At noon, in the All-Books Pavilion.
Nangong Qiongxiao had been sitting by the window for quite some time, looking forward to the visit of her newly accepted Little Disciple.
Today, she had something very important to discuss with He Qiu.
She wore a long ink-colored dress and black stockings with high heels, her raven-black hair coiled at the back of her head.
She sat with one long leg crossed over the other, exuding the queenly aura of a sovereign and giving off an inexplicable sense of tension and awe.
This attire differed from Nangong Qiongxiao’s usual gentle temperament as “Fairy Nan.”
It was because she had some matters to discuss with He Qiu today.
Whenever she approached something seriously, Nangong Qiongxiao habitually dressed in a way that projected her presence.
This would naturally make visitors feel a certain pressure as well, making it easier for her to convey important matters and maintain conversational efficiency.
And the matter she wanted to discuss with He Qiu was the “protagonist cultivation plan” that Nangong Qiongxiao had conceived throughout the previous night.
Today, she planned to test the waters with He Qiu and see how he reacted.
“He’s here…”
Seeing the youth’s figure appear, Nangong Qiongxiao knew that He Qiu, who had just finished cultivating with An Lingran that morning, had come to find her in the afternoon.
Thus, Nangong Qiongxiao uncrossed her legs and leveled her gaze, adopting a posture as though she were leisurely sitting by the bedside reading a book.
Creak—
The pavilion door was pushed open, and the youth stepped inside.
“Master, good afternoon.”
“Mm, you’re quite early today…”
The long-dressed fairy brushed back a strand of black hair and glanced sideways, only to see the youth staring at her attire with utter captivation.
Her rouge-tinted red lips curved upward slightly, and Nangong Qiongxiao’s mood instantly improved.
She knew that if she became serious, he would be subdued by her charm and aura.
This was the unique noble presence of a sovereign, something ordinary women could never imitate.
Of course, she could also praise herself more domineeringly, more imperiously, and more nobly…
But that would be overly excessive.
She was not facing He Qiu as the “Empress” now, so there was no need to make him fear her like that.
Keeping respect, and above that respect, adding a few hints of awe—such a distance was just right~
“Master, these are the spiritual cultivation techniques I borrowed earlier, as well as the history books on mythological species.”
“This disciple finished reading them all last night, so now I am returning them to you.”
He Qiu sat down and pushed the bundle toward Nangong Qiongxiao.
The latter nodded, twitching her fingertips slightly.
Countless books, as though growing wings, flew back to their original positions on the bookshelves.
“You’ve finished reading them and thoroughly learned them?”
“How is it? Do you have confidence in spiritual cultivation?”
This time, when speaking, Nangong Qiongxiao did not rest her chin on her hand as she usually did.
Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her entire figure reclining against the seat as she looked down at the white-robed youth sitting upright before her.
As for his Master’s scrutiny, He Qiu nodded and spoke with resolve.
“I’m confident.”
“Honestly, it doesn’t feel difficult.”
“Excellent.”
“This Palace indeed did not misjudge you.”
Reigning in some of her tone, Nangong Qiongxiao once again crossed one stocking-clad long leg over the other.
Her phoenix eyes glinted as she spoke with a serious expression.
“He Qiu, do you want to continue studying higher-tier techniques?”
“Or rather, more cultivation paths—such as formation cultivation or body cultivation?”
“Of course!”
Upon hearing that he could obtain even more brand-new cultivation resources, He Qiu was naturally delighted.
But this time, Nangong Qiongxiao did not reveal a gratified smile or generously hand him more techniques.
Instead, she narrowed her phoenix eyes halfway, her cinnabar-red lips slightly parted.
After pausing for a moment, she sighed with profound meaning.
“He Qiu, you should know that there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”
“Master, you mean…?”
He Qiu also grew serious.
He could not help feeling that today’s Master Nan was very different from usual.
Not only was she wearing black stockings, but her grooming, bearing, and aura were also more noble.
Her tone and expression were no longer so gentle and affable.
Instead, she was more like a powerful sovereign in complete control.
But this change in style did not feel incongruous to He Qiu.
After all, Fairy Nan was the manager of the All-Books Pavilion.
She possessed countless cultivation techniques and limitless resources.
If he wanted to grow stronger, he would naturally have to seek her help.
So even if Nangong Qiongxiao displayed the imperious attitude of a superior who had conditions to negotiate, He Qiu did not find it strange.
Indeed, with so many techniques, according to common sense, they would not be given away for free.
Not everyone was like Senior Sister Lingran, who had been selflessly kind from their very first meeting, willing to teach He Qiu everything and give him everything she had.
“He Qiu, there are certain matters within the Sect that this Palace wishes to entrust to you.”
On the other side, Nangong Qiongxiao continued according to the blueprint of her plan.
“If you handle the task smoothly, this Palace is willing to promise you a higher-tier technique.”
“The compensation for one task is roughly five techniques.”
“Then… Master, what exactly do you mean by matters?”
He Qiu vaguely sensed the significance.
That must be combat-related work like before.
The first time, Nangong Qiongxiao had helped him obtain benefits from the Evolving Abyss Blood Sun by having him complete tasks.
The purpose was to allow him to secure more opportunities among his competitors.
The same principle applied now.
She wanted to create tasks that would allow He Qiu to obtain new cultivation resources through completing them.
This matter was certainly related to talent and intelligence.
Otherwise, how could Nangong Qiongxiao create sufficiently efficient tasks for him?
Now that he had confirmed that completing the tasks would allow him to obtain resources without paying anything, he could understand that she was essentially arranging opportunities for him through missions similar to those found in games.
The first time, Nangong Qiongxiao had given He Qiu many techniques for free and guided him to open a second cultivation path.
She had helped him open the door to a new world and shown him that there were countless techniques in this world waiting to be studied.
The second time, He Qiu had a question he wanted to consult her about, and she had once again helped him for free.
She had given him another taste of her generosity, making her seem almost omniscient and omnipotent.
But today, three times would be one time too many.
Nangong Qiongxiao had grasped He Qiu’s growing thirst for cultivation and was using techniques as bargaining chips to set conditions.
‘This routine is truly clever, one layer after another.’
Meanwhile, Nangong Qiongxiao looked at He Qiu’s expression from the opposite side.
A faint smile of approval appeared on her face.
Her plan was progressing exactly as she had expected.
As the chosen disciple she had accepted, he naturally needed to understand some basic principles.
He could not simply receive everything without giving anything in return.
This kind of exchange was also a way to help him understand the rules of the cultivation world.
As long as He Qiu did not hesitate, she could gradually guide him toward the path she had planned.
The resources she provided would then naturally become a driving force behind his growth.
Nangong Qiongxiao had carefully designed every layer of the plan.
She had first allowed He Qiu to experience the benefits of cultivating multiple paths.
Then she had gradually increased his dependence on cultivation resources.
Today, she was merely taking the next step and testing whether he would accept her arrangement.
If everything went smoothly, she would be able to continue guiding him according to the plan.
She had already anticipated that He Qiu would probably agree.
After all, the youth’s thirst for cultivation was obvious.
As long as he could obtain powerful techniques and continue improving his strength, there was no reason for him to reject such an opportunity.
And this was exactly the reaction Nangong Qiongxiao wanted to confirm.
If he agreed without hesitation, it would prove that her plan was proceeding smoothly.
If he hesitated, she would naturally adjust the next step accordingly.
Either way, today’s conversation was merely the first test.
Nangong Qiongxiao calmly waited for He Qiu’s response.
She was quite confident in her plan.
After all, she had already carefully considered every possible reaction.
Now, all she needed to do was wait and see whether He Qiu would take the bait.
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