The heavy curtains finally allowed a sliver of morning light to seep through. Golden rays spilled across the room, a silent reminder of how long it had been since they started.

Xu Tao slowly opened his eyes and let out a breath he had been holding for who knew how long. The air seemed frozen as a white mist slipped past his lips.

He lifted his hand from Geraldine's bare back and muttered, "It's done."

At last, all his effort had borne fruit. Her destroyed meridians were not only repaired, but reinforced. Her Heavenly Resonant Martial Body had once again revealed its wonder, allowing her to cultivate anew despite having only just finished healing.

Geraldine now lay fast asleep, breathing slow and heavy, yet steady. Her face was still flushed from the agony she had endured. Strands of damp hair clung to her cheeks, giving her a stunningly sensual look that would stir desire in any man.

"You did well enduring the entire process," Xu Tao whispered, pulling a blanket over her nude form.

He felt no stir of lust at the sight of her exposed beauty. Instead, he simply rose to his feet and stretched, joints popping faintly.

"Hm?"

Just as he was about to rest, he sensed a presence beyond the door. A familiar one.

Xu Tao already knew who it was, and why she had come, drawing a bitter smile to his lips.

He reached for the knob, and the moment the door swung open, he was met with the face he had expected—standing tall and waiting for him.

"...You sure took your time, Mr. Customer," Vanessa said immediately.

Her sharp eyes locked on him with suspicion and something far heavier. She looked like she hadn't slept all night.

Xu Tao raised a brow. "Standing here the whole night? That can't be good for your back and legs."

"This isn't a joke." Vanessa's tone was harsh, almost accusing. "Do you have any idea what you've just done?"

Xu Tao let the door click shut behind him, tilting his head.

"If you're asking whether I know, then yes. I repaired one of your girls' meridians."

"That's not what I meant."

Vanessa shook her head, her dress swaying slightly as she stepped closer.

"You've upset the delicate balance of this place. You touched one of us, but not in the way we intended. Do you realize the danger you've put yourself in? The danger you've put all of us in?"

Xu Tao met her glare evenly, lips twitching into a faint smile. "Oh, I was aware of it. In fact, I knew from the moment I set foot in this establishment."

Vanessa narrowed her eyes.

"I know for a fact that Geraldine wasn't the only one," Xu Tao continued, his voice calm but unwavering. "Every girl working here—you included—was once a cultivator. Am I right?"

Her breath caught.

A flicker of surprise cracked through her composure before she quickly forced it down.

"That's not something you should know," she said coldly.

"But I do." Xu Tao shrugged.

"And I also know that all of you had your cultivation crippled by someone decently powerful. People who thought they could trample you without consequence. That's what your warning was really about, wasn't it?"

Vanessa didn't answer, her silence louder than words.

Instead of pressing further, Xu Tao simply clasped his hands behind his back.

"Of course, I'm not here to make enemies, Vanessa. My purpose was only to give Geraldine a second chance. I offered her a path, and it was her choice whether to take it." His gaze narrowed. "And if I want to, I can do the same for you… and everyone else."

Her eyes sharpened. "Everyone...?"

"Yes." Xu Tao's eyes glinted. "I can repair your meridians. Every single one of you."

The corridor fell silent, broken only by the faint bustle of the morning staff.

After a few moments, Vanessa finally let out a low laugh—not of amusement, but disbelief.

"Do you realize how insane you sound? You think you can just… fix everyone?"

"I don't think I can," Xu Tao corrected. "I know I can. As proof, you can check on Geraldine right now. Though she's exhausted and resting, I already repaired her meridians, Dantians, and even mended her damaged soul."

Vanessa's lips pressed tight. She could scarcely understand what he was saying, but her years as the owner of The Silver Chalice told her one thing—he wasn't lying.

Xu Tao stepped closer, his tone steady. "But of course, I won't do it for free. In exchange, I want your permission to take Geraldine as my disciple."

Vanessa's brows furrowed, suspicion sharpening her gaze. "So that's what you want."

"Yes," Xu Tao said simply. "Not a bad deal, is it?"

She was silent for a long moment, then finally exhaled.

"…Fine. You can take her. But I have a condition of my own."

Xu Tao arched a brow, curious what demand she would make.

"You'll take ten more," Vanessa declared flatly. "If you want Geraldine, then you'll accept ten more of my girls as your disciples."

For a moment, Xu Tao only stared. Then, he chuckled.

"That's quite a steep demand. I don't take disciples like I'm shopping in a marketplace on a bargain."

"It's not a demand. It's an opportunity."

Her eyes softened ever so slightly, though her tone remained firm.

"They've all been waiting for a chance—a change—anything to give their lives meaning again. If you can truly do what you claim, then prove it by giving them a new path forward. If not… then walk away and forget about us."

Xu Tao tapped his chin thoughtfully.

He didn't refuse, but neither did he accept outright.

"Show them to me," he said at last.

Geraldine's rare physique was too valuable to abandon. But taking nobodies as disciples would tarnish not only his honor, but also the reputation of those he had trained before.

🔷🔷🔷

Minutes later, the two entered a wide hall, where ten women stood in line, waiting. Xu Tao examined them one by one. His expression remained unreadable, though inwardly he was impressed.

Each possessed a unique constitution.

None as rare as Geraldine's Heavenly Resonant Martial Body, but all far above the average cultivator.

One girl's bones carried traces of Metallic Earth Qi, hinting at her compatibility with the Indestructible Diamond Immortal Physique.

Another's blood flowed unusually vibrant—a sign of a Blood Fragrance Enchanting Physique.

Others carried similar traits, all valuable if nurtured properly.

Xu Tao had to admit… Vanessa wasn't exaggerating. They were all worthy of becoming his disciples.

"You planned this from the beginning, didn't you?" Xu Tao glanced at her, smiling wryly.

Vanessa smirked. "I call it insurance. Now the question is—are you willing to take them?"

Xu Tao turned back to the women, each staring at him with a mixture of hope and desperation. He could already envision their potential—how strong they could become under his guidance.

"…Alright," he said at last. "I'll take them all."

Relief flickered across their faces, smiles breaking out. Even Vanessa let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"That's good…" She bowed lightly. "Will you be taking them now?"

Xu Tao shook his head, raising a hand. "Not yet. They'll need time to prepare. There's no rush."

"I still have matters of my own. When Geraldine wakes, bring her and everyone else to Henrietta Campbell's mansion on the outskirts of the city. That is where I'll train all of them."

"Yes, Master!"

The women cupped their fists and bowed, eyes blazing with renewed purpose.

With that settled, Xu Tao turned on his heel.

He had been delayed long enough. It was time to return to where Jehanne and the others were. Yet the moment he arrived at Henrietta's mansion, trouble greeted him.

In the lounge, Jehanne stood at the front, arms folded, her sharp gaze fixed on him like a hawk. Zetian, less intense but equally firm, looked as though she had her own questions.

Henrietta and Uriel had not yet arrived, but the other maids whispered behind them, their faces a mix of curiosity and unease.

"Sir Tao," Jehanne said bluntly, her tone edged with danger. "Where were you last night?"

Xu Tao blinked, answering without pause. "Fixing a problem."

Jehanne stepped closer, nostrils flaring.

"Don't lie. I can smell another woman on you. On your robes, on your skin—everywhere!"

The atmosphere grew taut with pressure.

Xu Tao sighed, unsure of what to say.

Jehanne's eyes narrowed further. "So? Who was she?"

Xu Tao considered brushing it aside. But seeing the turmoil in her expression—anger, suspicion, and something fragile beneath—he knew evasion would only worsen it.

Meeting her gaze, he answered evenly. "Her name is Geraldine. And she is my new disciple."

Jehanne froze, lips parting as the words struck the room like stones dropped into still water. Zetian even dropped her fan, the sharp clatter cutting through the silence.

"Your new… disciple?" Jehanne echoed, disbelief in her voice.

"Yes," Xu Tao said firmly. "My new disciple. Nothing more, nothing less."

Jehanne's fists clenched at her sides. She turned away sharply, muttering under her breath before storming off without another word.

The other women exchanged glances, whispers spreading like wildfire.

Xu Tao rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"I don't know what's going on, but… I can already feel a headache coming."

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