Unable to express her protests aloud, and unwilling to break out of Feng Wenling’s grasp, Song Qingge was dragged across Zhuzi Peak to her Master’s chambers.

Once the two young women arrived in front of Yao Huizhong’s bamboo house, Feng Wenling knocked gently on the front door. For a moment, there was silence, before the two disciples heard what sounded like voices, followed by the frantic rustling of someone getting hurriedly dressed.

Song Qingge was a bit confused by this. Had they disturbed Yao Huizhong while he was sleeping? That didn’t make any sense, the original novel clearly stated that her new Master was a Nascent Soul level cultivator, and one of the most talented cultivators in the realm at that.

 Someone at his level should have no need for sleep, right?

Her train of thought was abruptly cut off by Yao Huizong opening the door, his long, dark brown hair was untied and hung down to his waist, and his the pristine white robes that were described in the original novel were slightly wrinkled, as though they had been tossed on the floor.

“A-Feng, A-Song, what are you two doing here so late?” He asked, slightly out of breath.

Feng Wenling stepped forward, cupped her hands in front of her, and bowed before saying:

“Shizun, I apologize for disturbing you when it’s so late, but this disciple has just learned that Song Shimei is at the cusp of Foundation Establishment and has brought her here to seek guidance. But if you’re in a meeting with someone-”

Yao Huizhong waved a hand and quickly cut her off.

“No, no, it’s just me here!” He said hurriedly  “Come in, come in!” He shooed the two young women inside and shut the door. Once inside, Song Qingge couldn’t help but notice that one of the paper windows was left slightly ajar.

“Have a seat, you two, I’ll make us some tea!” Yao Huizhong said cheerily as he hurriedly closed the open window.

Feng Wenling and Song Qingge both shuddered at his words. The original novel had described in detail how bitter the tea brewed by Yao Huizhong was, and Song Qingge was not excited to try it for herself.

Luckily, Feng Wenling was also well aware of her Master’s lack of tea brewing skills and quickly stopped him.

“Shizun, It’s my duty as a Disciple to serve my Master well. Let me brew the tea for you!”

Yao Huizhong felt touched by this gesture.

“What a good Disciple I’ve raised! A-Song, let me take a look at you while your Shijie makes us some refreshments.”

Song Qingge and Feng Wenling shared a relieved look before obediently following their Master’s orders.

Song Qingge sat down cross-legged  in front of Yao Huizhong and extended him her arm to check her pulse. Yao huizhong gently took her wrist and, after a moment, happily said:

“It seems like you’ve recovered from your dip in the pond! A-Song, you need to be more careful in the future, Shizun and your fellow disciples were so worried about you!”

Song Qingge flushed with embarrassment, but still forced herself to nod obediently.

It won’t happen again! I actually know how to swim, unlike the original! She thought indignantly, but she didn’t dare say these words aloud, out of fear of exposing herself as a transmigrator.

“Hmm, and your Shijie was correct,” Yao Huizhong continued, "You're on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, but it seems like your Inner Qi is a bit disordered, which is preventing you from reaching the next level of your cultivation.”

“A-Song, can you tell me what happened after you fell into the pond? Understanding how you’ve come to this point will help me find a solution.”

Song Qingge quickly recounted what she told Feng Wenling about the ‘revelation’ she had come to.

“Shizun, can you forgive this Disciple for being so willful in the past?” She said tearfully. “I promise to cultivate diligently in the future!”

I really will! It’s the only way for me to survive in the future if Wei Yaozu goes off the deep end again in this life!

Yao Huizhong gently dabbed the corner of his eyes with his sleeves. As the Master of Zhuzi Peak,  he was well aware that his disciple was ill-tempered, lacked discipline, and that she often caused trouble for her Senior Martial Siblings. However, he was naturally soft-hearted and couldn’t bear to harshly discipline any of his precious disciples!

 In the past, he would only give Song Qingge a light scolding or assign her some scripts to copy if anyone complained or her behavior was truly out of line. But both Jie Luo and Feng Wenling had an  “it is what it is” attitude towards Song Qingge’s behavior and rarely complained, and with a powerful master like Yao Huizhong backing her, outsiders didn’t dare to speak freely.

So, naturally, the original Song Qingge grew up to be quite spoiled.

Yao Huizhong had begun to worry that this disciple of his would offend the wrong person and end up in serious trouble, but now, it appeared that his worries had been for nothing.

“It seems A-Song has finally grown up!” He said, wiping away the tears of relief that streamed from golden brown eyes. “In the future, continue to cultivate well, and this Master is sure you’ll become an outstanding talent in the cultivation world!”

“Shizun..!” Song Qingge was genuinely moved by his words of encouragement. 

Feng Wenling returned to find the Master and Disciple pair embracing each other with tears in their eyes. With a soft smile, she placed the tea she had prepared down and quietly excused herself.

It seems like those too have much to discuss, she thought to herself  as she quietly closed the door behind her.

After sharing a heartfelt moment with his disciple, Yao Huizhong suddenly remembered the task at hand.

“Ahem- Anyway, A-Song, the first thing you should do is circulate your Inner Qi. Meditate for a moment while I watch for any fluctuations.”

Song Qingge, determined to live up to her new Master’s expectations, obediently began to meditate, doing her best to recall a technique to circulate Qi from the many novels she had read in her past life.

Breathe in… Breathe out… try to visualize the Qi circulating through my Meridians…

Yao Huizhong watched quietly as Qi slowly began to circulate throughout Song Qingge’s body.

Although Song Qingge did her best to meditate seriously, her mind quickly began to wander.

I wonder what Shijie is doing…

I hope I can see her again tomorrow…

Tomorrow… ah!

I have to tell Wei Yaozu my plan by tomorrow!!

Song Qingge’s eyes snapped open at this thought, and Yao Huizhong noticed the fluctuation in her inner Qi instantly.

“A-Song, are you alright? Is something wrong? Is your injury flaring up suddenly?!” He asked, with a voice full of concern. 

Song Qingge felt a complicated rush of emotions at his worried tone.

It seems like Yao Huizhong really cares about Song Qingge…

I wonder what he would do if he found out that I’m not the same Song Qingge he once knew?

Would he still care for me like this…? Would Shijie..?

No, of course they wouldn’t… I’m a stranger to this world, after all…

As Song Qingge’s thoughts spiraled more and more out of control, her inner Qi also began to fluctuate dangerously. Yao Huizhong quickly reached out with his own inner consciousness in an attempt to steady his young disciple’s mind.

“A-Song! Your Inner Qi is becoming disordered, you need to relax your mind before you fall into Qi Deviation! If something is weighing on you, please tell me! Shizun will do his best to help you!”

Song Qingge felt a wave of calm wash over her as Yao Huizhong’s inner Consciousness swept over her body like a warm, comforting blanket. She took a few deep breaths and slowly, her inner Qi began to stabilize.

Once his disciple had completely calmed down, Yao Huizhong poured two cups of tea and handed one to Song Qingge, before sitting quietly and waiting until she was comfortable to speak. Song Qingge sheepishly took a sip of the tea, and found it to be completely and utterly delicious.

Shijie really is the best… With her thoughts focused on Feng Wenling’s tea-brewing prowess, Song Qingge was finally calm enough to speak.

“I’m sorry, Shizun… I promise, next time I’ll-”

Yao Huizhong held up a hand to stop her from speaking.

“A-Song, it’s not your fault. You just woke up from a coma this morning, and Shizun shouldn’t have pushed you so hard while you’re still recovering. Can you forgive me?”

Song Qingge looked down, feeling slightly ashamed. She forced herself to answer him with a small nod.

Yao Huizhong is really good to me…

“Now that all is forgiven, why don’t you tell Shizun what’s bothering you?” Yao Huizhong said before taking a sip of the fragrant tea. 

Song Qingge squirmed uncomfortably. If she told her Master everything, not only would Wei Yaozu surely kill her, Yao Huizhong might throw her out of the Fenhui Sect himself! But under her new Master’s soft, encouraging gaze, she couldn’t just say nothing!

“Um…Shizun…” She began, her entire face turning a vibrant shade of red as she spoke.

“...Shizun, do you know how to get someone to fall for you..?”

Yao Huizhong was so surprised by this question that he spat out his tea!