Qi Condensation Realm

The cries of the second elder and the sect ancestor startled me. I looked downwards to see Fiona's eyes, glistening and round. I caught my words in my throat and mumbled, "Thank you."

I can't face her properly now. What if I say more random things and that drives a wedge between us when we just reconciled? My face flushed red when I remembered that this was her second time engaging in a hug towards me, and she didn't look uncomfortable.

Fiona giggled. Yeah right, my reaction must've been real amusing for you to laugh like that. I was sulky since it felt as if I lost the teasing war between the two of us.

As if trying to pacify me, she added with a smile, "No problem, daddy."

That cheered me up instantly, but Ellie snorted in frustration. I looked at her, who appeared in front of the sect ancestor and gave him a mighty punch in the gut.

He spurted blood and flew some metres away, knocking over a tree before dropping to the ground. Poor guy, letting a Saint God realm cultivator vent their anger on you. I felt a twang of pity as I was the root cause of all this, but since he tried to kill me and take away Fiona... well, he deserved it all. The pity for him turned into pity for me as I noticed my cultivation base surged. If I had killed him, maybe I would have broken through the next realm directly!

That reminded me of the second elder, the old bastard who tried to touch Fiona... yeah, I'll definitely be the one who kills him personally.

"Ellie⁠—wait! Let me do it!" I waved my hands, trying to get her attention. The second elder was half dead⁠—any attack would kill him.

She scoffed and threw him over on the ground, then kicked him awake. Muddleheaded, the second elder looked around only to see me with a sharp dagger and crazy grin, a yawning Fiona, and Ellie with her arms crossed.

Yep, it was hopeless. He cursed under his breath, but changed facades just as fast and begged for mercy, "Don't kill me if you're afraid of the entire Burning Lotus Sect that will come to avenge me!"

Fiona helped me up, and I stabbed him, ignoring what he said. "We've already killed your sect ancestor and the first elder, what else are we afraid of?"

"You⁠—" He died a restless death; thrown around like a rag doll, then finished by a Qi Foundation, no Qi Condensation realm cultivator. The rate of improvement is astounding. How great would it be to have a Saint God cultivator feed me kills like this...?

Fiona pinched my arm and smiled, knowing my intentions. "Don't get too proud of yourself daddy, you almost reached Golden Core realm, but not with your own efforts."

Aiya, she's really terrifying. It seems I haven't learned my lesson yet... I scolded myself and then shamelessly praised myself right after for having such an understanding daughter. "Haha, I got it Fiona, you can let go now. I'll only work hard for you."

Her cheeks flushed a little. The teasing war is back in my favor! Oh, look how the tables have turned. Back at our first battle together with the Amarok wolves, I was the one teasing her in the middle of battle, but now she's doing it to me... it seems l have to up my game.

"You've raised your cultivation too fast, daddy. You should take some time to stabilize it and build a firm foundation for the Golden Core realm."

"En," I nodded. That made sense. Getting stronger is our priority, but rushing it and having fake strength is not. Besides, I would always listen to Fiona's words, no matter what. She's more experienced with cultivation, anyway.

Ellie walked over, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, I forgot about your situation. The sect ancestor was a Spirit King. He would've provided a huge boost to your cultivation..."

I waved my hand weakly. "It's no problem. Killing... Soul Formation experts, isn't it?"

She nodded.

"Killing these Soul Formation experts is good enough for me. You did most of the work anyway, I expected nothing more. Plus, I brought you into this. There'll be some nosy flies that'll disturb your coming days, do you mind?

"We could take the time to eradicate them all, if you'd like," I added quickly. It was the least I could do for her. She's been lenient with me already.

Ellie paused, then shook her head. "It's nothing. After all this, I've realized your cultivation is everything in this world. It won't hurt to practice my aim or have a good stretch sometime."

I laughed, then winced from the pain. Fiona was applying bandages on my back, and our cheerful talk must've made her angry again.

"Fiona... could you be a little gentler?" I asked, heartbroken.

She replied ruthlessly, "No."

I made puppy dog eyes at her, yearning for her concern, but she turned a blind eye. I smiled. She seems to not care, but her jealousy shows that she cares a lot...

Thank you, Fiona. It's been so long since I've had these conversations with these people... first Burkan, now Ellie. I've really changed.

Ellie sighed helplessly. For reasons I couldn't understand. "You two really need to stop flirting with each other at anytime and anywhere. There are people around, you know."

I glared at her. Who is she to control my affections for Fiona? I turned to look at her, who was concentrating on wrapping my wounds. She caught my eye and looked away, a hint of red on her already rosy cheeks.

I laughed again, and Ellie covered her eyes. Fiona finished wrapping the bandages. It was uncomfortably tight. I didn't have the courage to ask her to change it. She looked towards the charred rabbit that we left grilling.

Ellie peeked from behind her hands and saw that we weren't so called 'flirting' anymore, and asked with ambiguity, "Now what?"

I didn't know who she was referring. Was the question directed to Fiona and I, or herself?

Fiona's gaze turned to the dead elders on the ground, her eyes flashing a greedy glint. "Treasures," she answered.

Ellie and I looked at each other.

...

...

...

...

...

Fiona took the time to pillage, ahem, take compensation from the elders who inflicted severe trauma on us. She was not polite at all, mercilessly snatching their spirit rings and dumping all of their things onto the ground. It was unlike the gentle, innocent demure she had.

Ellie watched her seriously before looking at me, her gaze full of disappointment. It was the look that other parents gave when they found out the teacher scolded your child for not having 'a good upbringing' or 'not well-mannered at all,' that sort of thing.

I felt accused. "I didn't teach her any of this!" I protested, I really didn't. All I knew was that she was just a little treasure hungry, but not to this extent... Well, I didn't encourage nor discourage her behavior, so I guess it is my fault then?

I shook my head. No, Ellie's just playing psychological tricks with me, trying to separate from Fiona as usual.

She rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised? She has a father as shameless as you."

"..." What's that supposed to mean?

"How am I shameless in any way?" I asked, feeling unjustified.

Her look of disappointment changed to disgust as she replied: "Little Fiona told me herself that 'my childish daddy has gone to this length just to repay that favour of yours where you let the two of us sleep on a bed for the night."

She raised her eyebrows, "You've gone and taken liberties with your own daughter, and even tried to seduce another woman to call you daddy! Is that shameless or not?"

"..."

I turned to look at Fiona with narrowed eyes. She must've felt a looming sense of danger as she dropped the pill she was looking at. Her words are so suggestive... it can't be accidental. I've got to purify her!

Fiona stiffly picked up the pill from the ground and walked over to Ellie, stuffing it in her hands. "Sister Ellie," she said, her voice shaking, "Take this fifth grade Spirit Refilling Pill. It will help you restore your strength, especially helpful in your tribulation. Protect me from daddy's punishment."

I could feel the pressure around me increasing as Ellie glared at me. She looked at the nervous Fiona, her gaze softening. "What kind of punishment is it, little Fiona?"

Exasperated, I waved my hands and walked over, snatching the pill for myself. After a gulp, I said to the smug Ellie, "Knock it off, don't talk about these sort of things in front of Fiona."

She smirked. "As long as you admit you're shameless."

I grabbed another pill right out of Fiona's hand that she was offering to Ellie. I've already made up my mind, I'll sacrifice my honoruable reputataion for Fiona's innocence and purity!

"Yep, I'm quite shameless," I said, swallowing the pill.

Ellie burst into laughter while Fiona's lips slowly curled up into an evil smile. I could not help but be worried about their expressions as I felt an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach... could it be...? My eyes widened in horror, as I ran into the woods.

I never knew that the Spirit Refilling pills would give me bowel movements!