Chapter Thirty-One: The Valley Takes Shape

Shi Xiaolin saw her master descending the stairs with a furious expression. She dared not ask too many questions and quickly pulled her younger brother forward to pay her respects, with Shi Jinan following suit.

Tang Wei, seeing her two disciples, couldn't bear to keep a stern face. She stepped forward, took Xiaolin's hand, and asked gently, "Xiaolin, Xiaohu, you've been home for over ten days. Did you have a good time? I hope you didn't neglect your cultivation?"

The siblings hurriedly assured her that they would never fail their master's teachings, insisting that they had practiced diligently every day. After probing their spiritual energy, Tang Wei nodded in appreciation, commending her hardworking disciples and encouraging them to persist, hoping they would achieve Foundation Establishment soon. She then changed the subject, telling them not to stand on ceremony in the future—they were all family and could be more relaxed together.

Xiaolin immediately agreed, bowing once more, while Tang Wei shook her head, silently blaming Shi Zaiwei. Children barely in their teens had been taught to behave like little adults.

Every time, she would urge them to be less formal and more at ease, but the next meeting would always be the same. While such formal respect made her feel honored, over time it created a sense of distance, making her feel like an outsider. Tang Wei regretted this, but she couldn't force them to change—she would have to wait until they understood on their own.

After casually asking a few questions, Tang Wei sent the three off to rest. Before leaving, Xiaolin conveyed Shi Zaiwei's message: his gratitude for her help to the Shi family, and their willingness to serve her in any way she needed.

She also mentioned something Tang Wei cared about most: if Tang Wei wanted to move into the bamboo house soon, she could place some braziers inside to dry out the dampness; in about ten days, it would be habitable.

Once the Shi family trio entered their room, Tang Wei's face fell. She sighed and muttered, "Being a master is so troublesome. I have to act dignified all the time—it's exhausting. When will they finally relax so I can, too?"

After sitting dazed for several minutes, she suddenly stood up and called, "Zixuan!"

Zixuan, who had been lurking nearby, immediately stepped forward. "Weiwei, what do you need?"

"Come up to my room for a moment," Tang Wei said, heading upstairs, not noticing Zixuan's eyes practically turning into hearts.

Hearing that Tang Wei wanted him in her room, Zixuan's mind filled with delightful fantasies. He even chuckled to himself as he raced upstairs, flung open the door, and found Tang Wei drawing the curtains. Excited, he grabbed her hand. "Weiwei, you finally agreed!"

Tang Wei, seeing him so energetic, couldn't guess what he was thinking. "Agreed to what?"

"No need to be embarrassed. You called me up here to kiss me, right? We're boyfriend and girlfriend—what's there to be shy about?" Zixuan replied as if it were obvious.

Tang Wei glared at him, enunciating each word: "Zixuan, if you mention kissing again, I won't speak to you anymore. Not a single word. Try me if you dare!"

"Alright, alright, I won't mention it. Then why did you call me in and close the curtains?" All his earlier excitement vanished, and he pouted, looking as wilted as a sun-dried leaf.

"I want you to come with me into the space to discuss something with Xiaoling. You'd better behave, or I'll make you regret it!" Tang Wei seized the opportunity to threaten him.

"Fine, let's go," Zixuan replied reluctantly, grabbing Tang Wei's hand and flashing them both into the space.

"Sis, brother, why are you here at this hour?" Xiaoling asked happily when she saw them enter hand in hand.

Zixuan raised his chin toward Tang Wei, signaling that whatever this was about, it wasn't his idea—he was in no mood to chat.

Tang Wei, seeing his sullen face, shook her head with a smile, then turned to Xiaoling. "I heard from Xiaolin that if we want to move into the bamboo house now, we could use braziers to dry the bamboo. But can you think of a way to use fire spirit stones to dry out the bamboo without causing a fire?"

Xiaoling thought for a moment. "You just need to ask my brother. He can set up a Fire Spirit Array to concentrate the fire energy. The temperature will rise without actually igniting the bamboo, and it's perfect for anyone cultivating fire powers. My brother is gifted with arrays—he'll master such a simple one at a glance. In three days, your bamboo house will be ready!"

Glancing at Zixuan, who had already turned away, Tang Wei felt helpless. If she asked him now, she'd have to agree to his demands. But if she didn't, the house was too small for everyone.

Her two older sisters' families were now coming back every night. Ever since they discovered Tang Wei and Zixuan could access her master's cultivation sanctuary directly, and that cultivation was so much easier there, they weren't about to miss out. So they decided to come home each evening to practice, then drive back to the city in the morning. Though tiring, they felt invigorated after training, and after a few days of benefits, it became routine.

But now, with three more from the Shi family, and since Tang Wei had no intention of telling her new disciples about the space just yet, things had grown complicated. If the house was full every night but empty, suspicions could arise—especially as the Shi family were cultivators themselves and could easily sense something amiss. If word leaked, it would spell big trouble for all of them. Thus, Tang Wei had to find a solution quickly, and the safest one was for the whole family to move into the valley.

She could build two more wooden houses behind the main house for the Shi family, letting them stay in the outer house by day, and cultivate behind the main house at night, where the Spiritual Gathering Array was set up. That would be fair. Meanwhile, the only entrance to the valley was via the back mountain, which meant the Shi family would also help guard the entrance—protecting her family was part of a disciple's duty.

Tang Wei made up her mind: this would be a test for them. If the Shi family carried out their responsibilities wholeheartedly, she would do her best to help their clan in return.

After weighing her options, Tang Wei decided to yield just a little to Zixuan. She walked over and whispered, "Zixuan, could you help me set up the Fire Spirit Array?"

At this, Zixuan put on airs, turning his head away and ignoring her. With no other choice, Tang Wei leaned in and whispered, "If you help me, I'll kiss you on the cheek."

Zixuan's eyes lit up, but before he could ask for more, Tang Wei cut him off. "Don't push your luck!" After a moment's thought, he agreed. Something was better than nothing—he'd get his way eventually.

Relieved, Tang Wei consoled herself, "It's nothing, just think of it as kissing a bug—no big deal!"

After reviewing the layout of the array and practicing within the space, Tang Wei took Zixuan to the valley to set up the Fire Spirit Array, planning to add the Illusion Array Xiaoling had suggested as well. It was best to finish everything at once rather than owe him more favors.

Just as they finished setting up the array, Tang Wei's mother called—someone was looking for her, and she had to go immediately. Tang Wei left Zixuan to finish up, while she hurried out.