Jiang Heng knew that Zhang Yiyi, along with the Spatial Thunder Beast, had looted the heavenly materials and treasures near a cave belonging to a senior cultivator who had ascended, so he didn't refuse her offerings. Smiling, he accepted his good disciple's token of filial piety.

"These are fine items. Even I can make good use of them. You've been very thoughtful, Yiyi."

He didn't want to discourage his disciple's eagerness to show respect, especially since these items were indeed useful. Then, he gave her a few reminders.

"You must carefully conceal Maoqiu's true identity. There's no need to tell even your senior brothers. Let everyone assume it's just an ordinary contract beast for now. Also, prepare the materials for refining a high-grade beast pill. I'll help you find someone to refine it. After all, no ordinary contract beast would need such a special high-grade pill."

Jiang Heng himself had contract spirit beasts of an uncommon type and high level. So, the special high-grade beast pill made from all these heavenly treasures would have a fitting use.

Zhang Yiyi understood that her master was truly looking out for her. After all, people's intentions could be hard to gauge, and even within the Yunxian Sect, things weren't entirely straightforward. Avoiding unnecessary trouble was always better.

"Thank you, Master. I understand," she nodded repeatedly, thinking how fortunate she was to have such a good master. Her luck was truly first-rate.

"Also, don't worry about investigating the black substance for now. The sect will have experts take care of it."

Jiang Heng reminded her again: "This matter is highly confidential, beyond your current strength and level of concern. I can't tell you more, or it could put you in danger. Just focus on your cultivation. Once you become truly strong and capable of carrying the heavy responsibility of protecting the sect, many things will naturally become clear."

"I understand, Master!"

Seeing that her master had specifically brought up the black substance again, warning her not to investigate further, Zhang Yiyi realized the issue must be significant and far beyond what someone at her level could handle.

Though a bit curious, she knew better than to let curiosity get the best of her. Her master had warned her multiple times, so for the sake of her life, she decided to obediently follow his advice.

The master and disciple talked for a while longer, with Jiang Heng mentioning that in a few days, he would personally check on her progress in cultivation and swordsmanship. Afterward, he dismissed his little disciple to do whatever she wished.

Zhang Yiyi happily left her master's place and planned to find her senior brother.

Unfortunately, her senior brother wasn't at the First Peak at the moment. According to the young boy guarding his door, he had left for something urgent and would return within three to five days, or at most, ten days.

With that, Zhang Yiyi had no choice but to keep the gift she had specially prepared for her senior brother, planning to give it to him when he returned.

She then sent a message to Senior Sister Pan, informing her that she had returned and brought her a gift, asking her to stop by First Peak when she had time. However, after a long while, Senior Sister Pan finally replied, saying that she was also out of the sect on a mission with a few other disciples and that her return date was uncertain.

So, Zhang Yiyi returned excitedly, only to find that everyone was busy. Even though they were in the same sect, it wasn't easy to meet up.

As for her cousin, Zhang Tongtong, she was actually in the sect at the moment. Zhang Yiyi casually asked around and found out that her cousin had returned just two days ago, but she had already entered seclusion, and no one knew when she would come out.

However, Zhang Yiyi didn't bring a gift for her cousin. First, their relationship wasn't that close. Second, if the gift was too mediocre, her cousin wouldn't appreciate it, and if it was too valuable, Yiyi would be reluctant to part with it.

In fact, her bag might look full of heavenly materials and treasures, but after giving a large portion to Maoqiu, using some for her own body refining, and setting aside the gifts for her master, martial uncles, and senior brothers, there wasn't much left.

Shaking her head, Zhang Yiyi suddenly realized she might have been overthinking things. As the female protagonist of the novel, her cousin must have countless opportunities and resources. Zhang Yiyi was sure that her cousin wouldn't care about these small gifts and likely had no intention of having unnecessary interactions with her.

Yes, being polite acquaintances and coexisting peacefully was already good enough. Bringing gifts wasn't necessary at all.

After returning to her courtyard, Zhang Yiyi collapsed onto her bed and closed her eyes, not wanting to think about anything. She allowed herself to sleep deeply, just like an ordinary person.

In truth, since reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, she no longer needed sleep like an ordinary person to replenish her energy. But perhaps due to the deep memories of her previous life, she occasionally used sleep to fully relax, finding it to be the best way to relieve stress.

When she woke up, it was a new day. Stretching lazily, Zhang Yiyi felt fully refreshed, as though her body was brimming with endless energy.

Maoqiu was still sound asleep in the beast pouch, deeply engrossed in refining the treasures. Zhang Yiyi marveled at its unique way of refining precious items.

The yellow spring fire was far from simple, and who knew how long it would take Maoqiu to fully refine and absorb it.

Without realizing it, Zhang Yiyi had begun to miss Maoqiu, even though she was usually annoyed by its constant chattering. If Maoqiu found out, it would definitely get overly smug.

As for the bronze mirror, Zhang Yiyi finally had time to examine it closely.

She noticed that after swallowing the stone she had purchased, the mirror hadn't shown any noticeable changes. Perhaps her initial guess was wrong, or maybe the stone wasn't being refined quickly enough to make a difference yet.

For now, the bronze mirror appeared as ordinary as any other, yet Zhang Yiyi inexplicably felt that she could understand some of its current state.

For now, the bronze mirror was clearly in a state of complete dormancy, much like Maoqiu. Who knew when it would awaken?

"Sigh, all of you are busy with something. How can I fall behind?"

Thinking about how her master would personally inspect her progress in a few days, Zhang Yiyi didn't waste any more time and began her cultivation with full concentration.

For five straight days, she didn't leave her courtyard, until her master summoned her to review her recent cultivation progress.

After personally watching Zhang Yiyi perform her swordsmanship, Jiang Heng was quite satisfied. Even when she was away, this little apprentice had not slacked off in her training.

What's more, her understanding of swordsmanship had clearly improved beyond before, which delighted him greatly.

When he first taught her the Nine Swords of the Starry Sky, during the practice of the first sword, this little apprentice had vaguely touched upon the concept of time. And now, in her performance, he could sense a hint of spatial awareness.

It should be known that the principles of time and space were among the hardest to comprehend out of the Three Thousand Great Daos, and the Dao of Time and Space was something only those with great fortune could grasp. Yet Zhang Yiyi had already begun to comprehend time and space, even if it was still very vague. Given time, she might truly establish her own path in the Dao of Time and Space.

"Very good. In the future, when you're out and have the chance to practice, you can try using the power of the First Sword of the Starry Sky."

After inspecting her and giving some pointers, Jiang Heng smiled and granted Zhang Yiyi his approval.

This meant that Zhang Yiyi had officially achieved mastery of the First Sword of the Starry Sky. She could now use it in battle without worrying about any backlash from lack of control.

Zhang Yiyi understood her master's meaning and happily nodded. At the same time, the knowledge of the Second Sword of the Starry Sky unlocked in her mind, appearing in full clarity.

This meant she could now start learning the Second Sword of the Starry Sky.

Although her current cultivation level was still too low to fully unleash the power of the First Sword, at least the technique was now in her hands.

"Don't get too excited just yet. Although you've learned the First Sword, it's just the basics. So, I suggest you hold off on learning the Second Sword for now."

Jiang Heng knew that the Second Sword, sealed in her sea of consciousness, had already been unlocked. That's why he added, "Your sword momentum is complete, but you're still just a step away from grasping sword energy. In the coming days, keep practicing the First Sword repeatedly. One, to improve through repetition and increase its flexibility and power; and two, you might just gain the insight needed to generate sword energy."

"Thank you, Master, for your guidance. I know what to do."

With her master's advice, Zhang Yiyi felt as though a weight had been lifted from her mind, and she was more eager to train.

Jiang Heng could tell what she was thinking, so he didn't intend to keep her any longer. However, seeing that she seemed to have forgotten about the pill refinement for Maoqiu, he couldn't help but remind her, "Wait a minute, are you still refining that high-grade beast pill?"

"Huh? Oh, yes, of course!"

Zhang Yiyi snapped back to reality, sheepishly patting her face, and quickly handed over all the heavenly materials and other ingredients she had prepared into an empty storage bag for her master. "Master, sorry to trouble you."

"Alright, go ahead. Once the beast pill is ready, I'll let you know."

Jiang Heng found it amusing.

This girl might be a bit absent-minded, but she certainly took good care of her contracted beast. She handed over such valuable heavenly treasures without a second thought. These items were so precious that she would hardly have anything of worth left for herself. No wonder, when she had talked about those wealthy cultivators at the auction house, her eyes had lit up like a wolf's.

Zhang Yiyi had no idea her master was comparing her to a hungry wolf in his mind. Otherwise, she might have reconsidered how many gifts to give him when she returned.

After returning from her master's, Zhang Yiyi immediately shut herself in her courtyard and threw herself into her sword practice.

Upon hearing that his little junior sister had not only completed her first mission successfully but also brought back gifts, Wuji hurried over to her courtyard. However, he was disappointed to find that she was in seclusion.

With no choice, he went to see their master.

To his surprise, even half a month later, she still hadn't come out of seclusion.

Ten days later, Wuji returned to her courtyard, but the protective formation was still activated, barring entry.

Feeling somewhat regretful, he realized he had to leave the sect to find their second junior brother, who had encountered some issues while away.

As Wuji turned to leave, the protective formation of the courtyard suddenly deactivated, and a bright figure quickly emerged.

"Senior Brother! You're back?"

Seeing Wuji, Zhang Yiyi's already cheerful expression became even brighter.

It truly was a good day. After a month of seclusion, she had finally made a breakthrough and generated sword energy. To top it off, the first person she saw upon emerging was her senior brother.

Wuji hadn't expected that just before leaving, he'd finally get to see his little junior sister. His mood instantly improved, and without a word, he handed her a large collection of items he had prepared for her.

"Junior Sister, these are for you. I had a lucky break during my trip and thought you might find these useful."

Wuji wasn't usually much of a talker, but since he was about to leave, he ended up saying more than usual.

"If you don't need them, just keep them to give to someone else. Next time I return, I'll bring even better things. There's been some trouble with your second senior brother, so I have to leave now to find him. You take care of yourself, follow our master's teachings, and be careful if you go on any missions. If you're short on spirit stones, just ask our master to give you my share."

Zhang Yiyi, realizing that her senior brother was about to head off on a long journey, finally reacted and gratefully accepted the gifts he handed her.

Senior Brother Wuji truly treated her like a child, with all his reminders and instructions. Zhang Yiyi felt a bit embarrassed—was she really still so immature?

"Senior Brother, what happened to Second Senior Brother?"

She didn't hesitate to put away the gifts. After all, between family, there was no need for formalities. She intended to reciprocate generously in the future.

"He's far away, so I'm not exactly sure yet. I received his emergency talisman, so I'll know more once I get there. But don't worry, I'll make sure to bring him back safely!"

Seeing her worried expression, Wuji patted her shoulder to reassure her, secretly appreciating her genuine concern.

Ah, having a little junior sister was really different from having a troublesome second junior brother. This thoughtful and caring little sister was a million times more endearing.

"In that case, Senior Brother, please take care!"

Realizing that this trip might take a long time, Zhang Yiyi quickly took out the gifts she had prepared for her senior brothers.

"Senior Brother, these two items are for you, and those two are for Second Senior Brother. They're gifts I brought back from Jiagu Guan. When you see him, please help me pass them along. You both might find them useful."