Chapter 59: Chapter 59 (Inspiration capsule Extra Chapter)
"I’ve prepared a place for you near Holy Peak. Starting tomorrow you can settle into it," Lyralei said, her tone carrying the weight of a decision not meant to be refuted.
"It’s close to my dormitory as well. If anything happens, I can get there immediately."
Ethan smiled and shook his head politely.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister, but I’m very fond of my current place. It’s quiet, undisturbed, and perfect for practice."
Lyralei studied him a moment—no surprise in her eyes. "I suppose it’s not just for practice, but fishing too, right?"
He cupped his hands with a wry grin. "Senior sister is indeed sharp, and I can only admire your understanding."
She kept silent, but the smallest flicker of a smile appeared.
Lyralei already knew about his lazy days and peculiar habits. Lilith had told her long ago that Ethan’s world was made up of fishing, cultivating, eating and drinking—nothing more, nothing less for a whole decade. Most would’ve died of boredom, but somehow Ethan used it to reach today’s heights.
"If you’re determined to stay, I won’t force you," Lyralei said, yielding gracefully.
"Honestly, aside from near my own quarters, this is the safest place in Azure Origin. You’ve got the Demon Sealing Cave elders right next door—if trouble finds you, help is closer than anywhere else. You want a peaceful life, you’ll have it."
She turned away, then paused, remembering something.
"Since this is my first real meeting with you as your senior sister, it’s only right I offer some gifts."
With a flick of her sleeve, a dozen shimmering orbs spun into being above the table, each pulsing with heat and color—spirits, pills, spiritual herbs, rare minerals, and treasures forged in fire.
Ethan let his senses roam through the treasures, letting his gaze linger on a deep red-orange transparent jade and a luminous pill.
They radiated the densest, most pure fire-aligned force—the kind that could burn away impurities or fuel breakthroughs.
He composed himself and asked with a hint of curiosity, "How did senior sister realize I was in need of fire-attributed treasures?"
"The little girl from the peak came to see me yesterday," Lyralei replied smoothly.
"She didn’t mean to let it slip, but now I know."
"Liana?" Ethan nearly groaned. "She blabbed already..."
With a rich laugh, Lyralei shook her head, the Empress’s commanding air returning. "Who in this whole sect would dare hide things from me?"
Ethan nodded in resignation.
"True enough. Facing the sect empress, even a mouse would confess."
He couldn’t help but glance around the courtyard. "So where is Liana?"
"After I’d asked her, she disappeared so quickly I almost thought she was using some movement technique. But she said you’re free to visit her at the peak at any time." Lyralei chuckled.
"I see."
Lyralei’s smile changed—there was a playfulness behind the cool authority. "What, is there something going on between the two of you?"
Ethan nearly choked on his tea. "The Empress overestimates me." He waved a hand in mock frustration.
"Liana’s a child compared to me—in age, I could be her uncle. There’s really nothing there."
Lyralei’s eyes twinkled wickedly. "In cultivation, does age matter at all?"
"It’s true, it doesn’t," Ethan admitted, matching her smile.
"You don’t need to be shy, Junior Brother. Liana is beautiful, accomplished, and her medical skills are peerless. If there’s something there, don’t let it pass you by. As your senior sister, I could even help turn the match into a Taoist union," she teased, sounding half-serious and half-provocative.
Rumor had it the suitors lining up for Liana already stretched to the base of the mountain, but Lyralei was clearly convinced Ethan had a better chance than all of them combined.
Ethan only laughed. "It’s all stories, Senior Sister. I’m focused on cultivation, not love. I haven’t the heart or desire for anything else just now."
She looked him over, then relented. "Good," she said.
"Nothing to distract you from the Dao."
She waved her hand again and the glowing prizes spun once more. "Now, which two treasures do you want?"
Ethan had already made his choice. "This jade, and the pill."
Lyralei’s eyes flashed with a glint of approval.
"You’ve got fine taste—those are the two most valuable of the set."
"That fire jade was discovered in a cave where an innate spiritual fire once grew. After almost ten thousand years, it condensed powers so pure even a heaven-grade weapon couldn’t compete. Someone once tried to trade me both a heaven-grade spiritual tool and pill for it—I refused."
"As for the pill, you surely recognize it. The Heavenly Spirit Pill."
Ethan nodded. Of course he did. The legendary elixir every cultivator in the Body Integration or Tribulation Transcendence realm dreamed of. Its value was measured not just in spirit stones but in lives risked for the chance to possess it.
But this—Ethan realized—was meant for Seraphina, Lyralei’s own cherished disciple, trained from childhood with all the care and expectation of a daughter.
Ethan had long heard that Seraphina was brought back to the Sect by Lyralei to practice since she was a child, and she was loved by Lyralei in every way possible.
Still, he took it without burden, knowing he could put it to far greater use.
"Of course I know the pill," he said.
"Though it’s not truly a fire-attribute elixir—only four out of thirty-seven main ingredients are fire-aligned. How is it so potent in flame force?"
Lyralei smiled approvingly. "Because those herbs are each ten thousand years old. The alchemist refined the pill eight times using a innate spiritual fire, sealing a fraction of the Innate Spiritual flame’s energy within."
"Normally the Heavenly Spirit Pill offers a 30-50% chance to break into Tribulation Transcendence. With the Innate Spiritual flame energy mixed with the heavenly elixir, the odds nearly double. Under the right circumstances, a nine in ten chance."
Ethan nodded in understanding. "That’s it."
A/N:
Extra Chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra Chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra Chapters
Capsule - 1 Extra Chapters
Massage Chair - 3 Extra Chapters
Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters
....
Thanks for the Inspiration Capsule : @enoch_robinson