Chapter 19: The Marvel of Divine Refinement (With Gratitude for Your Support)

"By the way, I still don't know what's wrong with you," Dugu Bieli suddenly remembered that he knew nothing about treating illnesses. "Other than fighting, the only thing I know is how to kill people..."

"What?"

Staggering as if struck hard, Su Xiruo's lips parted slightly, her breath caught, her face paled, and disappointment dulled her expression. Mechanically, she said, "Uncle said you could help me, but I don't really know. So you can't either." She forced a bitter smile and continued, "There’s a sealed power within my body that I can never break, which keeps me from cultivating at all—I can’t even open my Spring of Strength..."

"A sealed power?" Dugu Bieli repeated, thoughtful. "So it’s not an illness. In that case, perhaps I can give it a try. As it happens, I know a special technique that can draw on the power of others."

"What?" Su Xiruo, still reeling from disappointment, suddenly brightened at his words. Surprise and delight filled her eyes. "That must be it! My uncle, Wuying, once asked the Queen to request help from the Everlasting Emperor of the Central Wasteland. The Emperor said it was not an illness, and she couldn’t help. Only if there were a cultivation technique that could slowly draw out the power could the seal be broken and the shackles removed. Forcibly breaking the seal would harm me—my life would be in danger..."

"Oh, so that's it—a judgment made by an Emperor," Dugu Bieli nodded. "Since I know such a technique, I’ll do my utmost to help you."

"Thank you." Mist welled in Su Xiruo’s large eyes. She looked at Dugu Bieli—this man who had just taken advantage of her... Wait, just now... Remembering the kiss from moments before, her face flushed crimson, shyness overwhelming her. With a soft gasp, she stamped her foot, pressed her burning cheeks, and, with flustered steps, turned and fled. In a few breaths, she had left the storeroom.

Dugu Bieli watched in confusion, thinking, "Didn’t she want my help to break the seal? Why did she suddenly run off?"

He could not make sense of it, so he took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and sat down again to restore his depleted spirit. Through his earlier cultivation, he had discovered that he could forge the prototype of an auxiliary combat formation with nothing but his spirit alone. This realization had kindled a new fervor in his heart, for within this process he had discovered something truly extraordinary—a tremendous advantage!

According to the knowledge inherited by tradition, cultivation in this world comprised nine great realms: Soldier, Brave, General, Commander, Legion, Marquis, Minister, King, and Emperor. The first seven realms focused on unlocking one's potential and creating reservoirs of battle power, such as the current Five Springs. But upon reaching the peak of the Marquis realm, one faced a formidable barrier. To ascend to Minister, a solid and profound spiritual foundation was required.

In other words, from the Minister realm onward, cultivation shifted to a different path, with spirit as the main focus. Almost all cultivators, upon reaching the Marquis realm, strove to develop their spirit. It wasn’t a matter of laziness or lack of understanding; rather, most lacked spiritual cultivation techniques. Only after becoming a Marquis could one begin to unlock the potential of the spirit and gain insight.

Yet the Path of Artifact Refinement could actually strengthen the spirit!

Taken alone, this made the Path of Artifact Refinement a unique and wondrous method, its value self-evident.

To temper the spirit starting at the General realm was to begin far earlier, allowing much deeper accumulation in the future—an immense advantage in battle. Dugu Bieli understood the significance and would persist without wavering. He well remembered that, in his past life, it was the Primordial Nether Technique that had enabled him to stride proudly through the martial world.

To be one step ahead could make all the difference.

...

"This child..." Watching Su Xiruo flee rather than seize the opportunity, both Wuying and the Headmaster felt a pang of regret. Wuying, anxious, said, "No, I must talk to him in person and settle this once and for all." With those words, his figure flickered and vanished on the spot.

"I’d best go as well. After Xiruo’s matter is settled, I still need the battle formation," the Headmaster said, refusing to be left behind. Unable to shift through space as Wuying did, he raced out the open doorway, summoning long-unused energy, and dashed toward the forbidden zone like a gust of wind.

For most students and instructors, the forbidden zone was indeed forbidden. But Wuying, the Headmaster, and Su Xiruo were exceptions.

...

"I’ll tidy up the library for him. He still has to cultivate and needs to rest..." Su Xiruo ran out of the storeroom, sunlight shining down on her. She bit her lip, regretting yet again her missed opportunities. After a moment’s thought, she entered the library and began cleaning. Wherever she passed, dust vanished, shelves stood neat, and beast hides were arranged in order.

It seemed, after all, that women were more attentive to detail.

Unaware, Dugu Bieli was already deep in meditation, exploring and refining the essence of various weapons, his spirit gradually recovering without his realizing it.

Whoosh—

In the dim underground, the air suddenly rippled like a watery curtain, forming a portal as Wuying appeared. He looked at Dugu Bieli with darting eyes, then ignored all else and shouted, "You rascal! You took advantage of my daughter, and you’re still here cultivating instead of running?"

Startled, Dugu Bieli leapt to his feet. When he saw it was Wuying and recalled his own reckless behavior, he was taken aback. He cupped his fists and said, "Though it was unintentional, I did act improperly. I have no excuse, only the hope that I can make amends and earn your forgiveness."

Wuying, seeing the boy’s straightforwardness, approved inwardly but did not show it. He frowned and said gruffly, "Although Xiruo isn’t my flesh and blood, I’ve raised her since infancy. She’s as dear to me as any daughter. Besides, I’ve never married... these past thirty-some... well, all these years, she’s hardly met any outsiders, let alone men. She’s innocent, pure, and gentle, so it’s only natural she wouldn’t know how to handle such things. But you’re a grown man—shouldn’t you face up to this? Do you think a few words can settle everything?"

"Ah??" Dugu Bieli scratched his head. "How exactly should I face it? Please, teach me."

"Me, teach you?" Hearing that he, too, lacked experience, Wuying was secretly delighted, though he did not show it. With a fierce glare, he feigned anger: "You kissed her, you touched her—what more do you want to ask me? What else is there? Of course, you must marry Xiruo and become husband and wife."

"Ah..." Though he’d lived two lives, Dugu Bieli was still single—a man unversed in such matters. At the mention of marriage, he was utterly flustered, at a loss for words or action.

"What? You’re unwilling? You’ve already compromised Xiruo’s innocence and now you don’t want to take responsibility?" Wuying bristled, his sparse beard jutting out, a vast and oppressive aura emanating from him. He glared fiercely at Dugu Bieli, considering whether to apply some pressure—surely under his terrifying presence, he would get the answer he wanted.

Whoosh, whoosh—

At the door of the storeroom, the Headmaster clung to the frame, breathing heavily. Then, collecting himself, he hurried down into the underground chamber. Not yet through the door, his voice thundered ahead, declaring, "I am the Headmaster of Butterfly Academy, and I now order you to come with me at once!"

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