Mo Shuying actually cared a great deal about the disciples of Longxi Peak.
She just had the common failing of Cultivators in this world—she valued genius and paid no mind to the mediocre.
And among the current class of Longxi Peak disciples, the one with the most outstanding Talent was, without a doubt, Xue Yao.
Mo Shuying already saw Xue Yao as her junior sister.
Even though Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi also broke through on the third day, her fondness for Xue Yao didn't diminish in the slightest. Yes, Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi had broken through, and their breakthroughs had caused quite a stir on Longxi Peak at the time.
However, Zhong Ming was so engrossed in his Cultivation that he had no mind to pay attention to such matters.
...
The fact that two others had broken through did not lessen Mo Shuying's doting on Xue Yao.
Moreover, of Longxi Peak's three prodigies, only Xue Yao came from a humble background. The fact that she was the first to break through made Mo Shuying feel particularly sympathetic and attentive toward her.
Every day, she would only spend the time it takes to drink a cup of tea answering the questions of ordinary disciples. But when she gave Xue Yao private lessons, it was for at least the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
Furthermore, due to the influence of her Ice Spirit Root, Xue Yao's temperament was somewhat cold and detached. This led Mo Shuying to not only care about her Cultivation but also to painstakingly plan out her future development.
At that moment, she said to Xue Yao, "Xue Yao, you should find some companions."
"Why?"
As the cool and distant Xue Yao asked "Why?" her expression was indifferent, almost devoid of emotion.
An ordinary person, seeing her icy expression, would likely assume she was asking the question in displeasure.
But Mo Shuying was different. Having spent so much time with Xue Yao, she had come to understand her temperament.
The girl was genuinely puzzled, which was why she had asked.
Her cool expression and indifferent voice were mostly the effects of her Ice Spirit Root.
Sensing the sincerity in Xue Yao's question, Mo Shuying was not offended.
Glancing at the large crowds surrounding Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi, then at the deserted area around Xue Yao, she sighed and said:
"With more teammates, you'll have people to look out for you. When you go out on missions in the future, you'll be safer with teammates... Besides, teammates can spar and exchange knowledge with each other..."
Mo Shuying listed a great many benefits of having companions.
Although her temperament was cold, Xue Yao knew who treated her well. Moreover, the phrase 'spar and exchange knowledge' had piqued her interest.
Thus, after hearing her senior sister's words, she nodded and then—walked straight over to Zhong Ming.
"Will you be my companion?"
The indifferent voice and direct words immediately roused Zhong Ming from his Cultivation.
Gazing at Xue Yao's cool and stunningly beautiful face and recalling her invitation, Zhong Ming was completely surprised. "Be your companion? Why me?"
Zhong Ming was astonished. Mo Shuying, who had followed her over, as well as Yi Yunya, Orchid, and Jiang Yue, who had been watching Xue Yao's every move, were also curious.
As the one with the best Talent in their class, whoever Xue Yao invited to her team would almost certainly agree.
So they couldn't understand why she had approached Zhong Ming first.
...
Xue Yao, with her indifferent temperament, completely ignored the curious and scrutinizing gazes from the crowd.
She simply answered Zhong Ming's question of 'why she chose him as a teammate' in her cool voice. But her answer plunged the entire scene into silence.
"Because you're strong. Stronger than me, stronger than all of us. I want to learn by your side."
"Can you be my... Can you let me be your companion?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Her claim, "You're stronger than all of us," was something no one present had expected. Not even Zhong Ming.
The 'outrageous' answer left the crowd silent for a full three breaths.
After those three breaths, a buzz of discussion erupted from all directions.
"Stronger than all of us? No way. How could Miss Xue Yao possibly think that?"
"Exactly! We admit Zhong Ming's comprehension is excellent, but at best, he's on par with a Lower-class Youth with a second-grade Spiritual Root."
"Miss Xue Yao reached the early stage of Qi Cultivation on the second day, and Miss Yi Yunya and Young Master Zhuang Yi broke through on the third. Zhong Ming is still just a Mortal. He's not even a Cultivator yet. How could he possibly be compared to the other three?"
"..."
The crowd just couldn't comprehend Xue Yao's statement.
At the same time, Xue Yao's words made everyone on Longxi Peak size up Zhong Ming from head to toe.
Yi Yunya and Zhuang Yi were no exception.
This time, Yi Yunya could no longer maintain the calm, all-knowing expression she usually wore.
'Xue Yao... why would she say that?'
'Is she trying to damage my reputation by demeaning me? No, that's not her personality. Besides, she included herself in her statement.'
'...Could it be that Zhong Ming's strength is truly that great?'
As she thought this, she even used a Magical Artifact to inspect Zhong Ming's condition.
But no matter how she looked, she found Zhong Ming to be completely unremarkable, with nothing worthy of note.
And Zhong Ming's Qi Sea had indeed not yet been opened.
'Just what is the reason?'
Filled with questions but unable to find any answers, Yi Yunya turned her gaze to Zhong Ming, wanting to hear his response.
As for Zhong Ming, his answer was, naturally, to shake his head in denial.
Right now, Zhong Ming only wanted to cultivate. He had no desire to compete for some impressive title; that would just mean trouble.
"Ahem, Miss Xue Yao, you've misunderstood. I am but a mere Mortal and don't deserve such high praise. I haven't even opened my Qi Sea."
Her words made Xue Yao tilt her head in a cute way. Then, her monotone but utterly sincere voice rang out, "Is this the 'humility' that Senior Sister was talking about?"
"..."
Xue Yao's response really made Zhong Ming lose his composure. Noticing the increasingly strange looks he was getting from everyone else, he hurriedly said:
"Of course not. Miss Xue Yao, you're mistaken. My strength is truly low. I'm no match for the three of you."
Xue Yao was merely indifferent, not foolish. Sensing Zhong Ming's desire to avoid the spotlight, she didn't press the matter further.
However, she didn't leave. Instead, she asked Zhong Ming once more, "Can I be your teammate?"
"...I appreciate the high regard, Miss Xie Xueyao, but I..."
It was the same reason as before. Zhong Ming just wanted to cultivate peacefully and avoid trouble.
And Xue Yao was currently number one on Longxi Peak, not to mention a young woman of stunning beauty.
A person like her was a natural magnet for trouble, and Zhong Ming wanted nothing more than to stay far away from it.
Sensing Zhong Ming's attitude, Xue Yao's expression grew a little downcast, and even more disappointed.
But she quickly thought of something, and it made her eyes light up.
"I can help you with your Cultivation."
As she spoke, Xue Yao formed a hand seal, and a gleam of magical light immediately fell upon Zhong Ming.
WMMM...
The moment this Magic Technique took effect, Zhong Ming felt a cool sensation envelop his Divine Soul.
This coolness alleviated the fatigue his Divine Soul suffered from using Mind Reading, and it also made his mind feel cool, clear, and serene.
'A heart like a mirror-lake, without a single ripple... Could the Fourth Realm of the Longxi Breathing Method be this state of clarity?'
[You have gained a new understanding of the Longxi Breathing Method. Cultivation Technique progress +17]
'It's actually real...'
The effect of Heaven Rewards Diligence wasn't just adding +1 to his Cultivation Technique progress after a complete session. It was also like a lighthouse, shining a path for Zhong Ming, ensuring he would always walk the correct road.
Never taking a wrong turn—this point alone was enough to make countless Great Cultivators green with envy.
At this moment, relying on the constant guidance from Heaven Rewards Diligence, Zhong Ming realized that if he let Xue Yao stay by his side and continuously cast this Magic Technique on him, the speed at which his Longxi Breathing Method improved would at least double.
At least, that would be the case before he reached the Fourth Realm.
'To go from the Second Realm, Insight, to the Third Realm, Refinement, the experience cap for my Longxi Breathing Method is 8,100 points.'
'From the Third Realm to the Fourth Realm, it will surely be even higher.'
'If I were to grind it out purely on my own, even with Heaven Rewards Diligence and Mind Reading, it would take me two or three months to reach the Third Realm.'
'As for the Fourth Realm, who knows how long that would take.'
Raising a Basic Technique to the Third Realm in just two or three months was actually an incredibly fast speed.
Normally, it would take a Cultivator at least two or three years to advance a Cultivation Technique to the Third Realm.
And that was for someone with decent comprehension.
For a slower one, it could take five, seven, or even ten years.
Two to three months to match the years of progress others made—Zhong Ming's pace could be called a leap.
But if this speed could be increased even further, Zhong Ming certainly wouldn't refuse. Besides:
'Besides comprehending clarity, this state can also restore my Heart Power and increase my comprehension. This will be a huge help for the Cultivation of my other techniques as well.'
Realizing that Xue Yao had the ability to help him, Zhong Ming's attitude changed instantly.
"Although my strength is low, if Miss Xue Yao doesn't mind, I am of course willing to join."
"I'll be in your care from now on."