Chapter 9: Official Training Begins

Ye Xi and Tianyao followed behind Jin'e, with Tianyao slightly ahead—just about one body length in front of Ye Xi.

Despite trailing behind, Ye Xi didn't seem the least bit anxious. Instead, she focused on regulating her breathing, conserving as much energy as possible.

After all, Jin'e had made it clear: as long as they could keep up and not fall behind, that would be enough.

There was still about an hour and a half left before breakfast. If she sprinted at full speed from the beginning, she'd definitely burn out before the end. So, wherever she could save her strength, she would.

Meanwhile, the slight smile on Tianyao's face went unnoticed. She had started training two years earlier than Ye Xi. As someone with more experience, she didn't expect to outperform by much—but so long as she could maintain a lead over the newly awakened Ye Xi, that was enough to satisfy her.

At the front, Jin'e kept a close eye on both girls. Seeing that they could match his current pace without difficulty, he gradually began to speed up.

As time passed, sweat began to bead on Ye Xi and Tianyao's foreheads. Their steps grew heavier.

But Ye Xi's breathing remained steady, and her eyes remained sharp and focused.

Tianyao, on the other hand, was breathing more heavily. Her rhythm was uneven, and although she kept up, it was clearly becoming a struggle.

Observing their condition, Jin'e again increased the pace slightly—just enough to push them to their limit—then maintained it.

"Jin'e is really pushing them. It's going to be hard for them to keep this up," murmured the Third Worshipper, Qingluan, as he observed from a distance.

"This is the only way training works," said Qian Daoliu calmly, hands clasped behind his back. "If it's easy, what's the point?"

Qingluan nodded slightly but added, "Even so, I believe the most difficult part will come in the afternoon—the combat training."

Qian Daoliu didn't respond. He simply continued watching quietly.

Soon, the morning training ended.

Ye Xi collapsed into a pavilion, panting heavily as she lightly massaged her sore legs.

Tianyao lay sprawled out on the grass, gasping for breath, unwilling to move a muscle.

"You both did well," Jin'e said with a satisfied nod. "Come on, Grandpa Jin'e will take you to breakfast."

"Yes, Grandpa Jin'e," Ye Xi responded, standing up. After a whole morning of training, she was starving.

The moment Tianyao heard the word "breakfast," her eyes lit up. She bolted up from the grass.

"Grandpa, let's go quickly!" she said eagerly.

Jin'e led them to a nearby pavilion with a massive stone table filled with delicious dishes.

Qian Daoliu and Qingluan were already seated, waiting for them.

"Grandpa, Grandpa Qingluan," Ye Xi greeted sweetly.

"Great Worshipper, Third Worshipper," Tianyao greeted formally, bowing with respect.

"You must be hungry. Come, let's eat," Qian Daoliu said warmly, beckoning them over.

Everyone sat down and began enjoying the meal.

Perhaps it was due to the intense training, but Ye Xi found herself eating more than usual—an extra bowl of rice, in fact.

As she glanced around, her eyes landed on Jin'e and Tianyao. It wasn't surprising that Jin'e, a body-refining Soul Master with the Golden Crocodile King spirit, had a massive appetite.

But what truly amazed Ye Xi was Tianyao—she had already eaten thirteen bowls of rice, and with big bowls at that!

Noticing Ye Xi's gaze, Tianyao's ears turned slightly red as she sheepishly put down her bowl.

"Um… Second Miss," she said, embarrassed, "I follow the same body-refining path as Grandpa. So I tend to eat a bit more than usual."

Then she picked up her bowl again and kept eating.

"…I see," Ye Xi replied, retracting her gaze. Still, she couldn't help but glance over occasionally, wondering how Tianyao's small frame could hold so much food.

About ten minutes later, Tianyao finally put down her bowl with a contented sigh.

"Xiao Xi, come with me," Qingluan said, standing and beckoning to Ye Xi. However, he didn't move just yet—instead, he looked toward Jin'e.

"Tianyao, you go with them too," Jin'e said, patting her on the shoulder.

"Yes, Grandpa," Tianyao replied, following behind Qingluan with Ye Xi.

After nodding politely to Qian Daoliu and Jin'e, Qingluan led them to a room.

The room was spacious and filled with two massive bookshelves packed with books.

"Find a spot and sit," Qingluan instructed casually, pulling out two thick books—each nearly ten centimeters thick.

"I won't teach you much myself. Once you finish studying these, you'll have the foundation you need."

"These are… pretty thick," Tianyao said with a helpless glance at the books.

She really didn't care much for reading. If given a choice, she'd rather be outside training with her grandfather than cooped up in a study.

Sitting beside her, Ye Xi nodded silently. Even with her photographic memory, it would still take her three to five days to finish studying books of this size.

"That's just the table of contents," Qingluan said with a chuckle. "What you'll really be studying… is every book in this room."

Tianyao blinked. Her gaze swept across the shelves—and her heart sank.

Ye Xi looked too, but only nodded silently.

Seeing their reactions, Qingluan chuckled and began his lesson.

His explanations were detailed and methodical. Ye Xi listened intently, taking in every word.

Tianyao, however, looked completely lost. She recognized every word Qingluan said, but once they were strung together, they made no sense to her. It was like trying to understand a foreign language—confusing, overwhelming, and sleep-inducing.

The longer she listened, the drowsier she felt. Her eyelids drooped, her head began to nod, and she looked like she might fall asleep at any moment.

(End of Chapter )

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