After resting for some time, Xu Tianyi rose from his bed and made his way downstairs. The soft glow of the spirit lamps illuminated the wooden staircase as he descended toward the kitchen and dining area.
When he reached the lower floor, he saw that Mu Qing and Mu Qingluan were already present. The mother stood beside the table, composed and graceful, while the daughter sat properly, her posture straight yet betraying a hint of nervous anticipation.
Seeing him arrive, both of them rose at once.
"Greetings, Master," Mu Qing said respectfully.
Mu Qingluan followed quickly, her voice a little softer but filled with sincerity. "Master."
Xu Tianyi nodded lightly in response, his expression calm. "Sit."
They obeyed without hesitation.
His gaze shifted toward the kitchen before he spoke again. "Mu Qing, the ingredients stored here are suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators and peak Qi Refinement cultivators. Prepare a meal for us."
Mu Qing was momentarily startled, then immediately nodded. "Yes, Master."
Before she turned to leave, Xu Tianyi continued, his tone casual but carrying weight.
"From today onward, we'll have three meals a day. All meals will include magical beast meat and dishes rich in spiritual essence. This method of nourishment is one of the safest ways to accumulate spiritual energy—steady, pure, and without hidden backlash."
Mu Qing's eyes brightened. As a cultivator and a spiritual cook, she understood the value of such a routine far better than most.
"This servant understands," she replied with visible respect. "I will prepare them properly."
With that, she moved into the kitchen, her steps light yet efficient.
Once she left, Xu Tianyi's attention shifted to his disciple.
Mu Qingluan was still standing, hands folded nervously in front of her. Seeing this, Xu Tianyi raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Sit," he said again, this time directing it specifically at her.
She hurriedly took a seat, her back straight, eyes attentive.
Xu Tianyi studied her in silence for a moment. The faint phoenix aura around her had already stabilized since earlier, but its potential was far from fully awakened.
After a short pause, he reached into his sleeve.
A fiery-red feather drifted out, suspended gently in midair. The moment it appeared, the surrounding temperature rose slightly, and faint, ancient runes shimmered across its surface like flowing fire.
Mu Qingluan's eyes widened as the feather floated toward her and softly landed in her palm.
Xu Tianyi spoke evenly. "This is a fourth-rank True Phoenix Feather."
Her breath caught.
"If you cultivate with it," he continued, "it will greatly nourish your bloodline. If your comprehension is sufficient, you may even gain enlightenment from the runic patterns engraved within—and possibly awaken a phoenix divine ability."
Mu Qingluan stared at the feather, her hands trembling slightly. After a moment, she stood abruptly.
"Master, this is too precious," she said hurriedly. "I—I can't accept something like this."
Her reasoning was clear even without words. Such a treasure could easily bring calamity if exposed.
Xu Tianyi chuckled softly, clearly understanding her concern. "You're not wrong."
Then he added calmly, "That's why you'll only use it here. When you leave Tianyi Peak, you can store it within the cave heaven. No one will know."
Mu Qingluan blinked, then scratched her cheek awkwardly, embarrassment coloring her face. "…Thank you, Master."
Xu Tianyi nodded, satisfied, and the two exchanged a few light words while waiting.
Before long, Mu Qing emerged from the kitchen.
She first bowed toward Xu Tianyi. "Thank you, Master, for bestowing such an opportunity upon Qingluan."
Then she began placing dishes onto the table.
The meal was simple in appearance yet extraordinary in essence.
There was braised Azure Horned Deer meat, its surface glistening with spiritual oil, releasing a gentle herbal fragrance. A bowl of Phoenix Bone Broth steamed quietly, the soup glowing faintly red as spiritual energy rippled beneath the surface. Beside it sat jade-leaf vegetables stir-fried with spiritual spring water, each leaf translucent and crisp. A plate of thunder-beast ribs, slow-cooked until tender, carried a faint crackle of lightning essence.
Even the rice was special—Spirit Grain Pearl Rice, each grain plump, glossy, and filled with condensed qi.
As they ate, Mu Qingluan felt warmth spreading through her meridians, her fatigue melting away. Mu Qing herself felt her foundation subtly stabilizing.
After the meal, Xu Tianyi set down his chopsticks.
"You're free to explore Tianyi Peak if you wish," he said. "You can take Lingjing with you. If you encounter any problems—though that's unlikely—I'll know."
Mu Qingluan's eyes sparkled immediately. "Really?"
Xu Tianyi nodded.
She turned eagerly toward her mother. "Mother—"
Mu Qing smiled gently. "Go. I'll stay behind. I have something to discuss with Master."
Mu Qingluan pouted slightly but nodded, then hurried off, excitement barely contained. Soon after, Xu Lingjing's cheerful voice echoed as she dragged the girl away.
Silence settled once more.
Xu Tianyi looked at Mu Qing. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
Without answering immediately, Mu Qing stepped forward.
Then, to his surprise, she knelt.
"This servant," she said steadily, her forehead lowered, "requests permission to truly serve you."
The room fell quiet, the soft hum of spiritual energy filling the space as Xu Tianyi regarded her calmly.
The silence in the dining hall was thick, broken only by the faint, almost imperceptible hum of spiritual energy that permeated Tianyi Peak. Xu Tianyi regarded the woman kneeling before him, her posture one of absolute submission.
Mu Qing's head was bowed, her glossy black hair cascading down her back, exposing the nape of her neck, a graceful and vulnerable curve. He did not ask her to rise. Instead, he let the moment stretch, allowing the weight of her request to settle in the air.
"Truly serve me," he repeated, his voice a low, even rumble. It was not a question, but a statement of consideration. "Explain what you mean by that, Mu Qing."
"This servant's cultivation is tied to her Potential," she began, her voice steady despite her position.
"My path forward is slow and limited. My daughter's future is… uncertain, despite her bloodline. By serving you, Master, I do not mean merely as a cook or a caretaker. I mean to offer all of myself. My skills, my loyalty, my body… my very essence. To be yours, in whatever way you require. In return, I ask for nothing but the opportunity to remain at your side and to see Qingluan have a chance to walk a true path of cultivation."
Her voice was a silken thread, weaving a plea of ambition and maternal devotion.
Xu Tianyi's gaze was intense, a physical pressure that seemed to caress her skin. He saw the sincerity in her posture, the resolve in her stillness.
A cultivator of her level, willingly offering such total submission, was not something to be taken lightly. It was an act of profound trust, and a calculated gamble on her part.
He rose from his seat, the simple motion radiating an aura of power that made the spirit lamps flicker.
He walked around the table until he stood before her. He reached down, his fingers cool against her warm skin as he tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. Her own eyes were dark, wide, and shimmering with an unshed blend of fear, hope, and determination.