The next day.

Drip, drop—

The sound of dew falling into a puddle created a tranquil atmosphere in the room, making it seem particularly serene.

On the bed by the window, Feng Yudie opened her eyes and turned her head to look. The sky outside was overcast, and she had no idea what time it was.

Sitting on the windowsill, Xiaotian noticed that she was awake and immediately flew over to the bedside, looking at her with concern.

『Yudie, how are you feeling? Is there any discomfort in your body?』

Feng Yudie tried clenching her fist, then cautiously got out of bed. However, as soon as she stood up, her legs went weak, and she sat back down.

“My legs still feel a bit weak, but I’m much better.”

Xiaotian flew to her shoulder and rested against the back of her head. 『Yudie, you have no idea how dangerous it was for you. If that guy and his junior sister had come a minute later, your soul might have completely dispersed. I was so worried back then.』

“But I’m alive now, right?” Feng Yudie relaxed and lay back on the bed, chuckling. “Hehe, it seems I truly am a blessed child of destiny. I survived an encounter with a pseudo-early stage Nascent Soul demonic cultivator.”

『Give it a break. Haven’t you heard the saying that there’s always a bigger fish in the pond?』

“What’s wrong? Haven’t you been telling me that I have a destiny to fulfill?”

『You are indeed a child of destiny, carrying the inheritance of an Immortal Emperor, and you can see me. But do you know what that guy and his junior sister did to save you?』

“What did they do?”

Xiaotian smirked and said, 『Together, they incinerated the demonic cultivator who attacked you. I saw it with my own eyes. That demonic cultivator was burned to ashes by them.』

Feng Yudie thought she must have misheard. “Wasn’t that demonic cultivator already at the pseudo early Nascent Soul stage?”

『Yes.』

“I can’t believe it.”

Xiaotian nodded and continued, 『I’m still in awe. Neither of them has particularly outstanding aptitude or spiritual roots, yet their cultivation speed far surpasses their peers. The boy is at the third level of Qi Refining at fifteen years old, and the girl is at the Peak stage of Qi Refining at fourteen.』

“… …”

『Moreover, the two of them managed to kill a pseudo early Nascent Soul stage demonic cultivator. That’s two major cultivation realms above them. Although that demonic cultivator was already injured by old dragon, just the fact that they managed to bury him is enough to show their strength.』

“Really?”

『I saw it with my own eyes.』 Xiaotian nodded and flew to her front, hands on hips. 『Let’s not talk about that boy for now. His cultivation is only at the third level of Qi Refining, so he can’t beat you. But that girl with the surname Pei is different. You wouldn’t last five moves against her. Do you believe me?』

Xiaotian wanted to put a damper on Feng Yudie’s confidence.

Competition could create pressure, and pressure could lead to faster growth.

Xiaotian had always felt that Feng Yudie lacked such a competitive opponent.

Feng Yudie’s aptitude was truly exceptional, and over the past decade or so, anyone her age or even a decade older had been completely outclassed by her.

The recent encounter with the Pseudo-Early Nascent Soul demonic cultivator had given her a lesson, and this Pei girl could also serve as an inspiration.

“Miss Pei is indeed quite formidable.”

『That’s right, there’s always someone better out there.』 Xiaotian nodded thoughtfully and continued its lecture.

『So, you need to work even harder. Do you understand? Your aptitude is better than that Pei girl’s. In the future, she won’t be able to surpass you. But if you keep fooling around like you are now, always thinking about roasting chicken and playing around, you’ll waste your Heavenly Spirit Root sooner or later…』

However, despite its lecture, Feng Yudie didn’t feel as discouraged as Xiaotian expected. Instead, she blushed inexplicably.

Xiaotian raised an eyebrow. 『Why are you blushing?』

Feng Yudie covered her face and giggled shyly. “Miss Pei is so beautiful, and she’s so capable. Moreover, she saved me. I feel like…”

『Feel like what?』

“I… I think I might have fallen for her.”

Xiaotian’s expression froze momentarily, then it pinched the bridge of its nose in exasperation before kicking her forehead.

『Yudie!! I told you this not to make you fall for her, but to make you feel a sense of crisis. If you don’t start working harder…』

“I know, I know!” Feng Yudie waved her hand dismissively and laughed. “But, you see, Xiaotian, I’m a young girl going through my growing phase. How can I not be moved by someone like her? Besides, she’s also my savior.”

Xiaotian’s expression remained blank. 『Yudie, Ye Anping is also your savior. I can understand if you have feelings for him, but for that girl too?』

“Teacher said that all men are scoundrels.”

『… …』

Feng Yudie giggled foolishly and asked, “Xiaotian, do you think Miss Pei might have a favorable impression of me?”

『A little favorable impression? You think all girls are as nearsighted as you?』

“But she stayed by my bedside all day yesterday and even peeled an apple for me.”

With that, Feng Yudie reached under her pillow and retrieved the apple core that Pei Lengxue had tossed to her before leaving yesterday, causing Xiaotian’s face to twitch in disbelief.

『… You kept this apple core under your pillow all night?』

“Yeah, Miss Pei peeled it for me.” Feng Yudie smiled and pursed her lips. “I thought if I kept it under my pillow, I might dream about Miss Pei while sleeping.”

『… …』

At this point, even Xiaotian was lost for words.

Well, it’s true. After all, Feng Yudie is a fifteen-year-old girl. It’s quite normal for her to develop feelings when she encounters someone impressive and amazing.

Normal my foot!

A girl, because of another girl, becomes flustered like a startled deer.

If her master, True Immortal Tai Xu, knew she was acting like this, she would definitely give her a swollen butt from spanking.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, and Xiao Die entered with a bowl of medicinal gruel in her hands.

Seeing that Feng Yudie was awake, Xiao Die greeted her cheerfully, “Miss Feng, are you awake? This is the medicinal gruel that the Young Master specially prepared for you today. It will help you recover faster.”

“Hmm? You’re… Xiao Die, right? Miss Pei mentioned you to me yesterday.”

“Yes, Miss Feng can just call me Xiao Die,” Xiao Die walked to the bedside and handed over the bowl of medicinal gruel, “While you’re at the Hundred Lotus Sect, if you need anything, just call for me. The Young Master said I should serve you well, so you don’t need to be too reserved.”

“Then thank Young Master Ye on my behalf.”

Xiao Die nodded with a gentle smile, “If Miss Feng wants to express gratitude, it’s better to do so in person. Here, first drink the medicinal gruel, and then I’ll help you freshen up. Your previous clothes were stained with a lot of blood and couldn’t be cleaned, so they were discarded. The Young Master brought some new clothes for you.”

Listening to Xiao Die repeatedly mentioning “Young Master,” Feng Yudie couldn’t help but feel as if that Young Master had taken an interest in her and sent this little maid to win her favor.

After a moment’s pause, Feng Yudie quickly changed the subject and asked, “Um… by the way, where is Miss Pei?”

“Miss Pei should be in the training ground with the Young Master, practicing swordplay.”

“… Can I go watch them later?”

“Of course, after Miss Feng finishes the gruel, I’ll take you over there.”