Things in the fantasy world were difficult to learn and required a certain amount of talent, but some things were incredibly, incredibly convenient. Take making a refrigerator, for example.
In the modern world, making a refrigerator required many steps and parts. Here, all Ye Yun had to do was inscribe a set of ice formations on a large cabinet. That was exactly what he was doing now. Along the way, he had also used the leftover materials to make a hot pot and an ordinary iron sword to practice with.
The refrigerator was finished, and it was nearly time for lunch. Using his ability to control objects, Ye Yun flew back to his room, sitting on the crude refrigerator alongside the fan. After putting them away, he headed to the dining hall.
Zhang Xiaofan really did have a talent for cooking. It was a shame that no one on Great Bamboo Peak had taught him, and that there weren't many ingredients available. Even so, his cooking was already quite good. After all, Qingyun Mountain was rich in spiritual energy, and the ingredients were full of it, making them exceptionally delicious to begin with.
When Ye Yun entered the dining hall, he realized he was a little late. Everyone on Great Bamboo Peak was there except Du Bishu, who had already gone down the mountain. But under Tian Buyi's influence, Great Bamboo Peak didn't have many rules and regulations, so Ye Yun apologized and hurried to his seat. No one else minded, though Tian Ling'er did give him a knowing look, reminding him not to forget their agreement.
With the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament approaching, everyone went back to cultivate after lunch. Even Tian Ling'er, who was usually so lively, obediently went to cultivate in Tai Chi Cave. She rarely went there to cultivate, which showed how much pressure the tournament was putting on them.
Watching everyone work hard at their cultivation, Ye Yun thought it over, then finally went to find his mistress, Su Ru, who was reading in the study.
Su Ru looked at her husband's favorite disciple, standing before her, with warmth in her eyes. She had raised Ye Yun as her own son all these years, and he had made her proud. In just three short years, he had reached the sixth level of Jade Purity, surpassing even Lin Jingyu of Dragon Head Peak. He was also so considerate that it almost made her heart ache. He never came to see her without a reason, so she asked, "Xiao Ba, have you come to see your mistress because you need something again?"
Since he had come all this way, there was no reason to hesitate. Ye Yun spoke frankly. "Mistress, I've broken through to the seventh level, so I came to ask you to teach me the next level of the cultivation method."
"What? You've broken through to the seventh level? How is that possible? You only reached the sixth level three months ago. How could you advance so quickly?" Su Ru looked utterly disbelieving. Ye Yun was a genius, but he couldn't possibly have advanced that fast.
Suddenly, Su Ru thought of a possibility. She crouched down and grabbed Ye Yun's hands, her face full of worry. "Xiao Yun, did you take the pills you refined yourself to speed up your cultivation? You absolutely mustn't! You're still young, and you don't need to take part in the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. Don't do anything reckless."
"Mistress, it's not what you think. The reason I advanced so quickly is that I haven't been seriously chopping bamboo lately. I've been using the time to cultivate instead. And it wasn't just three months. I reached the sixth level a long time ago, but I used my spiritual power to nourish my body, so I didn't ask you for the next cultivation method. You won't blame me, will you?" Ye Yun looked up at Su Ru somewhat guiltily. When he saw that her expression hadn't changed, he felt much more at ease. He couldn't help it. Even if he told them the truth about his actual situation, Su Ru and the others wouldn't believe him. Breaking through one level every four or five months was something even Ancestor Qing Ye had never managed. They wouldn't believe anyone could be more talented than him.
Su Ru took a deep breath before she could calm her excitement. This boy really did love surprising her! Reaching the seventh level in three years meant he was already on par with Ancestor Qing Ye. And from what he said, he had spent all these years using his spiritual power to nourish his body, which meant this wasn't even his limit. If he cultivated to his heart's content, perhaps he could reach the ninth level by the time of the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. Among the disciples, that would make him nearly invincible.
Su Ru patted Ye Yun's head and smiled. "Good boy. How could your mistress blame you? How about this: I'll teach you all the remaining foundational techniques. You wanted to take part in the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, didn't you? If you reach the ninth level before registration, I'll let you compete."
"Are you serious, Mistress?" Ye Yun's breathing quickened.
"Of course I am. When have I ever lied to you?" Su Ru said with a stern face, pretending to be angry.
Ye Yun chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "Mistress, I'm just so excited. Oh, right—why not teach me the Upper Purity cultivation method too, while you're at it? That'll save you the trouble next time."
Su Ru lightly tapped Ye Yun on the head and laughed. "You little rascal. You're so young, and already reaching beyond your grasp. Do you think the Shangqing Realm is easy to enter? But since you've given me such a wonderful surprise, I'll indulge you this time. And I promise you this: if you reach the ninth level before the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, whenever you reach it, I'll have your master teach you the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Spell. How does that sound?"
Ye Yun was overjoyed when he heard this. "For the sake of that promise, Mistress, I'd risk my life to reach the ninth level before the tournament! I'm going back to cultivate now. Just wait—soon you'll be asking Master to teach me the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Spell!"
"Good. I'll be waiting for your good news." As she spoke, Su Ru picked up a book from the table and handed it to Ye Yun. The cover bore the five characters "Tai Chi Qing Xuan Dao."
After saying goodbye to Su Ru, Ye Yun went straight to his private chamber in Tai Chi Cave. He studied the manual in his hands, confirmed that it contained the cultivation methods for Jade Purity and the levels beyond, then began cultivating again. As Ye Yun started, the spiritual energy in the chamber quickly gathered around him, then slowly seeped into his body.
There was no sense of time in cultivation. When someone focused wholeheartedly on a single task, they couldn't feel time passing. Ye Yun was no exception. By the time he emerged from Tai Chi Cave, the sky was full of stars. When he returned to his little courtyard, he saw that the lights were still on. He pushed the door open and saw a familiar figure—one he knew better than anyone—slumped over the table. A delicate food box sat in front of her.
"Senior Sister!" In an instant, tears blurred Ye Yun's vision. At that moment, all he could see was that red figure.
It was a long while before Ye Yun slowly came to his senses. Carefully, he carried Tian Ling'er to the bed, took off her shoes, and tucked her in. Though summer days on Great Bamboo Peak were hot, the nights could still be chilly.
After finishing, Ye Yun realized how hungry he was. He didn't care that the food in the box had gone cold. He grabbed his chopsticks and dug in, quickly devouring every dish.
When he had finished eating, Ye Yun set down his bowl and chopsticks and glanced at Tian Ling'er, who was sleeping soundly. He fetched some cold water to wash up, then lay down on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep. Only after Ye Yun had dozed off did the plump figure hidden in the courtyard's shadows quietly leave.
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