Chapter 99: Ice Skin and Jade Bones – Am I the Only One Who's Useless?

“Brother, what’s this?”

That evening, after dinner at the Lu household, Xiao Yan stared curiously at the jade bottle Lu Qing had just taken out.

“Something special—dessert, for you.” Lu Qing smiled.

“Sweet?” The little girl’s eyes lit up instantly. She loved sweets.

“Just a hint of sweetness. Try it.”

Xiao Yan obediently opened her mouth. Lu Qing dripped a single drop of Dipulse Spiritual Fluid into her mouth.

“Mmm! It’s really sweet!” Xiao Yan grinned, licking her lips happily. Then she looked up at Lu Qing with wide, hopeful eyes. “Brother… is that all?”

“This stuff isn’t meant for overuse. You like sweet things—tomorrow, I’ll make you some treats.”

Xiao Yan was still young, and though the spiritual fluid’s power was mild, Lu Qing dared not give her too much at once. He’d only use one drop for now, to test her body’s reaction. If she could handle more, he’d increase the dosage later.

“Then it’s a promise, brother!” Xiao Yan’s face brightened instantly.

After consuming the drop, Xiao Yan quickly grew drowsy. Within moments, her eyelids grew heavy, and she leaned against Lu Qing, drifting off to sleep.

Lu Qing gently lifted her to her small bed, tucked her in with a light blanket, then turned to Xiao Li, who hopped up onto the bed and curled into its bamboo nest at the head, silently guarding the tiny two-legged creature.

Once Xiao Yan was settled and her breathing steady, Lu Qing exhaled in relief. He stepped out into the courtyard and sank into his favorite reclining chair.

The sun was setting, painting the sky in warm hues. Lu Qing sighed contentedly.

The journey into the mountains had been worth it—he’d gained an opportunity most would only dream of. But the constant vigilance, the danger of venomous insects and snakes, had kept his mind strained. Only now, back home, could he truly relax.

Staring at the fading sun, he let his thoughts drift for a while. Then, inevitably, they returned to the matter at hand.

His master had already begun crafting the Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pill. Lu Qing had offered to help, hoping to practice his pill-making skills. But the master, freshly broken through to a new realm, was brimming with energy and dismissed him with a wave.

“It’s just a simple pill. I can do it alone. And using Century-Old Ginseng for practice? That’s a waste. I can’t stand watching you squander such precious herbs.”

Lu Qing hadn’t argued. He already knew the recipe. He could practice later when the time came.

Once the master finished the pill, Lu Qing would be free to focus entirely on cultivation. That would be the beginning of a rapid leap in his power.

All he needed now was to wait two or three more days.

But he couldn’t neglect Script Dao either. Though it seemed weak in the early stages, once truly mastered, it granted abilities far beyond the reach of martial arts—something no mere sword or fist could match.

Lu Qing wasn’t about to give up such a divine path.

With that thought, he pulled a small silver coin from his pocket, activated his Abilities, and entered the Calm Mind and Wash Heart state. Slowly, he began observing the intricate patterns etched into the coin.

He’d already had a hint of insight in the Jade Transformation Cave Chamber—but Xiao Li’s awakening had interrupted his thoughts. Now, with quiet and focus, he could continue.

As night fell, the world grew dark. Lu Qing remained motionless, lost in deep contemplation. Time slipped away unnoticed.

Only when the moon rose high above the treetops, and stars shimmered brightly in the sky, did he snap back to awareness.

He glanced around, then up at the heavens, a little dazed.

“Goodness… it’s already this late. Script Dao is really good at making you forget time.”

He remembered the same happening in the cave—though it had felt like only a few hours, in reality, more than a day had passed.

“But every moment was worth it,” Lu Qing smiled, holding the silver coin.

He now understood the patterns on it. With just a few more sessions, he’d master them completely.

Of course, understanding a single coin’s design didn’t mean he’d mastered Script Dao. If it were that simple, the art wouldn’t have vanished, leaving only the cave behind.

This Heritage was vast, profound, and mysterious. Lu Qing knew he still had a long way to go.

He tucked the coin away, stood up, and realized his clothes were damp—soaked by the night mist.

But he was now a Qi Xue Jing martial artist, his body strong. A normal person would’ve caught a Wind-Cold Illness after sitting so long in the cold.

Shaking his head, Lu Qing circulated his inner energy. His body warmed instantly, drying the moisture from his clothes. Then he returned to the house to rest.

The next morning, Lu Qing rose early, practiced a few rounds of boxing, then prepared breakfast.

Just as he finished, he heard Xiao Yan giggling and playing with Xiao Li in her room.

He walked in to find the two little ones rolling around on the bed like a tangled ball of joy.

“Brother!” Xiao Yan spotted him and called out instantly.

“Awake already? Slept through the whole night—how do you feel?”

“Brother! Xiao Yan feels… lighter! Whiter!”

She held up her small, chubby arm, rolling up her sleeve to show him.

Her skin, once slightly tanned and pale, now glowed like white lotus root—soft, smooth, and utterly adorable.

Lu Qing had already noticed the change. The past few weeks, the household had been well-fed, and under his care, Xiao Yan’s health had improved dramatically since he’d arrived. She’d gained weight, her hair—once dull and yellow—had turned healthier, though still a bit yellowish.

And with all the time spent outdoors, her skin had been sun-kissed.

Now, though, her hair was dark and glossy, and her skin had turned soft and fair.

She looked even cuter—more radiant, more precious.

“Hmm… not just whiter. Your hair’s turned black too,” Lu Qing nodded.

“Really? My hair’s black?” Xiao Yan’s eyes widened with excitement.

Ever since her friends had commented on her hair, she’d been self-conscious. Now, hearing her brother confirm it, she was all ears.

“Of course. Just look in the mirror when you wash up.”

Xiao Yan scrambled off the bed. “Brother, I’m brushing my teeth and washing my face!”

She dashed to the courtyard, peered into the basin, and let out a joyful shout.

“Brother! My hair really is black!”

“Told you,” Lu Qing smiled. “As long as you eat well and sleep enough, your hair will grow beautiful.”

As he spoke, he quietly activated his Abilities to check her stats.

A faint red glow emanated from Xiao Yan’s body.

【Lu Xiao Yan: A human child, female.】

【Lucky little one—after consuming Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, she unexpectedly awakened a unique talent.】

【Ice Skin and Jade Bones (Not Fully Activated): Pure constitution, free of impurities, as clear and flawless as ice and jade. A natural-born cultivation seed. Exceptionally effective when mastering water-cold attribute combat techniques.】

Lu Qing stared, stunned.

Not only was there a red glow—equal in strength to Xiao Li’s—what truly shocked him was the second line.

Under the influence of the spiritual fluid, Xiao Yan had awakened a talent called Ice Skin and Jade Bones.

And from the description, it sounded incredible—truly a genius-level gift.

But…

“Not fully activated?”

Lu Qing frowned at the last line.

Was it because she’d only taken one drop?

He suspected so. Xiao Li had needed five drops to fully activate its stealth talent. Xiao Yan had only had one. It simply wasn’t enough.

To fully awaken this talent, she’d likely need several more drops.

But that wasn’t a problem.

Lu Qing had gathered nearly forty drops from the Jade Transformation Cave Chamber.

He’d used three himself, five each for Xiao Li and his master, and one last night for Xiao Yan—fourteen total.

He still had over twenty drops left.

Even if he gave her four more, he’d still have about twenty remaining.

Of those, ten were reserved for practicing the secret soul-strengthening technique from the Divine Seal Sect.

That left at least ten more for emergencies.

So Lu Qing had no worries about running out.

What disturbed him, though, was the irony.

After consuming the Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, Xiao Li and Xiao Yan both awakened talents. His master was on the verge of breaking through to Xian Tian Realm.

And yet—Lu Qing? All he’d gained was a slight increase in potential.

Everyone else had extraordinary gifts.

And only he… was the useless one?

His mood grew heavy.

Over the next two days, Lu Qing continued giving Xiao Yan a few drops of the spiritual fluid.

Finally, after the fifth dose, he checked her stats again with his Abilities.

A deep, radiant red light burst from her body.

【Ice Skin and Jade Bones: Pure constitution, free of impurities, as clear and flawless as ice and jade. A natural-born cultivation seed. Exceptionally effective when mastering water-cold attribute combat techniques.】

The words “Not Fully Activated” were gone.

Lu Qing exhaled in relief.

Just as he’d suspected—five drops were needed to fully awaken the talent.

“Brother? What’s wrong?”

Xiao Yan had just finished washing up and was waiting for him to tie her hair, but saw Lu Qing staring at her with a daze.

“Nothing. Just thinking,” he said, quickly snapping out of it.

With quick, practiced hands, he tied her hair into two little puffs.

He stepped back to admire his work—black, glossy hair, soft white skin, big bright eyes.

Xiao Yan looked like a porcelain doll—cute beyond words.

She’d told him she’d been praised nonstop by Zhang Ye Ye and others whenever she played outside. They’d given her sweets and treats, and she’d been overjoyed.

“Alright, let’s eat breakfast,” Lu Qing said.

Inside the house, the two siblings shared a bowl of meat porridge. Xiao Li happily devoured its fresh fish on the side.

Nighttime Spirit Fox truly loved fish. Even eating it three times a day didn’t make it tired.

As Lu Qing sipped his porridge, his thoughts turned elsewhere.

Now that Xiao Yan had such a rare talent, his plans would need adjusting.

Originally, he’d hoped she’d live a peaceful, safe life—no need to strive for greatness.

But now that she’d awakened such a gift… not using it would be a waste.

In this world, where martial strength ruled, the ability to cultivate was a dream for countless people.

Most never even had the chance.

So with such a gift, he had no choice but to support her.

From now on, he’d begin teaching her the basics of cultivation.

But according to his Abilities, the best techniques for her were water and cold attribute combat arts.

Unfortunately, none of the Heritage he’d inherited from Li Weitian fit—those were all Xian Tian-level techniques, and none were water-cold in nature.

“Looks like I’ll need to find a suitable water-cold Heritage for her,” Lu Qing thought.

Still, it wasn’t urgent.

Before reaching Xian Tian Realm, Hou Tian cultivation had no elemental affinities. Everyone trained the same way—strengthening blood, bones, and internal organs.

Only after forging one’s own Xian Tian Qi would elemental differences emerge.

Xiao Yan was still a child. She hadn’t even begun her first step. Even with such talent, it might be years before she reached Xian Tian.

For now, her training could wait.

Until then, the Nourish Body Fist from his master would be enough.

With that settled, Lu Qing looked up.

“Xiao Yan… do you want to learn to read?”

“Read?” Xiao Yan blinked, confused.

“Yeah. You love hearing stories about the little monkey, right? Well, outside, there are even better stories—stories written in books. If you learn to read, you can read them yourself.”

He’d been telling her stories regularly. He still didn’t understand how she could listen to the same monkey tale over and over and never get tired.

Even Xiao Li, usually indifferent, would sit up straight, eyes wide, completely captivated.

So he decided to use this as motivation.

Sure enough, Xiao Yan perked up instantly.

Even Xiao Li lifted its ears.

“Brother… are there really stories even better than the monkey one?”

“Of course. But only those who can read can enjoy them.”

“I want to learn! I want to learn, brother! Teach me to read!”

“Alright,” Lu Qing smiled. “From today, I’ll teach you. If I’m busy, you can learn from Chen Ye Ye.”

Seeing her enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but grin.

Then, he felt a tug at his trouser leg.

He looked down. Xiao Li was staring up at him, eyes full of hope.

“Wait… you want to learn too?” Lu Qing blinked.

It nodded.

He was stunned.

The power of stories was truly extraordinary—even a little beast wanted to learn.

But how did you teach a fox to read?

He had no idea.

“Then… how about this? I’ll teach you both together!” Xiao Yan said excitedly.

A study partner? That sounded perfect.

“…Alright,” Lu Qing said, sighing.

Facing the hopeful eyes of two little ones, he had no choice but to agree.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end