Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

"Sect Leader, you should keep an eye on that apprentice of yours. Today, I saw him holding the Princess’s little hand."

Liu Zixiao circled behind Su Xihe, gently massaging her shoulders and neck.

"Hmm..."

Su Xihe closed her eyes in comfort, but when she heard this, her eyes suddenly opened wide, and her mouth slightly agape.

That rebellious disciple actually held the Princess’s hand?!

Today, it seems to be only the second time meeting the Princess?

How dare he!

First it was the Flame Guard.

Now it’s the Princess.

Will he show respect to the Empress Dowager tomorrow?

Once in the Imperial Capital, will he dare defy the supreme Empress?!

Besides, how old is the Princess anyway?

"You, as his mentor, don’t yet know his character?" Liu Zixiao teased.

"Hmph!"

Su Xihe snorted lightly, yet was unmoved.

Given her understanding of Qin Yu, this was surely Liu Zixiao exaggerating.

After all, the Princess is only about thirteen or fourteen, and Qin Yu has his own boundaries; he definitely wouldn’t act as this wicked woman suggests.

Back then, Lin Shuishui wouldn’t stop pestering him, Su Xihe saw it firsthand.

Even so, Qin Yu tolerated it and only helped her improve her Root Bone once Lin Shuishui grew.

Moreover, the Princess is with the Empress Dowager, if Qin Yu were so audacious, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t turn a blind eye, right?!

It’s surely Liu Zixiao speaking nonsense.

"That Princess seems to have a fondness for him..."

Inside the Lifebound Space, they could see the outside world.

Unless...

Qin Yu intentionally conceals it.

When Liu Zixiao saw it, she was quite shocked.

Though she acknowledged Qin Yu was indeed good-looking, it wasn’t enough to attract the Immortal Country’s Princess at first sight, right?!

The reason behind it remained unknown.

However...

The Princess is truly a budding beauty, in such circumstances, anyone would struggle to refuse.

"Could it be true?"

Su Xihe was a bit astonished.

No way?

"Oh, the two mentors are here."

While the two whispered to each other, the sound of something falling into the water came.

Liu Zixiao welcomed them, while Su Xihe, burdened with thoughts, turned her head away with an aloof demeanor.

However.

To be fair, this rebellious disciple’s technique feels much better than Liu Zixiao’s massages.

Yet, the proper massage didn’t last long, as these two began sparring beside them, oblivious to everything else.

With a cold glance, Su Xihe prepared to stand up and leave.

Hmph!

This bad woman Liu Zixiao really lacks any self-control.

"Ah!"

Just as she moved, Su Xihe felt herself being seized.

In the next moment, the aloof Sect Leader found herself in a most embarrassing position, once again leaning against a rock in the hot spring.

"Let go!"

Su Xihe felt ashamed and angry, this rebellious disciple, why is he so fond of her...

Moreover, was it intentional?!

She remembered how he had stealthily approached her from behind initially.

"Mentor, Yan Yu told me that the Warm Current seems to have an unexpected enhancing effect on her Dao Rhyme insights. Now that you’re about to break through to the Lotus Platform, would you like to lay a foundation first?"

Qin Yu whispered softly by Su Xihe’s ear, while inhaling the intoxicatingly unique scent from his mentor.

"Tch, as if I’d care."

Su Xihe dismissed it, her tone carrying a hint of pride.

But.

She silently chose to tolerate the rebellious disciple’s defiance.

In the end, with her Sacred Body, Su Xihe gazed imperiously at the defeated Liu Zixiao, seemingly mocking the self-entangled bad woman.

"Mentor, why not invite Xiyue to join us in the hot spring next time?"

"No... don’t!"

"But aren’t you worried she might be bullied?"

"How dare you!"

Water splashed in the hot spring as mentor and disciple engaged in discourse.

It’s unclear whether it was for the indirect rescue of her sister, or upon hearing the Warm Current’s positive effect on comprehending Heaven and Earth Laws, but today the Sect Leader was particularly...

Fierce.

...

The next day, at dawn.

"They’re out!"

The Empress Dowager sensed two presences reappearing in that room.

With a gentle wave of her sleeve, the door swung open.

It seemed to silently invite something.

After yesterday’s interactions, Qin Yu noticed this Empress Dowager wasn’t pretentious, and immediately entered hand in hand with Yan Yu.

"Brother Qin Yu."

Upon entering the room, he heard a pleasant voice.

So clear, so lovely, like a spring flowing into the heart.

Looking up, he saw the Empress Dowager in a phoenix robe, exuding dignity and grace. Beside her, Princess Ling’Er’s clear eyes flashed with irrepressible joy, and if she hadn’t been held by the Empress Dowager, she might have eagerly run over.

"Empress Dowager."

"Princess."

Qin Yu bowed in respect.

Though the Empress Dowager doesn’t care about etiquette, Qin Yu felt the need for proper manners.

Otherwise, forming bad habits, if casual in the Imperial Capital before the Empress, might violate royal dignity.

The Empress Dowager distinctly sensed that the two Powers of Dao Rhyme within Ling’Er calmed noticeably after Qin Yu appeared.

Indeed!

Qin Yu might be the sun she was looking for.

It’s just that it can’t be fully confirmed yet.

"Go ahead."

Seeing Ling’Er’s expectant eyes, the Empress Dowager released her hand.

"Hmm."

Little Ling’Er couldn’t contain herself, walking briskly to Qin Yu’s side.

Qin Yu smiled, extending his hand.

It’s courtesy, he couldn’t actively hold the Princess’s hand!

If the Empress were to blame, he’d have the excuse.

"Oh?"

A fresh and unique fragrance quietly swept in, leading Qin Yu to take a deep breath involuntarily.

This fragrance...

Doesn’t seem like it belongs to the little one here?

Qin Yu’s gaze lightly grazed the Cold Jade Bed.

The Empress Dowager, in her proper attire, with a majestic demeanor, appeared flawless, yet occasionally glanced at Qin Yu with a subtle hint not easily perceived.

Qin Yu didn’t think much of it, after all, facing such an dignified Empress Dowager, he wouldn’t associate the scent with the Great Phoenix.

"Little Yan Yu, why are you still standing?"

The Empress Dowager asked with some curiosity.

Judging by Yan Yu’s walking stance today, her injury should have improved greatly, at least not as difficult as it was yesterday.

"I..."

A hint of struggle flashed across Yan Yu’s face.

As a Flame Guard, before the Empress and the Empress Dowager, she’d never spoken recklessly, but the reason she couldn’t sit was...

Difficult to articulate.

It was unprecedented knowledge, and Yan Yu had no idea how to express it.

Should she say it’s because she took the wrong path?!