Chapter 4: Imparting Immortal Arts
============================================================
Through the mist on the windowpane, Ye Qinghan saw something astonishing!
Unbelievable! Unbelievable!
Su Cheng sat by the pool, his body submerged in the water, his back to the door revealing his solid arms.
Just that silhouette alone made Ye Qinghan feel like her head was on fire!
Her cheeks flushed crimson to her neck, her earlobes burned hot, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest!
Her master was bathing!
Ehehe~
[Should I prepare some clean clothes for Qinghan? There are some spirit fruits behind Lingxian Hall, but she still needs to eat. I wonder if she'll like my cooking…]
【Should I give her this seed of a top-tier innate spiritual root too? Without cultivation, it won't grow anyway.】
【I wonder if she'd accept the Ling Shuang Sword in exchange for the Godslayer Spear or the Chaos Bell…】
I won't agree! I want the Frostblade Sword!
She knew full well the treasures her master offered in exchange were extraordinary, but she simply adored the Frostsnow Sword!
For Ye Qinghan, who dreamed of becoming a sword immortal, the Frostshatter Sword was the ultimate gift—no contest.
Ye Qinghan peered through the door crack, stealing a glance inside. Master's silhouette was so dashing~
Ye Qinghan realized… Beyond wanting her master's magical artifact, right now she wanted her master…
Slurp~ Slurp~
Master's physique was just too unfair!
[Having stolen the woman Cheng Liang had his eye on, he definitely won't let me off. I can only hope he'll spare Qinghan when the time comes.]
Ye Qinghan had long sensed something was off. Why was her master so afraid of that Cheng Liang?
Weren't Cheng Liang and her master disciples of the same sect?
By seniority, her master was even Cheng Liang's senior!
After listening for a while, Ye Qinghan retreated. If her master discovered her eavesdropping, it would be enough to get her expelled from the sect!
The next day, insomnia kept Ye Qinghan awake until late, and she didn't rise until noon.
"Oh no! Master said he'd teach me the Frostblade Sword Technique, and I slept until noon!"
Ye Qinghan hurriedly dressed, grabbed the Frostblade Sword, and rushed out. She searched the entire Lingfrost Hall but couldn't find her master anywhere…
"Oh no, oh no! I've upset my master on my very first day!"
Ye Qinghan was frantic. What if her master was displeased, thinking her lax and unmotivated, and refused to teach her the cultivation techniques and sword secrets?
Better to apologize early. After searching in vain, Ye Qinghan headed straight to the Main Hall to kneel in repentance, hoping her master would see her sincere contrition and forgive her.
But barely had she knelt when she heard her master calling from outside.
"Qinghan, rise!"
Ye Qinghan dared not respond, remaining obediently kneeling.
"Qinghan? Hey? Get up quickly and help your master!"
As Ye Qinghan pondered, she heard her master knocking on her door—thump, thump, thump.
"Huh? Did my First Disciple vanish while I was buying groceries?" Su Cheng scratched his head, searching room by room for Ye Qinghan.
He eventually found Ye Qinghan in the main hall, her eyes red and swollen, kneeling on the floor and crying her heart out…
"Master… sniffle sniffle…" Ye Qinghan threw herself into Su Cheng's arms. Truth be told, she was genuinely terrified this time. She had never feared losing someone so intensely before—this was her first time.
Her fox-like head buried deep in Su Cheng's chest, she rubbed against him fiercely, as if desperate to burrow right into his belly.
Su Cheng watched the scene, utterly bewildered. "Who bullied you? Tell your master!"
[Could it be Cheng Liang? That seemed unlikely. Besides himself and Qinghan, who held the jade pendant, ordinary people would struggle immensely to enter Lingxian Hall.]
【Then what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?】
"No…"
"Did Cheng Liang send someone?"
Ye Qinghan curled up in Su Cheng's arms, shaking her little head like a rattle.
"Then what's wrong?" Su Cheng was puzzled. Why was his precious little one crying after waking up?
"Qinghan woke up late and thought Master had abandoned his disciple… Sniffle sniffle…"
Ye Qinghan didn't know why, but in this situation, it just felt like the right thing to do—pure instinct.
Ye Qinghan couldn't understand. She had always been alone, never relying on anyone.
Ever since escaping the Northern Frontier, she had sworn to bathe the Northern Domain in blood, to make both the human and Demon Clan pay the price. She had no friends or companions, always alone.
Yet today, she clung to her newly chosen master like a little fox, acting spoiled.
As if venting all the grievances she'd endured since childhood onto Su Cheng, Ye Qinghan clung tightly to him, holding him for a long, long time.
Perhaps it was because she finally had a room of her own again after so long. Perhaps it was because she had finally encountered someone she could trust again after so long.
Tears flowed uncontrollably, and Ye Qinghan seemed to finally understand why.
Because she could hear Su Cheng's heart. This tenderness and kindness were no longer incomprehensible. It granted Ye Qinghan someone she could trust and a place she could truly call "home."
Before this, all Ye Qinghan possessed was a home reduced to ruins and a mother long gone.
Su Cheng didn't understand this emotion, even wondering if he had somehow given her the wrong impression?
【Look at my poor Qinghan feeling wronged~ How could I ever abandon you? This precious treasure—who wouldn't adore you?】
"Good girl, come help your Master. I'll cook for you."
Like a mole poking its head out, Ye Qinghan peered from her master's embrace with a fox-like expression, utterly bewildered.
"Master can cook?"
"I've always lived alone, so I know how to prepare simple meals. When I saw you still asleep this morning, I went out to buy groceries first. If I'd been any later, the fresh produce would've been snapped up." Su Cheng gestured toward the vegetable basket by the door, filled with greens and meat.
Following Master to the kitchen hall, Ye Qinghan never imagined this celestial palace even had a kitchen!
"Do you know how to wash vegetables?"
Su Cheng glanced at Ye Qinghan standing at the doorway, looking utterly bewildered, and sighed.
"Forget it. Go wait outside for a bit."
"Uh… I can!" Seeing her master treat her like a fool, Ye Qinghan hurried forward to help. This task was no challenge for her.
She washed the vegetables and chopped them according to her master's instructions. After a few tries, Ye Qinghan found it surprisingly simple—nothing she couldn't handle!
But when it came to stir-frying, Master had to take over. Ye Qinghan had never done it before and naturally had no idea how.
Watching her master bustle about the stove, she couldn't lend a hand at all—no chance to prove herself.
Master looked so handsome when he was focused…
Ever since last night, the image of her master leaning against the poolside had lingered relentlessly in her mind. Every time she closed her eyes, his figure would appear before her.
If not for that, Ye Qinghan wouldn't have slept until noon.
At this moment, she felt her master embodied that innate allure far more…
"Qinghan? Take this out. Be careful, it's hot." Su Cheng placed the stir-fried dish on the table beside him before returning to his tasks.
"Got it."
Before long, four dishes and a soup were ready, along with some steamed rice that Su Cheng had prepared.
Ye Qinghan had already set out bowls and chopsticks, standing by the table waiting for her master. Even though there were only two of them, proper etiquette must still be observed.
"Sit down. Help yourself to whatever you like."
Ye Qinghan wasn't a picky eater. Her daily cultivation routine didn't involve indulging in rich, fatty foods, so her diet was quite simple.
However, her master's cooking was truly excellent. While not extravagantly delicious, it was quite good.
After devouring two bowls of rice in a whirlwind, Ye Qinghan finally began to chew slowly and savor his meal.
"Master, I've heard that a secret realm will open in a month."
For ordinary people or most sects, this secret realm represented an immense opportunity. Legends spoke of Heaven-tier cultivation techniques and magical treasures within.
However, the danger level was equally extraordinary. This particular opening only allowed cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or below to enter.
"You wish to go?" Su Cheng showed little interest, never paying attention to such matters.
Ye Qinghan nodded. It wasn't for the cultivation techniques or heavenly treasures. After so many years of cultivation, she needed to test her own strength.
They always called him a prodigy, but just how strong was a prodigy?
"Here are the Ling Frost Sword Manual and cultivation techniques. Study them yourself."
Su Cheng tossed two tattered-looking items onto the table as he spoke, then cleared the dishes and departed.
Ye Qinghan stared blankly as he picked up the cultivation technique his master had given him. He had intended to glance through it, but unexpectedly, the technique instantly transformed into a streak of light, shooting into his forehead like a bullet!
In an instant, all the techniques were imprinted within his mind, leaving Ye Qinghan utterly bewildered…
Could such a miraculous cultivation technique truly exist? Ye Qinghan set down his chopsticks and bowl, then sat beneath a tree, circulating the technique through a Great Circulation Cycle…
Marvelous!
Absolutely marvelous!
What the hell is this so-called Immortal-tier cultivation technique? If any Immortal-tier technique could be half as powerful as this one, she'd eat the Ling Shuang Sword!
Though she'd only circulated her Great Circulation Cycle once, her cultivation realm remained unchanged. Yet she could feel her strength had more than doubled!
If she built her foundation according to this technique's standards, Ye Qinghan felt she could take on ten opponents of higher levels!
Yet Ye Qinghan also realized something: if her master possessed such a magnificent technique, why wasn't he cultivating it himself?
Su Cheng, washing dishes in the kitchen, was utterly speechless. It wasn't that he didn't want to cultivate!
But the technique was bound to Ye Qinghan—Su Cheng couldn't use it at all…
Ye Qinghan rose slowly, feeling refreshed and invigorated. He prepared to examine the sword manual once more, but before his fingers could touch it, the manual dissolved into a stream of light and vanished…
"Marvelous~ Absolutely marvelous!"
This disciple has no way to repay you—at this moment, I can only offer myself in return!
Ye Qinghan grew increasingly curious. Just how many hidden treasures did this seemingly timid master possess?
Meanwhile, Su Cheng's mood lifted as he read the system notification.
[System Notice: First Disciple Ye Qinghan has mastered the Frostblade Sword Manual. Rewarding Host with the Frostblade Sword Manual (Perfect)]
In that instant, Su Cheng felt invincible…
But he still couldn't cultivate! He was still just an ordinary person! He'd merely gained a few new skills…
Ye Qinghan no longer felt rushed to cultivate. After clearing the dishes, he dashed straight into the kitchen.
"Master, Master! Let me wash them!" Ye Qinghan snatched the plate from Su Cheng's hands, eager to help.
[She can resist such a powerful cultivation technique?]
"Is there something you don't understand? Or is there something else you desire?"
"Nothing at all. This is what a disciple ought to do. I was so engrossed in the cultivation technique you bestowed that I couldn't snap out of it for a long time. That's why I was rude."
【Silly child, what rudeness? Why so many rules?】
For some reason, Su Cheng felt Ye Qinghan wasn't quite as the system had described. Instead, she seemed so sensible it tugged at his heartstrings.
"Very well. If anything remains unclear, you may come ask your master."
"But Master, you have no cultivation base. How can you guide Qinghan?"
"It's merely the Frostsword Art. I can still offer some guidance."
【Heh, though I lack cultivation, I fear a single strike from me could cleave the heavens now…】
Ye Qinghan's eyes lit up. So the master had been pretending all along! She understood! This was playing dumb to catch the wise!
This is more like it!
This is exactly how a master should be!
For the next week, Ye Qinghan secluded herself in cultivation, circulating her techniques to solidify her cultivation base. When she emerged, even her aura had transformed significantly.
"Disciple greets Master."
"Go bathe in the Spirit Pool. It will purge impurities from your body and solidify your cultivation. Return to me afterward."
"May I as well?" Ye Qinghan tilted her head in confusion, as if hearing something utterly unbelievable.
Ye Qinghan had assumed the pool was reserved exclusively for her master. Though she hadn't yet reached a state untouched by worldly concerns, fox demons were naturally fastidious creatures. She knew the techniques for cleansing the body.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Su Cheng froze. What kind of question was that?
"Isn't that reserved for the Master? I once saw the Master… um… never mind."
"You are my direct disciple. There is no place in Lingxian Hall you cannot go."
[Have I been too stern with her? That shouldn't be it! Why would she think that?]
"Thank you, Master."
"Go now. I'll be checking your progress shortly."
============================================================