With the initial conflict between Leila and Stella explained, we were left with just a bit of scolding from our superior, before we finally got back to the mansion and sat around a small table, while sipping on the tea that Leila hurried to prepare as soon as we enter the place.

I have to admit. While Eve has an exceptional skill where it comes to cooking, our toy is far superior where it comes to etiquette or brewing!

"Is she the one you mentioned back at my place?"

Raising the cup to her velvet lips, Stella took a small sip of the liquid before taking a dreamy look on her face. As I tried it already, I could confirm that this brew was truly exceptional! How the heck did Leila manage to create something as delicious from simple tea leaves?

"Yeah. Not only is she already at the spirit attainment stage, with my guidance she will be able to turn into someone far stronger than your everyday cultivator of that level. With that, she will be also able to achieve a breakthrough to a full spirit realm as well."

Using the fact that my toy left us alone in the room to not hinder our conversation, I allowed myself to discuss the topic freely. Let's forget about the fact that as soon as Leila left, I asked sect master to set up a barrier to make sure that neither she nor anyone else would be able to hear the content of our conversation!

"Didn't you consider just leaving your techniques and insights with me, or just sharing them for the entire sect? I know this request is really shameless of me, but I would love if I could see this sect raise back from its current shambles!"

That's a Stella for you! Just by pointing out how unheard of her request is, she almost blocked me from using this as an argument to refuse! But when it comes to being shameless… Sister, I was born on Earth, with all the perks and cons that comes included in the package! There is no way you will cross the line I never crossed before! Sharing my precious insights? Who am I, a charity?

"While I would love to implement a nondiscriminatory system where everyone shares their knowledge with others… there is simply no way it would work. Knowledge isn't something that can be fully obtained, it's something that is constantly building up. If I share what I know with others, in a short time new techniques will arise that will top what I cultivated in! If someone asked you to put a knife in someone's hand before turning your back to him, would you do it?"

I can't curse enough my lack of information. With how many novels and stories I read or heard, there is no way for me to pinpoint whether there is a perfect path of cultivation, or it could be always improved. It's the same as with earthly technology. Some might think that Newtonian physic reached its pinnacle, with all the rules uncovered and formulas formed, but then a new physics came and introduced the world to a whole new dimension of quantum mechanics! Does it apply to cultivation as well? I have no idea! But if it does, sharing my knowledge would only allow others to potentially top my power and put me at risk, despite all the perks that I have from the system!

"Hahaha… Of course not! I got your drift…"

Laughing dryly, Stella turned her eyes to the side, trying to hide her slight embarrassment. By putting the reality into simple terms on the table, I made it impossible for her to continue prying into the topic.

"But I don't really mind sharing some of my knowledge with You, as long as you promise that you will never share it with anyone, maybe with the exception of your master. I owe her half of my life for saving Eve from her past horrors."

Those words were enough to spark the light in the sect master's eyes once more, swiftly lifting the atmosphere in the room.

"About what you asked before, I think that if you manage to get close to her, she might be a great candidate for your seat if you would like to graduate at next year tournament. Not only is she hailing from another sect that was quite oppressive towards their senior cultivators, she saw a whole new world of cultivation and interpersonal relations when we forced her into this place. I have no idea how the situation looks back in her old sect, but by simply watching how her former fiancee treated her, I can bet she is rather dissatisfied with her position back there. When we will be gone and she will be out of our leash, tempting her with sect master seat should be enough to control her for one year, while I hope that she will make a good leader later on with all her bad experiences!"

After putting my glass back on the table, I allowed myself to dive deep into a monologue, explaining the points of my plan concerning Leila's future.

"I think I get your point, but I still need to think about it a bit. It's not a decision I can make on the spot after all. Oh, before I forget, I came here because you requested a spot for secluded training in the first place. I think I found so…"

"There will be no need for that. Some small stuff happened and I already managed to secure a place for my breakthrough. There is no need to worry about it anymore!"

Before Stella managed to finish her sentence, I explained the current situation as well. To be honest, I don't want to get any favours from her anymore, because that would only karmically bind me to this place. With how far I aim for my future, keeping the ties in such a starting location would only prove to be a hindrance later on!

"That's good then. But wait, a breakthrough? Didn't you just want to cultivate?"

Ups, I guess I said a little bit too much! But what's done is done and there is no point in crying over spilt milk!

"Yes, a breakthrough. If everything will go according to my estimates, I will reach the spiritual realm tomorrow!"