Cultivation starts with picking up attributes-Chapter 43: Ch-: Lingering Tension

The sun had only just broken over the distant peaks when Tian Shen, Feng Yin, and Sect Master Feng Yan arrived at the Profound Qi Sect.

The grand mountain gates stood tall, flanked by intricate carvings of dragons and ancient cultivators, as if the stone itself bore witness to centuries of legacies.

Inside the Sect’s inner sanctum, the three were guided swiftly to the Meeting Hall—a vast chamber filled with polished jade pillars and floating lanterns that swayed gently without wind.

The air buzzed with spiritual energy, but underneath it all lingered a sense of veiled tension, like an elegant painting hiding cracks beneath its frame.

At the head of the hall sat Sect Master Qi Zhenyu, a middle-aged man dressed in flowing silver robes, his eyes calm and deep, yet clearly measuring each of them with silent scrutiny.

Despite the slight creases near his temples, his bearing was regal, and every gesture seemed calculated to assert authority without being overt.

"Sect Master Feng," Zhenyu greeted with a nod, his voice smooth.

"Welcome to Profound Qi Sect. Your visit honors us."

Feng Yan returned the gesture, smiling courteously.

"The honor is mutual, Sect Master Qi. May peace reign between our sects."

Qi Zhenyu’s gaze shifted toward Tian Shen, lingering just a moment longer than protocol demanded.

Tian Shen gave a respectful bow but said nothing, his mind occupied with the thought of invisible attribute bubbles possibly scattered within the ancient sect.

Qi Zhenyu continued as he looked towards Feng Yin.

"You must be Lady Feng Yin. The stories fail to do your beauty justice."

Feng Yin’s smile was polite but distant.

"You’re too kind, Sect Master."

As they exchanged more pleasantries, a young servant brought in freshly brewed spirit tea.

Tian Shen took his cup with a gracious nod but made no move to drink. Instead, he subtly glanced around the room, noting the faint pulsing glimmers that he could feel through his spiritual sense.

Qi Zhenyu folded his hands over the table, giving a warm but measured smile.

"Let’s not waste time with small talk. I’m a practical man. Our sects stand to gain much from each other, and cooperation is the path forward. I propose a binding marriage alliance."

The words landed like a stone in a pond. Feng Yin blinked.

"Excuse me?"

She said, smile frozen.

Qi Zhenyu nodded as if he had just offered a compliment.

"My eldest son, Qi Long, is a promising young man. Talented, good-natured, and—"

"Already has a habit of stalking," Tian Shen interjected with a pleasant tone, sipping his tea for the first time.

Qi Zhenyu frowned, a bit annoyed that a disciple interjected him, but Feng Yan cut him first hand.

Feng Yan gave a dry chuckle, rubbing his temple.

"Sect Master Qi, we appreciate the thought, but Feng Yin is already engaged."

Feng Yin took Tian Shen’s arm, leaning slightly closer.

"Quite happily so."

Tian Shen blinked once, caught off guard by the soft press of her chest against his arm, but schooled his expression.

"Yes. Quite... blissfully."

Only now did Qi Zhenyu understand that they were husband and wife to be.

Embarrassed, Qi Zhenyu coughed into his fist, clearly flustered for a moment.

"Ah... Forgive me. I hadn’t been informed. A misstep on my part."

"Easily forgiven," Feng Yan said with a magnanimous wave.

"We did arrive on short notice."

"Indeed," the Sect Master said, adjusting his sleeves.

"Well, I won’t insist. Our internal affairs have... complexities of their own."

Tian Shen’s ears perked slightly at that. A sect like this having internal turmoil?

That explained the odd spiritual fluctuations he’d sensed since entering. Perhaps this visit would be more fruitful than expected.

"Why don’t you two take a stroll through the sect?"

Qi Zhenyu offered, changing the subject.

"The Plum Blossom Garden is in full bloom, and the Crystal Pond is especially serene in the morning. Let me discuss formal matters with Sect Master Feng Yan."

Tian Shen stood up almost too quickly.

"That sounds perfect. Come, Yin’er, let me show you the wonders of a sect that’s definitely not trying to pawn you off."

Though, an aggressive approach, it wasn’t given a respond by the Sect Master.

Feng Yin raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Lead the way, dear fiancé."

As they stepped out of the hall, Feng Yan watched them go with a faint smile, while Qi Zhenyu leaned toward him with a sigh.

"She’s really engaged to him?"

Feng Yan chuckled.

"Would you like to try suggesting otherwise to her face?"

Back inside the hall, the discussion turned serious.

But outside, Tian Shen and Feng Yin walked side-by-side into the heart of the Profound Qi Sect, their path already glimmering with unseen opportunity and the promise of hidden treasures—both literal and emotional.

Tian Shen smiled to himself. Time to start collecting.

The gates of the Profound Qi Sect opened into an elegant courtyard paved with grey jade tiles, bordered by blooming spirit-lotus ponds and towering spiritual trees whose leaves shimmered faintly with qi.

Tian Shen and Feng Yin stepped forward side by side, watched by disciples clad in navy-blue robes who bowed politely yet curiously at the duo.

Once out of the meeting hall and free from the suffocating formality, Tian Shen stretched his arms above his head and let out a groan.

"Ahh, that negotiation had fewer swords than I expected."

Feng Yin rolled her eyes.

"You were practically smirking the whole time. I thought you enjoyed watching the Sect Master squirm."

"I did," Tian Shen said brightly.

"It was like watching a fish try to climb a tree, all flapping dignity and no grip."

She laughed softly, glancing sideways at him.

"Don’t be mean. His offer was political, not personal."

"That’s true. But suggesting you marry someone else while I’m standing there? That man was either brave or blind."

"Or both," Feng Yin murmured, a faint flush painting her cheeks. She looked away, pretending to admire a passing junior disciple’s talisman pouch.

Tian Shen stepped closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

"You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was testing my ability to keep my fiancée from being snatched away."

She elbowed him gently.

"Stop flirting."

"I’m not flirting. I’m stating the fact."

He reached out to adjust a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek.

"I did promise to marry you, didn’t I?"

Feng Yin’s eyes flickered with emotion before she looked away again, her heart racing.

"Let’s just... explore. You’re here for a reason, aren’t you?"

He grinned, letting the topic go—for now.

’Yes, let’s see what attribute bubbles these walls hide.’

As they walked deeper into the inner sect area, the architecture changed subtly—less ceremonial, more practical. Small workshops buzzed with spiritual energy, open courtyards hosted sparring disciples, and stalls lounged beside meditation pavilions.

Tian Shen’s gaze wandered deliberately, not just to admire the infrastructure but to scan for the faint glimmers only he could see—attribute bubbles.

He spotted only one. A faint green orb nestled inside a potted herb by the alchemy hall.

『Host gains Wood Element ×10.』

A mental tug, and it vanished into his stats without even a ripple. He smiled faintly. Though it wasn’t much, it was at least working.

"What was that smile for?"

Feng Yin asked, catching his expression.

"Just appreciating the spiritual flora," Tian Shen replied smoothly.

"You mean the moss growing on your ambitions?"

She teased.

He laughed, dodging her playful slap.

"Hey now, I’m deeply committed to the study of cultivation and women—I mean, medicinal herbs."

"Hmm."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You’re scheming again, aren’t you?"

"Would I ever?"

They wandered into the talisman research hall, where aged masters and eager apprentices scribbled complex runes onto talisman paper.

The scent of spiritual ink mingled with incense. One elder, seeing Feng Yin, blinked and stood up.

"Ah, you must be Lady Feng. You’re far more radiant in person than rumors claimed."

Tian Shen coughed.

"She gets that a lot."

Feng Yin smiled politely.

"Thank you, Elder."

"Young man," the elder continued, eyeing Tian Shen up and down.

"Are you her... guardian?"

"I’m her... guardian of the heart," Tian Shen said with a straight face.

Feng Yin pinched his side before he could wink.

"He’s my companion."

"Ah." The elder looked even more amazed.

Feng Yin was already giggling, trying to hide it behind her sleeve. The elder shook his head.

"Troublemaker. You’ll fit right in."

As they left the hall, Tian Shen leaned toward her.

"See? Even your sect peers acknowledge my brilliance."

"They acknowledge your ability to cause chaos."

"Same thing."

They passed by a meditation chamber next, where a few disciples sat in lotus positions, glowing faintly with absorbed qi.

Tian Shen snagged another attribute bubble in passing—

『Host gains Qi ×50.』

He suppressed a grin. This place was a treasure trove.

Feng Yin noticed.

"You keep spacing out. Is everything alright?"

"Just... feeling lucky," He murmured.

"Being here, with you."

She gave him a sideways look.

"That’s a smooth talker."

"Thank you. I’ve been practicing."

"You don’t have to charm me, Tian Shen," she said softly, fingers brushing his sleeve.

"I already chose you."

The moment stilled.

Tian Shen glanced at her, expression softening.

"I know. And I still can’t believe it."

Feng Yin smiled.

"Believe it. And stop staring before I start blushing."

"I’m counting on it."

Just then, a pair of young disciples walked past, whispering.

"...That’s her, isn’t it?"