Time is infinite, like a flowing river, never stopping.
One year and eleven months passed. In that time, Li Hao turned seventeen, yet he had gained nothing new. He thought back to the past.
Seven years ago, he had obtained the Heavenly Sun Sword, but now it had become useless. His cultivation had long surpassed the weapon.
Weapons no longer mattered—not unless they were of the same realm or higher. Even defensive artifacts couldn't help much unless they were shield-level treasures of equal or greater realm.
What he needed was not just any sword, but the sword that fit him—a sword from a higher realm, one that could follow him through each breakthrough.
But before that, he still needed to break through to the Fourth Turn. Li Hao looked at himself and thought:
"This is the ninth level of the Third Turn… it's much different than I expected."
"Even now, I'm still a year away from the Perfect Realm… but I can feel it. I can almost see it."
To go beyond the Third Turn, one must control a Law—to reach the first realm of Law understanding.
Only then could one step into the Half-Step Realm… and afterward, form their Primordial Spirit to continue on the path.
That was why the Fourth Turn, the Willful Realm, was something ordinary people couldn't reach.
Many became stuck, either at comprehending a Law or in the failure to form a Primordial Spirit.
Li Hao, right now, could comprehend the Laws of Space and Time, but he couldn't use them—he hadn't reached the proper threshold.
His Cosmic Celestial Bloodline and Cosmic Dao Eyes pushed him toward those Laws.
But the Dao Eyes… they couldn't be comprehended by thought alone.
Over the past several years, Li Hao had seen many things. His combat abilities had grown, and one reason was those Dao Eyes.
Every moment, they perceived the world in slow motion. Even a single step from an enemy would seem to slow by several times, giving him time to think, analyze, and act.
Li Hao turned his head to the side. A grand scene appeared in his vision.
Lu Lang sat on her bed, cross-legged in lotus position. Spiritual power rolled around her body, pushing her current cultivation to its limits.
A year ago, she had stepped into the Unrestrained Realm. Now, she had reached its peak.
Li Hao took a step and appeared right in front of her. He examined her silently, scanning for any problems.
He could feel the Heavenly Yellow Spiritual Power within her. But then, his Dao Eyes unconsciously pierced through her layers of clothes.
What he saw made him freeze.
Her beautiful body, with elegant curves and perfectly shaped breasts, came into full view. His gaze slipped downward before he forcefully shut his eyes.
In the next moment, he vanished back to his room, his thoughts in disarray. He had nearly seen everything.
"When did this disciple of mine become so attractive…? This is the first time I've seen her in two years, and this is how she looks?"
Then, he remembered what she said to him years ago:
"Even so, I'm a good wife. If you don't have a partner, I can also be yours."
This little girl is playing with fire… so bold, Li Hao thought. She wants to take her master as a partner after just a few years…
Still, the image of her body lingered in his mind. He shook his head, cheeks flushed.
But just then, he sensed it—
Lu Lang was about to break through to the Profound Realm.
He teleported back in front of her and sat in lotus position.
Moments later, Lu Lang's eyes opened slowly, a new power surging within her. She had done it.
Seeing Li Hao before her, her lips curled slightly as she jumped forward.
"Master!" she said joyfully, hugging him and pushing him down to the ground.
Li Hao felt her soft chest press against him. As he reached to move her aside, his hand landed on her waist—her skin warm and supple.
His hand lingered. He held her gently.
Lu Lang's heart skipped a beat. Why isn't Master telling me to get off him?
Then… she felt it—Li Hao's hug.
He wasn't pushing her away.
She had dreamt of this moment for years. Could it be happening now?
"Does Master… like me?" she wondered, her heart racing.
They stayed like that for several minutes.
Li Hao's thoughts were in turmoil. Her body, her presence—it all felt so vivid. Her breasts were soft, pressed to his chest. His thoughts began to wander.
Can I… touch her?
But right as that thought appeared, Li Hao's masterly aura surged.
He rolled, switching positions so he was above her, hands and legs steady.
They were face to face.
Before Lu Lang could speak, Li Hao said, "Can you please let go?"
"Oh! Sorry, Master…" she said quickly, her face flushed with embarrassment.
She stood up awkwardly and turned her gaze away.
Li Hao stood as well, regaining his composure.
"Now that you've reached the Perfect Realm," he said, "you qualify to learn the Yin Yang Heaven Flipping Seal."
"I'm entering secluded cultivation and won't be out for several years."
"Once you've mastered the first form, you may go out and train."
"In three years or so, I'll reach the Fourth Turn, and I'll need to leave."
"Where to, Master?" she asked softly.
"The Immortal World," he replied. "A place where true immortal cultivation exists. You must stay here."
"…Oh." Her voice was quiet, disappointed.
Suddenly, she leapt forward again, pushing him down.
"Master… since you're leaving Lu Lang for so long, can you give me a gift to remember you by?" she asked playfully.
Li Hao produced a heart-shaped necklace, inside was a carving of his face.
She snatched it happily. "Master… I didn't mean that kind of gift. I meant… something more."
"More? I don't have anything else," he said, confused.
"Then let me show you," she whispered.
She kissed him.
Li Hao froze—but the taste of her lips, her soft breath—it reminded him of everything they had shared. And everything they hadn't.
He kissed her back.
His masterly aura dissolved.
He disintegrated her robes with a wave of mental power. Her body, now revealed again, was more stunning than before.
He held her waist, one hand sliding to her soft hips, the other to her back.
Their bodies entwined.
They kissed.
Hours passed.
Under the bed sheets, the two cultivators lay silently.
Li Hao sat up, his thoughts heavy. What have I done…?
He glanced at Lu Lang, fast asleep beside him, naked and peaceful.
He gently touched her waist, then her smooth curves. Then, in a solemn act, he sent forth memory fragments—techniques, cultivation methods, and knowledge.
Without waking her, he left.
Back in his room, he shut the door and sat in lotus position.
His realm had surged to the Peak of the Ninth Level—just one step from the Perfect Realm.
With his thoughts refocused, Li Hao began his seclusion.
When Lu Lang awoke, she reached beside her.
He was gone.
But it wasn't a dream.
Her body trembled. She took a step and fell to one knee.
Her body hadn't fully recovered—even with her cultivation.
Her spiritual power had grown drastically. She had reached the Peak of the Profound Realm in a single night.
Inside her dantian, a divine power stirred.
She found memories imprinted in her mind: The Nine Revolutions, Celestial Phenomena Concealment, and more. All high-level techniques.
One message echoed within her soul:
"Master—before giving birth."
She touched her belly, heart trembling.
Could I be…?
A smile formed on her lips.
They were no longer just master and disciple.
They were lovers.
And perhaps…
Soon-to-be parents.
Lu Lang sat in silence, her body wrapped in thin robes, the morning light filtering through the window. In her heart, she was satisfied—not just with her cultivation, but with everything she had gained.
She recalled Li Hao's parting words, which gave her strength and confidence to move forward.
Rising slowly, she dressed in her usual garments and examined herself. Her spiritual energy was stable, stronger than ever. But when she turned her senses inward, toward her dantian, she paused.
There, hovering just above her inner core, was a small sphere of Yang energy.
It wasn't a core… but it pulsed with incredible power. It had been left by Li Hao—his Yang energy, sealed within her. Though smaller than her own core, it was condensed enough to rival it in strength.
This was one of the benefits of sharing Yin and Yang with a cultivation partner. Through union, both sides could grow. She smiled faintly.
With that thought pushed aside, she turned her focus toward her training—the Yin Yang Heaven Flipping Seal.
The first form, Flipping Human, was said to be the simplest in structure, but its post-activation combat enhancement was what set it apart.
She stepped outside, standing beneath the shade of the training courtyard trees, and without hesitation, began practicing.
The Human Flipping Seal had no fixed boundaries. Its power didn't come from external manipulation, but from the practitioner's true body.
When the technique flipped a target, it didn't just shift physical force—it flipped the spiritual energy used as well, creating a reversal effect that could dismantle an opponent's flow.
Lu Lang embraced the rhythm. She practiced with diligence, her breathing steady, her focus razor-sharp.
Three months passed.
To her surprise, not only did she master the first form of the Heaven Flipping Seal, but her cultivation broke through to the Life and Death Realm.
Although she couldn't utilize all the techniques Li Hao had given her, some were within her grasp now.
But to progress further—
To master the Second Form, she needed to reach the Peak Life and Death Realm.
To unlock the Third Form, she had to reach the Peak Nature Realm.
And to comprehend the Lust Form, her power would need to surpass the Perfect Void Realm.
Only after all this could she step into the Willful Realm.
She was still far from that—but this was only the beginning.
She understood now that her growth required more than secluded training. Real experience was the key.
With that resolve in her heart, Lu Lang prepared for her journey. She looked toward the rising sun and took to the skies, flying east toward the Eastern Capital City.
At the same time, within the Li Family Estate, a young woman stood in front of her master.
Li Ha-rin, dressed in refined robes, bowed deeply.
"Master," she said, "over the past few years, with the help of the family and government resources, I've reached the Peak Profound Realm. But now I've hit a wall… I'm just one step away from the Perfect Profound."
Li Min-seo, the matriarch of the Li Family, looked at her with calm eyes.
"And what do you propose, disciple?" she asked softly.
Ha-rin answered with conviction. "I want to leave the city… to experience the outside world. I lack true survival experience."
Min-seo was silent for a moment. Then she sighed.
"You may go. But return within two years—no longer. That's the maximum time I can allow."
"Thank you, Master," Ha-rin said with a grateful bow. She turned and departed, her eyes filled with determination.
After a few moments of stillness, Li Min-seo murmured, "Li Bao."
A shadow dropped down from the rooftop. A figure in black robes landed silently in the center of the hall and knelt on one knee.
"Yes, Ancestor Divine Moon," the man said respectfully.
Li Min-seo turned her eyes toward him. "You've been in the Half-Step Willful Realm for a long time now… remind me, how long has it been?"
Li Bao looked up calmly. "Seven hundred and sixty years, Divine Moon Ancestor."
[Name: Li Bao]
[Age: 1670 years]
[Realm: Perfect Void Realm (One Water Law Comprehension)]
[Position: Shadow Guardian Deputy Head, Li Family]
Min-seo narrowed her eyes slightly. "So long already…"
Li Bao understood the meaning behind her words.
"What would you have me do, Elder Sister Divine Moon?" he asked respectfully. "This lonely one awaits your will."
"I've allowed my disciple to travel for experience," Min-seo said directly. "You are to protect her… from the shadows. Do not reveal yourself unless she is in true danger."
"Two years. After that, I'll give you a Golden Spirit Pill to repair your damaged divine soul."
Li Bao nodded solemnly. "This one obeys."
Without another word, he vanished.
Min-seo closed her eyes. "Grow well, my disciple… this world will not be kind."