"Break-through?" Johan repeated softly, his face flashing with uncertainty for a moment.
"Yes, young master. Congratulations for breaking through," Li Ping smiled, stepping forward with a relief that made her whole body sag.
"I see. Just one pill refined by my great master's technique has this great of an effect." The One-Eyed Oracle wore a proud smile.
She took his hand, her third eye examining his pulse. "The green devil mist has merged with your spiritual veins. Your meridians are no longer blocked and so is your path to cultivation."
"Human, do you now accept our owner as your master?" The left head of Barat asked as they coiled on themselves on the table.
Did Johan want to? Absolutely not. He had already seen enough in his past life but he couldn't help but feel curious about how to manipulate the actual physical energy flowing through his veins.
"Yes." He uttered this simple word, conceding to his curiosity.
"No young master, you can't. If you concede to the demonic path, the young masters will have no choice but to banish or kill you from the Fenglan Realm without considering the debt." Li Ping warned with teary eyes.
"Oh women of the Fenglan Realm, always so pure. If you were from our Xuchong Realm, you'd actually be the one encouraging him." The Left Head flicked out its tongue.
"Silence or you shall return to the Mistveil Beast Market. I believe Madam Xu Lianhua would be happy for you to pay her a visit." The Oracle warned.
"No. Not the beast market. Not back to the hell we crawled from. Not back to the Madam..." The Right Head shivered.
Barat was terrified.
"Please do not tease us owner, knowing we're completely at your service." The Middle Headed pleaded.
"...Who is Madam Xu Lianhua and why is Barat the chatty cobra shaking?" Li Ping asked as her attention moved to the snake shaking on the table in fear.
The One-Eyed Oracle ignored the attendant, her gaze fixed entirely on Qian Yun. "Becoming my disciple comes with conditions such as severing ties with the mortal world which entails setting yourself free anything that will hold you back."
"Come and find me when you're ready to leave behind your old life." With a clap of her hand, they were back in the room.
"Interesting. I think it's time I met my family." A faint smile appeared on Johan's face.
The Xuchong Realm, said to be the most dangerous among the Twelve had piqued his interest so as Madam Xu Lianhua who got the carefree cobra to shiver.
"I might have to pay a visit to this Xuchong Realm." Johan smirked.
To visit Qian Yun's family, he had to leave the palace and find the cottage on the outskirts. Johan didn't know his way around the place so he needed a guide. Who better than Li Ping to assume the work? Johan thought as he observed the girl who paced the room, still shaken by the earlier events.
"Li Ping, are there any waterfalls nearby?" Johan asked calmly, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder.
Johan asked her this because in Qian Yun's memory, there was a waterfall near his home and Johan believed that finding this waterfall would lead to finding Qian Yun's family home.
"A...waterfall? Young master, what are you planning to do? I hope you're not..." She trailed off, taking her hand in hers.
"I'm sorry, young master. I couldn't do anything to help you from her. I'm incompetent but I won't let you down now." Tears streamed down her face.
"I do know where we can find the nearest waterfall but the crown prince ordered me to keep you safe here. I can't let you go out without his consent. Forgive me young master." She bowed.
"I believe he also said that you are to aid my every need?" Johan helped her up.
"Yes, young master." She wiped her tears away.
"I believe I shall feel better after seeing the waterfalls. If the crown prince is indeed in seclusion, we'll surely be back before he finds out that we ever left. You'll do this for your young master, won't you?" Johan's voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Young master, I..." Li Ping trailed off, avoiding his gaze.
"If I take the young master to the waterfalls and something happens to him, I'll be in danger but if I don't take him to the waterfalls and he doesn't recover. I'll still be in danger. What should I do?" Li Ping's dilemma wore her down.