Under the Grand Sect Master's personal reception, Jiang Chen remained at the Moon God Palace for another half hour or so. After tea and pastries were served, Jiang Chen wrote down a cultivation routine for the Inverse Yin-Yang Bloodline.
In a situation like this, the knowledge system from his previous life truly proved its worth. During his million years of existence in that former life, he had encountered at least three or four Inverse Yin-Yang Bloodlines.
The cultivation routine for the Inverse Yin-Yang Bloodline was, in plain terms, a matter of mastering timing — knowing which portions of the day to cultivate extreme-yin techniques and which portions to cultivate extreme-yang techniques.
When the extreme-yin and extreme-yang techniques were cultivated to a certain level and fusion occurred, this bloodline would unleash terrifyingly formidable potential.
Even a first-rate bloodline like Xu Qingxuan's was not necessarily guaranteed to surpass the Inverse Yin-Yang Bloodline.
Jiang Chen personally handed the written instructions to Xu Shan and explained: "Sister Xu Shan, the Inverse Yin-Yang Bloodline isn't as complicated as you might imagine. The only difficult part is the understanding behind it. Once you understand, once you have a routine, there won't be any problems. Just follow these directions and train diligently for five years. When the Inverse Yin-Yang Bloodline achieves fusion, you will unleash martial potential that everyone under heaven will envy. Remember — you have no need for self-doubt. On the contrary, you should be confident, because what you possess is one of the most exceptional bloodlines in all the world."
For a genius who had been oppressed and suppressed for so long, psychological rebuilding was just as important.
Without instilling a powerful belief in her, she might never soar. Cultivation was never as simple as people assumed.
Xu Shan's mind had gone completely blank. Excitement and agitation had consumed her entirely. She could only nod again and again.
Jiang Chen knew that whatever he said right now, she probably wouldn't remember anyway.
He turned to the Grand Sect Master: "Grand Sect Master, her martial talent is beyond question. But for the psychological rebuilding, the Grand Sect Master will need to offer much encouragement."
The Grand Sect Master fell into thought, growing ever more impressed by this young man. His competence was plain to see in everything he did, and so was his character.
Being so genuinely helpful to a person he'd only met by chance was exceedingly rare in the martial world.
Xu Shan, though reasonably pretty, was only of above-average appearance among all the female disciples of the Moon God Sect.
There were several Holy Maidens whose favor he could have courted, yet he had no interest in that. He certainly wouldn't go out of his way to curry favor with a mere Xu Shan.
In other words, Young Master Shao had done all of this purely out of a sense of justice and duty. There was absolutely no intention of flattering Xu Shan.
Then again, given Xu Shan's status and appearance, they were hardly enough to warrant someone of Young Master Shao's caliber stooping to curry her favor.
Even Xu Shan herself couldn't possibly think that way.
After finishing the tea, Jiang Chen rose to take his leave.
The Grand Sect Master personally saw him to the door. Xu Shan followed behind the Grand Sect Master, insisting on escorting him a bit further. The Grand Sect Master was somewhat worried, but she understood the courtesies well enough and did not stop Xu Shan from walking him a little farther. Instead, she let out a soft sigh and led her entourage back inside first.
She left Xu Shan to see off Young Master Shao alone.
Jiang Chen saw the determined look on Xu Shan's face and smiled: "Sister Xu Shan, you can stop here. Remember what I said — be confident. Remember that you have one of the finest bloodline talents in the entire world."
Xu Shan blushed and nodded.
Jiang Chen gave a casual wave and headed outward. Behind him, Xu Shan suddenly broke into a few quick steps, jogging right up to his side. A gust of fragrant breeze washed over him as Xu Shan's soft, crimson lips pressed a quick kiss against his cheek.
Then, like a startled rabbit, she shrank back and scurped away in a flurry of embarrassment.
Jiang Chen stood there completely windblown, utterly dumbfounded. He had never imagined Xu Shan would express her gratitude in such a bold manner.
"Young Master Shao, today's great kindness — Xu Shan will remember it for eternity. Should Young Master Shao ever need anything with but a single word, Xu Shan will repay today's debt of gratitude even if it costs her life."
Hearing such a resolute tone from Xu Shan, Jiang Chen felt relieved. This at least proved that her confidence was in no way lacking.
Years of oppression and setbacks had not stripped her of her fighting spirit. On the contrary, they had ignited her ambition and her determination to rise against the odds.
With this kind of mindset, within three to five years, Xu Shan would surely become another Holy Maiden of the Moon God Sect!
…
Xu Qingxuan was in a foul mood. Originally, she had no reason to be unhappy. Today, the sect's Moon God Sacred Tree problem had been resolved, and by all logic, she should have been in high spirits.
Yet, the moment she thought of that fellow, Xu Qingxuan felt irked.
Perhaps he was the only man who had come to the Moon God Sect from start to finish without showing her the slightest hint of courtship? Xu Qingxuan despised sycophancy, but the fact that someone as outstanding as Pill King Shao Yuan showed her absolutely no special attention left her with a faint sense of loss.
It wasn't that Xu Qingxuan truly had any particular feelings for Jiang Chen. It was simply a girl's natural instinct — she felt that someone as exceptional as herself at least deserved a little courtesy from that fellow.
Yet, that fellow had actually treated her like a mere servant girl. And that wasn't even the worst of it — when he left afterward, he hadn't even bothered to bid her farewell.
"Hmph, that arrogant jerk." Xu Qingxuan was thoroughly displeased. "I bet that guy entered the Moon God Sect with ulterior motives from the very beginning."
Xu Qingxuan thought of the Storage Ring Jiang Chen had asked her to pass along to her mother.