If I stay in the Hehuan Sect, I'll live off the pampered daughters of the Heavenly Pride Sect.

Two months later.

The morning at Yingtian Peak was still chilly.

Xiao Qinghan's heart was burning.

She sat cross-legged in the quiet room, and with each breath, the moonlight swirled around her.

A month and a half has passed since the dissipation of my powers.

Her meridians were completely reshaped, and in her dantian, a vortex of energy condensed from the essence of the sun and moon slowly rotated.

Early stage of Qi Refining!

She could clearly feel that this reshaped body was more intimately connected with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth than ever before.

Each breath inhales the purest essence of the sun and moon.

The meridians are strong and broad.

She got up and walked to the basin of water.

Her reflection in the water made her feel somewhat dazed.

That face was still hers, with delicate features.

But her skin was like white jade, delicate and translucent, radiating a lustrous glow.

She let out a soft breath and took out an old notebook from her storage bag.

The cover is yellowed, and the words "Insights into the Ancient Method of Dual Cultivation in the Hehuan Sect" are written on it in a flamboyant style.

Upon seeing these words, Xiao Qinghan's fair face immediately flushed with a beautiful blush.

For the past two months, besides cultivating, she has been studying this collection of lewd and inappropriate words.

What are "Dragon Turns Over," "Tiger Steps," "Ape Wrestles," "Cicada Clings"...

There are also those abstract and impressionistic paintings of two figures with clearly defined meridians.

Every time she opened it, she felt as if her soul was being repeatedly roasted on a fire.

How exactly did these powerful predecessors manage to do such shameful things while still being able to circulate their energy and guide their true essence?

She simply couldn't understand this core technology.

No, this thing is a hot potato, we have to return it right away!

Having made up her mind, Xiao Qinghan changed into a clean blue disciple's robe, carefully put away the notes, and pushed open the door to go out.

Today, she finally stepped out of her quiet room.

The sunlight fell on her, warm and comforting.

The mountain path leading to the library is shaded by green trees, with a winding gravel path.

Xiao Qinghan was walking on the road.

Her cultivation level was still shallow, and she could not sustain long-term sword flight, so she simply went on foot to relax.

It was a long time since I had used my own two feet to measure this familiar land, and it was quite a unique experience.

Just as she reached a fork in the road halfway up the mountain.

A streak of light descended from the sky, carrying a hint of haste, and stopped just a short distance in front of her.

The light faded, revealing Mo Chengyue's handsome face, which seemed to say, "It's almost time to get off work."

"Master, can't you just let me relax for a couple of days? What's so important that you have to send a message so urgently..."

He was muttering to himself with his head down when he looked up and saw Xiao Qinghan standing not far away.

Mo Chengyue's complaints came to an abrupt end.

He blinked to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

It was still that aloof and stunningly beautiful face, and that same blue dress that accentuated her graceful curves.

but……

His consciousness subconsciously swept over it.

The next second, Mo Chengyue's expression froze.

What is that?

Early stage of Qi Refining?

Two months ago, at Wanqi Mountain, this senior sister was a genuine early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Although it may seem a bit superficial, one's level of attainment cannot be faked.

How come you've upgraded in reverse after only two months?

Did you drop from Foundation Establishment back to Qi Refining?

Is this some new cyberpunk cultivation trope?

Delete your account first, then create a new account to relive the joy of the newbie village?

Countless outrageous guesses flashed through his mind in an instant.

While Mo Chengyue was shocked, Xiao Qinghan's inner turmoil was no less than his.

Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!

Moreover, his aura is solid and his foundation is firm; he is definitely not just a pretty face built up with pills.

This guy...

Finally, Mo Chengyue broke the silence first.

He put on that smug, lazy smile and walked over.

"Oh, isn't this Senior Sister Xiao?"

"Long time no see, senior sister, you're still as charming as ever."

As he spoke, he walked around Xiao Qinghan, marveling at her.

"But Senior Sister, what new cultivation technique have you been practicing lately?"

"This cultivation level... why is it declining?"

"Junior brother, my eyes have truly been opened! Could it be some legendary divine skill that reverses the universe?"

"Senior sister, share your experience! I, your junior brother, also want to experience what it's like to turn back time."

Xiao Qinghan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

This guy has a sharp tongue.

However, looking at his genuinely curious expression, Xiao Qinghan felt a mischievous urge to tease him.

She didn't answer immediately, but just sighed softly.

Her pitiful appearance, coupled with her pale face and thin figure, was incredibly alluring.

"Junior brother, you are unaware of this."

She lowered her eyes, her voice carrying just the right amount of melancholy.

"Since returning from Wanqi Mountain, the old injury that damaged my spiritual root has recurred."

"My cultivation level... is declining day by day."

"It's already a miracle that I've managed to maintain my Qi Refining stage cultivation level."

He looked at Xiao Qinghan's "I'm so miserable, I'm so pitiful" expression, but in his mind he was cursing her out.

I don't believe you!

You're a really wicked old woman!

Recurrence of an old injury?

Your complexion is so rosy, you could play a fairy! Your eyes are as bright as two-thousand-watt searchlights, you're full of energy and vitality, there's not a trace of your old injury recurring!

This is more like a secondary development.

Mo Chengyue knew perfectly well that this woman was definitely trying to fool him.

Something incredibly important must have happened to her!

This melon smells even better!

He was secretly overjoyed, but his face immediately contorted into a look of deep sorrow as he spoke with great grief.

"Oh? Is that so!"

"Senior sister, you...you've suffered so much!"

"It's all my fault for being so sharp-tongued and reopening old wounds. I deserve a beating, I deserve a beating!"

As he spoke, he actually raised his hand and lightly patted his mouth twice.

Xiao Qinghan watched his exaggerated performance, a smile flashing deep in her eyes.

Trying to play these tricks on me?

She changed the subject abruptly, her gaze fixed intently on Mo Chengyue.

"In just two months, Junior Brother has already broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Congratulations!"

"Junior Brother's progress is so rapid that even the two 'Twin Stars' in the sect are probably not as good as him."

Oops.

I forgot to control my breathing.

So focused on shocking her, I forgot that things were pretty chaotic on my side too.

"Hey, it's all luck, it's all luck."

Mo Chengyue quickly waved his hand, revealing an embarrassed and simple-minded look.

"I recently took on a tough job at Wanqi Mountain, working with a fellow disciple who was like an 'iceberg,' and I almost froze to death."

"After surviving a near-death experience, I took a nap, and unexpectedly, through the balance of Yin and Yang... oops, I mean, a blessing in disguise, I broke through to a higher level. I'm quite helpless about it."

Xiao Qinghan didn't press for details, but her gaze held a deeper meaning.

She took out the old notebook from her storage bag.

"By the way, Junior Brother Mo."

"Thank you for your help last time. I'm going to return this notebook today."

Mentioning this notebook, Xiao Qinghan couldn't help but blush on her usually cool face.

She glared at Mo Chengyue, her tone tinged with resentment.

"Speaking of which, junior brother, couldn't you have found me a version with... slightly more serious content back then?"

"The language in this book is simply... inappropriate."

She stopped mid-sentence.

Just thinking about those images and texts that made her Dao heart unsettled made her feel like steam was rising from her head.

"what?"

Mo Chengyue blinked innocently.

"Isn't that a bit improper?"

"I flipped through it for a long time and found that the book with the most detailed and easy-to-understand insights from senior colleagues was the most popular."

He had a sincere expression on his face that said, "I'm doing this for your own good."

"I think it's especially suitable for someone like you, senior sister, um... a complete newbie who's just started learning about ancient methods."

"Look, it's full of pictures and text, with step-by-step instructions. How thoughtful!"

"puff--"

Xiao Qinghan felt like she almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

noob?

Step-by-step instruction?

intimate?

All she wanted to do right now was tear this guy's mouth off!

Seeing her chest heaving violently with anger, Mo Chengyue continued to add insult to injury.

He shrugged, looking helpless.

"Besides, as you know, Senior Sister, I'm just a gatekeeper in the Scripture Pavilion."

"Those advanced books are all upstairs, and I don't have the necessary permissions to go up."

"I could only find this treasure for you, Senior Sister, in those no-go corners and tucked-away places."

"Senior sister, please make do with this."

"After all, the thought is what counts, right?"

All she could do was glare at him fiercely with her phoenix eyes, which were glistening with moisture.

"you……!"

Mo Chengyue sensed something was wrong!

"Junior brother, I have urgent business to attend to. Master has summoned me, so I must hurry back to Qingquan Peak."

"Please return that notebook, Senior Sister."

"Junior brother, I'll take my leave!"

After saying that, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Qinghan and immediately summoned his flying sword.

With a "whoosh," it transformed into a streak of sword light and flew towards Qingquan Peak without looking back, its speed as if a ghost were chasing it.

Watching his hasty retreating figure, Xiao Qinghan stood there, stunned for a long time.

Then, a slight smile appeared on her tense lips, but it quickly disappeared.