"The selection will start a few weeks from now. What should we do?" Zhang Ning'an raised a question as the elders formed a circle to discuss.
"Second Elder, try teaching her the basics of alchemy. Third Elder, basics of medicines and healing mortals, even cultivators. Fourth Elder, the Yang elements. Fifth Elder, combat skills, and Sixth Elder, Yin elements. We only have less than a month to teach her until she qualifies the selection." Gu Cheng discussed though he finds it unfair for the other competitors. He thought Shen Mo is lazing around again and some started with his responsibilities as the master of Cai.
On the first day, Cai is waiting for Shen Mo to say something. She stayed in the living room observing the collections of ancient artifacts displayed about. An unknown amount of time passed and her stomach grumbled. She hadn't eaten yet.
"Master!"
"What is it? Are there Celestial Beasts again?!" Shen Mo appeared beside her while holding a scroll as if he will use it to hit someone. He found no disturbance and only Cai who is looking at him quietly.
"Master, is there any peach here? I'm hungry." Cai complained and picked a blue grass floating within a golden spherical cage. "I tried to eat this but it stung my mouth."
"Cai! That's no food!" Shen Mo face-palmed. He should have considered she is different.
Cai has a mortal body and food is necessary for her. Unlike him, he doesn't need anything to live.
"This is North's Torrent Grass. Only three of these are here in Wu and I placed a lot of value on this, I risked my life once to claim it. You can eat it but- ah! Cai! I told you it's no food!"
Cai just stuffed the grass into her mouth and bit it fast. A flash of lightning descended out of nowhere and struck her. Cai levitated from the air a little bit, her eyes dazzled as if lightning resides within.
"My... My North's Torrent Grass... Gone." Shen Mo felt his bleeding heart. He was saving that elixir for someone he promised to!
"Huh?" Cai's heels stepped on the tiled floor. Her eyes widened when she felt an extreme pain from her stomach that she even curled. "Hurts. My stomach hurts."
"That's what you get from being disobedient. Sigh, there is no medicine for that but you must refine the Thunder and Lightning Dao in your dantian."
In truth, Shen Mo doesn't have enough research about the North's Torrent Grass. He is uncertain if it endangers a mortal cultivator. He found the North's Torrent Grass when following his master northwards for a dangerous quest to tame a divine beast. The divine beast was guarding the North's Torrent Grass that he spotted. His master told him its importance towards cultivators with storm-related attributes in the immortal realm, especially for a Celestial Death.
Cai carefully sat down and cultivated. While Shen Mo is worrying and observing, he was stunned to see her sharp development. Her body glowed and her level in Body Refining rose to the peak without effort! What is more shocking is that she can be in the third level of Qi Refining which is too unbelievable for her age!
"With this speed, she'll be an immortal in mere minutes! Is this how effective a North's Torrent Grass is?" Shen Mo's eyes brightened like stars. His disciple sure is the best! He can flaunt her on other old friends he has!
However, before he can rejoice, Cai's cultivation stopped to the fifth level. She opened her eyes after the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach receded.
"Eh? Is it done?" Shen Mo was taken aback.
He checked Cai's dantian, there is no more unrefined qi inside. Shen Mo recalled she have the Prodigal Daoist Constitution. A single North's Torrent Grass can be her shortcut to immortality but it was a pity her physique is difficult to fill.
"So, this is Qi Refining." Cai opened her hand and a strong condensation of qi gathered on her palm. She felt more empowered than a while ago.
"You reached that stage because of the elixir. However, the next level won't be easy to achieve. You must be patient to reach the top." Shen Mo reminded her of the drawback of her special talent. He held her shoulder and looked at her eyes sincerely, "I will try to find a way to give you a heart, and a solution for faster progress for your cultivation. While I'm not around, the elders will teach you the basics, en?"
"Alright."
Cai agreed without any hesitation. After this incident, Shen Mo kept in mind he is living with his mortal disciple so he started preparing the necessities for her. It has been so long since he cooked food but his ample experience in the past helped him.
On the second day of Cai's arrival, Zhang Ning'an brought her to the core zone of Alchemist's Field where all sorts of common to rare herbs and elixirs are grown. She taught Cai about the benefits of the common herbs first. They picked elixirs too and brought them to the peak of Alchemist's Field where they refine each component for a better pill. It was just the first day of Cai being taught but she easily memorized every detail Zhang Ning'an said. What is more impressive is that Cai effortlessly made a middle-tier elixir. Only a few alchemists can do it considering her age and cultivation.
By the third day, Murong Li brought Cai outside the sect to recognize medicines. He was satisfied she is listening well but she asks too many questions. At the end of the day, she can find hundreds of herbs in the wild. Most of them are even not in the books for basic knowledge. He is so impressed he got envious of Shen Mo for having such an intellectual disciple. His students were all rookies even if they are core disciples, ah.
On the fourth day, Zhang Ningxiang took Cai to the library to learn about the light attributed immortal arts. Cai memorized the basics in half a day. Her improvement is shocking that Zhang Ningxiang wanted to teach her more. Cai also cultivated following Zhang Ningxiang's teachings. Unfortunately, the whole day passed and Cai failed to make a breakthrough. It confused Zhang Ningxiang since Cai never told anyone about her special constitution.
When the fifth day arrived, Bai Shengming taught her basic sword fights. He is amazed she can use two blades at a time. Thus, Bai Shengming tested her with other weapons available. He was even stunned she can lift a Meteor Hammer which is one of the heaviest weapons.
Finally, the sixth day came and Liu Zhouran took Cai to her peak. Cai is a girl and yin energies are naturally attracted to her body. Liu Zhouran taught Cai the importance of a girl's yin for dual cultivations, also the disadvantages of too much yin in her body. Cai was then not innocent for what is wrong and right. Liu Zhouran is straightforward and not shy teaching Cai about these sensitive facts but it will surely help the girl grow up sensible for her future decisions.
On the seventh day, Gu Cheng focused on helping her cultivate and give her a breakthrough but nothing happened. They spent 24 hours cultivating yet they failed. If she is a talent, she can raise her level easily. Why is it she is stuck in the fifth level of Qi Refining?
Gu Cheng doesn't know why but he can't disturb Shen Mo's ongoing research. So, he can only continue aiding Cai.
For days, Cai didn't catch a glimpse of Shen Mo's shadow. She followed the instructions of the six elders. She has a class for one day with each one of them and a single day of rest. It was fortunate her master isn't a crazy slacker like she thought. Every day, she wakes up with her breakfast ready, new clothes prepared, and other more essentials. Cai was satisfied with his consideration but why isn't he teaching her?
"Damn, should I Soul Search myself?! I can't remember the correct ingredients!"
Shen Mo crumpled another parchment. He had tried his best to remember the medicine his master made for him. There was no record of that medicine in the library with priceless books he looted from different ancient tombs.
"Wu Patriarch?" Zhang Ning'an knocked by the door.
Shen Mo won't bother standing up. He flicked his sleeve and the door opened. Zhang Ning'an smiled and entered with Zhang Ningxiang.
"Wu Patriarch, here are the new clothes for Senior Cai. Look, they are tailored by the best artisans in Zhou." Zhang Ning'an showed a cute red dress suitable for a girl with lotus motifs. She was tasked with her sister to look for everything a girl would need.
"Lotus?" Shen Mo raised his head and stares at the dress. He suddenly had an idea. "I finally remembered! Little Zhangs, I have to leave now. Watch over Cai and teach her well!"
Before Shen Mo can run towards the door, Zhang Ningxiang raised her arm and blocked his way. She looked at Shen Mo disapprovingly.
"Wu Patriarch, please teach Cai even one lesson before you leave. She's been taking advantage of her position when facing us."
"Eh? How?"
How can Cai do such a thing? She's just a kid...
Shen Mo arrived with the Zhang Sisters at the training ground of Sword Peak where Bai Shengming teaches. The disciples were standing on the side and some of them are quivering in fear.
"Ah!!!"
One male student was sent flying in their direction. Shen Mo caught the boy covered in bruises and injuries. He looked at Zhang Ningxiang who stepped forward to heal the boy. Shen Mo proceeded until he saw Bai Shengming looking so disappointed and gloomy.
"Little Bai, what's the matter?" Shen Mo asked cheerfully but his face froze after witnessing the intense spar on the field.
Three core zone disciples are ganging up on one little girl. She easily dodged them, caught their wrist, and flipped herself to twist their arms. Not only is she decisive and unforgiving, but her emotionless expression also frightened them.
"Wu Patriarch..." Bai Shengming wanted to complain.
Just days ago, he adored the girl's cuteness and her cleverness so he let her read any scriptures in the library. In turn, she became a deadly warrior. He regretted teaching her, she even surpassed his students a hundred times!
"Why is she so focused?" Shen Mo noticed how Cai took the spar seriously and spared no effort to take down multiple opponents.
"Well... It's because she made a bet with me, Wu Patriarch. A few days ago, I saw her progress too fast and she is unstoppable. I fear that she might lower the morales of these students so I told Senior Cai she can't learn. She waged a bet that if she can defeat a hundred disciples in one day without using a weapon, she can learn anything she wants in the library. I underestimated Senior Cai."
"Cai."
One call from Shen Mo, Cai paused and blocked the swords coming after her using her silver wristband. She escaped the spar without hesitation and ran towards Shen Mo. The disciples waiting in line to fight her were so relieved.
"Cai, you injured too many disciples." Shen Mo didn't expect Cai will also bring trouble to him. "Without my permission, you can't fight disciples of Tao Supreme Sect or bully them like this! Cai, go back to the Founder's Peak and learn in the study room. You are not allowed to leave not until I tell you so!"
Cai showed no reaction though the disciples were surprised. No wonder she is so strong, her master is actually the founder of Tao Supreme Sect!
"Okay." Cai replied shortly and turned her back to walk towards the Founder's Peak.
"Aiya, it's fortunate she doesn't know how to be angry." He thought. Shen Mo glanced at the disciples crying because of the misfortune of Cai's brutality. "Little Xiang, fix this with Little Li. I have to look after my disciple today. Little Bai, my disciple didn't win so you don't have to worry anymore."