‘Thinking about it this way,’ Mu Yanxi realized, ‘Shangguan Yun reaching Level 40 of the Qi Refining stage means she has broken through at least twenty-some levels with a difficulty equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage.’
‘And after Level 40, does every level gained feel like practicing from the mid-Foundation Establishment stage all the way to the false core stage at the peak of Foundation Establishment?’
The Chu Sect primarily focused on cultivation of the Innate Stage of physical cultivation.
Given Shangguan Yun’s family background and status, she must have polished her Innate Stage physical cultivation to perfection before promoting to the Qi Refining stage.
That likely happened during the second half of her third year of junior high.
‘In other words, she cultivated from Level 1 to Level 39 in about half a year. At least twenty-six of those levels were as difficult as breaking through minor realms in the Foundation Establishment stage.’
‘Is this talent even human?’
This cultivation speed was practically a fairy tale to Mu Yanxi; she could not have achieved it in her previous life.
Although she had undergone a Hundred Day Foundation Establishment, it had taken her seven years to cultivate from the Foundation Establishment stage to core formation.
She had only reached core formation at 7 years old. While reinforcing her Dao Foundation was a factor, the fastest anyone could possibly achieve it was at least five years.
Of course, Mu Yanxi knew this world had more and higher-tier cultivation methods. She estimated Shangguan Yun had practiced at least ten different methods.
Even so, to cultivate this quickly, her spiritual root attributes—dual sacred and dual heaven—were truly enviable.
“Let’s go out first,” Shangguan Yun said as she climbed out of the bathtub, having recovered some of her strength.
Looking at the bathtub, which was only half-full of spiritual water, she added, “Your top-tier water-attribute cultivation method is truly domineering. You actually absorbed so much spiritual water, just like a sponge.”
“That’s because your water-attribute sacred spiritual root is amazing,” Mu Yanxi replied.
She still had not recovered her strength and lay limply in the bathtub, her body continuing to absorb the spiritual water to restore the energy spent during her breakthrough and double cultivation.
In reality, the faucet above the tub had been running the entire time, constantly replenishing the spiritual water. However, Mu Yanxi had also been absorbing it continuously.
During her breakthrough, she had sucked in so much spiritual water that she had nearly emptied the tub; it had only just refilled halfway.
“You are really suited for bathing at the Lingyue public bath,” Shangguan Yun said. “The quality of the spiritual water and bath additives there is much higher, making it perfect for your cultivation method.”
“You want me to do double cultivation in front of other girls? No way! It’s too… too embarrassing.”
Thinking of her disgraceful performance just now, Mu Yanxi’s face flushed. If she had to do that in front of everyone, she would rather be killed.
However, if she did not rely on Shangguan Yun’s water-attribute sacred spiritual root and only practiced the virgin fairy bathing method, perhaps going alone would not be impossible.
At worst, she could find a quiet corner, close her eyes, and focus on her training. It would just be a pity to lose the cultivation speed provided by the sacred spiritual root.
Perhaps sensing Mu Yanxi’s thoughts, Shangguan Yun gave a cold laugh.
“What is there to be embarrassed about? There are plenty of girls doing double cultivation in the public baths.”
“In fact, most people go there in pairs, and group cultivation isn’t rare either. If you go to the public bath alone, our fellow disciples might think I’m ostracizing you.”
Once again, Mu Yanxi’s worldview was shattered by the style of the Spiritual Moon Sect.
‘Engaging in double or group cultivation in public—do they have no shame? Do they not know the meaning of propriety at all?’
Still, despite being called double cultivation, it was surprisingly more peaceful than Mu Yanxi had imagined.
In her memory, double cultivation involved at least joining bodies or entering each other. But just now, they had only pressed against one another and done nothing else, yet their mana had fused.
“What are you thinking about?” Shangguan Yun asked.
Mu Yanxi blushed as she voiced her confusion. Shangguan Yun immediately laughed.
“If you want that kind of thing, I can satisfy you. I’ve practiced several finger techniques, and my sisters all praise my dexterity.”