When Zhou Qin heard this, a torrent of emotions surged through her. Her initial desire to become Li Yundong’s disciple was primarily a way to stay near him, to capture even a fleeting glance or a single spoken word from him.

Yet, the longer she stayed by Li Yundong’s side, the more awestruck she became by the unfathomable, god-like power he wielded. This deep immersion ignited in her a fierce yearning and fascination for the world of cultivation.

Coming from an official family, Zhou Qin harbored a deep-seated reverence for power. It was precisely Li Yundong’s demonstration of superhuman ability that first piqued her curiosity and attention, eventually blooming into admiration and affection for the mysterious young man.

Subconsciously, a thought lurked within her, one she wasn't even fully aware of: perhaps if she could one day cultivate earth-shattering divine abilities, Li Yundong would finally look upon her with greater esteem!

Su Chan believed Zhou Qin could manage Li Yundong’s business affairs, while Zi Yuan could assist him in his cultivation, leaving Su Chan feeling useless, worried, and sad. But Zhou Qin had her own anxieties.

In Zhou Qin’s eyes, Su Chan was Li Yundong’s dearest treasure, whose favor could never be taken away; even if Su Chan were utterly incapable, Li Yundong would never utter a complaint and would cherish her just the same. As for Zi Yuan, she was even more formidable—both master and friend to Li Yundong, nearly omnipotent, capable of assisting him in any matter. Such otherworldly beauty and flawless strength made her the public enemy of every woman.

And what about herself? Zhou Qin felt like a true burden, possessing zero skill in cultivation. In a fight, she wouldn't only be helpless but would be reduced to merely staring helplessly from the sidelines.

Therefore, Zhou Qin had subconsciously resolved to become an exceptional cultivator, someone who could truly share Li Yundong’s burdens and solve his problems.

Now that she finally had the chance to begin cultivating, how could she not be overwhelmingly thrilled?

Li Yundong looked at her and spoke with a reflective tone, “Aren’t you curious what three magical treasures I will bestow upon you?”

Zhou Qin took a deep breath, steadying her emotions, and replied respectfully, “Master granting me treasures is my fortune and blessing. Whatever Master passes on, I, Zhou Qin, will accept with both hands; how dare I inquire as to their nature?”

Seeing her growing caution, Li Yundong realized his gentle persuasion was useless. He sighed inwardly, said no more, took a bundle from beside him, opened it, retrieved a tightly coiled soft whip, and offered it to her with both hands.

Li Yundong spoke with solemnity, “When I first reached the Foundation Establishment stage, Lü Fengping and Wu Hao attempted to steal my Seven Treasures Spirit-Comprehending Fan. Instead, I killed them both. I took the Five Yang Blood Essence Bead from Wu Hao and refined it into the Fan. Now, this soft whip belonging to Lü Fengping, I entrust to you.”

“Firstly, this is a magical implement designed for a woman to use. Even before you complete your cultivation, you can use this whip for self-defense. Secondly, its original owner was deeply wicked; placing this artifact in her hands was like a pearl cast into darkness. You, however, are steadfast and unyielding, someone who would rather break than bend. You can use your inherent righteous energy to suppress the evil essence within this artifact. I hope that in your hands, this treasure can be fully utilized one day, preventing the bead from gathering dust.”

Zhou Qin’s expression was deeply serious. She rose from her seat, knelt down reverently, and raised both hands high to receive the soft whip.

Li Yundong did not stop her, handing the whip solemnly into her waiting palms.

The moment Zhou Qin touched the soft whip, she felt a substantial weight. The handle was wrapped in grainy sharkskin, providing an excellent grip. The body of the whip was a fiery red, like an intense flame, crisscrossed with golden threads, making it seem as if it might burst into roaring fire at any second.

Zhou Qin’s heart tightened. Even judging by its appearance alone, she knew this was an extremely precious magical item. As she hesitated, wondering whether to accept it, Li Yundong took out a serrated Vajra Wheel from the bundle.

Li Yundong delicately held the sides of the cold and elegant Vajra Wheel between his fingertips, saying, “This was the magical treasure of Ye Yu from the Fox Zen Sect before she passed. Ye Yu once relied on this artifact to single-handedly resist sieges from various major sects without yielding an inch. Later, Cao Yi, the Sixth Senior Uncle of the Fox Zen Sect, passed this artifact to me, instructing me to bestow it upon a worthy disciple. After much consideration, I felt this Cold and Elegant Serrated Vajra Wheel is willful and fiercely aloof, which perfectly matches your own noble yet reserved nature. It is a perfect match for you.”

Saying this, he placed the Cold and Elegant Serrated Vajra Wheel into Zhou Qin’s hands, adding, “This artifact possesses immense power and has slain countless beings; it is a sharp tool for upholding the Way. You must use it with extreme caution, lest its intense killing intent overwhelm you because of its sheer strength. Remember this, remember it well!”

When Zhou Qin took the Vajra Wheel, she noted its unique design and exquisite craftsmanship. The etchings of flying Bodhisattvas and lifelike Vajra Arhats were so beautiful they seemed ready to leap forth. More mysteriously, upon contact, Zhou Qin felt a faint luminescence flow across the wheel’s surface, ethereal and dreamlike.

Zhou Qin sensed instinctively that this artifact was even more valuable than the last. Her expression grew stern. She looked up and declared, “Master, I cannot accept these two magical treasures.”

Li Yundong remained unperturbed and asked, “Why not?”

Zhou Qin explained, “Though I do not yet understand cultivation, I know these must be exceptionally precious artifacts. To place such valuables in my hands when I have the strength of neither a chicken nor a handguard is like letting a small child walk through a bustling marketplace clutching a golden rice bowl—it will inevitably incite greed and covetousness from other cultivators.”

Li Yundong showed appreciation, praising, “I always knew you were an astute and intelligent woman, but now I see you are far more clear-headed and wise than I imagined. Good. The fact that you grasp this shows a calm heart, free of foolish desires. However, do not worry excessively; if anyone dares to attack you for your treasures, I certainly will not stand idly by.”

A warmth spread through Zhou Qin’s heart, but she still shook her head. “No. Even though I currently have no cultivation skill, now that I am your disciple, how can I spend my life hiding beneath your wings? What prospect can such a cultivator have? Would I not disgrace Master in the end?”

Li Yundong chuckled, dropping the insistence. He took the two artifacts back into his hands. “Then I shall keep them safe for you for now. Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I will pass them on to you.”

Zhou Qin nodded in agreement.

Li Yundong then brought out the third item. This time, it was a hardbound book. Li Yundong regarded this book with an air far more solemn than when handling the two powerful artifacts. He asked, “Do you know what this book is?”

Zhou Qin respectfully replied, “Please enlighten me, Master.”

Li Yundong said, “When Su Chan first left me, Zi Yuan began teaching me about cultivation. Seeing that I was naive and only half-aware of the Way, she recommended a classic text from the cultivation world. It was by reading this very work that I grasped the principles of cultivation and formally began my path. Now, I pass this book to you, hoping you will gain insight from it.”

Zhou Qin accepted the book with both curiosity and reverence. Her gaze swept over the cover, revealing four large characters embossed in gold foil: The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon!

She flipped open the first page and noticed an official stamp from the Xinhua Bookstore.

Zhou Qin asked in confusion, “Master, you say The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon is a classic text of the cultivation world, which I can understand. But this is a book you can buy at any Xinhua Bookstore—is this also a magical treasure?”

Li Yundong nodded and smiled faintly, “Indeed, it is an ordinary book, but in my eyes, it is more important than any magical artifact in this world, even though it’s available in every Xinhua Bookstore!”

Li Yundong spoke with deep feeling, “Before I cultivated, hearing the name The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon made it sound esoteric and unfathomable. I didn't dare look at it; even the name made my head ache. But after I read it, I realized the profound depth of our Chinese culture, truly unmatched globally. No other country, no other people can compare to us. Yet, this brilliant heritage of our nation, handed down through the ages, has now withered to near extinction, almost severed at the root. I ask you, among our 1.4 billion compatriots, how many truly know the real meaning of The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon?”

Zhou Qin’s heart stirred upon hearing this, and she cautiously asked, “Master, do you mean to say…”

Li Yundong waved a hand, “I mean nothing in particular, merely expressing some melancholy. This vast Chinese culture, with five millennia of cultivation history, is now dismissed by people as deviant paths or feudal superstition. The classic text, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon, is shelved and ignored, as are foundational scriptures and cultivation works like The Śūraṅgama Sūtra, the Avataṃsaka Sūtra, the Zongjing Lu, and the Baopuzi. As a cultivator, how can I not feel this sorrow? Sometimes I even wonder: will the world of cultivation be extinguished in our hands? If a lineage spanning five thousand years is severed by us, I truly wonder what our ancestors would think…”

Zhou Qin rarely had such intimate conversations with Li Yundong. She listened, utterly absorbed. Hearing this, she couldn't help but muse: Li Yundong usually conversed and laughed like any ordinary young man, but only at moments like this did he reveal his true ambitions and breadth of spirit. This was a man with the world on his shoulders!

For the first time, Zhou Qin saw a glimpse of Li Yundong’s genuine masterly bearing. Her gaze, filled with both reverence and adoration, prompted her to ask, “Master, have you ever considered establishing your own sect?”

Li Yundong paused. “Establishing a sect? Haha, I never considered that. I have only been cultivating for just over half a year; how could I presume the title of a ‘Sect’ or establish a ‘School’?”

But Zhou Qin insisted, “I don’t think so. Learning recognizes no hierarchy; the capable lead the way, and the knowledgeable are teachers. Whether someone is a Grand Master or capable of founding a school has nothing to do with age. What matters most is their scholarship and bearing—their vision and ability. Among the young people in the world, perhaps only Zi Yuan can compare to you. However, Zi Yuan’s cultivation is confined to herself. But Master, your heart yearns for the five thousand years of Chinese cultural heritage; your vision already surpasses your peers. Why wouldn't you establish a school? Even if not now, you certainly could in the future!”

Li Yundong chuckled, “As you just said, I might be considered outstanding among the youth, but I am still too young, my knowledge insufficient, and my capabilities limited. Furthermore, since I am already the current leader of the Fox Zen Sect, how can I abandon them to start my own independent school?”

Seeing that Zhou Qin was about to speak again, Li Yundong raised a hand. “Alright, I understand your sentiment. The reason I pass this Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon to you is my hope that you treat it with utmost seriousness. Although it possesses no magical power or divine abilities, if you can read, comprehend, and thoroughly master it, it will be far more useful to you than possessing every magical artifact in existence! Even if the world of cultivation were to vanish one day, as long as this Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon remains, the root of the cultivation world survives, offering the possibility of resurgence, of life returning to dead wood.”

Zhou Qin held the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon above her head with profound solemnity and bowed deeply. When she straightened up, she declared, “Master, the world of cultivation will absolutely not be extinguished in our hands. With you here, and with me here, the path of cultivation will not cease. Even if I become the last person left in this world, I will carry the Way forward and make it flourish!”

Li Yundong smiled warmly. “No need for such dramatic vows. Stand up. This Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon contains my detailed annotations. Look through it carefully, and if anything puzzles you, feel free to ask me. When you have mastered this book, I will formally teach you the first lesson of cultivation.”

The two confided in each other in the secret room for a long time, until two or three hours later when Li Yundong finally emerged. As he stepped out, he saw Su Chan and the others in the living room clustered together, seemingly looking intently at something.

Su Chan heard the movement from the room and turned back. Spotting Li Yundong, she immediately beckoned, “Yundong! Come look quickly, something major has happened!”

========================================================== The weather is simply too cold; I’ve fallen ill with a low-grade fever~D