Vibe

"So it's because of my physique?"

His words were spoken with heartfelt sorrow, even miming an expression full of melancholy. Qin Rui felt at a loss for words.

"What?" was all she could utter.

"I thought my looks had charmed you, master, but who knew your heart would be so cold and callous?" Lin Fei shook his heart in regret, sighing with remorse.

"No!" She shook her head. "We are getting off the topic here. I meant to ask, Do you understand the implications of possessing such a physique?"

Seeing the serious look she had adopted on her face, Lin Fei put a pause on his teasing and listened raptly. Divine rank physique might not have meant much to him or his mother, but it clearly held monumental significance to Qin Rui. He decided to indulge her.

"I don't." He answered.

"That's what I thought." Qin Rui took a deep breath. "Ok, listen. First of all, you've got to keep the existence of your physique a secret. Second, you will focus wholeheartedly on your cultivation from this point on. And lastly, I will personally test if you hold any potential as an alchemist."

"You know the alchemy master?" Lin Fei raised a brow.

"Of course." Qin Rui admitted with a smile. "Though I have kept it a secret. And you cannot utter a word of anything you've heard, understand?"

Lin Fei nodded.

"I noticed you've already comprehended many of the elements; which ones do you lack?"

"Metal and Wood."

"Alright, I will get them both for you. Your foundation seems to be sturdy enough, so there's no need to focus on that. Is there anything you would like to ask?"

"Actually, yes," he raised a finger, "I wish to travel to the mortal world."

"To the mortal world?" He nodded. "Why?"

"You see, I have a family there and was hoping to check up on them."

Qin Rui put on a thoughtful expression. "That can be permitted, but you would have to break through to the Intermediate Qi Gathering Realm first, alright?"

"That's fine by me." Lin Fei consented.

"I think that about wraps it up." Qin Rui finished the last of her tea and leaned back. "Today must've been exhausting for you, so why don't you go take some rest? Oh, and before I forget, don't do anything tacky to Yan Mei, got it?"

"Perfectly clear." Lin Fei offered a smile, downed the rest of his tea, and stood up. "Then I will see you later, master."

With a flourishing bow, he left the room and arrived at the courtyard. Yan Mei stood waiting near a weapon rack and beamed at him as he came into view.

"Junior brother, I have already prepared for your lodging; why don't you come check it out?"

Lin Fei offered a fickle smile. "Please lead the way, senior sister."

Lodging, as it turned out, was in fact an entire residence with a spacious lawn, a wide patio, and a rack of weapons mounted on the wall. Leading from the gate to the front entrance was a path of cobblestones.

Yan Mei offered him a tour inside, and he gladly followed. The house itself was spacious and a mix of a modern brick house and a traditional wooden house. There were two rooms, one kitchen, one living room, and a single bathroom.

What caught his attention the most, though, was the pond of steaming hot water complete with facilities that such a luxury would demand. Yan Mei seemed particularly giddy when introducing that section to him.

Of the two rooms, one was dedicated to cultivation. It even had a bookshelf complete with thick tomes that fit the theme. But...

"Why is there a bed here?" Lin Fei couldn't help but ask as he pointed at the spongy, white, inviting piece of furniture.

"Oh! That's for if you're cultivating and feel tired and want to take a breather." As she explained, Lin Fei nodded. "Or, if you wish to engage in a session of dual cultivation. Many of the sect elders or disciples partake in such a dao discussion. It's when a man—"

"I know what dual cultivation is!" Lin Fei cut her off before she started to full-on pant because her breathing was already heavier and her face flushed red.

"Oh, junior brother is so mature." Yan Mei quipped while winking at him. It didn't help that she had raised her leg slightly, causing the apparel to ride along her thigh, giving him an uninterrupted glimpse of tantalizing flesh.

"Ahem." Lin Fei's action forced her to snap back to attention. "I'm feeling particularly tired today, so if you would excuse me, senior sister."

A flicker of disappointment passed through her features, but she was quick to suppress it. "Of course, have a good rest, Junior Brother Lin."

As she departed, Lin Fei couldn't help but sigh.

"Don't be afraid; she's not going to turn out like her." Lin Xinyue placated in her misty form.

Lin Fei shook his head. "I'm not afraid of her. It's just something about this new master of mine that is bothering me."

His mother snickered. "I think she's just surprised you aren't affected by her charms."

"No, I think there's more to it." He had had this feeling for quite some time now. Qin Rui was mysterious, and her revealing to him she was an alchemist only served to add a new mystery curtain.

But that's just not it. She's hiding something else. But for the love of me, I can't figure out what.

"It's your bloodline."

"What?" Her words were so sudden and in an entirely different direction that he was caught off-guard. Then taking a moment to think, he asked, "What does it have to do with my bloodline?"

Lin Xinyue shook her head. "I have no idea. But from what I have felt so far, your bloodline is reacting to her. It's very subtle, so subtle in fact that you're only getting this vague bad feeling."

"So, what do I do?"

"Nothing." She answered. "If it's because your bloodline is lacking in terms of rank, then you need to level it up. Or wait for the reaction from the other side. Either way, you just need to focus on cultivation for now."