Supreme Taming Authority

Chapter 78: Ying Yue’s Progress, I Want to See What is True

The transition from servant to independent disciple was still difficult for her to fully embrace.

"As you wish, Young Master," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of reluctance.

"Just call me Tiandi when we’re in the sect," he added. His golden eyes met hers directly. "The formal titles will only make things complicated here. Other disciples don’t need to know about our previous relationship."

Ying Yue’s eyes widened slightly at his words. Her cheeks colored, a faint pink spreading across her pale skin. "I... that would be improper, Young Master."

"It’s an instruction, not a request," Xian Tiandi said gently but firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Ying Yue swallowed visibly. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. Her face grew redder with each passing second. She looked down at her hands, unable to meet his gaze.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she managed to speak. Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling slightly.

"T-Tiandi."

The name felt strange on her tongue. Intimate in a way that made her heart beat faster and her pulse quicken.

She’d never addressed him so informally before in all their months together. Even thinking his name without the honorific had felt presumptuous, like she was overstepping her bounds.

"Good," Xian Tiandi said simply, as if he hadn’t noticed her embarrassment or the struggle it took for her to say his name.

But he had noticed. He’d been aware for some time now of how Ying Yue looked at him when she thought he wasn’t paying attention.

The way her eyes lingered on his face just a moment too long. The way she found excuses to be near him, offering to help with tasks that didn’t really require assistance. The way she reacted to his presence, her posture straightening and her movements becoming more careful.

He’d chosen not to acknowledge it directly. Not because he was oblivious or uncaring about her feelings, but because the timing wasn’t right.

His path was dangerous, filled with enemies who wouldn’t hesitate to use those close to him as leverage. His enemies were numerous and ruthless. Involving her in his personal affairs beyond what was necessary would only put her at greater risk of being targeted.

For now, it was better to maintain the professional distance, even if he was encouraging her independence and growth.

Ying Yue’s mind raced as she stood there, her face still flushed with embarrassment. ’He told me to use his name,’ she thought, her heart pounding in her chest. ’Just his name. Like we’re... like we’re equals. Or maybe even...’

She didn’t dare finish that thought. It was too presumptuous, too hopeful. But warmth spread through her chest anyway, a pleasant feeling that made her breath catch.

’I can be a little closer to him now,’ she thought, trying desperately to calm her racing heart. ’Even if it’s just this small thing. Even if he doesn’t see me the way I...’

She stopped herself again before she could complete the dangerous thought. Those were inappropriate thoughts for someone of her status, someone who had been a servant just months ago. Inappropriate thoughts that could lead to heartbreak if she wasn’t careful.

But the warmth in her chest remained, refusing to fade.

"Brother Tiandi and Ying Yue, we should go," Xian Long said, completely oblivious to the undercurrent of emotion passing between them. "I want to see our quarters before it gets too late. The sun is already past its peak."

"Right," Ying Yue said quickly, grateful for the interruption that broke the tension. She bowed one more time to Xian Tiandi, still unable to meet his eyes directly. Her voice was steadier now. "Then we’ll take our leave... Tiandi."

She stumbled slightly over his name again, the syllables feeling foreign without the honorific attached. But she managed to say it without stammering this time, which felt like a small victory.

Xian Tiandi watched them head toward White Tiger Peak, his expression neutral.

Xian Long was chattering enthusiastically as they walked, pointing at various buildings and asking Ying Yue questions about what she thought their rooms would be like.

Ying Yue walked beside him in relative silence, responding occasionally but clearly lost in her own thoughts. Her posture was somehow different than before. Less like a servant following orders and more like someone with her own purpose and direction.

’She’ll grow stronger here,’ Xian Tiandi thought as they disappeared around a corner. ’The sect will give her opportunities she never would have had otherwise. Training, resources, guidance from experienced cultivators. And when the time comes, she’ll be able to stand on her own without needing anyone’s protection.’

’Of course, her true opportunity will always be me. But no need to be hasty. The cultivation world isn’t a rainbows and sunshine...Time is the revealer of all.’

’Although I already used the Supreme Taming Authority on her soul. I won’t suppress anything. I want to see what is true.’

Whether anything more would develop between them in the future remained to be seen.

For now, helping her achieve a form of independence and strength was enough. That was the best thing he could do for her at this stage before stepping in fully.

The path to Azure Dragon Peak wound upward through terraced gardens filled with spirit plants. The gardens were carefully maintained, with flowers and herbs arranged in patterns that enhanced the natural flow of spiritual energy.

Past the gardens were training grounds where inner sect disciples practiced their techniques. Their movements were far more refined than what outer disciples could manage, each strike precise and economical.

The inner sect residential area was significantly more luxurious than what outer disciples received. Instead of communal dormitories, inner disciples were given individual courtyards built into the mountainside.

Each courtyard had its own protective formation array that shimmered faintly in the air, providing security and privacy.

Xian Tiandi found the housing coordinator’s office easily. It was a small building near the entrance to the residential area, marked with a sign.

An elderly man with a long white beard that reached his waist looked up from his desk when Xian Tiandi entered. His eyes were sharp despite his obvious age.

"New inner disciple?" the man asked, his voice surprisingly strong.

"Yes. Xian Tiandi," he replied.