Zhen Len sighed in relief upon seeing that he had finally gained a student. "[Well, since you've agreed to my conditions, we'll have to discuss a few other things.]"
"[First is where you'll stay. You must be aware that this is the Star Dou Forest, it's very dangerous, and going back and forth to your home would be tedious. So you can decide whether to stay here while I teach Zhou Linlan what she needs to know. But I must warn you that living conditions here aren't very good, mainly because you'll have little contact with other humans, which can cause stress. Also, I only live in a dug-out cave, and I don't know if it will be suitable for you. So, Xi Zexi, you can decide whether to stay or leave Zhou Linlan here.]"
Zhen Len didn't pay much attention to Xi Zexi. After all, she only had two white soul rings, which meant she had no future as a soul master. However, her presence could lift Zhou Linlan's spirits and prevent her cultivation from slowing down.
"I'll stay with my daughter. Besides, we're not picky about our living space, since I saved all the coins I earned so Zhou Linlan could become a soul master. So we didn't spend much on luxuries," Xi Zexi said modestly.
"[Alright, I'll make sure your stay here is pleasant. But there's something I forgot to mention, I won't be paying you much attention for most of the day, as I'll be working on a major project that will take me several years to complete. I'll start it as soon as I've taught Zhou Linlan the fundamentals.]"
"That's fine, we're in your care," Xi Zexi nodded.
Zhou Linlan felt like she had lost her voice during the conversation, since Zhen Len was only discussing things with her mother.
"[Alright, let's begin immediately, Zhou Linlan. The sooner you learn the cultivation technique, the better.]" As soon as he saw that Zhou Linlan and her mother had finished eating, he began to explain the Mysterious Heaven Skill technique.
"[The technique I'll teach you involves circulating your soul power ten times through your meridians. So you'll first need to learn the basics about meridians, their locations, and the path your soul power must take.]"
"Is it okay if I listen in?" asked Xi Zexi, noticing that he started teaching her daughter right after they finished eating, even though she too could benefit from the explanation. She felt uneasy about receiving something so valuable without knowing whether she was welcome to learn.
"[I have no problem with you learning it too. You can use it for cultivation, just never show it, teach it, or mention it to anyone else. In fact, I think you should learn it. The technique can improve your health and prevent you from falling ill easily, so even if you have no future as a soul master, you can still practice it for its benefits.]"
She felt slightly hurt at being told she had no future as a soul master, even though she already knew it.
Zhen Len continued teaching, and it took two hours for Zhou Linlan to completely memorize the theory, she often forgot small details, which slowed her progress. Xi Zexi, on the other hand, took about an hour.
Both were deeply impressed by the information they received. The technique could greatly boost a soul master's cultivation speed, and they began to admire Zhen Len more for his knowledge. Although he felt uncomfortable seeing their admiration, since he disliked being praised for plagiarizing, he held back from saying anything, remembering what Tang San had done.
"[Now that you've understood the practical part, sit cross-legged on the table, facing the same direction.]" They obeyed, climbing onto the table and sitting in lotus position as Zhen Len instructed. "[Circulate your soul power as I explained. I'll help guide it until you can do it on your own.]" He stood on two legs and placed his front paws on their backs to assist with the soul power flow.
After a long time, both of them had finally learned the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
"[That will be all. Don't try to over-practice it, as it can be harmful if your bodies aren't used to it yet.]"
Both were sweating slightly, but now had a better understanding of how incredible the technique truly was. Compared to their previous cultivation speed, it was like comparing a child walking to an adult running. Their desire to follow Zhen Len forever had now become absolute.
Zhen Len noticed that Zhou Linlan had reached level 18 by the time she learned the technique. The fact that she had gotten to level 18 in just a year, despite her low innate soul power, meant she had worked hard, which lifted Zhen Len's mood, since he liked diligent and determined people.
"Teacher, this technique is amazing. My cultivation speed has increased a lot, so I'll cultivate whenever I can so I don't disappoint you and to repay you for everything you've given me," said Zhou Linlan with a radiant smile. Her voice vibrated with excitement, and her blue eyes seemed to shine like gemstones under the filtered light of the forest.
"[Good, I'm counting on you. But for now, follow me, I'll show you where you'll be staying.]" Zhen Len packed up the tables, chairs, and grill into his collar, which surprised Xi Zexi, who only now realized it was a storage essence tool. She noticed her daughter had a similar one, which meant it must be too, and she understood that their new master must have had great resources when he was human.
Zhen Len led them to the burrow where his brothers lived, and they watched the newcomers with curiosity. After all, it was the first time another soul beast had entered their territory and survived, even with their brother present.
"[These are my brothers. Although we're not related by blood, I found them alone several years ago and decided to take care of them. Since I'm of the same species but of a higher lineage, they see me as the pack leader. Xi Zexi, wear this collar so they don't attack you, I trained them not to be hostile toward anyone wearing this.]" He handed Xi Zexi a collar similar to Zhou Linlan's, originally a spare for his brothers.
"Thank you very much, master." Zhen Len looked up at Xi Zexi and was surprised that she called him that, but didn't correct her.
"[I recently expanded the cave because there wasn't much space, turning it into a functional burrow for me and my brothers.]" Zhen Len even built a mini forge room with ventilation to the outside. The drill had been a great investment.
Upon entering, the first thing they noticed was how surprisingly spacious and organized the place was. Unlike a natural cave, the burrow had clearly defined passageways, smooth curves, and solid ceilings. The air inside was fresh, not by chance, but due to good ventilation that connected to the surface.
"[You may choose any of the side rooms to stay in, except the one on the left, where my brothers sleep, and the one in the back, which we use as a cold chamber to store prey. I sleep in a room to the right.]"
Xi Zexi observed the hardened earth walls, smooth and marked by Zhen Len's frequent movement. Small channels carried away moisture, carefully directed so it wouldn't accumulate in main areas.
As they passed by Zhen Len's room, the woman noticed something curious.
It was completely empty, except for a large pile of animal skins in the center. No furniture, no decorations. Just a lamp illuminating the space.
"[I don't need much to sleep. That's enough for me since I spend most of my time outside.]"
Zhen Len showed them four more distant rooms.
"[You may decorate your rooms however you like. Take these lanterns powered by soul power, these small heaters in case you get cold, and these tanned animal hides to use as blankets.]"
"Thank you very much, teacher. You're very thoughtful," Zhou Linlan said, touched by how much Zhen Len was doing to take care of them.
"I'm also very grateful, master."
"[Let's eat a bit before sleeping. We must wake up before sunrise to practice other techniques.]"
Once again, Zhen Len cooked for them, and also prepared food for his brothers, who brought back a type of deer to join them for dinner. They began sniffing the two girls and cuddling up next to them, but Zhen Len stopped them when it looked like they were about to give playful nips, as they usually did among themselves.
"Today was quite productive," Zhen Len murmured before closing his eyes. But then he heard soft footsteps approaching. When he turned his gaze, he saw Xi Zexi, looking quite shy. She was a slender woman with blue eyes and a soft face marked by a hard life. She looked to be in her mid-thirties but still retained a youthful appearance. Her figure remained firm and slim, her chest modest. Her light brown hair fell in a simple braid down her back. Her conflicted and timid eyes looked at him.
Despite being Zhou Linlan's mother, she looked a little different. Zhou Linlan was only eleven, but anyone who saw her would think she was fifteen. Her body was more developed than that of girls her age, though this was normal, as soul masters mature faster than civilians. Still, she retained the innocence of childhood in her gaze. She had large, almond-shaped eyes in a light blue similar to her mother's, though her hair was darker and slightly wavy.
Putting aside her shyness and summoning her determination, she asked.
"Master, may I help warm your bed tonight?"