My Portable Spirit Farm: Rise of the Humble Servant

Chapter 243: Bai Zhi’s Foundation Establishment

Bai Zhi’s eyes snapped open. Her long eyelashes, still damp with tears, fluttered as she stared at Chen Ping in absolute disbelief.

Sleep?

In her mind, Chen Ping had always been a calm, self-possessed, powerful, and nearly perfect man. How could he suddenly… make such a suggestion at a time like this?

Could it be… he also liked some… unusual tastes?

For example, in this isolated cave dwelling with just the two of them, where the atmosphere was subtly charged?

At the thought of a certain possibility, Bai Zhi felt a “boom” as all the blood in her body rushed to her head. Her cheeks, ears, and neck instantly flushed a frighteningly hot red.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably, almost threatening to burst from her chest.

In truth, from the moment Chen Ping walked in and took out that incredibly precious Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, she knew she had already fallen for him…

Deep down, she hadn’t been without a secret, barely acknowledged thought and preparation.

He had done so much for her. If he truly intended… she seemed… not entirely unwilling.

She just hadn’t expected… Chen Ping to be… so direct?

Shyness and nervous panic overwhelmed her.

She simply squeezed her eyes shut tightly, as if that could help her escape this awkward situation…

Her trembling fingers subconsciously found the clasps of her robe. With a kind of desperate resolve, she prepared to undo them.

Chen Ping watched as Bai Zhi suddenly turned red all over like a boiled shrimp, even her slender neck flushing crimson, her breathing becoming rapid and scorching. He couldn’t help but frown, deeply puzzled.

What was going on?

Hadn’t she just stabilized?

Could this be another manifestation of the Inner Demon’s backlash?

A precursor to Qi Deviation?

Worried, he didn’t have time to think it through. Instinctively, he channeled a thread of pure, gentle Water-Wood True Essence, wanting to probe and soothe the inexplicably restless “heat” within her body.

However, as soon as a little True Essence was transferred, he abruptly stopped.

Because he saw that Bai Zhi not only didn’t calm down, but her eyelashes trembled even more violently. Her hands kept moving, actually undoing two clasps. Her plain white robe loosened slightly, revealing a small patch of smooth, delicate shoulder and neck skin, and a faint, dazzling curve of snowy white…

Chen Ping sucked in a sharp breath, pulling his hand back as if burned. He instantly understood!

This girl… had completely misunderstood!

Even with his steady state of mind, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of embarrassment and amusement.

He quickly stepped forward—not to get closer, but to swiftly yet gingerly pull together her loosened robe, tightly covering that glimpse of spring scenery. His voice carried a rare urgency and awkwardness.

“Bai Zhi! You… what are you doing? Stop!”

His action and tone successfully halted Bai Zhi’s next, bolder move.

Bai Zhi opened her eyes in confusion. Her gaze was watery, full of bewilderment and shyness as she looked at him, as if asking:

Didn’t you tell me to…?

Chen Ping took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and explained as steadily as possible.

“Don’t misunderstand! What I meant was, you’re currently mentally exhausted, your state of mind is unstable, and your spirit has suffered immense损耗. Attempting to forcefully break through to Foundation Establishment in this condition, especially while facing the Inner Demon Tribulation, is extremely dangerous. It’s better to first get a good night’s sleep, let your mind completely relax, recover your energy, and adjust your condition to its peak before attempting the breakthrough. I… absolutely meant nothing else!”

He spoke each word clearly, afraid of any further misunderstanding.

After hearing this, Bai Zhi froze completely. The blush on her face rapidly deepened from crimson to an almost bleeding scarlet, then faded into an embarrassed pallor.

Heavens!

So… she had been overthinking!

She had completely misunderstood, and even… made such an embarrassing move!

A sense of shame overwhelmed her. She wished she could immediately find a crack in the ground to crawl into. She buried her head low, almost tucking it into her chest, and frantically re-fastened her robe, her fingertips trembling.

Yet deep in her heart, an extremely faint, almost imperceptible thread of disappointment flickered past…

It was the vague sense of a certain expectation being dashed.

“I’m… I’m sorry… Chen Ping… I… I…”

She stammered incoherently, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, utterly mortified.

Seeing her like this, Chen Ping’s own embarrassment dissipated. Instead, he felt somewhat amused and helpless, and said gently,

“It’s fine. Just rest peacefully. I’ll stay here as your Dharma Protector. Don’t worry, no one will disturb you.”

Bai Zhi let out a soft “mm,” not daring to look at him again. She obediently lay back on the jade couch, pulled the soft, thin quilt tightly over herself, even covering her head, as if that could block out everything from the outside world, including the soul-crushing awkwardness from moments ago.

Perhaps because her tightly wound nerves suddenly relaxed, or perhaps because she felt reassured knowing Chen Ping was guarding her…

Bai Zhi only felt exhaustion wash over her like a tide. She actually fell into a deep sleep very quickly.

This sleep lasted a full three days and three nights.

True to his promise, Chen Ping remained seated in a corner of the cave, eyes closed, regulating his breathing. His Divine Sense constantly monitored Bai Zhi’s condition, ensuring she slept peacefully and undisturbed.

When Bai Zhi naturally awoke from the deep, sweet darkness, she felt her spiritual platform exceptionally clear. The headaches and heart palpitations that had plagued her for days were gone. Her spirit felt unprecedentedly full, and the Qi within her body circulated smoothly and harmoniously on its own.

She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Chen Ping, still sitting quietly not far away, his figure tall and straight like a pine tree.

He was still there!

This realization filled her heart with reassurance and warmth. She felt her entire body brimming with strength. The fear and anxiety she had felt about Foundation Establishment miraculously dissipated for the most part, replaced by an unprecedented confidence and courage!

She got up and gave Chen Ping a sincere, slightly shy but much brighter smile.

“Chen Ping, I’m ready.”

Chen Ping opened his eyes, looked her over, saw her complexion rosy and her gaze clear and determined—indeed in excellent condition—and nodded.

“Good. Meditate for one more day to stabilize your mind, then you can take the Pill and break through.”

Bai Zhi obediently agreed.

Another day later, Bai Zhi sat cross-legged on the jade couch. She took one last look at Chen Ping, who was guarding her as her Dharma Protector…

Under his calm, encouraging gaze, she resolutely placed that Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill into her mouth!

The Pill dissolved instantly upon entering. A vast yet incredibly gentle medicinal power exploded, flooding into her limbs and bones, scouring her Meridians, and converging toward her Dantian!

Foundation Establishment had officially begun!