Mu Qinlian was sitting on the ground of a small cave, her legs crossed in a meditation posture.
Her entire body was bathed in the energy of heaven and earth, a vibrant current that coursed through every fiber of her being. Her breathing was steady, deep, and even as she absorbed that powerful energy. After a long while, she sighed audibly, stretching slowly before standing up. The sensation of power flowed within her, warm and comforting.
Her clothing, which had brushed against the ground during meditation, instantly cleaned itself as if it had never been stained or wrinkled.
"Little Mu, you have finally reached the peak of the fifth stage," a clear voice said inside her mind, serene yet full of authority.
Mu Qinlian nodded softly, her lips curving into a faint smile.
"It is all Master's doing," she murmured gratefully.
"Do not overestimate yourself. Your Celestial Spiritual Root is also a great support in your cultivation. Even with my guidance, it would take you much longer to reach perfection if you had an ordinary root," the voice in her mind explained calmly.
Mu Qinlian nodded in silence as she walked out of the small cave. The light outside illuminated her figure, and the energy surrounding her stabilized little by little, hiding beneath her tranquil appearance.
"Junior Sister Mu Qinlian, what a surprise to run into you at this moment."
Upon hearing the voice, Mu Qinlian's face instantly turned cold, devoid of all emotion, as if an invisible barrier had descended over her.
"Hello, Senior Brother Liu Rufeng," she replied indifferently.
Liu Rufeng, with a somewhat forced smile, approached her.
"You have been cultivating too much. Although your foundation is very stable, your mind could deteriorate if you continue for so long without a break. How about we go for a walk to clear it?"
Mu Qinlian shook her head gently.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Liu Rufeng, but I have some matters to attend to, so I must leave."
"Oh, really? What a pity... next time then," he said, taking a step back, although a certain discontent persisted in his gaze.
Having no interest in prolonging the conversation, Mu Qinlian said a brief goodbye and left quickly, giving him no opportunity to add anything else.
"Is that guy still pursuing you? His skin is too thick; at this rate, his face will fall off from insisting so much," the voice in her mind remarked with evident disdain. "If you find him troublesome, I can play a small trick to make him stay in bed for half a year."
"That's not necessary, Master," she replied calmly. Although she disliked his servile attitude, he was nothing more than a minor annoyance not worth attending to. "I am going to visit Senior Brother."
"Oh, Wu Huang?" the voice said, as if remembering him. "He has a good head on his shoulders... it's a pity his cultivation is disappointing and his Spiritual Root is just as poor."
"Do not speak of him that way," Mu Qinlian retorted, her face turning cold instantly.
"Oh, little Mu gets defensive when I mention her beloved. Don't worry, I won't insult him anymore," the voice said in a teasing tone.
Mu Qinlian blushed slightly upon hearing the word beloved, but she did not directly deny it.
"Senior Brother would be upset if he heard you," she replied, looking away as she continued on her way.
"It is something that will eventually happen if you don't let him go," the voice said, shifting to a more serious tone. "Though with his talent, his lifespan will be limited. I recommend setting those feelings aside."
Mu Qinlian fell silent for a moment before asking:
"Master... do you want me to abandon Senior Brother?"
"It's not that I like saying it, but you know very well that the difference between the lifespan of a mortal and that of a cultivator is abysmal. If you hold onto those feelings, you will only end up hurt... and your Dao Heart could shatter."
Mu Qinlian lowered her gaze slightly, but her voice was firm.
"I like Senior Brother."
The voice in her mind sighed.
"I know, child. And I'm not going to stop you; that is not my duty," she said with a certain gentleness. "But since you insist... why don't you consider the proposal of dual cultivation that I made to you?"
Mu Qinlian's face immediately flushed red. Although it was only for an instant, she soon returned to her usual cold expression.
"Master, do not say such things."
"Don't dismiss it so quickly. After all, it would be beneficial for both of you. Although you would have to moderate yourselves a bit due to the difference in realms, the net result would be positive," the voice insisted, with a playful edge.
"Do not mention it," she replied directly, ignoring her as she continued walking.
"Foolish girl... eventually you will ask me to teach it to you," the voice added before gradually fading away.
Mu Qinlian sighed and put a hand to her face.
"Seduce Senior Brother...?" she murmured to herself, before shaking her head. "No... I want a healthy relationship, nothing of that sort."
She continued moving toward the servants' residence, but suddenly an unexpected scene made her stop in her tracks.
"Senior Brother...?" she whispered.
In the distance, she saw Wu Huang walking alongside another person: a small maiden with red hair. Both were moving forward while conversing, seemingly animated, as if they were close. From Mu Qinlian's eyes, the scene was particularly striking... almost uncomfortable.
Of course, reality was very different: they were barely exchanging a few words, and the atmosphere between them was actually somewhat awkward. But for someone watching from a distance, especially with certain feelings in her heart, that could be interpreted in a very different way.
She watched them walk and talk for a good while, until their figures faded into the distance. She remained motionless for a few more seconds, as if expecting them to return, but finally lowered her gaze and silently turned around. Without saying a word, she set off on the way back to her cave.
At some point, Liu Rufeng appeared again and tried to say something to her, but Mu Qinlian's mind was not there. His words passed right by her like the wind, leaving no trace. She ignored him completely and continued on her way without stopping.
When she finally reached the cave, she did not sit or hesitate. Her lips parted and she uttered a single sentence:
"Master... teach me the Charming Eye technique."
There was a brief silence, as if the voice in her mind were observing her closely.
"I knew you would accept in the end," she replied with a mischievous smile, impossible to see but clearly perceptible in her tone.