Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

"I once obtained a Rejuvenation Ancient Book in my Ancestral Land, and once made a hundred miles flourish with life. Today, I am willing to try it for the Fairy."

The refined man no longer continued to exchange words with Lingtian Peak. He drew out an ancient scroll from his bosom, slowly unfurling it, and a surging vitality swept forth.

"Buzz! ..."

In the next instant, a wash of green light surged out from the ancient scroll, enveloping the entire flowerpot before him.

Under countless gazes, the vibrant green light brimming with vitality poured into the withered branch.

However, after the time it took to finish a cup of tea, the scholar’s face had turned a bit strained, yet the withered branch in the flowerpot remained unchanged.

Seeing this, everyone’s expressions changed dramatically.

Such dense vitality—while it might not revive a hundred miles, it was enough to greatly aid the growth of all things—yet that piece of withered wood seemed to have utterly lost its function, with not the slightest sign of regeneration.

The scholar in his robe persisted for a moment longer, sweat now beading on his forehead.

Nevertheless, that piece of dead wood still showed no sign of reaction.

The scholar sighed softly, took one last reluctant glance at the boat, and could only withdraw helplessly.

Of course, during this process, he became the victim of Lingtian Peak’s round of cold sarcasm, but at this point, he simply had no mind to concern himself with it.

"Does anyone else wish to try?"

After seeing the scholar off, the attendant girl cast her pure eyes around the hall, a certain hope flickering within them.

"Allow me!"

As soon as the words fell, a young man strode out boldly, descending gracefully amidst a chorus of applause.

"I am Mu Rufeng."

The young man was handsome, clothed in a light robe, hands crossed behind his back; his long hair danced in the breeze, giving him a particularly free-spirited air. His demeanor made not a few female cultivators’ eyes glaze over.

"Mu Rufeng? Could he be from the Mu Family of the Ancient Race?"

At this name, whispers immediately broke out all around.

In this realm, aside from the Nine Great Immortal Countries, there were also several hidden ancient aristocratic clans. For instance, the force supporting the Carefree Pavilion was rumored to be a mighty Ancient Race.

The Mu Family was one such Ancient Race.

Though not as flamboyant as Carefree Pavilion, their influence is woven through the continent, their subordinate forces visible everywhere.

What makes people envy the Mu Family most is a cultivation technique known as "Cyan Wood Longevity Technique."

Legend has it, the Mu bloodline is special—every generation sees the birth of an Innate Dao Rhythm Body of the wood attribute. Paired with Cyan Wood Longevity Technique, their cultivation speed more than doubles that of their peers, and the enhancement to Wood Attribute Dao Rhyme Power is so great it can even bring the dead to life and flesh to bone.

"So these are true prodigies."

A flash of amazement shone in Qin Yu’s eyes.

This man might not look as good as himself, but his background overflowed in every respect.

If he can make the withered branch sprout and restore its vitality, he’ll qualify to board the boat...

What might happen is still anyone’s guess.

Because Qin Yu could tell—the Flower Fairy was not simple. The air she exuded, those effortless miracles, her cultivation was clearly not low.

But just being able to spend time alone with the Flower Fairy was enough to make others envy beyond reason.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, from the lower floors of the pavilion came a loud bang as a door slammed shut.

Clearly, some hot-tempered tributor could no longer stand the women at his side gazing longingly at another, and had directly closed off the viewing platform.

If he weren’t wary of the Empress Dowager and the Flower Fairy, he’d probably have crushed this dangerously alluring prodigy from a prestigious family with a wave of his hand.

Mu Rufeng, as if long accustomed to countless admiring looks, showed no change of expression. With a graceful lift of his palm, a beam of green light emerged from his hand.

"Buzz! ..."

In the next instant, a strange Dao Rhyme filled the air between Heaven and Earth.

"Dao Rhyme Power, Innate Dao Spirit Body—he’s the prodigy of this generation of Mu Family’s Ancient Race!"

At the sight, cries of astonishment erupted everywhere. For such a prodigy to come all the way to the Great Yan Imperial Capital just for the Flower Fairy—his devotion was moving.

Perhaps only Qin Yu and his lovely wives remained unmoved.

Though Qin Yu felt a trace of envy, as long as he kept improving, his Pure Yang Divine Body would be second to none.

As for this so-called Cyan Wood Longevity Technique, he personally found it far inferior to the Free Creation Divine Technique.

Beside him, even the Empress Dowager yawned in boredom, as if she’d already foreseen the result and had lost interest.

Sure enough, as the green light surged, the trees around them began to grow noticeably, and even some of the elderly present felt a warm current of vitality just from breathing in the air.

However, within the flowerpot, the dead twig still failed to react, not the slightest hint of revival; even the cracked bark did not mend a bit.

After that, more cultivators brought out life-rich spiritual treasures to try their luck—some were influential figures from the Great Yan Immortal Country, others, like Mu Rufeng, had traveled afar just for a glimpse of the Flower Fairy’s peerless beauty.

Yet, even as night deepened, none succeeded.

Nevertheless, for a chance to see the Flower Fairy’s radiance, the attempts never ceased.

But Qin Yu had no patience to keep watching.

Nor did he plan to try himself.

If he were purifying some evil spirit, maybe he’d give it a go, but making dead wood come alive? Clearly not realistic.

Seeing that little Ling’Er was well-rested, the Empress Dowager waved her sleeve, leading Qin Yu and all his wives out of the Flower Language Building to continue their stroll.

His Majesty finally agreed to let her out to play, and the Empress Dowager was determined to make up for all the lost time during the Festival of Ten Thousand Flowers.

The Festival of Ten Thousand Flowers was boisterous indeed—even deep into the night, lanterns still lit up the world, and the streets and alleys bustled with crowds.

Qin Yu accompanied the Empress Dowager and his lovely wives until late at night. Only when little Ling’Er began yawning frequently did the Empress Dowager reluctantly decide to return to the palace.

Huayang Hall.

Qin Yu returned to his Lifebound Space with his lovely wives; Liu Zixiao was already sitting by the hot spring on the mountain peak.

"Sister Liu, you’ve broken through to the Lotus Platform Realm?!"

Su Xiyue sensed the change in Liu Zixiao’s aura, her beautiful eyes full of envy.

Her Root Bone was actually a bit higher than Liu Zixiao’s—it was just her cultivation had lagged behind. But now that her Dao Bone had reached middle grade, her own breakthrough to the Lotus Platform Realm was only a matter of time.

But the little demoness, who used to lag behind Su Xiyue, was now not far behind her at all.

After all, with her Ninefold Celestial Palace, the warm current she received daily was much greater than Su Xiyue’s.

It wasn’t as if Qin Yu was playing favorites.

It’s just that the little demoness’s Ninefold Celestial Palace was simply too...

"Congratulations, Master Liu."

Qin Yu walked over to the hot spring.

After her breakthrough, her entire temperament had subtly changed.

This subtle shift made Qin Yu’s heart stir; he leaned in, lowering his voice by her ear, "Master, are you waiting for your disciple to give you a massage?"

Even with everyone watching, Liu Zixiao showed no resistance—on the contrary, she nestled into her disciple’s arms, her eyes filled with deep and unending affection.

[Liu Zixiao Romantic Point: 100 (Unswerving Until Death)]

[Activation: Instant Movement]

[Instant Movement: Basic (0-1000)]

"Eh?!"

Qin Yu felt something, lowered his head, and saw the change in his master’s gaze.

He immediately leaned in, sealing her lips with his own.

Su Xiyue’s cheeks flushed, as if she’d already guessed what would happen, and tactfully tried to slip away.

"Xiyue, the Sect Leader hasn’t left seclusion yet, help me out, won’t you..."

Liu Zixiao dared not go into battle alone, gently pulling at Su Xiyue who was about to leave.

"N-no, I want to go cultivate, to break through to the Lotus Platform Realm as soon as possible."

Su Xiyue was so shy she couldn’t bear it.

Honestly, only when she was with Leng Ruyu did she feel a little more at ease.

With Liu Zixiao or Su Xihe, no matter how many times, the difference in status left her feeling endlessly embarrassed.

"Since you want to cultivate, you shouldn’t waste time. Xiyue, you... go row the boat first."

Liu Zixiao laughed softly, taking Su Xiyue by the hand and leading her into the water.

Hearing those words—"row the boat"—Su Xiyue’s cheeks flushed red, even the tips of her ears. One could only imagine just how shy she felt inside.

It’s all because of Husband!

If he hadn’t said it in front of her elder sister last time, how would Liu Zixiao know what "rowing the boat" really meant?

The little boatwoman still couldn’t admit defeat. Perhaps seeing Liu Zixiao’s breakthrough made her more competitive—she had to seize the chance of this special treatment to enhance her Root Bone a few more times. She mustn’t let the little demoness overtake her!

"Master Liu, does it feel comfortable when I press like this?"

When Su Xiyue was lying exhausted on the stone by the spring, Qin Yu gently massaged Liu Zixiao’s calves.

"Mhm."

Liu Zixiao’s eyes fluttered closed, a soft, satisfied hum escaping her nose.

Qin Yu’s technique was becoming more and more practiced—it seemed her disciple had been perfecting his skills during her closed-door cultivation.

Perhaps because of her improved realm, Liu Zixiao’s combat power had grown dramatically. Though not at the level of the Sect Leader with the White Jade Sacred Body, she was still stronger than Su Xiyue.

An hour and a half later.

Su Xiyue was back in her robes, returning to cultivate in her courtyard.

Liu Zixiao had tidied her dress as well, but her body still felt a bit weak and limp.

She’d thought that breaking through to the Lotus Platform Realm would let her make Qin Yu beg for mercy—now she realized that thought was a little too naive.

"Master Liu, after your breakthrough... you seem a little different."

Qin Yu gazed directly at her stunning face, his palm tracing the contours of her cheek.

Above all, Liu Zixiao’s temperament had shifted—more captivating than ever before.

"I... my Lotus Platform, it feels a little different."

Liu Zixiao lightly grasped Qin Yu’s hand, and as their relationship was intimate, she knew exactly what was on his mind.

"Different? In what way?"

Qin Yu’s brows furrowed slightly—his gaze grew serious—though his hand, undeterred by Liu Zixiao’s gentle restraint, kept moving.

"My Lotus Platform..."

Liu Zixiao didn’t know quite how to explain, so she let Qin Yu sense for himself.

Qin Yu was puzzled, but began to sense carefully.

Within Liu Zixiao’s Dantian, a lotus platform with eight petals hovered in quiet holiness—pure and sacred.

Each lotus petal seemed to be a meticulous copy of the Great Dao itself, with natural flowing lines and a subtle, mysterious intent.

If she kept cultivating, Liu Zixiao would most likely comprehend the Power of Dao Rhyme in the future.