On the carefree peak, Xiaobai sat by the edge of the Bitter Sea, his mind still reeling from his struggles with the Xuanhuang Manuscript. He tried to cultivate its teachings but found himself unable to grasp the essentials.
"Could there be something wrong with this Xuanhuang Manuscript?" he wondered, frustration creeping into his thoughts. "With my divine talents, how could I possibly struggle to comprehend it? There must be something flawed with the manuscript. Otherwise, with my aptitude, I should be able to grasp it instantly."
But then he hesitated. "No, that can't be right. If the Xuanhuang Manuscript were flawed, how did my senior sister comprehend it?"
Sighing, he decided, "I'll just ask my senior sister about it."
Xiaobai stood up, clutching the Xuanhuang Manuscript, and darted off towards Peach Mountain. He dared not cultivate the Joyous Demon Scripture on the carefree peak, for its immense energy fluctuations would easily attract unwanted attention. When he still possessed Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could hide it, but now, without any cultivation, attempting to cultivate the Joyous Demon Scripture would immediately reveal his magic aura.
On Peach Mountain, Lin Yaoyao had just finished bathing when she heard Xiaobai's voice.
"Senior sister, senior sister!" he called out.
Turning around, Lin Yaoyao saw Xiaobai rushing towards her with the Xuanhuang Manuscript clutched in his arms, about to fly...
And then, with a thud, he fell flat on his face.
Lin Yaoyao covered her face with one hand, unable to watch. "Of course, it had to be Xiaobai to trip and fall while running perfectly fine."
Xiaobai had forgotten about his lost cultivation. When he tried to jump, he didn't fly and instead fell. "It's all that treacherous master's fault for destroying my cultivation. If I still had it, I wouldn't have fallen," he grumbled in his heart. "You wait, you treacherous master! I'll make you pay!"
Lin Yaoyao walked over and helped Xiaobai up. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, senior sister," Xiaobai smiled, brushing off the dust on his clothes. The fall didn't hurt him much; even though he was now a child's body, he was once the Demon Emperor, with a body of steel.
"What brings you here?" Lin Yaoyao asked.
Xiaobai presented the Xuanhuang Manuscript to his senior sister. "Senior sister, I can't understand this cultivation technique."
Lin Yaoyao raised an eyebrow. "You can't? But this is a straightforward cultivation method. Anyone can learn it..." Except for our master, who's a slacker, she thought to herself. "And you're already at the Foundation Establishment stage. You don't still haven't learned any cultivation techniques, do you?"
Seeing Xiaobai's earnest expression, Lin Yaoyao realized he genuinely didn't know. "This Xuanhuang Manuscript is very simple," she said.
"Simple?" Xiaobai was incredulous. He'd spent hours trying to comprehend it with no success. "How can it be simple when I, the once Demon Emperor, couldn't grasp it in mere hours?"
"How long did it take you to comprehend it, senior sister?" Xiaobai asked curiously. He figured it must have taken her at least three days.
"How long?" Lin Yaoyao was taken aback. "I comprehended seven layers in one night," she said calmly, adding, "Isn't cultivating the Xuanhuang Manuscript as easy as having hands?"
Xiaobai wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Seven layers in one night? Senior sister, you're not fooling me, are you?"
Lin Yaoyao chuckled and demonstrated the Xuanhuang Manuscript's techniques. Xiaobai watched in awe, convinced by her display.
"One night, seven layers. Senior sister, your talent is truly exceptional," Xiaobai marveled. "I, once hailed as the first in the Demon Sect, can't even compare to your talent."
As he watched Lin Yaoyao closely, Xiaobai noticed dragon and phoenix silhouettes flickering around her as she cultivated the Xuanhuang Manuscript. She hid it well, but Xiaobai's keen eyes caught it.
A shiver ran down his spine. "Dragon and phoenix, bringing prosperity. Could it be... my senior sister possesses the demeanor of an emperor?"
Xiaobai's eyes widened as he examined Lin Yaoyao more closely. He detected an aura of imperial majesty emanating from her, a quality cultivated only through years of authority and high position.
"My senior sister truly has the demeanor of an emperor. If I follow her, perhaps..." he thought, but then shook his head. "No, I am the first in the Demon Sect. I cannot stay beneath anyone for long. I'm just biding my time, regaining my strength. When I do, I'll settle the score with that treacherous master. And make senior sister my servant," he added with a mischievous grin, quickly shaking his head to clear his thoughts.
Lin Yaoyao, noticing Xiaobai's distraction, tapped him on the head with her book. "Pay attention during my teachings!" she scolded.
"Yes, senior sister," Xiaobai replied, snapping back to attention.
With Lin Yaoyao's guidance, Xiaobai's cultivation would surely progress rapidly. He resolved to listen intently to his senior sister's explanations.
Lin Yaoyao cleared her throat and began, her voice soft and soothing. "Xiaobai, the Xuanhuang Manuscript emphasizes the transformation of the cosmic energies, drawing heavenly and earthly spiritual power into your body to open your dantian and store your spiritual energy. The most challenging part is mastering the circulation of the cosmic energies..."
After a thorough explanation, Lin Yaoyao finished, and Xiaobai understood the basics. The Xuanhuang Manuscript was unlike his demonic cultivation methods, which was why he struggled to comprehend it. But with Lin Yaoyao's guidance, he now knew the direction to take.
As Xiaobai delved into his cultivation, Lin Yaoyao couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her younger brother's talent. "Even Xiaobai's talent surpasses our master's. If only master put in half of Xiaobai's effort, he might have reached the Foundation Establishment stage by now," she sighed to herself before retreating to her room to continue her own cultivation.
Meanwhile, at the base of Xinghe Sect, Ye Kong visited a nearby town to purchase clothes for children. As he was about to pay, he realized he had no money.
"These clothes are made from superior ice silk, a fair price would be fifty silver coins," the shopkeeper informed him.
Ye Kong awkwardly smiled, his pockets empty. "I'm sorry, I forgot my money. Could I please leave the clothes here and come back after getting the money from my sect?"
The shopkeeper nodded, but just as Ye Kong was about to leave, Chen Changqing entered the shop.
"Long time no see, Uncle Ye Kong," Chen Changqing said sarcastically.
"Nephew Chen, do you have any money on you?" Ye Kong asked hopefully.
Chen Changqing's face darkened at the title but replied, "Yes, I do."
"In that case, could you please lend me the money for these clothes? I'll repay the sect later," Ye Kong requested.
"Why should I pay for your clothes, Uncle Ye Kong?" Chen Changqing sneered.
"Just lend me the money. I'll settle it with the sect leader later," Ye Kong explained.
"And if I refuse?"
"I'll pay," a voice interrupted, and a woman with a veil covering her face stepped forward, handing the shopkeeper fifty silver coins.
"Uncle Ye Kong," she greeted softly.
"Who are you?" Ye Kong asked, puzzled.
"I am Su Qingwan from the Flower Peak, Wanhua Feng. It's an honor to meet you, Uncle Ye Kong," Su Qingwan replied, bowing respectfully.
"Ah, Nephew Su, thank you," Ye Kong said gratefully, taking the clothes and leaving.
Su Qingwan watched Ye Kong leave, her eyes shining with admiration. Finally, she had spoken to Uncle Ye Kong, even if it was just a brief exchange.