Qiyu's question made Liu Buli extremely embarrassed.
However, it was precisely because of this that he could more clearly determine that their current era had regressed not just a little, but significantly, compared to the mythical era before.
The elixirs they considered divine grade here were merely introductory in Qiyu's time.
This realization did not make him feel sad; instead, it filled him with an indescribable excitement.
A low starting point meant a vast space for improvement.
If he could truly comprehend and learn everything Qiyu had taught him, wouldn't he rightfully become the foremost expert in the world after leaving this secret realm?
Although Liu Buli was not interested in status, the thought of this made his heart race, his blood seeming to boil.
He was a man, after all. Even if he usually appeared detached from worldly affairs, he still harbored an undeniable interest in self-improvement and surpassing the world.
He pursed his lips, took a few deep breaths, and tried to calm his emotions before looking into Qiyu's eyes. He said gently, "It seems I still have a lot to learn. I hope Master will not find me dull; I will study diligently."
"You seem very intelligent, how could you be dull? And the elixir you made just now was excellent. Such proficiency, such a solid foundation, proves you have talent in this area. This is a good thing, and you will learn very quickly," Qiyu replied with a smile.
Liu Buli couldn't tell if she was comforting him or speaking the truth, but her words were very pleasant to hear. So, Liu Buli smiled and nodded, accepting her words regardless of their absolute accuracy.
In the time that followed, Liu Buli experienced firsthand that Qiyu's words contained some element of comfort, but for the most part, they were indeed true.
There was no day or night in the secret realm; the sun did not rise or set, and the sky was always a dim, unchanging twilight. Cultivators generally did not require much rest, and Qiyu would occasionally give them elixirs to strengthen their bodies.
Because of this, Liu Buli and Lu Wuming had no concept of how much time had passed. They only knew that since Qiyu's teachings began, they had been constantly busy with their studies and cultivation, and it seemed they hadn't had a proper conversation in a long time.
Just as they had agreed at the beginning, Qiyu not only taught Liu Buli how to refine various elixirs but also how to brew the wine they had first drunk.
Liu Buli's daily tasks, besides the basic refinement of elixirs, were to brew wine according to Qiyu's instructions. With the stimulation of spiritual energy, the wine fermented quickly. Once the potent, spirit-infused liquor was brewed, Liu Buli would give it to Lu Wuming to drink.
Lu Wuming drank the wine while using it in conjunction with his elixirs to adjust his body. He didn't need to learn the methods of refining elixirs and medicine like Liu Buli. He had tried brewing wine once or twice, but the taste was never as good as Liu Buli's, so in the end, he simply gave up. While Liu Buli was studying, he would meditate and cultivate nearby. It didn't waste time and allowed him to improve himself.
In this state of timelessness, Liu Buli absorbed everything Qiyu taught him at the fastest pace he could manage.
Those elixirs were indeed incredibly potent. If successful, a single pill's effect could be equivalent to a hundred years of cultivation.
However, the rarity of the elixirs was directly proportional to the rarity of the required ingredients. The spiritual energy in the world was now very thin. Herbs that were common in Qiyu's era were now considered rare treasures in Liu Buli's time. Because of this, there were not always opportunities to use those high-level elixir formulas, which was quite disheartening.
Once he had learned everything he needed to, Qiyu no longer intended to keep them. However, after looking into Liu Buli's eyes again, Qiyu fell silent for a moment and then reached out, grasping Liu Buli's wrist.
Although they had been together for teaching during this period, perhaps due to the separation between genders, or perhaps knowing the relationship between Liu Buli and Lu Wuming, Qiyu had always maintained a strict sense of propriety during the lessons.
While she might have gotten close to Liu Buli at times, actively reaching out and grabbing him like this had never happened before.
Because of this, Liu Buli was startled by her action. His body trembled violently, and he didn't know whether to pull his caught hand away.
He was like this, and Lu Wuming, who had been meditating nearby, immediately stood up. His eyes widened as he looked at the two of them. His aura grew increasingly intense, clearly indicating that if Qiyu dared to make any further moves, he would not hesitate to eliminate her ancestor.
Fortunately, their worries were entirely unfounded. Qiyu's feelings for Liu Buli were purely those of a master for a disciple, with no inappropriate intentions.
After examining Liu Buli's body, Qiyu immediately let go of his hand. She shook her head in Lu Wuming's direction and said, "Wuming, don't worry so much. I have no intention of harming Xiao Buli, nor do I have any romantic feelings for him. I am merely a remnant soul; I cannot foolishly fall in love with anyone."
She explained very earnestly.
However, she didn't know that to Lu Wuming, her earnest explanation only served to make it seem like a cover-up.
His expression soured even further, and Lu Wuming waited for Qiyu to provide a more plausible answer.
In contrast, Liu Buli calmed down considerably after the initial moment of tension. Looking into Qiyu's eyes, he asked with a wry smile, "Master, did you sense my physical condition?"
"Having been with you for so long, being your master, and being a remnant soul who specialized in elixirs, if I couldn't detect something wrong with you, wouldn't that make me too negligent?"
Qiyu sighed and said, "You should have been clear with me from the beginning. I only suspected it before; now that I've examined you, I'm certain. Tell me, what is the deal with the other soul in your body? Who, between you two, is the true master of this body?"