Currently, almost all the residual medicinal power from the celestial herbs within her body was gone. Now, her efficiency in using innate techniques to temper her physique would be directly linked to her inherent talent, which undoubtedly wouldn't be lacking.
Before reaching the stage of becoming a Soul Saint, the power of the soul isn't apparent and is difficult to cultivate.
It's better to focus on a single direction at this stage.
If her foundation is solid enough and the various powers within her body can achieve balance, she might have the basis to attempt cultivating innate power after advancing to Soul Saint.
However, the specifics will have to be seen in the future; it's still uncertain now.
Next, he explained in detail to Ning Rongrong some crucial points about cultivating their techniques.
He also pointed out special difficulties that an auxiliary-type spirit master like her should pay attention to during cultivation.
Naturally, Ning Rongrong had no objections to his words. After listening attentively, she immediately nodded and replied, "Alright, I understand."
During their conversation, Zhu Zhuqing stood by the side, looking somewhat bored, leaning against the wall and silently observing them.
Seeing this, Su Cheng's heart moved, and he said, "Rongrong, you stay here and cultivate. I've told you the key points; just follow this pace. I'll come back to check on you later."
After saying this, he walked towards the door.
Seeing this, although Ning Rongrong felt somewhat dissatisfied, she didn't know what to say and could only let him go.
On the other side, Su Cheng walked to Zhu Zhuqing and smiled, "I'll take you for a walk around the sect. The mountain scenery is quite nice."
Zhu Zhuqing felt a bit happy inside, but she showed no expression on her face and just nodded.
After the two left the training ground, she suddenly sneered, "Such deep sibling affection."
Su Cheng raised his eyebrows and looked at her, "If you have something to say, just say it. Why be so sarcastic?"
"I have nothing to say."
"Are you jealous?"
"Ha, jealous?!" Zhu Zhuqing's voice suddenly became intense. "If I were jealous while being by your side, I'd have been infuriated long ago!"
"Alright, alright," Su Cheng shook his head helplessly. "Don't overthink it. Rongrong is still young and has stayed in the sect for years, not seeing many people. Even if she has some thoughts now, they'll fade in a few years."
"Then why don't you cut off her thoughts yourself?"
"She hasn't said anything; I can't just bring it up, right? What if she's just overthinking it? Moreover, she understands everything. If I say something, it might not be good. Matters of the heart are different; young girls are sensitive and might develop shadows in their hearts."
"I hope so," Zhu Zhuqing mumbled softly. "Saying she's young, but she's older than me."
"You're different; you're special," Su Cheng grabbed her slender, fair hand and gently squeezed it. "I definitely won't let you go. Why don't you call me 'daddy' again?"
"Su Cheng, you jerk!" Originally, hearing him say she was special made Zhu Zhuqing feel a bit happy inside, but his next words instantly made her angry.
"Hey, it was just a joke. Why are you so angry?"
"You..." After a moment of playful anger, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated and then bit her lip and asked, "What was up with you last night?"
Although their first intimate encounter at the hotel had its moments of variety, it started off normally. But last night, he seemed overly enthusiastic, making her feel something was off.
If she didn't figure out the reason, she'd always feel uneasy.
Zhu Zhuqing wasn't particularly curious by nature, holding a casual attitude toward many things. But when it came to Su Cheng, she wanted to get to the bottom of it.
"Was I strange last night?" Su Cheng looked slightly surprised.
After thinking silently for a moment, he suddenly smiled, "Oh, I get it. Was it because I didn't use any tools this time, and you felt a bit uncomfortable?"
"I'm talking seriously!"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly became furious. A strong wind swirled around her, and sharp claws like short daggers extended from her fingers, slashing towards Su Cheng's face without mercy.
"Hey, hey, it's not that serious!" Su Cheng quickly leaned back, avoiding the fierce attack.
But Zhu Zhuqing didn't stop. Her eyes flashed with a red light, and like a tiger descending a mountain, she pounced forward, blood shadows seemingly flickering behind her, claws aiming straight for Su Cheng's chest.
The sharp cold glint between her five fingers, surrounded by the breeze, indicated that if this strike landed, even his physique would suffer serious injuries.
Seeing this, Su Cheng slightly shifted his body. His fingertips glowed with a white light, and with a gesture resembling holding a sword, he deflected the incoming claws.
Soon, the two began a swift exchange in the small space.
Neither Su Cheng nor Zhu Zhuqing used their martial souls. One used innate power around their fingers to counter, while the other utilized their deep understanding of their martial soul and inherent domain to perform various derived soul skills.
However, rather than a fight, it was more like Su Cheng was guiding Zhu Zhuqing.
Since Zhu Zhuqing advanced to Soul Emperor, she hadn't experienced any real battles. No matter how high one's combat talent is, it must be honed through actual combat to fully integrate one's power. Today's sparring was an opportunity.
At first, Zhu Zhuqing's moves during successive attacks or changes were somewhat sluggish, either too forceful or not enough, lacking smoothness.
As time passed, her movements became faster and more fluid, like an art.
Half an hour later, with a metallic "clang," Zhu Zhuqing suddenly retracted her claws and stood back in her original spot, slightly panting. Clearly, even without using her martial soul, the short period of fighting with Su Cheng had put her under considerable pressure, consuming a lot of energy.
"Not fighting anymore." Zhu Zhuqing snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Su Cheng quickly grabbed her, "Not fighting is fine, but where are you going?"
"Going back to sleep."
"Sleeping in broad daylight? Come, walk with me."
Then, without giving her a choice, he led her deeper into the back mountain.
Unknowingly, they arrived near the top of the rarely visited back mountain. Ahead was a high cliff.
The wind rustled through the bamboo forest, the leaves rustling. The serene natural atmosphere made one's heart naturally calm down.
Zhu Zhuqing walked slowly beside Su Cheng, asking casually, "When are we going back to Spirit Hall?"
Her dark red hair flowed smoothly to her waist, swaying gently in the mountain breeze. The jewelry in her hair glinted in the sunlight, adding a unique charm to her.
Unlike her cold demeanor in public or her seductive nature in bed, she was now fresh and natural, like an orchid growing freely in the valley.
There was no pretended coldness or forced strength.
Su Cheng sensed a hint of gloom in her calm expression. Casually putting his arm around her slender waist, he pulled her close and asked with a smile, "When do you want to go back?"
The gentle gesture seemed to make Zhu Zhuqing slightly uncomfortable.
They usually joked and teased each other, with Su Cheng always provoking her anger for fun.
His sudden change now made her feel a bit flustered and uneasy.
She shifted slightly, her eyes avoiding his as she said, "What's the use of asking me? This task was assigned to you by the Pope. I can't decide your thoughts. After you finish what you need to do, I'll just follow you back."
"Oh, it won't take too long," Su Cheng said nonchalantly. "We'll leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in a few days, then visit Godwind Academy and Heaven Water Academy before returning. It should take about half a month."
"…Alright." Zhu Zhuqing responded softly.
Su Cheng reached out and gently brushed aside the hair on one side of her face, revealing her beautiful face and the blue gemstone earring that sparkled in the light.
He kissed her softly on her delicate earlobe, "But I think we don't need to rush back. We can take this opportunity to relax."
"Okay, as long as you decide."
"Let's go further up; the view there should be nice. I haven't been there yet."
"It's time to cultivate," Zhu Zhuqing said, trying to stay calm.
"Cultivate?" Su Cheng turned back, surprised. "You just said you were going back to sleep. Now you want to cultivate?"
He knew that Zhu Zhuqing had always been diligent and hardworking, but there was really no need to rush at this moment.
Her path had begun to change. Compared with ascetic training, fighting was much more helpful.
Little did he know that Zhu Zhuqing regretted what she had just said.
Although she practiced hard, she had not reached this point. Moreover, when she was with Su Cheng, she rarely thought about those things.
What she had said just now was just talk.
She wasn't like this originally, and never liked to put on a show.
But she didn't know why today, it seemed that Su Cheng's attitude was gentler than ever before. Or maybe when their skin was touching, she felt inexplicably weak in her heart, so she subconsciously wanted to refute him and get back to their normal state of getting along.
"You can cultivate at any time. Now is a good time. Why rush?" After Su Cheng said this, he grabbed her slender hand and walked towards the high slope in front.
"Boring and a waste of time," Zhu Zhuqing muttered. She didn't break free from his hand and walked beside him.
The weather was extremely cold at this time, and the mountain breeze was icy and biting.
But for some reason, Zhu Zhuqing felt a little dizzy, and her heart beat faster and faster.
They just held each other's hands tightly and walked a few steps in the mountains.
Before this, yesterday and the night before, they had done many more intimate things.
But why wasn't there this feeling of uneasiness at this moment, yet seemed to be extremely peaceful?