Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Mister Ning Qin hadn't even appeared and yet Sha Liuhe had vomited blood and been forced to retreat, his reputation left in complete and utter shambles!

In a reception pavilion, Feng Qing lowered her head and took a sip of tea. Zhou Li stood by her side, sighing with respect. "With Mister Ning Qin's strength, he has to be a grandmaster level character. It's a pity that I wasn't able to personally see the grandmaster's bearing with my own eyes."

As she spoke, there was a trace of yearning in her eyes.

Feng Qing smiled. "Even if I allowed you to join in yesterday's excitement, you still wouldn't have been able to see Mister Ning Qin. It was a disciple of his that handed in the mission for him."

Zhou Li nodded. "I know. It's that young lady Yun Die. Many people mocked her and despised her before, but now all of them have eyes red with envy when they look at her.

"To be the grandmaster's true disciple…anyone in that position with just a hint of talent will become a genuine beast trainer sooner or later. They are destined to have incredible accomplishments."

Feng Qing's eyes flashed. "Are you feeling jealous? My previous promise still stands. If you wish, I can recommend you to Mister Ning Qin. How about it?"

Zhou Li was tempted, but after a moment she shook her head, "Miss, allow me to think about it some more."

"You are still thinking about your fiance…"

"Miss, if you keep bringing him up then I'll get angry! I have no relation with Qin Yu, I just owe him a favor!" Zhou Li's cheeks flushed red.

Feng Qing sighed inwardly. You silly maid, I can't tell you directly so I'm trying to give you some hints. Why don't you realise that you've grasped such a great lucky chance?

The more time they spent together, the better her impression of Zhou Li was. This was the reason why she wanted to help her.

This was a girl who was cold outside and burning inside. She knew how to draw the difference between grudges and gratitude, and knew how to repay what was given to her…unfortunately, her eyesight was lacking.

She couldn't say anything else, otherwise Zhou Li might sense something. If Qin Yu didn't want to expose himself, Feng Qing naturally wouldn't interfere either. "Alright, that's enough joking. Zhou Li, don't you want to bear witness to Mister Ning Qin's elegance? Then, I'll give you a chance."

She took out a pure white jade box that glistened with traces of cold light. "This is a congratulatory gift that I plan on giving to the grandmaster for his high-grade heaven-step mission evaluation result. Deliver it to Rising Lake for me."

Zhou Li's eyes brightened. Forgetting about her anger, she nodded repeatedly and said, "Thank you miss, I will personally give this congratulatory gift to Mister Ning Qin!"

Feng Qing smiled. Looking after Zhou Li was one of the unspoken key points in their transaction.

"I just want him to personally see Zhou Li's growth with his own eyes. I'm sure he won't blame me for being nosy." Feng Qing silently thought to herself. When she looked at Zhou Li's back, there was a glimmer in her eyes.

…

Rising Lake laboratory.

Qin Yu sat down cross-legged. Small arcs of lightning raced across his body. They sparked, connecting together into a single stretch that illuminated the laboratory walls.

After some unknown period of time, the lightning on his body vanished from sight. Qin Yu's eyes flashed open as thunderous popping sounds exploded from his body.

The deep rumbling was like the strikes of a great drum. Tyrannical blood energy fluctuations erupted. The ground violently trembled as cracks appeared.

He lifted a hand and clenched a fist. A formidable strength flowed between his five fingers. Qin Yu smiled.

Peak Blue Sea realm!

Just a step more and the strength of his mortal body would break past its limits and he would have the strength to contend with a Calamity Immortal.

Feng Qing had managed to pass three thunder cleansed willows to him. After being shined on by the little blue lamp, they underwent earth-shaking changes. Besides their boundless vitality, they also gained the thunder attribute.

By borrowing the tempering of thunder and absorbing a massive amount of vitality, he was able to heal a great portion of his body's injuries.

Originally it shouldn't have been limited to this. But, the annihilating power of space in his body had limited the restorative abilities of the thunder cleansed willow. Qin Yu knew that this was a bottleneck in healing his injuries.

He needed to break past the shackles of the annihilating power of space so that his body could further recover.

Things were bound to be troublesome, but Qin Yu wasn't worried. This was because he seemed to have somehow perfectly camouflaged himself as a formidable beast trainer. With this status, in addition to Feng Qing's help, it wouldn't be difficult to obtain precious treasures.

After letting out a long breath, Qin Yu stood up. He stretched his waist and walked outside.

"Teacher, you've come out!" A pleasantly surprised voice rang out. Yun Die stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

Qin Yu nodded, "Why are you here?"

Yun Die said, "After I handed in the mission for teacher I returned in case you had a need for anything."

Right now, she had no worries about teacher. How could an existence that stood upon the peak covet her bloodline?

"How thoughtful." Qin Yu smiled. "How is the mission evaluation result? Has it finished?"

Looking at her teacher's carefree appearance, Yun Die couldn't help but sigh inwardly once more. This was the style of a true grand expert.

"Reporting to teacher, your mission was completed. The final evaluation was a high-grade heaven-step result. Among the newly recruited beast trainers, your mission evaluation result is the best."

After a brief hesitation, she continued to say, "Teacher, many people have sent over congratulatory gifts and hope that they can personally meet with you. Some of them have considerable statuses so I don't dare to casually deal with them. I ask for teacher to make the decision."

Qin Yu was startled. A high-grade heaven-step evaluation? This was a bit beyond his expectations. After all, he had only taken the leftover materials, illuminated them with the little blue lamp, and then crudely smashed them together. Was the effect really that powerful?

Was it easier for the spirit beasts of this world to evolve, or had the strength of the little blue lamp risen…mm, it was more likely the latter.

Qin Yu knew that the three rankings were mortal, earth, and heaven. It seems that without him noticing, he had grabbed a great spotlight for himself.

"The gifts can be accepted, but I have no need for visitors. Tell them that I do not like seeing outsiders."

Yun Die had a matter-of-fact expression. This was the type of attitude that her teacher should have. If he didn't even care about something as refreshing as 'publicly slapping others', then why would he bother wasting his time on developing superficial relationsh.i.p.s?

"Yes, teacher, I will handle things for you."

At this time, an internal communication tool rang out. Yun Die hurried over and picked up the phone. After listening for a moment, she was about to obey her teacher's instructions and refuse entry to Rising Lake when she saw him wave his hand.

Yun Die immediately changed her tone, "…Teacher understands. Please ask Miss Feng Qing's maid to enter."

Qin Yu didn't explain his sudden change in attitude. He directly said, "Let's go."

He stepped out first.

…

"Miss Zhou Li, my teacher invites you in."

Yan Jiao smiled as she spoke, but she couldn't help but look over this visitor. These past two days she had refused countless people. While Zhou Li came here representing Miss Feng Qing, she was still only a maid and didn't have the qualifications to be received by her teacher.

While she was curious as to what the reason was, she didn't inquire too much. She only needed to follow teacher's instructions. She thought back to the message that her mother had sent her. Because she had become the disciple of the 'grandmaster', no one dared to bully her anymore.

Because of this, Yan Jiao felt nothing but awe and gratitude towards her teacher.

With so many surprised eyes looking at her, Zhou Li felt a little uncomfortable. She hurriedly nodded and entered Rising Lake Manor with Yan Jiao.

She never imagined that so many people would be waiting here to visit Mister Ning Qin. And out of all of them, only a little maid like her had been invited past the front doors. It was no wonder they were all surprised.

But Zhou Li knew her worth. If it wasn't for the miss, she wouldn't have any qualifications to come into contact with Grandmaster Ning Qin. He was a nearly mythical existence.

As she recalled the throngs of people waiting outside the manor doors, she finally realized the vast disparity in their status. The excitement in her heart gradually subsided, replaced by awe and nervousness instead.

Yan Jiao wasn't surprised by the anxiousness Zhou Li suddenly displayed. This should be a common reaction for someone who was about to meet teacher.

Yun Die smiled. "Teacher instructed me to wait here. Miss Zhou Li, please come with me."

When Yun Die was shrouded in gloom, she was already beautiful beyond compare. But now that her worry and restlessness had vanished and she found stability with powerful support behind her, she suddenly burst out with an even more dazzling light, endless elegance in every action and movement.

Zhou Li was stunned for a moment before she regained her composure. She didn't know that such beauty could exist in this world.

In particular, her lavender hair that had a faint natural curl to it. She was like a daughter of a heavenly god, visiting the mortal world.

No wonder all sorts of salacious rumors had popped up. With such peerless beauty, what man wouldn't be tempted by her?

It was one thing if she was merely beautiful. But, since she was accepted as Mister Ning Qin's true disciple, Yun Die would inevitably have a radiant future, one where both beauty and wisdom were gathered within one body.

Even the proud Zhou Li couldn't help but acknowledge that this woman far surpassed her. She wondered what sort of outstanding man would be a match for her.

The lake was vast and calm. A light breeze touched the green trees around the shore, leaving ripples on the surface of the water. A small wooden building stood quietly near the lake's edge. There was a small courtyard bordered with bamboo, and the fragrance that wafted through the air left one relaxed.

Yun Die pushed open the door and walked in, stepping on the clean blue stone slabs that lined the ground. She gestured, "Miss Zhou Li, please wait here. My teacher will soon arrive."

The first floor of the building was spacious and wide. The interior decoration seemed common, but everything was built with exquisite precision and attention to luxury. Because there was no maid, Yun Die took the initiative to make tea.

"Miss Zhou Li, please have some tea."

Zhou Li blushed. "Miss Yun Die, there is no need to be so polite. I am only a maid so you don't have to treat me like this."

Yun Die smiled. "I am only my teacher's disciple. Please take a seat."