NineClouds
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The Heroine, who takes a new turn
🕑 Added 2023-09-09 07:12:44 +0000 UTC--- Chapter 166 ---
The next day.
"This is..."
"How could this be?"
Yao Ling'er and Huo Zhi watched a familiar lady from the Gu Clan with a shocked expression. How did this fellow become their junior sister?
What the hell? They only left for a day.
But when they thought about their teacher's magnanimousness, Gu Xun'er probably took this chance to overturn her fate. After all, the Gu Clan will see it as an absolute win.
Not only did their relationship with the only 10th Tier Alchemist in the Dou Qi Continent become significant, but they also got their heiress to be his disciple.
Of course, it all depends on the performance of Gu Xun'er.
Gu Xun'er felt the gazes of her senior sisters and smiled at them. She bowed slightly and greeted them, "Morning, Senior Sisters."
"Morning." Huo Zhi blandly responded. She doesn't have a problem with Baek Ain having more disciples, unlike someone beside her.
Yao Ling'er gazed at Gu Xun'er and awkwardly said, "Morning, Junior Sister. I hope we can learn well under Teacher Lin."
"Mm." Gu Xun'er nodded, not sensing the awkwardness.
Baek Ain shook his head at this sight. He couldn't help but glance at Gu Xun'er and said, "Xun'er, my teaching is different than others."
"Even though I have mastered many things, I can't pass all of them into one person."
"Yao Ling'er will inherit my Alchemy Path."
"Huo Zhi will inherit my Martial Path."
"As for you... You'll inherit my Refiner Path."
"Refiner Path..." Gu Xun'er solemnly murmured. She was no stranger to Refiner because there are so many artisans in the Central Plains, each possessing their unique refining method.
Still, She didn't expect her teacher to be one of them.
He's the only 10th-tier Alchemist in this world, for god sake!
"Your face looks amusing, Xun'er. Is it that shocking for me to have some skills as a Refiner?" Baek Ain chuckled lightly.
"N-No, that's not what I thought!" Gu Xun'er panicked immediately.
"I just thought that Teacher is an amazing and talented man!"
"Is that so?" Baek Ain put on a small smile.
"Well, let's start today's lesson."
Baek Ain checked Yao Ling'er and Huo Zhi's progress to confirm the next step they should take. They have entered the second level of the Dou Techniques he gifted, making him quite happy. It means their bonds with parasites inside their bodies have reached 100%.
After sending them off to a small test, Baek Ain glanced at Gu Xun'er and said, "Let's go somewhere else."
Gu Xun'er nodded as they traveled to the backyard, sitting on a temple made of rocks. A few arrays were "actually." installed in this building, allowing for more smooth fire circulation.
"Sit down." Baek Ain said while placing his hand on Gu Xun'er's forehead.
"From now on, I'll pass a Meditation Technique alongside my Refining Method."
"The Meditation Technique will help you refine your Spirit and Heavenly Flame to another level. Meanwhile, the Refining Method will teach you the basics of Refiner's Prowess."
"Basics." Gu Xun'er furrowed her brows slightly.
Baek Ain laughed and teased, "Hehe, Do you think the basics are boring?"
"No..." The third disciple responded in a low voice.
"Basics are the foundations of everything. Without a strong foundation, even a grand-looking building will crumble apart." Baek Ain said slowly.
"Superficial skills mean nothing before strong, firm, well-understanding basics."
Baek Ain transferred the Meditation Technique and Refining Method to Gu Xun'er, watching her healthy complexion become pale because of the profundity of the contents he shared.
The Meditation Technique is a legit Dou Technique, but Baek Ain tweaked some here and there to help his parasites grow inside Gu Xun'er. As for the Refining Method, it was an incomplete version of the Ancient Refining Method he got back in the Fallen Orchid Sect.
Don't look down on the incomplete version because it contains more deep knowledge than any Refining Technique Refiners had in the Central Plains.
If Gu Xun'er mastered the Incomplete Ancient Refining Method, she'd be the third-best Refiner on the Dou Qi Continent.
Why not second? Because Baek Ain's Wife, Cai Lin, also has the complete method.
...
After half a day, Gu Xun'er reached the first level of the Meditation Technique, which is surprising, and digested 3% of the Refining Method's Basics.
Although 3% wasn't much, Gu Xun'er can begin her Refiner Path.
Baek Ain leaned on the wall, "How was it?"
"It's a profound and ancient method, Teacher." Gu Xun'er praised solemnly. "Xun'er barely grasped it."
Baek Ain shook his head and commented, "That's good enough for now." "Nevertheless, Just comprehending the Refining Method alone wasn't sufficient to make you a real Refiner."
"You need practical training as well."
Throwing piles of pig iron onto the floor, Baek Ain told Gu Xun'er her first task, "I want you to refine these pig irons into a pure Iron's Essence. At least 55% purity if possible."
"And using Heavenly Flame is prohibited."
"However, I'm not a bully..." Baek Ain pointed at a small hole in the wall of the temple. "So, you can use that Coal Furnace right there."
"Your time limit is three days."
Gu Xun'er opened her mouth in disbelief. She looked at Baek Ain's calm expression and nodded gently, pumping her fist in resolution.
He has given Xun'er a chance to prove her worthiness.
Baek Ain turned around and left the temple, meditating under a lush palm tree. He extended his Spiritual Strength and observed Gu Xun'er from afar.
...
Three days later.
Baek Ain returned to the temple and saw Gu Xun'er sitting on the floor with black chars all over her body, especially her face. It was quite an amusing sight, considering she was the Main Heroine.
Yet the residue left behind by the coal couldn't hide the smile on the Main Heroine's face.
Baek Ain picked up a shiny-looking iron block on the corner and checked it briefly, "69% purity, huh?"
"Nice, not bad for a beginner."
"What do you think? Being a Refiner isn't bad, right?"
"Yes, Teacher!" Gu Xun'er nodded her head rapidly.
Baek Ain grabbed a jade bottle from his inventory and handed it to Gu Xun'er, puzzling her. "There are twenty-one Dou Di's Blood Purifying Pills inside."
Gu Xun'er was shocked. Twenty is the amount they agreed on, but her teacher gave her one more.
"The extra pill is a gift for becoming my disciple." Baek Ain waved his hand casually like it wasn't a big deal. "Your senior sisters also got one."
After hearing that, Gu Xun'er suppressed the happiness in her heart and cupped her hands thankfully. "Xun'er will remember Teacher's Kindness forever!"
"You're still young. My only dream is for you to live happily and become the best Refiner in the world." Baek Ain sighed, but the lady of Gu Clan was determined to achieve that dream.
"Xun'er will do the best!" Gu Xun'er said, carving the words in her heart.
Baek Ain grinned, "Before that... You might want to clean yourself first."
Gu Xun'er was stunned and blushed, finally realizing her state. She hurriedly bowed and left for the bathhouse.
Before stepping into the bathhouse, Gu Xun'er peeked at the temple and felt a warm sensation in her heart. Her handsome and kind teacher is truly a rare person.
Yes, Unlike a certain someone who abandoned her when not needed.
"Brother Xiao Yan... Xun'er misses you."
"But do you miss Xun'er back?" She whispered to herself. She knew the answer, but her optimistic past of wishful thinking must stop now.
Gu Xun'er has started a new path.
She has found her new light.
That person is a handsome, reliable teacher who understands her feelings and wishes the best for her future.
Gu Xun'er curved her lips and entered the bathhouse, humming a pleasant melody.
