Chapter 28: Master Breaks Through, Nascent Soul Cultivators Arrive
Going his own way, Zar saw and talked with various Outer Disciples who congratulated him on his breakthrough. His smile was accommodating, but in his heart, not much other than iciness could be felt.
His mind oftentimes went beside his body as he contemplated a plethora of important things.
’Should I have yakisoba or chicken first? That Meng mentioned Yellow Leaf City, and though I’m not all that familiar with the outside world, I’d like to be. Every once in a while, I should go out, but I don’t know... Could be dangerous. Plus, I have no way of sneaking out without anyone noticing.’
While lost in his thoughts, he absentmindedly found himself standing outside the gazebo his Master typically sat at. With today being no different, he could make out her mesmerizing silhouette, with her long, slender fingers dancing along the metal strings of a purple-golden guqin.
[Yu Quixan (Deity Transformation 9th Layer): 213/2060/5100]
’She broke through faster than I expected,’ Zar noted. ’Moreover, she allowed her apparent cultivation to be shown at the Half-step Nascent Soul Realm.’
"You’ve broken through?" Valley Master Yu’s honeyed voice dripped into Zar’s ears, equivalent to the divine tune she was playing on the guqin. "The 4th Layer of Foundation Establishment. If you keep it up, then the Nascent Soul Realm might just be possible for you. Good."
Zar bowed cordially. "Thank you, Master. Although I can’t compare to you, I hope I don’t disappoint too much."
Valley Master Yu giggled, taking out a folding fan that she used to fan herself. "You’re the furthest thing from a disappointment. But you know, if you spent a little less time tending to the gardens and more time cultivating, you might just be able to leave for higher places one day—"
"You don’t want me anymore, Master...?" Zar asked with a genuinely disheartened expression, his heart nearly splitting in two after imagining a day where he couldn’t reap Lifespan from Spiritual Plants.
Valley Master Yu blinked. Then she defeatedly breathed out, "You’re such an odd one, Zar. Most would yearn for higher places, greater accomplishments, but not you. You’re content with just casual cultivation and tending to Spiritual Gardens."