Han De, Ning Bi, and Old Peng left the Ning family palace. Since he was already aware of the absurd size of the celestial ship, Han De activated Through the Starlight scripture, in group mode this time. Teleportation was out of the question, obviously. And riding a sword inside a celestial didn't feel right for some reason.
Thankfully, Through the Starlight scripture turned out to be quite useful. The moment he activated it, Han De watched Ning Bi through the corner of his eye. The little girl's eyes opened wide in astonishment.
'That's right! It's an amazing technique, isn't it!?!'
Han De felt very satisfied with her reaction. Unlike that harem S#$% Yu Xian, Ning Bi really knew how to appreciate Xianxia techniques. At his other side, even Old Peng seemed dumbfounded and amazed. Han De couldn't tell if that was a genuine reaction to the technique, or just the generic a#$-kissing of a lackey. Nevertheless, he felt pleased.
Yao Qing's palace had a completely different layout, but it was still as extravagant as Ning Bi's. This time though, Han De's disciple was waiting in front of the giant gates. Having lackeys was really convenient. He didn't even tell Old Peng anything, but the square-faced gangster had already sent a voice transmission to Yao Qing!
"Master!"
Yao Qing bowed with an incomprehensible smile on her face. After the encounter with Yu Xian, Han De had more experience in dealing with ex-God disciples. He was afraid he would be needlessly wary of Yao Qing, but now that they were reunited, he was relieved that wasn't the case.
'What an MC… I didn't see her for a few days and now her eyes have started to glow blue… As expected from a regressor.'
"Your improvement isn't bad. Come."
Yao Qing bowed once again and glanced at Ning Bi and senior Peng as she joined them. Unfortunately, she met Ning Bi's excited and eager eyes by accident. She only wanted to glance, why did she have to make eye contact?! Why were those eyes glowing so ominously?!
Han De activated Through the Starlight group mode once again. Though he wasn't expecting anything from Yao Qing, he was pleasantly surprised. This regressor was also showing… astonishment? Han De wasn't sure.
In truth, it was relief. As long as she didn't have to endure a sword ride, Yao Qing was fine with anything. Now that her master had a new technique for transportation, the next time she could simply beg for him to use that.
Once they arrived at Jin Shu's palace, a frown appeared on Han De's face. He could smell the fragrances of many different spiritual herbs. The spiritual energy ripples that were coming from inside were chaotic. Though the buildings looked normal, the flora was anything but.
Finally, Han De noticed the figure that was approaching them. A veiled woman, wearing the traditional grey robes of the Starfall Mountain sect. Naturally, this was Jin Shu.
"Master."
For a moment Han De hesitated whether to go inside. Then he referred to his flow chart for dealing with Xianxia phobias and habits. This was an idea that he came up with after discovering his problem with sword flight. There were bound to be many aspects of a Xianxia that he hadn't considered!
The habits and quirks induced by the grandmaster level comprehension fit that criteria perfectly.
'Right. I can't run away from this. The sooner I deal with it the better. So what if I see a few spiritual herbs in a disorderly environment!?'
Han De gathered his determination after a few seconds of silence. Then he remembered Jin Shu's self-created scripture.
"That Boundless Renewal Scripture, not bad!"
Jin Shu bowed and smiled once again, but then noticed she was still wearing a veil. Feeling embarrassed, she took it off immediately.
'S#$%, can you wear it back? Please?'
Of course, Han De couldn't say that out loud.
Just as he remembered, Jin Shu was absurdly beautiful. After spending days with a miniature leviathan, and a world full of wuxia characters, her beauty really stood out. Thankfully, she alternated between the cold and demure jade beauty templates, and didn't have freckles or beauty marks. Her beauty was distracting, but not to an overwhelming degree.
'Thank god she doesn't have that soul-shaking voice trait…'
So far, Han De hadn't encountered anyone that matched that template. Once upon a time, he was curious, but now he was hoping to never encounter such a woman.
Han De spoke towards Jin Shu. "Lead us to a quiet area." Then he glanced at his chief lackey. "Peng."
Old Peng understood and disappeared in the blink of an eye to clear the premises of any and all servants.
Han De and his disciples headed towards the innermost courtyard. On the way, he saw many alien-looking plants. Unlike his guess that this would trigger his inner Herbalist Grandmaster's Rage, Han De only felt curiosity. This place didn't look like a cultivated garden, but looked like a jungle instead. However, he still had to curb his urge to inspect. If he wanted, he could visit this place later anyway!
'Yes, definitely. Later I should grab a few jade boxes and inspect the grounds…'
When they arrived, Han De conjured four illusory armchairs in the classic American style. If he went by Xianxia standards, he would need to sit on a big cushion at an elevated position, while his disciples would need to sit on smaller cushions and kowtow. However, there was a lot that he had to go through in the next few days. So he couldn't pay attention to usual Xianxia details for the time being. Modern furniture was way faster!
"All of you have done splendidly. Reaching the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm isn't a minor feat. Your foundations are solid too, a natural result of your dedication and hard work. With this speed, normal people's cultivations would be on the brink of collapse. Truly, well done."
The disciples couldn't help but glance at each other. Yao Qing assumed something else had to follow this shower of praises.
"For the next 10 days, stop cultivating. Don't try to breakthrough, don't try to form a Core. Just relax, and have fun."
Seeing that the three nodded in unison, Han De felt relieved. With 9.8 days remaining in the quest, his schedule was quite tight. He had to both try to safely awaken their bloodlines and prepare a backup plan in case the quest fails at the same time.
Instead of questioning her master's advice, there was one thing that Ning Bi was dying to know. She couldn't ask in front of her parents, but now that everyone was gathered, she couldn't wait anymore.
"Um, master, what happened after…"
Yao Qing and Jin Shu were also curious. Originally, he was supposed to come back 10 days ago with Long Ruolan. Why was he late? What happened during that day above the endless shores? Three disciples stared at their master with the utmost attention. Han De shook his head.
"Nothing much. I spent some time in the Brass Stallion city."
Remembering how Long Ai aggroed the cockroach's father was simply too painful. The best memory he had by far was almost flirting with the freckled restaurant manager. Han De shook his head once more upon remembering her. He had a shot, but chose to pursue taking care of loose ends instead!
'Next time I see a cute woman, I won't let anything disturb me.'
Ning Bi blinked a few times. For some reason, she suddenly felt that her master shouldn't spend time around mortals!
Han De continued.
"Then, The Long family ancestor brought me a primitive world for cultivation. There, I met two promising disciples. I will tell you the story some other time. They aren't official disciples, for now."
'So it was like that…' the disciples collectively thought. They were worried about their master getting caught in the middle of the war, or some other unknown calamity. Instead, the Long family was solving the issues with their master's cultivation. Though they didn't know what the problem was, considering the attitude of Long Xiu and Han Wei, they knew it wasn't simple.
They were also curious about the two disciples. Jin Shu couldn't help but ask.
"Master, can you tell us who are the new disciples?"
'S#$%, Liang Cuifen is easy, but what do I tell them about the harem S#$%??'
In a split second, Han De activated the legendary technique of thinking very fast.
What would happen if he were to warn them about Yu Xian? Would they heed his warnings, or would they become curious?
While Ning Bi had listened to everything Han De had said so far, she was nearly at that rebellious age. If Han De were to introduce Yu Xian in a bad light, what would happen a few years down the line?
Han De could see it.
Ning Bi would be wary of Yu Xian at first, but over time the harem S#$% would display his good qualities and catch the attention of Ning Bi. Once the little Purifier of Planes enter her rebellious streak, Yu Xian would become a rarity, something that her master didn't approve! At that point, of course she would approach him!
'F#$%, I should just kill that guy…'
What if he said Yu Xian's behavior requires some correction?
Just the thought of that alone was a massive flag! Of course, Ning Bi would be more vigilant at first, but over time she would be exposed to Yu Xian's diligent behavior. Maybe she might even come to think that Yu Xian was suffering from injustice! Her master was blind, refusing to see Yu Xian for who he truly was! She would jump down the rabbit hole, thinking that she could fix Yu Xian's faults!
'F#$%. I really should just kill that guy, like right now…'
What if he didn't say anything negative about Yu Xian? Then, obviously, an oblivious Ning Bi would approach him without a worry in the world. This was a disciple of her master after all! Why wouldn't she trust him? Would Yu Xian be able to stay indifferent to someone that had heaven-defying talent like Ning Bi? No. He would immediately try to seduce her!
'You are F#$%&@ dead you piece of S#$%.'
Han De went through a wide variety of scenarios in the time it takes for a spark to fly off a piece of flint!
"One is called Liang Cuifen. A pitiful girl that has an extreme yin physique. She grew up as a mortal, and doesn't know a thing about cultivation. Try to accommodate her as best as you can. She seems to have suffered much."
Han De guessed some of the harassment his disciples went through was because of the constitutions the System gave them. Though he hadn't checked them yet, it was obvious that the System would give them absurd constitutions just like their bloodlines.
Suffice it to say, he knew they would welcome Liang Cuifen with open arms.
"The other one is called Yu Xian. A patient and industrious boy, skilled in forging arts…"
Han De displayed a subtle 'almost frowned' expression. At the same time, he 'swallowed a shallow sigh', and 'diverted his gaze by accident'.
There wasn't a foolproof option in dealing with Yu Xian. Every approach required Han De's active involvement. The least risky-looking plan though, was to praise Yu Xian, while subtly displaying a blink-and-you-miss level of ambiguous reluctance. This way, the disciples will fill in the blanks on their own.
Their master was praising him, but why did he almost… looked hesitant? Did he look hesitant? Later he didn't say anything else, nor did he act abnormally. Did they imagine it? Could there be a problem with this Yu Xian?
By not saying anything and letting the disciple's imagination do all the work, Han De could hopefully steer the events to the most advantageous position.
If Yu Xian were to deploy his seduction techniques, Han De would try to build him up with praises, so he could crash down later.
If Yu Xian were to display virtuous behavior, Han De would subtly frown, to hint that something uncomfortable was lurking beneath.
The more contrast there was between Han De's 'public perception' of Yu Xian and the actual character of Yu Xian, the better chances he would have at distancing his disciples from that harem S#$%.
So long as he didn't show strong emotions one way or another, he felt that this approach had the most chance of working.
'Well, if he doesn't cross the line, I guess I won't have to do anything. But what are the chances of that?'
One look at Jin Shu was enough. There was no way Yu Xian would stay unaffected by Han De's disciples.
"You'll know more once you meet them. Now, let me take a look at your progress…"
'Let's see what kind of monster constitutions the System gave you. If even my mother couldn't stop the Long family elders, they should be pretty OP…'
He started from the rightmost side.
[Name: Jin Shu]
-------------------------------------------
[Race: Human (100%)]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 23]
[Roots: Wood (63%)]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment - Late Stage (92.41%)]
[Constitutions]
-------------------------------------------
[Ethereal Rebirth Body (Unawakened)]
[Progress: 0.10%]
[Power: Extremely High]
[Effects:]
[Tremendously increases the efficiency of all Wood element techniques.]
[Absorption of all types of life energy tremendously increases healing speed.]
[Tremendously increases life energy capacity.]
[Tremendously increases life energy generation rate.]
[Can passively emit life energy.]
[Immune to external mutations.]
[Immune to aging.]
[Can contain high-tier bloodlines without drawbacks.]
[Further effects are locked.]
'Hold up, this is 0.1%? And further effects are locked?'
Some of the effects were quite similar to his own body constitution. But there was one that was markedly different.
'Can contain high-tier bloodlines without drawbacks? What?'
Han De checked his Otherworldly Light Body constitution. Unfortunately, that line wasn't there. This was the best confirmation that he was ever going to get from the System. Using his bloodline without an adequate constitution was ill-advised at best. No wonder his body almost failed before.
He resentfully stared at one of the effects of his Otherworldly Light Body constitution.
[Overrides all other body constitutions.]
But this wasn't the time for pondering on his own issues…
'Ok, Jin Shu only has positive effects. That's good. No weird stuff.'
[Bloodlines]
-------------------------------------------
[Lifebringer (Unawakened)]
[Concentration: 0.01%]
[Power: Extremely High]
[Effects:]
[Touch of Life]
[Can cause random mutations on spiritual plants through touch.]
[Further effects are locked.]
[Additional awakening requirements: A seed of the previous cycle]
[Potential Points (Total: 30)]
-------------------------------------------
[Will: 8]
[Talent: 4]
[Comprehension: 10]
[Luck: 8]
[Cultivation Methods]
-------------------------------------------
[Boundless Renewal Scripture (Mortal III)]
[Power: Very Weak]
[Comprehension: Master]
[Stage: Foundation Establishment - Mid Stage]
[Expand to view 2 inactive methods...]
[Martial Arts Methods]
-------------------------------------------
[Flowing Roots (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Master]
[Expand to view more...]
[Fate]
[Nameless Horror]
After reading the full status check, Han De also sent his spiritual sense to observe her cultivation. Just as he expected, she had a deviant 'spiritual mountain'. The chances of forming a deviant Core were almost 100%. Though considering her spiritual mountain was in form of a gooey sea, he couldn't guess what form the core would take.
Since he didn't know the Boundless Renewal scripture at all, he couldn't tell whether she made any mistakes or not. She was also still in the middle of transforming her cultivation to the new scripture. The traces of Yellow Grove Scripture were still present.
"Write down your Boundless Renewal Scripture when you have time, and I will take a look."
"Yes, master."
In the middle was Ning Bi, trying to control her nervous fidgeting. If Han De didn't know any better he would've thought she was slacking off.
'Honestly, I wouldn't blame you for slacking off. In fact, please slack off as much as possible! I'll support you if want to become a salted fish!'
[Name: Ning Bi]
-------------------------------------------
[Race: Human (100%)]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 13]
[Roots: Fire (100%)]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment - Late Stage (99.99%)]
[Constitutions]
-------------------------------------------
[Calamity Void Inferno Body (Unawakened)]
[Progress: 0.10%]
[Power: Extremely High]
[Effects:]
[Tremendously increases the efficiency of all Fire element techniques.]
[Tremendously increases the pressure of all Fire element techniques.]
[Absorption of all types of Fire Qi tremendously increases healing speed.]
[Tremendously strengthens the body.]
[Tremendously strengthens the meridians.]
[Tremendously increases spiritual energy output rate.]
[Tremendously increases spiritual energy output stability.]
[Tremendously increases spiritual energy storage capacity.]
[Can tremendously increase the ambient temperature.]
[Can contain high-tier bloodlines without drawbacks.]
[Further effects are locked.]
Han De had to stop himself from whistling. The System was really doting on Ning Bi too much.
'Yes, let's give spiritual energy output bonus to a monster that has infinite spiritual energy! What could possibly go wrong?!'
Han De was almost starting to pity anyone that could make Ning Bi form a grudge.
'God knows it doesn't take much for her to form a grudge…'
[Bloodlines]
-------------------------------------------
[Divine Phoenix (Unawakened)]
[Concentration: 0.01%]
[Power: Extremely High]
[Effects:]
[Ruler of Flames]
[Cannot be hurt by flames of any kind.]
[Devourer of Flames]
[Can absorb elemental beings that cultivate Fire Qi.]
[Further effects are locked.]
[Additional awakening requirements: Flames of the previous cycle]
[Potential Points (Total: 35)]
-------------------------------------------
[Will: 7]
[Talent: 10]
[Comprehension: 8]
[Luck: 10]
[Cultivation Methods]
-------------------------------------------
[Blazing Sun Scripture (Earth)]
[Power: Very Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (17/72)]
[Stage: Qi Condensation (9/13)]
[Martial Arts Methods]
-------------------------------------------
[Cosmic Destruction Scripture (Incomplete)]
[Power: Weak]
[Comprehension: Intermediate (19/72)]
[Stage: Foundation Establishment (1/3)]
[Skills]
-------------------------------------------
[Grudge (Mythical) (Unique)]
[Never forgets a grudge. Never forgives a grudge. When fighting against a grudge spiritual power reserves become inexhaustible.]
[Breach (Mortal)]
[Progress: 24%]
[By blocking the visual senses, the user can perceive and interact with a spatial domain. Greatly increases passive relational action processing and prediction speed while active. Further effects are unknown.]
[Fate]
[Purifier of Planes]
Ning Bi's 'spiritual mountain' was an endless sea of plasma.
'I'm going to guess it'll turn into a star when she forms a core…'
Han De nodded in approval. She seemed to be doing everything right, though there were some minor mistakes, and evidence of using some of the inefficient pathways. He couldn't cultivate the Blazing Sun Scripture himself, but he still had grandmaster level comprehension of it. Still, he didn't mention them to Ning Bi. If he started correcting one of them, he needed to correct them all. That had to wait until he could learn the Boundless Renewal Scripture.
"Write down the latest version of your Cosmic Destruction Scripture if you haven't already."
The completion rate of a scripture only appeared when Han De inspected a written-down version.
Ning Bi enthusiastically nodded. She already had the two latest versions written down, because writing her thoughts and process had already become her habit.
Upon seeing a knowing nod from Ning Bi, Han De relaxed a little bit more. He had a guess that her Breach skill worked similarly to his Reality Sense, but that was only a guess. Judging from her expression, it seems she had gotten used to perceiving higher beings in the distance.
'I should ask Long Ai about the Breach skill.'
The last one was Yao Qing, the regressor.
[Name: Yao Qing]
-------------------------------------------
[Race: Human (100%)]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 15]
[Roots: Lightning (82%)]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment - Late Stage (95.19%)]
[Constitutions]
-------------------------------------------
[Heaven Trampling Destruction Body (Unawakened)]
[Progress: 0.10%]
[Power: Extremely High]
[Effects:]
[Tremendously increases the efficiency of all Lightning element techniques.]
[Can passively absorb all types of Lightning Qi that comes in contact.]
[Tremendously strengthens speed perception.]
[Tremendously strengthens time perception.]
[Tremendously increases cultivation pressure resistance.]
[Tremendously increases cultivation pressure.]
[Can contain high-tier bloodlines without drawbacks.]
[Further effects are locked.]
'Aside from its name… this… is surprisingly tame…?'
Compared to Ning Bi's, Yao Qing's constitution seemed normal. It had the same, all-important line about high-tier bloodlines. Technique efficiency was also quite useful. While perception bonuses were nice, what Han De liked the most was cultivation pressure-related bonuses. Techniques for bluffing were always useful!
'Soo… When the effect says "all types of Lightning Qi", does that include tribulation lightning? Is that a type of lightning Qi?'
If the answer was yes, then Yao Qing could probably go through a heavenly tribulation in her sleep.
[Bloodlines]
-------------------------------------------
[Indomitable Tyrant (Unawakened)]
[Concentration: 0.01%]
[Power: Extremely High]
[Effects:]
[Direct Control]
[All lightning will bend to the Tyrant's will.]
[Further effects are locked.]
[Additional awakening requirements: Absorption of a very powerful Heavenly Tribulation lightning strike.]
[Potential Points (Total: 30)]
-------------------------------------------
[Will: 9]
[Talent: 7]
[Comprehension: 8]
[Luck: 6]
[Cultivation Methods]
-------------------------------------------
[Celestial Storm Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Very Weak]
[Comprehension: Master]
[Stage: Foundation Establishment - Late Stage]
[Expand to view 9 inactive methods...]
[Martial Arts Methods]
-------------------------------------------
[Azure Lightning Spear (Mortal)]
[Power: Very Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (63/64)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Spear Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Master]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Ji Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (7/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Halberd Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (7/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Javelin Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (6/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Ge Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (6/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Podao Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (6/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Staff Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (5/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Guandao Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (5/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Fangtian Ji Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (3/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Harpoon Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Advanced (1/8)]
[Starfall Mountain Standard Trident Scripture (Mortal)]
[Power: Extremely Weak]
[Comprehension: Intermediate (7/8)]
'What the F#$%...'
[Expand to view 35 inactive methods...]
[Expand to view more...]
[Fate]
[Usurper of Heavens]
Finally, Han De checked Yao Qing's 'spiritual mountain'.
'F#$%! Are those tribulation clouds?!'