With his mind as calm as still water, Zhao Liuyun quelled his emotions and focused his intent. Clearing away all stray thoughts, he entered a state of deep meditation with rapt concentration.
An hour later, he opened his eyes.
The improvement was significant.
Since absorbing the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone, his experience gain had increased from 160 points per hour to 200 points. The 40-point increase was purely due to the environmental experience and was not influenced by his Focus Lv2 trait.
In theory, if he could artificially create a cultivation environment with even more abundant energy, his cultivation speed would surely reach another level. But as for how to manufacture such an environment? He currently had no leads. Being able to secure a treasure land like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was already a stroke of immense luck; there was no need to be overly impatient for success.
Zhao Liuyun committed this thought to memory and shifted his focus to calculating his cultivation speed. After a full night of meditation, he could gain roughly 1,000 experience points. The time required to break through to the rank of Spirit King had been shortened by twenty percent compared to before. Originally, it would have taken another six months, but if he stayed permanently within the Ice and Fire springs, he could succeed in less than five.
Once he obtained his fifth spirit ring and his soul power completely liquefied, the efficiency of his absorption of heaven and earth energy would likely increase again.
To utilize the Ice and Fire springs for cultivation, he didn't actually need to stay at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well at all times. The hundred-mile journey was not particularly far for Zhao Liuyun, who possessed the Light as a Swallow Lv2 trait. Returning to Heaven Dou City every morning and heading back to the Sunset Forest at dusk left him with more than enough time.
While the experience points for his third class advancement in Physician Lv2 were manageable, the corresponding advancement conditions were likely to be extremely difficult to fulfill. He needed to plan ahead.
Stepping onto the shore, he shook the moisture from his body, the droplets of extreme spring water scattering as he retraced his steps to leave the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
From that day forward, Zhao Liuyun began his life of daily travel between the Sunset Forest and Heaven Dou City. He spent his mornings buried in ancient texts and his afternoons attending to patients in his clinic; his days were disciplined and fulfilling.
Occasionally, he accompanied Ye Lingling on outings. Since their engagement, her temperament had become increasingly gentle. Because her fiancé had publicly severed ties with his family, she felt a profound sense of the importance of strength and was exceptionally diligent in her cultivation.
Zhao Liuyun would also check in on Zhu Zhuqing's progress from time to time. He couldn't simply bring someone back and then ignore them entirely.
"The path of cultivation values a balance between tension and relaxation. If you always lock yourself in your room, you may end up losing your spiritual edge." He could see the latent anxiety in Zhu Zhuqing's brow and the sense of isolation that kept her at odds with her surroundings. This unfamiliarity had not faded in the slightest despite the passing of half a month.
Zhao Liuyun did not lust after her beauty, and Zhu Zhuqing was deeply grateful for this unconditional protection. However, she couldn't help but worry—how long could this protection, which felt like charity with all the giving on one side and none on the other, truly last?
Ultimately, she was living under someone else's roof. Zhu Zhuqing knew clearly in her heart that only strength was a person's true reliance.
"Whether I go out or not is of no consequence," she said, pressing her lips together. Her voice was low and soft, yet firm. "I cannot grow slack in such an excellent environment; I should work even harder at my cultivation."
She did not know that the Star Luo Empire had narrowed its target down to her alone, but she was acutely aware that the Star Luo Imperial Family would never let her go. Since they could not move against Dugu Bo and could find no weakness in Zhao Liuyun, they would surely settle for killing her—the one who had brought shame upon the imperial family.
Zhu Zhuqing had a profound impression of the imperial family's habit of bullying the weak while fearing the strong. She could only cultivate harder and harder, exerting every ounce of effort to climb toward a higher realm! She hoped that before she was eventually asked to leave the Dugu estate, she would possess enough strength to protect herself. Presumably, she would be able to live much longer than the original two years she had remaining.
"I..." Zhao Liuyun hesitated, swallowing the further advice he had intended to give. He found it difficult to say, "Let me take you out for a walk to clear your head."
Instead, he changed his approach: "Humans are social creatures; we cannot live without interacting with others. The next time Lingling comes over, I'll ask her to spend more time with you."
After Ye Lingling had escaped her depression, her nature had become gentle and considerate. He imagined she would be able to empathize with Zhu Zhuqing, who carried a faint aura of death about her. Zhao Liuyun could see shadows of his past self in Zhu Zhuqing's persistence, and the same was true for Ye Lingling.
"Thank you," Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, a trace of a beautiful curve appearing on her face.
Zhao Liuyun paused for a moment before adding, "A few days ago, Sect Master Ning came to see me."
A look of bewilderment crossed Zhu Zhuqing's face. Why was he telling her this?
Ning Fengzhi had gifted him several precious ancient texts from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's collection, explaining that Ning Rongrong held him in high regard. He hoped Zhao Liuyun could use this influence to guide his daughter's character, nudging her back toward the right path from her mischievous "Little Witch" temperament.
Zhao Liuyun said seriously, "When Rongrong visits next time, you might as well invite her to cultivate with you. If you grow tired of cultivating, you can also have her take you around Heaven Dou City for some fun."
Every time Ning Rongrong visited, she was inevitably accompanied by either the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, or the Bone Douluo, Gu Rong. No matter how arrogant the Star Luo Imperial Family might be, they would never dare to act recklessly under the watchful eyes of a Titled Douluo.
"Sect Master Ning specifically requested that I guide Rongrong's cultivation to make her take it more seriously." Zhao Liuyun's expression showed a hint of hesitation as he sighed softly. "Actually, there is no need for a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower master to cultivate too quickly. Otherwise, after a period of rapid growth, they will inevitably hit the bottleneck at Rank 79. Being unable to progress any further is a truly desperate thing. But since Sect Master Ning has asked, I can only do my best."
The texts Ning Fengzhi had gifted were indeed exceptionally precious. They included not only a refined palm technique modeled after the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique but also the Sword Douluo Chen Xin's personal handwritten notes on sword cultivation, and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's secret Three Aperture Governing Heart Method. Zhao Liuyun couldn't very well take the items and then do nothing.
"Cultivation is a matter that others can hardly teach. I will have to rely on your diligent spirit to motivate Ning Rongrong with your own sense of urgency."
Environment has a way of subtly influencing a person, and Zhu Zhuqing's relentless determination was particularly infectious. Ning Rongrong was not bad at heart; seeing her friend working so hard would surely move her. Much like how parents everywhere hope their children can enter a class with a good academic atmosphere—different environments ultimately shape different temperaments.
Zhu Zhuqing understood and nodded gently. "I will keep it in mind."
"Just be natural about it," Zhao Liuyun said in a gentle tone, not wanting to force her. "What she needs is an equal friend, not a sycophant who only knows how to flatter. Your hard work has earned her respect. You only need to go about your own business, and Ning Rongrong will understand."
With that, he nodded and turned to leave.
"Is this the price I must pay for accepting the protection of his Eminence?" Zhu Zhuqing watched his receding back, this question surfacing in her heart.
But Zhao Liuyun suddenly looked back, as if he could peer into her soul, and said with a smile, "This is merely the normal interaction between friends; don't overthink it. Thinking too much is useless. You would be better off cultivating well so that you can grow into a powerful Spirit Master who no longer fears the Star Luo Imperial Family."
Zhu Zhuqing's mind shook, and her slender fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes. She didn't even notice when Zhao Liuyun had finished leaving. Deep within those cold eyes, complex and indecipherable emotions swirled.
The tension in her heart eased because of those words.
"Friends, huh..."
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