"This can't be… But I don't see any other way for such things to happen…"

As the Sect Master keeps muttering under her nose, I can't help but get more worried with each passing second. Did I actually just signed a death contract by following my instinct? Or will my actions make me suffer some unimaginable backlash later on?

"Can you please explain what makes you worried? You are kinda making me rather anxious…"

Unable to hold any longer, I just directly ask Stella. Good news or not, it's better to just get it over with.

"It's not that simple to answer just like that. For now, you can be sure that there is nothing wrong with you per se… Or rather, you are in a state far better than I would ever dare to imagine!"

Only after hearing those words, do my heart calms down. I was ready to have my first seizure in a pristine age of seventeen because of you, you know!? Ah, but all is good that end well.

"If it's something hard to explain, you can take your time. I'm all better now so understanding what kind of hole I'm in would be rather helpful. Maybe I would be able to avoid some stupid mistakes later on."

With no better option, I would love to know what made her so antsy. Even if I reached a soul hazard level in one go, the truth is that if the system works according to this world logic, then I already reached the pinnacle of the mortal realm. Even if I consider that Stella doesn't know about it, how can a spirit attainment expert show such face after something happened to someone far weaker than her?

"At first, you need to understand the three main states of energy. Starting from the end, there is complexity. To put it short, the higher realm you attain, the more complex your inner energy becomes, allowing you to make use of new kinds of techniques. To understand it, imagine trying to turn an ingot to a sword. It's far easier to use the entire smithy than just trying to hammer it to shape with a lone hammer. Even if you manage to do so, the effect would be a far cry from the intent."

Still stark naked, Stella sat on the massaging table cross-legged. If I were to look down, her most precious place would show its entirety to my eyes. Even if we just embraced each other a moment ago, this kind of defenceless posture still managed to flip my switch a bit.

Forcing my eyes to look at her face, I look back to not stare at her bare breasts. With cultivation enormously extending one lifespan, there is no point in thinking about her age. In fact, spirit attainment expert body ages in just a tenth of the speed of normal mortal, so even if she is way over a hundred years old already, her attributes are still in the shape of a woman in her early twenties. That not only is impressive in itself, but also mean that she obtained a level high enough to stall the ageing process before turning thirty!

"Then we have denseness. The more energy you accumulate before a breakthrough, the more benefits will await you later on. To keep the smithing parallel, the density of your energy translates to the weight of the hammer you use to put your sword in shape. While you can finish the work with a nail, it would take a lot more time and effort than just using a heavy hammer. "

As her explanation continues, I move from the table to the part of the floor where my robes got thrown back when the lesson started. Picking them up I look around the room in search for something to sit on, only to realise that there is only this damn massaging table in here.

Left with no other choice, I sit back where I was laying just a moment ago and keep listening to Stella's lecture.

"And then goes purity. Compared to previous two, one has really no way to change whether the energy he absorbs is pure or not. In short, the purer the energy, the better the outcome. Going back to my comparison, it's like working around some cheap ore and perfectly purified on. The one important thing though is that with one's growth, the purity of the absorbed energy raises. Once reaching the spirit realm of cultivation, one can absorb energy attainable only for geniuses back on the mortal realm. "

At this moment, Stella swallows a mouthful of air before exhaling it with exhaustion noticeable in her voice.

"When you first tried to overcome my binding technique, the energy that I felt simply swooped me in. I had a chance to work with my previous master after she already reached the higher realm. Not even her energy was as pure as yours. Because of this, instead of guiding you along, it was you who steered my cultivation!"

At this point, I suddenly understand what the Bonger meant by the dual cultivation. From what I just heard, this kind of activity is only beneficial to the weaker side!

Wait, does that mean that I'm actually stronger than a damn sect master now?

"But less with that. I can explain the rest of it to you later on. Now you need to fortify your cultivation. In case if you forgot how to do it as well, just try to focus your energy and stabilise its flow. Only then you will be able to push for another breakthrough. Even with your talent, it should take you at least a few days to reach mind menace level."

Well, her words make a sense. Even my intuition is telling me that she isn't trying to bullshit me. In this world filled with hostility, I wouldn't be surprised if a teacher wanted to obstruct his disciple way if a younger generation posed a treat to him or his position!