Xue Yao: You're the Strongest on Dragon Stream Peak

Mo Shuying actually cared deeply about the disciples of Dragon Stream Peak.

She merely shared the common failing of cultivators in this world—valuing geniuses while overlooking the ordinary.

And among this generation of Dragon Stream Peak disciples, the most gifted and outstanding was undoubtedly Xue Yao.

Mo Shuying had already come to regard Xue Yao as her little junior sister.

Even when, on the third day, Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi successively broke through, her fondness for Xue Yao did not diminish—yes, Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi had broken through as well, and their breakthroughs had caused quite a stir across Dragon Stream Peak.

It was simply that Zhong Ming had been immersed in cultivation at the time, with no mind to spare for such matters.

The breakthroughs of the other two did not lessen Mo Shuying's affection for Xue Yao.

Moreover, among Dragon Stream Peak's three heavenly talents, only Xue Yao lacked an impressive family background, yet she had been the first to break through. This made Mo Shuying cherish and care for her all the more.

Each day, Mo Shuying gave ordinary disciples only the time of one cup of tea to answer their questions, yet when giving Xue Yao private instruction, she spent at least the time of one incense stick.

And because of the influence of her Ice Spiritual Root, Xue Yao's temperament was somewhat detached. This led Mo Shuying not only to concern herself with her cultivation, but also to painstakingly plan her future path.

At this moment, she said to Xue Yao, "Xue Yao, it's time you found some companions too."

"Why?"

When the cool and aloof Xue Yao asked "why," her expression remained indifferent, almost entirely devoid of emotion.

If an ordinary person saw her icy expression, they would likely think she was questioning them in displeasure.

But Mo Shuying was different. Having spent a long time with Xue Yao, she had already understood her temperament.

She truly was puzzled, which was why she asked that question.

Her cool expression and detached voice were mostly the influence of her Ice Spiritual Root.

Sensing Xue Yao's sincerity, Mo Shuying naturally did not grow angry.

She glanced at Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi, both surrounded by large groups of people, then at Xue Yao, whose surroundings were utterly deserted. With a sigh, she said:

"With more teammates, you'll have more people to watch your back. When you take missions in the future, having teammates will make things safer for you... And teammates can spar with one another and exchange insights as well..."

Mo Shuying listed a great many benefits of having companions.

Though her nature was detached, Xue Yao knew who treated her well. And the words "spar with one another and exchange insights" stirred her somewhat.

Thus, after hearing her Senior Disciple Sister's words, she nodded, then—walked straight over to Zhong Ming.

"Can you become my companion?"

Her detached voice and direct words immediately jolted Zhong Ming awake from cultivation.

Looking at Xue Yao's cool, stunningly beautiful face and recalling her invitation, Zhong Ming's face filled with surprise. "Become companions? Why me?"

Zhong Ming was surprised. Mo Shuying, who had followed behind her, as well as Yi Yunya, Youlan, Jiang Yue, and the others who had been watching Xue Yao, were curious too.

As the most talented person in their class, if Xue Yao invited anyone to form a team, they would most likely agree.

That was why they could not understand why she had sought out Zhong Ming first.

Xue Yao, detached by nature, completely ignored the curious and appraising gazes around her.

She merely answered Zhong Ming's question of why she had chosen him as a teammate in her cool voice. Yet her answer left the entire scene silent.

"Because you are very strong. Stronger than me, stronger than all of us. I want to learn by your side."

"Can you become my... Can I become your companion?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

You're stronger than all of us. This answer exceeded everyone's expectations, including Zhong Ming's.

The excessively outrageous answer silenced the scene for a full three breaths.

After three breaths, buzzing discussions instantly erupted from every direction.

"Stronger than all of us? No, how could Miss Xue Yao possibly think that?"

"Exactly. We admit Zhong Ming has outstanding comprehension, but at most, he's on the same level as Commoner Disciples with Second-Class Spiritual Roots."

"Miss Xue Yao advanced to early Qi Condensation on the second day, while Miss Yi Yunya and Young Master Zhuang Yi both broke through on the third. Zhong Ming is still a mere mortal even now. He isn't even a cultivator—what does he have that lets him stand alongside those three?"

"..."

No one could understand Xue Yao's assessment.

At the same time, Xue Yao's words made everyone on Dragon Stream Peak scrutinize Zhong Ming from head to toe.

Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi did the same.

And this time, the calm expression of one who held every winning piece, which Yi Yunya usually wore, could no longer be maintained.

"Why would Xue Yao say that?"

"Is she trying to undermine my reputation by elevating him? But that's not right. That isn't her temperament, and she included herself in what she said."

"...Could Zhong Ming really be that strong?"

Thinking this, she even used a magical artifact to inspect Zhong Ming's condition.

Yet no matter how she looked, Zhong Ming seemed utterly unremarkable, with nothing worth noting.

And Zhong Ming's qi sea truly had not yet opened.

"Why?"

Filled with doubts but unable to find any answer, Yi Yunya turned her gaze toward Zhong Ming, wanting to know how he would respond.

As for Zhong Ming, his answer was naturally a shaking of the head in refusal.

All Zhong Ming wanted now was to cultivate. He had no desire to fight over empty prestige, because that represented trouble.

"Ahem, Miss Xue Yao, you misunderstand. I'm merely an ordinary mortal and unworthy of such praise from you. I haven't even opened my qi sea."

His words made Xue Yao tilt her head adorably. Then her voice, with little fluctuation yet boundless sincerity, sounded out: "Is this the humility Senior Sister spoke of?"

"..."

Xue Yao's answer truly made Zhong Ming unable to keep it together. Noticing that everyone's gazes toward him were growing increasingly strange, Zhong Ming hurriedly said:

"Of course not. Miss Xue Yao, you're mistaken. My strength truly is meager. I'm inferior to the three of you."

Xue Yao was merely detached by nature, not foolish. Sensing Zhong Ming's reluctance to stand in the spotlight, she did not press the matter further.

But neither did she leave. Instead, she asked Zhong Ming again, "Can I become your teammate?"

"...Thank you for thinking highly of me, Miss Xue Yao, but I..."

It was still the same reason. Zhong Ming only wanted to cultivate steadily for now and did not wish to invite trouble.

And Xue Yao was presently the number one person on Dragon Stream Peak, as well as a young girl with breathtaking beauty.

Someone like her naturally represented trouble, and Zhong Ming only wanted to stay far away from trouble.

Sensing Zhong Ming's attitude, Xue Yao's expression dimmed somewhat, and she looked a little disappointed.

But soon, she thought of something, and her eyes lit up.

"I can help you cultivate."

As she spoke, Xue Yao formed a hand seal, and a ray of spiritual light from a spell immediately descended upon Zhong Ming.

Buzz...

The instant the spell took effect, Zhong Ming felt an icy-cool sensation envelop his soul.

That coolness eased the exhaustion in his soul caused by using Intent Reading, and made his state of mind cool and clear.

Heart like a Mirror Lake, without a single ripple... Could the fourth stage of the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique be this clarity?

You have gained a new understanding of the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique. Cultivation method progress +17

"It really is..."

The effect of Heaven Rewards Diligence was never limited to gaining one point of cultivation method progress after completing a full round of cultivation. It was also like a lighthouse, shining ahead of Zhong Ming and allowing him to forever walk the correct path.

Avoiding detours—this alone was enough to make countless great cultivators burn with envy.

At this moment, relying on Heaven Rewards Diligence's constant reminders, Zhong Ming realized that if Xue Yao stayed by his side and continuously cast this spell on him, the improvement speed of his Dragon Creek Breathing Technique would increase by at least double.

At least, that was true before Stage 4.

From Stage 2: Proficient to Stage 3, the Experience Points cap for my Dragon Creek Breathing Technique is 8,100 points.

There will definitely be even more from Stage 3 to Stage 4.

If I grind it out purely by myself, even with Heaven Rewards Diligence and Intent Reading, it'll still take me two or three months to reach Stage 3.

As for Stage 4, who knows how long that will take.

Raising his Fundamental Cultivation Method to Stage 3 in two or three months was actually very fast.

Normally, cultivators needed at least two or three years to raise a cultivation method to Stage 3.

And that was for those with some comprehension.

For the slower-witted, five years, seven years, or even ten years were all possible.

Two or three months to match the progress of others over several years—Zhong Ming's progress could be called a soaring leap.

But if that speed could be increased further, Zhong Ming naturally would not refuse. Besides:

"Other than comprehending clarity, this state can restore my Mental Strength and improve my comprehension. It will also greatly help me cultivate my other techniques."

Having discovered that Xue Yao could help him, Zhong Ming's attitude immediately changed.

"Though my strength is meager, if Miss Xue Yao does not mind, then of course I am willing to join."

"Please guide me well from now on."