"Come on, up you go."
Abbess Yvonne helped Skyler Ling to his feet, her smile full of kindness. "By the way, Skyler, if you ever have questions about cultivation, you can always come ask me."
Abbess Yvonne's expression grew even softer and kinder as she spoke.
"Okay, Abbess Yvonne, I’ll remember." Skyler Ling nodded politely.
After sending Abbess Yvonne off, Skyler Ling took out the jade slip and pressed it to his forehead, feeling a surge of gratitude as he began to read.
This cultivation technique was called 'Fiery True Yang Art.' When mastered, it could allow one to reach mid-stage Golden Core.
Despite the difficulty, Skyler Ling only needed an hour to master the Golden Core technique, understanding it completely without any obstacles.
With a thought, his Qi Refining third-layer true essence circulated through new meridians. After several cycles, it transformed into fiery True Yang essence.
The next morning, the Jade Maiden Sect's plaza was bustling.
Every morning, the third-generation disciples gathered on the plaza for class. The session was split in two: first, a second-generation disciple explained Daoist arts.
Since third-generation disciples usually don't have magic treasures, they rely on Daoist arts in battle. If they don't know any, they're left with only brute force.
The second-generation disciple's lecture lasted half an hour, then the third-generation disciples would share their cultivation insights. Though anyone could go, it was usually the top students.
Before moving to the summit, Skyler Ling rarely attended morning class. Now, he joined in with everyone.
Today, Aunt-Master Serena Xue, a second-generation disciple, taught the Fireball Art.
Fireball Art was a low-level spell, requiring only Qi Refining second layer to use.
To cast a Daoist art, you need four things: incantation, hand-seal, true essence, and control.
The incantation is a spell formula—special syllables that trigger changes in the world.
Hand-seals are gestures that guide heavenly forces and help focus attention. True essence acts as the catalyst, sometimes even bait, since Daoist arts can be more powerful than their caster.
Finally, there's control—the skill to direct the art.
You can think of a Daoist art as a weapon—once cast, you need control to direct it against your enemy.
It's just like this: if a beginner and an expert marksman both have a gun, the one who's skilled is obviously much more dangerous.
Same with Daoist arts—if your control is lacking, you might cast the art but still miss your target. It's pointless.
So incantation, hand-seal, true essence, and control—none of these four can be missing.
Clearly, Aunt-Master Serena Xue had taught Fireball Art before. She demonstrated as she explained, keeping most disciples riveted.
Soon, half an hour passed and it was time for the third-generation disciples to share their cultivation insights.
"Who wants to share their cultivation insights today?" Aunt-Master Serena Xue asked with a warm smile.
"I'll go."
A cool, clear voice rang out, and a tall young woman strode confidently up to the platform.
"It's Senior Sister Lacey Ling!"
"Awesome, Senior Sister Lacey Ling is actually going to share her insights!"
Senior Sister Lacey Ling is the strongest third-generation disciple after Senior Sister Lena Ling.
As the tall figure stepped onto the stage, the third-generation disciples below all lit up with surprise and excitement.
"Junior sisters, junior brother, today I'm here to share my cultivation insights!" Lacey Ling stood tall, her gaze sweeping the crowd with confidence. When her eyes landed on Skyler Ling, she lingered for a moment, and when she said "junior brother," she made sure to emphasize it.
"Clap clap clap!"
Instantly, a wave of enthusiastic applause broke out below.
Lacey Ling raised her hand, and the crowd instantly quieted down. She continued, "Today, I mainly want to share a few handy tips for cultivation..."
Lacey Ling spoke with clear logic and a knack for engaging her audience. Her tips were both clever and practical, so the third-generation disciples listened intently, their eyes filled with admiration.
Feeling the worshipful gazes from below, Lacey Ling grew smug. But when her eyes swept over that lowly errand boy again, she found Skyler Ling's expression was still calm and indifferent.
A surge of anger flared up inside her. That urge to teach this bumpkin a lesson came rushing back.
But she knew Skyler Ling now had Senior Azure backing him, so even if she wanted to put him in his place, she couldn't do it openly.
Before anyone realized, another half hour slipped by and morning class was over.
The disciples began to scatter.
Skyler Ling was about to head back to his courtyard to make breakfast when a voice called out behind him: "Junior Brother Skyler, wait up!"
Skyler Ling turned around, puzzled as Lacey Ling walked over. He smiled politely, "Senior Sister Lacey, what can I do for you?"
Lacey Ling strode up to Skyler, lowered her voice, and spat, "Little bastard, don't think Senior Azure's backing means you can ignore everyone else!"
"Smack!"
A crisp slap rang out, and the nearby disciples all turned in shock, staring at Skyler and Lacey.
Lacey stared in disbelief, clutching her cheek. She couldn't believe Skyler dared slap her. The next instant, she went wild and lunged at him, screaming, "You little bastard, how dare you hit me? I'll kill you!"
But Skyler seemed ready for this. He'd already backed away seven or eight meters, and as Lacey lunged, he flicked out a talisman.
"Boom!"
A firebird talisman exploded in midair, and a flaming bird about a meter tall flapped its wings and dove straight at Lacey.
"Bang!"
"Ah!"
The firebird slammed into Lacey midair, sending her screaming and tumbling backward—her hair and clothes now catching fire.
Seeing this, everyone froze in shock. What was going on? Why were Senior Sister Lacey Ling and Second Fool fighting—and it looked like Senior Sister Lacey Ling was losing.
Lacey frantically patted out the flames on her hair and clothes. Her once cool, elegant image was now a scorched mess. Eyes blazing with fury, she glared at Skyler and spat out each word: "You little bastard, I want you dead!"
As soon as she finished, Lacey spat out her flying sword. It shot out like a streak of black lightning, aimed straight at Skyler.