After healing, Su Wanqing had regained much of her strength—enough to begin cultivating again. She stared at Chu Ning for a long time, so long that even she lost track of how long it had been. This world had been almost cruel to her. She lost her cultivation, was targeted by the sect, and her disciples rebelled and left her. But at least there was still someone by her side who cared.
That person, however, seemed to harbor certain feelings toward her.
Su Wanqing didn’t quite know how to respond to it, but she didn’t dislike it either. That kind of feeling was very pure. No matter what, she had accepted it. At this moment, perhaps it was because she truly felt that Chu Ning wanted to walk the great Dao alongside her. If she really saw him as a man… well, her disciple was indeed quite handsome now, with a good figure. He had truly grown into a man.
When feeling mentally overwhelmed, the solution was simple: cultivate.
Taking out the manual for the Martial Defiance Scripture, Su Wanqing’s eyes lit up. This technique was extremely suitable for her current condition. She didn’t want to be treated as a pretty vase, nor did she want to be taken care of constantly. She had always been strong. Now that her Dao heart was reforged, it had to be this way. Her disciple protecting her? That wasn’t right!
He was still young. He shouldn’t have to bear the malice of the world alone. At the very least, she should share that burden with him.
Even if she’d lost her cultivation, Su Wanqing was still one of the rare prodigies in the Human Realm. With a Supreme Heavenly Spirit Root (Divine Grade), her potential for reaching the Saint realm was certain, and she even had the qualifications to challenge for the number one spot under heaven in the future.
Her comprehension had never diminished. Her talent remained. With just one glance at the technique, she immediately grasped its core.
Dual cultivation of technique and body.
Technique cultivators train internally—Spirit Palace and divine soul—to reach immortal-like means. Body cultivators train externally—muscles, bones, skin, and blood. The Martial Defiance Scripture clearly separated the two paths and then listed a combined route for cultivating both together.
The details were nearly perfect. She only needed to follow the body cultivation method.
She quickly understood—this technique was ideal for someone like her who had lost all cultivation. With her past cultivation comprehension and her current body framework, she could swiftly gather blood energy to temper her body.
Su Wanqing didn’t hesitate. Time now was as precious as life itself.
She wasn’t sure how the storage ring was unlocked. As her disciple, Chu Ning now had means she didn’t even know as his master. Since the ring belonged to both of them, she didn’t mind.
After searching for a while, she found several Grade 1 herbs. She went to the bath chamber, changed the bathwater into medicinal liquid, adjusted the mix for a while, then sat cross-legged within it.
In an instant, the medicinal energy scorched her skin.
Without the slightest hesitation, Su Wanqing activated the blood energy in her body and began using the Martial Defiance Scripture’s method to reshape her body for optimal physical cultivation.
Rebuilding required realigning meridians and repositioning internal organs to optimize blood flow. It wasn’t difficult for her to grasp, but the pain that came with it was unbearable.
But could any physical pain compare to the heartache she had endured?
She had to endure!
No one knew how long it lasted, but eventually, the excruciating pain subsided. Throughout the process, she didn’t make a single sound. Around her, dark blood seeped out—it was clotted blood. She slowly rose to her feet and immediately felt that her body had changed.
It could now carry blood energy cultivation and support spiritual Qi cultivation. This was the physique for dual cultivation of technique and body.
As expected, this technique was exceptional—cultivable and terrifying in structure. Even compared to the Supreme Profound Sect’s core techniques, it was more fearsome!
She no longer cared where the technique came from. All that mattered was whether it could help her disciple.
She continued cultivating in seclusion, and her physique advanced at an abnormal pace, reaching the 1st stage Copper Skin Realm in a single day! Yet her blood energy remained full and could still rise further!
Having already passed through all nine stages of Body Tempering, plus her sixth realm’s strong foundation, entering the first stage was no problem at all.
In the blink of an eye, her blood energy surged again—2nd stage Iron Bone Realm!
Her blood energy still had some reserves, but not much—just enough to reach mid-2nd stage.
She now had strength again. Not much, but enough to act.
No one knew how much time had passed before Su Wanqing slowly opened her eyes.
Her body was covered in blackened blood, but she could feel power coursing through her. She no longer felt weak or fragile.
This was enough.
Today, Su Wanqing had rebuilt her cultivation—two stages in physical cultivation in one day!
Even if the path ahead was filled with obstacles, she no longer feared it!
She was a prodigy of the Northern Region. Even if she had to start over on the path of cultivation through body refinement, she would still progress faster than anyone else!
Though, in her current state, it was best her disciple didn’t see her.
She rose, changed to the spirit spring, and stepped back into the spirit pool. The dark blood washed away, revealing her soft and flawless body once again.
Physical cultivation hadn’t turned her into some muscle-bound brute—it had only made her body more resilient.
Her curves were still full and prominent, like snow-capped peaks with a lone winter plum blooming at the summit. Even she was momentarily dazed by her own reflection.
She had never paid attention before, but now… was this something highly attractive to men?
Was that why her disciple kept staring?
Su Wanqing chuckled.
Too young. Once he’d seen enough, he’d stop being so adorably dumb.
Chu Ning still hadn’t woken. Sleeping deeply.
Su Wanqing quickly found a set of clothes—a gold dudou and underpants, topped with a white robe.
After changing, she felt refreshed and clear-headed.
Having power to protect herself again—what a wonderful feeling!
Time to cook.
Her disciple hadn’t eaten since last night—he’d definitely wake up starving.
Humming a tune, Su Wanqing headed to the kitchen. Her mood was clearly excellent!
…
On the bed, a certain part of Chu Ning began reacting.
Of course, when a man wakes up, something always wakes first.
Now that he was cultivating the Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Technique, his internal fire was intense…
That was the upside of youth!
Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide.
Fourth level of Eternal Spring Undying Technique!
Chu Ning jumped out of bed, immediately running outside without even hearing Su Wanqing call him to eat.
She’d wanted to tell him about her changes too!
She wasn’t a vase anymore!
But Chu Ning seemed not to hear and ran straight out. Without hesitation, he found a dying blade of grass.
Eternal Spring Undying Technique!
Strands of pure Eternal Spring intent flowed over the dying grass.
Chu Ning took a deep breath.
This technique wasn’t just for healing—it was about the intent of spring, the essence of life!
Such a cultivation method simply didn’t exist in this world!
To the extreme, it could even bring back the dead, rejuvenate the old, restore withered organs—it embodied the concept of life itself!
The one who created this technique must’ve been terrifyingly powerful. To call this a technique even a dog wouldn’t learn? Screw that.
“Master!” Chu Ning turned, smiling at Su Wanqing who was cooking.
She looked back in confusion. “What?”
“Master, you look beautiful!”
The corners of Su Wanqing’s mouth twitched. Without another word, she picked up the spatula and stormed over.
“Early in the morning, and that’s what you’re thinking about?”
“I’m thinking about these things!”
“You’ve got the energy for that? Fine! Cultivate properly!”
Su Wanqing emphasized every word, her gaze angry—but she didn’t hit hard.
Still, bang bang bang!
She smacked Chu Ning on the head three times. But he wasn’t angry—he was thrilled!
He quietly said, “Master, I’m stronger now. Tonight, I can go for at least two hours…”
Su Wanqing blinked. He’d improved that much?
Last night it was just one hour.
So confident…
She didn’t continue the topic but smiled softly.
How many days did it take you to reach the third realm?
I didn’t even need half an hour. With the Martial Defiance Scripture, I now have a way to protect myself—it’s only right to share that with my disciple.
“Chu Ning, have you noticed anything different about me?”
Chu Ning looked at her and hesitated. “You changed clothes?”
Su Wanqing smiled mysteriously and shook her head.
You can’t see the change in my cultivation?
“Look again.”
Chu Ning was still confused. What was the point of asking this? Couldn’t she just say it?
Oh! Got it!
Women love for men to guess the changes—it makes them feel accomplished!
“Your hairstyle?”
Su Wanqing let out a laugh. “Is all you see my appearance? Of course it’s not that—it’s something else.”
Chu Ning felt a headache coming on.
Not clothes, not hairstyle, not outward appearance…
Then it must be… internal?
Chu Ning froze, swallowed nervously, and let his gaze slowly drift downward.
“Master… it can’t be that, right…?”
Su Wanqing frowned. What ‘this’ and ‘that’? You can’t even see my cultivation realm? I didn’t hide it at all…
Huh???
She looked down following his gaze. Her smiling face suddenly froze.
“You little brat!”