Inside the small cottage, Chi Yu lay unconscious on the bed.
Shen Yanzhou, Jiang Jiuming, and Wang Shiyi gathered around, waiting for the physician’s diagnosis.
After a long while, the physician closed his medicine chest and said, “There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s just exhausted from overexertion of her Spiritual Power. She’ll recover after some rest.”
The physicians of the Taixu Sect were among the finest medical Cultivators in the Cultivation World, treating injuries and illnesses as easily as eating or drinking.
Moreover, Chi Yu showed no signs of physical injury. Her complexion was even rosy, making her look as if she were merely asleep.
Thus, they raised no objections and respectfully escorted the physician out.
Wang Shiyi frowned. “I heard that Dream Cultivation classes involve sleeping. How could she still be so tired?”
Jiang Jiuming replied, “Is there any class that isn’t tiring?”
Wang Shiyi: “…Fair point.”
He couldn’t argue with that.
As night deepened, Wang Shiyi didn’t linger. He only brought some supplements to help restore energy and relieve fatigue.
Due to his leg injury, Jiang Jiuming also returned to his room.
In the cottage, Shen Yanzhou stayed by Chi Yu’s side.
Earlier, he had secretly used his Spiritual Power to examine Chi Yu’s Meridians.
Given his experience, it wasn’t difficult for him to discern that Chi Yu’s Divine Soul had been damaged.
Such damage left no physical traces but amplified pain twofold.
This was the true reason for her unconsciousness.
If a Cultivator’s Divine Soul was severely damaged, she could die.
At this thought, Shen Yanzhou’s eyes darkened.
He raised his hand and channeled all his Spiritual Power into Chi Yu. As his Spiritual Power drained away, his face turned deathly pale, his lips lost their color, and he seemed devoid of vitality.
This game had only just begun. Even if Chi Yu were one step into the underworld, he would pull her back to continue playing.
No one but him could decide her life or death.
In her unconscious state, Chi Yu listened to the System’s incessant chatter. Her body ached unbearably, and she felt nothing but irritation.
Just as she was about to tell the System to shut up, a surge of Spiritual Power rushed into her Meridians, alleviating her pain and calming her agitated mood.
Chi Yu instinctively opened her eyes and saw the pallid face of the person beside her.
“Shen…”
She had barely spoken when Shen Yanzhou coughed up blood.
Holy crap.
Chi Yu instantly sat up in bed. “Shen Yanzhou, are you okay?”
He collapsed weakly. Though utterly exhausted, he smiled and said, “You’re finally awake.”
“That’s great.”
System: “Host, after you returned, you fell unconscious. The physician said you had overexerted your Spiritual Power. Shen Yanzhou, fearing you were in danger, transferred all his Spiritual Power to you.”
Chi Yu was stunned. The System continued, “It seems he already considers you a very important person. Our mission to win him over should be easier now.”
She sighed softly, helped him onto her bed, and struggled to her feet. She then took the Spirit Fruit she had brought back from the Northern Peak and placed it in his mouth.
She had originally thought the pain would pass quickly, so she hadn’t eaten the Spirit Fruit. Who knew she would end up fainting from the pain?
Looking at Shen Yanzhou, she said slowly, “You don’t need to worry about me. Don’t do this again in the future. What if you exhaust your Spiritual Power and collapse yourself…”
Shen Yanzhou whispered, “I just didn’t want anything to happen to you.”
“It doesn’t matter what happens to me. You need to be well.”
Chi Yu was momentarily taken aback.
At the same time, an announcement sounded.
[Target’s Favorability Level increased by 4. Reward: 4 points. Current points: 8.]
System: “Congratulations, Host. Shen Yanzhou’s Favorability Level toward you has risen again.”
It seemed he truly regarded her as an important person.
Seeing his sincere gaze, Chi Yu ultimately restrained the urge to continue criticizing him, only admonishing, “Don’t do this again next time.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Only then was she satisfied. After he regained some strength, she escorted him back to his room, tucked him in, poured water, placed Spirit Fruits, and then left.
Shen Yanzhou watched her distant figure, a mischievous smile curling at his lips. The sincerity in his eyes had vanished, replaced by disdain.
Her suspicious glance during the day likely hadn’t uncovered anything; otherwise, she wouldn’t have treated him like this.
This woman was truly foolish.
He merely expended some Spiritual Power and casually added a bit of Favorability Level, and she busied herself for him.
But it was also because he acted convincingly, nearly deceiving even himself.
Early the next morning.
Snowfall Hall.
Chi Yu sat in her seat with a dazed expression.
She really loved attending classes—it gave her a feeling of Soul Projection, soul and spirit scattered, and utter despair.
She had intended to listen attentively, but due to her Divine Soul being damaged yesterday, the physical fatigue hadn’t dissipated at all; she only wanted to sleep.
Nanhua Zhenren’s voice also began to sound like a lullaby.
Listening, she soon started nodding off like a chick pecking at grains.
Yet deep down, she knew she should respect the classroom, so she struggled to stay awake while answering the teacher’s questions.
Unfortunately, Nanhua Zhenren’s classroom catchphrase was: “Right?”
“Look at this incantation—it’s a water-avoiding incantation, right?”
Chi Yu mumbled: “Right.”
“This one, clearly a fire-generating incantation, right?”
Chi Yu: “Right.”
…
“Now look at this calming chant—do you think it’s drawn correctly?”
Others stared at the talisman, pondering carefully.
Chi Yu: “Right, right, right.”
The hall fell silent.
Nanhua Zhenren glared: “Nonsense! This is clearly a spell that induces agitation. How are you listening to the lecture? Who said it’s right? Stand up!”
Everyone instantly pinpointed Chi Yu, staring at her.
Jiang Jiuming sat beside her and quickly nudged her: “Chi Yu, Nanhua Zhenren wants you to stand up.”
Chi Yu immediately woke up and stood up instantly.
Nanhua Zhenren gave a kindly smile, looking at her: “Was it you who said it’s right?”
Chi Yu’s mind was muddled, completely unaware of the situation. Seeing his smiling face, she thought she had coincidentally answered correctly and was about to be praised, saying: “Yes.”
Nanhua Zhenren’s smile brightened further as he opened the roster: “You really listen to the lecture very attentively.”
Wang Shiyi saw this and felt a pang of dread.
Nanhua Zhenren of the Taixu Sect was famously a smiling tiger and extremely strict.
The more he smiled, the angrier he was.
Chi Yu was doomed; her final assessment would be invalidated.
Meanwhile, Chi Yu herself remained oblivious. She scratched her head somewhat sheepishly, surprised that even while sleeping, she was praised by Nanhua Zhenren.
Chi Yu immediately decided to reciprocate his praise by lavishing compliments: “You flatter me. It’s because you teach so well—highlighting key points, meticulous and thorough, logically clear, deeply resonant. Listening to you feels refreshing, like a gentle breeze brushing my face, moonlight illuminating my body. I wish I could bow deeply in admiration.”
Other disciples: “…”
She really could exaggerate.
Upon hearing this, Nanhua Zhenren choked.
He had originally intended to vent his anger and directly invalidate her final assessment, but Chi Yu’s earnest praise softened his temper a bit.
He felt that every word Chi Yu said struck a chord in his heart.
She really taught well.
But he still snorted coldly: “You can’t even tell the difference between the Calming Heart Mantra and the Agitation Mantra. What have you been learning, and you dare to mock me with such words? What, are you hoping your final assessment gets canceled?”
Chi Yu was stunned, her heart sinking, then she realized.
Oh no, she had actually answered incorrectly earlier.
The teacher wasn’t praising her at all—he was mocking her.
Fortunately, she was quick-witted and noticed that after all that flattery, Nanhua Zhenren wasn’t as angry anymore.
So Chi Yu’s mind raced as she put on a remorseful expression: “I know I was wrong, but I didn’t do it on purpose. I’m just truly foolish. The Calming Heart Mantra and the Agitation Mantra are very similar, so I mistook them.”
“You teach us diligently like a spring silkworm spinning silk, and like a candle burning itself to light our way. You even specifically pointed out the differences between the two in class, yet I still got it wrong. I’m truly sorry, and I feel deeply ashamed.”
“As the saying goes, a good teacher guides the way, making the mountain ridge passable. If my actions anger you and harm your health, causing you to take leave and rest, and preventing my fellow disciples from receiving your guidance and improving, then I would have committed a grave sin.”
“So I am willing to accept punishment, but please take care of your health, Teacher.”
The other disciples: “!(｀Δ′)!”
Damn, she’s amazing.
Nanhua Zhenren looked her over and felt he wasn’t as angry anymore.
The words he had intended to announce—that her final assessment would be canceled—were replaced at the last moment: “Chi Yu, right? For not paying attention in class, go clean the Cloud Ascension Stairs tonight. Don’t go back to sleep until you finish.”
With that, he stood up and left: “Don’t even think about scheming your way out of cleaning. I’ll be checking on you randomly. Class dismissed.”
The others looked at Chi Yu with a mix of sympathy and admiration.
But she breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, she had thought quickly on her feet and managed to appease the teacher.
Compared to having her final assessment canceled, cleaning the Cloud Ascension Stairs was a minor matter.
In the afternoon, Chi Yu went to the Northern Peak again.
Chen Beiting was still waiting for her at the entrance.
This time, before entering the dream, she ate more Spirit Fruits.
Amidst the swirling incense, in the dream.
Chen Beiting handed her the sword again: “Little Junior Sister, this sword was prepared by the teacher. It’s placed under that tree. From now on, when you enter the dream, just take it yourself.”
“Last time’s test for you was just an appetizer. The teacher deliberately lowered the difficulty. Today, you’re truly entering the first trial.”
“If you pass through this peach forest, you’ll unlock the second trial. Do your best.”
After saying this, Chen Beiting disappeared.
Chi Yu gripped the sword, sighed, and resignedly charged into the forest.
Moments later, cries of pain echoed through the skies.
She had intended to quickly deal with the array eye of this peach forest, but today their attack speed and force were over ten times greater than yesterday. She couldn’t even get into the air before being whipped down.
And when she finally managed to soar into the air with all her might, she discovered that today they weren’t positioned according to the Eight Trigrams at all—they were chaotic and completely irregular.
“Damn, this is insane!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, countless peach branches extended into the air, wrapped around her feet, and dragged her down…
For the entire afternoon, she was being beaten up.
Oh, and she also broke a rib.
So much so that when she woke up, she lay on the recliner, aching all over and unable to move.
Fortunately, Chen Beiting beside her could still struggle to his feet. When he went to fetch the Spirit Fruits, he asked: “How many?”
Chi Yu rubbed her chest and ribs. “One. How about you?”
“Nine.”
Chi Yu: “…”
As expected of her senior brother.
She stuffed several Spirit Fruits into her mouth. The abundant Spiritual Qi alleviated her injuries. Although it still hurt a bit, at least she could walk now.
At the same time, Chi Yu realized she was faintly touching the threshold of the Qi Refining Sixth Stage, just waiting for a breakthrough.
She was quite surprised.
When she entered the Taixu Sect, her Cultivation Base was only at the early stage of Qi Refining Fifth Stage. She never expected her progress to be so rapid—reaching the late stage in just two days.
Although Ji Xuan’s training method was a bit harsh, it was very effective.
But for now, Chi Yu couldn’t focus on cultivation.
She still had one more thing to do.
At dusk, on the Star-Gazing Platform.
Chi Yu dragged a broom and sighed.
“System.”
System: “Hmm?”
“I regret it. This Cloud Ascension Stairs stretch endlessly—it’s too long.”
Moreover, her Cultivation Base was too low; she didn’t have the ability to control the broom, so she had to clean it herself.
The System gloated: “Who told you to say you were willing to accept the punishment? Otherwise, with your glib tongue, if you had sweet-talked a bit more, Nanhua Zhenren might not have punished you.”
Chi Yu nodded. She had indeed miscalculated this time.
She sighed and couldn’t help muttering: “So hungry, so hungry, so hungry…”
The time for cleaning the Cloud Ascension Stairs was tight. To finish quickly and go back to sleep, she hadn’t even had time for dinner.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from beside her, offering a steamed bun.
She turned in surprise and saw that someone had appeared beside her at some point.
It was the young girl who lived next door to her.
She looked hesitant, her movements timid, and her voice soft: “For you.”
Clearly, she had overheard Chi Yu’s earlier muttering.
Chi Yu flashed a grateful smile. “Thank you. I’ll treat you to a meal later.”
The young girl pursed her lips. “No need.”
After saying that, she left.
Watching her retreating figure, Chi Yu thought the girl was truly introverted.
She quickly finished the steamed bun and only then noticed Shen Yanzhou had arrived.
Chi Yu was surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to help you clean and also bring you some food.”
He took the broom from her hand and placed a bag of pastries in her palm as he spoke.
Chi Yu initially wanted to tell him to go back first, but he stubbornly refused, insisting on staying with her. In the end, she let him be.
With Shen Yanzhou’s help, they finished cleaning in less than an hour.
On the mountain path, Chi Yu looked at Shen Yanzhou beside her. He was still holding the pastries, and a water flask hung at his waist—filled with the Taixu Sect’s unique clear spring water, which could relieve fatigue.
Shen Yanzhou also looked at her, his eyes as if sprinkled with starlight. “Is it tasty?”
She smiled brightly. “Delicious.”
As she spoke, she fed a piece to his lips. “You try it too.”
He ate the pastry from her hand.
Moonlight like frost shone on the two youths, casting infinite radiance. Chi Yu complained about how exhausting today’s lessons were, while Shen Yanzhou listened with a smile. In that moment, they seemed like ordinary people.
Unfortunately, this tranquility was soon shattered.
Just as Chi Yu and Shen Yanzhou were nearing their cabin, several people suddenly approached, carrying swords, and blocked their path.
The leading disciple glanced at them, his eyes filled with disdain. “You’re Shen Yanzhou?”
He looked at Shen Yanzhou. “I heard you mastered the Qingxiao Sword Technique in just two days. How about a match with us?”
With that, he took a step closer. “If you lose, you leave the Taixu Sect. How about that?”
They were all sword cultivators, but this kid was too flashy.
It was said that many women from other disciplines had come specifically to see him today.
Naturally, they had to teach him a lesson.
System: “Host, this is the original plot. Shen Yanzhou revealed his talent, aroused jealousy, was ganged up on, left barely alive, falsely accused of starting the fight, and was imprisoned in the Forbidden Land.”
“Please complete the task [Help Shen Yanzhou out of this predicament, assist him in overcoming this crisis, and prevent him from being confined]. Reward: 3 points.”
Chi Yu instantly stepped in front of Shen Yanzhou. “No duel.”
The disciple’s face suddenly darkened. “What’s it to you? Get out of my way!”
He reached out to push Chi Yu, but she seized his wrist first, rendering him immobile.
Chi Yu’s expression was icy. “I said no duel. Can’t you understand human speech?”
The disciple flew into a rage. “Looking for death!”
The other disciples quickly joined the fray, and the two sides became entangled in a chaotic fight.
Watching Chi Yu fend off those disciples, Shen Yanzhou looked up at the full moon, his eyes dark and inscrutable.
Having spent so much time with Chi Yu, her tasks had always been completed easily. It was time to add a little difficulty.
These disciples all had a higher Cultivation Base than Chi Yu. They had thought they could quickly deal with this little girl, but they found her dodging incredibly fast—they couldn’t even touch her.
Chi Yu inwardly scoffed. These disciples were repeat students, neither skilled in cultivation nor decent in character.
At their speed, they weren’t even one-tenth as fast as the peach branches during her daytime training. How could they possibly catch her?
After dodging their attacks once again, Chi Yu said, “Amateurs. You think you can catch me?”
Little did she know, as soon as her words fell, a figure shot out from behind her like a bolt of lightning, rushing forward and directly seizing the lead disciple by the throat, while with one palm strike, he sent the others flying several meters away, all injured.
Shen Yanzhou, now shrouded in black energy, appeared utterly sinister and malevolent. Blood-red patterns marked his brow, his face deathly pale, his eyes filled with a chilling killing intent—like a demonic ghost.
Chi Yu: “Holy shit, what’s going on?”