In the silent summer morning, the sky gradually reveals a hint of dawn white, cautiously soaking the light blue sky, and the dewdrops slowly dissipate, making the air refreshingly pure.
Lu Jin'an, stepping out of Fuyao Inn and greeting the faint light of dawn, yawns and heads to the square in front of the main hall of Taichu Hall to begin his morning practice.
Although he went to bed a bit late last night, the chilly morning breeze and gradually finding his rhythm, feeling the heat generated by the flow of spiritual power and vigorous force within, any sleepiness quickly vanished.
As one of the renowned cultivation sanctuaries in Yunding Continent, the nature's spiritual energy at Chengping Mountain is exceptionally dense, requiring cultivators to be cautious even with their breathing.
Thin spiritual power cannot satisfy a cultivator, whereas overwhelming spiritual power can be overbearing.
Both starvation and overeating pose problems.
Although Lu Jin'an spent a year and a half in the small place of Nanzhuo Domain, upon returning to the spiritual energy-rich Wandao Sect, he seamlessly harmonized with the spiritual energy here, breathing with the force of a wandering dragon.
In a year and a half, although his realm hadn't progressed, he continuously refined his spiritual power and vigorous force within his limits, thus naturally enhancing his strength.
When the beams of dawn light scattered across the square, Lu Jin'an, with half a stick of incense time still remaining before finishing his morning practice, saw Pei Wanyu and Dong Han approaching from afar.
Master's four little demon beast maids each had their roles: Chunyu assisted with deputy sect master affairs, Xia Ming handled purchasing, Qiu Ye took care of daily tasks in Taichu Hall, and Dong Han was the personal maid.
Lu Jin'an didn't rush to greet them, and Pei Wanyu didn't interrupt her good disciple's morning practice, standing quietly at a distance watching the red vigorous force around him.
Qi arises from the heart and moves with the body.
Watching today's vigorous punches and the thunderous sound as Lu Jin'an broke through the air during his morning practice, Dong Han whispered: "Master Senior Brother is practicing the Eight Extremes today."
Pei Wanyu gently nodded. The world has quite a few cultivators focusing on fist techniques, and techniques similar to her good disciple's are many. However, her good disciple's ability to adapt and improve it into a technique most suited for himself is impressive~
She pursed her lips, a glint of color passing through her eyes, thinking that boys really should focus on body refinement, or else they wouldn't stand a chance against charming women~
Moments later, after finishing his morning practice, Lu Jin'an turned to look at his master Pei Wanyu.
Exquisitely dressed, Pei Wanyu's long hair was styled into an intricate bun at the back of her head, the light purple tassel adding charm, further enhancing her barely-rouged face with a mature allure.
However, paired with her dark purple jiao ling ruqun and an outer long-sleeved shirt embroidered with roses, the allure was much restrained, presenting more dignity and elegance.
Graceful and noble, yet not losing her commanding presence.
"Greetings, Master." Lu Jin'an made a bow.
A flicker of peculiar light crossed Pei Wanyu's eyes. Last night she hadn't noticed, but seeing the good disciple's bow today, how could it have matured a bit more?
Could it be because he's nearing maturity?
No... it seems due to certain things done consistently over half a year.
It's all the fault of that girl Zhu Nanzhi... really, that girl daring to tempt her good disciple before she even matured?
And Qingyue, that dead girl, who initially suggested bringing Jin'an back to the sect, ended up not interacting much after returning. Is this not a case of being infiltrated?
Suppressing her thoughts, Pei Wanyu offered a slight smile: "What's your plan next?"
Lu Jin'an straightened his body: "I'll bathe, visit the Sect Master and them, then enter seclusion to achieve harmonization."
"No hurry," Pei Wanyu said. "I've already declared you're in seclusion to others, if you go into seclusion again, it may cause worry."
Pei Wanyu stepped forward two steps: "No need to visit the Sect Master and them now. Luckily, the Immortal Seed Selection Conference hasn't ended, and since you're back, you can represent me in holding the fort."
"Not ended yet?" Lu Jin'an asked, surprised.
"In times of great competition, talents emerge more than in the past," Pei Wanyu softly said, "Just consider giving a face."
"Alright," Lu Jin'an agreed, nodding: "Then I'll wash up first."
Suddenly Pei Wanyu, like a young girl, touched her chin with her forefinger and said, "Need Master's help?"
"No need."
Lu Jin'an outright refused, turning towards his Fuyao Inn, thinking if she helped him wash, it would just satisfy a visual indulgence like last night, but could he really act against a master in the Divine Presence Realm?
In the end, it would only be uncomfortable for himself.
Mainly, he clearly knew that in Master's mind, he was the small kid in Tongsheng Realm who still needed some concerns when going outside, so for now, enhancing his strength should be the priority.
There will eventually come a time to feast when it is due.
"Such a pity~ Aren't you curious whether Master is wearing the black silk Luo socks you gifted last night?" Pei Wanyu's voice, sounded from behind, was full of allure.
"Not curious." Lu Jin'an replied without turning back, he could distinguish when Master was teasing him or not.
Simultaneously, he couldn't help but inwardly complain: with Master's personality, how could the icy Senior Sister be her daughter?
Probably, just like him, she must've been picked up from outside to be raised as an unofficial disciple.
Watching her disciple's disappearing back, Pei Wanyu slightly restrained her smile, tilting her head to Dong Han: "With a free day today, what should we do?"
Dong Han blinked: "Shall we investigate Zhu Nanzhi's background? Didn't Master Senior Brother say she was in the Tongsheng Realm? She must be from a major sect family."
"That's his business, let's leave it be," Pei Wanyu said as she turned and started walking, mischief in her tone: "I wonder when Qingyue will come out of seclusion, it would be interesting to tell her this."
Dong Han kept pace with the deputy sect master: "Do you want to see them fight?"
"Wouldn't that be interesting?" Pei Wanyu's steps became a bit more cheerful: "Watching her always be an icy mountain, let's see if she'll panic."
"Vice Sect Master, does Senior Sister really like Senior Brother? I've never felt that way," Dong Han asked puzzled: "Are you matching them by force?"
"How's this matching by force?" Pei Wanyu's eyes slightly narrowed: "Back then, she couldn't tear her gaze away from him."
"But wasn't Senior Sister unable to see?" Dong Han was even more confused.
"Since when do cultivators become unable to see?" Pei Wanyu ambiguously replied: "That doesn't matter, what's important is to see her take on Zhu Nanzhi."
"And then what?" Dong Han continued asking, "Master Brother even teases you, Vice Sect Master!"
Pei Wanyu stepped out the main door of Taichu Hall, glancing at the vibrant scene before her, quietly speaking: "That's my good disciple's business to handle."
Standing by the steps, she overlooked this strange peak, arms crossed, gently tapping her left hand index finger against her right arm, her tone indifferent: "Go, let Chunyu notify the other Four Sects and Seven Schools, tell those young ones...
Wandao Sect's Master Senior Brother Lu Jin'an has come out of seclusion."
······