As parting heartfelt advice, Yun Liu smiled and said, “Then there’s no need. I’m just speaking honestly. Things are good as they are now—beautiful, adorable. Don’t always put on that world-weary look; it scares off not just enemies but even Fortune.”
“Mm, got it, I’ll listen to everything you say.”
The rare gentle tone from the young man made the girl’s heart race to her throat, and she nodded shyly.
After the last time’s arrogant mistake, Jing Tan’er was unusually obedient, afraid of being disliked by her future mother-in-law.
Yun Liu took out a green sandalwood box from his sleeve and handed it over, sealed with spiritual power to perfectly preserve the medicinal effects.
“This is the Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill you asked for.”
“Ah? Oh, thank you!”
Jing Tan’er blinked, and believe it or not, she almost forgot about this entirely—the only thing occupying her mind was that Yun Liu had come to find her first, and right after she’d angered the Chief of Celestial Phenomena Peak, she was all flustered.
So the commotion outside earlier was because Rosy Fragrance Pavilion had produced a Heavenly Dao Elixir?
Originally, the little princess only needed an Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, but who would’ve thought Yun Liu’s alchemy skills far exceeded his swordsmanship—a fact not at all exaggerated!
Jing Tan’er carefully stored the box, then opened her small fists to present a return gift, her hands trembling so much she couldn’t even turn her head away.
“Well, you’ve worked hard. This is a reward from me, no need to be polite!”
Under the moonlight shone a delicate silver ring quietly resting in the girl’s palm.
Looking closely, it was engraved with the character “Yun” — a finely crafted, custom-made superior spiritual tool.
Scanning it with his divine sense, Yun Liu found it was an unowned storage bag with vast internal space and a grade three quality—more spacious and practical than all the confiscated storage bags combined.
“How can I accept this!”
Though he said this, Yun Liu accepted it without hesitation, imprinting his soul seal onto it with divine sense at lightning speed.
This was an invaluable treasure; when a princess of the Zhu Sheng Dynasty makes a move, it’s truly different.
No wonder Huo Tian Tian treats the little princess like family.
Yun Liu didn’t refuse to exchange tokens, which made Jing Tan’er extremely happy.
She puffed out her chest and said, “You’re after all a second-rank Heavenly Dao Pill Alchemist, a high-ranking guest official of the Zhu Sheng Dynasty, and the future empress’s tutor. Hmm, you really need your own title!”
“That makes sense!”
This reminded Yun Liu.
Pill Alchemists always leave their exclusive marks on their creations, like a signature stamp.
He liked this engraving very much; from today on, it would be exclusively used for “Yun” brand.
As for the odd additional titles, they could be ignored.
“Your spiritual power is a mix of wind and fire, so I’ve added some complementary spiritual materials that won’t interfere with your innate spiritual foundation. They’ll help you absorb faster, and if you’re lucky, you might even directly reach Foundation Stage, Second Level.”
“Really?”
Jing Tan’er held the pill in her palm like a token of affection, staring at it blissfully as if reluctant to take it.
“Is it better than the one you made for Xiao Xinran?” the little princess asked softly, inevitably comparing.
To outsiders, the auction items in Mist City were naturally meant for the fiancée, but plans often change—halfway through, a yellow-haired “finder” unexpectedly snatched it.
“Money can cure myself.”
“Hmm? You mean last time? That was just a prototype, never meant for Xiao Xinran. I needed a lot back then.”
Recalling those comical days, Yun Liu chuckled.
The Foundation Establishment Pill was bait for that yellow-haired fool, a desperate victim rewriting her tragic fate using the Stellar and Supreme Way Fortunes, or else she wouldn’t have ended up a mud-legged nobody.
In the end, Ji Shiyu was first killed by Xiao Xinran, establishing a three-year pact, then backfired by a certain cunning babe.
Caught between two geniuses, she naively accepted a new father for her mother, unknowingly taking the blame for the Saint Teachings Alchemy Manual’s scandal for Qin Sister.
The poor girl would likely face the Demon Sect’s retaliation alone; without the proud intervention of Mr. Yun, the young Xuan Nu would be isolated and die far from home.
As departure neared, looking back, those ridiculous times were tinged with absurdity, even Yun Liu felt a bit reluctant.
It’s like the old saying goes: once the ethereal realm ceases to be just a game, reality often turns out even more surreal than the story.
“So mine really is better, huh? Hehe?”
Jing Tan’er squeezed the Foundation Establishment Pill, half delighted and half saddened, then suddenly grabbed Yun Liu’s hand, holding it tightly over her chest, pleading, “This can’t go on. Why don’t you leave here and come home with me? They don’t cherish you like I do. I’ll definitely get Father to find a way to cure you!”
“…Uh.”
Yun Liu was stunned.
Because of the original story’s curse, compared to the myriad flirtatious heroines, only the cold sect’s villainous daughter truly shared his affliction.
But he hadn’t expected that beneath this sharp-tongued tool’s mask hid a soft and passionate heart, sincere towards him just like Qin Sister—a realization that moved him deeply.
That initial kindness had now formed a bond, slightly changing the villainous daughter’s past flamboyance and allowing Yun Liu to grow as well.
Jing Tan’er’s overly proactive move stunned the villainous follower.
Though they couldn’t hear what was said, it was like a confession—no trace of the domineering public demeanor remained.
Feeling the warmth from her palm, the little princess flinched and hurriedly let go, spinning around nervously.
“I-I-I mean, the Dao is vast, not just the path of the sword. Better to serve the dynasty here than suffer scorn, you dummy!”
Wailing inwardly, “What did I just say?!”
Isn’t this… kind of like a proposal?
Mother always said girls should be more reserved; men don’t cherish what they get too easily!
“You have a point, but thank you for your kindness, Princess, I don’t need it anymore.”
Yun Liu bowed deeply, no teasing or jokes this time, treating her sincerely as a friend.
“Why not?”
Jing Tan’er pouted, feeling lost.
He’d just rejected her again.
What did “don’t need it” mean?
Was he so discouraged by Xiao Xinran that he couldn’t cheer up for her?
Yun Liu didn’t answer but asked back, “Rather than that, I have a suggestion. You’re at Refining Qi Great Perfection; you can take Foundation Establishment Pills anytime to form your spiritual foundation, improving your chances of advancing in assessments. Tonight, the strange celestial phenomena continue, and the spirit energy gathering at Sighing Peak makes it the best time to break through!”
No one knew the Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill better than Yun Liu himself. With his guidance, it would be used to maximum effect.
After tonight, Rosy Fragrance Pavilion would be deserted; maybe even the mistress would be conned away.
“B-But I’m not ready yet; it’s my first time. Is it really okay?”
“As long as I’m ready.”
Yun Liu smiled confidently, took Jing Tan’er’s trembling little hand, and led her into a small grove.
Princess touching you is fine; that’s her freedom, but you touching the princess is forward and rude!
“Impudent!”
The bespectacled girl was about to speak, but Jing Tan’er suddenly turned back, her fierce glare freezing the maid in place.
The message was clear—no approaching, no interruptions from outsiders.
Nini and Lu’er exchanged glances and covered their faces, utterly clueless about matters of men and women.
A confession followed by a tryst in the forest—Princess Tan’er was shockingly bold!
Her flushed face showed panic mixed with anticipation as she allowed the youth to lead her deeper into the peak’s woods, her imagination filling with strange scenarios.
Mother said boys are cunning and full of passionate schemes, with minds full of naughty thoughts.
Is this not a perfect excuse to make a move?
What if Brother Yun tries to use this as an excuse to probe her pulse, then sneaks a hug and a kiss?
Should she accept or not?
Perhaps it was more of a hesitant welcome?
Although their relationship was (one-sidedly) confirmed, they had yet to sign a contract to become legitimate Daoist Companions, and their families were far apart, having never met.
“Set Qi!”
Under the sparse moonlight, the deep forest was so silent that heartbeats could be heard.
“Huh? Oh!”
Jing Tan’er’s mind wandered, taking a long moment to come back to herself.
Behind her, a hand pressed against her back, warmth continuously flowing, calming her mind.
“Divine Concealment.”
The girl steadied herself; her Qi Sea was calm, and her faint divine sense, like most outer sect disciples, had not yet taken the form of a Sword Embryo but barely permeated the Sea of Consciousness.
“Alright now.”
Only then did Jing Tan’er realize Yun Liu truly wanted to help her break through, her heart filled with shame, gratitude, and joy all at once.
She hurriedly dispelled distractions and reluctantly took out the Foundation Establishment Pill, carefully placing it in her mouth.
The pill melted immediately, like a clear spring, tasteless, but once flowing into her body, it burned fiercely like strong liquor, her abdomen heating intensely.
“Ugh!”
“Endure it, focus your attention on the Qi Sea’s Jade Palace, building your spiritual foundation, not the skin pain,” Yun Liu instructed, pressing his fingers on several points.
Spiritual energy flowed out, forming a shallow array to block external intrusion and sound.
Jing Tan’er gritted her teeth and nodded, concentrating on her restless Qi Sea.
As the Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill’s properties were activated by Yun Liu’s guidance, her whole body flushed red and heated, overflowing with spiritual energy ready to burst forth.
She wanted to strip off her clothes to cool down.
“Building a spiritual foundation is like constructing a house. To forge a solid foundation for future Dao and heart refinement, it must withstand wind and rain. No slacking or shortcuts. Whether the Jade Palace deep inside is a leaky hut or a magnificent palace depends entirely on you,” the Protector Daoist enlightened each word, helping the girl open a new world of the Jade Palace.
Even at Foundation Establishment, some cultivators seek shortcuts and collapse at the slightest touch, while others remain unmoved with deep roots.
The difference lies here.
Needless to say, the princess’s palace was, of course, a palace!
Jing Tan’er’s competitive spirit flared; she followed instructions quickly, enduring the pain as she consciously guided the spiritual energy.
Her foundation was solid enough to withstand the Heavenly Dao Elixir’s explosive properties.
Soon, a perfect golden palace matching the little princess’s imagination took shape, followed by the weaving of its core structure.
The Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was like the paintbrush in her hands—endless, with every material incredibly sturdy.
The pain on the girl’s face gradually faded until her spiritual platform cleared, her Qi Sea stabilized, and both soul cultivation and strength made great progress through this spiritual foundation practice.
Her delicate body emitted an unusual glow.
“Ah—!”
Jing Tan’er suddenly screamed, startling Yun Liu, almost bursting his eardrums.
She looked down in frustration, her precious little dress praised by her beloved now soiled.
Unnoticed in her cultivation breakthrough, the impurities and blockages clogged in her acupoints and body were all expelled, dirtying her clothes.
Yun Liu chuckled, shaking his head.
After Foundation Establishment, one is reborn, officially leaving the mortal realm with greatly extended lifespan. It’s perfectly normal.
“Congratulations, you’ve stepped into the world of cultivation.”
Jing Tan’er turned back excitedly, clenching her fists, feeling her Qi Sea flourishing.
Above her Sea of Consciousness, the Sword Embryo was just beginning to take shape, a world apart from before, with much faster spiritual energy mobilization.
“Foundation Establishment… Second Level!?”
The young man’s words were no exaggeration.
The wind and fire nature spiritual energy fully absorbed into her spiritual root showed she had indeed entered the early Foundation Establishment stage with amazing results.
What more could be said?
Jing Tan’er was overjoyed, ignoring her dirty state, and hugged the sweating “waste,” grateful and tender.
Yun Liu didn’t mind, gently patting her back and loosening his stiff shoulders.
“Please spare me, Princess. Protecting the Dao means I’ve built the foundation with you. It’s late; let’s go back to wash and rest. Starting tomorrow, familiarize yourself with your new Qi Sea and divine sense. After Foundation Establishment, you can refer to the Cloud Sea Foundation Record annotations in the Illusion Pavilion, third row, middle of section B for detailed insights.”
“Mm!”
Jing Tan’er blushed and stepped back, embarrassed at having dirtied Yun Liu.
For a clean girl, such humiliation was hard to bear every second.
She waved and dashed out of the woods, summoning her followers to slip back to the Earth-Courtyard.
Nini and Lu’er were even more horrified—the princess and her future husband fighting in the deep night left their legs numb before they dared look back.
They say the journey of dual cultivation is exquisite; how crazy is it really?
Outside the Illusion Pavilion, an old man gazed at the night sky with a sigh.
“Unexpectedly, the first to reach Foundation Establishment is Tan’er. Fate is truly unpredictable.”
As expected, Yun Liu’s great calamity was not necessarily a curse, nor was Ji Shiyu’s theft of the elixir necessarily a blessing.
The little princess’s latent strength had burst forth perfectly with Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, and Yun Liu deserved much credit.
Having wrapped up the sect’s leftover matters, Yun Liu returned to Celestial Phenomena Peak at night.
A white-clad fairy stood by the cliff, her expression lonely.
Could it be… she’s waiting for him again?
The boy’s heart fluttered. Since that night, whenever he closed his eyes, he saw the enchanting face of his demonic master—cold outside, warm inside—hard to forget for a long time.
If this goes on, his filial piety might spoil; what if Mother comes back and twists his head off?
Why so late getting back?
Yan Bingling’s gaze was faint. She had wanted to scold him but instead said, “Don’t you want to come home? Even if just to stay out a little longer?”
“…”
Yun Liu was at a loss for words.
If before he would have thought this was just a resentful mother’s dissatisfaction, now it sounded alluringly like a neglected wife.
His master seemed to have completely forgotten that night’s events…
So which master should he tell—his enchanting demonic master or the cold and distant one?
“The yellow-haired girl couldn’t wait for you, went to bed hungry. She probably still doesn’t know you’ve made up your mind.”
Yan Bingling smiled wryly and went back to her room.
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