Recalling the function of the Thunder-Attracting Bead, Shui Lianyue explained it to Ye Xiangli. Upon hearing what the bead could do, Ye Xiangli's expression grew somewhat hesitant.
Yet, thinking that this would allow her to cultivate, her expression instantly firmed up once more. What did mere lightning strikes matter? As long as she could grow stronger, none of this was of any consequence.
"Just as your Senior Sister said, when the time comes, the Thunder-Attracting Bead will enter your body to help suppress the Origin of Heavenly Thunder. Once your dantian is repaired, use the Glazed Pure Lotus Pellet to protect your meridians and dantian. Seize this opportunity to capture the Origin of Heavenly Thunder and refine it on the spot."
"Ever since you were little, your broken dantian has constantly leaked tiny trickles of energy from the Origin of Heavenly Thunder, reshaping your body. Your affinity with the lightning of heaven and earth is already maxed out. As long as we can successfully repair your dantian and refine the Origin of Heavenly Thunder, you can officially set foot on the path of immortality."
He had a way to acquire the required medicinal pills, but the Yinxian Gate did not possess a Thunder-Attracting Bead; it seemed he would have to think of another way. Still, for him, that was no difficult task.
"Mm! Thank you, Master!"
Hearing that she actually had a chance to cultivate, a brilliant smile instantly bloomed on Ye Xiangli's face. Such a smile on her flower-like features made her look all the more radiant and moving, as though the delicate fragility between her brows had been slightly washed away.
It made Shui Lianyue's heart itch. *Tch, it seems I really am starting to turn a bit strange.*
Shui Lianyue couldn't help but harbor doubts about herself in her heart.
"You are my disciple; this is only what a master should do. You just need to strive in your cultivation and keep me company a little more."
Luochen stroked Ye Xiangli's head. Looking at the well-behaved disciple before him, he was reminded of what Shui Lianyue had looked like when she first arrived.
Ah, a little mite, with a cold expression on her face—both aloof and adorable.
Ye Xiangli was clearly unaccustomed to such physical closeness from an elder, lowering her head in shyness, though she did not show much resistance toward Luochen. Having lived in darkness for so long, while she remained deeply vigilant toward the outside world, she yearned just as much for light and warmth.
Meeting Luochen's eyes, she merely nodded gently. Recognizing the current state of his little disciple, Luochen said nothing more.
Instead, he looked at Shui Lianyue, gave her a few instructions, and then left to prepare the items needed to repair the dantian.
Once Luochen had departed, Ye Xiangli let out a soft breath. Now, only she and her Senior Sister remained here.
The thought inevitably made Ye Xiangli nervous. She cast a cautious glance toward Shui Lianyue and found that her Senior Sister was currently deep in thought.
At that moment, Shui Lianyue was pondering how best to bully—no, she corrected herself, how best to train Ye Xiangli.
Since Ye Xiangli couldn't cultivate yet, they might as well start with the most basic physical conditioning, as body-refinement would be necessary later on.
A Lightning Spirit Root was far too violent, and coupled with the fact that she would have to endure lightning strikes, she needed to be in top physical shape. She had to help Ye Xiangli lay a solid foundation first.
Her own Water Spirit Root was much gentler, which would serve nicely as a supportive aid in the early stages.
"Senior Sister?"
Seeing Shui Lianyue standing motionless in a daze, Ye Xiangli took a step forward and gently pinched the palm of Shui Lianyue's hand.
A sudden soft, warm sensation came from her palm. Lowering her gaze, she saw Ye Xiangli looking up at her obediently, sparkling and translucent like morning dew.
Without thinking, Shui Lianyue blurted out what was deep in her heart: "Say, can you cry for me to see?"
Huh?
Huh?!
Ye Xiangli widened her eyes in astonishment. Her poetry-like, delicate brows carried a trace of bewilderment, and her frail, slender frame gave a slight shudder.
"Ah?"
Only then did Shui Lianyue realize she had spoken her inner thoughts aloud. Seeing the shock on Ye Xiangli's face, Shui Lianyue felt not a shred of embarrassment for blurting out her true thoughts.
Instead, she looked earnestly at Ye Xiangli. "I just thought that Junior Sister would surely look very cute when crying."
Shui Lianyue realized that ever since she transmigrated, not only had her emotions grown dull, but her skin had also become exceptionally thick. If it were the her from her past life, she certainly could never have said such a thing.
As the words fell, a rosy blush slowly crept up Ye Xiangli's cheeks, making her utterly bashful under Shui Lianyue's direct remark.
"Senior Sister..."
"Just kidding. Junior Sister is cute no matter what she looks like."
Smiling, Shui Lianyue stroked Ye Xiangli's soft, smooth hair with a gentle touch. Her melodious, light laughter caused the tips of Ye Xiangli's ears to burn with heat.
Her Senior Sister had smiled at her—she was so happy!
"If Senior Sister wishes... anything is fine!"
Perhaps out of an excess of joy, the words spilling from Ye Xiangli's lips became somewhat bolder.
The moment she finished speaking, a deep wave of regret washed over her. *Ah, ah, ah, what on earth is she saying?!*
Her Senior Sister must think she's some kind of casual person now. She really was an idiot! Her head swam, and she felt as though she might faint at any moment.
"Really, anything?"
Shui Lianyue lowered her head with a smile, her bright eyes dreamy as she gazed at the blushing young girl before her, who looked like a newly blooming peach blossom.
"M-mm!"
Knowing that she was capable of cultivation now, combined with the goodwill radiating from Shui Lianyue and Luochen, had brightened Ye Xiangli's disposition somewhat. She wasn't naturally introverted; her personality had mostly been shaped by her environment.
Since the words were already out, she naturally had to follow through.
"Then... let's practice stance-holding."
"Stance-holding?"
A nearly imperceptible flash of disappointment crossed Ye Xiangli's face. So it wasn't what the System had mentioned.
*That's not right. At a time like this, shouldn't Shui Lianyue be ruthlessly bullying the host?*
*I knew Senior Sister wouldn't bully me.*
Though she thought that, Ye Xiangli seemed somewhat expectant of what the System had suggested. She wanted to see how her Senior Sister—who was as pure and flawless as moonlight in her heart—would go about bullying her.
Well, she was simply curious, that was all.
"Right, stance-holding."
Shui Lianyue's water-clear eyes observed Ye Xiangli's expression. When she mentioned stance-holding, a trace of disappointment had seemed to linger in the girl's eyes. What exactly was she disappointed about?
Or rather, what was she anticipating?
Shui Lianyue felt she was losing control of herself. She should find a way to bully Ye Xiangli a little later.
No, not bullying—training! Shui Lianyue convinced herself inwardly. My, aren't I just so kind.
"Stance-holding can both regulate your internal state and train your muscle control. Lightning is violent; you must learn to govern your own strength."
Listening to Shui Lianyue's explanation, Ye Xiangli swept all those messy distractions from her mind and listened intently.
As the explanation finished, she watched Shui Lianyue walk toward the Tianji Wood. Seeing that tree involuntarily brought back memories of her recent experience hanging upside down from it.
"Senior Sister?"
Giving a soft call, Ye Xiangli quickened her pace to catch up.
Shui Lianyue came to a halt before the Tianji Wood, the hem of her skirt swaying with a slight arc as she walked. Ye Xiangli followed closely behind, staring blankly at the ground where Shui Lianyue had stepped—until she bumped straight into her back.
With a sharp pain at the tip of her nose, colliding with her Senior Sister's back proved surprisingly painful, drawing a soft gasp from her lips as she rubbed her nose.
"Right here, then. The lightning spiritual energy is a bit more concentrated in this spot."