Yun Xiaoyan sat back on her bed, a smile playing across her face.
As if she didn't just make a deal with a literal demon.
"So, demon." She tilted her head slightly. "You got a name? Calling you 'demon' sounds too... I don't know. Cringy."
It was quiet for a while. Long enough that she wondered if the voice had disappeared entirely.
Then—
You can call me Tianxiu. For now.
"Tianxiu, huh?" She tested the name aloud, rolling it around on her tongue. "Not bad."
She shifted position, crossing her legs.
"So, Tianxiu. You said the first seal broke, right? How does that help me exactly?"
It means you are no longer trash.
A pause.
You can now cultivate.
"Rude," Yun Xiaoyan muttered. "Trash sounds a bit harsh."
But excitement crept into her voice despite herself.
"I can now be a true cultivator?"
According to the former Yun Xiaoyan's memories, the cultivation world had three main paths one could choose from.
First was the Weapons Cultivator path—strong meridians, resilient body, affinity for martial intent. Physical power and combat prowess were their focus.
Second was the Spiritual Cultivator path—strong soul, sharp mind, affinity for Dao comprehension. Mental strength and mystical abilities defined them.
These were the two primary paths cultivators took, each with distinct advantages and limitations.
It was a fair trade-off, if you thought about it. Strength in one area meant weakness in another.
"Tianxiu," Yun Xiaoyan asked carefully. "Which path do you think I should take?"
Tianxiu let out a small chuckle, the sound echoing inside her mind.
Kid. Who said you have to choose?
Yun Xiaoyan frowned, confusion settling in.
"Are you saying I can cultivate both paths?"
Of course you can.
The voice carried something like smugness.
And to top it all off, you have me.
Yun Xiaoyan's brow furrowed deeper. "You?"
A sigh resonated through her mind, exaggerated and theatrical.
You don't know how lucky you are, kid. I'm saying I can teach you both paths.
Another pause.
Looking at your history, I doubt you'll find anyone willing to even attempt to teach you.
The words landed harder than Yun Xiaoyan wanted to admit.
He was right.
Yun Xiaoyan was known as a failure throughout the sect. The girl with zero talent, zero potential, zero worth. Of course no one would be willing to teach her anything. Most wouldn't even acknowledge her existence unless it was to mock or bully.
And she didn't have the first clue how cultivation actually worked beyond what she'd absorbed from the scattered memories.
This helped solve her immediate problem—finding a master.
After all, it wasn't every day one found a demon who had lived for only God knows how long offering to teach.
"Is this also part of the deal?" Xiaoyan asked, suspicion creeping back into her voice.
Consider this as a down payment.
Tianxiu's tone shifted, becoming more serious and instructional.
Firstly, you have to create a core.
"A core," Yun Xiaoyan repeated slowly.
Creating a core is the first step. All your meridians are already open thanks to the breaking of the first seal.
Yun Xiaoyan absorbed the information carefully, mind working through the implications.
The first seal being broken now enabled her to cultivate in both paths. She couldn't help but wonder how strong she would become if all the seals finally came off. If nine seals held back her power, what would she be capable of with all of them released?
Her days of being known as the sect's failure would soon be over.
All those bastards who mocked her would finally get what was coming to them.
I can hear your thoughts out loud, kid.
Tianxiu's voice came almost irritated.
"You can hear my thoughts?" Yun Xiaoyan said aloud, eyes widening.
Of course. This thing was inside her, so naturally it made sense it could hear her thoughts.
That didn't make it any less unpleasant though.
"We need to set some boundaries," Yun Xiaoyan said firmly, crossing her arms. "How does this work? Can you listen to all my thoughts, or can you choose when to listen?"
Brat.
The voice came flat and unimpressed.
You can't fathom how long I've lived. Why would I bother looking into the thoughts of a brat?
"Having an old demon inside me isn't exactly ideal, is it?" Yun Xiaoyan shot back. "Especially if it can hear all my thoughts."
Tianxiu didn't reply.
Just went completely silent.
Yun Xiaoyan waited a moment, then another.
"Tianxiu?"
Nothing.
"Tianxiu?" she repeated, louder this time. "Hey, anyone there?"
Still nothing.
"Answer, you demon bastard!"
Silence stretched uncomfortably.
Yun Xiaoyan let out an exasperated breath, falling backward onto the bed.
Apparently, the demon had decided to ignore her.
How mature.