Scarlet lowered her head and hurried toward her courtyard, almost fleeing in embarrassment.
The moment she disappeared into the bamboo grove, Raeshan finally let out a quiet chuckle.
"She really is just a sixteen year old girl."
Shaking his head, he opened the system panel.
[Ding!]
[Mission Complete.]
[Disciple Scarlet Morvain has successfully established a Perfect Foundation.]
[Rewards Issued.]
Three Years of Cultivation.
Spirit Sword ×1.
Raeshan smiled.
"Receive."
A warm current of spiritual qi flowed into his body.
Unlike his previous breakthrough, this one was calm and silent.
Inside his dantian, the Spirit Core rotated faster as three years’ worth of cultivation merged seamlessly into his foundation.
His cultivation remained at the Peak Spirit Core Realm, but his spiritual qi became noticeably denser and more refined. His foundation grew even more stable, bringing him one step closer to breaking into the Spirit Sea Realm.
Raeshan slowly opened his eyes.
"So cultivation rewards don’t always raise my realm..."
"They can also strengthen my foundation."
He nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad."
At that moment, a crimson flash appeared before him.
Floating in midair was an elegant longsword.
Its blade was as clear as crystal, with crimson patterns flowing across its surface like streams of molten lava. The crossguard resembled a pair of phoenix wings, and a scarlet gemstone was embedded in the hilt.
Even while suspended in the air, the sword radiated a gentle warmth.
Raeshan reached out and grasped its hilt.
The sword let out a clear, melodious cry, as though acknowledging its new owner.
A new system panel appeared.
[Crimson Flame Sword]
Grade: High-Grade Earth Rank
Attribute: Fire
Compatible Constitution: Phoenix Flame Body
Description: A spirit sword forged from Scarlet Flame Crystal. It possesses extraordinary affinity with fire-attributed cultivators. When wielded by someone with the Phoenix Flame Body, its power increases dramatically.
Raeshan raised an eyebrow.
"An Earth Rank spirit sword..."
Searching through the original owner’s memories, he recalled the world’s treasure rankings.
Common → Rare → Earth → Heaven → Supreme → Mythic
An Earth Rank weapon was already considered an extraordinary treasure in the Eastern Desolate Land.
Even the matriarchs of the strongest clans and sects would be willing to fight to the death for a weapon of this caliber.
He looked toward Scarlet’s courtyard and smiled faintly.
"It suits her perfectly."
A disciple needed more than talent.
Without a suitable weapon, even the greatest genius could never unleash their full potential.
Since the system had specifically rewarded him with a sword perfectly matched to Scarlet’s constitution, there was no reason for him to keep it.
With a wave of his hand, the Scarlet Spirit Sword disappeared into his storage ring.
"I’ll give it to her after she’s finished bathing."
A master didn’t simply teach cultivation techniques.
A true master nurtured every aspect of a disciple’s growth.
And Raeshan intended to give his first disciple the very best that Blazing Sun Hall could offer.
Behind Scarlet’s Courtyard
Steam drifted lazily into the air.
Hidden behind a grove of emerald bamboo was a natural hot spring. Its crystal-clear water reflected the morning sunlight, while wisps of white mist curled above the surface. Spirit flowers bloomed around the stone pool, filling the air with a faint, refreshing fragrance.
Scarlet stood at the edge of the spring, staring in silence.
"...A hot spring?"
She hadn’t expected such a luxurious place to exist within Blazing Sun Hall.
After making sure no one was nearby, she slowly untied her outer robe.
One garment after another slipped to the ground.
Soon, she stepped into the spring.
Warm water enveloped her body, and she couldn’t help letting out a soft sigh.
"...It feels so comfortable."
She gently washed away the black impurities covering her skin.
The foul-smelling residue dissolved into the flowing spring water and gradually disappeared.
When the last trace of impurity had been washed away, Scarlet looked down at her reflection.
She froze.
"..."
Her skin had become noticeably fairer and smoother, carrying a healthy glow.
Even the faint scars left behind by old injuries had completely vanished.
She slowly raised a hand.
"My body..."
She could clearly feel the difference.
Her meridians had become broader.
The flow of spiritual qi through her body was smoother than ever before.
Even her senses had become much sharper.
Taking a slow breath, she instinctively circulated her cultivation technique.
The surrounding spiritual qi immediately surged toward her.
Its absorption speed was several times faster than before.
Scarlet’s crimson eyes widened.
"So this is... a Perfect Foundation..."
She had never imagined such a thing was possible.
Not only had her cultivation advanced to the Seventh Stage of Qi Refining, but the very quality of her foundation had undergone a complete transformation.
She slowly clenched her fist.
Power filled every part of her body.
She no longer felt like the powerless girl everyone had looked down upon.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"...Master."
She softly whispered the title.
Without Raeshan, she would have died in that cave.
Instead...
He had saved her.
Accepted her into his sect.
Given her a priceless medicinal pill.
And opened the door to a future she had never dared to dream of.
Warmth quietly filled her heart.
She lowered her gaze, a complicated expression appearing on her beautiful face.
"Master..."
"You’ve given me a second chance at life."
"I owe you a debt I can never repay."
After a moment, an embarrassing thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
"I... I don’t have any treasures."
"I don’t have any wealth..."
"So... what could I possibly use to repay Master?"
Her face instantly flushed crimson.
"N-No!"
"What am I thinking?"
She hurriedly shook her head, trying to banish the absurd thought from her mind.
Yet the more she tried to ignore it, the hotter her cheeks became.
She quickly sank deeper into the hot spring until only her head remained above the water.
"This is so embarrassing..."
After calming herself down, Scarlet finished bathing and stepped out of the spring.
A neatly folded set of crimson robes rested on a smooth stone beside the pool.
She blinked in surprise.
"...Master even prepared clothes for me?"
A warm smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
She changed into the robes.
They fit perfectly.
The crimson fabric was embroidered with golden sun patterns along the sleeves, while the emblem of Blazing Sun Hall was stitched over the chest.
Looking at her reflection in the water, Scarlet couldn’t help but smile.
Taking a deep breath, she left the courtyard and headed toward the main hall, eager to see her master once again.
***
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