Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Looking at Bai Yaoyin’s captivated expression, Qin Yu couldn’t help but reach out and gently caress her exquisitely sculpted cheek. His fingertips slowly glided over the charming dimple on her cheek, the silky texture sending ripples through his heart.

"Let’s have someone preserve this Array properly first."

"Mm."

Bai Yaoyin responded, like a gentle and shy new bride, not only accepting his intimacy but also nodding obediently.

"I should go."

Qin Yu glanced at the gradually brightening sky outside the window, knowing that if he didn’t leave now, the Empress Dowager might come for him.

Bai Yaoyin slightly parted her cherry-like lips, seemingly wanting to persuade him to stay, but she swallowed her words back.

Qin Yu did not want to be too conspicuous and did not have Bai Yaoyin see him off, as the outside of Carefree Pavilion was already crowded, and her accompanying him might make everyone aware of his actions.

To help Bai Yaoyin out of the predicament, Qin Yu didn’t mind drawing some attention. However, he didn’t particularly like dealing with flattery.

Just after Qin Yu left, Yang Zhonglang, the Array Master, hurriedly arrived at the Carefree Pavilion, his gaze immediately landing on the restored Ancient Array.

The glow of the Spirit Stones gradually dimmed, and the Ancient Array no longer shone as brightly as it did at first, but the profound fluctuations it contained still filled people with awe.

"Chief Steward Bai, this Ancient Array..."

Yang Zhonglang was visibly excited, his eyes heated as he scanned the area, discovering only Bai Yaoyin there.

"This Array has been restored."

Bai Yaoyin nodded, a smile gracing her face.

As an Array Master, Yang Zhonglang, besides his role as a Guest Minister of the royal family, was also honorary at the Carefree Pavilion.

"May I ask, Chief Steward Bai, which Master restored it?"

Yang Zhonglang took a deep breath, admiration evident in his expression.

He was extremely passionate about Arrays, and even though he poured his heart into it, he couldn’t unravel its mysteries. Now, someone had restored the Ancient Array at Carefree Pavilion in the Imperial Capital, and he was eager to meet this master.

"Master Yang, you have met him."

Bai Yaoyin slowly said.

Qin Yu had already shown a desire to reveal his talents and didn’t ask her to keep his identity a secret.

Thinking of this, a subtle ripple appeared in Bai Yaoyin’s heart.

She could tell that Qin Yu acted discreetly, and this time he was only showcasing his skills to allow her to remain in the Great Yan Imperial Capital.

Recalling Qin Yu’s earlier domineering words, Bai Yaoyin couldn’t help but smile gently, her charming dimples reappearing like a maiden in love.

This guy, although he appears frivolous, his domineering nature is truly irresistible.

"Have I met him?"

Yang Zhonglang was puzzled, his mind quickly filtering through the Array Masters in the Imperial Capital but failing to recall anyone with such capabilities.

"Chief Steward Bai, please don’t keep me in suspense. I am obsessed with the path of Arrays; my life’s wish is to meet such a master."

Yang Zhonglang smiled wryly, his eyes full of urgency.

"Qin Tributor."

Bai Yaoyin said.

"Qin Tributor?"

Yang Zhonglang was a bit confused; Carefree Pavilion only had the position of Guest Minister, didn’t it?

When did they have a Tributor?

"Could it be that Master Yang forgot about the Tributor feast a short while ago?"

Bai Yaoyin shook her head, unsure why, but she couldn’t help smiling when talking about Qin Yu.

"Are you speaking of Qin Yu, the Qin Tributor?"

Yang Zhonglang’s pupils contracted, filled with disbelief.

Seeing Bai Yaoyin’s slight nod, Yang Zhonglang felt his mind buzz.

That young royal Tributor?

This...

How could it be possible?!

The spiritual power of that Qin Tributor should only be at the refining stage, right?

At such a young age, having a spiritual power mastery at the refining stage is indeed extraordinary, but without reaching the meticulous stage, it is impossible to be compared to Master Array Masters like us.

Yang Zhonglang always believed that Qin Yu could become a royal Tributor undoubtedly due to some exceptional qualities, but it had absolutely nothing to do with the path of spiritual power.

"Master Yang, could you kindly imprint the Array first? I must report this to the Clan Elders."

Bai Yaoyin was eager to convey this news to her father; after speaking, she quickly departed.

Along the way, she encountered several noble families from the Imperial Capital, and Bai Yaoyin only made slight courtesy remarks without rashly proclaiming Qin Yu’s name.

Over this period of time together, Bai Yaoyin had come to understand Qin Yu better, knowing he did not enjoy socializing with flattering people.

Some matters only needed to be known among the Masters of the Array path.

Returning to the courtyard, Bai Yaoyin tried to calm her emotions and then took out the Transmission Stone.

"Yaoyin."

A moment later, a dignified virtual image emerged, but behind Bai Lan, there were many indistinct figures, and he seemed somewhat fatigued.

"Father, what’s this about?"

Bai Yaoyin’s complexion slightly changed.

"Just a minor matter."

Bai Lan replied indifferently.

"Is that Yaoyin?"

At this moment, a figure moved closer behind Bai Lan. Upon seeing its face, Bai Yaoyin’s expression changed slightly.

"Hmph, when do you plan to return? The Clan Leader has been discussing through the night with us..."

"Third Elder, my daughter Bai Lan doesn’t need you to tell her what to do."

"Oh, really? Do you want her to end up like Bai Yaosha, rebelling against the Bai Family?"

Bai Lan’s expression darkened as he stepped in front of the Transmission Stone.

"Yaoyin, I’ll speak with you later."

"Father, I have something to report to the Clan Elders."

Bai Yaoyin took a deep breath; no wonder her father had sent a message overnight, telling her to prepare to return to the clan.

Unexpectedly, the Clan Elders applied pressure overnight. It was clear how immense the pressure was on her old father.

"What is it?"

Bai Lan frowned slightly, his hand which was about to hang up the Transmission Stone paused.

Bai Yaoyin had always been sensible, unlike her sister who was always causing trouble. Precisely because of this, Bai Lan was even more reluctant for her to be forced into marriage because of clan rules.

"Qin Keqing’s Spiritual Power skills have reached refinement."

Bai Yaoyin said slowly.

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a moment of silence on the other end of the transmission.

"Refinement? Are you sure?"

A gleam appeared in Bai Lan’s tiger eyes as he asked.

"I’m certain, and..."

"Haha, I remember Qin Tributor is still young. At such an age, to achieve refinement in Spiritual Power, his future accomplishments will be limitless."

Bai Yaoyin hadn’t finished speaking, but was interrupted by Bai Lan’s laughter. He glanced around at those behind him as if to boast the caliber of the Royal Court Tributor his daughter had drawn in was not merely nominal.

In the Ancient Race Bai Family, those who attained refinement in Spiritual Power were indeed few, and most were relatively old.

"What about refinement?"

"Future achievements are hard to say. I have been refined in Spiritual Power for six hundred years, and still remain here. Clan Leader, you wouldn’t think this point alone means Yaoyin has made a significant contribution to the Bai Family?!"

After a brief silence, an elderly voice sounded.

"Third Elder, your Spiritual Power has suffered heavy damage, preventing further improvement. Qin Yu, he..."

Bai Yaoyin grew anxious.

A Royal Court Tributor with refined Spiritual Power would previously have been considered a major contribution in any Carefree Pavilion among the Nine Immortal Countries.

She realized the Clan Elder was deliberately using her situation to undermine the authority of her Clan Leader father.

"Does Third Elder doubt the abilities of Great Yan Immortal Country Royal Court Tributor? How about, I personally ask the Great Yan Empress?"

Bai Lan furrowed his brows, interrupting Bai Yaoyin.

This girl, what is going on?

Why has she mentioned Qin Yu’s name?!

If the Elders notice this, they might force her to return to the clan today.

"I do not question the skills of the Royal Court Tributor; I am just being factual."

"If Yaoyin thinks she can continue staying in the Great Yan Imperial Capital because of this, that’s impossible!"

Third Elder sneered, his attitude firm.

"Right, Yaoyin, don’t put your father in a difficult position with us. Not long ago, the Kong Family’s eldest sought your hand in marriage again; we have to give them a response."

Another Bai Family Elder beside them also advised.

"I absolutely refuse!"

Upon hearing this identity, Bai Yaoyin’s face turned sour.

Because of that guy’s proposal, her sister had fled the family, and now he wanted to pursue her?

This is impossible!

"Bai Yaoyin, this Elder isn’t joking with you. Do you know why the supreme being of Great Qin helped us repair an Ancient Array at Carefree Pavilion?"

"It was upon the Gu Family’s request!"

The Elder opposite heard Bai Yaoyin’s wilful words and immediately shouted sternly.

Bai Lan’s expression turned somber.

He had intended to interject, but even as Clan Leader, he couldn’t violate clan rules.

Indeed, what the Elder said was true.

The Bai Family owed the Kong Family a great favor.

Bai Yaosha’s escape had already cost the Kong Family face, and if they refused again...

Not seeing Bai Lan rebut, Third Elder came forward, preparing to offer some earnest advice.

No one knew if this young lady would choose to leave the family like her sister; if she did, how could they face the Kong Family?

"It’s just repairing an Ancient Array; it’s not such a big deal!"

Third Elder was about to step up to the transmission when Bai Yaoyin’s words left him speechless.

"Yaoyin, do you know what you’re talking about?"

Third Elder’s expression darkened as he exclaimed.

The Bai Family’s ability to stand amongst the Ancient Race relied heavily on its accumulation in the art of arrays.

In the Bai Family’s Ancestral Land, there was an extensive and ancient array. With the Bai Family controlling the Array Hub, through countless ages, they had overcome crises thanks to this Ancient Array.

However, this Ancient Array was not complete.

The Ancient Array in Carefree Pavilion included fragments from this grand formation.

Each repair of a section of the Carefree Pavilion’s Ancient Array enhanced the Bai Family Ancestral Land’s array power.

For the Bai Family, this was an important matter of utmost significance.

Bai Yaoyin, even as the Clan Leader’s daughter, could not speak without restraint!

"Today, our pavilion also repaired an Ancient Array."

Bai Yaoyin took a deep breath; her tone calm yet tinged with excitement.

Even now, she hadn’t completely emerged from the shock.

For other Array Masters, not just repairing, even comprehending an Array Pattern was considered impressive.

Thus it seemed quite surreal.