9 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Once Ji Wunian set everything up, she contacted the cafeteria to have them deliver the ingredients. It happened to be later in the afternoon when Ji Wunian was summoned by the headmaster, giving Yuebai the perfect opportunity to sneak into the kitchen. Ever wonder what it feels like to babysit a host who's practically hacked the system? Jiu Yi watched Yuebai calmly as she started a fire and prepared the meal. She took a small crystal bottle from her spatial storage, adding a few drops of its contents into the dishes meant for Ji Wunian. This spatial storage was unique to Yuebai, bound to her very soul. With her soul present, Jiu Yi had no way of restricting her access to it. See, she not only comes with power, but also her own stash of potions. He really was just a task-reporting, good-for-nothing system. Amitabha, may the Main God bless him. "What is this?" "This is my blood, which I can control with my soul," Yuebai replied. In her past life, she had integrated her spirit into her blood and flesh, turning every drop of her blood into a potent elixir. "As long as she consumes it, I can channel my soul to ensure her body absorbs and transforms it, and control how much it should potentiate." This way, she could gauge precisely how much to supplement without raising suspicion. Jiu Yi: Do you now understand what a cheat character is? Ji Wunian returned just in time for dinner with Liu Li and Zhao Zichen. From afar, they noticed the smoke rising from the Qinglin Hall and joked about the rare sight. As they got closer, the enticing aroma made their stomachs growl. Stepping into the dining hall, they saw the table laid with three dishes and a soup, each dish looking vibrant and appetizing, with fresh vegetables and tender fish, emitting an irresistible scent. "Master?" Yuebai entered carrying trays of rice, only two bowls on them, seemingly unaware of the extra guests. She bowed with the trays in hand, "Ye Er greets the headmaster and Elder Liu Li." Ji Wunian's eyes remained on the table as she swallowed a gulp of saliva. "Little Leaf, you really can cook." Yuebai glanced at her, "I used to cook home-style dishes for my parents." Zhao Zichen and Liu Li didn't stand on ceremony, seating themselves at the table. Liu Li chuckled, "Ye Er, your culinary skills are superb. We could smell it from afar. You don't mind us grabbing a bite, do you?" The atmosphere was relaxed. With Ji Wunian still bemused, Yuebai saw no need to be overly formal. She warmly replied, "Headmaster and Elder, please wait a moment. I'll fetch some more bowls and chopsticks." With the tray's contents insufficient for everyone, it wouldn't be right to pick who should have it, so Yuebai left to fetch more. Jiu Yi was about to ask if giving her blood-infused food to the other two would cause any issues, but seeing her untroubled demeanor, he decided to remain silent. When she returned, the tray held three portions, which she placed in front of the seated trio. Ji Wunian noticed and asked her to stay, inviting her to join them in the meal. Zhao Zichen and Liu Li agreed, saying her leaving made them feel guilty about disturbing their meal. Without further excuses, Yuebai took a small bowl of rice and silently ate among the three of them. Seeing her behave so obediently, Ji Wunian couldn't help teasing her. After the meal, Yuebai cleaned up and discreetly used her soul fragment to eavesdrop on the three immortal seniors, taking the dishes back to the kitchen to work. Ji Wunian smiled warmly, "How do you find this farewell meal, senior brother?" Liu Li hadn't eaten much but found the taste quite to his liking. "Didn't expect the young girl's culinary skills to be this impressive." "Exactly. No need to draw attention at the cafeteria now," Zhao Zichen commented, having heard recent gossip about Ji Wunian's open favoritism towards her disciple, making the usually unpopular cafeteria overcrowded. "I've heard Ye Er is progressing quickly in her training?" "Yes," Ji Wunian thought of her little disciple's progress. "If she maintains good health, she could reach Foundation Establishment within five years." Zhao Zichen and Liu Li exchanged glances, both surprised and pleased. "She might become a new rising star." For most, it takes ten years to reach Foundation Establishment, a hundred years to form a core, and a chance for the Nascent Soul stage depends on fate. Ji Wunian herself reached Foundation Establishment in three years and had formed her core before leaving the mountain. Now, though her cultivation had stagnated for some time due to certain reasons, with effort, she might reach the Nascent Soul stage within a hundred years. A genius indeed. Having taken on an extraordinary disciple as well. "If she needs any tonic or supplements," Zhao Zichen, a talent admirer, added. "Just let me know." "Thank you on her behalf, senior brother," Ji Wunian smiled. "But today isn't about her. This should be your farewell, senior brother Liu Li." She waved her hand, producing three cups and handed one to herself, her tone heavy. "Senior brother, take care out there." Alcohol was forbidden on the mountain, but Zhao Zichen made no objection on this occasion, taking a cup and handing the other to Liu Li. Liu Li accepted with a smile. "It's just minor skirmishes. What is there for a Nascent Soul cultivator to fear?" "Still, don't be complacent," Ji Wunian swirled her cup. "One never knows what extraordinary beings might arise in this world..." "Ji Wunian is right. Caution always pays off," Zhao Zichen, usually stern, softened his tone. "You have many places to visit this time. Better to be more prepared than less." Liu Li nodded. "I understand." "Ah, how nice," Ji Wunian sighed. "I wish I could go wandering too." She was still confined and couldn't leave the mountain. "Once you finish your sentence," Liu Li raised his cup, smiling, "I'll accompany you again." Although they seemed quite similar in age, their actual ages varied greatly. The previous headmaster had reached the Mahayana stage, living over eight hundred years before passing on. Zhao Zichen, his eldest disciple, had followed him for over six hundred years, already at the Deity Transformation stage. Liu Li, also highly talented, reached Nascent Soul stage within 180 years. Ji Wunian, blessed with extraordinary talent and luck, shamelessly treated these seniors, both over a century old, as siblings. They adored her intelligence and spoilt her thoroughly. As they drained their cups, the three shared a knowing smile and continued their conversation casually. Before it got completely dark, Zhao Zichen and Liu Li took their leave. *** Yuebai watched them depart from the front courtyard. Ji Wunian leaned against the temple door, gazing in the direction they left. In the gradually dimming sky, Ji Wunian seemed lost in thought, slumping softly against the door frame, looking a bit frail. "Master?" Ji Wunian turned and smiled faintly, her eyes appearing somewhat listless. Yuebai stood in the courtyard, holding the Fengyu sword. After dinner, it was time for her to practice her swordsmanship. "Practice for a while." Yuebai bowed with her sword and replied, "Yes." When she drew the Fengyu sword, the night seemed even cooler. Ji Wunian watched the cold gleam of the sword, her smile faint but her mind elsewhere, her gaze always trailing Yuebai. After a set of sword routines, Yuebai exhaled sharply, her body still warm, though her breath was slightly labored. Ji Wunian noticed Yuebai looking at her, her dark eyes reflecting the starlight. She extended her hand, "Come here." Lowering her sword and approaching, Yuebai found herself being pulled close by Ji Wunian, who leaped into the air, carrying her towards the back of Luanqing Peak. After several ups and downs, they flew into a mountain hollow, Yuebai sensing them pass through a barrier. As they flew further, warm air surrounded them until they finally stopped at a hot spring. "This is a spiritual spring reserved for the headmaster of our sect," Ji Wunian smiled at her. "Anyway, since senior brother said I could ask him for anything, bringing you here for a soak shouldn't be an issue." "A shared bath?" Jiu Yi was startled. "Yuebai, your master's quite the tease." Yuebai ignored him, surveying the spacious surroundings, her face showing clear embarrassment, hesitant to undress. "No one comes here," Ji Wunian patted her head, gentle this time. "If you're shy, you can keep on your inner garments." With that said, Yuebai could only reluctantly start undoing her waistband and take off her outer robes. She had worn tight-fitting clothing today, and her inner garments were short. Once she removed her pants, the inner layer only just covered her thighs. Crossing her arms over her chest, Yuebai glanced at the spring water, rich with spiritual energy, but still... It seemed Ji Wunian didn't intend to get in with her, casting a cleansing spell on her and guiding her to the edge of the pool. The water wasn’t deep, reaching just above Yuebai's abdomen. There were seats built along the edges. For a man, this might be convenient to lie back, but for Yuebai, it allowed her to sit with her legs curled up, her inner garment floating in the water, covering her chest. Ji Wunian sat by the pool, unaffected by the dampness. The young girl before her, head lowered, had droplets forming on her neck. They trailed down and merged with the water. Yuebai hugged her knees, her back's skin faintly visible under the semi-translucent inner garment. She was slim, her shoulder blades protruding slightly. Ji Wunian poked her shoulder, "Relax a bit, lean back." Though reluctant, Yuebai obeyed, holding her garment and leaning against the pool's edge, entirely exposed to Ji Wunian’s gaze. The frail girl wasn't well-endowed, her collarbone dipping deeply when she curled up, though she looked much better than the first time Ji Wunian had changed her bandages. Ji Wunian scooped a handful of water and splashed it onto her disciple's neck. "Master!?" The water splashed onto Yuebai’s face, her cheeks reddening. She turned slightly to look at Ji Wunian. Pitiable, at a loss. Ji Wunian leaned forward, close enough to see Ye Er nervously recoiling. She found it amusing. "You called me 'Master' reluctantly before, but now it's all you say, isn't it?" What else is there to say to you? In order to hasten her progress, Yuebai realized she needed to find something to say, lowering her eyes and appearing submissive. “Master, please stop teasing Ye Er.” “That’s not possible,” Ji Wunian said with a mischievous smile as she poured more water down Yuebai’s neck. “My little disciple is so adorable and amusing that it's hard for me to resist.” Seeing her disciple’s lips pursing again, a perceptive Ji Wunian decided to ease up. “Alright, I’ll let you off for today.” She pressed down on Yuebai's shoulder, seeing the confusion in her disciple’s eyes, and explained. “Next, I will be using my spiritual power to agitate the water and cleanse your body. It might hurt a bit, but bear with it.” Yuebai understood, gritting her teeth internally but maintaining a soft exterior. “Ye Er understands.” “Yuebai?” Jiu Yi felt Yuebai's emotions but hadn't finished his question before her body jerked abruptly, as if pricked by something sharp, causing her to instinctively try to surge out of the water. Anticipating this, Ji Wunian pressed her firmly in place. When Yuebai tried to escape from the other side, Ji Wunian swiftly caught her shoulder from the front, kneeling by the pool to hold her securely. Yuebai tightly shut her eyes, fearful of revealing the coldness within. Spiritual energy violently crashed into her body, whipping her flesh into searing agony, unpredictably accompanied by bursts akin to thunderbolts, heightening the torturous sensation. Even with her lips bitten until they bled, Yuebai couldn't completely stifle her painful moans. “Bear with it, Ye Er, just a little longer,” Ji Wunian comforted. Screw off. Outside of Ji Wunian's sight, Yuebai's face twisted with anger. Still, a sliver of rationality reminded her not to act out. Despite the excruciating pain, Yuebai remained herself, a powerful figure who had faced many trials and tribulations. The more she thought about Ji Wunian, the more suspicious she became, increasing her resolve to avoid revealing her true nature. Thus, she bore the agony. After the initial distress, she focused on enduring the pain, gritting her teeth and responding to Jiu Yi with "I'm fine," before concentrating on resisting the torment. Ji Wunian's soothing words continued to flow, promising, “Good girl,” and “Bear with it, Master is with you,” while cheekily nuzzling her. Yet, her grip on Yuebai never loosened. The little girl's hands, once trying to grasp her clothes, ended up clutching Ji Wunian's arms tightly. The surface of the pool remained calm, with only ripples caused by Yuebai’s occasional muscle relaxation, and these soon tightened again. Yuebai, now calmed, knew despite the pain that Ji Wunian was aiding her. Her master's spiritual power felt like a gentle breeze amidst a storm, working through her body, delicate yet strong. It tethered her nearly torn body, and sometimes, the purposely agitated force would permeate her flesh, breaking it apart, only for the fine threads to swiftly mend it. Breaking down and rebuilding—such was the process of reshaping. After a quarter of an hour, Ji Wunian retracted the turbulent spiritual energy, and Yuebai released her tight grip. Leaning weakly against the pool's edge, Yuebai's brow continued to twitch slightly. “Yuebai?” Jiu Yi’s concern was evident. “No worries…” Yuebai felt utterly drained. By now, Ji Wunian’s sleeves were soaked from holding her disciple, so she didn’t care about getting wetter. With a firm lift, she gathered the little girl into her arms. The soaked middle garment clung to Yuebai, and the water seeped into Ji Wunian’s clothes. Ye Er, eyes still closed and brow tightly knit, was frighteningly pale, devoid of the expected warmth from soaking in the hot spring. Wrapping Yuebai’s outer robe around her, Ji Wunian lifted her in her arms. With a surge of spiritual energy, their clothes dried instantly. Finally free from the clinging wetness, Yuebai’s taut brow began to relax. Summoning her sword, Ji Wunian slowly flew back to Qinglin Hall, cradling Yuebai. Despite her exhaustion, Yuebai kept herself from passing out. Her body still twitched, but after being buffeted by the mountain wind for a while, she regained some strength. Gradually opening her eyes, she looked up to see Ji Wunian’s expressionless face. When a person accustomed to smiling stops, they appear exceptionally severe; tonight’s dim moonlight failed to lighten the shadows on Ji Wunian’s face. “Master…” Ji Wunian seemed to relax slightly, looking down at her with her usual smile. “Awake?” Yuebai nodded lightly. “We’ll need to do this two or three times a month for two years,” Ji Wunian continued, looking ahead. “Your body should be well-prepared by then.” She peeked at the little girl in her arms, noticing her initial shock transform into a quiet, sullen acceptance. “Whatever Master says.” The tiny, pouting mouth hinted at her displeasure. Ji Wunian suddenly halted, smiling down at her. As the wind stopped, Yuebai looked up to meet her gaze. Ji Wunian’s smile was indeed captivating, her arched brows and bright eyes making it impossible not to smile back in return. Her eyes, always slightly lighter in hue, seemed to sparkle. Ji Wunian raised her hand from Yuebai’s back slightly, closing the distance until her cheek brushed against Yuebai’s forehead. “Ye Er, does it hurt?” Her tone was gentle. Understanding this was Ji Wunian’s way of comforting her, Yuebai did not hold back. Unable to free her hands from her cocoon of robes, she shrank slightly, recalling the pain. “Yes, it hurts,” she replied. The initial cleansing hadn’t hurt as much. This uncontrollable pain had even driven her thoughts to murder. Ji Wunian, oblivious to the fact that she had barely escaped death, kissed Yuebai’s forehead. “Good girl. After enduring these two years, you’ll be fine.” “Ye Er understands… May I ask Master for one thing?” Her voice was laden with vulnerability, like a plea. “What is it?” The little hand resting on her abdomen shifted slightly. “Could Master accompany Ye Er?” “Wait, I thought it was her flirting, but it’s actually you.” Jiu Yi couldn’t help but comment. Ji Wunian, both amused and exasperated, continued flying toward Qinglin Hall. “Little Leaf, are you trying to get back at me?” She laughed. “But that doesn’t work on me…” “No, I… If Master doesn’t want to, then never mind…” “Granted.” “…Thank you, Master.” Ji Wunian landed in the courtyard, laying her disciple on the bed, wrapping her in a blanket, and planting another kiss on her forehead before leaving. Yuebai propped herself up, watching her master leave. Once the door closed, she collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted. “Yuebai,” Jiu Yi exclaimed in her mind, “why did you invite her to bathe with you?” “That spring water is indeed beneficial…” Already in bed, Yuebai’s brain was beginning to muddle. “It’s also a good excuse to help her improve her cultivation…” Initially, she had planned to covertly enhance her cultivation, regardless of reasons, chalking it up to her extraordinary talent for absorbing the spiritual energy of the cosmos. But with the spiritual spring, Ji Wunian had to soak with her to agitate the spiritual energy, making it logical for Yuebai to benefit from it. Despite Ji Wunian's torture being for her own good, it was genuinely beneficial. Although Yuebai had been contemplating ways to improve her physique under Ji Wunian’s watchful eyes, her master had now provided a shortcut. The pain was bearable. With a deep exhale, Yuebai drifted off to dreamland.