“Mmm… I’m being lifted up! My feet can’t touch the ground!”
“Master… slow down a bit!”
Feng Lingshuang stood rigidly outside the courtyard gate, her expression beneath the veiled hat trembling with extreme fury.
The series of indecent sounds coming from inside the room had already stretched the string of reason in her mind to its breaking point.
‘Gong Shangyu! Gu Qingying! You two shameless wretches, let go of Master right now!’
Thinking of this, and then recalling how the Love Thread Sword she had used in her former life had been taken by Gu Qingying, she was instantly flooded with a violent surge of emotions—a piercing pain of betrayal, indescribable jealousy, and towering rage.
“DAYLIGHT DEBAUCHERY! SHAMELESS!”
A furious roar, infused with sword intent and boundless killing intent, erupted from Feng Lingshuang’s throat like a bolt of heavenly thunder!
The voice was no longer cold and clear, but filled with the fury of a wounded dragon.
At this moment, she had even forgotten that she had come here to inform Lu Li of good news from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Her mind was filled only with the violent urge to cleanse the sect and rescue her master from peril.
Immediately, Feng Lingshuang’s white figure suddenly transformed into a streak of sword light that tore through space, carrying a chill capable of freezing everything and a sharpness capable of severing all things, directly shattering the guest room door!
CRASH!
Feng Lingshuang charged into the room with sword in hand.
Her gaze beneath the veiled hat was like two tangible ice swords, instantly sweeping across the entire room, ready to find and slaughter those two wicked, thieving cats, Gu Qingying and Gong Shangyu.
However, the chaotic, indecent scene she had imagined did not appear.
Instead, she saw Gu Qingying at this moment, her body tied with heavy weights, doing pull-ups from the room’s beam.
She was desperately trying to bend her elbows upward while Lu Li stuffed pills into her mouth, her face contorted with utter terror.
Because the utterly heartless Lu Li, fearing she might slack off during the foundational training, had placed several rows of blazing braziers right beneath her.
So, the “so hot”
Gu Qingying had mentioned referred to the fire basins.
The “feet not touching the ground”
meant pull-ups.
Even the “can’t fit anymore”
referred to the pills in her mouth.
Looking at Gong Shangyu was even worse.
She was being pressed down by Lu Li, who was desperately stretching her leg muscles.
The “slow down”
and “going to explode”
she mentioned referred to the barely controllable medicinal energy surging within her body.
Seeing the two women drenched in sweat, eyes rolling back, utterly exhausted by Master Lu Li’s devilish training, their bodies even trembling slightly, Feng Lingshuang’s towering rage instantly froze solid.
Then, she couldn’t help but recall the fear of being dominated by Master’s devilish special training in her former life.
‘Um… I… seem… to have misunderstood?’
Feng Lingshuang stood dumbfounded in the doorway, instantly frozen in place.
The huge commotion she had just caused naturally alarmed Lu Li and his disciples inside the room as well.
Lu Li, who had been helping Gong Shangyu unblock her meridians, was disturbed, his brow furrowing tighter.
He slowly withdrew his spiritual energy and opened his eyes.
When he saw Feng Lingshuang charging in with a sword, murderous and menacing, a clear flicker of confusion passed through his eyes.
“Fellow Daoist Jian Mingzi? What is this…”
At that moment, Gu Qingying, who was doing pull-ups, completely lost her strength and fell down.
Seeing this, Lu Li quickly used his Sleeve Universe technique to catch her in time and placed her next to the equally dazed Gong Shangyu.
The two women at this point had already been tortured into unconsciousness by Lu Li’s hellish training, using their last shred of willpower to hold on, preventing them from letting out any shameful cries in front of Lu Li.
Therefore, the two women were also completely unaware of Feng Lingshuang’s arrival.
Seeing this, Feng Lingshuang feel utterly ashamed.
She had actually harbored such filthy suspicions about her master and her two junior sisters.
She had thought her junior sisters were shameless, only to realize she herself was the most shameless one.
Thinking this, Feng Lingshuang felt so embarrassed she could dig out a three-bedroom apartment with her toes.
She then forced herself to remain calm, though her voice inevitably carried a trace of stiffness and guilt.
“Senior Lu, you… what is this…”
Lu Li followed her gaze to look at his two disciples beside him, who were still panting slightly, then at the scattered pill bottles on the floor, and said nonchalantly, “Oh, it’s nothing.”
Lu Li’s tone was flat, as if discussing the most ordinary thing.
“It’s just that these two disciples of mine have been lazy in their cultivation lately, and their cultivation has stagnated. With the secret realm trial imminent, going in with such strength would be extremely dangerous. I had no choice but to use some pills to help them… make up for their missed lessons.”
Lu Li spoke lightly, but the words “make up for lessons”
made Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying shiver in unison.
What make-up lessons?
This was force-feeding! It was torture!
Immediately, Feng Lingshuang’s Heart Reading System heard Lu Li’s true thoughts.
‘These two lazy kids, really troublesome! Finally getting some reaction after pouring down so many pills… looks like they’re about to break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage? Hah, just a bit more effort… they’ll have a bit more self-preservation ability in the secret realm… Sigh, being a master isn’t easy…’
Lu Li’s thoughts flowed into Feng Lingshuang’s mind like a clear stream, completely unobstructed.
There was not a trace of lustful intent, only concern for his disciples’ cultivation, a hint of helplessness, and the hope for his disciples to succeed.
It was so pure it made her face flush.
‘So… Master really was helping them cultivate…’
‘But I actually…’
Feng Lingshuang felt endless remorse in her heart, utterly ashamed of her earlier filthy conjecture and reckless actions.
Thankfully, the veiled hat provided cover; otherwise, she wouldn’t know how to face Lu Li’s clear gaze.
The murderous intent and sword energy around her also dissipated.
She gave a slight bow, her tone returning to its usual coldness, though a careful listener could detect a hint of unnaturalness.
“So that’s how it is… This junior was presumptuous, disturbing Senior while you were transmitting energy to your esteemed disciples. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Lu Li waved his hand, indicating it was fine.
He glanced at his two disciples beside him; though their state was pitiful, their auras had indeed become much more solid and robust, which satisfied him somewhat.
Remembering Feng Lingshuang’s sudden visit, he asked:
“Fellow Daoist Jian Mingzi, what important matter brings you to seek me at this moment?”
Only then did Feng Lingshuang remember her main purpose.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Her gaze swept over Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying, who were in poor condition in the room.
Clearly, this was not the place to talk.
Lu Li immediately understood that what Feng Lingshuang needed to discuss next required keeping it secret from Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying.
He stood up and addressed Feng Lingshuang.
“Alright. Since that’s the case, let’s talk outside.”
With that, Lu Li turned to Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying, who were still collapsed on the bed, eyes rolled back and drenched in sweat.
“You two, while the medicinal energy hasn’t dissipated, properly circulate your energy to consolidate your gains, striving for a breakthrough in one go!”
Lu Li didn’t finish his sentence, but the warning in his eyes made both women shiver simultaneously.
“Yes, Master…”
The two women responded weakly and breathlessly.
Only then did Lu Li gesture for Feng Lingshuang to proceed, and the two walked out of the messy guest room one after the other.
Seeing that Lu Li and Feng Lingshuang had walked far enough to be completely out of earshot, Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying finally couldn’t hold on any longer.
“Ahhh… Haaaah… I’m going to die!”
“Aah… Hnnngh…”
With two long, trembling cries filled with the utmost sense of relief and release, erupting from the depths of Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying’s throats, the two women instantly went limp as if their bones had been removed, sliding down from the bed to sit on the floor, their bodies still trembling faintly, the blush on their cheeks more brilliant than the sunset.
“Can’t Master change this cultivation method?! I almost couldn’t hold back just now, it was too stimulating…”
Gu Qingying, face down as if just fished out of a pool, drenched in sweat, complained.
Gong Shangyu, blushing, retorted, “You’re one to talk… It was you, you little vixen, who was crying out the most passionately just now! If we were exposed, it would be your fault!”
Gu Qingying said angrily, “As if you didn’t cry out!”
Then, Gong Shangyu seemed to suddenly remember something and casually asked Gu Qingying.
“Hey… Junior Sister, when we lost consciousness just now, did someone come in?”
Gu Qingying thought seriously for a moment, then nodded to Gong Shangyu.
“Hmm… seems like there was. Someone who felt vaguely familiar came in.”
Gong Shangyu nodded, “Right? I thought so. I remember a person in white.”
Gu Qingying added, “Hmm—I vaguely heard Master call that person ‘Jian Mingzi’
‘ just now…”
Hearing this, Gong Shangyu instantly perked up.
“Huh? What? Jian Mingzi? Isn’t that the white-clothed sword cultivator Master met while capturing the demonic cultivator yesterday, the one who seemed very familiar with him?”
The aura around her suddenly soared.
Immediately after, her strength broke through, actually infuriated into reaching the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage by that fox-like temptress Jian Mingzi who seemed to be seducing Master.
And almost at the same time, Lu Li was in his own room discussing with Feng Lingshuang the matter of the Heavenly Sword Sect elders agreeing to have Heavenly Sword Sect disciples assist the Jin Royal Family in capturing demonic cultivators within the secret realm.
Feng Lingshuang took a deep breath, trying to push the earlier misunderstanding out of her mind, and began explaining her purpose to Lu Li.
“Senior Lu, this junior has already informed the elders of my sect. The sect has agreed to dispatch disciples participating in the trial to assist the Jin Royal Family in investigating and resolving the crisis within the Royal Secret Realm. I came specifically to inform you of this matter.”
Hearing this, a flash of delight passed through Lu Li’s eyes.
“Oh? The Heavenly Sword Sect is willing to lend a hand? That’s excellent! With the esteemed disciples of your sect joining, our chances in this secret realm journey have increased significantly. You’ve worked hard, Fellow Daoist.”
“My duty.”
Feng Lingshuang gave a slight nod.
Her gaze from beneath the white veiled hat fell on Lu Li’s face through the gauze, carrying a hint of barely perceptible scrutiny.
“However, there are many variables within the secret realm. Since the Yin Corpse Sect has designs, they must have meticulous preparations.”
“Senior and your esteemed disciples… must be extremely careful.”
Feng Lingshuang’s words were both a reminder and contained a subtle hint of disapproval towards Lu Li’s earlier force-feeding cultivation method.
After all, an unstable foundation and forcibly raised cultivation might not be a good thing in a perilous secret realm.
Lu Li naturally heard her implication.
He smiled at Feng Lingshuang and said, “Your reminder is well-taken, Fellow Daoist. However, this was a last resort.”
“After all, this poor Daoist cannot let them venture in with only Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation.”
Lu Li paused and changed the subject.
“Regarding the secret realm and the Yin Corpse Sect, do you have any new information, Fellow Daoist?”
Immediately, the two began discussing in low voices in the courtyard the potential dangers within the secret realm, the movements of the Yin Corpse Sect, and how the two sides should cooperate.
However, right at this moment, a series of system notification sounds suddenly rang in Lu Li’s ears.
[Ding! Side Quest: Guide your disciple Shang Baiyu in cultivation, raising her cultivation to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. (Completed)]
[Reward: Cultivation increased by one minor realm.]
Hearing this, Lu Li was inwardly shocked! ‘Baiyu broke through? So fast?’
The thought flashed through his mind, immediately followed by a massive, pure stream of spiritual energy, far exceeding his own accumulated power, erupting without warning from the depths of his dantian, instantly rushing towards every meridian in his limbs and body!
This power came so swiftly, so domineeringly, completely beyond his control!
The aura around him began to fluctuate violently uncontrollably.
The cultivation barrier originally stable at the peak of Foundation Establishment, under the impact of this external force, emitted a faint, overwhelmed creaking sound, on the verge of completely shattering and ascending towards a higher realm!
Core Formation Middle Stage!
This was a sign of directly breaking through to Core Formation Middle Stage! Lu Li’s expression changed slightly.
He never expected the system to issue the reward at this moment.
Right now, the spiritual energy within his body was rampaging wildly.
If he didn’t guide and stabilize it early, it might damage his meridians or even leave hidden flaws.
Moreover, the spiritual energy disturbance during a breakthrough and the possible gathering of heaven and earth spiritual energy were absolutely not suitable to be performed in front of outsiders.
Thinking this, Lu Li made a decisive decision.
He forcibly suppressed the churning energy within him and said urgently to Feng Lingshuang, who was still deep in thought before him, “Fellow Daoist Jian Mingzi, apologies! Lu just now felt a sudden insight, the Dao’s rhythm touching me, and my spiritual energy is restless. I fear the opportunity for a breakthrough has arrived! I need to enter seclusion immediately to stabilize my realm. It is inconvenient to host guests. Please quickly retreat outside and guard for me for a moment!”
Lu Li’s tone carried an unquestionable urgency.
Fine beads of sweat even appeared on his temples.
The uncontrollable, violent spiritual energy fluctuations around him, belonging to someone on the verge of a breakthrough, further confirmed his words.
Hearing this, Feng Lingshuang’s face beneath the veiled hat was instantly filled with astonishment!
‘A breakthrough? Now? Here? Just during a discussion, he gains insight and triggers a breakthrough opportunity? Master… his breakthroughs are so… so casual?’
This completely overturned her understanding of cultivation breakthroughs!
After all, which ordinary cultivator wouldn’t seek a cave abode rich in spiritual energy, set up multiple layers of formations, adjust to their optimal state, and only then dare to carefully and cautiously attempt to break through a bottleneck?
Who would break through in the middle of a conversation like this?
However, her astonishment was quickly replaced by another emotion—understanding.
‘That’s right… Master is reborn. In this life, he is cultivating again with his memories. His comprehension of the Great Dao and control of power are far beyond ordinary cultivators. Breaking through naturally comes effortlessly and without rigid patterns.’
‘And in my chaotic dreams, didn’t he often break through realms while walking, sitting, or lying down? Thinking of it this way, it seems quite reasonable…’
Thinking this, Feng Lingshuang quickly collected her thoughts, knowing the timing of a cultivator’s breakthrough was crucial and not to be disturbed.
She immediately stood up and gave Lu Li a solemn bow.
“Congratulations, Senior, on grasping the Dao’s opportunity! This junior will guard outside for Senior, ensuring no one disturbs you!”
With that, she didn’t hesitate at all.
Her figure flickered, and she had already exited the room, gently closing the door behind her.
She stood quietly in the courtyard, dressed in white as snow, an ancient sword hanging at her waist.
Her spiritual sense spread out like quicksilver, meticulously monitoring every movement around her.
A sharp sword intent faintly circulated around her, temporarily marking this small courtyard as forbidden ground.
Inside the room, Lu Li had no more concerns.
He immediately sat cross-legged, formed hand seals, and with all his strength guided the massive spiritual energy within his body, which was like a wild horse that had thrown off its reins, to impact the realm barrier that had already become as thin as a cicada’s wing, following the circulation path of the “Supreme Severing Emotions Art”
Core Formation chapter.
Outside in the courtyard, Feng Lingshuang felt the spiritual energy pressure inside the room rising steadily, gradually becoming vast and majestic.
Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
There was joy at her master’s cultivation progress, but also a hint of indescribable urgency.
‘Master’s pace… is too fast. I must work even harder. Otherwise, I won’t even be able to follow his shadow…’