Chapter 84: I Truly Never Meant to Be a Rebellious Disciple!

Cao Xuan was somewhat puzzled, but respectfully took his seat. Did his master have further insights about breaking through to the Golden Core?

Yu Wan was conflicted within; she couldn’t understand why her face was flushed. The cultivation method her disciple had developed certainly made one blush and heart race, but its effectiveness was beyond question.

Looking at Li Yao, it was clear. Although, by the standards of inferior, average, and superior spiritual roots, Li Yao possessed superior roots like them. But in finer detail, she had only eight-forged spiritual roots, a notch below Yu Wan and Cao Xuan’s nine-forged roots. That tiny gap, though almost negligible, would, in Yu Wan’s opinion, mean that Ye Caixian or Xing Mengfan should break through to the late Foundation Establishment faster than Li Yao.

Yet in reality, the other two were still at the peak of mid Foundation Establishment, while Li Yao had already reached the mid-stage of late Foundation Establishment.

Yu Wan mused inwardly, “There are countless cultivation methods—some train amid mountain gales, others temper their bodies in icy pools. Cao Xuan’s method is just another form of cultivation.”

“It may look embarrassing, but the results are undeniable.”

Having made up her mind, Yu Wan waved her hand, instantly storing her clothes in her storage pouch.

Cao Xuan had just resettled cross-legged when he saw his master before him, resembling a jade Guanyin seated in meditation. Even with her plain dress, he had sensed her voluptuous figure; now, revealed, it was unmistakable.

Since she was sitting directly opposite him, his gaze instinctively wandered toward her dantian. Instantly, his mind summoned the panel.

[Name: Yu Wan]
[Spiritual Root: Nine-Forged]
[Multiplier: 80 times]
[Trait: Butterfly]

“So this is how Master’s eightyfold multiplier comes about!”

“A patch of fragrant grass, fluttering butterflies!”

Once Yu Wan understood, her hesitation vanished. Her expression turned fervent, like a devout seeker, and hearing Cao Xuan’s whispered words, she asked in surprise, “Eightyfold? Butterfly?”

But her eagerness to pursue the Dao overrode her curiosity, and she solemnly said, “A year ago, you comprehended a method and have tested it on Yao’er for a year now!”

‘A true master can learn from their disciple; I’m not too proud to seek instruction from you.’

With these words, Yu Wan suddenly stood up and spread her arms.

“I lack experience, and before, I only observed briefly. The specifics, the practice—it’s up to you, my disciple!” Yu Wan was too embarrassed to admit she had actually studied quite a bit and understood many techniques.

Yet, like cultivation itself, everyone sits cross-legged in seclusion, but the internal methods and cycles differ greatly. One cannot be careless in cultivation; Yu Wan didn’t believe that just observing the surface would let her replicate the practice perfectly.

Otherwise, why not try it with Li Zhiyun, a fellow female cultivator? Even if they didn’t get along, it would be easier than seeking her male disciple.

Having overcome her mental hurdle, Yu Wan let go. Seeing Cao Xuan remain motionless, she glanced down at herself and mocked,

“Though your master has cultivated for a hundred years, I dare say I’ve kept myself quite well!”

“So? Are you still concerned about appearances, thinking your master is not as young and beautiful as your senior sister?”

Yu Wan put her hands on her hips, raising her right hand instinctively in admonition:

“This is where I must correct you. Should a cultivator care about looking dashing while practicing a technique, or focus solely on power rather than elegance?”

“The body is but a rosy skeleton.” Yu Wan waved her hand, causing even her thunder to sway for lack of clothing.

“Though you’ve developed a different dual cultivation method, its essence lies in the cycles of internal energy. If you’re too concerned with appearances, how will you ever improve?”

Her manner was one of bitter disappointment, tapping her chest and pointing at Cao Xuan with a finger in the air, continuing, “I possess nine-forged spiritual roots and am at the peak of Foundation Establishment, perhaps even a pseudo-Core cultivator.”

“If we cultivate together, perhaps before the Azure Cloud Conference, you, just entering the peak of Foundation Establishment, could advance further!”

“I deliberately sent Yao’er away for your benefit—can’t you see my good intentions?”

As she spoke, her cheeks reddened. “Otherwise, with Yao’er’s temperament, she’d be clinging to you for dual cultivation these days, but the results would never match your master’s!”

Yu Wan believed her cultivation and spiritual roots surpassed Li Yao’s. All three practiced the ‘Cloud Rune Formula.’ If her disciples could cultivate together, there was no reason she, their master, couldn’t.

So even if she didn’t know the specifics, Yu Wan trusted she could manage dual cultivation as well.

Seeing Yu Wan baring herself so openly before him, Cao Xuan’s blood surged. He covered his nose with his left hand, reaching out with his right. “Master, say no more—I understand!”

“But could you let me catch my breath first?”

Yu Wan frowned, glanced at herself, and felt a pang of sadness.

“Am I truly old now? Unable to match young people’s tastes?”

Cao Xuan, unaware of Yu Wan’s thoughts, might have quipped, “When young, one doesn’t appreciate mature women—mistaking girls for treasures!”

At this moment, he was troubled by one thing: “I just fantasized—I never truly intended to rebel against my master!”

Seeing Yu Wan so earnest, he wondered, “Is today really the day I pay my respects with a full measure of filial devotion?”

Yu Wan, observing Cao Xuan’s inaction, sighed, flicked her right hand, and draped a green robe over her shoulders. She waved dismissively, “Forget it—I won’t force you…”

Before she finished, her lips were sealed by Cao Xuan, and she was toppled onto the bed!

“Mmm—”

Yu Wan’s eyes widened in shock, barely catching her breath before a wave of sensation struck. Her tongue was forced out, and she rolled her eyes.

She instinctively protested, “How dare you… Master never said you could kiss…”

…

The night passed in silence. As dawn broke, Li Yao woke from her cultivation, opened her cabin door, and instinctively glanced toward her master’s cabin, but found no movement.

Feeling the wards still active inside, she knew her master was still instructing her junior brother.

“Sigh, junior brother has already broken through to the peak of Foundation Establishment; I must hurry too!”

“But when I cultivate alone, it never feels as efficient as when I’m with him!”

She pouted, feeling her master was delaying her progress.

Still, she knew she couldn’t always rely on Brother Cao; she had to cultivate on her own as well.

Yesterday’s session hadn’t increased her true essence much, but she felt a subtle tremor in her soul.

It meant that Cao Xuan had laid a solid foundation for her, and now it was erupting, boosting her spirit.

Cultivation needs a balance—training with Cao Xuan is one way, but solo cultivation is another.

…

In the cabin, Yu Wan pushed Cao Xuan aside, caressing her belly, where her disciple had inscribed a heart-shaped talisman.

“This talisman actually contains the power to gather essence, mind, and energy!”