"Snap!"

After a crisp, clean snap, Liang Yi and Su Youyi came to their senses, surprised to find themselves already seated in an unfamiliar pavilion amid the rain.

There was no spiritual power fluctuation, no sensation of teleportation, no sign of Daoist skills being deployed—only a gentle clap of the hands!

"There is nothing within the Void, only boundless solitude. Therefore, anything one desires must be obtained through their own efforts."

Across from Liang Yi and Su Youyi in the pavilion, Qinglian waved her hand again, and three steaming cups of tea appeared on the stone table in front of them.

Liang Yi turned his head to look outside the pavilion, where misty hills emerged through the smoke and rain; the fine rain pattered down, forming a curtain that enveloped the entire world. Their pavilion was situated in the middle of a lake, connected to either bank by stone bridges, while the lake itself rippled endlessly amidst the misty rain of Jiangnan.

Su Youyi reached out to touch the blooming lotuses surrounding the pavilion, their subtle fragrance blending into the cool air—raindrops assaulting the pavilion in waves, their moist touch on her fingers also proving this was reality.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in the other's eyes.

"Change the sky and earth!"

A phrase emerged in Liang Yi's heart.

Whether reality or illusion, Liang Yi was aware he could distinguish the difference, perhaps unable to see through it due to realm differences, yet he trusted his judgment.

Everything here was real!

Grasping the hot tea from the stone table, they savored the warmth in the midst of this chilly drizzle.

It might have been Qinglian's deliberate act that even in the eternal Snow Mountain, where Liang Yi and Su Youyi would never feel the cold, here, they genuinely felt the crisp rain of Jiangnan like mortals.

Such an ability to create things from nothing could almost be deemed the domain of a true Immortal.

Su Youyi was also deeply astonished; such was the difference between realms—to create or destroy thousands of things silently and effortlessly.

"Is this the Ninth Realm?"

A solemn thought arose in Liang Yi's heart; he could not comprehend the principle behind it any more than a mortal witnessing a Cultivator for the first time—all he had was sheer amazement!

"The reason why Chen Hua, and that small bamboo, has not successfully cultivated, is naturally not due to a lack of talent."

Holding a teacup, Qinglian sipped leisurely before finally speaking.

"Any Cultivator who seeks to practice this Cultivation Technique will invisibly establish a connection with me. And to successfully cultivate and gain entry, they must have my acknowledgment."

"My senior's acknowledgment?"

Liang Yi scratched his head. Had he received acknowledgment? He seemed to remember simply choosing to learn and then stunning everyone.

"Um..."

Qinglian's body stiffened momentarily, somewhat embarrassed as she put down her cup.

"Don't interrupt, let me finish."

The thought of this cheeky kid made Qinglian irritable. It had been a long time since anyone made contact with her, and bored, she chose to seclude herself to pass the time.

However, when she opened her eyes upon realizing something was wrong, she found herself in connection with a junior Cultivator?

This left Qinglian dumbfounded; a fledgling just stepping into the Cultivation World establishing a forcible connection with her without consent—who would believe such a tale!

But the fact remained, no matter how Qinglian checked, she found no abnormalities.

She had even intended to sever this connection offhandedly, not bothering with whether the junior's cultivation would be affected or if any issues would arise.

But when she sensed a very familiar energy from the youngster, she had her revelation and abandoned that idea.

The Spirit Light of Heavenly Dao!

If that person intervened, the situation became clearly explainable.

And it was precisely the appearance of the Spirit Light of the Heavenly Dao that gave Qinglian an idea, and thus she seized this rare opportunity to pull Liang Yi over.

"Oh, alright, please continue."

Liang Yi, who was inexplicably glared at, sheepishly continued sipping tea. Why did he feel as if this senior had some grudge against him?

"In short, your master, and that bamboo, neither received my acknowledgment. Naturally, they can't practice this Dharma."

Qinglian spread her hands, casually explaining.

"This Cultivation Technique may be a Body Refining Method, but it's more of a contract—a crucial contract linking me and the Cultivator."

"Contract? What kind is it?"

Su Youyi was unconcerned about not receiving acknowledgment; as long as her senior brother was acknowledged, that was enough. Instead, she became curious about this contract.

"This youngster can obtain a portion of my power's origin to aid in his growth, yet when he achieves the Ninth Realm, I will extract all the Innate Qi from his Qinglian origin."

Qinglian extended a finger towards Liang Yi's forehead, where his Divine Soul resided.

Liang Yi touched his brow and thought of the Qinglian within his Divine Soul, which had shrunk countless times over.

"Once you cultivate this technique to the Ninth Realm, the Qinglian within your Divine Soul will also achieve Innateness, and what I desire is all its Innate Qi."

"After extracting the Innate Qi, there will be no impact on you. The power is still yours, it's just that I have taken back the Innate Qi once granted to you," Qinglian explained to Liang Yi.

They weren't even in the same world; the most convenient way to establish a connection was to give Liang Yi a wisp of Qinglian's Innate Qi, allowing him to receive the vitality power assistance anytime, anywhere.

As Liang Yi's cultivation method became more profound, especially after reaching the ninth layer, the wisp of Innate Qi he was given would grow countless times stronger. When reclaimed, Qinglian would benefit greatly.

"This is a contract I made with that fellow from the Taoist Sect back in the day; we both benefit from it mutually. I never had the chance to ask you before, but do you agree to this agreement now?"

Qinglian straightened up and stared intently into Liang Yi's eyes with a pair of clear pupils.

"I agree."

Liang Yi didn't give it much thought and directly consented to the agreement.

The Innate Qi being extracted was, after all, just a sliver of Innate Qi afforded by Qinglian, which silently grew within him with each breakthrough and understanding of the Heavenly Dao.

Compared to Qinglian's help over such a long time, Liang Yi felt the agreement, or rather the transaction, was fair.

"Good, that's settled then."

Qinglian leaned back slightly, resting against the pavilion's long bench again, looking very satisfied.

"The key to whether I agree or not is merely the closeness to the Heavenly Dao, and the closest person I've seen to the Heavenly Dao is none other than you."

"Haha, that's quite unexpected."

Liang Yi laughed. With the Heavenly Dao's Spirit Light being reborn and living by his side every day, freeloading meals and drinks, how could he not be familiar with the Heavenly Dao?

Su Youyi also felt relieved upon hearing the agreement, for the strength of this senior was immense, and it would be very dangerous should there be any scheming towards her senior brother.

"So you see, I've left a bit of my origin within Liang Yi's Divine Soul, it's rather a close relationship indeed. If I were to transform into a female form and contact Liang Yi every day, wouldn't that make you jealous?"

Qinglian looked at Su Youyi, a slow smile spreading across her face.

"?"

Su Youyi tilted her head, picturing the senior Qinglian's female form in close contact with her senior brother within the Divine Soul.

An invisible Sword Intent passed over Liang Yi, making him instantly feel a chill down his back.

"Senior Brother~~"

A sickly sweet voice rang in his ear, and Liang Yi suddenly realized that his junior sister had unknowingly approached, smiling and looking up at him.

"Junior sister, calm down, that fellow doesn't have a gender!"

Liang Yi felt the murderous intent coming from Su Youyi's body and glanced at Qinglian, who looked amused, feeling thoroughly conned.

"Hmph."

Su Youyi naturally knew this and also knew her senior brother would do nothing of the sort, but the mere thought of it was irritating.

Liang Yi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and finally managed to appease his junior sister before asking Qinglian bluntly:

"So Qinglian, you didn't summon me here to appreciate the rain, admire the lotus flowers, and savor tea, just to tease me, did you?"

Regaining his composure, regardless of anything else, Liang Yi decided it was best to first understand the current situation.

Hearing her senior brother's question, Su Youyi too focused her gaze on the person opposite, as they still didn't know this senior's true intentions.

"Haha, of course not."

After the little drama, Qinglian finally put down her teacup and looked up to speak.

"I've called you here mainly because there is something I need from you."

"What's the matter?"

Liang Yi knew this matter might very well be Qinglian's true intention.

"I need your help to return to the Mystical Mechanism Continent!"

Qinglian said earnestly.

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