Chapter 011
Chapter 11: Ignoring My Words?
Inside the room.
After applying medicine, Xing Lan picked up a robe from the side and gently draped it around her shoulders.
Shi Zi Chu adjusted her clothes and turned to face the man whose expression was stern and cold, saying earnestly, “Master, I wish to begin body tempering.”
Her frail body was now nothing but a burden. She urgently needed to strengthen herself!
With a flick of his long fingers, a storage pouch and a cultivation manual instantly appeared in Xing Lan’s palm.
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes sparkled as she took the manual, quickly flipping through its pages.
At the same moment, Xue Gu’s soft, sweet voice sounded, “Master, there are many god-rank body tempering manuals in the pavilion, some perfectly suited for Master.”
To Xue Gu, only the best cultivation methods were worthy of its master!
Shi Zi Chu pondered briefly, then told Xue Gu to choose one for her.
Indeed, just as Xue Gu thought—since she planned to cultivate anyway, why not select the very best method?
However…
Shi Zi Chu suddenly raised her head, gazing deeply at the man beside her, her eyes shadowed with quiet thought.
Master hadn’t mentioned anything about her stealing—no, taking—the Ring of Initial Bells and forcibly forming a soul contract with it. He must have silently approved of her actions.
For the sake of the Ring of Initial Bells, she decided to take a chance!
Xing Lan narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling suspicious when he met Shi Zi Chu’s inscrutable gaze.
Shi Zi Chu then reached toward Xue Gu, taking out a chosen manual and presenting it carefully, “Master.”
Lowering his eyes to look, Xing Lan’s expression shifted subtly as he swiftly waved a hand, raising a barrier technique around them.
Tapping lightly on the manual in Shi Zi Chu’s hands with his calloused fingertip, he asked deeply, “God-rank?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded once.
Xing Lan raised his hand again, his finger landing gently on Shi Zi Chu’s forehead as he warned her sternly in his cold voice, “Even the innocent will become guilty by holding a priceless treasure, Jiu Jiu. Do not commit such foolishness again.”
Human hearts were unpredictable, and no one could resist the temptation of a god-rank manual.
Before having enough strength, she should hide such a treasure securely and reveal it to no one—not even to him.
Shi Zi Chu looked at Xing Lan’s calm and utterly ungreedy gaze, and she playfully waved the manual before his eyes, “Master, are you tempted?”
Xing Lan’s finger curled slightly as he tapped her forehead again—not painfully, but clearly to caution her.
He was no saint.
“I only trust Master,” Shi Zi Chu said with a radiant smile brightening her face.
Xing Lan turned his gaze slightly away, but the cold sharpness in his eyes softened considerably.
“Master?” Shi Zi Chu leaned closer with a teasing smile, her charming peach-blossom eyes filled with sparkling stars.
Xing Lan glanced down at her coolly, asking indifferently, “Have you decided against body tempering?”
Instantly understanding Xing Lan’s obvious warning, Shi Zi Chu obediently restrained herself.
A man who just had his first taste should not be teased!
[Cowardly Jiu Jiu.]
Xing Lan quietly remarked to himself before taking the manual and swiftly scanning it. He then handed it back to Shi Zi Chu, “This manual indeed suits you best. Cultivate using it.”
Before his voice faded, Xing Lan’s elegant fingers pressed lightly against Shi Zi Chu’s dantian, sending powerful energy surging gently inside her.
Shi Zi Chu froze, realizing she should not move carelessly, “Master, this power feels familiar.”
The energy entering her dantian was immense, pure, and oddly familiar—as if it naturally belonged to her.
Xing Lan raised his gaze slightly, calmly regarding Shi Zi Chu’s curious expression, “Jiu Jiu, at that time, I was half a step into tribulation crossing.”
?!
Understanding his meaning, Shi Zi Chu blushed deeply from her cheeks down to her neck.
Observing her shy and charming appearance, Xing Lan refused to spare her embarrassment, speaking in a detached yet teasing voice, “If I don’t draw this power back out, your body will burst.”
Her delicate face flushed beautifully like sunset clouds, leaving Shi Zi Chu shy and awkward as she managed a dry reply, “Oh.”
She knew her master had replenished her, but she hadn’t realized he had replenished her so generously!
No wonder so many cultivators eagerly pursued dual cultivation—this method was truly the ultimate shortcut!
Xing Lan withdrew his hand, gently pinching her soft cheek, now pinker than blooming peach blossoms. “I’ve given you only a portion. Don’t rush into breaking through the Golden Core stage or Heavenly Tribulation. Use this energy to refine your body first.”
Shi Zi Chu obediently nodded.
“Rest.”
Xing Lan rose and walked over to sit cross-legged on the meditation cushion, closing his eyes.
Shi Zi Chu moved naturally to the bed, instructing Xue Gu to select a few more manuals before resting.
The next day.
Before going out for body tempering, Shi Zi Chu quietly approached Xing Lan. She secretly lingered in front of him for two or three seconds, then left.
Xing Lan, still meditating, naturally noticed her presence. Thus, when he ended his meditation, he saw a god-rank manual placed silently beside him.
After a moment of silence, he reached out and opened the manual.
Exquisite sword techniques dazzled him from the pages.
It was a god-rank Ice Element Sword Technique manual.
Xing Lan closed the book, then directly used his spiritual power to retrieve Shi Zi Chu as soon as she finished body tempering.
Suddenly finding herself back inside, Shi Zi Chu appeared confused.
Xing Lan first raised a barrier technique before holding up the manual, looking at her intently.
Facing her master’s stern and cold expression, Shi Zi Chu felt no panic.
If Xing Lan were genuinely angry, he wouldn’t be acting like this now. He was touched, yet slightly irritated she didn’t keep valuable items hidden better.
Shi Zi Chu wiped away the beads of sweat trickling down her face, steadying her breath before speaking, “Master taught me that one should repay kindness.”
Xing Lan beckoned her forward.
Without suspicion, Shi Zi Chu stepped closer. Xing Lan rose abruptly and flicked her forehead firmly with his finger.
“Ow!” Shi Zi Chu clutched her forehead with watery eyes, her peach-blossom eyes filling with accusation, “Master!”
Unmoved, Xing Lan sternly raised the manual in reprimand, “Did you treat my words as mere wind?”
Just last night, he’d warned her clearly about the danger of holding valuable treasures openly. Yet, here she was this morning, secretly leaving him a god-rank manual.
Though he knew she meant well, he must make her understand: god-rank techniques could be deadly once discovered!
“Master already allowed me to form a soul contract with the Ring of Initial Bells. What’s wrong with giving Master a god-rank manual?” Shi Zi Chu lowered her hand, revealing her reddened forehead as she retorted stubbornly, “It hurts!”
Without the Ring of Initial Bells, she could never have formed a life-soul contract with the spatial storage ring.
Compared to the Ring of Initial Bells and the spatial storage ring, a mere god-rank manual was nothing.
“Sophistry,” Xing Lan scolded coldly.
Though his words were harsh, his fingers gently applied medicinal balm to her forehead.
“Master was unreasonable first,” Shi Zi Chu grumbled, crossing her arms. “If Master doesn’t compensate me properly, I won’t forgive Master.”
Seeing her stubborn behavior, Xing Lan’s gaze flickered slightly.
It had been a long time since he had seen Jiu Jiu’s openly bratty side.
“What do you want?”
Shi Zi Chu looked at Xing Lan sideways, eyes brightening briefly before lifting her chin and feigning anger, “You lack sincerity.”
Xing Lan’s hidden fingers curled slightly, gently brushing together behind his back.
“Then make an outrageous demand.”
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s eyes sparkle, Xing Lan waited patiently, curious about her bold request.
“I want a spirit sword!” Shi Zi Chu raised a finger eagerly, “A sword as good as Master’s life-bound sword!”
Truly an outrageous demand indeed.
“Granted.”
Xing Lan lowered the barrier, catching the transmission talisman that flew inside.
After listening, Xing Lan turned to Shi Zi Chu, “Do you remember where the hot spring is?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded once.
Xing Lan lightly patted her head, then departed.
Shi Zi Chu turned and went to bathe.
In the bath, warm spring water eased her exhaustion. Shi Zi Chu leaned against the white jade walls of the pool, water droplets clinging gently to her long lashes amid the drifting steam.
“Xue Gu, access the puppy’s records…”
Xue Gu swiftly retrieved what she requested.
As Shi Zi Chu expected, the Female Villain System could not invade her memories, and had even fallen into forced slumber when Shi Zi Chu regained control of her own body.