The Martial Aunt’s Arrival and a Master’s Misunderstanding

‘It’s strange… When I transmigrated… I was in good health?’

Feeling the throbbing in his heart, Lin Mo was a little worried… ‘Was there something wrong with my body?’

‘That’s not right,’ he thought. ‘Having survived such harsh conditions without any issues, and now cultivating, my body should be even stronger.’

“An answer?” Mu Qingli’s voice cut through the air. “My patience for men is limited. If you prefer to be a s*ave, then—”

“Esteemed Master!” Lin Mo quickly interjected, his voice urgent. “Please accept your disciple’s humble bow!” He immediately knelt before Mu Qingli, then vigorously kowtowed three times.

“Mm, rise.” Mu Qingli, seemingly searching for something, never once spared Lin Mo a glance, her face plainly etched with disdain.

Lin Mo, however, remained unfazed. He understood there was little he could change, but as long as his treatment surpassed what he endured at the Qiu family, he would be utterly content.

At the very least, he could now truly consider himself a person.

With a heart full of gratitude, he inquired of Mu Qingli, “Esteemed Master, did you bring me here to…?”

“…Can you read and write?”

“Uh… a little.”

“Very well, we’ll skip that for now. From today onward, for the next twelve hours, you will remain here with me to learn feminine etiquette and how to skillfully circulate your cultivation technique.”

“All… all of it here?”

“All of it here,” Mu Qingli stated, “lest you wander off and cause some unforeseen incident.”

Though seemingly concerned, her words betrayed an underlying wariness.

Lin Mo’s face remained impassive, yet inwardly, a murmur of suspicion had already begun: ‘It seems this woman intends to keep me under constant surveillance.’

“Will we also eat here then? Can one make a fire and cook in this place?”

“Eat what?” Mu Qingli retorted directly. “You have no need for food. Why would you light a fire and cook?”

‘?!’

Lin Mo was startled. ‘No need to eat?’

‘Though I am cultivating, I’m only at the Qi Condensation stage; I still need to eat.’

‘Shouldn’t abstaining from grains be… a Foundation Establishment realm matter?’

He recalled Yang Po Po once idly chatting with him, asking if immortals needed to eat.

Yang Po Po had stated that those at Foundation Establishment didn’t, but cultivators at the Qi Condensation stage still required sustenance, a phase also known as “Mortal Transformation” (TL Note: ‘Tuifan’, referring to the process of shedding one’s mortal coil and beginning the path of cultivation).

‘Could the Sect Master possibly be unaware of something even Yang Po Po knew?’

‘Moreover, I’d even confirmed it with Qiu Yue when she was in a good mood, and her answer was consistent.’

The cultivation process of the Qi Condensation stage was commonly referred to as Mortal Transformation.

Foundation Establishment—that was the true realm of cultivators, the “immortals” whispered about in the mundane world.

They had no need for food.

A terrible premonition suddenly seized Lin Mo. ‘This woman… surely she can’t be ignorant of this, can she?’

Mu Qingli sneered, “Short hair, short sight! Once one embarks on the path of cultivation, there is already a distinction between immortals and mortals. Eating is merely a waste of time, hindering cultivation and offering no boost to one’s spiritual power!

In five days, my martial aunt will arrive in person, and she shall bear witness to how I, your master, will elevate you from a mere novice without even a single layer of Qi Condensation to the fifth layer!

By then, my martial aunt will undoubtedly grant me greater recognition and support. With her powerful backing, Qing You can forget about ever taking you away!”

‘In five days… Mu Qingli’s martial aunt will arrive?’

Judging by Mu Qingli’s tone, it seemed this martial aunt possessed significant background and power.

Qing You and Mu Qingli were clearly at odds. Given that Mu Qingli was almost a figurehead, yet hadn’t been ousted, it was likely this very martial aunt she spoke of who supported her, allowing her to retain her position.

Suddenly, a brilliant scheme materialized in Lin Mo’s mind.

‘As the one whose test had triggered an anomaly, causing the Grand Elder and the Sect Master to contend for him on the spot, wouldn’t this martial aunt also desire to claim him?’

‘If he provided that martial aunt with a compelling reason, an excuse, how could she not be tempted?’

‘And if, at that crucial moment, he steadfastly maintained his loyalty, absolutely refusing to betray Mu Qingli… then her wariness and trust towards him… would surely plummet to their lowest point!’

‘Though somewhat masochistic, this was undoubtedly the optimal solution.’

With his gaze firming as he looked at Mu Qingli, Lin Mo steeled his resolve and nodded, “I understand. Esteemed Master, please, guide me in cultivation at once!”

And so, five days later—

The Sect Master’s Residence.

Above the clear sky, a loud, hearty laugh suddenly echoed. “Little Qingli~ I’ve heard all about your grand feat at the disciple induction ceremony, hahaha.”

Upon hearing the voice, a rare flicker of joy crossed Mu Qingli’s usually stern face. She offered a faint, placid smile, stepping out of the main hall into the courtyard, looking up as a streak of light rapidly flew towards them.

It was Mu Qingli’s martial aunt, Zhao Qiubai. Years ago, when Mu Qingli’s master perished in the outer domains, she left behind a will, decreeing that Mu Qingli should assume the position of Sect Master.

Had it not been for the support of Martial Aunt Zhao Qiubai and the discovery of her master’s will, the Xuan Nv Sect, which her master held dearest, would likely have long since fallen into the clutches of that old hag Qing You, becoming a den of corruption.

Zhao Qiubai landed directly before Mu Qingli, her eyes sparkling with unconcealed delight.

As Mu Qingli’s martial aunt, Zhao Qiubai held a considerably high status within the sect.

She was tall and slender, her white robes billowing gracefully in the wind, every gesture exuding the unconstrained elegance of an immortal cultivator.

Her long, raven hair was simply gathered by a white jade hairpin, with a few strands falling loosely by her cheeks, adding a touch of lively charm.

Despite her youthful appearance, with a hint of childish innocence still lingering, her demeanor, in every movement, carried no trace of immaturity, but rather an air of profound composure.

The conflict between her and Qing You was long-standing, and having always been a target of Qing You’s machinations, seeing Mu Qingli humble Qing You this time filled her heart with immense satisfaction.

Seeing her, Mu Qingli hastened forward, bowing respectfully. “Martial Aunt, what brings you here?”

Zhao Qiubai smiled. “To see you, and to bring some necessities for your disciple. You can’t leave the residence, can you?” She then handed a storage ring to Mu Qingli and continued, “You did well this time! Truly worthy of my senior sister’s disciple, as assertive as she was in her youth!

Who would have thought that in my youth, your master would avenge me, and now in my old age, it’s you, this little one.

Indeed, she raised you well; you have spirit!”

Mu Qingli’s eyes lit up, her typically aloof expression instantly melting away as she asked, “Really?”

“Of course~ It’s like a legacy. You have your Qing You now, and we had our own Qing You back then. You and your master are both fearless, afraid of nothing. We all feared that old hag, but only your master consistently defied her.

You’ve suffered quite a bit, haven’t you? While I was away, did that old hag constantly cause you trouble?”

Mu Qingli looked gratefully at Zhao Qiubai. “Thank you for your concern, Martial Aunt, but fortunately, that old hag Qing You has had little effect on me.”

Zhao Qiubai gently patted Mu Qingli’s shoulder. “My dear, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell your martial aunt. Speaking of which, where is your disciple?

Let your martial aunt have a look. I’m curious to see what kind of disciple could make that old thing Qing You stoop so low as to contend with you for them?”

“Then please follow me, Martial Aunt. I happen to lack experience in caring for a disciple, and there are some matters I wished to ask you about.”

“Ask away. Your martial aunt has plenty of time now.”

“Then I shall trouble you, Martial Aunt. Please, follow me.”

With that, Mu Qingli led Zhao Qiubai back to the main hall and said, “The cultivation technique circulates perfectly, and spiritual energy is abundant, yet why has he become like this?”

“Hm? Such a thing? Let me see?”

“Lin Wan’er, come out and greet your Grand Martial Aunt!” Mu Qingli called out towards the depths of the main hall.

“Yes…”

A faint, weak voice responded, and from the darkness, a figure emerged, leaning on a cane, tottering unsteadily.

Zhao Qiubai squinted, then recoiled in shock!

The person who emerged was Lin Mo. His lips were already parched and cracked, lines of raw skin like fissures on dry earth, revealing a shocking, vivid red.

His lips had turned deathly pale, utterly devoid of color, and trembled slightly, as if silently articulating his body’s desperate cravings.

His eyes were deeply sunken, encircled by dark, bruised shadows, as though smudged with heavy ink.

His once bright gaze was now dull and lifeless, his eyes reflecting exhaustion and despair. Each blink seemed to drain the last vestiges of his strength.

His cheeks were terribly emaciated, his formerly round face now appearing as if carved by a knife, cheekbones sharply protruding, skin stretched tautly over bone, without an ounce of superfluous flesh.

His skin, too, had lost its luster, becoming dry and sallow, like a piece of worn parchment.

His hair lay disheveled on his shoulders, utterly devoid of life, resembling a tangled heap of withered grass. His body swayed precariously, his legs like thin sticks of wood poised to snap, each step demanding immense effort.

His back was slightly hunched, as if he bore an invisible mountain on his shoulders.

“Lin, Lin Wan’er pays respects to Grand—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Lin Mo collapsed straight forward.

Zhao Qiubai, quick-witted and swift, instantly darted forward, catching Lin Mo by his back. She then stared at Mu Qingli in horror. “Little Qingli, you… you haven’t given your disciple food or water?! She’s severely dehydrated! How long has it been since she last ate?”

“Ah?” Mu Qingli blinked in bewilderment. “She still needs food and water? Isn’t that something only mortals do?”