Chapter 8: Senior Brother

At this moment, Senior Brother Lin Qing was busily occupied within his cave-dwelling. Ever since Hansu’s cultivation had settled into a steady rhythm, their parents had gradually observed that Hansu’s naïve, inexperienced demeanor was proof enough that she was certainly not a high-level cultivator who had seized her body. She was still their well-behaved daughter, and so both parents set their minds at ease. Master Hengbo thus began her seclusion in preparation for breaking through to the Great Perfection Stage of the Golden Core.

The higher a female cultivator’s realm, the more difficult it became to conceive—let alone the fact that giving birth would cause one’s cultivation to regress. Before her pregnancy, Master Hengbo had already reached the late Golden Core stage, and by chance, had once swallowed a Hundred Immortal Fruit during her pregnancy. If not for carrying a child, the spiritual power contained in that fruit would have been enough for her to form a Nascent Soul in one go. Therefore, after giving birth, she only dropped a single realm, returning to late Golden Core.

This breakthrough could be said to proceed naturally, with no risk. Still, both Lanhe Daojun and her secluded themselves together to protect her during the process. Master Hengbo had not yet accepted any disciples; Lin Qing was the first disciple of Lanhe Daojun, with two junior brothers currently out traveling for experience. Thus, Lin Qing naturally became the steward of the entire Lingwu Peak.

There were few people and little power on Lingwu Peak, so there were not many trifling matters to tend to. However, since Lanhe Daojun excelled in cultivating spirit herbs and plants, and Master Hengbo was skilled in the healing arts, many came to curry favor. Aside from the comings and goings of guests, their masters had five spirit gardens of various sizes. Although there were servant disciples and stewards, Lin Qing—overseeing the entire peak—still found the responsibilities overwhelming. He could only snatch what little time remained among all these chores to cultivate, and even that proved woefully insufficient.

Lin Qing had just entered the mid-stage of the Golden Core last year. His cave-dwelling had its own steward disciple. Upon hearing the steward announce that little junior sister had arrived, he hurried out to greet her. With Master and Mistress in seclusion, the child was all but left to her own devices. Fortunately, Hansu was obedient and sensible: she cultivated on her own each day, and although she often went out causing mischief with friends, she never took the lead in troublemaking and was never the one complained about. It was said that the neighboring Lingfu Peak’s master often had to apologize for his little niece’s frequent mischief, compensating others with Lingfu Talismans whose number was beyond reckoning. Hansu, as if understanding his burdens, rarely brought him any trouble.

Today she had come—surely there was a reason. Could it be that she had been bullied? Like a cannonball, Lin Qing rushed out, intending to comfort his wronged junior sister, but was instantly stunned to discover that she had already reached the fourth layer of Qi Refinement. Truly remarkable... What age was he when he reached the fourth layer? He couldn’t quite recall, but he must have been at least in his teens. His junior sister was not even seven yet!

As soon as she saw him, Hansu shot seven little ice arrows at her senior brother, then stood with her hands behind her back, grinning foolishly. Lin Qing swept his sleeve to dissolve the ice arrows, seized Hansu’s tiny hand, and began the most gratifying stage of all—lavishing her with words of praise. After basking in his compliments, Hansu stuck on a Swiftstrider Talisman and dashed off to find her little friends. It was nearly dusk; they were likely grilling fish at Spirit Pool Peak.

As its name implied, Spirit Pool Peak was dotted with spirit pools of various sizes. These pools possessed all manner of properties—some perilous, some shrouded in mystery. Of course, the one they frequented was the somewhat dangerous Prosperous Fish Pool. The spirit fish in that pool were of many varieties; the one they most often ate was a second-rank spirit beast called the Single-Eyed Fish. This fish had plump and delicious flesh, but its body was agile and its single eye could unleash thunderbolts. Every time they tried to catch one, their group had to unleash their magic treasures in a wild barrage, and only then would they occasionally snare one or two. Of course, Hansu was always the one who stood to the side, contributing seasoning when it came time to roast the fish. Now that she had reached the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, perhaps she could finally lend a hand.