The master and disciple pair hugged and celebrated their success. Chen Wentian was amazed by the evolution of Zhou Ziyun's innate talent. It seemed that she could now cultivate by comprehending different immortal arts. Once she reached some breakthrough in comprehension, she would also benefit from her cultivation as well. It was a unique method, equally unique as his other disciples. In terms of the potential to reach the Spirit Lord Realm, perhaps her innate talent was even better suited.
Zhou Ziyun was equally as amazed and also ecstatic. With this new power, she could finally stand shoulder to shoulder with Lin Qingcheng and Wu Qianyu as the three founding disciples. She would not be left behind now.
The two of them collapsed onto the bed, with Zhou Ziyun half draped over his body, rubbing his chest affectionately.
"I'm so lucky to have found you." He said as he ran a finger through her glossy brown hair.
Zhou Ziyun snuggled even closer, "I should be saying that… I owe you everything and I am so glad to be by your disciple."
"Mmm."
They fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company.
Eventually, their clothes fell away piece by piece and their bodies finally joined together as one. It was natural as breathing air. They simply wanted to be with each other. The perpetual snowstorm over Black Rock City howled outside the windows but inside, it was filled with warmth and passion…
Their naked bodies were still intertwined as the sun rose over the city the next morning. Sunlight peeked through the windows of the penthouse and Zhou Ziyun finally awoke. Her hips were sore and her pussy was raw and tender from the ravishing she suffered. Yet she wasn't displeased at all. She was happy she could make him lose control and desired her body like that.
Chen Wentian noticed she was up and found her lips for a morning kiss. As their tongues danced together, his rogue hands traced a dangerous trail down her lower back, across her supple butt, and down the valley towards her sex.
"Ow… honey…" Zhou Ziyun cried in complaint as his fingers rubbed her folds. "I'm sore, no more…"
"What's the magic phrase?" He teased her.
"Please…"
"Nope."
She groaned and mumbled into his chest, "You are the best master in the whole world."
"Thanks, baby!" He laughed and pulled his hands away.
Zhou Ziyun finally extricated herself and got up. She ignored his eyes on her naked body and went through her morning routine. She practiced each of the Nineteen Demon Subduing Palms in order; leaping, punching, kicking, and twirling in midair until she was covered in sweat.
Chen Wentian serious side overrode his naughty mind. He studied her moves closely as a proper master. He pointed out weaknesses in her form when he saw them and also provided his own thoughts on each palm. She understood the core movements and concepts perfectly but was missing insights that had to be gained through practice and use.
He diligently stayed by her side as she continued with the seven flights of the Flying Dragon Saber Art and then the first stages of both Winter's Snow Dance and Summer's Blazing Sun. After her morning workout was complete, he drew a medicinal bath for her and helped her absorb a potent healing pill. They then finished off the morning with a brunch of rich spiritual food.
"Hey, what do you think I should do with the Glacier Palace women?" Chen Wentian asked, "I want them to learn the complete Summer and Winter's Eternal Sutra but it's troublesome since they would each require a dual cultivation partner."
She glanced up from her plate, "I thought you'd want to do it. You have the stamina and you're certainly horny enough…"
"Come on, don't joke like that!"
She smirked. He sounded indignant but she knew better.
"Whatever… I don't want to accept them as my disciples willy-nilly so it's not going to work. I was thinking about having the ice sisters manage them as a branch sect. And like Qingcheng, they can accept disciples as they wish."
"Fine, fine. I like your idea about a branch sect." She said, "Regarding the dual cultivation secret art, I've also thought about it. It will be the most suitable cultivation art for them but you are right, finding partners is the problem."
Zhou Ziyun's first idea was the existing Divine Blazing Mountain disciples. Chen Wentian was reluctant to give them any benefits due to their past behavior but he had to admit they were a readily available source of male cultivators. Another option was recruitment, either with fresh young men or drawing from the existing mortal sects within the region. He wasn't a fan of that idea and flatly refused to accept any male disciples.
"What about the branch sects? Can the ice sisters accept male disciples?" She asked.
"No! They are not allowed to have any other men in their lives!"
Zhou Ziyun rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation. "How are they supposed to cultivate Summer's Blazing Sun with no master?"
He shrugged, "Not my problem, they can figure it out."
"… I give up, I need some fresh air." She said and stood up, "Master, can you take me flying?"
"Okay."
Chen Wentian hugged her tight and flew out the window and into the sky. He savored the moment like he always did, holding her soft body against his, touching places only he was allowed to touch.
He zoomed past jagged snow mountains and deep valleys. Zhou Ziyun let go of her worries and enjoyed the flight as well. She laughed and squealed as he spun and dived, and did loops in the air.
Her mind gradually cleared as they flew. It was cleared from the stress of Operation Spring. It was cleared from the uncertainty of her cultivation path. And finally, she reached clarity regarding the problem her master faced.
Zhou Ziyun beckoned to Chen Wentian and he took them down to rest on a sheer cliff edge that overlooked a scenic canyon. He dutifully withdrew some cushions from his spatial bag and sat down, letting her lay snugly on his chest.
"Master. Can you listen to my words of advice?"
"Hmm, of course."
"I think… sigh… I think that at the end of the day, you are not responsible for either sects and you certainly are not responsible for the cultivation of those women. You saved them because the ice sisters asked you to and you've done an admirable job." Zhou Ziyun said.
"Thanks."
"But you have to remember that this whole situation was still caused by Gong Liyun and her lack of action. You are free to run your sect however you want and you can't be manipulated by her. You are only responsible for the disciples you chose. I'm not trying to sound jealous. I am simply saying that you don't have to care so much about these people." She looked up and caressed his face, "Master, you have a good heart and you have a soft spot for women. But there are countless women in this world with miserable and tragic lives. You can't save them all. I will support whatever you choose to do but please make sure it is your choice and not somebody else's manipulation."
He was deeply touched by her insightful words. He couldn't help but agree with all the points she made. She was right about Gong Liyun. He blamed himself for losing sight of it due to the throngs of women being thrown at his face.
Her wise counsel came at just the right time and he was glad he sought her opinion first. He smiled and leaned down to give her a kiss of appreciation.
"Ziyun, thank you."