That evening, Xian Tiandi sat in his room with Ying Yue kneeling on a mat across from him. He had just explained their upcoming departure to her.
"Two days?" Ying Yue repeated, her eyes wide. "That's so soon, Young Master."
"Yes." Xian Tiandi's tone was matter-of-fact. "We need to prepare quickly. Pack light but efficiently. Bring your alchemy materials and any personal items you'll need."
"Of course, Young Master." Ying Yue nodded obediently. Then she hesitated. "Will Xiao Ming be coming as well?"
"Yes," Xian Tiandi confirmed. "The experience will be good for him. He needs to see the world beyond this city."
'Xiao Ming's presence is another consideration,' Xian Tiandi thought.
'He's young and inexperienced, but if he receives my guidance awakening a good martial spirit wouldn't be a problem. I should use this journey to begin his training as well.'
'A loyal subordinate raised from youth will be more reliable than one recruited later.'
'Plus, keeping him close ensures Ying Yue's complete loyalty. She would never betray me while her brother's life depends on my protection.'
Ying Yue seemed relieved. She worried about leaving her younger brother behind.
Xian Tiandi observed her for a moment. "Before we depart, there's something I want to help you with. Show me your cultivation progress with the Immortal Scarlet Moon Sutra."
Ying Yue straightened immediately, honored that he was taking personal interest in her training. "Yes, Young Master."
She closed her eyes and began circulating her Qi according to the technique he had taught her.
The Immortal Scarlet Moon Sutra was a dual cultivation art, balancing both Immortal and Martial paths.
For someone with Ying Yue's fire attribute and newly awakened Vermillion Bird spirit, it was an excellent match.
However, as Xian Tiandi observed her energy flow with his spiritual sense, he noticed several bottlenecks in her circulation.
Her meridians were still adjusting to the technique.
'As I expected,' he thought.
'She's progressing quickly, but her foundation is still developing. These blockages are normal for someone so new to cultivation.'
'With proper guidance, she should break through to Stage 5 tonight. That will put her ahead of most cultivators her age and demonstrate my capability as a teacher. It also binds her closer to me through gratitude.'
"Stop," he said gently.
Ying Yue opened her eyes, worry crossing her face. "Did I do something wrong, Young Master?"
"No, you're doing well for how recently you started," Xian Tiandi assured her.
"But there are some blockages in your circulation that are preventing you from progressing smoothly. I'm going to guide you through it directly."
"Directly?" Ying Yue wasn't sure what he meant.
"Turn around," Xian Tiandi instructed.
Confused but obedient, Ying Yue turned so her back faced him.
"I'm going to place my hand on your back and channel my Qi to guide yours through the correct pathways," Xian Tiandi explained. "This is a common method for masters teaching disciples. It will help you understand the proper flow more clearly."
"Oh," Ying Yue said softly. Her heart suddenly beat faster at the thought of such close contact, though she tried to suppress the feeling.
Xian Tiandi moved closer, kneeling directly behind her. He raised his hand and placed it firmly against her upper back, between her shoulder blades.
The moment his palm made contact, Ying Yue's entire body became acutely aware of his presence.
The warmth of his hand seeped through her robes. His steady breathing behind her. The controlled power she could sense radiating from him.
"Relax," Xian Tiandi said, noticing her tension. "If your body is stiff, the Qi won't flow properly."
"Y-yes, Young Master," Ying Yue stammered, trying to calm herself.
Xian Tiandi began channeling his Qi into her body through his palm.
It was a careful, controlled stream of energy that traveled through her meridians, illuminating the correct pathways like lighting a dark room.
'Her meridians are adapting well to the fire attribute Qi from her Vermillion Bird spirit,' Xian Tiandi analyzed as he worked.
'The Immortal Scarlet Moon Sutra is tempering them properly. With consistent practice, she'll develop a strong foundation that can support both paths.'
'I should also consider teaching her some auxiliary techniques to complement her alchemy studies. A combat technique perhaps, for self-defense during our journey.'
Ying Yue gasped softly as she felt his Qi moving through her channels. It was gentle but firm, guiding her own energy to follow along.
The sensation was intimate in a way she hadn't expected. His Qi felt warm and reassuring, like a protective presence flowing through her very being.
"Do you feel the path it's taking?" Xian Tiandi asked, his voice close to her ear.
Ying Yue could barely focus on his words. "Y-yes, Young Master."
"Good. Now follow with your own Qi. Let yours mirror mine."
She obeyed, circulating her own fire-attributed Qi along the same routes his was tracing.
The combined flow became smoother, more natural. The bottlenecks she had been struggling with began to loosen.
Xian Tiandi continued guiding her for several minutes, completely focused on the technique.
His mind was analytical, noting each improvement in her circulation.
He didn't notice how flustered Ying Yue had become, her cheeks flushed beneath her veil, her breathing slightly uneven.
Then, suddenly, something shifted. Ying Yue's Qi surged dramatically as a barrier broke through.
"You're breaking through," Xian Tiandi said with satisfaction. 'Perfect timing. Stage 5 achieved.'
Ying Yue felt the change rippling through her body.
Her cultivation was advancing from Stage 4 to Stage 5 of the Qi Refinement Realm.
The breakthrough came smoothly, aided by Xian Tiandi's guidance and the solid foundation he had helped her build.
When the process completed, Xian Tiandi withdrew his hand from her back. "Well done. You've reached Stage 5."
Ying Yue opened her eyes, feeling the new strength flowing through her body. She turned to face him, her eyes shining with gratitude and something else she couldn't quite name.
"Thank you, Young Master," she said softly. "I... I don't know how to repay this kindness."
"There's no need for repayment," Xian Tiandi replied simply. "You're my person now. Your growth is beneficial to both of us."
His casual words made Ying Yue's heart flutter. 'His person,' she repeated in her mind.
The phrase made her feel warm inside, though she knew he likely meant it in a purely practical sense.
Xian Tiandi stood, brushing off his robes. "Continue practicing the circulation on your own tonight. Tomorrow you should obtain your Alchemy Association badge. We'll need official credentials for the journey."
"The Alchemy Association badge?" Ying Yue perked up. "You're going to take the certification test?"
"Yes," Xian Tiandi confirmed. "It will be useful to have. And you should consider taking it as well, once you're more confident in your skills."
'The badge will serve multiple purposes,' Xian Tiandi thought. 'It establishes my identity as an alchemist, which can open doors and provide cover for various activities.'
'It also gives me legitimate access to alchemy resources in different cities without raising suspicion.'
"I'll work hard, Young Master," Ying Yue promised earnestly.
"Good." Xian Tiandi moved toward the door. "Rest well tonight. The day after tomorrow, we depart on our journey."
"Yes, Young Master," Ying Yue said, bowing her head respectfully.
After Xian Tiandi left, Ying Yue remained kneeling on the mat for a long moment.
She raised one hand to her back, where his palm had been. She could still feel the ghost of his warmth there.
Her face grew hot as she remembered how close he had been.
How his voice had sounded right by her ear. How his Qi had felt flowing through her body.
"What's wrong with me?" she whispered to herself. "Why does my heart race like this when he's near?"
She had never experienced these feelings before.
Her life before meeting Xian Tiandi had been filled with hardship and worry. She'd never had time to think about such things.
But now, in the safety and comfort he provided, these strange new emotions were emerging.
Gratitude, certainly. Loyalty, absolutely. But also something more.
Something that made her want to be close to him.
Something that made her happy when he praised her and anxious when he seemed distant.
Ying Yue shook her head, trying to clear these thoughts. "He's my master," she reminded herself firmly.
"I shouldn't think such inappropriate things."
But even as she said it, a small part of her wondered if perhaps, someday, she could be something more than just his maid.