Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Wang Yuyao froze in shock.
It wasn't his strength that surprised her—for in her heart, Wang Jianqiang had always been mysterious and powerful.
What truly astonished her was his daring.
Ye Qingxue was the fourth-ranked genius of Xuanqing Palace's outer sect.
And yet, he dared to make her his slave!
Wasn't this the same as slapping the face of Xuanqing Palace itself?
Once this matter was exposed, Xuanqing Palace would surely fight him to the death.
Even the Hehuan Sect might not protect him—certainly not to the extent of starting a war with Xuanqing Palace on his behalf.
"Enough. Don't overthink. Focus on your recovery."
Wang Jianqiang could guess what was going through her mind. He tossed her a few Earth-Yellow Pills, his expression utterly unconcerned.
He had his reasons for enslaving Ye Qingxue.
With the soul imprint in place, he was confident she would never dare reveal the matter. After all, if he died, she would perish with him.
Besides, cultivation was about defying heaven itself—if one feared this and that, how could one ever ascend the Dao?
Seeing his calm demeanor, Wang Yuyao said no more.
She swallowed an Earth-Yellow Pill and focused on healing her injuries.
Once she regained control of her consciousness, her recovery accelerated dramatically.
In just five days, her injuries were fully healed.
During that time, Wang Jianqiang remained within the Qianyuan Spirit Formation, cultivating.
His realm had already been close to the peak of Qi Training. On the very day Wang Yuyao recovered, he stepped into Qi Training Perfection.
As soon as she was healed, Wang Yuyao immediately entered seclusion.
She swallowed a Foundation Establishment Pill and began compressing her spiritual power.
Unfortunately, her talent was only average.
In the end, she failed to achieve the First Turn.
"Breakthroughs can't be forced. Relax yourself first," Wang Jianqiang advised.
…
Half an hour later.
Wang Yuyao adjusted her mindset, then accepted another Foundation Establishment Pill from Wang Jianqiang and swallowed it.
After several days of cultivation—
She finally succeeded in compressing her spiritual power once, reaching the First Turn Realm.
"You broke through?"
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Wang Jianqiang's face lit with a broad smile.
"Mhm." She nodded softly.
His smile grew even brighter.
"Such a joyous occasion—how could we not celebrate properly?"
His tone carried a strange warmth, his smile shifting into something faintly mischievous.
Her cheeks heated instantly, though she lowered her gaze and did not refuse.
…
Each compression of spiritual power refined its quality but reduced its quantity.
The next step was to rebuild, accumulating spiritual power until it returned to its original volume. Only then could the next compression begin.
At this time, Wang Yuyao was in this phase of accumulation.
Wang Jianqiang gifted her the Qianyuan Spirit Formation, along with vast quantities of flawless Yunxia Pills.
With such abundant resources, her cultivation advanced at astonishing speed.
All of this, Ye Qingxue saw with her own eyes.
The lavish generosity Wang Jianqiang displayed made her heart burn with envy.
She was an ambitious cultivator.
She too yearned for rapid progress.
She too longed for advancement.
One day, she finally could not hold back any longer.
"Mas… Master," she stammered, her voice low, "how can I be like her?"
Her words trembled, submissive and soft. For someone like her, proud and lofty, speaking so meekly was almost unbearable.
"Oh?"
Wang Jianqiang's gaze sharpened, then he laughed lightly.
"That depends on your determination."
"Rest assured, Master," she gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with both shame and resolve. "From now on, I will remain loyal to you, unwavering."
"Mm." He nodded, his gaze still fixed on her, calm yet penetrating.
Ye Qingxue clenched her silver teeth and slowly moved closer to him.
Her fragrance brushed against him, her breath quickening as the distance closed.
…
With a flip of his hand, Wang Jianqiang produced a Foundation Establishment Pill and casually tossed it to her.
"This is for you."
"Thank you, Master."
She caught it quickly, her earlier unwillingness dissolving in an instant.
Unlike Lin Xian'er or Xiao Wuya, who had powerful backgrounds and easier access to Foundation Establishment Pills, she had always lacked such resources.
Otherwise, why would she abandon her pride and bow before him?
The truth was, her cultivation foundation had long been sufficient. The only reason she remained stuck at the First Turn was the absence of pills.
The one she had gained from the Outer Sect Tournament was long since consumed, and she was still half a step away from the Second Turn.
Now, with this pill, she was certain she could break through.
Without hesitation, she swallowed it and entered cultivation.
Seeing her immersed in training, Wang Jianqiang withdrew his gaze.
Ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills held no value for him anymore.
Rather than waste them, it was better to invest in strengthening his allies.
With Ye Qingxue bound by his soul imprint, her life and death tied to his will, he had no fear of betrayal.
If he could push her into the Foundation Establishment Realm, then he would gain a valuable battle asset.
His true goal was to obtain the ingredients for crafting Foundation Establishment Pills—ingredients that could only be found at the bottom of the Cold Pool.
There, he would inevitably cross paths with the top outer disciples of the great sects.
Those who had entered the secret realm at the Third Turn would likely attempt to reach Foundation Establishment.
Ordinary Qi Training cultivators he did not fear.
But Foundation Establishment cultivators…?
Though few would succeed, even a handful would be enough to strip away his advantage.
He disliked surrendering the initiative.
That was why he had chosen to subdue Ye Qingxue, and to help both her and Wang Yuyao advance swiftly.
After the battles he had fought, his stock of Foundation Establishment Pills had reached twenty-one.
Giving one to Wang Yuyao and one to Ye Qingxue still left him nineteen.
Enough to supply both of them through their breakthroughs.
If not, he could always seize more.
…
Five days later.
A surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted.
Wang Jianqiang's eyes lit up, turning toward Ye Qingxue.
"You broke through?"
She slowly opened her eyes, joy flickering across her face.
At his words, she nodded gently.
"Excellent."
Wang Jianqiang chuckled, his gaze playful. "Such a moment calls for a celebration."
Instinctively, Ye Qingxue nodded, only to catch herself a moment later, cheeks flushing as she realized his tone carried a subtle suggestion.
"Eh…?"
Her heart skipped, but she didn't dare voice refusal.
…
"This is Yunxia Pill," Wang Jianqiang said, handing her several bottles.
Though she had reached the Second Turn, she was still within the Qi Training Realm—making the flawless Yunxia Pill equally effective.
He then pointed toward the place where Wang Yuyao was cultivating.
"Don't take them directly. There's a formation there to aid your training. You two will cultivate inside together."
The moment Ye Qingxue accepted the pills, she realized they were extraordinary.
Though they were also Yunxia Pills, their power far surpassed the ordinary kind.
When she stepped into the formation, her astonishment deepened.
The air itself was saturated with the pill's medicinal essence.
And not just that—the potency was overwhelming, far beyond anything she had ever encountered.
Even more shocking—there was no trace of pill toxin within it!
Under such conditions, her cultivation speed would be terrifyingly fast.
With no fear of hidden dangers, she could wholly immerse herself in advancement.
She glanced sideways at Wang Yuyao, her heart tight with envy.
So this was the reason why a woman of only average talent could rise so swiftly to Qi Training Perfection?
In that moment, Ye Qingxue regretted not meeting Wang Jianqiang sooner.
…
Half a month passed.
Wang Yuyao completed her accumulation at the First Turn.
After consuming four Foundation Establishment Pills, she successfully advanced to the Second Turn.
The very next day, Ye Qingxue also completed her accumulation.
Her talent was clearly superior to Wang Yuyao's—
With only two Foundation Establishment Pills, she advanced directly to the Third Turn.