“That’s true. My master truly has deep feelings for his wife.”
Ji Lingyao smiled faintly. “Even now, he still can’t let go. He’s even said he’ll never remarry in this lifetime.”
He casually pinned a label on his master, then steered the conversation back to raising cats.
“That cat was also left behind by his wife. It has a very picky temper, unlike yours. Yours is a bit playful, but it’s obedient at least.”
“Can’t let go,” “never remarry”?
She figured he was holding a grudge!
Li Yin ignored the false information. Then she heard him mention the cat again.
A cat left behind by his wife? Her cat?
Li Yin’s fingers twitched slightly. In her save file, she seemed to remember raising a white cat.
But why would Little Young Master Shen be raising her cat?
Besides, that white cat was just an ordinary cat, not a spirit beast. How could it live this long?
As related memories surfaced, her recollections gradually sharpened. Suddenly, many details came flooding back.
She had named that cat Snowball. It was lively and adorable.
But Little Young Master Shen, from an aristocratic family, was precious and had mysophobia. He disliked these little animals that might bump into him. Every time he saw her cat, he would frown in disgust.
Little Young Master Shen also liked to wear brightly colored clothes. Once white cat fur stuck to them, it stood out glaringly.
Whenever that happened, the target of her strategy would always throw a young master’s spoiled tantrum and order her to pick off the cat hairs one by one from his collar and hem.
Fragments of scenes flashed through Li Yin’s mind. Her past field of vision froze in front of the young master. Her fingertips pressed against the boy’s front, lifting and falling, but not in intimacy—it seemed like she was plucking cat hairs off him.
Once the memories were unlocked, they bubbled up one after another, like bubbles in boiling water.
At that time, the boy hadn’t fully grown into his frame yet, but he was still taller than her.
Somehow, cat hair had stuck to his front. She could only lean in close and pluck them off one by one, slowly.
In her line of sight, the boy’s handsome chest rose and fell. A voice came from above her head—the little young master’s.
He was muttering something, complaints like “hurry up” or “what a hassle.”
They were so close. When she looked up, she caught him looking especially annoyed, his earlobes faintly red.
The boy’s immature features were blurry in her memory, not as coldly alluring as Elder Shen in adulthood, but she could still vaguely sense their exquisite beauty.
Li Yin tried to see his expression clearly, to make out what he was saying.
In the fragmented memory, the boy’s arrogant brows lowered. A thin flush like glaze lightly colored his cheeks, while his bright lips opened and closed…
“How do you raise it? Any tips?”
The youth’s clear voice suddenly shattered the fleeting recollection. Li Yin snapped back to reality.
In front of her, Elder Shen’s disciple leaned in slightly, his gray eyes fixed on her as he asked, subtly closing the distance without a word.
She was stunned for a moment, then answered honestly. “I just joined the sect. I’ve only known this cat for less than a day.”
Ji Lingyao looked thoughtful. “I didn’t expect raising cats would require talent too…”
Then, this Ji Little Dao Lord changed the subject. “Do you have a messaging artifact? If you ever find any cat-taming techniques, could you teach me?”
Li Yin’s expression turned strange.
My cat can do backflips, and the Cultivation World is into this kind of pickup line?
She gazed into the youth’s smiling gray eyes and felt he hadn’t given up probing.
Worried that refusing might arouse suspicion, Li Yin nodded. She took out her messaging mirror and clinked it against his messaging artifact to link their spirit messages.
His messaging artifact was a jade tablet. Both artifacts were palm-sized, held in their hands as they touched.
If the angle shifted just a bit, their hands would easily brush.
Just as their spirit messages linked successfully and their hands seemed about to touch, a figure in blue robes stepped forward from the side.
“Ji Little Dao Lord, any leads on the demonic cultivator’s trail? Why are you chatting here with a new disciple from my sect…”
Elder Yaoguang approached slowly, his gaze sweeping over the touching messaging artifacts.
Ji Lingyao raised a brow and leisurely withdrew his item.
“Azure Profound Sect must have taken in quite a few new disciples this time,” Yao Guanheng said, looking at him with a gentle tone.
He always wore that mild expression, yet he kept paying attention to things here again and again. He was watching a bit too closely.
But that was normal.
A single spiritual root, foundation establishment at such a young age—these were prized seedlings that any sect would value highly. Of course, they couldn’t let others poach them.
Ji Lingyao smiled, pretending not to catch the implication.
Because he really did want to poach this new disciple.
His eyes flickered. If she became his little junior sister, he could guide and care for her every day.
Li Yin, new to the scene, didn’t catch the undercurrent between them. Instead, she saw the mild-tempered Elder Yaoguang lower his gaze to her.
Yao Guanheng asked, “How’s your cultivation going?”
“If there’s anything you don’t understand about our sect’s techniques, you can always come ask me. But since you just joined, no need to rush.”
Li Yin answered obediently. “No questions for now.”
After she spoke, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward.
Neither man said a word. They just stared at her.
Li Yin thought for a moment and figured they had things to discuss.
“I’ll go cultivate then,” she said, very sensibly hugging her kitten and leaving to give them space.
As the girl turned and walked away, Ji Lingyao’s eyes followed her back.
Yao Guanheng naturally shifted to the side, perfectly blocking his view.
Seeing his usual amiable demeanor, Ji Lingyao curled his lip: 【Why aren’t you going to find your Young Lord? Why stare at me?】
Yao Guanheng’s expression didn’t change, still gentle as jade: 【Your master made such a big fuss earlier. Why would the Young Lord show up now?】
Li Yin, of course, had no idea about their exchange.
As long as she got through these two days, she’d be safe once she returned to the sect.
Reminded by Ji Little Dao Lord’s overture, she decided it was safer to stay in her quiet room.
This time, she’d run into Elder Shen’s disciple. What if she bumped into Elder Shen himself next time? That would be the end.
For the rest of the time, she didn’t go out. She stayed in her quiet room petting the cat and teasing the mouse, feeding both little ones a spirit taming pearl.
The pearls varied in size—small ones like soybeans, large ones like eggs. She picked two small ones for the spirit beasts to absorb spiritual energy.
With nothing else to do, she casually selected a technique and started cultivating. A 0.001% progress rate was low, but better than nothing.
On the last day before returning to the sect, Xia Erruo came to check on her cultivation. Li Yin opened the door to greet her.
“Little Junior Sister, how’s your cultivation going?”
She glanced at the pearls scattered by the meditation cushion and widened her eyes. “So many pearls? Did you condense them all in one night?”
Her shock was too obvious. Li Yin sensed trouble but kept calm and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xia Erruo puzzled. “That shouldn’t be…”
“With your aptitude, you should only condense one or two pearls in a night.”
“Spiritual energy gathered during cultivation condenses into pearls if it isn’t absorbed.” She focused on examining Li Yin. “Sure enough, your cultivation hasn’t advanced. You can’t absorb the spiritual energy—it’s all turning into pearls.”
“Have you practiced any other sect’s techniques? It looks like they’re clashing with our sect’s methods…” she mused.
Li Yin hadn’t expected this complication. She steadied herself and shook her head guiltily. “I haven’t practiced any other sect’s techniques.”
“What do we do? Can I still be a Myriad Beasts Sect disciple?”
Little Junior Sister looked up at her with pleading, innocent eyes.
The topic shifted seamlessly. Xia Erruo stopped pondering and comforted her. “Don’t worry… Why don’t you go ask Elder Yaoguang?”
Li Yin knew her issue all too well. She could only advance through dual cultivation. Asking anyone wouldn’t help.
But to avoid suspicion, she nodded and went to find Elder Yaoguang.
His quiet room was on the second floor of the immortal boat. She raised her hand and knocked three crisp times. The door slowly opened.
The man was seated on a meditation cushion. He slowly opened his eyes, emerging from meditation, his ink-black pupils turning to her.
Interrupted in his cultivation, he showed no displeasure. With a faint smile, he asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
Li Yin hesitated briefly, vaguely describing her cultivation issue, hoping to gloss over it.
Yao Guanheng listened quietly. When she finished, he lowered his gaze, seemingly pondering.
After a few breaths, with Li Yin’s heart in her throat, he rose from the cushion, stroking his long sleeve, and walked straight to the tea table.
Tea leaves, cups, water… They moved on their own. Amid Li Yin’s involuntary gaze, the leaves and cups brewed a pot of tea without him lifting a hand.
It was just a minor spell for brewing tea, but Li Yin watched intently, temporarily forgetting her cultivation snag.
Elder Yaoguang looked up. Amid the rising steam and tea fragrance, he smiled at her. “Sit down and have a cup of tea with me.”
At his invitation, the little disciple’s eyes lit up. She agreed vigorously with a “Sure!”
He watched her light steps as she reached his tea table in a few strides.
After she sat, the quiet room’s door closed silently.
Li Yin was very curious about his methods—and the taste of this magically brewed tea.
She carefully lifted a cup, removed the lid, and sniffed first. It smelled like the clear fragrance of tea.
Yao Guanheng’s gaze rested quietly on her nose tip. He didn’t find her caution offensive; instead, he smiled encouragingly.
Seeing nothing amiss, Li Yin sipped along the rim, savoring it carefully.
Elder Yaoguang asked, “How does it taste?”
Li Yin set down the cup. “It’s scalding hot.”
She stuck out her tongue tip.
Yao Guanheng chuckled softly.
Seeing her relax, he addressed her question. “Perhaps you’re not quite adapted to the new technique yet. It might get better after some time.”
“There’s such a thing…” Li Yin muttered, then took another sip. It left a lingering fragrance between her teeth and cheeks, with sweetness at the base of her tongue.
She carefully discerned the layers of flavor, trying to detect any spiritual power. She even found some enjoyment in the cup.
Then, something even more shocking happened.
Elder Yaoguang suddenly said, “By the way, I felt a connection with you the moment I saw you… Would you take me as your master?”
His gaze brushed over the moisture on her lips, then met her surprised eyes.
Li Yin was completely unprepared. Her mouth parted slightly, then snapped shut. She nearly blurted out her real thoughts.
Was this the power of max-level charm?!
The mild-mannered, handsome elder watched her silently, patiently awaiting her answer.
“I…” She opened her mouth again, fumbling for words. She wanted to agree but didn’t know the Cultivation World’s apprenticeship rites.
In the game, these formalities were usually skipped. Li Yin had once suspected the developers hadn’t detailed them. Now she was stumped.
She steeled herself, set down the cup decisively, and prepared to kneel with “Master above, accept this disciple’s bow.”
Before she could chant it, her knee barely bent when the man lifted his hand to steady her.
“I’m casual by nature and don’t care for empty formalities. Just call me Master, and that’s enough.” Yao Guanheng personally helped her up.
“Master?” Li Yin echoed hesitantly, her fingers accidentally brushing his palm.
He instantly steadied her, his face drawing near. Close enough to count his trembling lashes, she caught the tea scent from his robes.
After the physical contact, the slave mark on her abdomen heated up. Yao Guanheng confirmed her identity once more.
She was the Young Lord of Jade Ecstasy Palace.
…However, this Young Lord was quite different from what he’d imagined.
Jade Ecstasy Palace was the second largest power in the Demon Domain, yet the Young Lord was unusually young. Her dark pupils were clear and bright. She withdrew her hand in slight surprise, then kept a proper distance. Nothing suggested she was a demonic cultivator of the Joyous Union Dao.
To guard against sect disciples defecting to the Cultivation World, only the Jade Ecstasy Palace Lord knew the exact identities of their plants. The slave mark served as a leash—ensuring loyalty and preventing harm to sect members.
Thus, the young Young Lord was unaware. The handsome elder before her, mild as jade, was actually a plant in the demonic sect and one of the cauldrons prepared for her to supplement her cultivation.
She didn’t seem to realize he was a cauldron meant for her.
That was for the best.
Elder Yaoguang smiled and withdrew his hand, seemingly unconcerned by the mishap.
Li Yin found her new master exceedingly courteous. After helping her up, he smiled faintly and introduced his name.
Surname Yaoguang, given name Heng.
Her master’s name was Yao Guanheng. Nice, very pleasant. Li Yin was very satisfied.
Players evaluated strategy targets comprehensively, and names were naturally part of it.
Her new master asked about her name again but didn’t probe into her background. This made Li Yin heave a sigh of relief.
After a brief introduction, the nearby shelf suddenly rustled. Li Yin glanced over, thinking she might see her master’s spirit beast. Instead, several items of various sizes—bottles and jars—flew over.
Yao Guanheng flicked his sleeve, sending the items right in front of her. “If I remember correctly, you have two spirit beasts registered under your name: a Copper Coin Rat and a Golden Thread Cat…”
“These are gifts for the children,” he said.
Li Yin glanced at them—there were pills and snacks. She pulled out two small cubs, cradling one in each hand. “Gold Orange, Silver Gray, hurry up and thank Master!”
A golden “little orange” and a gray “little dumpling” appeared in her palms. It was obvious at a glance which name belonged to which.
The “little orange” looked up at him and meowed, while the “little dumpling” squeaked.
The disciple also raised her eyes to look at him. Her pupils were clear and bright, glistening with moisture as they reflected his figure. Li Yin showed not a hint of impure thoughts in her gaze—she didn’t seem like someone from the Demon Domain.
Yao Guanheng paused for a moment before giving a faint smile to the big one and the two small ones.
A jade bottle appeared in his hand, which he handed to Li Yin. “Those are for them. This is for you.”
The liquid in the small jade bottle shimmered with overflowing spiritual energy. He introduced it: “Jade Orchid Spirit Dew. It can heal wounds, purify the body, replenish spirit power…”
Li Yin whispered, “For making tea?”
Yao Guanheng was taken aback, then smiled. “That works too.”
Li Yin carefully stored the jade bottle and happily accepted the other greeting gifts. Afterward, her master added some tea leaves for her to take back and try.
Back in her own quiet room, Li Yin finally summoned the Game Panel to check the situation.
【Unlocked New Identity】
【Identity: Direct Disciple of the Jade Joy Palace Lord from the Demon Domain’s Jade Ecstasy Palace / Direct Disciple of Elder Yaoguang from the Dao Sect’s Myriad Beasts Sect】
【Achievement Reward: Directed Random (1)】
In front of a mighty cultivator, she had been cautious. Li Yin hadn’t zoned out to check the panel on the spot—if she had been caught doing something unusual, it might have caused trouble.
Now that the new item was in hand, Li Yin remembered something. She took out a treasure from her Mustard Seed Pouch.
Both of her masters were extremely generous. Her master from the Demon Domain had also stuffed her with plenty of good stuff, and Jade Ecstasy Myriad Methods was one of them.
It looked like a book on the outside, but inside it contained most of the spells from Jade Ecstasy Palace.
In the Player’s words, it stored a variety of game skills.
Li Yin held the treasure and flipped through it page by page, finally stopping on one particular technique.
The spells from Jade Ecstasy Palace were sneaky… no, mostly unorthodox side paths. This one technique was called the Illusory Dream Technique. It could construct a dream realm according to the caster’s intent—even a small foundation establishment cultivator could give it a try.
They were setting off back to the sect tomorrow, so she decided to construct a dream realm tonight.
Night visit to the ex.