Upon their return to their quiet dwelling, Bai Xing, with a subtle grace, set up a clear personal space for Li Mei. It was an unspoken understanding, a quiet promise of her own corner within the peaceful haven he had created. With that settled, he brought up the topic of her unique gift—the Sovereign Water Body.
"The reason your water-related skills burst with such incredible power," Bai Xing explained, his voice calm and clear, "is because of something very special about you. You possess a Sovereign Water Body."
He paused, allowing the weight of the words to settle. "This means you have an extremely deep and natural connection to water. It's not just that you can control water; it's like your very being resonates with it. When you use a water skill, it's not just you trying to move water; it's like the water itself is responding to you, boosting your power far beyond what's normal. This is why your water skills feel so incredibly strong."
Later, with the soft purr of Xiao Long on her lap, Li Mei's thoughts swirled like mist. "This Bai Xing… he's really something else," she thought, a slight frown on her face. "To find such a perfect cultivation spot, to set up such a strong array, and to be an Earth-grade alchemist… then there's his fighting skill. Fighting a peak Golden Core spiritual beast while still early in the Golden Core realm? It's just unbelievable."
Her mind raced, connecting the dots. "He did all that in just three years. Clearly, a powerful teacher guides him, maybe even someone from the Spiritual World." Li Mei knew, better than most, how hard cultivation was. She herself had reached the middle stage of the Golden Core realm in a good ten years, a feat that had once made her feel like a genius. In her decade of training, she'd tried alchemy and weapon refining, only to find she was terrible at them. After months of frustrating failures, she had decided it wasn't for her and had given up.
After reaching the Golden Core realm, her travels had opened her eyes. She'd met many cultivators, learned about hidden sects with secret branches in the mortal world, and heard whispers of the powerful arrays that protected them. The sheer nerve of a lone cultivator having such a strong array had first shocked her. When Bai Xing revealed her precious Sovereign Water Body, a pang of doubt hit her. Surely, he had bad intentions. Yet, seeing him simply ignore her and focus on his own cultivation, surprisingly calmed her fears.
She went through every possible reason Bai Xing might need her, but no good answer came up. Finally, she sighed and made up her mind. "I can't think of anything. Could it be… could it be that he truly has no bad intentions, and I'm just overthinking?" She immediately dismissed that idea. "No, how could that be? Everyone, no matter how kind they seem, will give in to temptation when there's a huge reward. That's just how cruel the world is." A practical thought settled over her. "No need to worry for now. I'm safe; even if some expert guides him, they can't just come to the mortal world. For now, I just need to focus on getting stronger. Now that I know about my Sovereign Water Body, I can really use its benefits and cultivate much faster."
Just as she made up her mind, a soft knock came at her door. "Want some food? I cooked. If so, come outside." With that, Bai Xing's footsteps faded.
A mix of curiosity and hunger made Li Mei get up. Stepping outside into the fresh air, a gentle breeze brushed her face, clearing her mind. The smell of something savory and sweet reached her, guiding her to where Bai Xing was waiting. He gave her a bowl filled with a delicate, shimmering broth. Its top had bright green leaves and clear, almost glowing, white strands that seemed to gently pulse. The smell was subtle and inviting, hinting at deep flavors.
"So, what do you think of the food?" Bai Xing asked, watching her reaction with a slight smile.
Li Mei took a hesitant bite. Her eyes widened. The broth was incredibly light yet full of complex flavors, a perfect mix of savory and a subtle sweetness she couldn't quite place. The glowing strands melted in her mouth, leaving a refreshing taste. "It's… it's delicious," she breathed, genuinely surprised. "It's been eleven years since I've had anything this good." Living alone, all her money went to cultivation resources, leaving little for such treats.
"I'm happy you liked it," Bai Xing replied, his smile widening. He then tilted his head slightly, a thoughtful look on his face. "What do you plan to do now?"
Li Mei thought about his question for a moment. "Hmm, I think I'll just cultivate until I reach the Golden Core Peak, and then… live out my seven-hundred-year life in peace. What about you?"
"Me?" Bai Xing's gaze drifted upwards, as if thinking of something far beyond them. "I plan to reach the Golden Core Late Stage and then… join the Heavenly Court."
Li Mei's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That powerful sect? Why would you want to join them?"
"Have you ever heard of the Spiritual World?" Bai Xing asked, a hint of intrigue in his voice.
"Yes, I've met many cultivators who talk about it," Li Mei confirmed, nodding. "They say there's cultivation beyond the Golden Core Peak stage: Nascent Soul, Transformation, and Divine Lord. But to cultivate further, you have to go into the Spiritual World, and for that, you have to belong to one of the Spiritual World sects." A shadow of past disappointment crossed her face.
"What if I told you there's a way to travel to the Spiritual World that doesn't tie you to any specific sect?" Bai Xing's words hung in the air, a tempting promise.
Li Mei's eyes widened, a spark of hope lighting up. "Really? I can go to the Spiritual World without even being in any sects?"
"Yes," Bai Xing confirmed. "Those who join the Heavenly Court get access to travel to the Spiritual World."
"But wouldn't that still be joining a sect and becoming restricted?" Li Mei asked, her initial excitement mixed with her long-held desire for freedom.
"Not in the usual way," Bai Xing explained, his tone shifting slightly. "The Heavenly Court follows Heaven's will. They offer everyone a chance to travel to the Spiritual World, but there's one condition."
"Oh, what condition?" Li Mei leaned forward, eager to know more.
"The condition is that Heavenly Court will first send you to the Spiritual World," Bai Xing said. "Once you are there, you then have to successfully join one of the three great spirit sects and remain with them for eight years."
"But... wouldn't that also be considered joining a sect even if it's for only eight years?" Li Mei asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
"One has to sacrifice some in order to achieve something," Bai Xing replied, his voice calm and resolute.
"Okay, I understand that, but I can't seem to understand the fact that if Heavenly Court is sending all the people to the three great spirit sects, then why is it the strongest?" Li Mei pressed, a practical question forming in her mind.
"It's quite simple," Bai Xing clarified. "Heavenly Court gives better cultivation resources than the three great spirit sects. There's a saying that goes, 'In the face of benefits, what's good and what's evil?' Most cultivators, even those initially aiming for freedom, will realize that the Heavenly Court's resources are simply unparalleled. The benefits of staying outweigh the desire to leave."
"So that's how it is," Li Mei murmured, the pieces falling into place.
"So, what do you say now? Want to join the Heavenly Court with me?" Bai Xing held out a hand, a quiet invitation. "With your abilities, I can definitely help you." He knew that with her Sovereign Water Body, reaching the late Golden Core stage would be much easier. The main challenge would be teaching her alchemy, but with focus, it could certainly be done.
The tempting offer to cultivate further, to live longer than people in the mortal realm, was impossible to resist. All her lingering doubts about Bai Xing, all the suspicions she had, now disappeared like morning mist, leaving only a clear, firm resolve. "If there's a chance to cultivate further and live longer," Li Mei said, her voice filled with new determination, "how could I refuse? I accept."