Chapter 449: Mutual Cultivation Method

Chapter 449: Mutual Cultivation Method

Xi Lan felt a sense of pressure.

Qin Shili was imposing on her, demonstrating the might of a strong individual.

She thought she hadn’t done anything wrong, nor had she provoked Qin Shili. So why did it seem that Qin Shili harbored animosity toward her?

She had heard that Qin Shili was aloof and cold; conversing with her brought pressure. Perhaps this was the aura of a strong person.

She couldn’t comprehend the complexities of their relationship, which contradicted the information she had received earlier.

Qin Shili admired Lin Nuo, while Lin Nuo looked down on Qin Shili. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

What was going on here, anyway?

Xi Lan was at a loss, wondering why her final task involved someone like Lin Nuo.

She thought it best not to get into disputes with Qin Shili, as her own strength was far inferior. Provoking her would only lead to trouble.

Respectfully, she said, “Young Master Lin’s abilities are exceptional, having even saved the Immortal Valley. Naturally, he wouldn’t take someone like me seriously. But Miss Qin is different—she is born stunningly beautiful, more radiant than an immortal, and possesses extraordinary strength. She and Young Master Lin are truly a match made in heaven.”

“Mm?”

For some reason, Qin Shili was quite fond of the phrase “match made in heaven.”

Whenever someone mentioned her and Lin Nuo as the perfect couple, other people’s opinions and attitudes towards her softened a bit.

Even though she remained aloof and cold, deep down, she was still a girl and enjoyed sweet words.

As for the praises about her rare talent and extraordinary powers—she didn’t care much, not because she was indifferent to flattery, but because they didn’t hit the mark.

She was inherently disinterested in glory, and her own goals and future were unclear. She felt that the typical path of advancement for cultivators wasn’t what she desired.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have contemplated indulging in demon arts. She could have, like most cultivators, dedicated herself to training, advancing her cultivation, punishing villains, promoting justice, and leaving her name in history.

Since she didn’t care about being remembered in history, she naturally wouldn’t pay heed to flattery about her exceptional strength.

It was only after encountering Lin Nuo and his guidance that she found direction, and she began to understand him better—the real embodiment of “heart turned towards the blue sky, yearning for the abyss.”

Naturally, her feelings for him began to subtly change, ultimately leading her to admire him.

Xi Lan’s words were quite good; “match made in heaven”—she loved hearing that.

However, good words aside, she still had to recognize the facts.

The reality was that Lin Nuo was too strong; he looked down on her. That much was true.

Qin Shili said, “Match made in heaven? The future will definitely be so; no need for you to say more.”

“Mm-mm, in that case, Miss Qin, both you and Young Master Lin possess great strength. Becoming an enviable couple is a blessing for the world, right?”

“I know this naturally; there’s no need for you to say it.”

Though she said that, Qin Shili was still quite pleased, her mood lifting with each compliment.

The praises hit the mark; it was as if a spring breeze was blowing, melting the ice of winter and bringing forth the flourishing of all. There were moments when even the iceberg in a beauty’s heart might melt under the warmth.

But good words aside, she couldn’t let her guard down just because of flattery.

Who knew if Xi Lan had ulterior motives? She had seen plenty of people who were not as they seemed; the most typical among them was Mu Yiting, who was truly the embodiment of a facade.

Although Qin Shili’s words were cold, Xi Lan was still a junior in the Tianyuan Hall, and had some understanding of reading people. If Qin Shili was truly displeased, she would have simply walked away instead of continuing the conversation.

Clearly, the direction of their talk was correct.

“Miss Qin, while you two may be a match made in heaven, it is important to solidify your feelings. I hope you can soon achieve a fruitful outcome together.”

“Is that so?”

Qin Shili expressed her doubt.

“Indeed! Achieving a fruitful outcome together would be the perfect collaboration, a blessing for the world. As immortals, we naturally wish for lovers to unite and for the world to be peaceful.”

“You truly care about the world.”

Qin Shili continued to hold a half-skeptical attitude. It made sense for immortals to care for the lives of mortals, but her concern for her relationship with Lin Nuo seemed unwarranted.

Was it really just a simple hope for lovers to unite?

Not necessarily.

Seeing that Qin Shili wasn’t ready to end the conversation, Xi Lan pressed on, “Miss Qin, do you usually practice together with Young Master Lin?”

“Of course.”

“You two are a match made in heaven; do you have any cultivation techniques that require mutual practice?”

“Mutual cultivation techniques?”

“Mm, it’s the kind of technique that requires two people to train together, testing their compatibility. It’s typically for couples.”

Xi Lan explained, thinking that their lack of progress might stem from not training in this kind of technique.

“I’ve practiced together with him naturally.”

Qin Shili lied. When it came to mutual cultivation techniques, she really hadn’t practiced with Lin Nuo.

Usually, either he taught her demon arts, or she taught him her sect’s techniques—there had never been a mutual cultivation method.

How could she have forgotten that?

Mutual cultivation techniques involved practicing together and were an excellent method to strengthen their bond.

This was different from Ruo’er’s dual cultivation with Lin Nuo, where Ruo’er’s white fox nature was primarily for helping him improve his cultivation. Besides, the little girl had no cultivation level; she couldn’t have achieved the same compatibility with him.

Yes, she also needed to explore a mutual cultivation method compatible with Lin Nuo.

This sudden realization was quite enlightening for Xi Lan.

“Oh, what kind of technique are you training in?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Alright then.”

Xi Lan didn’t press further; if Qin Shili didn’t want to share, then there was no point in continuing to ask.

If they had practiced mutual cultivation techniques, then why hadn’t there been much progress? Maybe she had misunderstood, being overly pessimistic and not understanding Lin Nuo, which created misunderstandings that affected their feelings.

Xi Lan continued, “Miss Qin, I think Young Master Lin doesn’t look down on you; otherwise, he wouldn’t cultivate mutual techniques with you. You may have misunderstood him; he has feelings for you deep down.”

“Does practicing mutual techniques and looking down on someone contradict?”

“It does! This is important! By choosing you, he naturally recognizes your worth; he may just be expressing it awkwardly.”

Xi Lan was trying hard to convince Qin Shili, who began to think there was some truth to her words.

So that meant Lin Nuo favored Su Kexin? Furthermore, he trained with her in the Phoenix Twin Swords and the Dual Dance Sword Technique?

No, she also had to have something; she should seek a mutual cultivation technique suitable for them. If the Lin family refused, it would mean he really looked down on her and didn’t have her in his heart.

If it were true, she would become a mere pawn, while Lin Nuo and that Su would seem more like a couple, leaving her feeling insignificant.

The more Qin Shili thought about it, the more wrong it felt, so she abruptly changed the subject and left Xi Lan, determined to find a suitable mutual cultivation method for them.

Suddenly, Xi Lan wondered if she had said something wrong.

…

“Ah-choo!”

As soon as Lin Nuo returned to his room, he sneezed several times, and his back felt icy cold.

“What’s going on? Am I getting ill?”