64: Chapter 64 The Center of the Academy

The birds chirped clearly outside the window.

The midday sunlight drifted into the room through the window frame.

Su Li's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she slowly woke up from her deep slumber.

What met her eyes were unfamiliar bed curtains, and she could smell a hint of a familiar scent.

It was the scent of Mo Zixing's body.

She collected herself and remembered that she was still in Mo Zixing's room.

Propping herself up with her arms, Su Li subconsciously held her breath and focused her mind, inspecting her Dantian and Meridians internally.

The next second.

The joy of recovering what she had lost surged into her heart, and her nose even tingled with a touch of bitterness.

Her originally necrotic and shattered Foundation had now been completely rebuilt, and she could no longer feel any damage.

Although her cultivation had not yet returned to the Peak of Crystal Stage Level 5 from back then, she had already returned to the Realm of Crystal Stage Level 1.

The suppression of several years finally found an outlet for release at this moment.

A bit of moisture touched the corners of her eyes, but she quickly and forcefully suppressed it.

She was Su Li, the former number one Sword Cultivator of the Mingyu Sect's younger generation.

Even if she had recovered what was lost, she should not lose her composure like this.

Su Li took a deep breath, pulled back the quilt, and got out of bed.

But as soon as her feet touched the ground, her legs suddenly went weak, and she stumbled forward.

Fortunately, she reached out in time to support herself on the edge of the bed, preventing herself from falling directly onto the floor.

The soreness from her recently cleared Meridians, mixed with those shameful and burning memories of last night, flooded back into her mind.

Her cheeks turned red uncontrollably, and she unconsciously crossed her legs and rubbed them together twice.

Just then.

The door was gently pushed open.

Mo Zixing walked in carrying a cup of warm water.

He looked up to see her standing by the bed, her cheeks flushed and the corners of her eyes still carrying a lingering allure.

"You're awake. How was your rest?"

Mo Zixing walked over in a few steps and handed the warm water to her.

Su Li took the cup and gave him a sharp glare.

However, that look no longer held the coldness and sense of distance from their first meeting; instead, it carried a rare hint of coquettishness.

"What do you think?"

Looking at her like this, Mo Zixing couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek.

"Well, I rested quite well. I feel refreshed and invigorated."

"You rascal!"

Su Li gently slapped his hand away and scolded him in a low voice.

Even though she was both ashamed and annoyed, the scolding lacked any strength when it reached her lips, carrying no deterrent power at all.

"In any case, the effect is very obvious."

Mo Zixing set aside his playful thoughts and said seriously,

"Looking at you, your cultivation should have returned to the Crystallization Stage?"

"Yes, Crystal Stage Level 1."

Su Li turned her head back.

As she mentioned her cultivation, much of the shame in her eyes dissipated.

"Although it's still far from my Peak of Crystal Stage Level 5, at least... I don't have to be a cripple anymore."

She paused for a moment before finally speaking.

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome. So, what are your plans now?"

Mo Zixing asked.

Su Li's hand holding the cup stiffened slightly, a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes, and she shook her head gently.

"I don't know."

"My first thought was to return to Qingsu Peak."

"But during the days when I lost all my cultivation, the Disciples of Qingsu Peak either left or scattered. It has long existed in name only, so there's no point in going back."

She subconsciously raised her hand and pressed it against her lower abdomen.

When her Foundation was being rebuilt last night, that burning spiritual energy had spread from here, and even now, a trace of his scent still remained.

Her voice grew softer, carrying a hint of melancholy that even she hadn't noticed.

"During those few days when I lost my cultivation and was bedridden, every day felt like a year, and I thought about a lot."

"In the past, I always thought about everything for the sake of the Sect, pouring my heart and soul into the Mingyu Sect."

"But in the end, the ones who caused me to fall to this state were the very sectmates I trusted most."

"Now... I don't seem to have that drive anymore."

Su Li looked up again.

"Tell me, am I not suited to be an Elder?"

"That's hard for me to say. It depends on you."

Mo Zixing shrugged.

He knew perfectly well that the reason Su Li had lost her passion for the Sect was largely because he had replaced the [Sect] in her personality with [Loyalty].

This time, he was just taking the opportunity to let it manifest.

Su Li was silent for a few seconds before looking up at him. A flash of hesitation appeared in her eyes, but she finally spoke.

"If you really have nothing to do, why don't... I teach you the sword?"

Mo Zixing was stunned for a moment; he hadn't expected her to suggest this.

Su Li's Qingsu Peak was famous for its swordsmanship.

Having her personal guidance was an opportunity that many Disciples who practiced the sword could only dream of.

And he wasn't sure if it was just a stereotype, but Sword Cultivators always gave off a very cool vibe.

Who wouldn't want to try splitting the heavenly river with a single sword stroke?

Having made up his mind, he nodded and said with a smile,

"Sure, I was just worrying about having no one to teach me Sword Techniques."

"It's good that you want to learn the sword."

Seeing him agree, Su Li's eyes lit up, and her tone carried a hint of expectation.

"Back during the Inner Sect Assessment, I had originally hoped you would come to Qingsu Peak and join my lineage."

"Before my Foundation was destroyed, I had no rivals among my peers in the Sect. My insights into the Sword Dao shouldn't be buried along with me."

"I just didn't expect that... after all these twists and turns, things between us would end up like this."

As she spoke, a faint blush rose to her cheeks again, clearly remembering those scenes from last night.

"Then do I still need to call you Elder, or do you prefer titles like Revered Master or Shifu?"

Mo Zixing raised an eyebrow, intentionally teasing her.

"After all, we can't be considered to have an ordinary relationship now, right?"

"You!"

Su Li's face instantly turned completely red, and she raised her hand to hit him lightly.

"No sense of propriety!"

Though she grumbled, she wasn't truly angry. She just took a deep breath to suppress the strange feeling in her heart.

"Since you're willing to learn, then there's no time to lose."

"Go to the courtyard now. I'll teach you a few basic Sword Moves first to see your Foundation."

As she spoke, she turned and began searching through the room.

Eventually, she found the Black Veil she had taken off earlier and raised her hands to put it back on her face.

"You're still in my courtyard. Why are you wearing that?"

Mo Zixing raised an eyebrow.

"There are no outsiders here."

"I'm guarding against unrelated people in the Sect."

Su Li adjusted the ties of the Black Veil, her voice muffled as it came through the fabric.

"The restoration of my appearance and the return of my cultivation must never be known by others."

"Fine, suit yourself."

Mo Zixing nodded and pulled open the door.

"Let's go. The courtyard is big enough to practice Sword Techniques."

Su Li followed him out of the room.

Just as they stopped in the courtyard,

They saw Jiang Yuwei carrying a steaming Food Box, walking quickly from the direction of the kitchen.

"Senior Brother Mo!"

"Ah, and Elder Su."

Su Li's pace faltered as an intense sense of guilt suddenly surged within her.

She felt like a thief who had stolen someone else's belongings and been caught red-handed.

She completely lacked the courage to look into Jiang Yuwei's eyes.