Dawn.
Li Xingtian slowly pushed open the great door, lightly shaking his pure white long sleeves.
Third sister's illusion technique was truly top-notch, though the blood qi's aura remained unchanged, the color had indeed turned white. It would work for anyone below the Golden Core realm.
For Golden Core and above cultivators, the blood qi could be identified by aura alone; any further concealment would truly be like covering one's ears to steal a bell.
Still, looking better was always a good thing, at least it was more pleasing to the eye when he looked at himself.
As for the matter of his innate talent ascending, though he didn't understand his master's specific methods or what had stimulated his aptitude, he had to admit—his innate talent had improved immensely.
Even the spiritual energy absorption was on a different level, and he was more adept at controlling his blood qi.
Naturally, his attempt to rid himself of the blood qi failed; his master's pepper-based fishiness removal method was completely useless.
Fortunately, Li Xingtian had been mentally prepared when taking the elixirs. As long as he hadn't grown horns, his eyes hadn't turned red, and he wasn't spewing blood water, it was already a great success.
To maintain his current state while also improving his root bone was truly a testament to his master's unparalleled skills.
Li Xingtian lifted his feet and walked toward the water pool.
The root bone enhancement had only taken two days, but luckily, the cassia and star anise were merely mortal-grade goods. Li Xingtian, at the Nascent Soul stage, could easily withstand their effects.
Though he had been marinated for two days, he had not been seasoned through and through.
Today, paired with the clothes third sister had gifted, though the white didn't quite suit him, Li Xingtian was certain that unless necessary, he would probably not take this piece of clothing off.
Although it was somewhat shameful, making him feel like some kind of evil cultivator, he still had to wear it.
Li Xingtian walked through the corridor. Before reaching the deep pool, he saw Cui Hao waving with a beaming smile coming over to greet him:
"Good morning, second senior brother. Did third senior sister give you this outfit? It suits you so well, you look incredibly handsome."
Li Xingtian waved his hand slightly unnaturally:
"It's alright... I can't exactly call myself handsome looking like this."
Cui Hao quickly walked to Li Xingtian's side, his smile overflowing as he said:
"Don't underestimate yourself, second senior brother. If fifth junior brother says you're handsome, would he be lying?"
Looking at Cui Hao's seemingly sincere gaze, Li Xingtian really wanted to say—yes, you would.
After all, who in the entire sect didn't know that Cui Hao's mouth had learned at least half of his master's skill in shameless lying.
Cui Hao's words were clearly well-intentioned, and Li Xingtian gave a slight nod in agreement. Words were unnecessary, as speaking against one's conscience would have been difficult.
Cui Hao didn't mind that Li Xingtian hadn't continued the conversation, as his second senior brother had always been this way. He smiled and waved, saying:
"Second senior brother, let's go. Third senior sister has finally returned, so hurry over for some tea. With you here, she probably won't refuse."
Li Xingtian didn't refuse, as he had already planned to go to the deep pool anyway.
The two walked together, and after a moment, they could see the deep pool and Chen Baiqing, who was already sitting on a stone chair by it reading a book. Beside her, Qinghe sat at the edge of the water, constantly playing with the water with her fingers.
No one knew why Qinghe was doing this.
Li Xingtian paused slightly, his gaze falling upon the grown-up Chen Baiqing, who was no longer a child and whose temperament had become extremely steady.
For some reason, he suddenly felt as though everyone else had grown while he had remained in place.
Especially when he saw the grown-up Chen Baiqing.
The five years that had passed in the blink of an eye now felt incredibly tangible on Chen Baiqing.
Chen Baiqing noticed his gaze, put down her book, and looked up to meet Li Xingtian's eyes. In a moment, she understood the meaning in her second senior brother's somewhat innocent gaze.
Chen Baiqing smiled, picked up a preserved fruit from the stone table that hadn't appeared in a long time, and held out the largest one:
"Second senior brother, would you like a preserved fruit?"
A smile appeared on Li Xingtian's face. In his eyes, the image of Chen Baiqing from her youthful years perfectly overlapped with the slightly unfamiliar version before him now.
He reached forward to take it. Li Xingtian, who hadn't eaten anything in a long time, tasted a very sweet preserved fruit.
After finishing the preserved fruit, Li Xingtian finally spoke: "It's sweet, and very delicious."
Chen Baiqing was still Chen Baiqing, still his third junior sister, unchanged by time or appearance.
Cui Hao skillfully took a seat and decisively asked: "Third senior sister, what about mine?"
Chen Baiqing picked up a preserved fruit and placed it in Cui Hao's hand.
"Third senior sister, do you think this outfit looks good on second senior brother?" Cui Hao asked before putting the preserved fruit in his mouth.
Chen Baiqing's gaze swept over him, and she answered with sincere tone: "Of course it looks good. Do you still like it, second senior brother?"
Li Xingtian also took a seat and gave a slight nod to show his approval.
"Then that's good." Chen Baiqing familiarly picked up the tea set beside her and began to prepare the tea.
When their sect had only four members, the second senior brother had helped her greatly as a child. From cultivation practice to minor issues, Li Xingtian had never shown impatience or scolded her.
Chen Baiqing still remembered how the first senior sister thought she was slow to learn.
Later, the second senior brother took over teaching her. He was very patient and would praise her for being clever.
Cui Hao remained silent, his smile widening—ah, he could have tea again.
Qing smelled the tea and stood up, turning back:
"Pour a cup for Qing too!"
In the pavilion not far away.
Chu Xingchen leaned against the pavilion railing, watching his disciple leisurely brew tea.
"Aren't you going?" Xie Lingyu asked, holding her teacup.
Chu Xingchen turned his gaze back: "I have Lingyu to brew tea for me."
Hearing this, Xie Lingyu poured the tea into a cup and then pushed it toward Chu Xingchen:
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