It was like watching a celestial maiden fall from the sky… with a stab wound.
Her aura rippled out like a crashing wave—Nascent Soul Realm.
My breath caught. She was conscious, but just barely. Her body trembled as she tried to stand, only to collapse again. Even injured, her presence was overwhelming.
I approached a little, then spoke with a tone layered in calm and mystery. "Fellow Daoist, do you need assistance?"
She didn't reply, but instead released more of her aura. The pressure was immense. Peak Nascent Soul Realm. A warning.
I smiled gently and released my own aura—only slightly less powerful, just enough to match hers. I could almost hear her thoughts.
He's at the Nascent Soul Realm Peak layer? No... not quite… but close.
She gritted her teeth. In her condition, she couldn't afford to take a fight. Even if I were weaker, one wrong move and she'd lose.
Her eyes narrowed, and her voice, though weak, still carried cold arrogance. "What do you want?"
"My intentions are peaceful," I replied, voice aloof, mysterious, and probably a little too theatrical. Then I casually turned and walked back to my tree.
Let it be known—I have no desire to fight a heavily injured tiger just because it's limping. I'd rather survive another day.
She watched me suspiciously as I sat and resumed cultivating. After a moment, she swallowed a pill and settled into a lotus position nearby, starting to recover.
Two days passed.
Day and night, I cultivated silently, occasionally stealing glances at the mysterious woman. Her wounds were healing, albeit slowly. Her aura was no longer leaking, but she remained wary. She never once let her guard down around me, which was frankly fair.
At last, on the third day, I sensed someone approaching.
With my eyes, I saw her walking toward me. Her golden robes were cleaner now, though still torn at the edges. Her golden eyes met mine, less distant than before. She now had a visible vitality, and the grace of someone used to commanding respect.
She spoke with her usual cool tone. "I'll be staying here for about a week. I'll offer you something in return. Is that acceptable?"
I nodded nonchalantly, pretending not to care.
She studied my expression, then, seemingly satisfied, took out a whistle. It looked fragile, like it could break if she breathed too hard on it.
"This can summon a Nascent Soul–level spirit beast—a large fox. It will protect you for three days. After that, it vanishes."
My heart skipped a beat.
This woman—this injured nascent cultivator
was casually handing me a living, growling, fur-covered insurance policy. With this, I could protect myself in emergencies. Or better yet, give it to Xue Lian. That girl would be guarded like the sect's holy treasure.
Still, I kept my expression cool, as if receiving such a treasure was just another Tuesday.
"Very well," I said, accepting the whistle with elegance and mystery, slipping it into my sleeve.
Inside?
I was screaming in joy.
She nodded slightly and walked away to rest beneath a distant tree, clearly still cautious but no longer hostile.
[4 powerstone for extra chapters TvT]