The Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 1844 - Since you hate us, why even bother coming?

Sheng Jun returned to her senses, then she looked at Qing Shui who stared back at her from afar. She smiled and walked forward as if the previous scene had never happened.

She could see the extent of her gains today. Just a single sword intent, or what seemed like a sword intent, could allow her battle strength to have such an explosive growth. She could see hundreds of holes and gaps in her previous swordplay. This was a qualitative transformation.

This was a benefit comparable to taming the Sacred Moon Stallion and even better under specific circumstances, since the Sacred Moon Stallion could only be considered as an outside influence. Although it was willing to die for its master, it wasn't as helpful as its' owner being powerful. This kind of improvement was even more beneficial than a simple breakthrough in strength,. This improvement was qualitative while strength breakthroughs were merely quantitative.

With sufficient talent and resources, reaching a certain level of strength was merely an issue of time, but this kind of sword intent could only be wished for, never sought. It required a massive fortuitous encounter to comprehend and this man was her fortune that she had grasped.

"Thank you!" Sheng Jun said seriously.

Qing Shui shook his head, "No need to be so polite."

Sheng Jun looked at the sky and smiled, "Let's go out and eat, today is worth celebrating."

The two had a sumptuous breakfast. They have dealt with the Luo Slaughter Palace and Sheng Jun's strength has also reached a new boundary, so their appetites were exceptionally good and they ate even more than usual.

"When are you leaving?" Sheng Jun put down her chopsticks and asked.

Qing Shui knew what she was asking about and said, slightly stunned, "I'm thinking about it."

"Stop thinking about it, you're already here. Regardless of when, you will still have to make this trip, no?" Sheng Jun stood up and packed up the table.

Qing Shui decided to go for it immediately since he had to go anyway. "Why would he keep fretting over about his departure?" thought Qing Shui absent-mindedly. He then kept the remaining plates in the kitchen.

……

A day later, Qing Shui bid farewell to Sheng Jun and Sheng Jun didn't hold him back either, she merely smiled, "When you're done, don't forget to visit. I'll treat you to a meal."

Qing Shui smiled and nodded, the dishes were made by him, but Sheng Jun was in charge of keeping them. Qing Shui just liked the atmosphere, he had good friends wherever he went and he couldn't ask for more.

Returning to the Vampiric Demoness Hills, his thoughts were vastly different from before, the closer he got, the calmer he became. He couldn't help but think about the Vampiric Empress.

He had only been with her once. At that one meeting, this world was truly marvelous, unknowns and couldn't be controlled.

Moving along the fiery red earth, Vampiric Demonesses fled as they sensed Qing Shui's presence.

Qing Shui had never thought of dealing with them, as Qing Shui now saw them as he saw humans. They looked like humans and the only difference was also in some minute details.

Qing Shui had some sort of special link with that woman, especially once he stepped into the Vampiric Demoness Hills. Qing Shui could detect a mysterious force guiding him forward.

Qing Shui quickly arrived at a valley, it was very peaceful and yet it was special. There was no red to be found in the fresh and beautiful green valley. It was a place of blossoming vitality.

There were many massive trees, each one like a miniature wood pagoda with many thick branches creating pathways between the trees. This was practically a dreamland gardenscape with so many tree pathways around three meters wide. The entire spectacle linked together, painting a beautiful image.

Two Vampiric Demonesses quickly flew out and they wore dresses. This time it seemed like the number of Vampiric Demonesses who wore dresses, had grown.

They were still slightly flustered by Qing Shui, but the middle-aged Vampiric Demoness on the left asked in a low voice, "What are you here for?"

Qing Shui furrowed his brows. He would have directly killed both of them had it been him in the past as he used to find them vile, yet now, he found their existence meaningful and logical.

"Where is your empress?" Qing Shui cut to the chase.

"Why are you looking for me?"

A hoarse yet beautiful voice sounded out.

The two Demonesses immediately bowed and left after hearing the voice, while Qing Shui raised his head to search for the source of it.

She was still wearing a blood red dress.

Her face was still cold, her frosty gaze seemed to gain a little mystique, making her even more charming, while her straight, white, jade-like nose and sexy lips also gave her cold face, a touch of gentleness.

A head of pitch-black hair at her back, extending down past her shoulders by a fist's length. She didn't seem to have changed much, until you observed her slightly bulging stomach.

Although her words were unkind, Qing Shui was able to detect a hint of emotion. He was sure that this woman knew what he was here for.

Qing Shui had many thoughts while he was away, but now in front of her, he didn't have many thoughts. His heart had become broader and he also couldn't understand why.

"I've come to see…."

The Vampiric Demoness Empress didn't say anything, she stared closely at Qing Shui before smiling, "You don't have to be bothered, although this child comes from you, she can be unrelated to you."

Qing Shui looked at her smile, which was like a blinding flash of sunshine. He could tell that she was blaming him, or at least due to the racial differences, there were many issues that couldn't be worked out.

"I already knew I was going to return when I left, regardless of the result." Qing Shui thought as he said.

"What are you here for?" The Vampiric Demoness Empress asked again.

She had already asked him once, yet he dodged the bullet, but now he had to answer it properly.

"I'd like to see her." Qing Shui said lightly.

These words made her tremble. It was an indescribable feeling in her chest, slightly sour, slightly warm. She could not express it, but she didn't hate it.

She never hated this man and would never try to ingest his essence, but she didn't fall in love with him immediately either. It was merely a sense of comfort around him.

"Since you don't like us, why even bother coming to see her?" The Vampiric Demoness Empress asked lightly, she knew that Qing Shui was here to see the child in her stomach.