When Liu Xiaoyu opened her eyes, the first thing she checked was the current state of her lower dantian.
Motes of crystalline light filled the energy center as her Immortal Physique, the Nine Heavens Exquisite Body, gradually reformed her condensed spiritual energy and dispersed it throughout her body, further strengthening her physique and energy channels.
Her spirit, which was like that of a lush, healthy tree, became even more vibrant.
Under her robes, her skin faintly glowed, as the pressure she was emanating was greater than what a normal Spirit Condensation Stage disciple could exert.
The pressure exceeds an early-rank Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator. Without any other enhancement, her current strength could rival an intermediate-rank Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.
It goes to show how heavenly her Immortal Physique is. The physique that she was keeping hidden from Lin Mo.
If Lin Mo would see her at the moment, he'd probably think he got scammed by his prodigious assistant. She wasn't a helpless young lady at all.
If she made a move against the thieves on the first day, neither Xue Biyu nor Taihao's Divine Reprimand was needed to deal with them.
She exhaled softly and the pressure dissipated, making her aura revert to that of an ordinary 8th level Spirit Condensation Stage cultivator.
"Alright," She stood up from the bed and glanced at Lin Mo who was still deep in meditation as he circulated his spiritual energy to comprehend the [Vein of the Silent Stream] before brushing her fingers through her hair and walking away.
"Good morning, Sister Yangyang." She greeted the 'mortal' woman from the Divine Pantheon who once again spent her whole night in front of her workstation, sorting out data that Liu Xiaoyu was too lazy to understand.
The woman looked up and nudged her glasses, her eyes narrowing slightly behind it, "Xiaoyu, how long has it been since you and Shopkeeper cultivate side-by-side at night? How come he still hasn't noticed that you possess a much rarer physique than Xiao Ya?"
"Thank you for keeping quiet, Sister Yangyang. But I believe Boss will catch on soon. He's absorbing knowledge about our realm at a breakneck speed, after all."
"[Nine Heavens Exquisite Body]. Calling you a prodigy shouldn't be enough. You're a genius with a heavenly talent because of that physique. Your spirit roots, spiritual energy absorption, and physique cultivation are always at the peak state."
"Peak state, huh? Look at him, Sister Yangyang. He's going to catch up to me soon. And he's supposed to be a mortal with blocked meridians and dried-up spirit roots."
"That's the effect of Zhenren Taihao's Celestial Providence and the fact that a hint of divinity was forming in his body. Furthermore, you also contributed to that, wouldn't you think so? You picked the perfect techniques for him."
Liu Xiaoyu smirked and gave a light shrug. "Well, of course. I am a prodigy, after all. Boss should be grateful for my excellent taste in cultivation techniques."
Yangyang shook her head as a small smile played on her lips. "You act mischievous throughout the day but you're always backing him up even in his journey in cultivation. Sister Xiaoyu, I say you're growing fond of your Boss."
Liu Xiaoyu didn't confirm nor deny it. Instead, she stretched lazily. "It's only fair, Sister Yangyang. Boss and I… We help each other grow. We're a team. I'm his trusted assistant."
Yangyang adjusted her glasses again as she briefly glanced at Lin Mo who was still deep in cultivation. "A team, huh? And yet, you're still hiding your full strength and origin from him."
Liu Xiaoyu pursed her lips before walking into their lounge. "Eh… He'll figure it out soon. Besides, he only needs to ask and I'll tell him everything about it.
Yangyang studied her for a moment before shaking her head. "Mhm. You did grow fond of your Boss, Xiaoyu."
Liu Xiaoyu let out a small laugh but didn't say anything else as she disappeared to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, within his meditation state, Lin Mo wasn't entirely unaware of his surroundings. Though he had been focusing on comprehending [Vein of the Silent Stream], he picked up on Liu Xiaoyu's faint presence as she moved around through his enhanced spiritual perception.
Something about her felt… different.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible but for someone who was slowly growing accustomed to sensing spiritual fluctuations, it was there. A faint surge of refined, condensed energy, almost like an echo of something powerful.
Lin Mo didn't pry. If she wanted to tell him something, she would in her own time.
For now, he had his own cultivation to focus on.
The [Vein of the Silent Stream] was a technique designed to refine and condense one's spiritual energy to the highest possible purity, allowing for a near-limitless flow within the meridians and energy channels.
It was perfectly in tune with the [Silent Stream Breathing Technique] all about control, adaptability, and sustainability.
As he guided his spiritual energy through his meridians, he could feel the old, narrow pathways expanding further. Each cycle became smoother, and with every revolution, his understanding of the technique deepened.
And then, something clicked.
His body trembled slightly as an invisible force rippled outward. The ambient spiritual energy in the room surged toward him like rivers converging into the ocean.
Then, multiple chimes of the system rang in his head.
[Cultivation Progress: Spirit Condensation Stage - 1st Level]
[Celestial Providence Activated: Vein of the Silent Stream has been permanently enhanced]
[Passive Spiritual Energy Absorption Multiplier: 2]
[Spiritual Perception Range Multiplier: 2]
[Spirit Roots Enhancement: Low-grade > Intermediate-grade (0%)]
Lin Mo's eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing across them as he suddenly felt a sudden change in the way his body was absorbing and processing the spiritual energy in his surroundings.
He exhaled heavily as he felt the newfound power circulating within him. The [Vein of the Silent Stream] settled in his body and seemingly coated all of his meridians and energy channels, allowing for a smoother flow of Passive Spiritual Energy Absorption.
A few seconds later, his dantian hummed as he experienced another breakthrough.
[Cultivation Progress: Spirit Condensation Stage - 2nd Level]
Thankfully, unlike the time when he first cultivated where he immediately reached the 3rd level of Spirit Gathering, the flow of spiritual energy gradually stabilized, creating a natural flow, both internal and external.
Before he could marvel at his transformation, Yangyang's voice reached his ears.
"Congratulations, Shopkeeper Lin. You took another step in your cultivation."
He glanced in her direction and saw Yangyang with a slightly unreadable expression behind her glasses.
"You overpraise, Miss Yangyang. This is all thanks to Xiaoyu… and Taihao, I guess?
The woman chuckled at his humble yet cheeky response, "Just accept the praise, Shopkeeper. By the way, your divinity has also increased. I can sense it now."
"It increased? Weird. I didn't feel anything new."
Lin Mo tried to inspect his body but like the first time Taihao mentioned the 'hint of divinity' inside him, he couldn't feel anything. The Divine System Interface that also reflects his cultivation has no mention of it.
"It's because it's still faint. With the current strength of your perception, it's impossible for you to pick it up."
"I see. Many thanks for the enlightenment, Miss Yangyang. By the way, where's Xiaoyu? Is she out already?"
Before Yangyang could respond, Liu Xiaoyu strolled back into the room, her hair and face slightly damp from washing up.
She grinned at Lin Mo. "Oh, Boss, you broke through! Look at you, climbing the cultivation ladder like you're on a spirit stone-funded levitating platform. You're catching up to me!"
"That's right. If I keep this up, I'll be overtaking you soon. You don't seem that shocked though."
Liu Xiaoyu laughed. "Of course, Boss. You cannot overtake me. Not in this lifetime, You still have a long way to go before you catch up to my brilliance."
Yangyang shot her a knowing look but said nothing, merely shaking her head.
Lin Mo didn't miss it, but he let it slide.
"Right. Right. You're so prodigious so I should better rely on you for our security. Remember. There's no Aura of Harmony anymore."
"Oh! Then, I'll leave it to you, Boss. Your assistant is so frail, I can only run around with my Heaven's Reflex."
"Real helpful, Xiaoyu. I thought you were going to kick the troublesome customers' asses?"
"Only Spirit Condensation Stage and below! Boss, you cannot expect me to deal with those old fogeys, right?"
"Hmm. You have a point. I guess we have to pray that they all behave themselves. If something happens… Miss Yangyang, we'll be counting on you."
Lin Mo's gaze turned to the bespectacled 'mortal' of the Divine Pantheon who was acting like it was not going to be her problem.
"Huh? Shopkeeper. Do I look invincible to you?" Yangyang was dumbfounded; she almost fell from her seat.
"Yes." Lin Mo answered with a deadpan expression, causing Liu Xiaoyu to chuckle while holding her stomach.