Bui Tuyen had already speculated that this manor might have a very ancient origin. After all, items that could increase enlightenment had been extinct for tens of thousands of years. There was no way such things could exist within this manor. There was only one possible explanation: this manor was beyond the laws of the heavenly way.
Now, with the master's acknowledgment and even a connection to world conflicts, the matter became clearer.
It must be known that the event ten thousand years ago—a conflict with the outer world—led to the heavenly way becoming incomplete, making ascension incredibly difficult. In those ten thousand years, only three people had succeeded in ascending. Bui Tuyen took a deep breath.
"Master, if there's anything I can do, I will not refuse."
Noah Drake nodded calmly and spoke slowly.
"First, I want you to give me the foundational cultivation techniques for beginners, all supplementary resources, insights, and experiences related to them. In exchange, name your price, and if I can fulfill it, I certainly will."
Hearing this, Bui Tuyen felt admiration in his heart. Despite living for at least an entire era, the master was still so open-minded.
"Master, in this era, cultivation techniques are closely tied to one's physique. First, we need to assess your innate aptitude, then match it with the appropriate technique."
Noah feigned surprise and excitement.
"Alright then, let's see what my aptitude is!"
Bui Tuyen took out a pure white stone orb from within his robe and said,
"Master, this is what we use to test aptitude in this era. Please place your hand on it."
Noah placed his hand on the orb. His palm felt icy cold, as if he were touching a block of ice. A cold stream seemed to seep from the orb into his palm, causing a numbing sensation wherever it went. Unconsciously, he shivered, and his heartbeat quickened, sending blood to his hand to ward off the invading cold.
The orb lost its pure white hue, gradually turning gray before swelling and collapsing.
Noah Drake noticed the result but saw Bui Tuyen's puzzled and bewildered expression.
"Bui Tuyen, so what aptitude do I have?"
Bui Tuyen pondered for a moment before replying,
"Master, normally this orb changes to one of twelve colors, each representing a different aptitude. It can also shatter when external force is applied. Surely, you didn't do it intentionally?"
Noah Drake shook his head.
"I only felt very cold at the time and reflexively shivered. I had no intention of breaking it."
Bui Tuyen took out another orb, this one amber in color.
"Master, this one is warmer and more comfortable to the touch. However, its quality is slightly inferior to the first orb, but it is still a premium product."
Noah placed his hand on the amber orb. This time, he felt a warm, soothing energy permeating every cell, like a steam bath. After a while, the orb showed no reaction.
"Bui Tuyen, what does this mean?"
Bui Tuyen was visibly confused.
"Master, No reaction is no talent. Surely you didn't do something on purpose, did you?"
"... Master, there's one last option: I can directly examine you. However, this means I will learn everything about your physical condition."
Noah didn't mind, thinking it would be similar to visiting a doctor.
He extended his hand for the examination. Bui Tuyen placed his hands on either side of Noah Drake's palm and began pressing specific points.
Suddenly, Noah felt a distinctly masculine energy enter through his palm. Before he could fully process it, his body instinctively repelled the foreign energy violently, sending Bui Tuyen flying into a nearby wall.
Noah stood there, shivering and feeling nauseous. Meanwhile, Bui Tuyen was in a sorry state. His body felt as if it had just endured a fierce battle; his internal organs churned violently, leaving him on the verge of collapse. For a moment, he thought he might meet the same fate as the shattered orb. Then, his medallion lit up, transmitting a force that stabilized his injuries.
Bui Tuyen looked at Noah with resentful eyes.
"Master, why would you do this? The examination was incredibly sensitive, and yet you still struck out like that..."
Noah, recovering somewhat, noticed Bui Tuyen's mournful gaze. He helped Bui Tuyen to a chair and poured him a cup of water.
"I didn't mean to. My body reacted instinctively. Please wait a moment."
Noah grabbed a jar and headed to a small cave behind the mountain. Inside was a stream that the system claimed had remarkable healing properties. He filled the jar and took a sip, finding the taste oddly familiar—like sparkling water. The effect was excellent, leaving him refreshed.
After Bui Tuyen drank the water, his severe injuries began to heal rapidly. He could feel his meridians and pathways recovering without any lasting damage. Shocked, he asked,
"What kind of water is this? A divine elixir?"
Noah, seeing Bui Tuyen looking healthy and no longer pale, sighed in relief. He poured them each a cup of water, savoring its sparkling taste.
"Alright, now tell me, what's my physique?"
Bui Tuyen fell silent, recalling the moment when he channeled his energy to examine Noah. He had only seen a vast, endless space before being ejected forcefully.
"Master, I must admit, I am incapable of determining your physique."
The room fell into an awkward silence.
Bui Tuyen contemplated for a while before speaking.
"Master, I suspect that your body rejects my ice-based energy or perhaps male energy in general. Perhaps a female practitioner could help, provided her martial cultivation is strong enough."
Noah immediately thought of someone. He picked up his medallion.
A few moments later, Luna Hart arrived. She was dressed neatly, her hair styled into two buns resembling cat ears. Among the three, Lalatina and Liora were scholars, while Luna was a martial practitioner. According to Lalatina, her martial cultivation was not weak.
"Master, you called for me?"
"Come, sit at the table. Let's talk."
Luna, puzzled, glanced at Bui Tuyen, who was sipping water beside her. She bowed slightly.
"Elder Bui."
Bui Tuyen waved his hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. Call me Uncle Bui from now on."
Noah Drake poured her a cup of water.
"What element do you practice?"
Luna hesitated briefly. "Master, I am of the Earth element."
Noah nodded.
"Good. Luna, I need your help to determine my physique."
Seeing her confusion, Noah Drake explained the situation. She hesitated but eventually agreed.
Luna mimicked Bui Tuyen's earlier actions, placing her hands on Noah's and pressing certain points. This time, a feminine, pure energy entered his body. Initially, his body resisted, but it ultimately accepted the energy.
As the energy flowed through him, Noah felt his perspective shift, as though he were soaring high above, observing everything. He could see Luna's entire condition: her meridians, every detail of her body, down to her pores.
Yet, strangely, he felt nothing from it.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as he observed Luna, but when he looked at Bui Tuyen, he couldn't perceive him the same way. Could it be that Luna could see him as clearly as he could see her?
The pure feminine energy coursed through his body, awakening his instincts. He mimicked her energy flow, sending it back toward her. Luna widened her eyes but remained silent, continuing the process.
However, Noah noticed something odd. While her energy passed through him without lingering, his energy seemed to stay within her, anchoring itself. It felt as if he could control her life with a mere thought.
When the process ended, Luna withdrew her energy and looked at him with a serious expression. She had done this once before with her junior disciple, but it had felt vastly different. This time, her body felt as if an invisible hand had gripped it tightly. She suspected Noah's involvement but said nothing.
Noah's perspective returned to the present. Yet, whenever he looked at Luna, he could still perceive her body entirely, as if it held no secrets,nothing can be hidden.He saw everything, even her perfectly round chest that remained motionless...
Luna noticed his gaze and shivered.
"Master... Master..."
Noah pretended to act normal.
"So, what's my physique?"