Lin Yaoyao shed her red dress, revealing shoulders as smooth and tender as lamb fat. Her long, black hair flowed naturally down her back, while her jade-like feet and slender, pale legs were exposed, invitingly alluring. Occasionally, peach blossoms drifted down to rest on her shoulders and in the pond, adding another layer of beauty to this extraordinary beauty. Her elegance and unparalleled charm were beyond compare.
"Who's there?" Lin Yaoyao suddenly became alert, quickly pulled on her red dress, and gazed towards the edge of the peach grove.
Cough, cough!
Ye Kong appeared, looking slightly embarrassed, with a yellowed ancient tome in his hand. The image of a scholar immediately sprang to Lin Yaoyao's mind.
Years of solitude fishing, coupled with his innate charm, gave Ye Kong a unique scholarly aura that momentarily captivated Lin Yaoyao.
"It seems my soul fusion is incomplete. I'm even having girlish thoughts..." Lin Yaoyao quickly regained her composure, a flicker of annoyance flashing across her pretty face.
"What brings Master here?" she asked, thinking to herself, "If you dare to use force, with your Cultivation at the Qi Refinement stage, I could suppress you with one hand."
Ye Kong smiled and said, "Yesterday, I taught you the Xuanhuang Mantra. I came to see how far you've progressed in its cultivation."
The Xuanhuang Mantra was the treasured technique of the Xiaoyao Peak, divided into nine levels, and extremely difficult to master. However, Ye Kong, aided by his "Kaitian Hammer," had reached the peak in half a candle's time.
"Hmph, trying to test me? You don't know what kind of talent I possess," Lin Yaoyao thought disdainfully.
"I've spent the night cultivating and have reached the fifth level," Lin Yaoyao said calmly, although she had actually reached the seventh level but chose not to reveal it, fearing she might appear too arrogant. She only wanted to demonstrate her talent enough to obtain more cultivation resources, while also avoiding upsetting her seemingly inexperienced master and damaging his spiritual foundation.
"One night? Fifth level?" Ye Kong was taken aback.
This disciple's talent seems a bit lacking...
Seeing her master's surprise, Lin Yaoyao felt even more dismissive.
Mortals are just mortals. If I told you I'd reached the seventh level, your jaw would drop, she thought. Maybe you'd even turn around and ask to be my disciple!
"I stayed awake all night and suddenly entered meditation, gaining some insight by chance," Lin Yaoyao explained, implying that her understanding of the fifth level was a coincidence and not to discourage her master.
Ye Kong's expression faltered again.
Is this disciple's talent really so poor? Or did she reach the fifth level by chance?
The Xuanhuang Mantra doesn't require insight; it's learned at a glance, isn't it? If I weren't so lazy and read faster, I could've mastered it in a single tea session, he sighed inwardly.
Alright, this is my first disciple since I arrived here. And the first cultivator I've interacted with intimately.
"Your talent is acceptable," Ye Kong suppressed the urge to criticize his disciple.
"Master, don't hold back. Your expression is about to give way," Lin Yaoyao thought to herself, not blaming her master for his perceived mediocrity. After all, she was an emperor in her former life, a being of a completely different caliber.
"Since you claim to have reached the fifth level, I'll test your understanding," Ye Kong continued, wanting to identify any shortcomings and help her improve.
"Alright," Lin Yaoyao nodded on the surface, inwardly mocking her master. He must not have reached the fifth level himself and is using this test as an excuse to steal my insights, she thought.
Feeling sorry for her master, who was still at the Qi Refinement stage and could even get injured catching a chicken, Lin Yaoyao cleared her throat and spoke softly, "Master, the Xuanhuang Mantra emphasizes the transformation of Xuan and Huang. The first three levels focus on absorbing spiritual energy from the heavens and earth, while the subsequent levels deal with opening the Spiritual Sea to double one's spiritual power with each breakthrough. The most difficult part is mastering the circulation of the Cosmic Cycle..."
Lin Yaoyao explained the technique thoroughly, taking a full incense's worth of time.
I hope my insights will help Master break through to the Foundation Establishment stage soon, she thought.
"Not bad, not bad," Ye Kong nodded, acknowledging that while her understanding had flaws, it was commendable given her youth.
He then took out the "Xinghe Cyclic Sword," the unique sword technique of the Xiaoyao Peak, and solemnly handed it to Lin Yaoyao, warning, "This is the exclusive swordplay of our peak. Cultivate it diligently and never reveal it to others. If it's lost, the consequences could be catastrophic for the entire continent."
He had read the technique beforehand and knew it to be a formidable art, even challenging for him at times, especially with the help of his Kaitian Hammer to fully comprehend its depths.
"Fearful consequences, huh?" Lin Yaoyao sniffed. This measly sword technique? I wouldn't even bother practicing it if you gave it to me. Any sword technique I possess is infinitely superior.
Amused by her master's solemnity, Lin Yaoyao replied, "Don't worry, Master. I won't reveal it."
"This swordplay is somewhat challenging, divided into seven levels. Don't be discouraged if you find it difficult," Ye Kong added, not knowing that Lin Yaoyao found his concern amusing.
Lin Yaoyao smirked, thinking, You really haven't seen much of the world, Master. Today, I'll show you what it means to be an emperor.
Suddenly, Ye Kong's expression changed, and he looked towards the peak of the Xiaoyao Peak.
"Continue your cultivation. I must go now," he said urgently, rushing off.
Lin Yaoyao watched her master's retreating figure curiously, her eyes blinking rapidly. "Perhaps he's gained some insight from my explanation and is eager to break through to a higher realm."
She wondered if he would succeed or fall into madness from improper cultivation.
Sighing, she thought, "Why does this disciple have to worry so much about her master?"
She then turned her attention to the swordplay, thinking, "Might as well practice it a bit. It'll only waste a little of my time."
...
In the hall of the Xiaoyao Peak, the array Ye Kong had casually set up was beginning to crack. He could sense an overwhelmingly terrifying presence approaching. If not for the array, the entire Xinghe Sect would have been crushed by this menacing aura.
"This intense killing intent... Is it here for revenge?" Ye Kong narrowed his eyes. He had been in this world for over a decade and had no known enemies, as he had already dealt with them all... or so he thought.
Crack! The array cracked faster, and a massive avatar seemed to be descending through a spatial rift, roaring, "Lin Yaoyao, you can't escape..."
An enemy?
Sigh, this disciple... Why does she cause me so much worry?
Ye Kong picked up his Kaitian Hammer.