Xiang Yu and Li Yao sat together in comfortable silence, the gentle breeze rustling through the nearby trees. Despite the tranquil setting, tension hung in the air between them. Each time Li Yao shifted as if to leave, Xiang Yu would quickly interject with another topic, another question—anything to keep her there a moment longer.
Li Yao noticed his unusual behavior, how his eyes darted anxiously toward her whenever she tried to leave. Was her senior brother so hesitant about her departure? The thought warmed her heart, even as she knew what had to be done.
"I'm really leaving this time," Li Yao finally announced, rising to her feet with reluctance evident in every movement.
"Wait," Xiang Yu called out, his voice unusually urgent.
She paused, turning back to face him. "What is it?"
Xiang Yu opened his spatial ring and carefully withdrew five identical pills that gleamed with spiritual potency. He gently placed them in her palm, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
"They're seventh-grade healing pills," he explained, his voice softening. "Use them if you get hurt."
Li Yao stared at the pills, recognizing their extraordinary value. "Thank you," she murmured, clutching them carefully before turning away again.
Before she could take a step, Xiang Yu's hand shot out, catching her wrist in a gentle but firm grip. Surprise flickered across her face as she looked back at him.
"Is there anything else?" she asked, her heart racing unexpectedly at his touch.
"Do you really have to leave?" Xiang Yu asked, vulnerability seeping into his voice.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean..." he began, a flush spreading across his face. He lowered his gaze before continuing. "If I asked you to, would you stay?"
His expression had transformed into one of such pitiful pleading that Li Yao felt her resolve wavering.
Holy cringe, Xiang Yu thought internally, mortified by his own behavior. But this was his final trump card. Every instinct screamed that disaster would strike the moment she left the sect, and he was desperate to prevent it.
"Umm...well," Li Yao stammered, her cheeks reddening to match his own.
[No! We have to go. If you don't get stronger, you won't be able to protect him,] the Empress's voice resonated firmly within her consciousness.
Li Yao placed her hand gently on Xiang Yu's shoulder. His head lifted hopefully—was she actually going to stay?
What happened next left him completely stunned. In one swift motion, Li Yao leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. The soft, sweet sensation overwhelmed his senses completely.
Wait a minute! Who am I? Where am I? His thoughts scattered like leaves in a windstorm. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Thirty seconds passed before she finally pulled away, her face crimson with embarrassment. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes—not that he dared look at her either.
"I'm really going this time," she whispered.
"Mh," was all Xiang Yu could manage in response, still dazed from what had just happened.
In the next moment, she launched herself skyward, her slender form dissolving into the clouds.
High above the earth, Li Yao covered her burning face with her hands, her thoughts tumbling over each other in chaotic disarray.
"What have I done?" she fretted internally. "Senior brother just looked so cute at that moment, I couldn't help myself. I hope he doesn't think I'm that kind of person." Her inner monologue continued its frantic spiral.
[Hey, what are you doing? Pay attention to the road,] the Empress chided sharply.
Li Yao snapped back to awareness just in time to notice an enormous floating boat directly in her path. She twisted sideways with supernatural agility, barely avoiding collision as she streaked through the sky.
"Mei Mei?" a young woman's voice called out from within one of the boat's ornate carriages. "Is something wrong?"
Inside the carriage, an older-looking woman responded with evident irritation, "It's Elder Liu," she corrected, her tone suggesting this wasn't the first time she'd made this clarification.
"Okay, Mei Mei," the younger woman replied cheerfully, prompting Elder Liu to sigh in resignation.
Elder Liu gazed out the window, her eyes following Li Yao's rapidly diminishing form. "That direction... that cultivator seems to be coming from the Azure Cloud Sect," she observed thoughtfully.
She silently assessed the incredible speed of the departing figure. It exceeded even her own. If they were to fight, she wasn't certain she could win. They needed to accelerate their plans.
"Azure Cloud Sect?" the younger woman perked up with interest. "Isn't that the place where you said your old lover lives?"
"Lover? What lover?" Elder Liu sputtered, her cheeks suddenly flushed.
Internally, her thoughts betrayed her. That insensitive jerk, she fumed. Who would be his lover?
"Ah, I think his name was Guo Shantian..."
...
Xiang Yu touched his lips gently, the sensation still lingering like a phantom presence.
"Did she already leave?"
The sudden voice behind him startled him, causing him to quickly turn around. Elder Huang stood there, it seemed she was still mad. As for Elder Guo, well, he was still alive so that's something.
"What's with that reaction?" Elder Huang asked, one eyebrow raised in suspicion.
Xiang Yu quickly composed himself.
"Li Yao? She just left," he replied, deliberately keeping his tone casual.
He reached into his sleeve withdrew another ring, which he placed carefully in Elder Huang's palm. "These are the resources for both yesterday and today," he explained, grateful for the change of subject.
Without pausing, he produced several intricately carved formation disks and arranged them on the ground before them. The symbols etched into their surfaces pulsed with barely contained spiritual energy.
"I've engraved a seventh-grade defensive and attacking formation in these disks," Xiang Yu explained, his voice taking on a more professional tone. "If you place them around the sect, they should be able to protect us in case of an attack."
Elder Huang's expression brightened considerably as she examined both the ring of resources and the formation disks. The craftsmanship was exceptional, especially considering Xiang Yu's relatively brief experience with these disciplines.
"I'll check them out right away," she said, her previous irritation giving way to genuine appreciation. She glanced sideways at Elder Guo, who seemed to be trying his best to blend into the background. "I'm not done with you, hmph!" she declared firmly before launching into the air in a graceful arc.
Left alone, Xiang Yu and Elder Guo exchanged awkward glances. A mischievous smile slowly spread across Xiang Yu's face as he walked toward his master and casually draped an arm around the elder's shoulder.
"Master, check this out," he said with exaggerated secrecy, producing a small crystal vial containing three vibrant red pills. The label affixed to the container read "Yang Nourishing Pill" in elegant calligraphy.
Xiang Yu could barely suppress his amusement. He had refined these eighth-grade pills purely as an experiment, never expecting to find such a perfect recipient so quickly.
"If you use these, Martial Aunt will definitely reconcile with you," he whispered conspiratorially. "You can trust me, I definitely won't scam you."
"You brat!" Elder Guo roared, raising his hand threateningly.
Xiang Yu flinched instinctively, arms lifting to shield his head from the anticipated blow. But the expected impact never came. Instead, he felt the vial disappear from his fingers.
Opening his eyes, Xiang Yu discovered that Elder Guo had snatched the pills with remarkable dexterity. The elder quickly tucked them into his sleeve with practiced nonchalance.
"Ahem," Elder Guo cleared his throat with exaggerated formality. "It's inappropriate for a youngster to have these sorts of pills," he declared, straightening his robes with dignity. "Let this elder keep them for you." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, his steps noticeably lighter than before.
Xiang Yu watched his master's retreating figure with a knowing smile.
Reality suddenly reasserted itself as Xiang Yu realized how much time had elapsed. He still needed to practice formations and talismans before nightfall. With a burst of speed, he raced back toward the spirit vein, his mind already calculating how to maximize his remaining hours.
...
As Xiang Yu returned to the spirit vein, he wasted no time and began his practice. With time growing short, he decided against focusing too heavily on talisman making, which had already reached an impressive level. Instead, he crafted just a handful of talismans to accumulate some experience points—enough to ensure the system wouldn't double nothing during the upcoming reset.
His attention then shifted entirely to formation making. Having reached exactly one hundred points, he needed just fifty more to breakthrough to the next stage. This advancement would grant him the ability to craft formations capable of defending against Golden Core cultivators and even launching attacks powerful enough to threaten Nascent Soul experts.
Though his fingers itched to attempt crafting the upgraded sixth-grade explosion talisman, that project would have to wait. Following his earlier decision, Xiang Yu concentrated his efforts on refining attacking formations. By the time dinner approached, he had managed—with considerable effort—to create two complete attacking formations.
Satisfied with his progress, he left the spirit vein and headed to prepare the evening meal. This time, his martial aunt was present, allowing all three of them to dine together. Despite the apparent normalcy, Xiang Yu couldn't help but notice the tension between his master and martial aunt.
"Martial nephew, you truly are a genius," Elder Huang remarked. "Your formations are exceptionally impressive."
Xiang Yu acknowledged the compliment with a modest smile. "Actually, I have two more," he said, retrieving additional formation disks from his spatial ring. "Would you help me set them up?"
Elder Huang's initial surprise quickly gave way to delight. "Of course," she agreed readily, thinking to herself that Xiang Yu's cautious nature was truly commendable. The additional formations would further strengthen the sect's defenses.
"Also, take these," Xiang Yu continued, producing a substantial stack of talismans from his ring. He divided them into two equal portions, extending his hands toward both elders. "For both of you."
"Thank you," Elder Huang responded graciously, swiftly slapping away Elder Guo's hand as it reached for the talismans. She turned toward him with a pointed look. "Aren't you going to thank the Grand Elder?" she prompted, her tone leaving little room for refusal.
"No need!" Xiang Yu interjected hastily, rising from his seat. He wanted nothing to do with the obvious conflict between these two. In his mind, he hoped the special pills he had given Elder Guo would help resolve whatever issue had developed between them. Before departing, he offered his master a wink.
Back at the spirit spring, Xiang Yu fell into his now-familiar routine. He removed his outer robes and submerged himself in the shimmering waters.
As he prepared to release the bloodlines, different anxiety gripped him—not fear of the impending pain, which had become almost routine, but concern over Li Yao's absence from the sect.
He took several deep breaths, reassuring himself that nothing catastrophic would happen. His martial aunt had already established the protective and attacking formations, with two more to be added today. The sect should be adequately defended.
Having calmed his racing thoughts, Xiang Yu steeled his resolve and finally released control over his bloodlines, bracing himself for the now-familiar agony that would follow.
...
[Body Refining: 12th Layer (7000/12,000) (+1000/12,000)] 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
[Qi Gathering: 9th Layer (200/900) (+200/900)]
[Mind: Level 5 (600/5000) (+120/5000)]
[Soul: Infant (200/100,000) (+40/100,000)]
[Spiritual Root: Medium-Grade Omni-Element (160/2000)]
[Transcendent Dao Body: Level 1 (2230/1,000,000) (+10/1,000,000)]
[Chaos Body: Level 1 (1550/10,000) (+50/10,000)]
[Bloodline: Dragon, Phoenix: Common Blood (300/2000) (+100/2000)]
[Enlightenment: Superior (1180/4000) (+60/4000)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 5th Grade (150/50,000) (+10/50,000)]
[High-grade Lightning Strike & Palm: Minor Success (40/200)]
[High-grade Fire Palm: Intermediate (100/300)]
[High-grade Water, Wood, Earth, Metal Palm: Minor Success (144/200)]
[High-grade Ice, Wind, Light, Dark Palm: Minor Success (10/200)]
[Cook: 3rd Grade (90/700) (+30/700)]
[Appraiser: 5th Grade (100/500) (+100/500)]
[Talisman Maker: 6th Grade (10/400) (+10/400)]
[Alchemist, Formation Master, Blacksmith: 7th Grade (150/300) (+50/300)]
[Farmer: 9th Grade (10/100) (+10/100)]
[Experience Points Doubled]
[Farmer: 9th Grade (10/100) -> (20/100)]
[Alchemist, Formation Master, Blacksmith: 7th Grade (150/300) → 6th Grade (0/400)]
[Talisman Maker: 6th Grade (10/400) → 6th Grade (20/400)]
[Appraiser: 5th Grade (100/500) → 5th Grade (200/500)]
[Cook: 3rd Grade (90/700) → 3rd Grade (180/700)]
[High-grade Ice, Wind, Light, Dark Palm: Minor Success (10/200) → Minor Success (20/200)]
[High-grade Water, Wood, Earth, Metal Palm: Minor Success (144/200) → Intermediate (0/300)]
[High-grade Fire Palm: Intermediate (100/300) → Intermediate (200/300)]
[High-grade Lightning Strike & Palm: Minor Success (40/200) → Minor Success (80/200)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 5th Grade (150/50,000) → 5th Grade (300/50,000)]
[Enlightenment: Superior (1180/4000) → Superior (2360/4000)]
[Bloodline: Dragon, Phoenix: Common Blood (300/2000) → Common Blood (600/2000)]
[Chaos Body: Level 1 (1550/10,000) → Level 1 (3100/10,000)]
[Transcendent Dao Body: Level 1 (2230/1,000,000) → Level 1 (4460/1,000,000)]
[Spiritual Root: Medium-Grade Omni-Element (160/2000) → Medium (320/2000)]
[Soul: Infant (200/100,000) -> Infant (400/100,000)]
[Mind: Level 5 (600/5000) → Level 5 (1200/5000)]
[Qi Gathering: 9th Layer (200/900) → 9th Layer (400/900)]
[Body Refining: 12th Layer (7000/12,000) → 13th Layer (0/13,000)]
...
Xiang Yu felt the transformation ripple through his being as he broke through to the thirteenth layer of body refining. Power surged within him, his strength climbing to unprecedented heights. Even after the initial burst of energy settled, he could feel his physical prowess continuing to strengthen in the background, albeit a little slower.
He marveled silently at the true impressiveness of body refining cultivation. With his current physical strength alone—even without factoring in his qi capabilities—he felt confident he wouldn't lose in a rematch against the Core Formation expert he had previously defeated. Despite this confidence, Xiang Yu harbored no intention of testing this theory. Unnecessary combat remained firmly against his survival-focused philosophy.
His qi cultivation had broken through to the ninth stage during the bloodline stimulation session. After the system's doubling effect, he had gained four hundred points total. At this rate, he felt certain he could breakthrough to the tenth layer after the next reset, provided he maintained his current practice regimen. The prospect filled him with quiet satisfaction.
Following the doubling of his spiritual root points, Xiang Yu had begun noticing subtle changes in his qi absorption efficiency. Though the improvement remained too nascent to quantify precisely, he could feel the difference in how energy flowed into his meridians—smoother, with less resistance than before.
His enlightenment had made remarkable progress as well, already passing the halfway point. Just one more reset, and it would breakthrough to the next stage—a development he anticipated eagerly.
Most of his techniques advanced at their usual pace, with the fire palm technique being the only notable exception. It had already passed the halfway point and would likely breakthrough to the Major Success realm after the next reset.
Among his professional skills, cooking had increased by more points than usual, though Xiang Yu recognized this as a temporary boost—the result of preparing a third-grade spirit meal for Li Yao and packing her an entire week's worth of dishes.
His talisman making had gained only ten points due to his deliberate shift in focus, but this didn't concern him. Today, he would finally craft some sixth-grade talismans, a prospect that stirred genuine excitement within him.
His remaining professions—alchemy, formations, and blacksmithing—had all broken through to the sixth grade. Each advancement brought with it a flood of insights about these higher-level crafting techniques, expanding his capabilities exponentially.
After reviewing his daily progress, Xiang Yu closed the system screen with a sense of accomplishment. His advancement truly impressed even himself, exceeding the already ambitious expectations he had set.
The only aspect that left him somewhat dissatisfied was his qi refining progress. Though objectively rapid by any normal standard, he couldn't help feeling it still lagged behind his other attributes. At this rate, he might achieve invincibility while still technically remaining at the qi refining realm—not that this particularly troubled him.
With a slight shake of his head, Xiang Yu dismissed these thoughts as he stepped into his spiritual sea.