I don't want to be trained by my senior sister!

Under Ning Qian's expectant gaze, Fang Xuan finally forced himself to finish most of the "second bowl" of porridge before stopping when he could no longer eat.

He was so full he just wanted to lie there.

The bamboo rocking chair in the yard now looks particularly tempting.

He moved over, lay down comfortably, basking in the warm sun, not wanting to move at all.

This is a life even the gods wouldn't trade.

Unfortunately, the gods clearly didn't intend for him to lie there forever.

After basking in the sun for about half an hour, Ning Qian's cool voice came over: "It's time to practice your sword."

Fang Xuan sighed and resignedly got up.

I can't eat for free, I can't improve my cultivation for nothing, and I certainly can't enjoy my senior sister's "feeding" for nothing.

After stretching his muscles, he pulled out his dark "second brother".

After reaching the Void Core Realm, things are indeed different.

Not only is the spiritual energy more abundant and pure, and it can be used as easily as an extension of one's own limbs, but more importantly, the perception and control of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth have reached a new level.

Where I previously felt a bit stiff when using the Azure Cloud Sword Technique, now, with a thought, the sword moves with me, smoothly and naturally.

He tried to combine the spiritual power of the illusory core with the sword aura. When the black sword was slashed, the sword energy traveled a farther distance from his body and was more solidified.

It struck the testing stone in the distance, leaving a deep mark, and the recoil didn't seem so unbearable.

He even tried to channel his spiritual energy into the sword, hoping to levitate his heavy second brother.

Basic sword control techniques can usually be performed more easily once one reaches the Void Core Realm.

The black sword trembled slightly, hovering about an inch off the ground, and lasted for less than three breaths before falling back down with a clang.

"It's still too heavy..."

Fang Xuan muttered to himself, but he wasn't discouraged.

After all, the sword itself is made of a special material and is sealed. The fact that it can float slightly already shows that his control over spiritual power has reached the standard.

It seems that the spiritual energy buns given by the system are really effective.

Although the process was a bit bizarre and the rewards were a bit meager, it couldn't stop the improvement of cultivation without any bottlenecks and with a stable foundation.

I wonder if, besides steamed buns, any other rewards will be unlocked in the future?

For example, cultivation techniques, magical artifacts, or... items that can directly accelerate the training process?

He was practicing his swordplay while lost in thought when he heard footsteps coming from the bamboo path outside the courtyard gate.

Before long, a young man dressed in the robes of an inner disciple appeared at the courtyard gate, his expression respectful, and he bowed respectfully towards the courtyard.

"Senior Brother Fang, Senior Sister Ning."

Fang Xuan sheathed his sword and looked over; it was an unfamiliar face.

"What is it?"

Ning Qian came out of the house and stood beside Fang Xuan.

The disciple quickly replied, "I have come to deliver a message on the orders of the Peak Master."

"The Peak Master has learned that Senior Brother Fang's cultivation has advanced to the Void Core stage. According to the sect's rules, Void Core disciples can go to the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion to choose a suitable cultivation technique or sword manual as a reward."

"The Peak Master requests Senior Brother Fang to go to the main hall to collect the certificate."

Choosing a cultivation method for a nascent-stage cultivator? Does the Qingyun Sect have such a rule?

Fang Xuan looked at Ning Qian.

He was unfamiliar with the sect's rules, but he vaguely remembered that he had never heard of this one.

As expected, Ning Qian's expression didn't change much, but her eyes turned colder.

The Qingyun Sect does encourage its disciples to improve their cultivation, but the so-called rewards are usually bestowed by their masters after the sect's grand competition or the completion of important tasks, or they can be exchanged for sect contribution points.

Rewarding cultivation techniques specifically for breaking through to the Void Core stage... at least in her memory, Sword Peak had no such precedent.

This is the situation.

Shen Chen set up a trap.

Fang Xuan displayed his Void Core strength at Fuchun Tower last night, and the news has already spread so quickly.

Shen Chen couldn't sit still any longer and wanted to personally investigate Fang Xuan's background.

Or perhaps she wanted to take this opportunity to transfer him away from her, or even... do something in a relatively independent place like the Scripture Pavilion?

Her original plan was to use Fang Xuan as a variable to test Shen Qingqing and Shen Chen's reactions.

Now the opportunity has come. According to the plan, she should send Fang Xuan alone to see what Shen Chen is up to.

But.......

Looking at Fang Xuan's seemingly bewildered expression, Ning Qian felt a tight string of "exploitation" in her heart, but it was hard to let it go.

"Senior Sister?" Fang Xuan called out when he saw her silence.

The disciple who delivered the message waited respectfully.

"Understood," she said to the disciple. "Junior Brother Fang will go shortly."

"Yes, disciple takes his leave." The disciple bowed and departed.

Fang Xuan definitely needs to make more contact with the core members of the Qingyun Sect to obtain intelligence.

The library is a good place, and Shen Chen's invitation is also an opportunity for him to test the waters.

He turned around to change his clothes.

"etc."

Ning Qian called out to him.

Fang Xuan turned around.

Ning Qian had already walked up to him: "Come with me."

Fang Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Senior sister, is it really necessary? I can go by myself. It's probably just a formality."

His main concern was that Ning Qian might go with him, in case that cunning old man Shen Chen pulled some kind of plot against Ning Qian.

Don't mess up his plans, so it's best if the plot follows the original path so he can break the deadlock.

I took my senior sister out of the Qingyun Sect, and then every day... hehehe, I gained a lot of training points and became a god.

.......

"No." Ning Qian's answer was still brief.

"Alright then." Fang Xuan smiled helplessly. "It's good to have my senior sister with me."

Alright, let's start with a two-player dungeon.

Hopefully, Shen Chen's skill level is high enough, and he won't do anything too low-level.

.......

At midday, the sun was blazing.

The main hall of Sword Peak, "Hidden Edge Hall," remained majestic and solemn, but compared to the early morning, there were significantly fewer disciples coming and going, with most of them cultivating in their respective quiet rooms.

Fang Xuan and Ning Qian stepped onto the white jade steps side by side.

Along the way, whether they were inner or outer disciples, their eyes were noticeably different when they saw Fang Xuan.

"Senior Brother Fang!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Fang!"

"Hello, Senior Brother Fang!"

Greetings rose and fell, and regardless of age, everyone respectfully addressed him as "Senior Brother".

In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme.

Among the younger generation of disciples in the Qingyun Sect, the Void Core Realm is already a top-tier existence, worthy of this respect.

As for age, cultivators have long lifespans, and there are plenty of old monsters who look young. Who can tell them apart?

Ning Qian walked silently beside him, ignoring the stares around them, but cautiously observing everything around her.

She has a backup plan, but she doesn't want to use it unless absolutely necessary.

Most importantly, she had to ensure Fang Xuan's safety.

She knew perfectly well that the Qingyun Sect was a massive organization, far beyond the reach of a mere Golden Core Peak Master like Shen Chen.

But it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark, especially on the other side's territory, and under the seemingly legitimate reason of a sect reward.

Ning Qian stopped at the entrance of the main hall and looked at Fang Xuan.

"I'll be here the whole time. Call me immediately if anything goes wrong."

Fang Xuan replied, "I understand, Senior Sister. I'm not a child; I know how to assess the situation."

He wasn't actually that scared.

Putting aside his status as the eldest son of the Fang family, which he doesn't want to use for the time being.

Do you even know how many good things he has in his storage bag?

All sorts of magical artifacts, talismans, array plates, and pills of various grades, if piled up, could kill that old Golden Core cultivator Shen Chen several times over.