As Xiang Yu prepared dinner, he couldn’t shake the troubling thoughts about what the demon twins had revealed. If the Demon God’s bloodline was truly scattered throughout the region, or even the world, then he wondered how many cultivators were eyeing his Azure Cloud Sect, and more importantly, how powerful were they? The implications made his stomach churn with unease. It was just one problem after another. He couldn’t catch a break at all.
He thought to himself that he shouldn’t let his guard down even though Li Yao was currently in the sect. Even protagonists faced their own challenges, and if the enemy was above the Soul Formation realm, she wouldn’t be able to do anything against them. In fact, even Soul Formation cultivators remained dangerous - their victory against the cult leader had been achieved through tremendous luck. Without it, the outcome could have been catastrophically different.
He carefully carried the prepared dishes and placed them on the dining table. As always, for himself, his martial aunt, and master, he served fourth-grade spirit food. As for Li Yao, he presented her with her second-grade food.
Ever since he’d begun crafting second-grade spirit food for her, she’d taken it upon herself to hunt her own high-level spirit beasts, providing him with the ingredients necessary for such food. This was also beneficial for the sect as well, since she consistently targeted the strongest beasts that might pose threats to disciples venturing out on missions.
"Junior sister, when hunting beasts, don’t take the low-level ones as they’re useful for training the disciples," Xiang Yu spoke as he served her portion.
She excitedly grabbed her chopsticks, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the glowing meal. "Senior brother, don’t worry. I’m smart," she declared with complete confidence.
Elder Guo’s chopsticks clattered to the table in shock, while Elder Huang nearly choked on her water, coughing several times to clear her throat.
Li Yao looked around in genuine confusion at their responses, but Xiang Yu maintained his composure with an amused smile. "Yes, the Sect Master is wise," he said as he returned to his seat.
As they ate in comfortable silence, Xiang Yu discretely observed everyone’s cultivation stats through his system function. His martial aunt was indeed teetering on the verge of a breakthrough, even her spiritual energy was beginning to fluctuate as she ate. More surprisingly, his master had already secretly reached the Core Formation stage.
He glanced at the old man with understanding. This wicked old dog was still pretending to be weak so his martial aunt would continue taking care of him. "Hmph, what a simp," Xiang Yu thought.
He then turned his attention to Li Yao’s stats, and his smile widened with genuine pride. "Very nice. As expected of my Yao Yao," he thought. She had already entered the fourth stage of the Golden Core realm, her progress absolutely phenomenal even by genius standards. She was genuinely talented beyond measure. At this rate, she was breaking through at least two minor realms everyday.
Now he just needed to continue providing her with high-quality spirit food, and she would become an immortal in no time. At that point, he wouldn’t have to worry about external threats anymore.
"Martial aunt, tomorrow, wait for me to craft a pill for you before you attempt the breakthrough," he announced.
"More pills?" she asked with raised eyebrows.
"This time, it’s specifically for help with the tribulation," he explained.
"As expected, I could always rely on you. Too bad you became that old guy’s disciple," she spoke.
"What do you mean by that?" Elder Guo snapped indignantly.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Elder Huang looked around innocently.
"Hmph," Elder Guo scoffed dismissively. He then scooted over to Xiang Yu’s side, draping his arm over his shoulder with affection. "Disciple, this old man has always treated you like a son..." he whispered.
But Xiang Yu stopped him with a raised hand. "Okay, you can stop now. Here, take it," he spoke as he handed over the yang-nourishing pills.
"Hehehe, good disciple," Elder Guo spoke with satisfaction as he pocketed the pills.
After they finished their meal, his martial aunt and master left together, still bickering playfully. Xiang Yu also rose to depart, and Li Yao followed him, escorting him toward the spirit spring as they continued their casual conversation.
When they reached the entrance, they bid each other goodnight - Xiang Yu disappearing into the spirit vein while Li Yao gracefully flew off towards the main peak.
Alone in the spirit vein, Xiang Yu removed his clothes and settled into the spirit spring. It was time for his daily grinding session.
He released his control over both bloodlines and allowed them to run wild through his body, the familiar cycle of destruction and regeneration beginning once more. He maintained this intensive process for several hours until the system notification finally appeared:
[Calculating Settlement]
…
Day 55: (Day 2)
[Body Refining: 14th Layer (8000/14,000) (+2000/14,000)]
[Foundation Establishment: 1st Layer (750/11,000) (+750/11,000)]
[Mind: Level 6 (480/10,000) (+120/10,000)]
[Soul: Infant (10,150/100,000) (+150/100,000)]
[Spiritual Root: High-Grade Omni-Element (200/3000)]
[Transcendent Dao Body: Level 1 (72,190/1,000,000) (+10/1,000,000)]
[Chaos Body: Level 2 (550/20,000) (+50/20,000)]
[Bloodline: Dragon, Phoenix: Half Blood (1300/3000) (+100/3000)]
[Enlightenment: Sacred (460/5000) (+40/5000)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 5th Grade (5320/50,000) (+40/50,000)]
[Sacred-grade Soul Spike: Beginner (50/100) (+50/100)]
[Sacred-grade Ten Seasons Sword Art: Minor Success (100/200) (+100/200)]
[High-grade Lightning Strike: Major Success (60/400) (+30/400)]
[High-grade Fire Palm: Major Success (380/400) (+30/400)]
[High-grade Water, Wood, Earth, Metal, Lightning Palm: Major Success (60/400) (+30/400)]
[High-grade Ice, Wind, Light, Dark Palm: Major Success (30/400) (+30/400)]
[Cook: 2nd Grade (230/800) (+30/800)]
[Appraiser: 3rd Grade (300/700) (+100/700)]
[Alchemist: 5th Grade (300/500)]
[Talisman Maker, Formation Master: 5th Grade (230/500) (+50/500)]
[Blacksmith: 5th Grade (150/500) (+50/500)]
[Medicine: 7th Grade (50/300) (+50/300)]
[Spirit Farmer: 8th Grade (140/200)]
[Teacher: 9th Grade (20/100) (+20/100)]
[Experience Points Doubled]
[Teacher: 9th Grade (20/100) → 9th Grade (40/100)]
[Spirit Farmer: 8th Grade (140/200) → 7th Grade (0/300)]
[Medicine: 7th Grade (50/300) → 7th Grade (100/300)]
[Blacksmith: 5th Grade (150/500) → 5th Grade (300/500)]
[Talisman Maker, Formation Master: 5th Grade (230/500) → 5th Grade (460/500)]
[Alchemist: 5th Grade (300/500) → 4th Grade (0/600)]
[Appraiser: 3rd Grade (300/700) → 3rd Grade (600/700)]
[Cook: 2nd Grade (230/800) → 2nd Grade (460/800)]
[High-grade Ice, Wind, Light, Dark Palm: Major Success (30/400) → Major Success (60/400)]
[High-grade Water, Wood, Earth, Metal, Lightning Palm: Major Success (60/400) → Major Success (120/400)]
[High-grade Fire Palm: Major Success (380/400) → Completion (0/500)]
[High-grade Lightning Strike: Major Success (60/400) → Major Success (120/400)]
[Sacred-grade Ten Seasons Sword Art: Minor Success (100/200) → Intermediate (0/300)]
[Sacred-grade Soul Spike: Beginner (50/100) → Minor Success (0/200)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 5th Grade (5320/50,000) → 5th Grade (10,640/50,000)]
[Enlightenment: Sacred (460/5000) → Sacred (920/5000)]
[Bloodline: Dragon, Phoenix: Half Blood (1300/3000) → Half Blood (2600/3000)]
[Chaos Body: Level 2 (550/20,000) → Level 2 (1100/20,000)]
[Transcendent Dao Body: Level 1 (72,190/1,000,000) → Level 1 (144,380/1,000,000)]
[Spiritual Root: High-Grade Omni-Element (200/3000) → High (400/3000)]
[Soul: Infant (10,150/100,000) → Infant (20,300/100,000)]
[Mind: Level 6 (480/10,000) → Level 6 (960/10,000)]
[Foundation Establishment: 1st Layer (750/11,000) → Foundation Establishment: 1st Layer (1500/11,000)]
[Body Refining: 14th Layer (8000/14,000) → 15th Layer (0/15,000)]