Master, don’t do that!

After waking up, Cao Xueyan habitually opened her panel for a glance.

Sure enough, the simulation count had increased by one.

Last night she had gone through a bitter battle.

This was a reward for the brave, one she deserved!

“Did you sleep well?”

Beside her, Xiao Menglan had already been awake for some time.

Yet she didn’t make a sound, unwilling to disturb this obedient disciple of hers.

She simply admired Cao Xueyan’s lovely sleeping face until she finally woke.

“Master, isn’t that an unnecessary question?”

Xiao Menglan smiled gently.

“Would you like to sleep a while longer?”

As she spoke, she patted the pillow beneath her head, still carrying lingering fragrance and warmth.

This was no longer a hint but an outright invitation!

If Cao Xueyan nodded, they could immediately return to last night’s familiar tenderness.

She could sleep with her until the end of time—it wouldn’t matter.

It was said that masters disliked lazy disciples, but Xiao Menglan wished nothing more than for Cao Xueyan to act spoiled with her.

Cao Xueyan shook her head.

“No need. If I lie down now, I’m afraid it will delay my cultivation.”

“That you can think this way is naturally best.”

Xiao Menglan rose and used spiritual power to gather the clothes scattered messily across the floor.

Last night, she had been impatient.

Cao Xueyan’s coy resistance had driven her nearly mad with desire.

In her haste, she tore off clothes and threw them to the ground.

Fearing they might gather dust, she deliberately cast a cleaning spell before bringing them over with a smile.

“Is Master going to dress me?” Cao Xueyan asked.

“This isn’t the first time. Come, give me your hand.”

“That last time was already an exception. From now on, we mustn’t break the rules like the first time. Master, give me the clothes—I will do it myself.”

Seeing Cao Xueyan’s resolute attitude, Xiao Menglan released her hold and let her take them.

After they were both dressed, puppet maids carried in a basin of water, allowing them to wash thoroughly.

Xiao Menglan once again returned to her ethereal, otherworldly appearance.

Clad in snow-white robes, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, her bare feet unshod, she walked across the floor untainted by even the smallest speck of dust—smooth and flawless, like jade, as though crafted by the heavens themselves.

Before putting on her outer robe, Cao Xueyan made sure to wear the magic robe she had received the previous night.

This robe was extraordinary.

Though it looked loose before wearing, it automatically adjusted once on her body, becoming perfectly fitted.

Light as nothing, unaffected by heat or cold, it was seamless beneath her blue outer robe, slimming her figure and accentuating her form.

“Today I have nothing to occupy me. Why don’t I accompany you to the training grounds and teach you a spell? The sooner you master it, the sooner you can fulfill your wish.”

“Xueyan thanks Master.”

Now properly dressed, Cao Xueyan also spoke with greater formality.

Though the two of them had already done unspeakable things many times, in their daily conduct they could not be too wanton.

If they grew accustomed to it, and such behavior showed before others, countless tongues would wag behind their backs.

Xiao Menglan did not care.

After forming her Golden Core, she paid little attention to such worldly opinions.

Whoever dared gossip about them—she would cut them down with a single sword.

If they would not cultivate properly, why waste breath on slander?

The two arrived at the training grounds.

Dust and fallen leaves had already been swept away by the puppet maids.

Even barefoot, Xiao Menglan had no problem walking there.

Yes, Xiao Menglan was still barefoot.

Within the Moon Invitation Palace, aside from Cao Xueyan, there was no one else.

The puppet maids were blockheads, unable to appreciate such flawless beauty.

The copied manual, Cao Xueyan had long since memorized.

The incantations were engraved in her mind, yet she still had no idea how to actually practice them.

Xiao Menglan, however, could handle such things effortlessly.

She silently recited the formula, and between her fingers a fine silver needle condensed.

The needle was so light and thin as to be nearly invisible.

Cao Xueyan stared carefully for a long while before finally spotting it.

“This is the Ice Soul Silver Needle you are to learn. It is not difficult. With your constitution, mastering it should be as easy as turning your hand.”

Xiao Menglan flicked her finger.

The silver needle shot out like an arrow, embedding itself completely in a tree within the training ground.

Immediately, the green leaves began to wither and yellow at a visible speed, falling one by one.

The tree, once vigorous, turned in an instant into something like an aged, dying elder.

Cao Xueyan was shocked at this terrifying scene.

If the needle could do this to a tree, what if it struck a living person?

Wouldn’t it turn a strong man into a dried corpse?

This spell seemed far too sinister.

“That needle holds extremely yin and cold power. Such effects are only natural.”

Seeing the worry in Cao Xueyan’s eyes, Xiao Menglan explained.

“Though it may look like a demonic art, if one’s will is firm, then even true demonic techniques can be used to uphold justice.

The day you reach that level, you will truly embody the phrase: ‘No law is forbidden.’”

Cao Xueyan said.

“Your disciple understands.”

Xiao Menglan nodded in satisfaction.

“A teachable child. Very well, let us begin.”

With a Golden Core master guiding her, Cao Xueyan’s progress was steady, though not fast.

Unfortunately, spells were not included within the simulator’s point allocation.

She regretted this, yet in the cultivation world there was a saying: “A true immortal does not rely on external aids.”

Even if she learned slowly, she would succeed eventually.

“Keep your mind steady, circulate your spiritual power, silently recite the formula.

Remember, keep your breath calm and do not panic.”

Xiao Menglan’s tone grew stern, carrying the air of a strict teacher.

But Cao Xueyan’s clumsy attempts hardly resembled those of a worthy student.

The power of extreme cold was no joke.

A slight mistake could freeze her body.

As a beginner, her control was poor.

After just one day, her hands were stiff and purple, her fingers frozen and unable to bend.

“Master!”

Cao Xueyan cried, holding out her zombie-like hands.

“I can’t feel them anymore!”

Xiao Menglan thought her disciple’s pitiful look was unbearably cute.

Yet seeing her hands frozen this way, she sighed—it would be troublesome later tonight.

“Alright, alright, I know it’s not easy for you.

Give me your hands. I’ll apply some ointment, and they’ll be fine by morning.”

She produced a bottle she had long prepared, dipped her fingers into the ointment, and carefully rubbed it into every part of Cao Xueyan’s hands.

After a while, sensation returned, along with tingling, itching, and faint heat.

Cao Xueyan breathed a sigh of relief, though her purplish hands still looked unsightly.

“That’s enough for today. If your hands are healed by tomorrow morning, we will continue.”

“As Master commands.”

“Will you still sleep in my room tonight?”

“Master!” Cao Xueyan cried out.

“Look at me, I can’t even use my hands!”

Xiao Menglan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said meaningfully.

“Your hands may be useless, but your tongue still works, doesn’t it?”

“Master, no! Please!”

“I’m teasing you. Let me take you to soak in a pool. With some medicine in the water, your hands will heal faster.”

Cao Xueyan let out a breath of relief.

It seemed tonight, she might escape unscathed.