You dare to contradict the master, you should be punished!

Xiao Menglan didn’t let Cao Xueyan take the pill right away.

Medicine like this worked best after cultivation, when its effects could both nourish the body and help balance the cold yin energy in her system, stabilizing her realm at the same time.

Of course, simply “adding points to cultivation” would have been easier, but Xiao Menglan knew nothing about the simulator. She was doing it all for Cao Xueyan’s sake.

Even if her mind was often filled with… less-than-serious thoughts, she truly cared about her.

She would never do anything to harm her.

The lingering effects from yesterday’s spell practice had mostly healed.

Cao Xueyan turned her hands over again and again, examining them.

The color hadn’t fully returned yet, but her fingers were far more flexible, no longer as stiff as before.

That meant she could resume practicing the Ice Soul Silver Needle.

No spell was ever easy. Even with the simplest beginner arts like Spiritual Rain or Spirit Finger, Cao Xueyan had studied day and night without rest.

Since the simulator couldn’t yet add points to spells, there was no shortcut—only hard work and practice.

The comfort was that Xiao Menglan stayed with her, giving guidance from time to time.

Whenever Cao Xueyan made mistakes, Xiao Menglan would personally step in, infusing her body with gentle streams of spiritual power, helping her smooth out the chaotic flow inside so that her meridians and organs wouldn’t be damaged.

With her master safeguarding her, Cao Xueyan endured the aches of training, yet also felt her control over the Ice Soul Silver Needle growing more steady day by day.

By now, she could finally form a silver needle in her palm—or rather, something closer to a “silver spike.”

Looking at the thick, two-finger-wide spike resting in her hand, Cao Xueyan couldn’t help but feel speechless.

With her current cultivation, this was the best she could manage, and the yin energy within it wasn’t refined enough either.

The root of the problem was simple: lack of skill. Her form lacked form, her intent lacked intent.

To shape a spike into a true needle would take much more time.

It could be months. It could be years.

That depended entirely on comprehension.

Xiao Menglan had said she would personally accompany her disciple out of the sect for training.

Thinking back now, Cao Xueyan realized—it must have been because her master was sure she wouldn’t be able to master the spell so soon.

That way, the time could instead be spent on improving her overall strength.

Such thoughtfulness… Cao Xueyan understood it, even if she wasn’t good at expressing herself.

Besides, Xiao Menglan’s serious demeanor was always an act. At night, her true nature revealed itself.

Cao Xueyan had no intention of saying tender words to a master who was more like a shameless demon, forever greedy for her body and eager to touch her all over.

As the night deepened, the sea of clouds beyond the window cradled a silver crescent moon.

A puppet maid walked in carrying a lantern, about to light the lamps of the hall.

Xiao Menglan spoke suddenly:
“Yan’er, let’s stop here for today. Go bathe first, then return for supper.”

“Yes, Master.”

Cao Xueyan glanced at her hands. As soon as she dismissed the spell, the thick silver spike in her palm melted like an icicle, dissolving into shapeless cold energy that dispersed on its own.

By tomorrow morning, it would vanish entirely, so there was no need to worry.

Her hands, however, were still the same—skin blackened with frostbite, curled up like claws, truly unsightly.

Cao Xueyan had her own sense of vanity.

Her hands might not match Xiao Menglan’s flawless, jade-carved beauty, but they had always been delicate.

Now, though, they looked like boiled crow claws: dry, shriveled, stripped of all elegance.

Xiao Menglan paid it no mind. She grabbed them and pressed them against her chest.

“Are they warmer now?”

Body heat alone couldn’t warm hands eroded by yin energy.

Though Cao Xueyan’s cultivation was low, if she unleashed her full strength, she could freeze a living person solid.

As usual, Xiao Menglan infused her disciple’s hands with gentle spiritual energy.

Warmth flowed from fingertips to heart, easing her entire body.

Only her hands, still numb and itchy, gave her discomfort.

Her fingers wouldn’t move, and the sensation made her frown.

“Still uncomfortable?” Xiao Menglan asked.

Cao Xueyan nodded, trying to pull her hands back.

“Master, don’t trouble yourself. I’ll soak them in hot water and use some ointment later. It’ll be fine.”

Xiao Menglan nodded, released her, and led her toward the bath hall.

The Moon-Inviting Palace was vast—even its bathing chamber was an entire palace of its own.

Unlike the open-air pool from before, this bath was made from rare, translucent jade that radiated natural warmth.

Even barefoot and unclothed, Cao Xueyan felt like she was stepping onto a heated bed, comfortable rather than cold.

Following Xiao Menglan’s orders, the pools had already been filled with steaming water.

The enormous bath, as large as a swimming pool, brimmed with hot water.

Fake mountains and stones stood in the middle, with streams of steaming spring water pouring down, clearly drawn from the same source.

Cao Xueyan leaned against the edge, most of her body submerged.

The heat blended with the cold yin in her system, creating a marvelous sensation—like yin and yang melting together.

Such comfort defied description.

This must be what mortals imagined the life of immortals to be like.

After soaking for a while, Cao Xueyan suddenly sensed someone beside her.

Of course—it was Xiao Menglan.

She knew her master’s temperament well. Mentally prepared, she sighed and simply turned her back.

“Master.” Cao Xueyan looked at her calmly. “Be gentle. If you splash too much water, I’ll lose the mood for bathing, and then I won’t let you touch me.”

With that, she propped her chin on her hands, lying against the edge of the pool, her whole posture silently saying: I’m ready. Do as you will.

Xiao Menglan froze, both hands suspended awkwardly in the air.

This time, she hadn’t come with any indecent intentions.

She just wanted to bathe together with the disciple she cherished.

If she truly had darker thoughts, she wouldn’t need to wait until now.

By then, Cao Xueyan wouldn’t even be able to speak, much less keep her body afloat.

But since the girl was already so… cooperative, why should she keep pretending to be reserved?

“Yan’er,” Xiao Menglan’s voice dripped with tenderness. Now that Cao Xueyan had even met her senior sect master, the stone in her heart was finally gone. She was happy, and with happiness came desire. “Turn around for me, will you?”

“Why?”

“Because Master wants to see your face.”

“Pervert!”

“And what does that mean? Is that… praise?”

“Does it sound like praise to you?”

Xiao Menglan sighed.

“Looks like I still need to teach you what respect for one’s teacher truly means. Otherwise, what if you slip up in front of your Martial Aunt one day?”

Cao Xueyan flushed scarlet, biting her lip.
“If you don’t want her to know, then just restrain yourself. Why scold me?”

Xiao Menglan’s expression turned solemn, like a golden statue in the great hall.
“Still talking back? You must be punished.”

Cao Xueyan cried out—and then, like a songbird, her voice twisted into sweet, trembling notes.

Steam rose in the hall, shrouding their figures.

Once more, what happened here was bliss too sacred—or too sinful—for outsiders to know.