“Focus, Han Shun! Forget the cold and dampness!” Bai Shijue yelled as he walked on water, staring at Han Shun, who was sitting cross-legged, meditating under the waterfall. 

Han Shun was shivering after only one hour under the waterfall. He felt damp cold, and his gaze started to be blurry.

But when Bai Gege walked on water and stood in front of him, his consciousness returned. He stared at Bai Gege full of absolute devotion, thus resuming his meditation to refine his qi. 

Han Shun picked this waterfall because Han Shun needed to get closer to his water affinity. Hopefully, it would wash away all the possibility of him discovering his true power, at least not until he was mature enough to know. 

“Close your eyes, Han Shun! You can’t focus if your eyes are wide open!”

Han Shun was reluctant to close his eyes because he felt his strength came from looking at Bai Gege.

He closed his eyes slowly, and Bai Shijue could see how the qi regulation inside Han Shun’s body started slowing down. All the energy from nature was also blocked. 

[Eh?! Chotto Matte, he can’t cultivate with his eyes closed?!]

“Han Shun, open your eyes!” Bai Shijue commanded, and Han Shun obediently opened his eyes.

Again, he saw Bai Gege, with his clean white robe and gorgeous face that no mortal could ever have, standing in front of him. He looked worried, which made Han Shun feel treasured because Bai Gege cared for him so much.

No matter how many times Bai Gege showed how much he cared, Han Shun seemed to never get enough of it.

Bai Shijue saw how the qi inside Han Shun’s body started regulating quickly, and his vitality boosted more than 100%. He could also regulate the energy from nature, in and out.

“Han Shun… how could you cultivate like this?” Bai Shijue asked out of shock. This was the first time he ever saw someone that could cultivate with his eyes open and even talking to him.

“Because I’m looking at Bai Gege right now! Bai Gege is my source of strength!” Han Shun replied. He had a big smile on his face. “Gege, as long as you’re here with me, I will be able to cultivate quickly!”

…

Bai Shijue wanted to deny that absolutely ridiculous reason. But seeing how fast Han Shun could pass this qi refining level, he decided to just be wise and allowed stand in front of Han Shun. 

Three hours had passed, Bai Shijue started feeling hungry, so he snapped his finger and brewed a tea with the water below him and tea leaves nearby. He also summoned his guqin and sat on the water.

He sipped the tea and started plucking the strings of his guqin. 

Han Shun kept staring at Bai Gege, and he felt that he had unlimited energy.

No matter how cold or painful it was, just looking at Bai Gege would already restore all his strength. 

‘As long as Bai Gege is here…’ Han Shun thought.

Six hours had passed, Bai Shijue got up from the water and walked towards Han Shun. 

“Han Shun, today is enough. You have been meditating—or kind of meditating, I guess, for more than six hours. Let’s rest now.”

“No, Bai Gege, Han Shun will continue cultivating as long as Bai Gege is by my side!” Han Shun insisted.

“It’s not good for your health if you force it. Don’t worry, you won’t miss anything if you take a rest,” Bai Shijue said. 

Han Shun was so joyful with the worry in Bai Gege’s eyes. It was like ecstasy for him. The more he saw the concern in Bai Gege’s eyes, the more he wanted to push it. 

Because that meant Bai Gege would be worried and constantly think about him. 

“Bai Gege, Han Shun will stay here for the whole day and night! I will cultivate as quick as possible!” Han Shun said. 

Bai Shijue sighed in the end. Han Shun was really stubborn when he wanted to do something. But he couldn’t let Han Shun strain himself. He still needed his important rest. 

So Bai Shijue brewed another tea and then carefully put the edge of the cup on Han Sun’s lips.

“Drink this. It will replenish your energy,” Bai Shijue said.

Han Shun’s eyes hadn’t left Bai Gege, not even a second. He drank the tea, not caring whether it was hot or not, as long as Bai Gege fed him. 

As long as Bai Gege stayed by his side…

Bai Shijue jolted slightly when he saw the strength qi inside Han Shun’s body burst, and the water from the waterfall avoided Han Shun, so he wouldn’t get wet anymore.

Bai Shijue’s eyes widened, and he asked Han Shun, “How… how did you do this? You’re already controlling the water….”

“Um, really?” Han Shun looked up and found the water falling on him was split into two and passed his body. Han Shun looked at Bai Gege, who got wet because he was standing beside Han Shun. “Gege, you’re wet….”

“Oh, that would be alright—”

Bai Shijue was in for another surprise when the water also split on top of him, even though he wasn’t doing anything.

It was all Han Shun’s doing right now.

“Han Shun… how did you do it? A thing like this shouldn’t be possible with only one day of cultivating!” 

“I don’t know, Gege. I just keep thinking about how you’re going to get sick if you’re damp,” Han Shun replied. “Um… I told you, right? I will get stronger as long as Bai Gege is by my side! Because I’m going to be strong for Bai Gege, I will protect Bai Gege in the future!”

Bai Shijue let another deep sigh. Han Shun was truly weird with his cultivation, and his way of cultivating was also different from the others. So Bai Shijue had to follow what Han Shun wanted.

“Fine, if my presence can help you, then I will stay by your side.”