As the morning sun peeked over the world, the pair of master and disciple treaded their path outside the forest.

For a complete day and night, they had walked restlessly. While teaching Lucian the basics of cultivation, they both crossed over the borders of Xiouyue.

Even though Tianlong Bai hadn't intended to do so, he was left with no choice but to teach Lucian of the basics.

After all, he had already proven himself.

Ever since, Lucian had grown quieter than before. His eyes had become complacent, as he gazed into thoughts quite often.

Following his master subconsciously, his mind rummaged through thoughts of his own.

'These are... so different!' He thought, recalling the details the old man had shared with him about cultivation.

Throughout the span of a few hours, Lucian was left speechless multiple times. Learning so many new things about something he believed was his forte was a humbling experience for him.

Recalling a specific part of his memory, Lucian closed his eyes for a moment.

***

"Were you, by any chance, trying to expel all of your toxins at once?" Tianlong Bai asked calmly as he continued to walk ahead.

After thinking for a minute, Lucian replied, "Yes..."

As he answered his questions, Lucian's hands subconsciously tightened themselves into a fist.

Now that his mind had recovered, he was finally able to think straight.

'The old man had never taught me about removing toxins... And kids were naturally prohibited from learning anything about cultivation in this world. If I had truly expelled all the toxins in my body and somehow survived, I'd still end up dead.'

Realizing that his reckless actions might have caused the old man to suspect his identity, Lucian feared that the system might react.

But now that he hadn't done so, it could be said that he was merely curious and stopped out of fear of doing something wrong.

"Hmm," the old man twisted his neck slightly, eyeing Feng Tian from the corner of his eye. Before long, he turned back around and muttered, "You did great."

"To not expel all of your toxins at once, it saved you a lot of strength. You're young; thus, you're naturally unaware of this matter. However, these same toxins can help you elevate your strength if handled correctly." He brushed his fingers through his long beard.

"In our Tianlong lineage, it is one of the most crucial steps to develop strength early. Think of it as this—the toxins that reside within your body enhance your strength for a certain amount each time you break through a minor realm. These amounts grow higher with the mastery of such realms. If you were to expel all of your toxins early on, the whole purpose of the Body Refining Realm would've vanished." He explained in a soft, steady voice.

Hearing his words, Lucian's head suddenly felt lighter as an invisible pressure, which had been weighing against him, disappeared.

His fists uncurled and relaxed around his body.

"As for your strength, it would've plummeted the further you progressed into your cultivation. Why? Because your body wasn't strong enough to balance your strength."

The more and more Lucian listened to him, the more he realized that his unexpected moves were but a blessing in disguise.

Of course, he couldn't repeat such mistakes again since he never knew when this luck of his might turn its back.

***

*Sigh*

Letting out a deep, relenting sigh, Lucian opened his eyes once again. Standing atop a small cliff, he walked towards the edge and looked far ahead.

In the distance, he saw a bunch of different routes and rough, aged paths meet at a single point. Extending into a single straight line, the path disappeared into the woods.

Confused, he looked at the old man as if hoping to get yet another explanation.

"That is the route we'll be taking. By tomorrow morning, we'll reach the Imperial State of Xiangzhan. There, I will impart our sect's teachings to you." The old man said it loud and clear.

Lucian nodded, and they both set out once again, without wasting any time.

On their way, Lucian's eyes wandered into the air several times. For he could see something that even the mysterious and powerful master of his couldn't.

---

———————————————————

[#~System Notification~#]

———————————————————

[You have successfully cleared the task!]

---

The system window hovered before Lucian's eyes, flickering in its bright cerulean glow.

'Claim rewards.' Lucian called out to the system in his mind.

Almost immediately, the system reacted to his command and portrayed new information on the screen.

---

[Claiming rewards...]

[Congratulations! You have obtained—]

└ [Tianlong Bai's trust and interest: +5]

└ [Official cultivation techniques of the Tianlong lineage.]

[Additionally, the system has noticed your resolve to acknowledge your own limits and the will to not die.]

[As a result, your sealed passive skill—Indomitable Will—has been unlocked and upgraded!]

└ [• Grade] :- F → E (–)

---

***

At the same time, somewhere in the State of Xiangzhan, a young woman sat across the corner seat of a tavern.

Looking out the window, her silken veil waved in the air, obstructing the view of her face.

"Madame, the arrangements have been prepared." All of a sudden, a voice rang in her mind. However, she didn't react to the voice. In fact, she had been waiting for it.

Without turning her head, the woman hummed and stretched her arms before. Coincidentally, her gaze observed the area around.

An empty space. No one could be seen near her, yet she could hear the voice loud and clear.

"Good work," she called out loud in her mind. "We will depart in an hour. Stick to the plan and do not act recklessly. If things come down to it, kill yourself and protect the information."

"Remember, above all else, the mission is the top priority." She slowly stood up.

"Yes!" In unison, countless voices roared in response.

Before one could notice, she vanished into thin air—letting the last of her words seep within their hearts.

"Poison Palm Warrior, let's see how far you run this time."

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