Fairy, please have some self-respect. I am not the reincarnation of your deceased husband.

As the spiritual energy continued to be channeled, Pei Wanyun's hand, which was moving through Chen Lianshu's meridians, gradually became warmer.

The spiritual energy guidance ended quickly, but she just didn't want to stop.

"I'll guide you through it again, make sure you understand."

Pei Wanyun's excuse was reasonable, and her voice was normal.

"Yes."

Chen Lianshu did not suspect anything. After agreeing, she followed her master's instructions and carefully sensed the flow of spiritual energy within her body.

"..."

Another great cycle has begun.

Pei Wanyun pursed her lips and finally stopped what she was doing.

It's still too fast...

The entire cycle of time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

"...Do you remember clearly?"

Unlike other things, her personal motive in this matter was to make her disciple a little less intelligent.

In this way, one can have a reasonable excuse to get close to the other party.

But things didn't go as planned—

"Reporting to Master, this disciple has remembered."

Chen Lianshu slowly opened her eyes.

Although I'm still a bit rusty, I no longer need to trouble my master to guide me personally.

"Are you really sure you remember it clearly?"

Pei Wanyun asked again, unwilling to give up.

Her voice grew increasingly gentle, subtly carrying a hint of hope that it would "guide" him to deny it.

"If you feel unfamiliar with it, or if there is anything you don't understand... your teacher can guide you through it again."

"No need to trouble Master."

Chen Lianshu, however, failed to discern her thoughts and politely declined, shaking his head.

"Your disciple remembers it very clearly."

Although he was not very talented in cultivation, his comprehension ability was not bad.

After being run through it only twice, it had already memorized the basics.

After reviewing it a few more times, you'll be able to do it fluently and naturally.

"Fine..."

Pei Wanyun was slightly disappointed and reluctantly let go.

As she slowly sat up straight, the distance between them returned to normal.

[Master-Apprentice Ratio: 19%]

The moment she let go, the progress of the tribulation repair quietly increased by a little.

"?"

Chen Lianshu began to have doubts.

Because at this moment, Pei Wanyun's favorability rating was extremely calm, although it occasionally flickered, but there was no significant change.

This is completely different from the dramatic fluctuations in favorability displayed when Mu Qianxue's progress increased.

In just a moment, he determined that the triggers for progress increases on each line were not the same.

only…

What are the reasons for the increase in the "Master-Disciple Line"?

Considering the current situation.

Could it be that... his master's guidance in cultivation could advance this path?

"You should run it yourself first, and I will check if there are any oversights."

Clearly, Pei Wanyun had not given up.

"Yes, Master."

Chen Lianshu closed his eyes as instructed and focused his mind on circulating the incantation.

Although it was a bit awkward at first, it quickly became smooth.

"..."

Pei Wanyun gazed quietly at her apprentice.

That handsome profile, those lowered eyelashes, that straight nose, those slightly pursed thin lips, that focused expression…

"Glug."

My mouth and throat feel inexplicably dry.

The hand hidden in the sleeve also quietly clenched into a fist.

"Hmm..."

Suddenly, a low, muffled groan was heard.

The opportunity has finally arrived!

Just as she was about to reach out to "guide" it, the blockage in spiritual energy was cleared in a short time.

啧…

Although Pei Wanyun felt a pang of regret, she was also happy for the other party.

As expected of my husband.

Who could have imagined that this seemingly ordinary person would one day become someone even she would have to look up to?

"call--"

Chen Lianshu let out a long sigh of relief.

He relied on his own strength to complete a full cycle of spiritual energy according to the cultivation method.

Although there were still some rough parts and it took much less time than when the master guided me, it was still completed independently, which is not bad.

"Hmm, not bad."

Pei Wanyun nodded slightly, her words carrying an air of approval:

"It can operate on its own after only two cycles; its talent is commendable."

"It's all thanks to your excellent teachings, Master."

"Alright, stop being so cheeky."

She smiled faintly, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

"Let's end it here for today."

Although she still wanted to personally teach her husband swordsmanship, she knew the principle that one cannot bite off more than one can chew.

Let him practice this skill properly today.

After all, one cannot delay his cultivation for personal desires.

"Then this disciple will see Master off."

Seeing that his master seemed to be leaving, Chen Lianshu decided to get up and see him off.

But the other party gently refused.

"No need."

"Take this opportunity to practice the technique a few more times."

"I will test you again tomorrow."

"Yes."

Chen Lianshu followed his instructions and sat down again.

"Oh, right."

Before she had taken two steps, Pei Wanyun seemed to remember something and turned back to ask:

"Disciple, do you have a suitable spirit sword?"

"I do have a spirit sword, but it's just the one issued by the sect."

Although Chen Lianshu did not understand his meaning, he still answered truthfully.

"Is it only issued by the sect...?"

Pei Wanyun gently pinched her chin, as if deep in thought.

"That won't do."

After saying that, she turned around, took out a spirit sword from her storage space, and handed it to him.

"This sword is for you."

"This…"

Chen Lianshu looked at the sword.

The sword is long and slender, gleaming with a cold light, and the hilt is engraved with lotus leaves, elegant and sharp.

【Green Lotus Sword】

[Rank: Acquired Spiritual Treasure]

He didn't read the description carefully; his attention was completely drawn to the red lotus heart hanging on the sword.

Unlike the items given by the system, this spirit sword also has a display of goodwill that is of the same origin as the master?

"Tomorrow I will teach you swordsmanship, and you'll need a suitable spirit sword."

"This item is called the Green Lotus Sword..."

Pei Wanyun paused, her eyes dimming, her tone filled with reminiscence:

"This will also be the spirit sword you use frequently in the future. Please accept it."

"This was supposed to be given to you after you formally became my apprentice, but..."

She hesitated, and ultimately only said half of what she wanted to say.

What wasn't mentioned was that this sword was a pair with her natal spirit sword.

It was indeed a gift given after he became an apprentice, but it was after the two had become engaged.

Just like the lotus hairpin he gave her, it was also a token of their love.

Thinking about it this way, I felt somewhat comforted.

Exchanging tokens of affection is another kind of fulfillment.

"Then this disciple thanks Master."

Chen Lianshu did not refuse again and accepted the spirit sword.

Judging from the red lotus heart on the sword, what Master said must be true.

Of course, the other party had no reason to deceive him...

"Then I will return first."

"Your disciple respectfully sees you off, Master."

He bowed deeply and respectfully took his leave.

"..."

Pei Wanyun paused slightly as she walked away, her back to her disciple, making it impossible to discern her emotions.

She pursed her lips slightly, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and turned her gaze slightly to the side, speaking softly:

"There's no need for that."

There's no need for such formality between us...

Having said that, without waiting for a response, his figure transformed into a streak of light and vanished swiftly.

……

Time flies, and a week has passed.

During this week, Pei Wanyun came to guide Chen Lianshu's cultivation almost every day.

Even when he's very busy, he'll still spend two or three hours in his little courtyard.

Chen Lianshu was deeply moved by their dedication.

He truly is an extremely responsible "good teacher".

What puzzled him was that Mu Qianxue did not reappear even once in the seven days that followed.

Having grown accustomed to that aloof figure constantly by his side, this "quiet" atmosphere was somewhat unsettling for him.

Finally, on the day before officially joining Jade Spirit Peak—

After Pei Wanyun finished "instructing" him on cultivation, he still asked the question.

"Today's training ends here."

"I'll head back now."

With only one day left until her formal apprenticeship, she should go back and make some preparations.

Although the Jade Jade Sect does not have the elaborate rituals of an "apprenticeship ceremony," since she was the one who accepted Chen Lianshu as her disciple, some arrangements should still be made.

"Master, may I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

After spending a week together, the two had become much more familiar with each other.

"What has my senior sister been busy with lately?"

Chen Lianshu asked the question very tactfully.

"Heh~"

Pei Wanyun chuckled softly, and said meaningfully:

"She has been working on the assignments I gave her recently, so she has never left Jade Spirit Peak."

"You can rest assured, once you have entered the peak, you will be able to see her on the back mountain."

"I see……"

Chen Lianshu nodded knowingly.

"Yes, cultivate diligently."

"I'll go back and prepare now."

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure transformed into a streak of light and returned to Jade Spirit Peak.

But only a stick of incense had burned since Pei Wanyun left—

"Knock knock".

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door outside the courtyard.

"?"

Chen Lianshu was surprised, wondering who could be coming at this time.

Could it be that kid Xu Nuo?

Or perhaps the Master returned after leaving?

Thinking of this, he pushed open the courtyard gate with a puzzled look.

"?"

But what came into view was neither that carefree young man nor that lotus-colored figure that had returned.

Instead, she was a graceful figure dressed in white, with an elegant demeanor.

It was none other than "Mu Qianxue," whom we hadn't seen in a long time.

"Senior sister?"

Having formally become Pei Wanyun's disciple, Chen Lianshu changed her form of address despite being instructed not to inform Mu Qianxue for the time being.

"How could you..."

Before he could finish speaking...

A cool, slender hand quickly covered his mouth.

"Sh-!"

Mu Qianxue made a shushing gesture with one hand and covered his mouth tightly with the other, squeezing into the courtyard without saying a word.

She subconsciously looked around and, seeing that there was no one else in the courtyard, breathed a sigh of relief.

"call--"

Then, he said something astonishing:

"I ran away from home."

"Don't make a fuss."