The Cat’s Grin Brings About An Era Of Misfortune

"So how do we make use of the plants you requested me to purchase?" She inquired with a distinct curious tone that she tried and failed to conceal.

"The Nengjian will be used to stabilize and strengthen our bodies, while the Solipsis plant will use it's enhancing properties to exponentially reduce the time taken to reach 2nd fold."

This was the 23rd trick in cultivating by Luo Don written about in his diary, the first person to have ever reached the 6th rank in cultivation, as well as a famous scholar and herbologist. He was an influential historical figure who set out to prove that fighting for cultivation experience was inefficient, and tried all sorts of easy ways to severely overpower everyone in his surroundings. Even now he remains in the top 50 of strongest cultivators ever lived.

"The Nengjian must be consumed at least 5 minutes prior." I said as I handed half of the root to her. "You might want to brew some tea before because it's extremely bitter."

Chen Yu seemed impressed by my knowledge, her eyes giving off a feel of admiration as she dazedly stared at me, before finally registering my insinuated command. "Yes madam, as once." she finally replied as she went off to boil water.

...

After reaching the 2nd fold after hours of meditation, the sky once again became dark, and I was reminded by Chen Yu that my sister would come over to join us in stargazing, so I set out 3 chairs on the porch and sat together with Chen waiting for her to arrive.

"Once again a beautiful night, wouldn't you say miss."

"Truly, with the full moon lighting up the night sky, the only thing that could inprove upon it is if my sister didn't came like she said she would."

"It must be hard, having to spend time with one so infuriating."

"Being together with you makes such a thing trivial." I said as I winked at her.

"Y-you t-truly hold me in h-high regard, m-miss..." she murmered under her breath.

In the chilly, dark and silent night I pondered for a while. Chen Yu truly was and still is my truest compatriot. The one who was willing to listen to me when I complained, the one who was always close by in tough times, even now, and the one who seemingly wished most for me to find happiness.

As I was reminiscing, I suddenly found a petite figure in the distance waving at us energetically. Chen Yu nudged me to wave back, if only out of politeness.

In turn my sister started energenically running toward as, as of genuinely elated that we gave her request the time of day. However something was off about her expression, she gave off a cat like smile. Generally used for when someone was behaving mischieviously, when you are unaware of it's true intent it might feel somewhat cute. However, she always has this smile plastered on her face when she was scheming something.

I pulled Chen Yu a bit closer and whispered "Chen, do you see anything off in our surroundings, any strange details?"

She looked around confused, but something seemed to catch her eye as she looked back at me with a shocked expression. She wishpered as silently as she could.

"Guards. They tend to patrol this area only after 3."

I nodded, "This might become a very precarious situation, be on your guard."

It seems plan 1 might already have been foiled.