Using the Arcane Magic Blade at Noon

When Wu Ming saw Zhu Ying, Zhu Ying also raised her gaze and saw Wu Ming.

The young girl's expression instantly became a mix of pleasant surprise and worry. She stepped in front of Wu Ming in a single stride, unable to stop herself from complaining.

"How did you end up covered in blood?! You sent a letter a few days ago saying you wanted to stay here for a few more days, and Master was very worried about you. She sent me over to check on you, and sure enough, you really can't be left unsupervised..."

Before she could finish, Zhu Ying felt a wave of joy, like a gale-force wind, rush toward her. Then, she was pulled into a pair of strong arms.

The girl's body stiffened instantly. "You, what are you doing? Let go, quickly..."

However, having achieved a great victory and seeing a loved one, Wu Ming felt his joy doubled. He couldn't help but hug her even tighter, laughing, "Haha, Senior Sister! Long time no see! Why are you still so thin and small!?"

"!? Has your brain broken? Let go!"

"Senior Sister, I just cleared an important node! Everything went exactly as I expected. Once we get back to the sect, I'll show you the walkthrough!"

"You! I'm going to get angry!"

"Haha, don't be angry, don't be angry. Senior Sister, let me lift you up!"

Bang!

The next moment, the deliriously happy Wu Ming was smashed face-first into the dirt by a single, chilling Heaven-Turning Seal. Half his body was buried, and the clothes on his back instantly frosted over!

The Foundation Establishment mid-stage senior sister of the Gujian Sect hovered in mid-air, filled with rage. Her invisible pressure seemed to condense into tangible gravity, causing the very air to stagnate.

At the same time, the five Luohuang Mountain Qi Refiners who had intended to intervene very consciously tucked their heads in, acting as obedient as quails. None of them dared to say a word.

Just kidding—even though they were at the peak of Qi Refining and the three of them combined could even capture a Foundation Establishment early-stage Li Yao from Taoyuan to help Wu Ming finish off his enemies... this person before them was simply too far out of their league. It wouldn't matter how many lives they threw at her; they could only wish Wu Ming the best of luck!

Liu Sanlang was so shocked he nearly bit his tongue. The greeting he had prepared died in his throat.

Only Zhang Miao, watching the senior sister and junior brother pair of Zhu Ying and Wu Ming, had her eyes shift slightly, reflecting a hint of joy as if she had discovered a new dessert.

So... this is edible too?

A moment later, Zhu Ying finally dissipated her anger. She pulled Wu Ming out of the dirt and wiped the blood from his face... her delicate brows furrowed, showing a hint of heartache.

"You really are... acting like a madman while you're still injured! Are you alright?"

Wu Ming had finally calmed down by now. He shook his head and laughed, "I'm fine. Senior Sister still held back. That cold seal just now was much better than the one from when I woke up earlier..."

"...I think you really don't want to get better!"

"Actually, I'm doing quite well right now. I've already passed the halfway mark of the fourth stage of Qi Refining!"

"!?"

Zhu Ying was truly shocked. Upon hearing this, her cat-like pupils narrowed. After a flicker of spiritual light drifted through her eyes, she immediately confirmed Wu Ming's cultivation: he had truly jumped an entire stage in just ten days! It was comparable to months of bitter cultivation!

For a moment, the young girl was dazed, unable to believe her eyes.

This... is this even possible?!

Wu Ming smiled, just about to show his senior sister the progress he had made in other areas, when he heard an involuntary cough from behind him.

It was Yi Yi. Although he was trying his best to suppress it, he still coughed in muffled bursts, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Clearly, the backlash from the battle to forcibly seize the old scholar of Qinghe Village had been severe. After that, they had traveled at high speed, and even with the solid foundation of someone from Luohuang Mountain, he had reached the point of exhaustion.

Wu Ming could not help but restrain his smile, revealing a look of apology.

"My apologies, I forgot that you all are still injured. Let's head back as soon as possible to rest and recuperate. Once you've recovered, I'll introduce you to my senior sister!"

Yi Yi looked at Wu Ming and sighed, "As expected of a young Dao Seed, this energy of yours is truly enviable... We do indeed need to recuperate as soon as possible. Let us meet again tonight."

Afterward, he managed to bow to Zhu Ying, only to be seized by another fit of violent coughing. He could barely maintain his standing position, needing his black-clad, masked companion to pull him along.

Although Liu Sanlang and Zhang Miao were not injured, they knew better than to linger.

"In that case, we won't disturb your reunion. We shall see you tonight... Miaomiao, be good, we'll see them tonight!"

After Zhang Miao left, looking back with reluctance, Wu Ming turned to look at his senior sister again and smiled.

"Senior sister, have you eaten? There are a few decent restaurants in this town..."

Zhu Ying interrupted him rather stiffly, "No need, I'm not hungry."

Wu Ming looked down at her noticeably flat stomach and tilted his head.

Zhu Ying said angrily, "I said I'm not hungry! And my stomach didn't growl!"

Wu Ming said, "Well then... stir-fried noodles, diced meat in bean sauce, shrimp with cabbage, braised chicken feet..."

Gurgle!

In her shame and anger, a fierce glint flashed in Zhu Ying's cat-like eyes. Just as she was about to manifest the Heaven-Turning Seal again, Wu Ming grabbed her hand and pulled her toward a restaurant in the center of town.

"It's rare for you to visit, senior sister. We must at least try some local specialties."

Zhu Ying sighed and whispered, "I checked when I arrived. This town is built next to an Immortal Mansion, so the prices are quite high... I brought dry rations, there's no need to be wasteful."

Wu Ming said, "Put it all on Liu San's tab."

Zhu Ying still objected, "The benefits of a noble family aren't so easily taken."

Wu Ming smiled, "At worst, we can just let the Liu Family increase the tariffs for our Gujian Sect. Come on, it's rare for you to be here, you should at least let your junior brother play the host."

Zhu Ying was both annoyed and amused, "...You've only been here for ten days, what kind of host are you?"

Although she said this, after a few rounds of tugging, the young girl finally stopped refusing. Instead, she curiously followed behind Wu Ming, venturing deeper into the center of the small town—not long ago, when she had arrived on the cheapest Qingluan Imperial Carriage, she hadn't dared to venture into the bustling areas.

In truth, when it came to the scenery of the town, this remote place could in no way compare to the prefecture city of Wu Commandery. Although Zhu Ying rarely descended the mountain, she was not lacking in experience when it came to witnessing prosperity.

However, the scenery built right next to the Immortal Mansion, designed almost entirely to serve it, was truly novel!

The two did not walk far before Wu Ming turned into an unassuming little storefront. Once they crossed the threshold, a whole new world opened up inside. A clear, humid breeze brushed against their faces, making Zhu Ying shake her head instinctively.

Not far away, a middle-aged shopkeeper in a brown robe smiled and said, "Isn't this Young Hero Wu? What brings you to grace my humble shop with your presence at noon today? And is this your Junior Sister beside you?"

Wu Ming quickly corrected him, "Senior Sister, my Eldest Senior Sister!"

The middle-aged man hurriedly cupped his hands in apology, "My eyes are dim; I failed to recognize a Foundation Establishment expert. Please, Daoist, forgive my offense."

This display of courtesy made Zhu Ying feel uncomfortable once again. Subconsciously, she took half a step behind Wu Ming, not wanting to engage in pleasantries with the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper added, "The usual spot, Young Hero Wu?"

Wu Ming nodded, "That's right. As for the dishes, I hope the chefs will put in some extra effort. My Senior Sister has a refined palate!"

"I shall see to it personally!"

Soon after, a maidservant came forward to lead the way. After walking along a winding corridor for a while, they arrived at an elegant room. Not long after Wu Ming and Zhu Ying took their seats, various exquisite appetizers were brought in like a flowing stream.

Wu Ming greeted his tense Senior Sister, urging her to start eating, while introducing the unique qualities of the dishes. The more he spoke, the more spirited he became, not at all like someone who had just experienced a brush with death.

However, Zhu Ying seemed to perceive Wu Ming's underlying weakness. For a moment, even the delicacies tasted like nothing to her.

Seeing this, Wu Ming stopped insisting. He dismissed the attendants, closed the door, and asked, "Is Senior Sister worried about my safety?"

Zhu Ying replied, "Everyone is worried about you. It was supposed to be just an opportunity to gain some early experience through the Immortal Guiding Envoy, usually lasting three to five days, but you've been gone for ten. Although you sent letters back, they were quite vague."

Wu Ming explained, "Some matters are of extreme importance, and the postal service here isn't exactly secure. That's why your arrival today is perfect; there are some things I need to tell you in person."

Zhu Ying grew tense, her face filled with concern, "Have you run into trouble?"

"On the contrary, I have encountered a heaven-sent opportunity..."

Afterward, Wu Ming recounted his experiences over the past ten days.

During the telling, Zhu Ying's expression changed repeatedly. Especially when she heard of Wu Ming's wild, imaginative ideas, she would clench her teeth, forcing herself not to scold him. But when she heard the end—that Wu Ming had successfully absorbed the lingering echo of the old scholar from Qinghe Village and broken through a barrier that almost no one had managed to breach for hundreds of years...

Zhu Ying finally let out a long sigh of relief, only to realize that, without noticing, she had bitten her lip until it bled.

Wu Ming handed her a cup of tea and smiled, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for not treating what I said as a work of fiction."

Zhu Ying sighed, "Stories wouldn't be as... exaggerated as what you've told!"

Taking a sip of tea, Zhu Ying asked again, "So, do you intend to stay here and persist until you break into the Immortal Mansion?"

Wu Ming said, "There are still many details to prepare, but that is the general plan. This opportunity is truly rare; the Immortal Guiding Envoys from Luohuang Mountain can save me at least a few years of trouble! If I relied on myself alone, I fear I would have to grind until the late stage of Qi Refining before I even had a chance to attempt the breakthrough."

Zhu Ying pondered for a moment before saying, "Since your mind is made up, I suppose there is no use in me trying to persuade you. Besides, every time I tried to persuade you in the past, the result only proved that you were right."

Wu Ming said in surprise, "Please, Senior Sister, do not be discouraged by this! Without your stern admonishments, your character persona will no longer be complete!"

Zhu Ying ruffled his hair with annoyance, "Of course I won't be discouraged! No matter what you achieve, I will always be your Senior Sister!"

Afterward, Zhu Ying pulled off her small backpack, placed it on the edge of the table, and said, "Master actually guessed that you might not be able to return to the mountain for the time being, so he asked me to bring these things to you."

Inside the backpack were two thin booklets and a bottle of pills.

"These are some follow-up cultivation insights for the Spring Encounter Book, along with the Searing Autumn Scripture. Both belong to the Three Pure Ones Orthodox Method and can complement the Spring Encounter Book. As for the pills, they are Spirit Gathering Pills. There is nothing particularly rare about them; they were simply refined by Junior Sister Ling Xi herself. After her Spirit Field matured, she had a harvest of several types of spirit herbs, so she happened to use them to refine a batch. No one else has a use for them right now, so they are perfect for you."

After a pause, Zhu Ying added, "Also, your mana has been advancing by leaps and bounds during this time. I wonder if your progress in the Root Stance and Green Pine Stance has kept up? Before I came, Master specifically asked me to keep an eye on your cultivation and, if the opportunity arose, to teach you a few forms of body-tempering techniques. Since there is no Rootless Path here, you must use unconventional physical techniques to assist you when consolidating your Root Stance..."

Listening to his Senior Sister's gentle nagging, Wu Ming felt as if a pair of tender hands were massaging him... The soaring pride from the great victory at the Immortal Mansion and the unexpected joy of meeting a friend in a foreign land all melted into a warm, cozy comfort.

Before he knew it, his head tilted to the side, and his eyelids grew heavy.

Ah, as expected... no matter how focused a person is, they are no match for a homeroom teacher reciting scriptures.

Thanks to Meng Zhi Kai En, Chi Bao Bao Shui Bao Bao, and Beng Xing Jue Yuan for the tips!

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