[A/N: Here's another one, a little later. I thank everyone who is following and encouraging me. Happy reading to all.]
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The moon rose high in the sky, shining splendidly.
On his way to the training field, Xiang Yun held a small book titled – [Divine Technique of the Azure Dragon] – a technique he had found in the library after going through hundreds of books.
This technique specialized in cultivation growth.
The Azure Dragon centered around two attributes: wind and lightning. Thus, cultivating the [Divine Technique of the Azure Dragon] would allow the user to unleash martial skills imbued with the power of wind and lightning, either together or separately.
As cultivation progressed, the user could also access an even more special form of soul power—Dragon Soul Power—which was far more refined and powerful. This was a technique that could allow someone like Xiao Ning'er to leap across realms, even fighting those in higher stages.
As the name implied, it was a Divine technique.
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Training Fields.
In the distance, under the moonlight, Xiang Yun spotted Xiao Ning'er standing quietly. Tonight, she seemed to be dressed with even more charm. Her pure black hair cascaded down, tied with a silver ribbon. Her face was pale and delicate, with fine brows—elegant and refined, almost unreal.
Truly, she was a beauty who didn't lose to anyone her age. Her eyes lit up when she saw him approaching.
"You finally came!" she said, a genuine smile blooming on her lips—something rare for her usually cold expression.
Her eyes were suddenly drawn to the book he carried, [Divine Technique of the Azure Dragon] written across its cover. "What's that? A new technique?" she asked curiously.
Xiang Yun shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he extended the book to her. "I found this technique in the library, and since it seems similar to yours, I brought it for you to try out."
"For me?" Ning'er blinked in surprise, hesitating for only a moment before taking the book. At that moment, a subtle warmth spread in her chest. Receiving a gift—especially one as significant as a cultivation technique—was something few people had ever done for her.
"Yes," Xiang Yun nodded. "As promised, I found a way to improve your technique. But this one is actually much more compatible with you. You can try it after the treatment."
Xiang Yun cleared his throat, his smile fading into a more serious expression, though his eyes still held a peculiar glint. "Well then, shall we begin? The bruise on your ankle should be almost gone by now."
"En." She responded softly, recalling the treatment. She sat down in front of him and extended her ankle, its skin as white as wheat.
"Hmm... Looks like the bruise will disappear after today. It's much better now," Xiang Yun said as he held her ankle in his hands.
Xiao Ning'er shivered slightly when his warm hands touched her skin.
Although she had already been massaged by Xiang Yun once before, when he held her feet again, her face couldn't help but show a bit of shyness.
"Yes. It healed really fast." Xiao Ning'er nodded, feeling very grateful to him. After the first treatment, she had gone to investigate the nature of her illness. As expected, it was exactly as he had said.
If it had continued, she would have died at best. At worst, she would have suffered a pain worse than death for the rest of her life.
While helping Xiao Ning'er, Xiang Yun asked, "I have a favor to ask. Would you be willing to help me?"
She nodded.
"Of course. No matter what it is, as long as it's something I can do, I'll do my best." Xiao Ning'er's eyes were filled with sincerity.
Xiang Yun smiled and took five porcelain bottles from his spatial ring. "I refined some medicinal pills that can improve cultivation speed. They're safe." He smiled.
"I want you to help test them, and then tell me what the effects are on someone who hasn't reached Bronze Rank yet. Is that okay?"
"Test pills?" Xiao Ning'er was confused, but then her mind exploded with realization. "Wait. Did you just say you refined them yourself? You became an alchemist?!" She was stunned.
'He told me a few days ago he was interested in practicing alchemy, but it hasn't even been a week. Could he be a genius alchemist too? What kind of monster is this guy?'
"Hehe. Now do you see how much of a genius I am? So, what do you say—want to devote yourself to me now?" Xiang Yun teased, feeling her hand brush against his as she took the pills.
Ning'er blushed and huffed lightly, feeling her face heat up. "Don't even think about it. I'm already engaged." she said, but Xiang Yun noticed the hint of sorrow in her eyes that appeared for just a second.
The two fell silent.
"The Sacred Family, right?" he asked suddenly, though it sounded more like a confirmation than a question.
Xiao Ning'er's eyes widened. Very few people knew about that—only the most important figures in each family. So how could Xiang Yun know?
"How do you know that?" she asked, but Xiang Yun just gave her a faint smile without answering.
"Don't worry about it. Since we can be considered friends after this..." He glanced playfully at her curves, making her cross her arms over her chest before realizing he was teasing again.
"As I said, since we're friends, I can guarantee that in less than a month, you can reach Silver Rank if you want to—and then break that engagement with your own strength."
Xiao Ning'er stared at him in disbelief before shaking her head with a bitter smile. "That's impossible... I know I have talent, but reaching Silver Rank in one month is beyond reason, even for Lord Ye Mo."
Xiang Yun didn't respond to that. He simply smiled. "Just trust me. I can definitely help you reach that level in one month. But if you don't want to..." He sighed and turned his attention back to her ankle.
Seeing his expression, Xiao Ning'er bit her lip.
'Was he sad? Was he upset because I didn't believe him? But still... she had never heard of anyone cultivating so quickly. But if it was him...
Maybe there was hope, right?
"I trust you..." she whispered, breaking the silence. Her voice was softer than a mosquito's buzz.
"Did you say something? I didn't catch that." Xiang Yun looked up without expression, though his eyes gleamed with triumph.
'She really is a captivating and extraordinarily beautiful girl,' Xiang Yun thought. Even considering her young age, he couldn't deny that her icy beauty stirred his heart.
'Hmph. He's doing this on purpose, isn't he?' Xiao Ning'er huffed, noticing that look.
"I trust you. So help me with my cultivation. Okay now?" she said, now in a clear and firm voice.
Xiang Yun nodded, and the two continued the treatment. In that short interaction, their relationship improved a little, with Ning'er opening up more to him. She still got shy when he began treating the bruise under her ribs, but quickly changed the subject, starting to talk about her friendship with Ye Ziyun and other things to ease the mood.
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"All done," Xiang Yun said, turning away to give her space to dress again. "I'll begin reciting the technique and my understanding of it. You can decide whether to follow this path or comprehend it from the start, alright?" he asked, and she nodded, paying close attention.
"Sit cross-legged in front of me. I'll teach you the first level of the Divine Technique of the Azure Dragon."
"En." She obeyed and sat naturally in front of him.
Xiao Ning'er gazed at Xiang Yun's handsome face, now closer, and let herself be drawn in. Deep in her heart, an unfamiliar feeling began to blossom.
Meanwhile, Xiang Yun recited the technique word for word.
At first, Xiao Ning'er couldn't enter the right mindset. After all, she had many random thoughts swirling in her head. But her martial artist's heart quickly overcame the distractions as she listened attentively to Xiang Yun's verbal chants, committing them to memory.
Xiang Yun spoke quickly, but Xiao Ning'er displayed impressive talent—it was as if she never forgot anything she heard. Xiang Yun only had to recite it twice before she could remember the entire technique.
One, two... just three times were enough for Xiao Ning'er to start circulating her Soul Force according to the new cultivation method. She truly deserved to be called a genius!
Xiao Ning'er memorized the cultivation technique and, as she chanted it, she felt that the power was indeed that of a method based on wind and lightning—it was strong and unparalleled! All the other cultivation techniques she had seen were trash compared to this one.
"Xiang Yun, thank you." Xiao Ning'er raised her head in gratitude.
She didn't even know how to repay this kindness. First, he had freed her from what could have been a long and painful suffering, and then he had given her such a powerful cultivation technique.
Biting her lip as her skin began to warm, she said, "I don't know how to repay you. But whatever help you may need in the future, I'll be there for you."
Hearing her kind words made Xiang Yun's heart swell with joy. Looking at the charming Xiao Ning'er, he smiled and said, "We're friends, right? So it's natural we help each other. If I'm ever in trouble, you'll help me too, right?"
Xiao Ning'er nodded.
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[A/N: As you know, English is not my native language. I use apps to do the translation. So if something is wrong or unconscious, just let me know and I will correct it. I noticed that in the name of the technique [Divine Technique of the Azure Dragon] Becoming [Blue Dragon Divine Technique].