Half an incense stick's time passed quietly. Qian Renxue and Qian Renyou opened their eyes almost simultaneously, a trace of understanding flashing through them.
"Master, I understand." Two childish yet resolute voices rang out in the Sea of Consciousness, perfectly in sync.
"Mhm." Chen Qingxuan nodded and waved a hand. Gentle energy enveloped Qian Renxue's soul. "Xiao Xue, return to your body first."
The golden soul dispersed and merged into her body.
"Master, I want to go out and play too!" Seeing this, Qian Renyou hurried over to Chen Qingxuan's side. Her purple eyes blinked as she coquettishly pleaded, "Can you bring Qian Renxue back and let me go out for a stroll?"
Chen Qingxuan looked at her expectant gaze and said evenly, "There will be a chance later. Cultivate peacefully for now. Once your soul power surpasses Xiao Xue's, I'll let you out."
"Really?"
Qian Renyou's eyes lit up. She immediately clenched her little fists and nodded forcefully. "Alright! I'll cultivate hard and surpass her!"
With that, she turned around, sat cross-legged, and closed her eyes to begin comprehending the soul-nourishing method. Her silvery-white hair glimmered faintly amid the sea of clouds.
In the outside world, Qian Renxue suddenly opened her eyes, a trace of clarity flashing through her golden pupils.
She flipped out of bed and moved her limbs, feeling the familiar sensations coming from her body. A genuine smile appeared on her face. "Having a body feels so good."
Just then, she instinctively circulated her Soul Power, intending to summon her martial soul.
Light flickered behind her, and the vague phantom of the Six-Winged Angel emerged. Yet its holy wings were dim and lusterless, their edges even somewhat illusory, as though they could collapse at any moment.
After merely a few breaths, the phantom dispersed into the air like bubbles.
"How is that possible?" The smile on Qian Renxue's face froze instantly. She hurriedly inspected herself inwardly, only to find her dantian completely empty. The Soul Power that had once flowed freely was nowhere to be found, and even the two yellow and one purple Soul Rings within her body had vanished.
"Where is my Soul Power? Where are my Soul Rings? How could they be gone... gone..." Her voice trembled. Her golden pupils were filled with panic as her little hands clutched tightly at her collar.
"Master! Master!" She called out frantically in her mind, her voice carrying a sob. "My Soul Power is gone, and my Soul Rings are gone too! What exactly happened?"
Chen Qingxuan's voice sounded in her mind as he said slowly, "Xiao Xue, I crushed your Soul Power and Soul Rings."
"Cr-crushed?" Qian Renxue was struck dumb. Her entire body stiffened in place, her golden eyes widening round as all color drained from her face, leaving only deathly pallor.
Her lips parted, but her throat seemed blocked. After a long while, she managed to force out a few words. "C-can they be restored?"
"No." Chen Qingxuan's voice held not a ripple of emotion. "I crushed them myself. There is absolutely no possibility of recovery."
Qian Renxue's expression froze instantly. Then, as though all strength had been drained from her, her body swayed and she nearly fell.
Her gaze went from initial shock, to disbelief, to deep despair—those were the gifts she had taken pride in, the foundation of her confidence as Spirit Hall's young mistress, the support she had relied on to revitalize Spirit Hall in the future. Yet now, her master had personally crushed them, leaving not even the slightest possibility of recovery.
Tears quickly welled up in her golden eyes, and large teardrops rolled down without warning.
"Waaah—" The suppressed emotions finally erupted. Qian Renxue could no longer hold back. Squatting on the ground, she burst into loud sobs, her cries filled with despair and grievance.
"Why... why did you crush my Soul Power... It was mine... mine..." She cried her heart out, her tiny body trembling from violent sobs as though the sky had fallen.
"Although they cannot be restored, you can cultivate them again," Chen Qingxuan's voice sounded once more.
Her crying stopped abruptly.
Qian Renxue suddenly raised her head. Tears blurred her vision as she choked out, "Master... is that true? My Soul Power... can be cultivated again?"
"In my world, many people are extraordinarily gifted and possess exceptional power from birth. Some are even born as Spirit Transformation cultivators, or even Void Return cultivators."
Chen Qingxuan said slowly, "Yet such power is often personally shattered by their parents, after which they cultivate again step by step."
"Why?" Qian Renxue asked, confused and puzzled. "Isn't it good to be born with great power? Why destroy it?"
"Being born with power is naturally a good thing." Chen Qingxuan's voice carried a hint of distant profundity.
"But that power can also become shackles, limiting the path ahead of you. The more power you possess from birth, the greater the restrictions. One day, it will become a barrier to your advancement in cultivation and leave you unable to progress further."
Qian Renxue's face fell. Her little mouth puckered in disappointment. "Is my Innate Soul Power... really that poor and useless?"
"It is useful." Chen Qingxuan rejected her assumption. "Innate bone aptitude is divided into nine grades. The first is the lowest, and the ninth is the highest."
"Those born with power often possess better innate bone aptitude and may even awaken special constitutions."
"After dispersing your original cultivation and cultivating anew, the dispersed power will nourish your bone aptitude in return, making your potential even stronger."
"Your original bone aptitude was fifth-grade low quality. After absorbing your own Soul Power and Soul Rings, it has now risen to fifth-grade medium quality."
"Only fifth grade..." Qian Renxue muttered quietly, her face full of disappointment and the light gone from her golden eyes. "So low..."
"The first grade belongs to ordinary people. The second allows one to begin cultivating. The third counts as having some talent. The fourth already makes one a genius, while the fifth is worthy of being called a prodigy."
Chen Qingxuan comforted her, "Your talent is already very good. At the very least, in this world, it is enough to rank among the very best."
Qian Renxue raised her head and asked curiously, "Master, what grade are you?"
"Above the ninth grade," Chen Qingxuan said indifferently.
Qian Renxue froze. Her lips parted, but she said nothing more. Above the ninth grade... what kind of concept was that?
She could not imagine it. She could only bury that shock deep in her heart as her gaze gradually turned resolute—even if she was only fifth-grade medium quality now, she would still cultivate diligently. At the very least, she could not let her master look down on her.
"Xiao Xue, train your body and nourish your soul well." Chen Qingxuan's voice sounded again. "Once your body training reaches its peak, you can achieve Qi Induction. At that time, the vital energy you cultivate will naturally transform into Soul Power according to this world's rules. Then, you will be able to cultivate normally."
"Master, how long will I need before I can achieve Qi Induction?" Qian Renxue clenched her little fists, her eyes full of expectation.
"That depends on your talent and effort." Chen Qingxuan recalled, "Your master began learning martial arts at six, reached the peak of body training at eight, and successfully achieved Qi Induction, becoming a Qi Refinement cultivator. With your aptitude, it should happen quickly."
Qian Renxue's eyes instantly lit up, and all her previous dejection and despair were swept away. "Really, Master?"
"Xiao Xue, go inform your subordinates and have them gather medicinal herbs." Chen Qingxuan abruptly changed the subject. "All kinds of herbs, regardless of age. Prepare one of every kind and send them here as soon as possible."
Qian Renxue did not understand. "Master, what do you need medicinal herbs for?"
"Body training requires medicinal herbs as support, to brew body-tempering medicine," Chen Qingxuan explained. "If you want to achieve Qi Induction as soon as possible, these herbs are indispensable."
"Alright! I'll go right away!" Qian Renxue immediately nodded, turned, and hurried to the door. She pulled it open in one swift motion.
Outside, Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo were standing guard. Seeing the door open, they immediately stepped forward. "Young Mistress, do you have orders?"
Qian Renxue looked at Snake Lance Douluo, her tone somewhat urgent. "Uncle Snake Lance, I need a large quantity of medicinal herbs—all kinds and all ages. The more, the better, and the more complete, the better. Sorry for the trouble, but please have people prepare and deliver them as soon as possible."
Although Snake Lance Douluo was puzzled, he did not ask further. He bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes, Young Mistress. I will make the arrangements immediately." With that, he turned and headed toward the courtyard exit with brisk steps.
Qian Renxue watched his retreating figure until he disappeared beyond the courtyard gate. Only then did she slowly close the door and turn back into the room.
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