Su Yi never expected that the Nine Abyss Sword would bring him such a fortuitous encounter during the "Enlightenment of the Spirit Pits."
Originally, the spirituality he cultivated within himself was already unmatched in the vast wilderness of the Nine Provinces. There were hardly any peers to be found.
However, the sudden change brought about by the Nine Abyss Sword made the profundity of the "Enlightenment of the Spirit Pits" terrifyingly unprecedented.
In his past life, out of Su Yi's nine true disciples, only his junior apprentice, Qing Tang, achieved the "Enlightenment of the Spirit Pits" under his guidance. The one hundred and eight spirit pits within him resembled stars in his body, nurturing the marvelous phenomenon of the "Nebula Tide."
However, compared to the phenomenon currently condensed by the "Dao Sword Enveloping the Spirit Pits," it was a case of the small witch witnessing the great witch.
"Last time, when I cultivated the 'Self-transformation Scripture,' the Nine Abyss Sword also exhibited some unusual changes."
"However, that time, the sword's abnormality was caused by its suppression of the power of the Ninefold Divine Chain, which is completely different from this time."
"Interesting. Does that mean the sword's abnormality is related to my own breakthrough in cultivation?"
Su Yi, who possessed countless years of cultivation experience from his previous life, roughly deduced that when he achieved a qualitative breakthrough in his own cultivation, it might resonate with the Nine Abyss Sword, thereby bringing him unexpected benefits.
For example, in this instance of achieving the "Enlightenment of the Spirit Pits," with the blessing of the Nine Abyss Sword's power, the cultivation foundation belonging to the early Qi Gathering Realm underwent further transformation.
After a while, Su Yi withdrew his thoughts and looked towards the Red Flame Azure-eyed Beast lying paralyzed in the large pit on the ground.
The beast was covered in bloodstained fur, its eyes dim, and its breath weak. When it noticed Su Yi's gaze, a look of fear and despair involuntarily appeared on its face.
After pondering for a moment, Su Yi walked straight towards it.
"Roar!"
The Red Flame Azure-eyed Beast let out a roar, restless and agitated.
"You, this evil creature, have aided me in constructing the path today. I owe you a debt of gratitude. How could I harm your life again?"
Su Yi sneered and took out a bright red and translucent Fire Peach, tossing it over. "This is one of the three Pure Yang Fire Peaches from my collection. Consider it a favor to you."
The Red Flame Azure-eyed Beast was momentarily stunned, seemingly unable to believe it. It sniffed the Fire Peach with its nose, hesitated for a moment, and then swallowed it.
Instantly, a significant portion of its weakened vitality was restored, and its eyes regained a hint of radiance.
Su Yi took out some healing spirit medicines and threw them over, saying, "I, Su Yi, have always been clear about debts and grudges. Today, our meeting can be considered a twist of fate. Once you've recovered from your injuries, I will bestow upon you the 'Shape-shifting Technique.'"
Having said that, he turned around and walked towards the cave.
"Oh, by the way, I didn't kill your offspring. Don't hold that grudge against me."
As he entered the cave and looked at the colorful tiger corpse on the ground, Su Yi added another sentence.
He couldn't be bothered with whether the Red Flame Azure-eyed Beast believed him or not. He sat down cross-legged and began to meditate.
This battle had left him with numerous injuries, and he needed time to heal.
Tea Jin stared blankly at everything, feeling as if she were in a dream.
After a long while, she exhaled and quietly stood in front of the cave, her beautiful eyes fixed on the Red Flame Azure-eyed Beast in the distance, her jade-like face constantly changing.
A rare ninth-grade demonic beast was enough to make a fifth-level Grandmaster retreat. Yet just moments ago, it had been suppressed by Su Yi, whose cultivation was only at the early stage of the Qi Gathering Realm!
Thinking about Su Yi's domineering and unrestrained demeanor from earlier, Tea Jin found it difficult to contain the turbulent emotions within her.
What astonished her even more was that, at the critical moment, Su Yi did not kill the wicked beast. Instead, he bestowed it with spiritual medicine, regarding the battle as a twist of fate.
Furthermore, he mentioned wanting to bestow upon the Red Flame Azure-eyed Beast the technique of shape-shifting!
"Could this be the true bearing of a cultivator?"
Tea Jin felt lost in her heart, sensing that Su Yi was enveloped in layers of mist, hiding too many unknown secrets.
The longer she stayed by his side, the more uncontrollable her curiosity became, making it difficult for her to extricate herself.
Time passed by.
Close to dawn, the Red Flame Azure-eyed Beast suddenly stood up, and its emerald pupils looked towards the cave.
Tea Jin's body tensed, but she quickly noticed that the monster hesitated for a moment before turning around and swiftly disappearing into the ink-black night.
"It doesn't even want the technique of shape-shifting? It seems this mighty ninth-grade demonic beast has been frightened and dare not linger any longer..."
As Tea Jin thought this, a smile inexplicably formed on her rosy lips, as if she found it amusing or had a sense of accomplishment.
Soon, dawn arrived.
The gentle morning light dispersed the darkness, bathing the vast mountains and rivers, and the whole world suddenly became colorful, fresh, and beautiful.
In the distance, mountains piled upon mountains, clouds billowed, and in the verdant countryside, ancient trees stood in disarray. Occasionally, flocks of birds flew by, filling the air with their melodious chirping. All things thrived and flourished.
Tea Jin had not slept all night, but she was not tired. After all, as a warrior, staying awake for a few days was no big deal.
"Let's go."
Su Yi stood up from the ground and casually put away the vine chair.
Only then did Tea Jin notice that Su Yi had changed his tattered and blood-stained clothes for a neat green robe, but she didn't know when he had done so.
He appeared radiant and otherworldly.
The two of them set off, walking among the mountains and fields. Along the way, when they encountered wild fruits, Tea Jin would pick some to satisfy their hunger.
After the events of last night, Tea Jin suddenly felt that even as they walked through these vast mountains and fields, she no longer felt tired.
With a good mood, she also found a lot of wild beauty in the scenery along the way.
Crash!
As noon approached, a waterfall appeared in the distance, cascading down from the cliffs like a hanging white dragon, with the sound of water roaring like thunder.
Tea Jin's beautiful eyes brightened, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Young Master, this maiden wishes to bathe under the waterfall."
After traveling through mountains and rivers for the past few days, Tea Jin was already covered in dust, which made her, who always valued cleanliness and beauty, feel somewhat disgusted with the odor on her body.
"I'll go first. If you don't mind, you can join me."
Su Yi spoke and headed straight towards the base of the waterfall.
Tea Jin was taken aback and didn't know what she was thinking, but a blush appeared on her radiant and beautiful face. She secretly scoffed at herself. How could she casually invite a woman to bathe together like this?
While contemplating, Tea Jin hurriedly caught up. Well, she was not an ordinary person, and she merely intended to keep an eye on Su Yi.
At the bottom of the waterfall was a pool of water, scattered with smooth mirror-like rocks. The water was clear, splashing with myriad waves and foam as the waterfall cascaded down. Amidst the rising water mist, a hazy and ethereal rainbow appeared.
Su Yi had already discarded his clothes and immersed himself in the pool, his tall figure seeming slender, with well-defined muscles and skin radiating a jade-like luster.
Watching him comfortably close his eyes in the clear flowing water from a distance, Tea Jin felt an itch all over her body and also had the urge to jump into the pool to bathe.
But in the end, she restrained herself.
If she really jumped in and bathed with Su Yi, it would be too shameful.
After a while, Su Yi stood up and walked out of the pool, letting the water on his body dry. He put on his clothes, tied his long hair into a bun, and appeared refreshed, with his mood also improving.
Not only did Tea Jin love cleanliness, but he also had a slight obsession with cleanliness.
"Go wash up."
Su Yi stood with his hands behind his back and came to a shady spot not far away in the jungle, lazily leaning against a rock.
Tea Jin hesitated to speak.
She had originally planned to have Su Yi keep watch for her, but when she thought about her current identity, she sighed inwardly and turned around hastily, leaving.
In front of the pool, Tea Jin removed her clothes layer by layer, neatly folding them on a rock. She took off her hairpin and then wore only a water-blue bellyband that could cover her chest and a pair of underpants as she walked into the water. Suddenly, her graceful and captivating snow-white figure disappeared beneath the clear water ripples.
Feeling the clear water flowing over her skin, Tea Jin couldn't help but let out a relaxed sigh, and her beautiful eyes closed slightly, expressing an indulgent expression on her charming and radiant face.
In her mind, memories of her encounters with Su Yi involuntarily surfaced.
When they first met, as Tea Jin entered the city of Yunhe County, she only thought of Su Yi as a young prodigy highly regarded by the sixth prince, someone with the prowess of a Sword Master.
However, she did not anticipate that their fated connection would begin at that moment...
In the following time, Tea Jin's countenance varied between anger, embarrassment, bitterness, and sorrow...
"Are you not done washing yet?"
Suddenly, an impatient voice sounded.
Tea Jin's delicate body trembled, instantly awakening from her jumbled thoughts.
When she saw Su Yi standing not far from the pool, she resembled a startled deer. Her hands instinctively crossed in front of her chest, and a blush of embarrassment and caution appeared on her fair and exquisite face.
When did this guy arrive?
The water in this pool is so clear that you can see many things you shouldn't. He... What did he just see?
Tea Jin's petite body in the water curled up, trembling.
Su Yi looked on with great interest, openly and without any disguise.
After a while, he said, "A woman's bath is truly the most patience-testing thing for a man."
As he spoke, he produced a clean set of clothes in his hand and placed it on a nearby rock. "These are my clothes. I'm giving them to you."
Tea Jin, who was still feeling indignant and embarrassed, was taken aback. This arrogant guy actually knew that she didn't have clean clothes to change into?
A warm feeling inexplicably surged in her heart. So, this kind of person can also be thoughtful and considerate...
Just as she was thinking about this, Su Yi took out a heavy bundle and placed it on the ground. "These are my dirty clothes. You can wash them together later."
After saying that, he turned around with his hands behind his back and left with a composed demeanor.
Tea Jin stood there in a daze. The touch of warmth and tenderness in her heart dissipated instantly, and the corner of her rosy lips twitched imperceptibly.
So, he did all this just to make her wash his clothes...
After a while, Tea Jin sighed softly. She was originally his maid in his eyes, and washing and folding clothes were things she should do herself. Was there anything wrong with that?
No, there wasn't.
But why did she still feel a little disappointed and uncomfortable in her heart?
In a shady spot in the jungle.
Su Yi, who was about to sit back down, raised his eyebrows suddenly and looked into the distance.
With a thud, it seemed like something heavy fell in the distance, followed by a flash of white shadow that disappeared.
Su Yi walked over casually and saw a fainted wild boar lying in the grass.