The First Lesson

Despite feeling a little unnerved by the intense gaze, Xǔ Tiānlí’s heart swelled with anticipation.

What would his very first lesson be like after becoming a disciple?

He had heard tales of mysterious, powerful figures from his father since childhood; surely, their teaching methods would be exceptionally unique.

“Xǔ Tiānlí, let me ask you something.”

‘Here it comes!’

“Do you know what a Spirit Wielder is?”

‘Huh?’

For a fleeting moment, Xǔ Tiānlí thought he had misheard, but Mù Qīngyǔ’s expression was far too serious to be joking.

“What’s wrong?”

“Can’t you answer?” Mù Qīngyǔ remained perfectly calm, even closing her eyes.

“No, it’s just that I don’t know how to answer.” Xǔ Tiānlí pondered whether the question held a deeper, more profound meaning.

“Just say what you know.”

“I won’t blame you.”

“Alright.”

Since Master Qín Yuè had spoken, Xǔ Tiānlí shed his hesitant expression.

He cleared his throat twice before speaking in a clear, resonant voice.

“According to my father, all things possess spirituality, and humans are no exception.”

“Those who can harness this spiritual power are called Spirit Wielders.”

Spirit Wielders have existed since the dawn of written records, spanning three epochs and over ten millennia.

They have been known by different names throughout various eras.

The ancients of the Sacred Dynasty once referred to them as ‘Cultivators,’ and for a long period, they were called ‘Ability Users.’

Currently, the official designation is ‘Spirit Wielders.’

Upon hearing this, Mù Qīngyǔ opened her eyes, subtly frowning.

‘This kid knows quite a lot,’ she thought.

‘How am I supposed to teach him basic knowledge now?’

Noticing his master’s subtle change in expression, Xǔ Tiānlí’s heart sank.

He wondered if he had said something wrong, yet he dared not stop.

‘Indeed, this question must have a deeper meaning.’

“Based on the strength of Spirit Wielders, modern society has established a six-tier power hierarchy.”

From the first tier, representing beginners, to the sixth tier, symbolizing the pinnacle, this grading system is universally employed by Spirit Wielders worldwide to assess one another’s strength.

“I also heard from my father that the lower three tiers are unnamed.”

“Only from the fourth tier onwards do they receive exclusive titles.”

A Fourth-tier Spirit Wielder is known as a ‘Grandmaster.’

Following this progression, a Fifth-tier Spirit Wielder is referred to as a ‘Great Grandmaster.’

“As for the Sixth tier…”

‘A Super Great Grandmaster?’

“They are called ‘Dominators.'”

‘Tsk, I guessed wrong?’

“I used to just follow my father around, so that’s all I know, Master.” Xǔ Tiānlí finished with an awkward chuckle, hoping this answer would earn Mù Qīngyǔ’s approval.

‘Damn it, this ordinary guy, who isn’t even a First-tier, actually knows more than I do.’

Mù Qīngyǔ maintained her composure, nodding slightly.

“You do have some foundational knowledge, but don’t get complacent.”

“Although there are only six tiers of Spirit Wielders, you are already eighteen and still an ordinary person.”

“Only by taking the zero step and becoming a Spirit Wielder will your true path genuinely begin.”

“Do you understand?”

‘I knew Master wouldn’t just ask superficial questions.’

‘She’s actually concerned about me.’ Xǔ Tiānlí’s eyes shone with determination.

“I am ready to awaken.”

He had always been ready, but for the past few years, he had only met with failure.

Now, however, with Master Qín Yuè by his side, the situation was bound to change.

There were many ways for an ordinary person to awaken as a Spirit Wielder, but they essentially boiled down to two methods.

The first involved experiencing significant ups and downs in life, stimulating the body’s potential through external catalysts, and thus awakening.

The second utilized advancement potions refined through alchemy to actively force the awakening of one’s potential.

‘Which method would Master choose?’

Just then, he watched Mù Qīngyǔ suddenly unbutton her top right in front of him, one button, then two… her movements unhurried.

With a gentle flick of her finger, the top obediently slid down her jade-white shoulders, pooling on the sofa.

The full, voluptuous curves, barely contained by a blue bra, and the fair skin, along with a perfectly flat, slender abdomen, presented an absolutely stunning sight.

Even though he had seen her completely naked before, Xǔ Tiānlí still gasped, letting out a startled cry of “Master!” as he hastily averted his gaze.

‘Definitely a virgin.’

Hearing his flustered voice, Mù Qīngyǔ, completely devoid of any embarrassment, let out a soft, playful laugh.

“Is that your resolve?”

“No, this…”

“Don’t look anywhere else; look at me.”

“Is the moon outside your master?”

Since it was his master’s command, Xǔ Tiānlí no longer dodged her gaze.

His trembling eyes reflected her exquisite figure.

Mù Qīngyǔ closed her eyes once more, then began her demonstration.

Before long, Xǔ Tiānlí noticed the surrounding air currents shifting, flowing towards his master.

Mù Qīngyǔ’s skin, as fair as jade, emitted a faint glow, imbuing her entire being with a touch of divinity.

Even more miraculously, golden patterns, like spreading tree roots, gradually covered her entire body, flickering faintly with the rhythm of her heartbeat.

‘Amazing,’ Xǔ Tiānlí couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

When the current Mù Qīngyǔ had transmigrated, the original body was already a Second-tier Spirit Wielder, but she had no idea how to utilize those powers.

Fortunately, Mù Qīngyǔ wasn’t entirely clueless.

At least during those two days spent at home, she had managed to glean enough information from others to handle Xǔ Tiānlí.

Soon after, the air currents returned to normal, and the changes on Mù Qīngyǔ’s body vanished.

She opened her eyes, not bothering to put her clothes back on, and smiled.

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s beautiful.”

“Is it me who’s beautiful, or the effects of the spell?”

“Uh, Master, how am I supposed to answer that…?” Xǔ Tiānlí found himself in a difficult spot.

‘He’s shy.’

‘How amusing.’

After enjoying his flustered reaction, Mù Qīngyǔ informed him that this technique was called the ‘Qi Accumulation Art.’

It was so simple that it barely qualified as a spell, and even a ‘good-for-nothing’ like him could use it, with excellent results.

Those golden patterns were the ‘Spiritual Markings’ of a Spirit Wielder, akin to meridians in novels, serving as storage for a Spirit Wielder’s power.

Mù Qīngyǔ intentionally guaranteed that if he mastered this, Xǔ Tiānlí would naturally grow stronger, and awakening as a Spirit Wielder would be effortless.

“Master, can I really succeed by practicing this?” After carefully noting all the key points of the Qi Accumulation Art, Xǔ Tiānlí couldn’t help but ask.

“Are you questioning my abilities?” Mù Qīngyǔ, now dressed, retorted.

“No, I’m worried I won’t be able to practice it well…”

‘Tsk, why do you become so self-deprecating when this topic comes up?’

Mù Qīngyǔ subtly rolled her eyes, then crooked a finger, gesturing for him to come closer.

Before Xǔ Tiānlí could even properly stand, Mù Qīngyǔ pressed his head, forcefully bringing their foreheads together.

“I’m here for you, so just do it with confidence.”

Their noses nearly touched, and those gentle words made Xǔ Tiānlí’s heart skip a beat.

“Alright.” Mù Qīngyǔ quickly released him.

Expecting something miraculous to happen, Xǔ Tiānlí felt absolutely nothing.

“I just opened your Conception and Governing Vessels.”

“You’ll definitely succeed now.”

“Is that so?”

Xǔ Tiānlí was half-convinced, half-skeptical.

“Do I need to take off my clothes too?”

“…If you want to take them off, do it in your room.”

“Okay.”

Xǔ Tiānlí immediately dashed into his bedroom and closed the door.

Mù Qīngyǔ, meanwhile, let out a sigh of relief.

‘This should keep him busy for a while.’

‘Opening the Conception and Governing Vessels?’

‘What a joke, I’m not some martial arts master.’

The Qi Accumulation Art was indeed useful, but it was merely the equivalent of an exercise routine.

Given Xǔ Tiānlí’s talent, achieving results wouldn’t be difficult, but awakening?

He might as well go to sleep.

‘If he can awaken from that, I’ll eat a five-speed electric fan right in front of him!’

‘Once he comes out, I’ll continue to string him along with his ‘good-for-nothing’ status.’

‘That should buy me plenty of time.’

As for actually helping him advance, Mù Qīngyǔ would wait until they got their hands on an advancement potion.

Mù Qīngyǔ was quite pleased with her plan.

Fortunately, Xǔ Tiānlí was an easily fooled little virgin.

Recalling his reaction the second time he saw her body that night, she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Even as a fellow man, or having once been a man, Mù Qīngyǔ felt no shame from his peculiar gaze.

This body, in the future, would become her excellent tool for controlling Xǔ Tiānlí.

Compared to teaching him how to become stronger, it seemed much simpler to directly manipulate his heart…

No, the future world still needed him.

Mù Qīngyǔ had no desire to take on the exhausting task of saving the world in his stead.

She only wanted to live a life of luxurious idleness after the three-year agreement concluded.

She just needed to get through these arduous three years.

‘He just told me to go to the bathroom.’

‘Do I really smell bad?’

Sitting back down, Mù Qīngyǔ sniffed herself.

Her face immediately turned green, and she stuck out her little tongue.

“Ugh!”

“It’s awful.”

“I definitely need a good wash.”

Since the owner of the bathroom didn’t mind, she naturally had no further qualms.

She immediately stood up and headed to the second floor.

Not long after, the air currents above the street began to change, flowing towards Xǔ Tiānlí’s room.