Selene Virelyn, as if waking from a dream, lightly tapped the tip of her foot, rushed to Madam Virelyn's side, anxiously saying, "Mother, are- are you okay? I'm sorry!! I- I was wrong!"
Madam Virelyn showed no intention of reproach but instead joyfully grabbed her hands and pulled her close, asking, "So you've truly gained some insights and practiced inside the cave?"
Looking at her mother's enthusiasm, Selene felt like she had been tested. This was probably because her mother had heard that she was practicing martial arts from Youcao.
It was understandable from her point of view, as she had never shown any interest in martial arts... much to Madam Virelyn's disappointment.
Selene Virelyn glanced at Youcao, slightly nodding, "Mm, I was indeed at a crucial point in my practice just now."
"Oh, sweetie, it was my rashness!" As soon as Madam Virelyn got the confirmation from her daughter, her face lit up in joy. Years of frustration seem to be washed away from her being.
"Ah?" Selene Virelyn was astonished; For a moment, she doubted her hearing.
As this was the first time Madam Virelyn had apologized to her in her life.
"Your aunt always brags about her good son. Now my daughter has attained enlightenment overnight, isn't she better than her son and all the other garbage?"
Madam Virelyn beamed with delight, happily saying, "You go practice! practice well! Beat that, Murong Fu for your mother and I can brag about it to your aunt!"
….
Inside the main quarters
Inside Madam Virelyn's boudoir
"Was Murong Fu at Swallow Nest yesterday?" as an authoritative voice echoed in the chamber.
It was summer, and the weather was hot.
Madam Virelyn was reclining on the bed, wearing only light gauze like an enchantress, fanned by a maid, with a gentle breeze. Ice blocks were placed in the four corners of the room.
A kneeling woman reported, "Yes, Madam! From the morning, Young Master Murong and four household generals were practicing and exchanging skills until dusk."
Madam Virelyn slightly nodded, reassured, and smiled, "Even if he practices for ten or twenty years, he won't match my daughter's progress in a single day."
"Yes, Milady! Young Lady has always been clever since childhood, speaking knowledgeably about martial arts techniques; none of us can compare to her when it comes to theory!"
"Before, Young Lady merely disliked practicing martial arts. Now that she's practicing, a single day equals ten or twenty years for others!"
The surrounding maids and servants joined in praising her. Other than that, they too were genuinely happy.
All of them were orphans due to war, human trafficking, banditry, or some other martial world issue. Some have even been sold to underground brothels when Peony Manor's raids rescued them.
Selene Virelyn was someone they had taken care of since she was a child.
Left and right, their words made Madam Virelyn beam with pride, her face full of smiles, quite pleased with herself.
Over the years, she hadn't been pleased in the Virelyn family. Especially with her cousin-in-law, who married Murong Bo, they didn't get along at all.
She detested that woman. Naturally, she wouldn't like the Murong family or that brat Murong Fu.
Unfortunately, she didn't have a son. Her only daughter was kind-hearted and disliked practicing martial arts, unlike her.
But now, things were different.
If Selene Virelyn could defeat Murong Fu, Madam Virelyn could vent years of pent-up resentment proudly. How could she not be pleased?
You have a son, so what? My daughter is still better than your son!
"Have everyone in the manor serve her well. Whatever the young Lady needs, except for leaving the manor, fulfill it all!" Madam Virelyn ordered.
"Yes!"
And just like this, three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Jade Library Cave!
Boom, boom, boom—the sound of punches echoed in the secret chamber.
Riven Ashvale moved his steps and punched. Since coming out of that decade-long battle earlier, if he didn't train for a day, he would feel itchy all over.
He even thought he might have a bit of PTSD or something...
The intent of the fist spread, majestic and imposing. With each punch thrown, the piercing air produced a resounding explosive sound, akin to striking bells, thunderously echoing in the ears.
Every day, his physique from inside to outside, was being refined towards perfection.
The potency of the [Primordial pill] dispersed throughout his body with each swing of his fist, refining his tendons, blood vessels, and muscles.
The Jade Library Cave housed numerous secret manuals.
However, Riven Ashvale ultimately chose the simplest 'Grand Ancestor Fist Canon' as his foundational martial arts practice.
Firstly, Riven Ashvale had previously practiced it, laying a solid foundation.
According to the words written by the Founding Emperor -
All so-called fist techniques revolve around basic moves like straight punch, jab, uppercut, hook, palm strikes, sweeping, lifting, and flicking.
The ultimate truth lies in simplicity.
The books say that... perfecting a single sword strike or punch to its peak can yield incredible power.
And this was the ultimate foundation. The simplest yet the most robust form from which myriad forms can emerge.
To Riven Ashvale, the Grand Ancestor Fist Canon wasn't just some basic manual — in his eyes, it could rival any 'colorfully named' divine techniques from Martial Sects and Noble households in the foundation stage of martial arts (acquired training phase).
Foundational martial arts were the very roots of a cultivator's journey — the groundwork every practitioner had to lay. No matter how prestigious the sect or school, no one taught overly complicated or flashy moves at this stage.
Take the Shaolin Temple, for example. When the monks began their training, they didn't leap into aerial kicks or secret techniques. Instead, they carried water and climbed stairs, swept floors, and chopped wood.
Only after all that would they begin with Arhat Fist and other simple routines. They trained their skin, bones, and tendons on the outside, while quietly cultivating their breath and inner strength.
That kind of steady training, built up over years, passed down from master to disciple — that's what made Shaolin martial arts legendary.
And in that same spirit, every martial artist begins with hands.
Riven Ashvale believed the Grand Ancestor Fist Canon wasn't below any fist art in the world. Its spirit soared, its form stood tall — like standing at the peak of a mountain, calmly looking down on all the rivers and lands below.
Boom!
Riven Ashvale used the resonating sound of his punches to vibrate his tendons, bones, and flesh, allowing the potency of the [Primordial pill] to integrate into his body seamlessly.
The final punch landed on the stone wall. This punch was silent.
But the fist sank into the hard stone wall like piercing through cream, carving out a fist-sized hole.
The 'Grand Ancestor Fist Canon' is not just about brute force; it also incorporates softness and piercing power. Balancing hardness and softness is the essence of fist techniques.
Riven Ashvale pulled back his fist and stood tall, his breath calm and steady. A thin mist of sweat rose from his body, swirling in the breeze. His muscles and bones let out deep, thunderous cracks — like the growls of a predatory creature.
Then, slowly, everything fell silent.
"Postnatal fourth realm Bone Hardening Stage!" Riven Ashvale's eyes were sharp, gleaming with light.
As sweat flowed, his body was coated with a blackish layer—a mixture of sweat, blood, dead skin, and impurities expelled from his body.
He squinted, feeling strength filling his body, probably capable of effortlessly killing an prime bull with a single punch.
"Three months, one [Primordial pill] per month, breaking through four stages!"
Compared to Selene Virelyn, who entered the Postnatal Fetal Breathing stage with just one [Primordial pill], this seemed vastly inferior. But in a real fight, Selene Virelyn was absolutely no match for Riven Ashvale now.
To use a metaphor: Selene Virelyn is a cup, whereas Riven Ashvale is a lake. Their capacities differ. Selene Virelyn initially increases her height, then broadens her width and thickness.
Riven Ashvale, however, starts by widening and thickening. As he increases his height, he keeps broadening and thickening. His internal strength, honed in this manner, even at a lower stage, is far purer and deeper than Selene Virelyn's.
Another reason was the vast martial experience, the system had very kindly 'bestowed' on him.
The same experience has been ingrained in his body and soul, thereby creating an exceptional foundation.
Inside the Jade Library Cave, there was a flowing cold spring of water for bathing. Riven Ashvale washed away the grime and changed into clothes hurriedly bought by the maid Youcao under the orders of Selene Virelyn, instantly feeling refreshed.
It was still early in the morning. The island housing the Peony manor was not small. And the lake that surrounded the island was enormous.
He saw Selene Virelyn sitting by the desk, chin in hand, looking listlessly to the front.
"Little Selene~~?"
Selene Virelyn glanced briefly and turned her head away.
These three months to cover up her lie, she had no choice but to stay with Riven Ashvale in the cave day and night.
But she was still sulking, unwilling to acknowledge him.
On the other hand, the maid Youcao seemed to have become genuinely convinced, addressing him respectfully as "Master Riven," making Selene Virelyn even unhappier.
Riven Ashvale looked at her figure — ethereal, like starlight and moonlight woven together. She didn't feel real. There was just something dreamlike about her, a beauty that couldn't be defined.
He gave a faint smile, reached for the sheets of elegant calligrapher's paper, and sliced through it effortlessly with a flick of his finger.
Moments later, a paper crane appeared before Selene Virelyn, "flying" and saying,
"Esteemed lady, I'm just Little Crane, here to deliver a message.
That bad man you dislike so much… well, he's wondering what's troubling you. Since you don't want to talk to him, maybe you can tell Little Crane instead? Who knows — I might be able to help!"
Selene Virelyn glanced at Riven Ashvale out of the corner of her eye, snorted, and turned her head away.
The paper crane flew to her again, saying, "Is Esteemed Lady troubled because of the duel mentioned by your mother?"
Selene Virelyn was surprised and said, "How do you know?"
Realizing her slip, she quickly covered her mouth and shut it tight. She had sworn not to utter a single word to Riven Ashvale within ten days!
"In Little Crane's opinion, Esteemed lady, you might as well put forth your best effort, which might change your current situation."
"Hmm?" Selene Virelyn pricked up her ears.
"Esteemed lady, think about the change in your mother's attitude—isn't she warmer than before?"
Selene Virelyn couldn't help but nod.
Indeed, since she demonstrated her Postnatal Fetal Breathing internal strength, Madam Virelyn had suddenly treated her exceptionally well.
"The heavens move with strength — and only with strength. A true man must never cease his struggle.
In this world, it is no different for women."
With that, Riven Ashvale placed the paper crane on the table and turned to head back into the secret chamber.
Selene Virelyn watched his back as he walked away.
Something stirred in her chest.
There was something about his posture — calm, unwavering — that made him seem so tall, so grounded, so… safe.
She felt a strange sense of security, something she hadn't known she was craving.
Once his figure vanished behind the chamber doors, she picked up the little paper crane and twirled it between her fingers.
"Little Crane, Little Crane," she whispered, half teasing, half thoughtful,
"Why are you so mischievous one moment and so kind the next? You're not cute at all... humph!"
[Ding! Achievement unlocked!]
[Ding! You gifted Selene Virelyn a paper crane!]
[You triggered a ten-thousand-fold critical hit return!]
[You received a Golden Crown Immortal Crane!]
Riven Ashvale, walking back to the secret chamber, heard the system notification, stumbled, and stopped in his tracks.
Looking at the absurdity that appeared in front of his retina, his mind blanked out.
Ten- Ten thousand???
He said speechlessly, "This counts too?"