Chapter 18: 18- Secret Between Us
In the Ledal Empire, inside Xu Fang's room, Xu Fang and his stepmother, Long Xiu, sat on his bed. Long Xiu was aware of his original cultivation, prompting her to have a conversation with Xu Fang.
"What, Mother Xiu? Are you interested in trying out my absorption method and having me gather Qi to transfer it for your cultivation?" Xu Fang asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes, I want to give it a try, if you don't mind," Long Xiu expressed her desire to experience the technique.
"No, Mother Xiu, I have no problem with that, but do you need it?" Xu Fang inquired again to make sure of her intention.
"Of course, if it can help me cultivate faster, then why not?" She replied with determination.
"But if you're uncomfortable with it, then forget about it," she added, expressing that it was okay if he didn't want to demonstrate.
"Hahaha, today is my lucky day," Xu Fang chuckled in his inner thoughts.
"No, no, Mother Xiu, I just wanted to confirm that I heard correctly. And why not? I'll show you. You're family, and I can do anything for my family—anything," he reassured her with a smile. However, as he continued, his expression turned serious.
His words momentarily stunned her. She didn't say anything, silently processing the impact of his declaration. She sensed the sincerity behind his words, realizing that his devotion to family ran deep. His lies, masquerading as dreams, had been embraced as truths by the family. Those words had imprinted themselves on her mind and heart. After a brief pause, she returned from her astonishment.
"Alright then, Mother Xiu, let's begin." Xu Fang agreed and prepared to demonstrate the absorption and transfer technique to Long Xiu.
Xu Fang then motioned for her to sit cross-legged. He explained the procedure, mirroring the guidance he had given his sisters. As she felt his hands on her back, transmitting the gathered Qi, she eagerly absorbed it, anticipating the benefits.
Long Xiu followed his instructions, immersing herself in absorbing the Qi from her surroundings. Meanwhile, Xu Fang skillfully extracted Qi from the abundant Neutral Qi Stones in his storage, channeling their essence through his hands. Placing both hands on Long Xiu's back, he initiated the transfer.
Observing her absorption, Xu Fang concurrently stored the Yin Qi flowing from Long Xiu into his dantian. Simultaneously, he absorbed the remaining Qi from the Neutral Qi Stone lingering around his body. The harmonious exchange continued until every trace of Qi had been completely absorbed by both of them. Xu Fang gently removed his hands, advising Long Xiu to cultivate the received Qi, and he began his cultivation.
Upon opening his eyes after the session, Xu Fang noticed Long Xiu was still immersed in her cultivation. Despite her absorbing only 20% of the Qi from the Neutral Qi Stone, Xu Fang effortlessly transferred the rest to her. A few minutes later, Long Xiu concluded her cultivation and turned towards Xu Fang, a radiant smile illuminating her face.
"Xu Fang, you are truly amazing! The entire process was so smooth. This method is incredible! You know it's also helpful for me?" Long Xiu said with a smile.
Long Xiu expressed her gratitude, feeling the newfound energy within her. The successful demonstration strengthened their bond and deepened the trust between Xu Fang and his stepmother.
"I'm very happy to see that I can help you with your cultivation. If it's beneficial for you, I can gather and transfer Qi to cultivate for you every day," he expressed his joy in aiding his family.
"No, no, you can gather Qi and cultivate it by yourself, and don't worry about me. It's already hard for you to help your sisters," she insisted, insisting that he didn't have to go out of his way for her.
"Mother Xiu, I've already told you that family comes first, and besides, I'm getting a bit bored cultivating alone. When I gather and transfer Qi for you, I can also absorb and cultivate at the same time. It means I can cultivate while helping others. If I cultivate alone, I gather and absorb only once, then get bored and don't continue.
But if I help others, I absorb more, and I don't feel bored when someone else is with me during cultivation," Xu Fang explained, highlighting how helping others not only benefited them but also enhanced his own cultivation experience.
"If that's the case, I'll come to your room every day after you finish helping your sisters; how's that?" She suggested the idea of regular visits.
'Great, this way, I can make faster breakthroughs, and my relationship with my sisters and Long Xiu is improving over time,' Xu Fang thought to himself.
'I need to absorb more Yang Qi from the Sun because, from now on, I have Long Xiu's Yin Qi. Also, her Yin Qi is thicker than my sisters,' he added.
"Good idea, but please don't tell my mother and the others that I'm at a higher stage than I told them," he requested, asking her to keep his cultivation level a secret.
"But when do you plan to tell them?" She inquired about when he intended to reveal his true cultivation level to his mother and stepmothers.
"I think I'll reveal my breakthroughs in line with Big Sister Ling and Jing. Since the Elements Qi Awakening ceremony was conducted with them, it makes sense. I have plans to venture outside the castle to strengthen myself in two or three years. In adventures, my cultivation tends to progress faster, and that's a widely known fact. I can use that as a cover to hide my current cultivation levels," Xu Fang shared his plans with her.
"You're planning to venture outside the castle for an adventure? You know your mother hasn't given you permission for that," Long Xiu expressed her surprise.
"Yes, it's my plan. I'll figure out how to get permission from my mother. Let's leave that matter for the future," he assured her, saying that he had a plan to obtain permission from his mother.
"Sigh… Right, let's leave the future for now. Okay, I'll come see you tomorrow, and don't worry; this matter is a secret between us." She sighed and emphasized that their conversation was confidential. After that, she stood up and left his room.
'I hope she didn't tell others about it and kept her promise,' Xu Fang hoped in his mind, trusting Long Xiu to keep their conversation confidential.
Following the same routine for his cultivation, with the assistance of his sisters and stepmother, Xu Fang achieved his eighth breakthrough in the next six days. He increased the amount of Neutral Qi Stones and absorbed Yang Qi from the Sun. He didn't rely on absorbing Yin Qi from the Moon as he had gathered enough from his sisters and stepmother to cultivate more rapidly.
Nine days after Xu Fang's breakthrough to the eighth stage, Xu Zhi achieved her final breakthrough. She then spent the next full week stabilizing her foundation under her mother's guidance. With a week having passed for stabilization, tomorrow marked the day of her Elements Qi Awakening ceremony.
In over twenty days, not only did Xu Min, Xu Ling, and Xu Jing achieve their breakthroughs to the next stages, but Long Xiu also advanced to the next stage. The relationship between Long Xiu and Xu Fang continued to strengthen, evolving into a friendship where they could talk and laugh together. In these moments, Long Xiu could momentarily forget her royal status as one of the queens of the Ledal Empire.
"Xu Fang, you know, with your help, both me and your sisters have gained a lot of benefits," Long Xiu expressed with a smile.
They sat inside Xu Fang's room, conversing after a session of cultivating Qi extracted from two Neutral Qi Stones. Long Xiu acknowledged that the way Xu Fang assisted her and his sisters was unprecedented in the world of cultivation, where self-interest often prevailed.
"Hump... Mother Xiu, you've started that topic again. I didn't want to talk with you." Xu Fang replied with a feigned expression of annoyance, turning his head away.
"Hahaha… Don't be angry. I'm just stating the truth. No one helps others like you do," she laughed, enjoying the playfulness of their banter.
"Mother Xiu, you're not just 'others'; you're my family. For my family, I'll do everything. Not to mention that little help, I promise, just wait a few years. I will help you become stronger, even stronger than my mother or anyone else on this planet." Xu Fang declared it with determination.
Long Xiu sat there, marveling at the depth of Xu Fang's sense of responsibility and the genuine care he displayed for his family. She couldn't help but be moved by the sincerity in his words and the unwavering commitment he expressed. It was a rare quality, especially in a young individual.
"You truly have a remarkable heart, Xu Fang. Your dedication to your family is extraordinary, and I believe you will achieve great things in the future," Long Xiu responded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and gratitude.
"Mother Xiu, it's nothing. I just want everyone in my family to be strong and happy. That's all that matters to me." Xu Fang, still looking away, managed a small smile.
As they continued their conversation, discussing both the profound aspects of cultivation and sharing lighter moments, their bond strengthened. In the small space of Xu Fang's room, a genuine connection blossomed between them, transcending the differences in status and responsibilities.
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