" So, what’s my physique?"

Pei Xuan, long suspecting the manor's ancient origins, felt his guesses confirmed. Items boosting comprehension clarity vanished ten thousand years ago. 

No reason they'd exist here unless… the manor lies beyond the Heavenly Path's laws.

Now, the Manor Lord himself admitted it—world conflicts, no less.

Ten thousand years ago, a clash with an outer realm crippled the Heavenly Path, making ascension near impossible. In that era, only three succeeded. 

Deep breath.

"Manor Lord, if this junior can serve, I'll never refuse."

Noah nodded, speaking calmly.

"First, I need your basic cultivation techniques for beginners—resources, insights, experiences. In return, name your price. If I can meet it, I won't refuse."

Pei Xuan, inwardly admiring, thought: He's lived at least an era, yet so forthright…

"Manor Lord, in this age, techniques tie closely to constitution. First, we test aptitude, then find a fitting technique."

Noah, feigning surprise, exclaimed eagerly.

"Then check—what's my aptitude?"

From his robe, Pei Xuan produced a milky-white stone orb, pure as jade.

"Manor Lord, in this era, this tests aptitude. Place your hand here."

Noah complied. The orb felt icy, like gripping a block of frost. A chill surged from his palm, invading his body, numbing where it flowed. Shuddering instinctively, his heart raced, blood surging to his hand, driving out the cold.

The orb lost its pristine glow, turning gray, swelling, then crumbling.

Seeing a result, Noah glanced at Pei Xuan's puzzled, panicked eyes.

"Pei Xuan, what's my aptitude?"

Pei Xuan, pondering, spoke.

"Manor Lord, normally, this orb shifts through twelve colors, each tied to an aptitude. It only shatters under external force. You didn't… intend that, right?"

Noah shook his head.

"I just… felt cold, shivered reflexively. No intent to break it."

…

Pei Xuan pulled out another orb, amber-hued.

"Manor Lord, my oversight. This one's warm, more comfortable, though a grade below the first. Still an exquisite artifact."

Noah placed his hand. Warmth seeped in, soothing, like a steam bath, permeating every cell. After a while, the orb unchanged.

"Pei Xuan, what's this?"

Pei Xuan, baffled, frowned.

"Manor Lord, you're not… doing this on purpose, are you?"

…

"Manor Lord, one last method—I check your body directly. But… I'll see your entire physical state."

Noah shrugged. Like a doctor's visit.

Extended his hand. Pei Xuan grasped both, pressing points. Suddenly, Noah felt a masculine, pungent qi invade from his palms. Before reacting, his body reflexively repelled it. Pei Xuan flew back, crashing into a nearby wall.

Noah stood, shivering, nausea coursing through him.

Pei Xuan fared no better—body drained, as if after a fierce battle. Organs churned, threatening to burst. I'll end like that orb… Suddenly, his token glowed, a force halting his injuries.

Eyes resentful, voice deflated.

"Manor Lord, why? Physical testing is sensitive, yet you struck…"

Noah, recovering, met those aggrieved eyes. Helped Pei Xuan to a chair, poured water.

"Not intentional. My body reacted on its own. Wait a moment."

Grabbing a flask, Noah dashed out, heading to a small cave behind the mountain. Inside, a spring—System-reported to heal wounds marvelously. Filled the flask, took a sip. Familiar taste… like soda? Not bad, refreshing.

Pei Xuan drank. His near-crippling injuries vanished instantly. Meridians, routes—restored, no aftereffects. What is this water? A divine treasure…

Seeing Pei Xuan's face flush, no longer pale, Noah sighed in relief. Poured himself a cup, another for Pei Xuan. Drained it, savoring the soda-like fizz. So good.

"Now, tell me—what's my constitution?"

…

Pei Xuan, recalling, hesitated. When he probed, he saw… a vast, boundless void, nothing else, then was blasted out.

"Manor Lord, I'm incompetent. I can't discern your constitution."

… Silence.

Pei Xuan, deep in thought, suddenly spoke.

"Manor Lord, perhaps your body rejects my Ice affinity… or men. A woman might not trigger such resistance. She'd need strong martial cultivation."

…

Noah's mind flashed to one person. Grabbed the token.

Minutes later, Luna arrived. Her attire neat, hair tied in twin buns like cat ears. Among the three, Lalatina and Liora pursued scholarly cultivation; only Luna followed martial cultivation. Lalatina said her martial prowess was formidable.

"Manor Lord, you summoned me?"

"Come, sit. Let's talk."

Luna, curious, glanced at General Pei Xuan, clutching an untouched cup. Bowed.

"Senior Pei."

Pei Xuan waved it off.

"No need for 'senior.' I don't dare accept. Manor Lord says no formalities—call me Uncle Pei."

Noah poured her water, asked.

"What's your affinity?"

Luna hesitated.

"Manor Lord, Rock affinity."

Noah nodded. Good.

"Luna, help me check my constitution."

Seeing her confusion, Noah explained.

"For reasons, I want to cultivate this era's martial path. Need you to test my aptitude's affinity.

Uncle Pei said my case is special—normal tests fail. Only direct testing works. But my body might've rejected him."

Luna, after a pause, agreed.

She repeated Pei Xuan's actions—grasped his hands, pressed points.

A feminine, pure qi entered. His body resisted at first, then accepted.

As the qi moved, Noah's perspective soared, as if viewing all creation. Saw Luna's state clearly—meridian structure, skin, every pore, her body laid bare, no secrets hidden.

Oddly, felt nothing toward it.

Each breath stretched endlessly, yet only he sensed it. Luna, focused, seemed unaware. Glanced at Pei Xuan—no such clarity, unlike with Luna.

Can she see me as I see her?

Feeling her qi—pure, like morning dew—course through, his instincts stirred. Focused on her qi's path through his hand, mirrored it.

Her eyes widened, meeting his. She knew. But facing his calm, assured gaze, she silently continued.

Something felt off. Her qi passed through, leaving nothing. His qi, injected, stayed, fixed in place, under his control. One thought, and I could end her life?

Luna completed a circuit, retracting her qi. Her serious, steady gaze—this, her second time testing, felt different. Last time, with her junior brother, no such oddity. This felt like an invisible hand gripped her body, vanishing only at the end. The Manor Lord's doing?

Noah snapped back, perspective grounded. Yet, looking at Luna, saw everything—every inch of skin, vivid. Her perfect, rounded curves, motionless…

Luna, noticing his stare at her chest, shivered, baffled.

"Manor Lord… Manor Lord…"

Noah, seeing all, stayed silent… feigned normalcy.

"So, what's my constitution's affinity?"