Chapter 69

"Ahem..." Xiaobai cleared his throat and said softly, "According to legend, the highest number of Spirit Tempering completions is nine. That was back in the ancient era, when the connection between humans and the Dao of Heaven was much stronger, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was thousands of times richer than it is now. In today’s world, even eight temperings seems impossible, let alone nine."

Han Luo nodded in agreement.
He completely shared Xiaobai’s view.
Back in the library pavilion, he had read countless ancient texts and could clearly sense that the heaven and earth of the ancient era was a completely different world compared to now. That era was truly the golden age that all cultivators dreamed of. Nowadays, one might as well call it the twilight era. Who knows what a mess the Eastern Domain will become in another million years?

"Han Luo, do you know why Xian’er was able to complete her eighth tempering?" Xiaobai asked.

Though Han Luo's strength was still weak, Xiaobai found him unnervingly unpredictable. Even powerful figures like Sect Master Yunyangzi and the various peak lords had suffered setbacks at his hands—some were even inexplicably counter-killed. It was hard to pin him down.

Han Luo rubbed his head, thought for a moment, and casually said, "A pure heart."

"You actually know about the 'pure heart of a child'?"

Xiaobai was genuinely surprised at Han Luo’s breadth of knowledge.

"Hey, I’m a diligent student, okay?"

As a cultivator whose caution was greater than his will to live, Han Luo never acted unless he was absolutely certain of success.

"You’re not wrong," Xiaobai said in a lecturing tone. "Because Xian’er possesses a pure heart—or perhaps more accurately, the heart of a glutton—she was able to roam freely during the Dao Transformation stage without incurring punishment from the Dao of Heaven. If it were anyone else, they’d never make it. There are simply too many distracting thoughts. And during the eighth tempering, even the slightest stray thought is like a deadly beast. You think Dao Transformation is a joke? If your heart isn't pure, Heaven will punish you and throw you into the abyss."

Han Luo took out his notebook and jotted down all this precious insight.
If what Xiaobai said was true, then he really had no chance at attempting the eighth tempering—at least not for now. He definitely didn’t have the same purity of heart that Xian’er did. If he accidentally entered the Dao Transformation state, all his messy thoughts would probably get him killed.

"Han Luo, I was wondering why you haven't tempered your spirit yet. Don’t tell me you’re aiming for eight temperings with your talent?"

Xiaobai looked at him with an amused smirk.

Han Luo’s talent was as plain as a bowl of clear water—easy to see through. Forget eight temperings, even five would be considered an overachievement.

"I’ve thought about it," Han Luo joked. "I just need a bit of help. Got any methods to lend me a hand?"

"Pfft! If you can complete eight temperings, I’ll take your surname and call myself Han Xiaobai!" Xiaobai snorted in disdain. She was still holding a grudge over Han Luo’s earlier treatment of Xian’er and couldn’t resist jabbing back.

"Han Xiaobai... has a nice ring to it," Han Luo mused, rubbing his chin.

"Keep dreaming, you delusional fool!"

While the two bickered, Shen Xian’er slowly regained consciousness.

It had to be said—after completing her eighth tempering, her aura had undergone a terrifying transformation. That’s not an exaggeration—Han Luo was shocked to find that not even the ancient bronze mirror could see through her anymore. The level of purity in her spiritual energy was unimaginable—almost like she’d stepped into another dimension.

"Xian’er, how do you feel?" Han Luo asked.

Shen Xian’er glanced at her senior brother, then raised her chubby little hand.

In that instant, all kinds of delicious food appeared around her.

"A domain!" Han Luo blurted out in astonishment.

So, completing the eighth tempering had actually awakened her own domain. That was unexpected.

"Xian’er, for the next few days, focus on mastering your gluttony domain. You're not allowed to leave until you’ve fully digested it."

"Mm!" Shen Xian’er nodded vigorously, then actually began eating the food floating around her.

"That’s not what I meant by 'digesting it'! Let me teach you the right way," Xiaobai quickly pulled her aside and began instructing her on how to properly use her domain.

Meanwhile, Han Luo sat on a stone bench, deep in thought.
Eight temperings sounded a lot harder than he’d hoped, but honestly, this was the first time he had run into a real challenge in his cultivation journey.
Rather than feeling frustrated, he was full of excitement and confidence.

From the moment he began cultivating, he’d never once hit a wall.
Finally—finally—he had found something genuinely difficult.

He grinned. "You tricky little thing... I’m not letting you get away. Let’s see what you’re really about."

Seven days later.

In the grassy field below Luoxian Mountain, Shen Xian’er stood barefoot, her small white feet peeking out from beneath a pink princess dress. She floated gently in mid-air, looking just like a little angel.

She raised her chubby hand, bit her lip, and let out a loud cry:
"Gluttony Domain!"

In an instant, all kinds of delicious food materialized around her—
Fragrant roast duck, tender braised pork, colorful fruit cakes, tasty drinks… a visual feast.

"Xian’er, I’m coming for you!"

Xiaobai appeared, wearing a fake long nose and a devil horn headband, her expression deadly serious.

"Bring it on, Pinocchio Cat! Watch as Princess Xian’er takes you down!"

Xian’er pouted and shouted with determination.

Whoosh!
Xiaobai transformed into a flash of white light, charging at her.

"Braised pork!" Xian’er shouted, and the chunk of meat beside her shot out like a weapon, howling through the air toward Xiaobai.

"Nice move!" Xiaobai didn’t flinch.

"Smash!" she yelled, slashing with his sharp claws.

Swish swish swish—
Three strikes, and the meat was cut into sixteen perfect pieces.

"I’m not done yet!" Xian’er cried out with fierce focus.

"Fruit cake barrage—go!"

Several cakes floated up around her, the fruit toppings launching like missiles toward Xiaobai.

"Ahahaha! Princess Xian’er, marry me and I’ll show you true happiness!" Xiaobai said with exaggerated villainy, spinning and slashing at the incoming fruit like a mad chef.

Swish swish swish!
In seconds, she shredded every piece, then dashed forward in one smooth motion until she was standing right in front of her.

"Princess Xian’er, no one can save you today!"

Xiaobai flashed what she thought was a very evil grin, trying to play the role more convincingly.

"Ahhh!"
Xian’er panicked on the spot and bolted toward Luoxian Mountain, yelling as she ran, "Senior brother, save me! Save me!"

Up on the mountain, Han Luo rubbed his forehead. He really shouldn’t have told her the story of Pinocchio and Snow Princess.

"Jiutong!" she called out.

Hearing his name, Jiutong immediately understood.

"Woof woof!"
The big dog galloped over, letting Xian’er hop onto his back. She clung to his soft fur as they raced around the base of the mountain.

"Stupid dog, stop right there!" Xiaobai roared.

She was furious now. What started as playful acting had turned into a real chase.

"Put Xian’er down! I said stop!"

Xiaobai swung his claws at Jiutong, landing serious attacks—as long as it didn’t kill, it was fair game.

"Woof woof!"
Jiutong barked in response and even glanced back at Xiaobai mockingly before suddenly accelerating, widening the gap between them.

And so, a girl, a dog, and a cat ran around Luoxian Mountain in playful chaos, the scene unexpectedly heartwarming.

Meanwhile, Han Luo had finished his adjustments and was finally ready to begin his Spirit Tempering.