As the days passed, Asher settled into a quiet routine in his courtyard. The three women who had rented the space, Ji Bingyu, Mu Ziyan, and Xia Jingyan, had made themselves comfortable. Their presence lingered in the air, and while they were not overtly hostile, there was an undercurrent of curiosity and wariness.
Ji Bingyu, in particular, seemed to be avoiding Asher's gaze, though there were moments when her eyes would linger on him longer than necessary. She would quickly look away, shaking her head as if to dismiss the thought. Her emotions, however, were betraying her. The Infatuation Spirit was subtle, but powerful, and its influence was growing stronger by the day.
Asher knew that Ji Bingyu, with her strength at the ninth level of Qi training, would not be easily manipulated. Her powerful will and experience made her resistant to most forms of spiritual influence. Yet, there was something uniquely different about the Infatuation Spirit. It did not force obedience, but instead gently nudged the heart, molding desires and softening resistances.
One evening, as the moonlight filtered through the trees and bathed the courtyard in a soft glow, Asher stood by the window, watching Ji Bingyu practice her cultivation. Her graceful movements were fluid, yet there was a hint of restlessness in her posture, a subtle tension that betrayed her inner conflict.
"Ji Bingyu," Asher said, his voice low but carrying across the quiet courtyard.
She froze for a moment, her fingers hovering over the spiritual formation she had been working on. With a sigh, she turned toward him, her face still flushed from the earlier encounter. "What is it, Asher?"
He smiled, but it wasn't a smile of warmth—it was the calm, knowing smile of someone who understood the weight of what had begun. "I wanted to talk to you. You've been training hard lately. Perhaps you should take a break? There's no need to push yourself so much."
Ji Bingyu stared at him, her heart quickening unexpectedly. She hadn't expected him to speak so openly, with such concern in his voice. Was he... worried about her? That thought caught her off guard. Why would he, a mere first-level Qi cultivator, care about her, someone who had been cultivating for decades?
"I... I'm fine," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. Why did she feel this way? She was a powerful cultivator, used to standing alone, relying only on herself. But when Asher looked at her with those calm eyes, her heart swelled in a way she couldn't explain.
The Infatuation Spirit had done its work well. Though Ji Bingyu was not fully aware of the cause, the seed of attraction had taken root deep within her. Asher could sense it now, the subtle shift in her emotions. It was as if she was trying to fight it, to convince herself that her feelings were nothing more than a fleeting moment, but the heart was not so easily fooled.
"Are you sure?" Asher pressed, stepping a little closer. His voice was calm, yet it carried a warmth that made Ji Bingyu's breath catch in her throat. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."
Ji Bingyu's face turned crimson, and she quickly turned away. "I... I don't need anyone's help," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher tilted his head, his expression softening as he studied her. "You don't have to go through everything alone, Ji Bingyu. No one should."
She didn't reply immediately, but the words seemed to echo in her mind. No one should? Was he suggesting that she could rely on him? How could she—someone who had spent her life training to be independent—begin to rely on a person like Asher?
But despite her best efforts, her mind kept returning to his words. His gentle concern had touched something deep within her that she hadn't even realized existed.
The next day.
Ji Bingyu woke up earlier than usual, her thoughts tangled in a web of confusion. Why had she been so flustered yesterday? It was just Asher, after all. A young, inexperienced cultivator with no significant background or strength. Yet, his kindness had disarmed her in a way that was both unsettling and oddly comforting.
She walked outside, hoping to clear her mind with some meditation, but as she stepped into the courtyard, her gaze involuntarily found Asher. He was standing by the fountain, staring at the water's reflection with an intense focus.
For a moment, Ji Bingyu stood there, watching him. His features were ordinary, yet in the soft morning light, there was something captivating about him. His calm, thoughtful expression seemed to radiate an aura of serenity that she had never experienced before.
Stop it, Ji Bingyu! she scolded herself. This is foolishness.
Yet, despite her internal reprimands, her heart fluttered. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this way. She, who had spent years honing her cultivation and pushing aside personal attachments, now found herself battling an inexplicable yearning.
Before she could compose herself, she turned and walked quickly away, hoping the distance would help her regain control over her emotions.
Back in the courtyard, Asher smirked faintly.
He had been watching Ji Bingyu out of the corner of his eye, aware of her growing turmoil. The Infatuation Spirit was doing its work, and while Ji Bingyu fought it, the pull was undeniable. This was only the beginning. Her resistance would wear down over time, and soon, she would find herself completely captivated by him.
Asher's heart burned with ambition. The Infatuation Spirit was just one small step in his journey. With it, he could influence powerful figures, build alliances, and sway the hearts of those who once considered him insignificant. In a world where power was everything, this subtle art of manipulation was a tool unlike any other.
He had already begun to see the effects on Ji Bingyu. Her resolve, once unwavering, was starting to falter. And Asher knew that it wouldn't be long before she was fully under his sway.
But that was just the beginning. The Primordial Spirit Altar had much more to offer, and the road to immortality was long. Asher would need more than just a single spirit to ascend.