During the weeks of Xiaofen's gradual recovery under Bingwen's attentive care. As she regained her strength, Bingwen continued to impart knowledge and skills to her. Patiently, he guided her through the intricacies of reading and writing, opening up a world of literacy and communication that Xiaofen had not previously explored.
Xiaofen, who had a quick grasp of ideas, effortlessly absorbed the knowledge Bingwen imparted. He generously provided her with resources on governance, strategic planning, battle tactics, and more. In her free moments, Xiaofen dedicated herself to studying and analyzing these materials with dedication. Bingwen, in turn, took on the role of her mentor, guiding her understanding through explanations and testing her knowledge periodically. One day, within the confines of his chambers, Xiaofen completed her quizzes. At that moment, Bingwen summoned his spiritual energy, which shimmered in golden beams flickering on his hand. Xiaofen maintained a stoic exterior, yet a glimmer of curiosity and fascination brightened her eyes slightly. Bingwen flicked his hand, dispelling the surge of energy before delving into his explanation.
"In the cultivation world, there are five realms of life: Mortal, Phathom, Spirit, Sage, and God," Bingwen began, his voice measured and informative.
"These realms are further segmented into three cultivation levels: low, middle, and high. Advancement through the levels encompasses the primary, intermediate, advanced, and pinnacle stages. Mortal and Phantom are part of the low level, Spirit and Sage pertain to the middle tier, while God stands as the realm reserved for high-level cultivators."
" In the realm of energy core development, cultivators strive through three distinct levels: the Earth Core, Golden Core, and Origin Core. The attainment of an energy core stands as a towering achievement sought after by many, yet existing as a lofty goal, cloaked in enigma and complexity. This pursuit demands a grueling odyssey of challenges and trials before it can be grasped."
"You will begin at the Moral Realm, at the initial stage known as the Birth Stage. For most seekers, the journey to forge an energy core remains an elusive dream, a coveted feat desired by many yet achieved by few. However, you, being exceptional, have accomplished the extraordinary feat of acquiring a Golden Core without the typical cultivation process."
"Do you retain any memories from your past? Were you inherently gifted with spiritual energy, or..." Xiaofen mused, her thoughts drifting to fragments of bygone days.
In a sudden recollection, she vividly recalled a moment when she was merely five years old. The village was gripped by severe famine, pushing its inhabitants to the brink of starvation. Emaciated figures roamed the streets, their bodies frail and weak. Amidst this harrowing scene, a baby Xiaotian wailed, her cries resonating with despair as their mother gazed upon him, her eyes brimming with tears and fatigue.
"Mother, rest. I'll find us something," Xiaofen vowed, exuding a sense of reassurance and determination in her bright eyes.
Little Xiaofen, journeyed through the desolate landscape. The once lush meadows were now withered and barren, the soil rocky and unforgiving. As she walked, she arrived at the dried remnants of a river that used to flow with a vibrant stream, now reduced to a cracked patch with only a scant amount of water remaining. Xiaofen felt a pang of sadness at the sight.
Xiaofen's gaze fell upon a small, struggling fish attempting to navigate the dried remnants of the once flowing river. Its once vibrant colors now muted, its little body gasping for life in the unforgiving sun. Without hesitation, Xiaofen gently scooped up the fragile creature in her hands, a look of compassion in her eyes as she cradled it close to her heart. With careful steps, she made her way towards the shallow, dwindling pool of water that remained. As she reached the water's edge, Xiaofen knelt down and placed the fish into the meager amount of liquid that remained. It was a simple act of kindness, a small gesture in a world that seemed devoid of hope. But to Xiaofen, it was a promise of life, a symbol of her unwavering belief in the power of compassion and the resilience of all living creatures. And as she watched the little fish begin to wriggle back to life in the revitalized water, her thoughts turned to the people suffering from the famine that plagued the land, a deep ache in her heart for those who were in desperate need of nourishment and hope. Lost in her thoughts, she absentmindedly waved her right hand in the water. In that moment, a sudden surge of energy, raw and untamed, surged from Xiaofen, connecting her to something greater than herself. It was as if the earth itself responded to her unspoken plea, drawing on her compassion and channeling it into the world around her. Startled by the unexpected surge of spiritual energy, Xiaofen quickly gathered herself, realizing the power that lay within her. With a sense of purpose renewed, Xiaofen fetched her pitcher and prepared to continue on her journey. The connection she had felt, the ripple of energy she had unintentionally released into the earth.
Unbeknownst to her, Xiaofen's simple act had a profound impact on her village, saving them from the grips of severe famine. Another incident lingered in her mind - the encounter with the old man and his grandson.
As night fell, Xiaofen found herself in the company of the elderly man and his grandson, seeking refuge in the old house. As exhaustion tugged at her eyelids, after tending to the elder man, Xiaofen drifted off to sleep, her hand instinctively clasping the old man's withered hand. In the depth of slumber, a gentle glow began to emanate from Xiaofen, casting a soft light around her sleeping form. The glow, though faint, carried a powerful aura and vitality that seemed to defy explanation. It swiftly enveloped Xiaofen before surging towards the old man, a wave of energy that brought color and life back to his weary appearance. Xiaofen glanced at Bingwen, her expression unreadable as she made the decision to keep this to herself. Bingwen, sensing her hesitation, peered into her eyes, searching for any hint of dishonesty. Just as the tense silence hung between them, Lan Ren entered the room, breaking the atmosphere with an abrupt cough.
Hastily covering his awkwardness, Lan Ren approached the duo and bowed slightly before delivering his report.
"Master, everything is ready," he announced, his voice steady despite the lingering tension in the air.
Bingwen
"Let's go," he stated, his gaze fixed on Xiaofen, who acknowledged with a nod. Mingzhu, engrossed in tending to the delicate flowers alongside Biyu, was suddenly interrupted by her maid, who whispered something into her ear.
A subtle tension gripped Mingzhu as she tightened her grip on the garden scissors. It had become apparent that Xiaofen's presence increasingly gravitated towards the Tranquility residence, particularly directed towards his chambers. The mere notion of Bingwen and Xiaofen sharing intimacy ignited a flame of rage within her. The image of Xiaofen potentially seducing him, perhaps even finding her way into his bed, fueled her fury. Vividly, she envisioned Xiaofen throwing herself into Bingwen's arms, her gaze emanating a soft yet alluring light, captivating him with her beauty and charm.
Clasping her jaw tightly in an effort to contain her emotions, she composed herself before turning to Biyu, her features softening into a sweet smile as she engaged with her.
"Can I engage the service of one of the residence staff at Tranquility residence?" Mingzhu asked.
"Sure, but you'll have to speak with Bingwen about that," Biyu replied with a thoughtful expression.