Chapter 35: A Top Tier Beauty’s Acting Skills are Quite Profound.

Chapter 35: A Top Tier Beauty's Acting Skills are Quite Profound.

A whole week had breezed by since the showdown between the Young Master and Yang Wei.

Now, there were no more constant disturbances.

Not even from Mu Lin.

Yang Wei was now back to his peaceful routine of cultivating, tending to his garden, and sweeping the courtyard.

He wasn't aware of Huo Zhenwei's current state, but he was certain Jin Tianyu must've been hospitalized.

Expectedly, he was enjoying the calm after the storm.

Having mastered the eighth stage of the Vital Qi Practice –the Qi Channeling Mudra, he had unlocked Essence Qi.

This propelled him into the 1st stage of the Mortal Realm— a full-fledged Mortal Initiate.

Now, he was set to embark on cultivating two additional arts alongside his standard spirit root cultivation: the Soul Harmony Attunement Arts, which is the unique cultivation technique of Spirit Harmony Peak, and the Dragon Vein Cultivation, the specialized technique used by the Dragon Blossom Sect as a whole.

In the study room cluttered with wooden scrolls, Yang Wei, holding the Dragon Vein Cultivation scroll, rested his head on his palm, elbow planted on the desk.

Absorbed in studying the scroll, he pondered aloud, "Spirit root cultivation or Dragon Vein Cultivation? Not sure which one to focus on."

He considered about balancing both, but of course that would make him busier.

A sigh escaped him as he dropped the scroll on the table.

"Maybe I should hit the market today. I have to push those elemental spirit root paths to the first level of Mortal Realm, and that's gonna need a bunch of resources."

Yang Wei slumped back in his chair, letting out a heavy sigh.

The weight of choosing the right cultivation technique bore down on him. "Honestly, this is tougher than picking what flavor of spice should be used to cook a well roasted meat," he muttered to himself.

After some contemplation, he mumbled, "I guess I should focus on spirit root cultivation. After all, I'm not officially part of the sect, so messing with the Dragon Vein might raise eyebrows."

He scratched his head, thinking about how he stumbled upon that Dragon Vein Cultivation scroll in Lingxi's belongings.

Leaning back and staring at the ceiling, he pondered, "I really need to cut it out with this sneaky stuff. Lingxi practically handed me her place, and that includes her study hall." He chuckled, "But that Dragon Vein Cultivation scroll is like that fancy keg of wine you hide from your visitors."

When Mu Lingxi gave him her courtyard, she indirectly conveyed the freedom to utilize her study hall, a privilege Yang Wei exercised.

Nonetheless, the Dragon Vein Cultivation scroll was stored apart from the fundamental cultivation technique scrolls, implying that access to the latter wasn't intended.

Despite these implied "restrictions", he did whatever.

Scratching his head, he pondered aloud, "Then again, if using sect techniques is suspicious, why did Mu Zhong hand me the Soul Harmony Attunement Arts scroll? Doesn't that count as the same thing?"

He groaned tiredly. "This is stressful..."

Yang Wei wasn't exactly paranoid about using these techniques in the Outer Sect exams, but he knew that if he wanted to climb the ranks, he had to keep it on the down-low.

"I can't let Sister Ling get any ideas about Chief Mu and Mu Zhong pulling the strings."

If Ling Meiyan hadn't already seen him in the Outer Sect robes, he likely wouldn't have thought on this matter much.

KNOCK! KNOCK!!

A sudden knock echoed through the room.

This snapped Yang Wei out of his unusually deep thoughts.

"Hm?"

He raised an eyebrow, stood up, and strolled over to the door.

With a creak, the door parted, revealing a woman waiting outside.

"Oh, it's you."

Yang Wei straightened up and looked off to the side, then tilted his head back to Mu Lin. "Well, normally, if you saw my gate open, you'd have just strolled right into the courtyard and then into the house, no permission needed for the daughter of Chief Mu, right?" he pointed out.

Mu Lin shot him a defiant look. "I wouldn't just barge in like that!" she insisted.

Her sudden increase in volume, considering she'd been keeping it low and gentle until then, hinted at her efforts to control her temper. It was like she was trying to tone down the usual air of pride that was usually in her voice.

Yang Wei grinned and playfully shook his finger at her. "That's more like it," he said with a chuckle.

Mu Lin's sudden outburst caught her off guard.

Shit! How could I lose composure like that...!

Swiftly regaining control, she relaxed her facial muscles which gave her a slightly more vulnerable expression as she glanced away.

With a smooth motion, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, offering an apologetic smile.

"Sorry for the outburst, I didn't mean to act that way. It's just what you said..."

"Huh? What did I say?" Yang Wei questioned.

He was confused not only by her reaction, but by her words.

Also, he was quite confident that he only said the truth, nothing more. But, he failed to recognize the potential offense in his words.

The truth...

History, more often than not, reminded us that the truth is bitter, especially to those who are averse to it.

She placed a hand on her chest, holding a lunch basket with the other.

A slow, sad sigh then rolled out of her mouth.

"I came here because you asked for food last time we met. And besides that, I simply wanted to thank you for agreeing to be my dual cultivation partner."

Lowering her head, she furrowed her eyebrows like a sad puppy.

Her next words then came out in a sort of mumbling form that wasn't only cute and any easy scene to coo at, but was enough to pull heartstrings effortlessly.

"But your words made me seem like a mannerless senior sister, unsuitable for dual cultivation."

Most notably, a cute Mu Lin rivaled a sexy, seductive Mu Lin.

Seeing her look so downcast; much like an abandoned puppy by the rainy roadside, Yang Wei's expression softened.

Mu Lin, still looking down, tried to hide a secretive smile. But more than a smile, it was more like a vicious grin.

Hah! My acting skills are top-notch! I'm sure he's eating that up already! In the end, aren't all men the same? Especially when they see a powerful women such as myself turning into a damsel in distress.

Yang Wei tried to backtrack. "I didn't mean for it to sound that way," he said, then quickly stopped himself. "You know what? No excuses. I was wrong, and I apologize."

Mu Lin smirked under her breath.

As I said, they're all the same...

Her smile persisted. But when she lifted her head, her smile was warm and heartfelt. "It's fine, Brother Wei," she said, then gestured toward his open doors. "Can I come in, then?"

Yang Wei nodded, "Yes, of course."

She smiled and elegantly walked in. "Thank you," she said sweetly.

With arms folded, Yang Wei observed her with a raised eyebrow. He then smiled and shook his head.

It was clearly an act; people don't just flip a switch like that. But hey, at least she's making an effort to tone down her pride to get what she wants now. It's better than resorting to using an aphrodisiac, for sure.

...

Chapter 36 Preview: "Dual Cultivation: A More Than Professional Business Transaction"