5. Talent

Lin Jiuge felt a surge of resolve within her. She transitioned from passively drifting along with the flow of the cultivation technique to carefully observing its pathways, gradually grasping its patterns. As she began to actively guide the technique, completing seventy-two full cycles, a small, sword-shaped mass of energy settled into her Dantian, while a similarly formed miniature sword condensed within her sea of consciousness.

Lin Jiuge’s body began to crackle with sound. From the outside, it was visible that her skin was forming dead layers, which then began to peel away continuously.

"Has my disciple already reached the Mortal Enlightenment stage?" Li Yun asked, surprised.

The hallmark of successfully reaching the Mortal Enlightenment stage was the shedding of the outer skin like a cocoon. Because Lin Jiuge was young, the process was not as grotesque as it might have been for an adult.

"It is indeed the Mortal Enlightenment stage, but she is not finished yet," Wudao Yuanzun remarked with deep insight. He then turned his gaze kindly toward Lin Jiuge’s younger sister, Lin Jiuci, who had woken up at some point in Li Yun’s arms and was acting exceptionally well-behaved.

Once the two swords were fully stabilized, the golden sword began to glow. It transformed into a beam of golden light, surging into Lin Jiuge’s brow and stubbornly claiming a position to the left in her sea of consciousness.

The nameless sword emitted a sharp, resonant hum, as if declaring that it had already claimed the territory. The golden sword’s hum was slightly weaker but radiated unwavering persistence. Soon after, golden light enveloped Lin Jiuge. Now in full control, she ran the technique again and again; she stopped after only eighteen cycles. However, she could feel two distinct sensations, and the golden sword remained obediently to the left of her Dantian. Lin Jiuge instinctively felt that it would be best to keep this secret to herself.

This display of light left both men in shock. The golden sword had only been subdued after she had entered the first level of Mortal Enlightenment, which begged the question: what kind of cultivation technique was she practicing?

"Master, Uncle-Master," Lin Jiuge said, rising to her feet. *Hiss*, her body felt as if it had been crushed; it was truly painful. She frowned, shaking off the flakes of dead skin. Was her metabolism really this rapid at her age?

"Not bad. You have now officially entered the ranks of cultivators. The Mortal Shedding realm consists of five stages: Enlightenment of Skin, Refining of Tendons, Clarity of Heart, Shedding of Mortal Qi, and Transformation of the Mortal Body. Each stage is divided into nine levels," Li Yun explained, having regained his composure and assuming the rare air of a mentor.

"This disciple understands." So, she had only shed one layer of skin!

"Jiuge, go to the second room on the right. There is a tub inside; soak in the medicinal bath for half an hour," Wudao Yuanzun said, his expression returning to its usual calm.

"Yes, Uncle-Master. But..." Lin Jiuge hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the now-awake Lin Jiuci. Her sister must be hungry.

"Jiuge, do not worry," Wudao Yuanzun said, understanding her concern. He casually conjured a red fruit and tucked it into Lin Jiuci’s hands.

"Uncle-Master, thank you for your kindness, but Fuzai is still young. Fruit alone has no nutritional value; she needs a proper meal," Lin Jiuge said tactfully. *Another fruit? Is my sister going to turn into a fruit spirit?*

The hungry Lin Jiuci was already gnawing on the fruit. It was sweet, though she was making a mess of it. Li Yun looked on with mock disdain while conjuring a cloth to wipe her mouth.

"Cough, go soak first. The medicinal potency will fade soon. As for food, prepare it and place it in the kitchen’s formation; I will... have your master feed her," Wudao Yuanzun said, amending his words. Li Yun glared at him. Why him?

Because you are Jiuge’s master!
And you are Jiuge’s Uncle-Master!
A master is superior to an uncle-master!

The two brothers exchanged silent glances. Li Yun sighed; such was the burden of being a master.

"Yes," Lin Jiuge replied. Knowing better than to be ungrateful, she stumbled toward the room.

"You brute, your disciple won't be able to look after the child for the next month." During this period of tempering her tendons and bones, the girl would likely have little strength to spare.

"I’ve realized that." He had anticipated everything except that he would be transitioning from an amateur babysitter to a full-time one! Still, the little girl was quite cute.

Li Yun bounced Lin Jiuci in his left arm while drawing a red bird in the air with his right hand.

"Fuzai, do you like the little bird?" Li Yun teased.

"The little girl is called Fuzai? That fits. But brute, have you ever seen a little girl who likes birds? Watch this." Wudao Yuanzun waved his right hand, and a blue butterfly appeared.

"Wow," Lin Jiuci cheered, delighted by the beautiful bird and butterfly.

On the other side, in the medicinal bath, Lin Jiuge win