Opening the thin, ragged book, Yvette once again engrossed herself into reading.

Surprisingly, unlike the words written on the cover, the words within the book are all finely written.

*Acupuncture, this ancient art itself could not be said to be perfect, nor could it considered as the best.

Yet, it is still able to survive through the ages and be preserved.

In comparison to miracle medicines, it may not be able to regenerate limbs.

In comparison to strengthening elixir, it may not allow you to own the fleshly strength of a ferocious beast.

In comparison to tasteless, scentless and colorless poison, it may harder to use and learn.

Yet, with a few needles, you are able to strengthen yourself for a short time, quicken the regeneration of the flesh, and cause the limbs of your enemies to become useless.

Unfortunately, even as an all-rounded art, this art has a major drawback. Each time you use this art to strengthen or heal, it draws the vitality within the applied one, shortening their lifespan and weakening their constitution.

But after years of researching for countless years, I have managed to partly solve this problem.

At the end of this book, I have written a set of breathing exercise which allows one to gather vitality from the world’s energy. Unfortunately, this art has not been perfected and will cause the gathered vitality to disappear after some time. But if you, who found this book, use this breathing exercise while applying the ancient acupuncture technique to yourself, your vitality will not be damaged.*

Reading the introduction, Yvette had her interest intrigued, causing her to be deeply engrossed into the book.

But because of how thin the book was, not too much time passed before she finished the book.

Closing the book, Yvette looked towards the window nearby, showing the still bright sky as light shimmered through it. Looking on, she involuntarily found herself at a loss.

Even though she wished to practice acupuncture, she would need a needle, as her fingers, affected by her cultivation technique, are not strong enough to press deeply into her acupuncture point. And even if she wished to cultivate, she found this location rather inappropriate, leaving her with a sense of loss.

Yet, with how she has been straining her mind for the last few days, she could not help but to appreciate the moment of tranquility.

Suddenly, her pair of fox ears twitched as the sound of footsteps drifted into her ears.

Glancing at the source of the sound, she saw Daiyu walking towards her. But unwilling to disturb the tranquility, she said nothing and once again turned towards the window, looking at the scenery outside.

When Daiyu arrived near her, she greeted, “My lady.” Indicating her arrival, while Yvette lightly nodded to show her acknowledgement.

Seeing her mistress simply staring out the window, Daiyu refrained from disturbing her and took a book to read beside her.

Noticing this, Yvette silently thanked Daiyu within her mind before once again letting her mind to wander freely.

At one point, she thought of Nastaran’s advice to visit her adopted-parents before her consciousness unknowingly drifted away.

When she awoke, she noticed that she is no longer sitting on a seat inside the Pavilion of Knowledge, but lying on the familiar bed within her room.

Silently thanking the person who carried her to her room, she looked out the window and saw that it is already night time. As she pushed open the window, she felt the cool, night wind, causing her hair to flutter as moonlight illuminated her figure, forming a picturesque scene. Yet, there was none to appreciate the scene.

As Yvette gazed towards the moon, she could feel a sense of loss once again filling her mind. But this time, she quickly regained her composure and directly sat cross-legged on the floor, meditating.

Soon enough, she managed to stabilize her frame of mind. But fearing of once again being overwhelmed by the sense of loss, she decided to wholly focus herself into cultivation.

As she immersed herself into cultivation, day unknowingly arrived.

Noticing the thinning of Yin energy around her, Yvette opened her eyes and glanced out the window.

At that moment, a knocking sound came from the door followed by a voice.

“My lady, have you awoken?”

Hearing Daiyu’s familiar voice, Yvette turned around and voiced her consent.

Once Daiyu entered, she curtsied before proceeding to stand a few paces behind her, awaiting orders.

Turning around, Yvette noticed that there was a faint worry within Daiyu’s eyes as she looked at her.

Seeing this, Yvette’s gaze unknowingly softened. But a moment later, she retracted her gaze and softly spoke.

“I wish to visit my parents.”

Then, without waiting for Daiyu to react, Yvette walked out of the room. Seeing this, Daiyu said nothing and silently followed behind her.

Remembering the path that she took days ago, Yvette soon arrived at the teleportation array.

As she once again appraised the symbols and lines engraved upon various placed on the array, she was able to roughly comprehend the array. Yet, when she tried to take a closer look upon the formation, she was unable to comprehend its vital parts. Unconvinced, she tried to touch the engraved rods, inspecting the symbols upon it.

“With your current level of comprehension upon formations, it would exhaust too much of your time to comprehend the array’s secrets. Even more so with the seal placed upon it. It would be best to not waste your time on it.”

Turning around at the unexpected voice, Yvette saw the middle-aged woman who she met at the Pavilion of Knowledge two days ago.

After bowing slightly in greeting, Yvette glanced inquiringly at her. Noticing this, she spoke.

“Arya, North Yin Peak elder. In charge of the arrays and safety, which I assume you already know, lady Yvette.”

Nodding, Yvette was about to speak when Arya continued.

“You must be here to use the teleportation array, go stand atop the platform and tell me where you wish to go. I will send you there.”

After giving her words of gratitude, she directly gave her destination, “The Main Peak.” Before walking towards the teleportation platform with Daiyu in tow.

Once the pair stood on the center of the array, Arya moved placed her hands atop a pedestal located at the edge of the array. Moments later, the array symbols started to light up one by one from the Qi she poured into the array. When all the symbol lit up, the light from the array turned blinding as it engulfed both Yvette and Daiyu standing atop the array.

As Arya gazed at the disappearing silhouette of Yvette within the light, she mused lightly, “Her sleeping face is indeed much cuter.” Once the light died, she could no longer see the pair. Seeing this, she walked away and slowly disappeared, blending into the shadows.

On the Main Peak, where the teleportation array is located, a surge of light came out of the array. Once the light disappeared, a pair of girls was revealed standing at the array.

As she gazed at the familiar surroundings, she walked down from the array platform and followed the familiar white stone path with Daiyu quietly following right behind.

Not long after, the familiar sight of the majestic mansion appeared before them.

As they neared, the sound of shouting and wooden weapon clashing drifted into their ears. Curious, Yvette searched for the source of the sound and arrived at a garden.

There, she saw the sight of her brother kneeling with one knee while gasping for breath as sweat trickled down his face, while in front of him, her father stood tall like an immovable mountain.

Puzzled at the unexpected scene, her gaze wandered and found her mother sitting quietly at a location distanced from the pair of father and son. At the same time, Esfir’s head turned as it met with her gaze.

Then, with a blooming smile, Esfir beaconed to her.

“There is no need to stand there, Yvette, come here and join your mother to watch these pair of brutes fool about.”

As she spoke, Bahram and Behnam turned their heads towards Yvette and showed a faint smile that is very similar. But when they heard how Esfir called them a pair of brutes fooling about, their smile turned wry almost at the same time.

Unable to refuse her mother’s request, Yvette nodded and walked towards where her mother sat.

Seeing this, the pair of father and son looked at each before Bahram raised his chin, motioning Behnam to attack. Gritting his teeth, Behnam ignored the complaints of his tired body and rushed towards his father, refusing to leave a horrible opinion upon his new sister.

Noticing his thoughts, Esfir rolled her eyes and quietly muttering, “Men…” Yet her actions did not go unnoticed by Yvette who casted an inquiring glance at her.

Even though she looked down upon her son’s act, she was still unwilling to ruin his image upon his new sister, hence Esfir shook her head and offered her a seat instead.

As Yvette spent time with her new family, she could feel her mental state slowly turning much more relaxed compared to before. Yet, knowing the cruel truth of the world around her, she would still hold more vigilance towards the world, but with her family, she would have a place to rest her mind.

Once dusk arrived, Yvette bade her farewell and returned to the North Yin Peak with Daiyu, repeating her daily reading and cultivation.

Each week, she went to study under Esfir and Nastaran every six days before going to visit her parents during the end of each week, but never forgetting to read and cultivate each day.

Time quickly passed and a month passed.

Within one of the garden of North Yin Peak, a middle-aged woman and a young 5-year-old girl stood facing each other.

“Yvette, you have learned under me for a month and can already form tier one formations, qualifying you as a Beginner Formationist. Not only that, you have also managed to successfully inscribe green-tier inscriptions consecutively, which also qualifies you as a Beginner Inscriber. All that is left is to finish the formal procedures and you may be officially be a formationist and inscriber.”

Saying that, Nastaran handed Yvette a medallion which is engraved with an image of a pagoda surrounded by a ring of stars.

“If you decide to visit Stellar City, make sure to visit the Vocation Union’s formation and inscription branch there. You can show the medallion to someone in charge to take a formationist and inscriber exam, they will then take care of the rest.”

“Understood, teacher.”

She then bowed respectfully before walking away. As she watched her back getting farther away, a faint smile crept up onto Nastaran’s face as she gazed at her young disciple’s back.

As she left the garden, Yvette once again treaded the path leading towards the Pavilion of Knowledge. Arriving there, she once again spent the rest of her day reading before returning to her room with Daiyu.

The next day, no one came to her room as it was a free day, and just like how she spent her other free days, Yvette directly went towards where the teleportation array is located.

Arriving there, her gaze wandered in search of something. At that moment, a voice drifted into her ear.

“Visiting your parents again, young mistress?” Turning her head, she saw Arya standing behind her and Daiyu smilingly.

As the pair has been using the teleportation formation multiple times to visit the Main Peak, they have slowly become acquainted with the elder who guards the array, Arya.

“Yes, if it would not be a bother.” Replied Yvette.

“Oh, certainly not. Go stand on the center and I will send you two there.”

Once the pair stood at the center, Arya activated the formation, causing bright light to shoot out of the array, sending the pair directly to the Main Peak.