Anyways, Bubai’s inner monologue might have seem shockingly long, but his ship only sailed forward a bit on the river of time…

  Nonetheless, the journey was smooth, without any of the unnecessary romantic drama from crashing against an iceberg.

  The iceberg beauty of his really did have a strict no-nonsense policy when she sailed into her “teaching mode”, but she still knew where to draw the line with her priorities.

  Thus, the austere teacher’s lecture was brought to an end not long after he slipped into the lounge.

  “…we will stop here today. Next session, I will inspect your progress on the Fingertip Water technique. Remember. Check.”

  “Mm.” Wei Yi nodded obediently, her face as straight as ever, "Xiao Yi will make sure my sister won’t notice."

  With a face still cold as the frigid winter, Xiao Lan gave her permission to go, “Dismissed.”

  At her words, Wei Yi instantly bounced up, dipping in a quick bow of respect to Xiao Lan before she pitter-pattered across the lounge toward Bubai sitting at the meal table.

  Stopping in front of him, Wei Yi held the hems of her winter jacket, making her report, "Master, Wei Yi has entered Qi-refinement level four.”

  Huh? A flicker of doubt crossing Bubai’s mind.

  His pupils flashed green for a moment, catching a glimpse of the unrestrained Qi sitting in her dantian.

  Really level four! Already?!

  Remembering how long it had taken him to reach the fourth level, Bubai really felt the disparity.

  A good environment really makes all the difference.

  Of course, though Wei Yi still couldn’t hold a candle to his cheating mode, this maid of his certainly had the talent as well.

  Perhaps it was a waste not to let her cultivate earlier, given the decent benefits he might have reaped from dual cultivating with Qi-refinement stage twins.

  However, Bubai didn’t have any idea of doing so before because the risk were too high.

  Back then, both he and Xiao Lan were still in Qi-refinement realm themselves.

  If the twins happened to have extraordinary talent, it was all too easy for them to skip up the power ladder to surpass his level.

  If that were to happen, the dynamics of their relationship would flip upside down!

  Besides, if the twins became cultivators, his secrets would become more or less noticeable. He couldn’t afford to let some matters leak too early.

  Thus, it was in his best interest to let them stay mortal.

  Now, watching his little maid flying up the ladder simply through using the basic Qi-refining method from the Cloud Sword Sect, Bubai was certain he had made the right choice.

  If his previous self really let the twins cook for some petty gains, he might not have had the time or space to map out his ambitions as he did now.

  But now, the wheel of fortune had turned. With his current strength, Qi-refinement level four was just that.

  So, he didn’t mind dipping his fingers into the game of cultivating a loyal maid.

  Of course, ambition could be a double-edged sword, and he wasn't ready for the blade to turn on him.

  Thus, to avoid cultivating a white-eyed wolf, he must add some insurance by taking care of her affection meter.

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  Bubai looked at his maid trying to keep her expression in check, but those expectant eyes told him exactly what she was looking for.

  So, Bubai reached out to pet her head. “Good job, my little genius.”

  Wei Yi's lips curled into a delighted smile, her eyes closing as she leaned into his hand, as if the small gesture meant the world to her.

  Alas, the warmth faded as quickly as it had come.

  Opening her lively eyes, Wei Yi blinked a few times as if to chase away the lingering warmth, fixing her composure back onto her face.

  “Master, Wei Yi will go prepare the bath.”

  Eyeing her fingers that were clasped together, Bubai nodded. “You have a couple of hours. Practice well.”

  “Yes, master.” Wei Yi gave a small bow and turned to walk away.

  Bubai watched her until she disappeared, before letting his senses take over.

  Through the connection with the implanted tribulation seed, Bubai sensed her going down the spiral staircase, walking down the corridor, and unhesitatingly entering the pool room.

  Good. She didn’t poke around where her nose shouldn’t be. This was another reason why he chose her over her curious baby sister.

  While keeping tabs on his maid downstairs, Bubai gave his full attention to the cold waifu who had walked over.

  Pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her willowy waist to draw her closer, Bubai rested his chin on her shoulder.

  Enjoying the coolness of her skin against his, he took the chance to start a casual chat.

  "Is there enough Qi to cultivate?"

  Xiao Lan placed her cool hand over the warm ones clasped over her belly, pressing gently. "Enough."

  Oh, that’s what she said. But… Was it really enough?

  Though the tower was a focal point for Qi, the gathered Qi wasn't infinite.

  With his daily Qi-devouring sessions draining most of it, the overall density of the leftovers was fairly thin - barely enough to go around.

  What little remained was typically a tribute to Xiao Lan, who needed it for her recovery and cultivation.

  With his recent decision to allow Wei Yi to cultivate, a little genius joined in to share this resource that was already stretched to the limits.

  His choice had, in effect, taken away a good portion of Xiao Lan's share.

  If it were any other cultivator in her place, it was normal for them to convince him otherwise, play tricks to sabotage the newcomer's growth, or even remove the competition from the equation entirely.

  Yet, when he brought it up, Xiao Lan had still acquiesced to teaching his maid without objection, even when it meant less for her own progress.

  A week passed. There were zero complaints. She even willingly taught her at the same level she taught him.

  Bubai really didn’t know what this iceberg waifu is thinking sometimes. Was it really pure virtue, or… were there other reasons?

  However, Bubai didn’t dwell on this matter for long. He knew he wasn’t getting an answer from this woman.

  Her walls were high, and she rarely let anyone directly scale them.

  So, Bubai can only opt for the most straightforward way.

  Bubai slipped his hand out from hers.

  Then, with a flip of his palm, he summoned a small pouch of spirit rice from his storage space and slipped it into her cold hands.

  Holding the sudden gift, Xiao Lan gave him a sidelong glance, searching for an explanation.

  Bubai hugged her a little tighter. "I know you burn a lot of Qi during our practice sessions. Eat some spirit rice. Don't let your cultivation fall too much."

  Xiao Lan glanced down at the pouch, her lips pursing slightly. After a moment, she kept it into the sleeve of her robe.

  When she looked back at him, her usual frosty exterior seemed to have thawed a bit, letting her cool and even voice breath into his ear, "Go up and practice?"

  Bubai shook his head. "I'll be going out. There's something I need to do."

  Xiao Lan didn't press him for details. She simply nodded, her reply soothing him like a soft breeze. "I'll keep the incense lit till you return."

  Bubai smiled, lifting her off his lap and setting her on the edge of the table with gentle care. "It's really Xiao Lan that knows me best."

  Feeling her arms looping around his neck and not letting go, Bubai gave her a helpless look and leaned in to taste those waiting lips.

  Ah. She was cold, but... he still felt a comforting, fuzzy warmth.

  After having their fill, Bubai felt Xiao Lan slowly freeing him.

  Retreating from her soft lips, a shade of purple perhaps from the cold, Bubai adjusted the winter mantle draped over her shoulders, smoothing it out while reassuring, “I’ll be back by tonight.”

  Smiling, he gave her a final peck on her cheek before turning to leave.

  Sitting on the table, Xiao Lan watched him go, her expression serene, but her eyes held a hint of something deeper.

  When he was out of sight, her hand slowly rose to clutch her heart, biting her purplish lips, her thoughts as calm as the winter wind outside.

  …

  Stepping out from the tower, Bubai patted the small boxes hidden in the folds of his inner robe and glanced up at the dreary noon skies with clouds hanging low and gray.

  "Well, at least there's no snow to worry about."

  Bubai’s gaze then swept across the scattered disciples milling about.

  Most barely acknowledged him by casting a fleeting glance in his direction before towing their curious female companions away, not wanting their ambitious counterparts to get any bad ideas.

  Well, it was just the class separation between those living in towers and those who don’t.

  Alas, the towers were numbered, but the various inner disciple courtyards were countless.

  Mentally counting the nearby population, Bubai knew the density of inner disciples was a bit too high for any privacy.

  “Guess I’ll get changed in the outer sect.”

  With that, Bubai set off, letting the roulette run in his mind. A new game’s about to begin.