After transforming into a fairy, I, in my simulation, wreaked havoc in the cultivation world.

[In one year, you broke through to a higher realm by simply accumulating resources, almost exhausting all the spirit stones and pills you had.]

[After all, given the aptitude of having three spiritual roots, the absorption of spiritual energy is inherently slow. Such unrestrained infusion actually results in a significant amount of energy being wasted.]

[But the thought of Lin Bufan's imminent return made you unable to resist, and you gritted your teeth and exhausted all your resources to force your way through the level.]

[You're afraid you won't be able to cultivate in peace anymore, and you won't be able to cultivate normally in front of him.]

Fortunately, the breakthrough was successful, so the resources weren't wasted.

[Of course, this is also thanks to the fact that you don't care about the erysipelas accumulating in your body.]

After concealing your aura, you took a cyan longsword and arrived at the open space in front of the cave.

The morning dew had not yet dried; the sword's edge reflected the rising sun, gleaming with a sliver of clear light.

This is your unwavering practice over the past year—sword training.

[In the path of the sword, although talent varies, from apprentice to sword immortal, no one can bypass the word "diligence."]

All the myriad supernatural abilities of swordsmanship are honed through countless moves, and the sword intent to split mountains and cleave rivers is cultivated through daily accumulation.

You take a deep breath, flick your wrist, and the sword rises.

[A thrust, a pull; a turn, a retraction; your swordplay isn't flashy, it could even be described as rigid, yet you still repeat it meticulously.]

The wind rustles your clothes, the sword sings a clear, resonant note; in this moment, you feel your soul is free.

No need for pretense or scheming.

This is why you enjoy practicing swordsmanship.

After a while, you slowly sheathed your sword, casually wiped the sweat from your brow, and prepared to go back and take a nice bath.

【"Pat pat pat~"】

Just then, applause rang out from not far away.

You glance to the side and see Lin Bufan standing beside the bluestone path, a smile playing on his lips, his hands raised in front of his chest.

"Brother Lin~ You're finally back!"

You were stunned for a moment, then instantly got into character, your eyes quickly welling up with tears, and you ran into his arms.

"Waaaaah, I miss you so much~"

The woman's cries froze Lin Bufan's smile; his initial joy at the reunion was replaced by deep guilt.

"Qingyu, I'm sorry, it's my fault."

[It makes sense, really. He slept with a young girl, and then ran off to have a year of wild fun.]

You noticed his stiff movements, chuckled inwardly, and quickly thought of a way to make amends.

"It's alright, as long as Brother Lin returns safely."

Seeing how well-behaved and sensible the woman in his arms was, his fleeting desires gradually subsided.

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

You nestled in his arms for a while longer before "accidentally" discovering the uninvited guest behind him.

"Wow, senior sister, you're so beautiful!"

[With your scumbag perspective, you can obviously see the relationship between these two.]

The woman showed no jealousy whatsoever; for now, they were just ordinary friends, but there was definitely more to come.

[But you have to interrupt, Lin Bufan is your chosen worker.]

You don't care about his feelings, but when he gets something good, he has to think of you first!

Your heartfelt praise caused the previously haughty woman carrying a sword to pause slightly.

As a female cultivator who can befriend the protagonist, especially one who is a sword cultivator, she naturally has very sound values, and her scales instantly tip in your favor.

"Junior Brother Lin, is this how you treat your Daoist partner? A whole year, you've left her in her cave, ignoring her completely. Do you know that Wang Hao and the others have been searching for her all along?"

[Wang Hao was the elegantly dressed young man who caused trouble when he first joined the sect.]

Lin Bufan gave an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.

"It's alright, beautiful senior sister. Brother Lin gave me a lot of resources. I can just stay in my cave and not go out."

Your obedience didn't quell the situation; instead, it made both of them feel sorry for you.

[Especially the woman, a nameless anger suddenly rose within her.]

Without any hesitation, she stepped forward and pulled you to her side, glancing sideways at Lin Bufan before coldly saying:

"You deal with Wang Hao yourself; I'll take her to collect the resources."

[You really haven't left your cave for a year. You've certainly accumulated a lot of resources; you're almost sick of the fasting pills.]

【"Huh?"】

Lin Bufan reached out his hand, trying to stop him.

"If you don't defeat all of her helpers on the testing ground before sunset, you won't see her for a month."

The woman carrying the sword suddenly stopped and turned around, saying:

"Don't forget our agreement. If your strength doesn't meet my expectations, then I'll have to find someone else."

[You were also intimidated by the woman's imposing presence, and secretly peeked out to look at Lin Bufan, giving him a thumbs-up.]

"Hurry up!"

She glared at you irritably, then pulled you away quickly.

[The chosen one, left alone in the empty mansion, is now questioning the meaning of life.]

On the other side, you also looked slightly bewildered. Had you been casually abducted by a female cultivator who seemed to be the female lead?

"You really enjoy sword practice?"

Halfway through their journey, the female cultivator carrying the sword suddenly spoke up and asked a question.

【"Yes!"】

[You answered seriously.]

[I see. They noticed your love for swordsmanship. You thought you'd encountered... cough!]

"You have very little talent."

She attacked you mercilessly.

"I know, but I won't give up."

The girl who was crying just now seems to have suddenly disappeared. Your stubborn attitude has made the sword-wielding woman glance at you slightly.

"My name is Ling Shuanghua. You can learn swordsmanship from me in the future."

She paused, then added:

"It's not because of Lin Bufan."

"Thank you, Senior Sister Shuanghua!"

[You seized the opportunity and grabbed her arm.]

Ling Shuanghua stiffened, and moved her arms somewhat awkwardly. Finding you holding her tightly, she didn't forcefully pull away.

However, the slight upturn at the corners of her mouth betrayed the hint of pleasure in her heart.

[My sweet and cuddly junior sister is so adorable, should I snatch her away?]

[In the middle of the night, you dragged your weary body back to your cave. You'd been thoroughly disciplined by Ling Shuanghua for the past half-day.]

She also fed you a lot of motivational platitudes.

[What about women being self-reliant and not always depending on male cultivators...]

As soon as you entered the cave, Lin Bufan, sporting a black eye, met your gaze.

["Pfft~ Hahaha, Brother Lin, what's wrong with you?"]

You stood there, pursing your lips, but after a moment you couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"You heartless little brat, I was just trying to get revenge for you!"

He swiftly moved to your side and pulled you into his arms.

"Thank you, Brother Lin... Hahaha!"

Seeing your smiling face, Lin Bufan felt most of the fatigue from the past year's journey disappear without him even realizing it.

He gazes at you with tender eyes; perhaps this is the meaning of spiritual practice!

[Once you calmed down, you learned that he had been punched by Wang Hao's protégé, who was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.]

[Tsk~ As expected of the protagonist!]

You won't believe it until you see it!

In just one year, he actually jumped three levels, reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Just as you were feeling down, a red fruit was offered to you.

"What is this?"

[Your expectations are high; anything produced by this main character is guaranteed to be excellent!]

"This item is called the Blood Spirit Fruit. It can help cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining to advance their cultivation by one level without any side effects."

Good grief!

Your heart burns with desire, yet you force yourself to look away.

"This is such good stuff, Brother Lin, you should eat it yourself. Your strength is more important."

Hearing your understanding words, Lin Bufan smiled and placed the fruit in your hand.

"I've already taken it and reached the fifth level of Qi Refining. Qingyu, you'd better work hard at your cultivation!"

The moment you hold the fruit in your hand, you can no longer suppress the corners of your mouth turning up in a smile.

So, you've decided to give this kid some perks as encouragement.

When you looked up again, your eyes were shimmering with light. Before Lin Bufan could react, you had already pounced on him and pushed him to the ground.

"Brother Lin..."

Your voice was slightly hoarse as you lightly touched his Adam's apple with your fingertips.

"What are you waiting for~"

【"Awoo!"】

A wolf's howl rang out.

That night, the soundproofing barrier around the cave remained open all night...

...