The strand, named Jiang, looked unremarkable—the Invisible Spider Silk—yet it proved far superior to the Xiao Zi Yi Jin Gui Ren of legend. Truly, no one knew how Zhong Shenxiu managed to forge it; it possessed an edge so absolute it defied description! It was no exaggeration to say that mastering its use meant cutting through anything as easily as slicing through tofu.
Zhong Shenxiu had his reasons for crafting this magic tool for Kaini. The Jade Maiden Heart Sutra contained techniques using silken ribbons as weapons, though their power was vastly inferior to this delicate silk. Now that Kaini had achieved considerable mastery of the Jade Maiden Heart Cultivation, learning the methods for wielding the silk was naturally twice as effective with half the effort.
Without preamble, Zhong Shenxiu immediately began instructing Kaini on the specific methods for controlling the silk threads.
Kaini already possessed a visceral, flesh-and-blood connection to these delicate strands, making the learning process smooth and trouble-free.
Soon, over an hour had passed, and Kaini was already beginning some simple warm-up exercises under the silk’s control.
Under her command, the surrounding stones and bushes were sliced as if by razor-sharp wind blades, instantly reducing them to fragments.
The strands Zhong Shenxiu refined for Kaini were certainly not limited to mere tensile strength. They possessed a function similar to Robin’s "Repel and Attract" bracers: the ability to absorb magical attacks!
Furthermore, the silk had undergone Zhong Shenxiu’s special, deep refinement, imbuing it with the profound principles of generation and mutual restraint within the Five Elements. Once Kaini became proficient, she could effortlessly channel magic through them, enjoying benefits like low energy consumption, rapid casting speed, and the ability to deploy multiple attributes simultaneously!
It was, without a doubt, the absolute pinnacle of power!
However, Kaini had only just stepped through the threshold of true power. She still had much to learn. To match Robin’s strength would require a considerable period of dedicated effort!
Additionally, Kaini had not yet formally entered the true path of cultivation. This wasn't because Zhong Shenxiu was unwilling to teach her cultivation techniques; rather, imparting too much knowledge too soon would negatively affect Kaini’s temperament, hindering her future development!
In any case, besides Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, no one currently posed a threat to Kaini, so a slower pace of learning was perfectly acceptable!
In the following days, Zhong Shenxiu and the others enjoyed life while relentlessly practicing their skills. Everyone made significant progress. More importantly, the bond between the three had reached a state of 'I am in you, and you are in me'!
Thus, these three individuals, who had once been solitary, were now firmly united, with nothing able to pull them apart again!
Apart from leisure and cultivation, Zhong Shenxiu and his companions also gathered quite a few valuable treasures. With the advent of storage bracelets, spatial concerns were temporarily removed from their worries, which gave Zhong Shenxiu a small thrill!
Days turned into weeks. The trio had now been in the "Misty Forest" for nearly a month—it was time to return!
By the current reckoning, the major Magic and Martial Academies were due to reopen in just a few days!
On this particular morning, Angelia and the other two were practicing in the courtyard when they suddenly detected footsteps approaching from a distance. They assumed it was Cheri, but when they turned to look, they froze. It was Zhong Shenxiu and his group, returned!
“We’re back! Did you miss us?” Kaini was as cheerful as ever, her face lit by a smile as warm as sunshine, instantly warming anyone who saw it.
“K-Kaini older sister?” Lis could scarcely believe her eyes. Usually, she longed and waited desperately for the group’s return; she never expected them to come back so suddenly.
“Kaini, it really is you!” Xia Luo recovered from her initial shock.
Angelia said nothing, but an extraordinary light flickered in her eyes as well!
However, compared to the expressions of the three women, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin appeared far more composed.
Once Zhong Shenxiu and Robin entered the room, the three women swarmed Kaini like bees, ushering her into Xia Luo and Angelia’s chamber.
Upon entering, Xia Luo made sure to shut the door behind them, adopting the cautious air of operatives deep undercover.
The first to question Kaini, however, was Lis: “Kaini older sister, where did you go?”
Kaini smiled, a charm capable of overturning nations, leaving Lis utterly mesmerized.
“You missed your older sister, didn't you? We didn't go far—just to the Misty Forest.” Although Kaini's voice remained the same, it now carried an intoxicating quality that stirred the very core of anyone who heard it!
Influenced by the aura radiating from Kaini, Lis stood frozen, forgetting how to speak.
This effect was primarily due to Kaini’s complete metamorphosis after undergoing the 'Marrow Cleansing' process. She had not yet learned to fully control the soul-stirring aura she now possessed, thus affecting Lis so profoundly!
Perhaps due to being the same gender, Xia Luo’s resistance was slightly stronger. After a moment of stunned silence, she remarked, “Kaini, I feel…”
“Oh? Do you?” Kaini smiled, then continued, “I’ve become much stronger now!”
Xia Luo hadn't registered the increase in power, only sensing that Kaini was infinitely more captivating than before—she herself felt an urge to rush over and pull Kaini down, let alone any male presence! She was intensely curious about where Kaini and the others had spent the nearly month-long absence, and precisely what caused Kaini’s dramatic transformation. She carefully organized her thoughts and inquired.
Kaini adopted an "I will tell you everything" expression, stating with utter ease, “We went out to play!”
This simple statement left her listeners stunned. Xia Luo and the other two could not reconcile this answer with the fact that Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were not the types to venture out for almost a month merely for ‘fun’!
Yet, they failed to realize that the current Zhong Shenxiu was not the man he was before. People change constantly; Zhong Shenxiu was evolving daily, but the three women had only observed the surface, failing to notice.
And why should others be any different? Take Angelia, for instance: she used to be aloof and preferred solitude, but hadn't she changed immensely now? Or consider Xia Luo, who was accustomed to wandering everywhere, yet now she remained settled here, waiting for Zhong Shenxiu’s group to return!
Everyone changes; they often focus keenly on the transformations in others while neglecting their own!
As the women chatted, Cheri’s voice drifted from outside the yard: “Xia Luo older sister, are you girls in the room?”
As the voice faded, the door swung open, revealing Cheri’s silhouette.
Cheri was used to entering freely, never bothering to knock. These past few days, she had mostly shuttled between two places: the academy and this house.
The instant Cheri pushed the door open, she froze. Because Kaini was seated directly facing the entrance, the first sight that struck Cheri was Kaini’s serene, gentle smile!
“Ah—” After a ten-second pause, Cheri involuntarily let out a sharp scream. Anyone hearing it might think something terrible had just happened to her!
“Did you miss your older sister?” Kaini repeated her earlier line, but her voice was one that could be listened to endlessly without tiring!
“Kaini older sister, it’s really you! Am I dreaming?” Cheri’s eyes widened, and she covered the distance to Kaini in three quick steps. In recent days, she had yearned for Kaini’s return every waking moment. Kaini, with her open and loving heart, had deeply captured Cheri’s own nascent, innocent feelings!
Kaini reached out a delicate hand and pinched Cheri’s cheek, asking with a mischievous smile, “Do you still think you’re dreaming now?”
Cheri laughed too, looking endearingly playful.
“Oh?” Cheri exclaimed in surprise. “Kaini older sister, you’ve become even more beautiful than before!”
“Have I?” Kaini smiled, then asked in a teasing tone, “Then tell me, do you think your sister now resembles a femme fatale who brings ruin?”
Xia Luo, overhearing this, felt a faint dizzy spell. It was the first time she had ever heard a woman speak of herself in such a manner!
Cheri was clearly taken aback by Kaini’s question. After a moment, she replied, “Kaini older sister, you are the beauty, not the ruin!”
Kaini smiled again, saying nothing further.
But Cheri couldn't help but ask, “Kaini older sister, where did you go? Why didn’t you take me with you?” She even pouted slightly, displaying an affectation of petulance.
“Do you truly wish to come with us?” Kaini asked this question, a wicked glint appearing at the corner of her lips.
Cheri, suspecting nothing, nodded enthusiastically.
Kaini suddenly dropped her smile, becoming intensely serious. “It’s not impossible to let you come, but there’s a prerequisite.”
“What prerequisite?” Cheri’s curiosity was piqued, and Xia Luo and the others also perked up their ears.
“The reason Robin and I can stay by Shenxiu’s side without leaving is because we intend to follow him forever—meaning Robin and I both belong to Shenxiu,” Kaini paused, casting a meaningful glance at Xia Luo and Angelia, then continued, “If you three can also become Shenxiu’s women, I guarantee we’ll take you along next time there’s an activity!”
Gasp.
All four women present froze. Kaini stood by, secretly chuckling like a sly merchant setting a trap.
After a long moment, Cheri and the others finally grasped the meaning of Kaini’s words: she was implying they should become Zhong Shenxiu’s lovers.
Cheri seemed somewhat more composed, but Xia Luo and Angelia’s expressions were deeply awkward, as the memory of being seen through—that incident—flashed through their minds!
Lis, seeming slightly slower to process things, was still pondering Kaini’s statement, completely missing the strange looks on the faces of the other women!