Miyabi's enlightenment came fast, a testament to her exceptional talent.
The time she'd taken to reach this moment of clarity showed just how long she'd been searching for her own truth.
Victor left her alone in the imaginary space to continue her meditation and returned to the real world.
Belle had already woken up and was enjoying the breakfast Lumine had sent over.
Seeing this, Victor didn't hesitate to join in.
He tore off a leg from the sweet stuffed chicken and started eating.
"Didn't you go to practice with Miyabi? Why are you back so soon?"
Belle shifted closer until their shoulders were almost touching.
They say women feel vulnerable after their first time, and while that didn't apply to everyone, Belle was definitely one of them.
Waking up without Victor beside her had stung a little. But she understood he was busy, so she'd tried not to let it bother her.
If Victor had been completely oblivious, he might have told her straight up that Miyabi was having an epiphany and he'd come back because there was nothing else to do.
But thankfully, he wasn't that dense.
He wrapped his free arm around Belle's slender waist and said softly, "Of course I came back to have breakfast with my girlfriend."
Belle knew he was just being sweet, but she loved it anyway.
She tilted her head up, lips curved in a smile. "Here. Reward for you."
"Then I won't hold back."
Victor didn't mind the bit of grease on Belle's lips. He leaned in and kissed her, their tongues meeting briefly.
Wise, who'd just emerged from the back room, immediately retreated.
He'd wanted to grab some breakfast with his sister. Now he was full, of dog food.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was afternoon.
In the imaginary space, Miyabi finally opened her eyes, the light of understanding shining in them.
Victor, who'd been watching TV with Belle, sensed the change immediately. After excusing himself, he returned to the imaginary space.
"Not bad at all. You jumped straight to the fourth level of Qi Training."
Feeling Miyabi's aura, Victor was genuinely impressed.
When Erina and Hisako Arato had finished their enlightenment, they'd only reached the second level.
Miyabi really was a martial arts prodigy. Even in the cultivation world, her talent would be considered exceptional.
"Cultivation... Is this why you're so strong?"
Miyabi's voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
When Victor had initiated her into cultivation, he'd also transmitted knowledge about the immortal path.
After learning what cultivation truly meant, she finally understood how insignificant her previous strength had been.
The so-called Void Hunters were nothing more than slightly larger ants to someone at the Foundation Establishment stage.
And Foundation Establishment was merely one of the lowest levels in the entire cultivation hierarchy. Just a bit stronger than her current Qi Training stage.
It was hard to imagine how terrifying his power would become once he reached Foundation Establishment, or even the higher Golden Core stage.
"Time to come back to your senses."
Victor waved his hand in front of Miyabi's face, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Now that you've entered the world of cultivation, I'll teach you a set of immortal sword techniques."
"Yes, Master Victor!"
"Master?" Victor paused, slightly taken aback.
Miyabi tilted her head, looking a bit confused. "You taught me the path of cultivation. Shouldn't I call you master?"
"Haha, of course you can. But compared to 'master,' I think 'shifu' sounds better."
Unlike those who constantly fantasized about their disciples betraying them or wiping out their sect, Victor preferred the wholesome master-disciple dynamic.
Miyabi didn't know what he was thinking, so she simply nodded obediently. "Yes, Shifu."
After that, Victor taught her the Qingyuan Sword Technique.
With her innate genius for swordsmanship, Miyabi quickly grasped the essentials.
"Come on. Spar with me."
Real combat was the best teacher, after all.
Victor decided to use fighting as a method to help her master the Qingyuan Sword Technique as quickly as possible.
"Yes!"
Miyabi caught the Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword that Victor tossed her way.
Since she was learning the Qingyuan Sword Technique, using the Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword would allow her to perform it more effectively.
Her ancestral cursed blade, Tailless, would actually limit the technique's power.
Victor suppressed his cultivation to match Miyabi's level.
"Alright. Begin."
The moment he finished speaking, Miyabi attacked.
A Qingyuan sword light shot directly toward Victor.
He used the same move to neutralize it.
For the next two hours, the two exchanged blows in the imaginary space, their fierce battle tearing apart the already dilapidated buildings.
By the time they finished, everything had been reduced to powder.
When darkness began to fall, Victor ended Miyabi's training and brought her back to the video store.
"You can practice on your own from now on. If you have any questions, come here and find Belle."
After sharing dinner with Miyabi, it was time for Victor to head home.
Hearing his words, Miyabi realized what they implied.
"Is Shifu leaving?"
"Yeah. My home isn't in New Eridu, so I need to go back."
It wasn't just outside New Eridu, it was in an entirely different world.
"Is Shifu's home far from here?" Miyabi asked.
"Far, but also not far."
The ambiguous answer left Miyabi somewhat confused.
"But if I want to come here, I can arrive in an instant. So you don't need to worry."
Victor assumed she was concerned about whether they'd be able to meet again after he left.
He hoped this would reassure her and let her focus on cultivation.
But what Miyabi said next caught him completely off guard.
"Since Shifu can return anytime, can I go back with you?"
"Wow, kidnapping a fox girl in less than a day." Belle, standing nearby, suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.
Victor rubbed Belle's head and coaxed her with a few words until her jealousy faded. Then he turned to Miyabi with a serious expression. "Are you sure? If you leave with me, what about your work?"
Honestly, Victor wouldn't mind if the little fox wanted to follow him home.
In fact, he'd be happy to take her back.
After all, who wouldn't want such a beautiful fox girl by their side?
Miyabi nodded without hesitation. "I'm sure. As for work... I asked Yanagi for an extended leave before coming here."
"In that case, I have no objections."
Victor directly used a crossing talisman to open a dimensional gate connecting the two worlds.
"Follow me."