The dual cultivation Qingyi spoke of was naturally not the kind that was unfit for young ears, as Feng Ya and the others had assumed. She felt that Feng Ya’s strength was considerable, and moreover, the two of them cultivated different paths — through their regular exchanges of techniques, perhaps each could glean a different understanding of the other’s way of cultivation.

Feng Ya had agreed as if bewildered by some inexplicable impulse. In the time that followed, he felt that he must have lost his mind — and also that this child was like some kind of poison, that he had been bewitched by her.

But later, he came to feel a sense of gratitude. Perhaps connections between people were already ordained by fate — destined to be forged here, or somewhere else entirely.

His connection with Qingyi had unfolded throughout the span of his spiritual lifespan.

He was very glad.

They had reached an understanding. Over the brief span of two or three years, they had exchanged moves many times, and the paths they each walked had grown ever more refined — both had benefited greatly. He had also watched as, day by day, the young girl grew increasingly calm and composed.

During those two or three years, he had passed through his heavenly tribulation and entered the lowest rank of the immortal order — truly leaping free of the cycle of life and death. And she, in turn, was preparing to enter closed-door cultivation to break through to Foundation Establishment.

Feng Ya, in truth, did not agree with her establishing her foundation at so young an age.

“A tree that stands taller than the forest will be felled by the wind first. I know your foundation is solid, but you are still young — one could say that at your age, your very bones and sinews have yet to fully develop. Why are you in such a rush to establish your foundation?” He looked at Qingyi, who had already grown into the appearance of a young woman, and disapproved strongly.

The time the two of them had known each other was, in truth, not very long — but through one exchange of techniques after another, they had long since forged a deep friendship. Even when Feng Ya was passing through his tribulation, Qingyi had lent him a helping hand.

This friendship was something Feng Ya spoke no thanks for, yet kept close in his heart.

He was also sincerely thinking of Qingyi’s wellbeing.

At such an age, her bones and sinews were still growing. When passing through the lightning tribulation, if she could not endure it, she would surely perish. Given her talent and comprehension, achieving Foundation Establishment was a matter of course — like water finding its natural level. There was no need for such haste.

She had all the time in the world.

Qingyi toyed with the yarrow stalks in her hands and said: “I know — but I feel it’s better for me to enter Foundation Establishment sooner rather than later.”

Feng Ya fixed his gaze on her and asked: “What happened?”

Something felt off about this girl.

Their connection had begun with that Min Qingfeng. He also knew — though she never said it aloud and always defended her master — that at some point she had developed a sliver of estrangement in her heart, that she did not fully agree with her master’s conduct.

And this lack of approval only grew more apparent as she got older and her thinking matured.

She had already grown entirely into an independent adult — even though her actual age had not yet reached the coming-of-age ceremony.

Wits that bordered on the uncanny sometimes truly did hurt people.

He could see that she was hiding something — nine times out of ten it was related to her master. Even if she was too stubborn to admit it, that man who was both teacher and father figure to her had a side that was unknown to others, a side she had never been able to fully uncover.

Her path and her master’s were vastly different, yet she was deeply attached to him. What a little fool she was.

Qingyi shook her head: “It’s hard to explain. It’s just a feeling of urgency — that once I’ve entered Foundation Establishment, perhaps I’ll be able to do more.”

Or perhaps — when it comes to the crucial moment — be able to preserve her own life.

Feng Ya gave her a long, deep look: “Is there anything you need me to do?”

Qingyi smiled and said: “Each person has their own path. That you and I came to know each other is a fortunate thing, but my road must be walked by myself. You’ve now entered the ranks of the Five Immortals — a rightful attainment. But the Ghost Immortal is the lowest rank. Although you’ve escaped the cycle of rebirth, you cannot ascend to the immortal realm. If you wish to go further and ascend, you’ll still need to comprehend a great path — so cultivate steadily, and do not become entangled in the cause and effect of others. That serves you no good.”

The title of Ghost Immortal sounded well enough, but if one could not enter the immortal realm, the final destination was still reincarnation. To truly enter the grand flow, one still had to cultivate and fill in what was lacking.

Feng Ya’s expression grew subtly heavy, and his eyes deepened.

“Rest assured — I will definitely enter Foundation Establishment.” Qingyi waved confidently at him and turned to leave.

Feng Ya knitted his brows, but in the end let it go. Each person had their own path — he should believe in her.

When Qingyi returned to Cang Mountain, she was called to a halt by the Imperial Princess Tantai. Master had returned from the imperial mausoleum — his complexion was not good — and her footsteps faltered slightly.

In recent years, Master had frequently gone to the imperial mausoleum. It was said that the main tomb was due for repairs, and that the ancestral mausoleum was also connected to the fortune of the Great Dan dynasty — and so he had gone in person to lay formations and engrave spirit inscriptions.

If his complexion was not good, could it be that something had gone wrong at the mausoleum?

She came to Master’s cultivation cave, only to find him standing outside it with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the sky — his entire bearing wrapped in a cold, desolate stillness.

“A’Qing pays her respects to Master.” Qingyi offered a bow.

The National Preceptor turned his head and looked at her, saying: “A’Qing, you’ve come.” He then noticed that her spiritual energy was surging around her, and his eyes filled with relief: “Your cultivation has improved greatly — clearly, you have not been neglectful in your practice while I was away. Very good.”

Qingyi said: “Your disciple dares not fail Master’s expectations.”

The National Preceptor looked at her, who had already blossomed into the appearance of a young woman, and sighed: “You’ve grown up. You no longer wish to be close to your master. Even your responses are proper and stiff — quite unlike the way you were when you were small, so lively and quick-witted.”

Qingyi’s heart stirred. A trace of shyness appeared on her face, and she took the initiative to walk to his side, tilting her head back to ask: “Master’s mood is poor — could it be that the repairs at the imperial mausoleum have encountered a setback?”

“And if they have — would A’Qing be willing to lend your master a hand?” The National Preceptor asked deliberately.

Qingyi answered without hesitation: “Your disciple is willing to follow Master’s instructions.”

The National Preceptor let out a sigh, looked toward the horizon again, and said: “In recent days, I have been observing the star formations at night. The Purple Tenuity Star in the eastern sky has grown strangely dim. From this, I have divined a hexagram — the dynasty’s fortune is leaking away. I fear there will be unrest in Great Dan, with the common people left in ceaseless turmoil.”

He had made so many thorough preparations, and yet at this critical juncture, the nation’s fortune had stagnated — refusing to gather — which was truly infuriating.

Qingyi’s heart tightened. When the Purple Tenuity Star dims, great chaos under heaven approaches — and the first to suffer would inevitably be the common people.

She couldn’t help but think of the hexagram she herself had divined recently with the yarrow stalks — it too was no auspicious sign. And yet it was intimately connected to her own fate, bound by cause and effect. Could it also be pointing to this very matter?

“If one day, the nation falls into chaos, will you give your all to aid the people?” The National Preceptor suddenly asked her: “For the sake of the righteous way of the people — to what lengths could you go?”

Qingyi straightened her back and spoke with ringing clarity: “Wherever the people have need, I shall go. For the sake of the righteous way of the people — my body may perish, my path may be sacrificed along with it.”

The National Preceptor’s expression became unreadable: “Then you must remember what you have said today.”

“Master — your disciple has already touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment. I am preparing to enter closed-door cultivation to break through.”

The National Preceptor was suddenly startled. The hand concealed within his sleeve trembled slightly. He then used his spiritual sense to examine her closely, and only then realized she had suppressed all the spiritual energy around her — and he had sensed absolutely nothing.

No wonder — no wonder that hexagram had appeared. The child has grown up, spreading her wings and ready to fly, no longer so easily constrained.

If she becomes strong — would that be greatly disadvantageous to him?

He rubbed his fingertips together. After a long silence he finally said: “Your master will lend you a hand when the time comes.”

No anxiety, no admonishment, no refusal — as though a weight had been lifted from him, as though it were only natural.

Qingyi bowed her thanks, turned and left. Sensing the scorching gaze burning into her back, she pressed her lips together slightly.