The two masters both eye each other and position themselves near the bed, both wanting to say something to go next, but not wanting to truly offend the other.

It’s a little funny to watch. Something that I notice Big Sis Crane makes no attempt to resolve, as while her face is neutral, I can sense the amusement washing over her. I can’t help but to sigh and take care of it myself.

“No need to rush. I can heal both of you, where you stand.”

Rather than choosing between the two of them, I step between them both, placing my hands on their shoulders simultaneously. The glow from my hands and the activation of my technique showing them that I’ve started.

My actions surprise them, but they look embarrassed at their actions and move to a sitting position to make things easier for me. The subtle superiority from when they first walked into the room washed away in the face of obvious benefits.

Hmm…. Master Xu De, the leader of the Eight Winds Alchemical Research Society, has gone through a lot things in their life. Both from the start of their cultivation journey to their constant actions in the alchemical field.

Xu De, unlike Li Ying from before, hasn't been able to heal himself constantly throughout his cultivation. He’s been patchwork fixing not only his foundation but also pushing his body constantly using alchemical solutions.

My eyes flitted over Xu De, noting the countless scars and chemical burns on his body.

He’s fought for every step. Lacking natural talent in cultivation, he pursued the path of the alchemist to achieve power… and now he has it.

My technique heals every aspect. Raising his spiritual root, healing him of all the trauma his body has been put through, and retaining the benefits that he so painfully acquired. Unsurprisingly, this means that his growth potential from healing is that much larger than Li Ying.

He moves from High Nascent Soul… all the way to the Peak of Nascent Soul. A step away from moving past this realm and into False Ascension. He gasps in shock, freezing up.

I turn my attention to Master Yu Yaoting, the head of Ascending Myriad Monsters Group, who is trembling with excitement from the potential gains he could have. His red hair shaking as he tries to sit still.

Like I did with Xu De, I run my technique through him to see what I can heal and optimize within him. Which is when even I become shocked.

…this man. He’s filled with the qi of thousands of spirit beasts. Engraved their connection on his very cultivator soul. And from what it seems, given parts and benefits about himself to keep those connections. Some requiring qi, others requiring the strength of his cultivator soul.

I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything less from the Master of Taming for this area. Even with my scan and contracts, I’m not sure if I could have tamed some of the creatures he’s brought to heel.

Seeing the areas that I can heal; I fill back in what he’s lost. His cultivator soul now healing from the bartered damage. Like Xu De, he freezes as this happens. As this is something that should have never been refilled normally, even with artifacts.

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Especially since his connections remain strong, meaning that his contracted spirit beasts did not lose the part that was bartered.

In addition, his cultivation realm has been increased from Mid Nascent Soul to High Nascent Soul. Once again, a comparatively massive jump for this realm.

After I have finished all three of them, they all stare blankly. Still looking inward at the changes within their bodies. Using every aspect of their spiritual sense and nascent soul abilities to review what’s happened to them.

Before they can react further, I say something that my scan says is critical for this moment.

“…the greatest thing you can do to thank me is to keep secret the level of healing and optimization that my abilities can reach.”

Big Sis Crane’s eyes narrow slightly in interest. Obviously curious about my choice. For their part, at my words, all three masters have shaken out of their stupors and fall over themselves to reassure me.

“I would never dare betray thi…” “Only a fool woul…” “You can trust me to…”

They throw out various statements like this to me.

This should prevent a major issue.

Them giving me excessive rewards, but also sharing information about me.

One of the core rules of the cultivation world is that it is practically a sin to have something nice and not have the power to defend it. It is better to not have that thing at all, otherwise you can lose everything else.

And with what these men have at their disposal… the gifts they would give would certainly be fantastic. However, the trouble it would bring to me…specifically those I care about, wouldn’t be worth it if they shared that information. After all, even if I can handle a problem, doesn’t mean others won’t target my friends and family to leverage me.

On the other side of that core rule is that it is also a sin to betray a major benefactor. To do so means that no one will trust you in the future.

Meaning this is a good chance to establish a strong relationship with them all.

Big Sis Crane beats me to the punch.

“…I hope you all can see why I wanted to introduce this disciple to you.”

With those words, she swept their gratitude toward me, closer to her as well, for introducing me to them. A reminder that she is the one that had me heal them in the first place.

Sigh.

Ever the master manipulator.

And in some ways, she’s right. I would have never healed them to this extent normally. As there would be far too many factors and trust issues. But with Big Sis Crane as my backing? They wouldn’t dare make any moves, even with this knowledge. So, I felt comfortable enough to go along with it.

Huh… I guess this is also her way of protecting me, too. An indication that I am someone that she has a close enough relationship with that she asked me to perform such a dangerously helpful action for them. Conversely, this means I have a close relationship with someone who is likely at the upper ranges of False Ascension.

Not someone to betray.

They bow their heads to her words, having caught the multiple meanings, bowing deeply, their heads touching the ground. They then turn and bow to me as well.

““”We are deeply grateful.”””

A short, but synchronized action, representing unity in thought.

Something I’ve noticed many cultivators seem to be able to do relatively easily when the situation calls for it. A learned cultural action, it seems.

Even with this gratefulness, their eyes soon return to me. The look they’re giving me has obvious meaning.

A gift of this level given means a gift of a similar level should be returned. The question being, what will they place the value of these healings at? The answer being… nothing that they can prepare now. After all, what I’ve given them has a value far beyond anything they could give me right now.

But I have other plans.

“…I’m planning on joining each of your organizations to take the assessments to be a regular member. I’d like to take the assessments anonymously and without support…but after I pass, I would appreciate your support from there. As well as the ability to act freely… would that be okay?”

I can sense each of their eyes flash toward each other in an instant before they all scramble to shout their confirmation.

“””Of course!”””

Excellent… I’ve finally acquired another card.

A bunch of Nascent Soul elders to cry to, when I’ve pissed someone off.

…am I a young master now?

…

“You dare?”

…. I’ll just stop here.