is too outrageous.

After lunch, Xu Jinghuai led Xia Jin back to Green Water Pond.

Xia Jin had already successfully drawn Qi into her body, so Xu Jinghuai prepared to teach her the steps for condensing a Qi Sea. Yunlai Xia followed along, sitting nearby to listen (and slack off).

“Condensing the Qi Sea is a vital step in the Qi Condensation stage, yet it is also a very simple one.”

“The spiritual energy previously drawn into your body will automatically be absorbed by your spirit root and transformed into a part of you. What you must do is gather that energy in your dantian and further condense and compress it until the ethereal, hazy Qi gains a physical form—like a drop of liquid energy.”

Halfway through his explanation, Xu Jinghuai noticed Xia Jin looking as if her soul had wandered off to the heavens. Thinking she was confused, he asked, “What is it, Jin’er? Is there something you don’t understand?”

Hearing his voice, Xia Jin snapped back to reality. “Reporting to Shizun, there is nothing Jin’er does not understand.”

“Then were you just daydreaming and slacking off?”

The methods for the Qi Condensation stage had remained unchanged for far too long; the written descriptions were still based on the complex systems of hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

Considering Xia Jin was a complete novice, Xu Jinghuai had done his best to translate them into language she could grasp.

He hadn’t expected her to start daydreaming already.

A sense of defeat rose within him.

‘As expected, do I really lack the talent for teaching?’

Just as Xu Jinghuai was doubting himself, Xia Jin shook her head hurriedly. “No, Shizun. It’s just that Jin’er discovered that everything you just described… I seem to have done it already.”

“Huh?”

Xu Jinghuai froze.

‘Done it already?’

Xia Jin had only just learned to draw Qi at noon. How could she have fast-forwarded straight to the condensing step before he’d even taught it?

Suppressing his confusion, he said, “Jin’er, reach out your hand and let your teacher see.”

Xia Jin obediently extended her arm.

Xu Jinghuai took her wrist and probed her dantian with his divine sense.

Xia Jin felt only a faint, warm current travel from her wrist to her lower abdomen; it was very comfortable, without any unpleasantness. She peeked cautiously at the eye-closed Xu Jinghuai, feeling increasingly guilty.

‘Even though I’m a mortal who knew nothing of immortality, I went ahead with the next stage of cultivation without Shizun’s guidance. If I’ve cultivated incorrectly, Shizun will surely be angry and have a headache…’

At the thought, Xia Jin felt overcome with remorse and prepared to apologize.

As for Xu Jinghuai, after his investigation…

Well, well, well. He actually found a bean-sized drop of liquid spiritual energy at the center of her dantian. He could see that the method of condensation was very crude—the drop was compressed so tightly it was almost on the verge of dispersing—but she had undeniably succeeded in forming one.

According to the realm classifications of the Cangnan Realm, Xia Jin could now be considered at the Mid-stage of Qi Condensation.

And how long had it been since she first drew Qi?

Moreover, she was self-taught!

This leveling speed was like flipping a cheat code; it was utterly absurd!

Xu Jinghuai opened his eyes and looked Xia Jin up and down as if looking at a monster. Though he knew her talent would be high with all those “buffs,” it seemed he had still underestimated her. The “Protagonist” label he’d placed on her was now firmly cemented.

‘Should I start building favorability so I can latch onto her greatness later?’

Under his scrutiny, Xia Jin felt her skin crawl. No longer hesitating, she apologized decisively: “Shizun, I’m sorry!”

“Mhm?”

His thoughts were interrupted. Xia Jin had lowered her head, her other hand clutching her skirt tightly. With a hint of a sob in her voice, she cried out, “From now on, Jin’er will strictly follow Shizun’s orders and cultivate steadily! I won’t recklessly venture into unknown areas again!”

This apology left Xu Jinghuai completely dazed.

‘What just happened?’

But he quickly realized: this little one thought she’d made him angry by cultivating on her own without waiting for his lessons.

Xu Jinghuai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He reached out and ruffled her hair. “There’s no need to apologize, Jin’er.”

Feeling the touch on her head, Xia Jin looked up, her eyes glistening with mist. “Shizun, you aren’t angry?”

“Why would your teacher be angry?”

He shook his head with a smile.

“It was your teacher who failed to account for your talent, and thus I didn’t notice your progress in time, teaching you a step too slow.”

“The fault lies in my negligence. You have no reason to blame yourself, Jin’er.”

Hearing this, Xia Jin wore an expression of disbelief. “Eh? How could that be…”

In her mind, it was impossible for an immortal like Xu Jinghuai to make a mistake.

However, Xu Jinghuai waved his hand, completely unbothered, and continued: “Since you’ve brought it up, your teacher will be a bit wordy. Cultivating too fast can indeed lead to a shallow foundation, and errors in practice can lead to Qi Deviation.”

“Therefore, from now on, I will formulate a more suitable plan based on your talent.”

“Now, I will pick up the pace a bit.”

“I’ll impart everything you need to do for the Qi Condensation stage.”

Knowing this was important, Xia Jin immediately entered her focused state and began to listen intently.

Xu Jinghuai continued: “Qi Condensation focuses on steady accumulation; it’s about building a foundation for your future Foundation Establishment.”

“The method of accumulation is simple: do exactly what you did before—compress and condense absorbed energy into droplets.”

“Of course, you shouldn’t make them too small or too large. For reference, just make them a tiny bit bigger than the one you made earlier.”

“Once these droplets accumulate until they become a vast Qi Sea that fills your dantian, you will have completed the Qi Condensation stage.”

“This process is long and tedious. The specific time varies depending on the cultivator’s spirit roots and talent. Usually, an ordinary cultivator takes about ten years.”

But at Xia Jin’s speed…

She could probably reach the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation in less than two years. If he helped her activate her Immortal Body in the meantime, it would be even faster.

Just thinking about it was ridiculous.

Xu Jinghuai mused to himself.

Finally, he said, “So, for the next few years, Jin’er, you must prepare yourself for a life of daily meditation and cultivation.”

Xia Jin nodded, saying seriously, “Rest assured, Shizun! Jin’er will persevere!”

“Very good, that’s the spirit! Go and begin your cultivation.”

“Yes! Shizun!”

Watching Xia Jin return to the bluestone in the center of the pond to begin her meditation, Xu Jinghuai nodded in satisfaction.

However, simply condensing Qi every day without any techniques or martial skills to enhance combat ability wouldn’t do. Techniques required a massive amount of Qi to function; Xia Jin was just starting her Qi Sea, so even if he taught her something, she wouldn’t be able to exert much power. Thus, that wasn’t a high priority.

Thinking of it that way, martial skills were different. They could temper the body and tangibly increase combat ability at these lower realms—there were many benefits.

But Xu Jinghuai didn’t know many martial skills, and none that were suitable for the Mortal Realm.

Furthermore, teaching martial skills inevitably required close, hands-on instruction, which was inconvenient.

Was there anyone who knew many martial skills and was also a girl like Xia Jin?

As he pondered, Xu Jinghuai’s gaze landed on Yunlai Xia, who was currently by the edge of the pond reaching for fish fry.

The latter suddenly felt a mysterious chill and began to scan her surroundings warily.