Han Qianqiu, meanwhile, remained utterly still on the other side of the stone table, frozen in the act of sipping her tea.
To prevent anyone from noticing the anomaly, Bai Qiuyuan halted time.
Gazing at [Tribulation Invalidation], Bai Qiuyuan paused in silence for two seconds before attempting to adjust his cultivation to the Nascent Soul stage.
Yet, he soon realized there was no impending sense of a tribulation.
He then pushed his cultivation further, ascending to the Soul Transformation stage, then the Void Refinement stage…
Still, no Heavenly Tribulation manifested.
‘It seems this Tribulation Invalidation allows me to modify my cultivation without facing tribulations…’
‘That’s good. Otherwise, every time I lowered my cultivation and then raised it again, I’d have to undergo another tribulation…’
Following this, Bai Qiuyuan directly adjusted his cultivation to the Ninth Stage of Void Refinement!
Concurrently, his ‘aura’ stat remained at ‘no cultivation’.
‘Are no new skills emerging after increasing my cultivation?’
‘Or are there other conditions for unlocking them?’
Having simply confirmed his ability to freely control Void Refinement cultivation, Bai Qiuyuan then turned his attention to the next permission on the modifier: [Item Stat Modification].
‘Item Stat Modification? Does that mean I can change an item’s power?’
‘I should just find something to try it on.’
Bai Qiuyuan then stood up and walked over to a walnut tree in the courtyard.
Leaping, he plucked a branch from the tree and opened its stat panel.
‘[{Ordinary Branch +0}: Attack 1, Durability 1, Defense 0]’
He then began to modify it.
A few seconds later…
‘[{Reinforced Ordinary Branch +10}: Attack 1000, Durability 1, Defense 0]’
Bai Qiuyuan examined the branch, yet found no discernible difference in its appearance from before it was enhanced.
Bai Qiuyuan pondered, a hint of doubt in his mind.
‘Is that it? Is it already modified?’
Picking up the branch, Bai Qiuyuan swung it at a century-old walnut tree nearby.
A flash of white light streaked through the air!
*Bang!*
The walnut tree was instantly severed by the branch, as if sliced through tofu!
The cut was perfectly clean, as if split by a single sword strike!
One moment it was merely an ordinary branch, the next it had transformed into a peerless divine weapon!
However, the branch in Bai Qiuyuan’s hand, its durability reduced to zero after that single strike, crumbled directly into ash.
Bai Qiuyuan froze for a moment, then chuckled.
“Doesn’t that mean I could defeat anyone with a single blade of grass from now on?”
As he spoke, Bai Qiuyuan gazed at the felled giant tree and the wall it had crushed, then raised his hand and called out.
“Time Reversal.”
*Whoosh…*
The previously felled giant tree floated into the air, automatically reattaching itself to its severed base, as the cut surfaces began to rejoin!
Even the branch Bai Qiuyuan had plucked, which had turned to ash, was restored instantly!
In no time, the walnut tree returned to its original state.
Bai Qiuyuan: ‘If used on people… could it function as a healing skill?’
‘Or if it works on human memory, could it be used as a memory-wiping spell?’
Next, Bai Qiuyuan used his divine sense to observe his Golden Core.
According to the jade slip Han Qianqiu had given him earlier, a Golden Core would form upon the completion of a tribulation.
The true qi within his body would transform into spiritual energy, condensing into spiritual power.
Then, with a one-in-ten-million chance, a Golden Core innate ability would emerge!
Most abilities were related to spiritual root attributes, such as Water affinity, Fire affinity, Lightning affinity, and so on…
However, Bai Qiuyuan had acquired a Golden Core innate skill: Space affinity!
Han Qianqiu herself had never encountered Space affinity before!
Bai Qiuyuan already understood the immense power of Space affinity.
The sword strike he had used earlier to cleave through the lightning tribulation had been executed with full power, his subconscious mind simultaneously drawing upon the nascent spatial power of his Golden Core.
Furthermore, even if the Golden Core tribulation appeared formidable, its true power would never exceed that of the Golden Core stage itself.
This was why Bai Qiuyuan had been able to split the Heavenly Tribulation with a single sword stroke.
It was not until the tribulation vanished and his Golden Core fully formed that the true might of his spatial power revealed itself!
Moreover, Bai Qiuyuan realized that, theoretically, once he thoroughly mastered this affinity, instantaneous teleportation would not be an impossible feat in the future!
Bai Qiuyuan returned to his seat, lifting the time stop.
“Hmm? Why do I feel like your aura suddenly changed in an instant?”
The moment time resumed, Han Qianqiu detected a shift in Bai Qiuyuan, questioning him with a puzzled expression.
Although Bai Qiuyuan’s cultivation had always been unfathomable, Han Qianqiu had never felt threatened by him.
Yet, with a single blink just now, Han Qianqiu noticed that Bai Qiuyuan’s aura had suddenly become immeasurably profound!
Bai Qiuyuan chuckled.
“I’m quite strong now, you see.”
Han Qianqiu first froze, then scoffed.
“You? A mere Golden Core cultivator?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Han Qianqiu immediately threw a tentative punch at Bai Qiuyuan!
*Smack!*
Bai Qiuyuan effortlessly caught Han Qianqiu’s fist with his bare hand!
Han Qianqiu: ‘?!’
“What?!”
“The force of that strike was absolutely not something a Golden Core cultivator could withstand!”
Bai Qiuyuan chuckled.
“So violent. Be careful, or you’ll never get married.”
As he spoke, Bai Qiuyuan directly sealed Han Qianqiu’s spiritual power and yanked her towards him!
Han Qianqiu: ‘!!!’
Han Qianqiu immediately found herself splayed across Bai Qiuyuan’s lap in a most mortifying posture!
Then, Han Qianqiu saw Bai Qiuyuan raise his hand with a mischievous grin.
Han Qianqiu: ‘???’
“Wait! You wouldn’t possibly—”
Before Han Qianqiu could finish, Bai Qiuyuan’s hand descended directly!
*Smack!*
Han Qianqiu’s face instantly flushed crimson!
“Ah!!!” “How dare you hit me?!”
“My own father has never hit me *there*!!!!”
*Smack!*
Bai Qiuyuan’s merciless iron hand fell once more. ‘!!!’
“Bai Qiuyuan! I’ll fight you to the death!!!”
But soon, Han Qianqiu was stunned! No matter how fiercely she resisted, she remained firmly under Bai Qiuyuan’s control!
She couldn’t break free at all!
…
…
****
After a brief interval…
Bai Qiuyuan continued to sip his tea, utterly unperturbed.
Beside him, Han Qianqiu stood clutching her backside, her face crimson with shame and indignation, glaring fixedly at Bai Qiuyuan.
If looks could kill, Bai Qiuyuan might have been riddled with a thousand holes by Han Qianqiu’s furious gaze!
Seeing Han Qianqiu’s expression, Bai Qiuyuan chuckled.
“I’m not one to hold grudges overnight.”
“If there’s a score to settle, I usually settle it the same day.”
Upon hearing this, Han Qianqiu’s face instantly turned scarlet with fury, yet she dared not retort.
She feared being dragged back by Bai Qiuyuan and reliving the recent humiliation.
Han Qianqiu asked, her voice laced with frustration.
“Why are you suddenly so powerful now?”
Bai Qiuyuan chuckled.
“That’s naturally because I possess extraordinary talent.”
Bai Qiuyuan had no intention of revealing his true cultivation.
After all, it might expose the modifier he carried.
Hearing Bai Qiuyuan’s reply, Han Qianqiu immediately rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.
“Shameless.”
Bai Qiuyuan, hearing her, placed his teacup on the stone table and smiled.
“I’ve finished. Pour me another cup.”
Han Qianqiu, upon hearing this, immediately fumed.
“Why should *I* pour you tea?!”
As she spoke, Han Qianqiu saw Bai Qiuyuan raise his hand, a seemingly threatening smile playing on his lips.
“That felt really good just now.”
Han Qianqiu immediately cried out in mortified indignation.
“You!… Shameless!”
Yet, after her outburst, she hastily picked up the teapot and refilled Bai Qiuyuan’s cup, terrified of another ‘spanking’.
Bai Qiuyuan picked up his teacup and continued to sip his tea, a smile on his face.
Han Qianqiu watched Bai Qiuyuan, thinking bitterly.
‘Since I began cultivating, this is the first time I’ve ever felt such humiliation!’
‘Speaking of which… he’s stronger than me now…’
‘Will he still stay?…
Han Qianqiu thought with a touch of worry, for previously, she had promised to protect Bai Qiuyuan, which was why he had chosen to stay. Now, however, it seemed Bai Qiuyuan no longer needed her protection…
Just then, an elder arrived in the backyard, flying on his sword.
Upon entering the backyard, the elder immediately spotted Bai Qiuyuan seated and sipping tea, and standing meekly to one side, holding a teapot like a maidservant, was his own sect’s Old Ancestor!
For a brief second, the elder was utterly bewildered.
‘Didn’t Grand Ancestor get hit by Old Ancestor this morning?’
‘Why does Old Ancestor look so meek now?’
This elder was one of the few who had passed through the main hall that morning and noticed the slap mark on Bai Qiuyuan’s face.
Upon seeing the palm print on Bai Qiuyuan’s face, some elders had concluded that Bai Qiuyuan was, in fact, no match for their own Old Ancestor.
Thus, Bai Qiuyuan’s once towering image in his mind, forged the previous night, had suddenly developed a limp.
However, witnessing the current scene, the elder felt as though he had achieved enlightenment!
‘So that’s it!’
‘Grand Ancestor wasn’t actually weaker than Old Ancestor!’
‘He was just letting her win before!’
Instantly, Bai Qiuyuan’s somewhat shattered image in the elder’s mind was repaired!
And it grew even grander!
Seeing the elder, Bai Qiuyuan asked.
“Is something the matter?”
Upon hearing him, the elder chuckled.
“Grand Ancestor, the disciple recruitment has entered its final stage.”
“Next is the time for disciples and elders to choose their respective masters and students.”
“We plan to use this Disciple Acceptance Ceremony to announce the marriage of Grand Ancestor and Old Ancestor.”
“May I ask what Grand Ancestor and Old Ancestor think of this?”
Bai Qiuyuan mused for two seconds before replying.
“We can announce the engagement first, but the marriage contract should be set for twelve years from now.”
Upon hearing this, the elder looked at Bai Qiuyuan with a hint of confusion.
Bai Qiuyuan explained with a smile.
“After all, we’ve only just met. I still want to get to know her better.”
Han Qianqiu: ‘…’
Upon hearing this, the elder’s face immediately lit up with understanding, and he chuckled.
“Understood!”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Afterward, please ensure both Grand Ancestors attend in person!”
Having said his piece, the elder departed, flying on his sword.
From an elder’s perspective as a cultivator, twelve years was hardly a long time.
After all, cultivators sometimes entered seclusion for twenty or thirty years at a stretch.
Han Qianqiu, seeing the elder leave, said angrily.
“Hmph! You don’t even intend to marry me.”
Bai Qiuyuan chuckled.
“If I didn’t want to marry you, I could simply leave right now.”
“After all, I no longer need you to protect me.”
Han Qianqiu: ‘?!’
‘He’s willing to marry me?!’
Bai Qiuyuan continued to chuckle.
“I suddenly feel that marrying you might actually be a good choice.”
“After all, you’re beautiful and your cultivation is high.”
Han Qianqiu, hearing this, scoffed with disdain, speaking as if utterly unconcerned.
“Do you think saying all that will flatter me?”
Though she said this aloud, Han Qianqiu’s body was remarkably honest.
After refilling Bai Qiuyuan’s cup, she came up behind him and began to massage his shoulders.
Seeing this, Bai Qiuyuan sipped his tea, not bothering to expose her.
‘She’s so easy to appease…’
‘Originally, I planned to meet Lin Ziya after Yang Xueqing joined the Sword Pavilion, then leave directly.’
‘However… now it seems that having a personal stress reliever isn’t so bad either.’
‘At the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony later, if I reveal my identity as the Sword Pavilion’s Grand Ancestor…’
‘Yang Xueqing might think I saved her to take her as a disciple…’
‘Being a Master was among the top three most dangerous professions in my past life, so I’m certainly not taking on any disciples…’
After pondering for a while, Bai Qiuyuan said to Han Qianqiu.
“You go take your seat first.”
“I need to go meet someone.”
Han Qianqiu: ‘?’
“Male or female?”
Bai Qiuyuan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
He hadn’t expected Han Qianqiu to be more concerned with the person’s gender than with who he was meeting.
He chuckled speechlessly.
“Female.”
Han Qianqiu, upon hearing this, looked at Bai Qiuyuan with a ‘kind’ expression and asked.
“Is she prettier than me?”
“No.”
“In terms of appearance, you are the most beautiful woman I have met so far.”
Bai Qiuyuan chuckled.
Though it might sound like flattery, Bai Qiuyuan was indeed speaking the truth.
Han Qianqiu’s mood instantly brightened, yet she still feigned an impatient expression, saying while massaging his shoulders.
“Go on, go on.”
Bai Qiuyuan, hearing her, revealed a faint smile.
‘Women change their expressions so quickly…’
…
…
Meanwhile, an elder approached a crowd and chuckled.
“Guess what I saw when I just went to Grand Ancestor’s backyard?”
…
…