Boom!
A thundering sound echoed as Li Mei successfully broke through, reaching the second stage of Qi Gathering.
Then, without her doing anything, the ice-blue spiritual Qi inside her body started to circulate rapidly, consolidating her foundation at massive speed.
'This?!' Li Mei couldn't help but become dumbfounded after seeing this.
She knew how hard it was for her to consolidate her foundation, yet now it was happening without her making any effort.
'Is this how heaven-grade spiritual root cultivates?' she muttered in her heart with doubt when a voice pulled her out of the thoughts.
"Xiao Mei, you can stop now," Ye Chen said when he saw her successful breakthrough.
Hearing him Li Mei hesitated a little and opened her eyes.
"Senior brother, shouldn't I grab this opportunity to cultivate more?" she inquired in a hurry.
She still thought this change was something temporary and expensive, and because of this, she didn't want to waste it.
Ye Chen guessed what she was thinking, and he couldn't help but pinch her soft cheeks.
"Xiao Mei, this change is permanent, which means you can cultivate with this speed from now on," he explained with a smile.
Hearing him Li Mei was shocked and soon became worried.
"Senior brother, this ice lotus must be expensive, right?" she inquired, her face paling at this thought.
Although she was naive, she knew how expensive herbs were, especially after getting taught medical knowledge by him. She knew every herb that had a permanent effect on the cultivation was fought with life and death.
She didn't know how he got this herb, but one thing was sure: he must have paid some kind of heavy price.
Thinking about this, she became even more worried when Ye Chen shook his head at her with disapproval.
"Little girl, did you forget what my divine power is? With this, I can grow this supreme ice lotus like weed, so stop worrying too much," he stated, flicking her forehead.
Hearing him Li Mei was relieved; however, she still felt something amiss when Ye Chen suddenly warped his arms around her waist with a smile.
"S-Senior brother!" she exclaimed with a stunned look as he pulled her into his embrace, making her feel warmth from his body.
Because of Yin Physique, her body was cold, which just made the warmth from his clear, and she felt like hugging him tightly forever.
However, she hurriedly snapped out of this thought and tried to resist. But it was all useless as she found that he was stronger than her.
'How is this possible?! Senior brother is only at the first stage of Qi Gathering!' she thought with shock when Ye Chen gazed into her eyes.
"Xiao Mei, even though I have not paid anything for this herb, it is very important to me. Now that you have eaten one, you must do something for me," he said with a serious look.
Hearing him Li Mei was stunned and soon became anxious.
"S-Senior brother, what do you need me to do?" she inquired timidly, her body going soft as she felt he wanted something very important from her.
Watching her like this, Ye Chen smiled and tightened his arms around her soft waist.
"Xiao Mei, I will tell you when the time comes, but now you should sleep," he said softly as he caressed her face before placing his finger on her head.
Li Mei was puzzled by his actions when suddenly the ice-cold Qi inside her body erupted, and before she could think of anything, her vision turned dark.
"She really looks cute when sleeping," Ye Chen whispered with a smile as he pinched her small nose before laying her down on the bed.
After this, he checked her body with divine eyes.
Although the change of physique couldn't harm her, it made her extremely exhausted.
The only reason she didn't feel tired was because the vitality of the herb kept her energetic.
However, it was only for a while, and Ye Chen fastened this process, making her fall into deep sleep, which will help her to recover from exhaustion.
'Time to go back,' Ye Chen thought to himself as he covered her body with a quilt before turning off the lamp and leaving the room.
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When the morning came, Li Mei woke up feeling a little dizzy.
However, she didn't care about this, and fist checked around her.
Only when she saw that Ye Chen hadn't slept here she became relived; however, there was also a sense of loss she couldn't describe.
Nevertheless, she didn't ponder over too much and got ready before heading to eat breakfast with Ye Chen.
"Senior brother, you still didn't tell me what I needed to do?" Li Mei said with a pout, feeling quite anxious.
"Xiao Mei, why hurry so much? I will tell you when the time comes and only you can help me with this," Ye Chen replied with a serious look, which just made her feel more nervous.
However, there was nothing she could do because he kept his mouth closed.
Just like this, they arrived at the breakfast table and found Zhen Yunqi was also there. However, it didn't pose any problem, and so they finished their breakfast hastily, intending to go back and cultivate.
But before they could leave, Zhen Yunqi stopped them.
"You both don't cultivate too fast, especially don't break through the fifth stage of the Qi Gathering realm in these two weeks," she said seriously, making both Li Mei and Ye Chen stunned.
"Master, why shouldn't we break through? Is there something we need to do before this?" Li Mei inquired with a puzzled look while Ye Chen waited for the answer.
Zhen Yunqi didn't disappoint them and replied.
"The 'Mystic Pond' will open after one week or two, and it only allows people at the Qi Gathering stage to enter. Once inside, you will be able to cleanse your body, which will help you in creating a strong foundation."
"Moreover, the pond also has the effect of enlightenment and refining your Qi, which allows everyone to breakthrough at least three or four times while providing benefits for future cultivation."
"If you break through above fifth stage, there might be a chance you will reach the Qi Refining stage, which will kick you out of the pond, giving you fewer benefits," she explained calmly.
Hearing her, Li Mei nodded with an understanding expression while Ye Chen went into deep thoughts.