《My Life in the Immortal Cultivation Game》 The Long-Lost Golden Finger [Character]: Lu Yi [Cultivation Level]: Qi Refinement Stage Level 6 [Techniques]: [Current Task]: None Lu Yi stared at the suddenly appearing text in his vision. After rubbing his eyes several times, he finally confirmed that he wasn¡¯t dreaming. His eyes reddened, and he almost burst into tears: "My golden finger, lost for sixteen years, you¡¯ve finally come back to me!" Lu Yi was a transmigrator. Sixteen years ago, he transmigrated to this world called the Tianming Continent. This world was vast and filled with powerful cultivators, demons, devils, evil cultivators, and countless dangers. Fortunately, Lu Yi¡¯s luck wasn¡¯t bad. He had been reincarnated into a cultivation sect. Both his parents were outer sect stewards. While their status wasn¡¯t very high, it was still better than most people¡¯s. Although Lu Yi¡¯s talent in cultivation wasn¡¯t extraordinary, it was decent enough. At sixteen, he had reached the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Stage. He was hopeful of building his foundation and joining the inner sect before the age of twenty, surpassing even his parents¡¯ achievements. Initially, Lu Yi¡¯s greatest aspiration was to join the inner sect, become a steward, enjoy a comfortable life for a couple of centuries, marry a few wives, have children and grandchildren, and then die peacefully of old age. But life had other plans. His golden finger appeared unexpectedly! Lu Yi silently crossed out his original goals in his mind. "Wahoo, time to soar!" After some exploration, Lu Yi realized this golden finger resembled a game panel, displaying his cultivation level and the techniques he practiced. His sect, the White Cloud Sect, provided foundational cultivation methods such as the "White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique," which could be cultivated up to the Foundation Establishment Stage. The "White Cloud Swordsmanship" and "White Cloud Footwork" were basic techniques suitable for Qi Refinement Stage cultivators. The last section, [Current Task], seemed to relate to quests, but how did one accept quests?If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Despite some experimenting, Lu Yi couldn¡¯t figure it out. After pondering for a moment, he called out in his mind: "System spirit?" After waiting a while with no response, he concluded: "Hmm¡­ it seems to be just a simple panel." He tried tapping on the panel mentally, but nothing happened. He was at a loss. "So how do I use this golden finger?" Just then, a gentle voice came from outside the door: "Yi¡¯er, are you awake?" It was his mother¡¯s voice. Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts and replied, "I¡¯m awake." He got out of bed, deciding to resume his research after breakfast. In the main hall, Lu Yi¡¯s parents, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi, sat at the table. Lu Gaoyang was a handsome middle-aged man, while Wang Siqi had a gentle and refined appearance. Next to them stood a pretty maid named Bai Lingling, responsible for household chores as part of their status as outer sect stewards. "Yi¡¯er, come have breakfast," Wang Siqi said with a smile. Lu Gaoyang, being stricter, frowned and asked, "Why are you up so late today? The path of cultivation demands diligence!" Lu Yi replied, "I understand, Father." Wang Siqi rolled her eyes at Lu Gaoyang. "Yi¡¯er¡¯s talent surpasses yours. He¡¯ll join the inner sect in no time. Stop nagging him!" Lu Gaoyang¡¯s face darkened as he reluctantly lowered his head and resumed eating. Lu Yi chuckled, enjoying the lively atmosphere. His parents often bickered, but their affection for each other¡ªand for him¡ªwas evident. Suddenly, Lu Gaoyang recalled something. "Oh, the outer sect competition is in a month. You¡¯ve reached the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Stage. You should participate. It¡¯ll be a good experience." The White Cloud Sect¡¯s outer sect competition was an annual event. High-ranking participants received rewards, and the top ten could directly join the inner sect without needing additional assessments. Given the large number of outer sect disciples, competition was fierce. Last year, Lu Yi, still at the fifth level, hadn¡¯t participated. This year, he could at least pass the preliminary rounds. Lu Yi nodded. "Understood, Father." Just then, the text in Lu Yi¡¯s vision changed. [Task]: Participate in the White Cloud Sect Outer Sect Competition. Rewards will vary based on ranking. Accept: Yes/No So that¡¯s how the task module worked? It triggered quests automatically? Excited, Lu Yi immediately selected "Yes." The panel updated: [Current Task]: Participate in the White Cloud Sect Outer Sect Competition. An idea sparked in Lu Yi¡¯s mind. Smiling, he turned to his parents. "Father, Mother, do you need me to do anything? Should I massage your legs or give you a back rub?" "???" Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi stared at him, utterly confused. "Just focus on your cultivation!" Lu Gaoyang said, exasperated. "If you¡¯re bored, practice the White Cloud Swordsmanship ten times this morning!" [Task]: Practice the White Cloud Swordsmanship ten times (Progress: 0/10). Reward: White Cloud Swordsmanship Level +1. Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi¡¯s grin widened as he selected "Yes." "It¡¯s just as I thought!" "Got it, Father! I¡¯ll complete the task!" Wang Siqi, sensing something was off, placed a hand on Lu Yi¡¯s forehead. "Yi¡¯er, are you feeling okay? Do you have a fever?" Lu Yi¡¯s smile froze as he realized he¡¯d been too excited. "I¡¯m fine, Mother. I¡¯ll go train now!" Grabbing a couple of meat buns, Lu Yi dashed out to complete his tasks and claim his rewards. Assigning Tasks to Myself Lu Yi quickly devoured his steamed buns, grabbed his longsword, and stepped into the small courtyard. He assumed a stance and began practicing the White Cloud Sword Technique. As a sect practicing the way of immortality, even its basic techniques were far superior to mundane martial arts. The White Cloud Sword Technique embodies the fleeting nature of clouds, with unpredictable and fluid movements, as smooth as flowing water during execution. Lu Yi''s mastery of the White Cloud Sword Technique was at Level 2, according to the system¡¯s grading. In terms of cultivation standards, this equated to the ¡°Minor Achievement¡± stage. Each swing of his sword stirred sharp gusts of wind. While Lu Yi immersed himself in his practice, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi finished breakfast and stepped out of the hall. Watching Lu Yi practice earnestly in the courtyard, both couldn¡¯t help but smile. Wang Siqi remarked softly, ¡°Yi¡¯er has a remarkable talent for techniques. He¡¯s already reached the Minor Achievement stage of the White Cloud Sword Technique. If he achieves the Major Achievement stage, he might place within the top 5,000 in the grand competition.¡± Lu Gaoyang chuckled proudly. ¡°Well, whose son do you think he is?¡± Wang Siqi gave him a sidelong glance and retorted with a sneer, ¡°Without me, could you have even had him?¡± Lu Gaoyang laughed dryly. ¡°Of course, the credit is all yours, my dear wife.¡± Only then did Wang Siqi nod with satisfaction. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get to work. Don¡¯t disturb Yi¡¯er¡¯s practice.¡± As outer sect stewards, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi had their own responsibilities to attend to. Unaware that his parents had already left, Lu Yi remained engrossed in practicing the White Cloud Sword Technique. After completing one full set of the technique, Lu Yi checked the task progress: 1/10. Excitement bubbled up inside him, and he continued practicing with renewed vigor. One set after another, Lu Yi practiced ten times in total. By the time he was done, his entire body was drenched in sweat, and he collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. Even though he was at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, practicing the White Cloud Sword Technique ten times in a row was exhausting. However, the thought of the task reward filled him with motivation, leaving no room for rest. After completing the ten sets, Lu Yi felt as if his arms were too heavy to lift. He glanced at the system panel. [Current Task]: Practice the White Cloud Sword Technique ten times (Progress: 10/10) Reward: +1 level to the White Cloud Sword Technique Task Complete. Claim reward? Yes/No Feeling exhilarated, Lu Yi promptly selected "Yes." As soon as he made his choice, an influx of information flooded his mind. It contained intricate details about the White Cloud Sword Technique: how to wield the sword, circulate spiritual energy, regulate breathing, and maximize the technique¡¯s power. This information seemed to engrave itself into his mind, becoming second nature.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Once he absorbed the knowledge, Lu Yi opened his eyes and casually swung his sword. Shhh! A faint slicing sound echoed as a sliver of sword energy materialized along the blade. Where it passed, a clear mark was etched into the stone-paved ground. Lu Yi''s eyes widened in amazement. ¡°What power! This is far stronger than the Level 2 White Cloud Sword Technique. This must be approaching the Major Achievement stage!¡± ¡°If the Level 3 technique is already this formidable, what about Levels 4 and 5? Wouldn¡¯t that surpass the Major Achievement stage? Perhaps even reach transcendence or ultimate perfection?¡± Filled with anticipation, Lu Yi grinned to himself. By assigning tasks to himself daily, he could likely elevate the White Cloud Sword Technique to incredible heights within a month. With such mastery, he might achieve a high rank in the sect competition¡ªmaybe even break into the top ten and gain entry to the inner sect far earlier than expected. Moreover, the rewards for performing well in the outer sect competition were bound to be substantial! At this moment, Bai Lingling approached. ¡°Young Master, it¡¯s time to eat.¡± ¡°Oh, alright.¡± Exhausted from practicing the White Cloud Sword Technique all morning, Lu Yi decided to rest and recover his strength after lunch before resuming his training in the afternoon.
After lunch, Lu Yi returned to his room to rest. With the sword technique task completed, there was still the outer sect assessment task to handle, but it wasn¡¯t feasible yet. He needed to find more tasks for himself. Wait¡­ an idea suddenly struck him. Clenching his fist, Lu Yi coughed lightly into his hand and declared, ¡°This afternoon, I will practice the White Cloud Footwork ten times!¡± As soon as he spoke, his system panel updated. [Task]: Practice the White Cloud Footwork ten times (Progress: 0/10) Reward: Enhanced comprehension of White Cloud Footwork. Accept? Yes/No ¡°Wow!¡± Lu Yi was overjoyed, feeling as though he had unlocked a new dimension. ¡°I can actually assign tasks to myself?!¡± To test further, he coughed and declared, ¡°Next, I¡¯ll step forward with my left foot!¡± He stared expectantly at the panel. Silence. No response. Unwilling to give up, he added, ¡°I¡¯ll take a two-meter step next!¡± Still, nothing happened. Disappointed, Lu Yi realized that mundane actions didn¡¯t qualify as tasks, possibly because they were too simple or unrelated to cultivation. Shrugging it off, he grinned. ¡°Even so, the fact that I can assign tasks for cultivation is incredible. Too much greed invites misfortune, after all.¡± However, he soon noticed something odd: practicing the White Cloud Sword Technique ten times upgraded it by one level, but practicing the White Cloud Footwork merely enhanced comprehension. Pondering for a moment, he realized why. His White Cloud Footwork was already at Level 3, a level higher than the Level 2 sword technique. The higher the skill level, the more effort required for improvement. Just like in games, higher-level skills demanded more experience points to level up. Completing the same task yielded the same experience, so while low-level skills could improve, high-level ones might not. Understanding this, Lu Yi accepted that self-assigned tasks would become progressively more demanding. Nonetheless, compared to the slow process of comprehending techniques unaided, this method was much faster. From today onward, I, Lu Yi, am a peerless genius! Content with his progress, Lu Yi rested before diving into practicing White Cloud Footwork. Although the task wasn¡¯t particularly challenging, it was physically demanding. By evening, he had completed it successfully.
After dinner with his parents and Bai Lingling, everyone retired to their rooms for the night. In the world of cultivators, nights were typically reserved for cultivation. For Lu Yi, it was no different. Seated cross-legged in his room, he assigned himself a new task: ¡°Practice the White Cloud Qi Guiding Technique ten times.¡± This technique, also at Level 2, offered a similar reward: a level increase upon task completion. Qi refinement required circulating spiritual energy through one¡¯s body to absorb it from the environment. The more gifted the cultivator, the stronger the technique, and the deeper their comprehension, the more efficient the absorption process. Lu Yi¡¯s Level 2 White Cloud Qi Guiding Technique was relatively slow, but completing ten cycles overnight was manageable. As he practiced, he felt his cultivation level rise bit by bit. By the time he completed ten cycles, dawn was breaking. Claiming the reward, a surge of new insights about the technique filled his mind, significantly enhancing his understanding. Where Did This Reckless Fool Come From? Moments later, Lu Yi could clearly feel a deeper understanding of the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique. He tried running the technique, and to his surprise, the flow of spiritual energy was much smoother than before. The time required to complete one full circulation had been reduced by nearly a third, and the absorption efficiency had also improved. Overall, Lu Yi estimated that his cultivation efficiency had increased by almost fifty percent! This was an incredible improvement! Previously, Lu Yi estimated it would take seven to eight months to break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining. But now... it might only take five to six months. Not only that, with the smoother flow of spiritual energy, his spellcasting speed would also increase, resulting in a noticeable boost in combat power. Simply improving his Qi Refining technique had brought significant enhancements in many aspects! Excited, Lu Yi assigned himself another task: practice the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique ten more times. After all, he had to cultivate anyway¡ªwhy not set tasks to keep himself motivated? ¡­ Time passed quickly. Every day, Lu Yi assigned himself tasks: practicing White Cloud Sword Technique in the morning, White Cloud Step Technique in the afternoon, and White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique in the evening. With each task completed, the levels of his techniques and spells advanced rapidly. Two weeks flew by, and it was now the beginning of a new month. One morning, Lu Yi sat down for breakfast with Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. Lu Gaoyang suddenly remembered something. He looked at Lu Yi and said, "Yi''er, today is the Elder''s lecture day. Don¡¯t forget the time." Lu Yi took a bite of his meat bun and nodded. "I know." At the beginning of each month, the Outer Sect Elders held lectures on White Sun Peak. They taught foundational cultivation knowledge and answered questions about challenges faced during cultivation. Even the Outer Sect Elders had Golden Core cultivation levels. Any bit of their experience was invaluable to outer sect disciples still in the Qi Refining stage. Most outer sect disciples attended these lectures unless they had other commitments. Lu Yi was no exception. A free lecture from a Golden Core expert¡ªhow could he miss it? Even with his newfound advantage and rapid cultivation speed, Lu Yi remained humble. He knew he was just an ordinary novice cultivator. As the saying goes, "Among three people, one can always be your teacher." Especially when the other person is a Golden Core expert. Lu Yi firmly believed that arrogance and overconfidence would only lead to setbacks.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. After quickly finishing breakfast, Lu Yi said, "Dad, Mom, I¡¯m heading to White Sun Peak." Wang Siqi saw him rush out and quickly called after him, "Be careful, don¡¯t run too fast!" "Got it!" Lu Yi replied with a smile and dashed out of the courtyard. The White Cloud Sect was located within the White Cloud Mountain Range, spanning hundreds of kilo meters, filled with towering peaks. The Outer Sect was situated on the outermost region, with over a hundred peaks. White Sun Peak, where the Elder¡¯s lectures were held, was one of them. Lu Yi lived on White Spirit Peak, which wasn¡¯t too far from White Sun Peak¡ªjust six peaks away. Seeing he still had plenty of time, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He jogged along the mountain paths toward White Sun Peak. On the way, he encountered other outer sect disciples¡ªsome traveling alone, others in pairs or small groups. Living on the same peak meant most disciples were familiar with each other. They exchanged nods and smiles as they passed. Lu Yi, however, was more focused on cultivation and rarely socialized. He didn¡¯t have any particularly close friends, but he didn¡¯t mind. In the world of cultivation, connections were important, but strength was even more crucial. He was still in the growth phase and needed to dedicate himself to training. Wasting time now would lead to regrets later. As the saying goes, "A young man who doesn¡¯t strive will grieve in old age." Still, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t on bad terms with anyone. His parents held respectable positions as stewards in the sect, giving him some status. Most people treated him politely. Moreover, Lu Yi¡¯s cultivation talent was above average among the outer sect disciples. Others respected his abilities and rarely caused trouble for him. Even weaker disciples were usually left alone. Picking on someone weaker offered no benefits, and wasting time on such actions could hinder one¡¯s own cultivation. Besides, in the world of cultivation, opportunities and miracles were common. What if someone weak today found a rare treasure and soared in strength tomorrow? Offending them would be a foolish risk. Lu Yi believed that the cultivation world wasn¡¯t just about fighting¡ªit also involved navigating relationships. Unless conflicts of interest arose, maintaining peace was the smarter choice. As Lu Yi neared White Sun Peak, he saw more and more disciples. The Outer Sect had over 100,000 disciples. Around 80,000 to 100,000 would gather at White Sun Peak each month, resembling a migration of ants from above. The lecture area was at the peak. While the platform could accommodate over a thousand disciples, it wasn¡¯t enough for everyone. Those who couldn¡¯t find a seat had to stand on the surrounding paths or halfway up the mountain. The platform offered clearer sound, and after lectures, the Elder would randomly answer questions¡ªbut only for those seated on the platform. Naturally, everyone wanted to claim a spot on the platform. And who got those spots? The stronger disciples. Weaker ones had to settle for positions lower down. Lu Yi had always listened from halfway up the mountain. But this time, he decided to try the platform and see the view from above. Smiling, Lu Yi climbed toward the peak. As he ascended, disciples at the first and second levels of Qi Refining stopped¡ªthey didn¡¯t dare go further. Even third- and fourth-level disciples paused halfway. By the time Lu Yi passed the fifth level group, fewer disciples remained. Near the peak, even most sixth-level disciples stopped. Yet Lu Yi continued climbing. Nearby disciples were surprised, then amused. Was someone challenging the stronger disciples¡¯ authority? It had been a while since they¡¯d seen such boldness. The seventh-level disciples frowned. The peak was already crowded, and now a sixth-level dared to intrude? Lu Yi ignored their stares and smiled as he walked forward. Gradually, expressions of disbelief appeared among the seventh-level disciples. Even they had stopped climbing, but Lu Yi kept going¡ªapproaching areas reserved for elite seventh-level and even eighth-level disciples. How could a sixth-level disciple dare? "What the¡ª? Where did this reckless fool come from?!" "Does he have a death wish? I dub him Iron-Head Junior!" "Want to bet how long before he gets kicked down?" Laughter and murmurs filled the air. Just then, a tall disciple stepped in front of Lu Yi. He smirked and said, "Junior, you¡¯re in the wrong place. How about you head back down?" It began. The spectators¡¯ eyes lit up, ready to enjoy the show. The Perfect Qi Condensation Pill Lu Yi glanced at the outer sect disciple blocking his way. At the eighth level of Qi Refining, he didn¡¯t seem weak. Lu Yi smiled and said, ¡°Senior Brother, I¡¯d like to go up to the platform. Would you mind making way?¡± ¡°The platform?¡± The burly man was stunned, his face full of surprise. The other outer sect disciples also looked at Lu Yi with odd expressions before bursting into an uproar. ¡°Wait, what? Is this for real? I thought he just wanted a better view, but he actually wants to go up to the platform?¡± ¡°Is he crazy? He¡¯s only at the sixth level of Qi Refining and he wants to step onto the platform?¡± ¡°Junior Brother, let me give you some advice. The waters on the platform run too deep for you. You should stay down here.¡± One of the outer sect disciples seemed kind-hearted and tried to persuade Lu Yi. Lu Yi didn¡¯t care about their opinions. He smiled and asked the burly man, ¡°What do you think, Senior Brother?¡± The burly man¡¯s mouth twitched before he grinned. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± As he spoke, spiritual energy surged around him, and he drew the large blade strapped to his back. ¡°I thought so too.¡± Lu Yi smiled and drew his longsword, looking calmly at the burly man. At that moment, Lu Yi suddenly had a bold idea. He silently issued a task in his mind: ¡°I want to defeat the opponent in front of me.¡± The next moment, his vision shifted. [Task]: Defeat the outer sect disciple at the eighth level of Qi Refining (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 10 Supreme Qi Condensation Pills / 1 Perfect Qi Condensation Pill Accept? Yes/No Seeing the task appear, Lu Yi felt like he had opened the door to a whole new world. It actually worked? Couldn¡¯t he just keep challenging outer sect disciples and earning rewards? And such amazing rewards at that! Supreme pills aside, a Perfect Pill was completely free of pill toxins! With a Perfect Pill, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about detoxifying later or wasting time clearing pill toxins. His foundation would be as solid as if he had cultivated every bit of spiritual energy himself! Lu Yi didn¡¯t know if the entire White Cloud Sect even had Perfect Pills, but he did know that, as an outer sect disciple, his monthly cultivation resources only included one bottle of 10 mid-grade Qi Condensation Pills¡ªnot even high-grade ones! But this reward? Ten supreme pills or one perfect pill! Just defeating one disciple at the eighth level of Qi Refining could yield such a reward. Lu Yi felt like he could milk his golden finger dry. Looking at the burly man, Lu Yi¡¯s gaze changed. It was like staring at a Perfect Pill.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. The burly man shivered at Lu Yi¡¯s gaze. What¡¯s with this guy? Does he have some kind of weird fetish? Feeling uneasy, the burly man roared, ¡°Get down!¡± and charged forward, slashing his large blade. The blade light roared like a tiger, accompanied by the sound of a tiger¡¯s growl. The gust of wind it generated blew Lu Yi¡¯s black hair. Tiger Blade Technique. Lu Yi recognized it. Like the White Cloud Sword Technique, it was one of White Cloud Sect¡¯s basic techniques, suitable for Qi Refining cultivators. The technique was fierce and drew upon the intent of a tiger. It was said that at mastery, the blade¡¯s light would roar like a tiger, shaking the hearts of opponents. But this Senior Brother¡¯s blade technique didn¡¯t seem all that impressive¡­ After half a month of cultivation, Lu Yi¡¯s stats had already changed. [Character]: Lu Yi [Cultivation]: Sixth Level of Qi Refining [Techniques]: White Cloud Qi Guidance Technique (Lv6) [Skills]: White Cloud Sword Technique (Lv6), White Cloud Footwork (Lv6) Lu Yi wasn¡¯t sure how strong he really was now, but he knew he was far superior to this eighth-level Senior Brother. He felt like he had multiple ways to instantly defeat him. However, Lu Yi had another idea. If he showed overwhelming strength, others might be too afraid to block him later. And that would mean fewer Perfect Pills! He couldn¡¯t allow that. Lu Yi couldn¡¯t accept it. Holding back the urge to end the fight in one strike, Lu Yi used the White Cloud Sword Technique to spar with the burly man, appearing evenly matched. Clang! Clang! Clang! The clash of metal rang out as the two figures danced across the clearing. The outer sect disciples watching were dumbfounded, jaws dropping in disbelief. ¡°What the¡ª?! This Junior Brother is incredible!¡± ¡°A sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator can fight evenly with an eighth-level one? Who is this guy?¡± ¡°He¡¯s using the White Cloud Sword Technique? Since when was it this powerful?¡± ¡°I also practice the White Cloud Sword Technique, and I can confirm that¡¯s what he¡¯s using. But¡­ this Junior Brother¡¯s technique must be at the transformation stage, maybe even carrying White Cloud¡¯s intent! That¡¯s insane!¡± ¡°Transformation-level techniques? No wonder he¡¯s so strong.¡± The crowd erupted in chatter. Mastering techniques depended heavily on comprehension. Basic techniques were easy to learn but hard to master. Out of the sect¡¯s tens of thousands of outer disciples, fewer than a thousand could achieve mastery, and fewer than a hundred might reach transformation. Those who did often gained the elders¡¯ attention. And now, there was another one? If this Junior Brother¡¯s cultivation were higher, he would¡¯ve already won. The burly man facing Lu Yi understood this even better. He was shocked to face White Cloud Sword Technique at such a high level. But he couldn¡¯t afford to lose to someone at the sixth level. He gave it his all. After a long battle, Lu Yi eventually gained the upper hand, placing his sword at the burly man¡¯s neck. The burly man smiled bitterly. ¡°I lost.¡± Lu Yi sheathed his sword and exhaled lightly. Looking at the burly man, he said seriously, ¡°Senior Brother, you¡¯re really strong. If not for my decent sword skills, I would¡¯ve lost.¡± He had to act like he barely won so others would still block him later. He didn¡¯t want to be too flashy. The burly man, though initially embarrassed, felt better after hearing Lu Yi¡¯s words. Grinning, he said, ¡°Junior Brother, your comprehension is amazing. Reaching transformation in White Cloud Sword Technique is impressive. I¡¯m convinced.¡± ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother!¡± ¡°Go ahead!¡± They exchanged pleasantries, and the burly man stepped aside. Lu Yi walked forward with a smile and checked his status. The task was marked complete, and the rewards were available. The choice? Obviously, the Perfect Qi Condensation Pill. While supreme pills were nice, they still had toxins, and Lu Yi had high standards now. He didn¡¯t claim the reward immediately¡ªhaving a pill appear out of thin air would be suspicious. Instead, he eagerly anticipated the next challenger and more Perfect Pills. Oh, and then Lu Yi had another bold idea. He thought to himself, ¡°I want to step onto White Sun Peak¡¯s platform!¡± The system displayed another task. Lu Yi¡¯s eyes widened in joy at the rewards. The rewards were even better than before! Mid-Grade Magical Artifact [Task]: Ascend to White Sun Peak Platform Reward: Mid-Grade Magical Artifact - Flowing Cloud Boots Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi never expected such a generous reward¡ªa mid-grade magical artifact! A magical artifact... Out of the hundreds of thousands of outer disciples in White Cloud Sect, only a handful possessed magical artifacts, and those were typically used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. Because Lu Yi''s parents were outer sect stewards and Foundation Establishment cultivators, he owned a low-grade magical artifact¡ªa longsword. It had cost his parents quite a lot to obtain it. If a low-grade magical artifact was already so precious, then what about a mid-grade one? To Lu Yi''s knowledge, his father, Lu Gaoyang, only owned a mid-grade magical artifact¡ªa longsword¡ªwhich he treasured dearly. Even Lu Yi wasn¡¯t allowed to touch it. His mother didn¡¯t even have a mid-grade magical artifact. And now this task was offering one directly? This was too generous! Lu Yi decided that he had to climb to the platform today, even if he had to crawl. Otherwise, his conscience wouldn¡¯t let him rest. Without hesitation, Lu Yi accepted the task and continued moving forward. The crowd of outer disciples who had gathered to watch him opened up a path, letting him pass. At first, Lu Yi didn¡¯t think much of it. But as he got closer to the platform, he started to feel something was off. Why wasn¡¯t anyone stopping him? This didn¡¯t make sense. Normally, wouldn¡¯t a few outer disciples jump out and block his way? There were plenty of disciples at the eighth level of Qi Refinement listening to the lecture below. Were they really just going to let someone at the sixth level of Qi Refinement Walk up to the platform? This wasn¡¯t right. Lu Yi continued walking, and soon, the platform was right in front of him. None of the people around seemed to have any intention of stopping him. Lu Yi started to panic internally. Where was the resistance? Where was the pride of those eighth-level Qi Refinement senior brothers and sisters? Were they really going to let a sixth-level novice just stroll onto the platform? He had mentally prepared himself to overcome multiple challenges and win the perfect Condensation Pill as a reward, yet... this was it? Slowing his steps, Lu Yi deliberately waited for someone to step out and block him. But even when he reached the staircase leading to the platform, no one did. Feeling somewhat disappointed, Lu Yi turned to look back at the crowd. Seeing the senior brothers and sisters watching him, he was unwilling to give up and decided to make one last attempt. Scanning the crowd, he smiled and said, ¡°Senior brothers and sisters, should I really go up now?¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Please stop me now! Hurry up! At that moment, a senior sister at the eighth level of Qi Refinement smiled and said, ¡°Junior brother, go ahead. Lin Gang is one of the strongest among us. If you could defeat him, none of us can guarantee a victory against you. We won¡¯t stop you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, junior brother. Your mastery of the White Cloud Sword Technique is truly impressive. After the lecture, I¡¯d like to discuss swordsmanship with you.¡± ¡°In that case, count me in too!¡± ¡°...¡± One after another, the senior brothers and sisters spoke, leaving Lu Yi feeling numb. So, Lin Gang had actually been this strong? If he was so strong, why hadn¡¯t he let someone weaker step up first?! Lu Yi glanced at Lin Gang, who smiled honestly and said, ¡°Junior brother, we can spar again if you have time.¡± Forcing a smile, Lu Yi replied, ¡°Thank you for your praise, senior brothers and sisters. In that case, I¡¯ll head up now.¡± Feeling dejected, Lu Yi turned around and climbed the stairs to the platform step by step. The staircase wasn¡¯t long, and soon, Lu Yi stood on the White Sun Peak platform¡ªa massive square with numerous meditation mats arranged neatly. At the very front, there was a dais for the lecturing elder, though it was currently empty. Many disciples were already seated on the mats. Lu Yi noticed that the closer a mat was to the dais, the stronger the cultivation level of the disciples seated there. Some of them exuded a dangerous aura. Conversely, the outer mats were occupied by those with lower cultivation levels. Some disciples were discussing cultivation techniques in small groups, while others meditated quietly. When Lu Yi arrived, a few turned to look at him. Seeing Lu Yi, some of the disciples were visibly puzzled or frowned. ¡°Sixth level of Qi Refinement?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on? How did a sixth-level disciple get up here? Didn¡¯t anyone stop him?¡± ¡°No way. There¡¯s no way the disciples below would let him through. Did they fail to stop him?¡± Hearing this, many showed expressions of surprise, and more eyes focused on Lu Yi with mixed emotions. The inner disciples appeared curious and interested, while those on the outer edges seemed wary. The platform had limited seats, and it was always packed. Lu Yi¡¯s presence meant someone might have to give up their spot. While the inner disciples weren¡¯t worried, those on the outskirts were concerned about losing their positions. Being forced off the platform would be humiliating. Lu Yi glanced at the meditation mats and, after some thought, decided to keep a low profile. The inner disciples looked too strong for him to handle, so he chose an outer mat and quietly sat down. After all, progress should be gradual, and goals should be achieved step-by-step. Being able to reach the platform was already a big improvement for him. Better to play it safe! Settling down, Lu Yi happily checked his task panel. [Current Task] Ascend to White Sun Peak Platform Reward: Mid-Grade Magical Artifact - Flowing Cloud Boots Completed Claim Reward: Yes/No The task was done! Soon, he¡¯d have a mid-grade magical artifact! However, with so many people around, Lu Yi suppressed his excitement and decided to claim the reward later. Seeing Lu Yi sit down quietly, the other disciples gradually lost interest and stopped paying attention. Still, Lu Yi felt a few eyes lingering on him. He grew eager, wondering if someone would challenge him. That way, he could earn more rewards. As for initiating a challenge himself? That wasn¡¯t Lu Yi¡¯s style! He wasn¡¯t one to draw attention. Lu Yi waited for a long time, but no one stepped forward to challenge him. Meanwhile, more disciples arrived, filling up the platform and mats. The inner disciples remained calm, but the outer ones frowned upon noticing Lu Yi. Finally, Lu Yi heard a cold voice say, ¡°Junior brother, you¡¯re sitting in my spot.¡± Turning around, Lu Yi saw a handsome young man glaring at him. Eighth level of Qi Refinement. Finally! Do you know how long I¡¯ve been waiting for you?! Lu Yi stood up with a cheerful smile and said, ¡°Senior brother, nice to meet you. But this spot is mine now.¡± The Preaching Elder is a Beauty ¡°Whoa... this newcomer is pretty arrogant, huh?¡± ¡°Is the sixth level of Qi Refining enough to be this bold? Interesting.¡± ¡°Heh... I just hope his strength matches his attitude. Being too flashy isn¡¯t always a good thing.¡± Hearing these remarks, the surrounding disciples began watching the scene unfold with interest, their chatter filling the air. ¡°????¡± Lu Yi listened to their words; his mind filled with question marks. He felt a little wronged¡ªhe had been trying to keep a low profile! If he really wanted to show off, he would have already started challenging others and racking up task rewards. Yet, these disciples were still judging him this way? At the same time, Lu Yi began reflecting on his behavior. Was he really being high-profile? After thinking it over, he concluded that he definitely wasn¡¯t! While Lu Yi was contemplating, the eighth-level Qi Refining disciple in front of him was already looking blue in the face. He sneered, ¡°Fine, fine! Since Junior Brother insists, let¡¯s settle this with our swords!¡± With a clang, he drew his sword and pointed it at Lu Yi. Lu Yi grinned and quickly muttered to himself, ¡°I need to defeat this opponent.¡± [Mission]: Defeat the eighth-level Qi Refining outer disciple (Progress: 0/1) Reward: Superior Qi Condensation Pills *20 / Perfect Qi Condensation Pills *2 Accept? Yes/No Huh? The reward is better than defeating Lin Gang... Lu Yi was momentarily surprised, then guessed it might be because this opponent was stronger, increasing the mission¡¯s difficulty. Hence, the reward was more generous? Feeling even more excited, Lu Yi thought, ¡°The better the reward, the better it is!¡± He drew his sword and smiled. ¡°Senior Brother, please guide me!¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± The delicate-looking youth snorted, stepping forward swiftly like a serpent. His sword weaved a web of dazzling shadows as he lunged toward Lu Yi. The moment the attack began, Lu Yi realized that this senior brother was indeed stronger than Lin Gang. The Falling Leaf Sword Technique and Snake Steps were foundational techniques of the White Cloud Sect, and this senior brother had clearly mastered them well. If Lu Yi used the same tactics he had against Lin Gang, he would surely lose. But he remained calm. With a flow of spiritual energy, he activated the White Cloud Steps. His body seemed to lose weight, becoming ethereal, as he drifted backward with the force of the opponent¡¯s sword wind.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Seeing this, the surrounding disciples widened their eyes, and some even stood up. ¡°What?!¡± ¡°That¡¯s the White Cloud Steps? So, refined! Using only the sword wind for leverage, he managed that?¡± ¡°White Cloud Steps at the mastery level? This junior brother is impressive!¡± Their shock hadn¡¯t subsided when Lu Yi suddenly closed the distance with astonishing speed. His sword carried traces of pale white mist, soft yet sharp, enveloping the delicate youth. The youth¡¯s pupils shrank, and he raised his sword to block with all his might. Clang! Clang! Clang! With each clash, the youth staggered back, quickly falling into a disadvantage. The surrounding disciples were stunned. ¡°Sword Qi like mist?! This guy has brought the White Cloud Sword Technique to a state of perfection?!¡± ¡°To refine foundational techniques to such a degree... his comprehension ability is incredible!¡± ¡°No wonder he¡¯s so confident. He has the strength to back it up.¡± ¡°Wang Xinqi is going to lose!¡± Even the inner disciples wore expressions of disbelief. ¡°Mastered White Cloud Steps and perfected White Cloud Sword Technique... When did such a talent appear in the outer sect?¡± A handsome, tall youth frowned. ¡°Wang Xinqi¡¯s techniques are already advanced, but unfortunately, his opponent is even stronger,¡± said an average-looking youth with folded arms, shaking his head. Nearby, a charming young woman looked at Lu Yi, her eyes shining. ¡°This junior brother is so handsome!¡± The surrounding disciples: ¡°????¡± They looked at the girl, bewildered. Everyone else was admiring his skills, and she was focused on his looks? Hmph, women are so superficial! Yet, as they turned back to Lu Yi, they had to admit¡ªobjectively speaking, this junior brother was indeed very good-looking. A cold-looking youth with twin blades on his back commented, ¡°This junior brother¡¯s cultivation level is a bit low. Otherwise, he¡¯d be a serious contender in the upcoming competition.¡± Others nodded in agreement. Lu Yi¡¯s display of skills had already put pressure on them. Perfected techniques like his were rare even among the strongest outer disciples. ¡°Luckily, the competition is in half a month. Improving cultivation in such a short time will be difficult. But if this guy reaches the eighth level of Qi Refining by then, we might as well concede.¡± While they were talking, the battle reached its climax. Lu Yi hadn¡¯t even used his full strength, but his performance was already overwhelming Wang Xinqi. Faced with mist-like sword qi, Wang Xinqi broke out in cold sweat, retreating repeatedly. Within moments, Lu Yi¡¯s sword was at his throat. Lu Yi smiled as he sheathed his sword. ¡°Senior Brother, thank you for the match.¡± Another two Perfect Qi Condensation Pills earned! Lu Yi was thrilled. More challengers like this, please! Wang Xinqi¡¯s face was pale, and he bitterly cupped his fists toward Lu Yi. ¡°I lost fair and square.¡± Seeing Wang Xinqi looking so dejected, Lu Yi felt a bit guilty. He was a good person, after all! They had no grudges, yet he had humiliated him like this... Would Wang Xinqi develop a mental block? Feeling kind-hearted, Lu Yi earnestly said, ¡°Senior Brother, you¡¯re very strong. Honestly, you¡¯re the strongest opponent I¡¯ve ever faced. I hope we can spar again.¡± Of course, Lu Yi had only fought two eighth-level Qi Refining cultivators¡ªLin Gang and Wang Xinqi. As for sparring, well, earning more task rewards sounded good to him. I¡¯m such a good person, Lu Yi thought. Wang Xinqi¡¯s expression eased. His eyes lit up as he smiled sincerely. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, your talent is truly unmatched. I admire your mastery of perfected techniques. Since you¡¯re willing, I¡¯ll be sure to seek your guidance in the future.¡± ¡°Anytime!¡± Lu Yi replied cheerfully. Just then, a sword light streaked across the sky, landing on the preaching platform. A young female cultivator with black hair like flowing ink, wearing a white dress, and possessing an icy, peerless beauty appeared. Lu Yi was stunned. He remembered the preacher elder being an old man. How did he suddenly become a beautiful young woman? Go big or go home! Not only Lu Yi, but the other disciples were also stunned when they saw the beautiful girl landing. The platform was suddenly filled with murmurs. "Isn''t this Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang? Why is she here?" "She is Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang? The core disciple who formed a Golden Core at the age of nineteen? And now she is the personal disciple of the Master of Lingluo Peak?" "Yes, the Master of Lingluo Peak is exceptionally talented and has never accepted disciples before, but she made an exception for Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang. It''s truly enviable." Everyone whispered among themselves, looking at the beautiful girl with awe and respect. Although Liu Ningshuang had an unparalleled appearance, such a prodigy made ordinary people feel inferior even to stand in her presence, let alone have the courage to admire her. Lu Yi was also staring at the beautiful woman on the platform in astonishment. Even in the outer sect, he had heard of Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang''s reputation: forming a Golden Core at nineteen and becoming a core disciple. Such a talent was rare not just in White Cloud Sect but in the entire Eastern Region. In fact, Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang had always been ranked among the top five in the Eastern Region''s Genius Rankings. Lu Yi had only heard her name before but never thought he would see her in person today. If it were in the past, Lu Yi might not have dared to even glance at such a prodigy. But now... he felt a little inflated and actually dared to look directly at her. He had to admit that Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang was stunning. In his two lifetimes combined, Lu Yi had never seen such a beautiful woman. If he had to describe her, she was probably the pinnacle of human beauty. However, this Senior Sister looked a bit like an ice block. Lu Yi couldn''t help but wonder who could possibly melt her heart in the future. Suddenly, a bold idea struck Lu Yi: What if he issued a task to make this Senior Sister fall in love with him? Would there be any rewards? Lu Yi was curious and murmured to himself, "I want Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang to fall in love with me." [Task]: Make Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang fall in love with you. Reward: Perfect Ice Intent, Void Refinement Realm Technique "Mystic Ice Jade Heart Sutra," and a lower-grade spiritual sword, Ice Jade Chant. Accept Task: Yes/No Lu Yi: "?" Looking at the rewards, Lu Yi''s mind went blank, and then countless "what the hell" thoughts flooded in. There was actually a reward?! And... was this reward for real?! Intent was something usually only mastered by Void Refinement experts. Some geniuses could grasp it early, and doing so was equivalent to obtaining a pass to the Void Refinement Realm. Perfect Ice Intent was incredibly powerful.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. The Void Refinement Realm technique was also extremely strong. No matter how talented one was, if their techniques weren''t advanced enough, they couldn''t cultivate to higher levels¡ªunless they could create their own advanced techniques. In White Cloud Sect, the highest-level techniques only reached the Nascent Soul Realm. Lu Yi would be obtaining a technique stronger than the sect''s core teachings. As for spiritual artifacts, cultivation treasures were divided into magical tools, treasures, and spiritual artifacts. Even magical tools were extremely rare, let alone spiritual artifacts. Even a lower-grade spiritual artifact was likely out of reach for most Void Refinement experts. Lu Yi''s eyes turned red with desire. Initially, he was just curious and wanted to see if there was a reward. But now... Lu Yi could only think: Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang is too tempting! He silently accepted the task. After all, there was no penalty for failure, but what if he succeeded? What is a person without dreams? Just a salted fish. Go big or go home! From bicycle to motorcycle! If he succeeded, he could enjoy luxury. If he failed, well, he could work in luxury. Now the question was, how could he make Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang fall in love with him? Lu Yi scratched his head in frustration. He felt confident in cultivation, but when it came to pursuing girls... he was clueless. In his past life, Lu Yi had just graduated from university before transmigrating. During university, he spent most of his time playing games like LOL, Honor of Kings, and Warcraft. Outside of classes, he was glued to his dorm room, barely participating in club activities. His computer science class had only four girls, and... well, you get the idea. In middle and high school, Lu Yi was focused on studying, reading novels, and playing games. He wasn''t interested in girls. Some girls had shown interest in him, but he was oblivious back then. When he realized it in university, he deeply regretted missing out on sweet romances and even the chance to be a heartbreaker. In short, Lu Yi had never dated in either life and had no idea how to pursue girls. Damn it! Why didn''t university teach dating courses?! This was crucial for human reproduction! Ignoring such matters would lead to extinction! Lu Yi harshly criticized the education system of his past life. On another note, as a transmigrator, did he really have to pursue girls himself?! What a disgrace to transmigrators! Other predecessors had beauties flocking to them after transmigrating, yet he had to put in effort. It was humiliating! Lu "Disgrace of Transmigrators" Yi felt deeply saddened. At this moment, Liu Ningshuang''s cold and calm voice rang out: "Fellow disciples, Elder Lin has other matters today, so I will be teaching instead." Upon hearing this, everyone immediately quieted down, sat properly, and looked at Liu Ningshuang with anticipation. This was a supreme genius. Her insights into cultivation were bound to be unique, and learning even a little would be immensely beneficial. After everyone settled down, Li Qi, who was still standing, felt completely out of place. His mentality was about to collapse¡ªhe had no seat! Liu Ningshuang glanced at Li Qi with calm eyes, almost making him cry. He glared resentfully at Wang Xinqi. "Wang Xinqi, just you wait!!" Wang Xinqi looked puzzled. "You can''t beat me. Why are you blaming me?" Li Qi''s face turned red with anger. Seeing more people looking at him, he waved his sleeve and left the platform, covering his face. Liu Ningshuang''s calm voice echoed: "Is there anything else? If not, let''s begin." "Nothing!" "Please begin, Senior Sister Liu!" Everyone responded eagerly. Liu Ningshuang nodded slightly and began, "Since you are all in the Qi Refining Stage, today I will discuss the basics of cultivation and spell techniques. The Dao is emotionless, originating from spiritual energy. Cultivators absorb spiritual energy to form immortal bodies and ultimately reach a carefree realm, living as long as heaven and earth..." Her voice, infused with spiritual energy, spread across White Sun Peak, explaining the basics of cultivation, along with her insights into Qi Refining and the White Cloud Spiritual Guiding Technique. Liu Ningshuang''s teachings were clear and easy to understand, benefiting not only those on the platform but also disciples in the middle and lower areas of the mountain. Even Lu Yi, whose White Cloud Spiritual Guiding Technique was already at level 6¡ªconsidered a realm of returning to simplicity¡ªgained many insights. With his solid foundation, his gains were greater than others. Perhaps it wouldn''t take long for his technique to reach level 7. TL Note: Lingluo = meaning silk mask, If you know what¡¯s correct work let me know and I will update it. Liu Ningshuangs Invitation Time passed, and as the sun gradually reached its zenith, Liu Ningshuang''s lecture came to an end. The entire White Sun Peak fell into a deep silence. The disciples were still immersed in the principles Liu Ningshuang had explained, unable to come back to their senses for a long time. Liu Ningshuang did not interrupt. She simply stood quietly, gazing at the disciples on the platform with a calm and cold expression. Only after a while did some disciples slowly recover, their eyes filled with excitement, as if they had gained great insights. As one disciple after another regained their senses, Lu Yi also came back to himself. He felt a wave of excitement in his heart, sensing that his understanding of cultivation fundamentals had deepened significantly. Seeing that everyone had recovered, Liu Ningshuang spoke again, "That''s all for the fundamentals of cultivation. I hope all of you will take time to carefully digest this information. Next, I will discuss the basics of techniques. Since all of you are in the Qi Refining Stage, today I will explain the most common Qi Refining technique of White Cloud Sect, the White Cloud Sword Technique." Upon hearing this, the expressions of the disciples on the platform subtly changed. Many of them turned to look at Lu Yi. After all, a certain Qi Refining sixth-level disciple had already mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique to the level of realm of mastery! Lu Yi was sitting near the outer edge of the platform. While it was understandable for disciples on the outer side to glance at him, even some of the inner disciples turned to look in his direction. This caught Liu Ningshuang''s attention, and she followed their gaze. When Liu Ningshuang saw that the focus of their attention was a young cultivator at the Qi Refining sixth level, she raised an eyebrow slightly. A sixth-level cultivator being allowed onto the platform indicated decent talent, but it wasn¡¯t enough to warrant such widespread attention. Curious, Liu Ningshuang asked, "What''s going on?" A pretty female disciple at the front spoke up, "Senior Sister Liu, this handsome Junior Brother Lu Yi has already mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique to the level of realm of mastery." The disciples nearby: "..." Was it really necessary to add the word "handsome"?! Hearing this, a trace of surprise appeared in Liu Ningshuang''s usually cold eyes. She carefully observed Lu Yi again. Indeed, he was quite handsome¡ªbut that wasn''t the point. She praised him, "Reaching the level of realm of mastery with a fundamental technique at Qi Refining sixth level... Your talent is exceptional." Lu Yi, who had been worrying about how to approach Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, suddenly found an opportunity presented to him on a silver platter. Moreover, that senior sister had good taste! Lu Yi was secretly delighted. Lu Yi smiled and replied humbly, "Senior Sister flatters me." Liu Ningshuang seemed to consider something before asking, "Since Junior Brother Lu Yi has already mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique to such a level, would you be willing to demonstrate it with me for the benefit of the other disciples?"Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Lu Yi was stunned for a moment, finding the situation strange. Was this not equivalent to being a teaching assistant at a university? He never worked as a TA back in college, but now he had become one in another world? "Of course," Lu Yi agreed without hesitation. From the perspective of a romance game, such unexpected events were opportunities to increase a heroine''s favorability. How could he refuse? Oh, right¡ªhe also needed to assign himself a task. Lu Yi silently thought, "I want to demonstrate the White Cloud Sword Technique to the disciples on the platform." [Task]: Demonstrate the White Cloud Sword Technique to the outer sect disciples. Reward: White Cloud Sword Technique Level +1 Accept: Yes/No Seeing the reward, Lu Yi felt even more excited. As the White Cloud Sword Technique''s level increased, advancing further required more practice sessions. His White Cloud Sword Technique had been stuck at level 6 for four days without any signs of breaking through. He estimated that he¡¯d need another three or four days of practice. Yet now, he could advance just by demonstrating? Perfect! Lu Yi cheerfully stepped onto the teaching platform and stood beside Liu Ningshuang. Liu Ningshuang moved to one side, her cold voice sounding out, "Junior Brother, are you ready?" "I''m ready." "Then let''s begin." As she spoke, a plain longsword suddenly appeared in Liu Ningshuang''s hand. The moment she held it, her aura sharpened. Seeing this, Lu Yi glanced enviously at the white ring on Liu Ningshuang''s slender fingers¡ªa storage ring. He also wanted one. However, storage rings were precious items, often more expensive than even lower-grade magical artifacts. He couldn¡¯t afford one. His parents had bought him a lower-grade magical sword, but not a storage ring¡ªit was too costly. Lu Gaoyang had once told him that if he could enter the inner sect, the sect would provide a storage ring for free. Better to wait and get one from the sect later. "It¡¯d be nice if I could get a storage ring as a quest reward someday," Lu Yi thought. Drawing his own sword, Lu Yi looked at Liu Ningshuang and said, "Senior Sister, please guide me." Liu Ningshuang nodded, "Go ahead. Focus on demonstration." Lu Yi took a deep breath, channeling his spiritual energy. Wisps of white mist emerged around his sword. Using White Cloud Steps, he dashed toward Liu Ningshuang. Seeing the white mist surrounding Lu Yi¡¯s sword, Liu Ningshuang nodded inwardly. Her sword also emitted white mist¡ªthe hallmark of White Cloud Sword Technique¡¯s realm of mastery level. As a peerless genius, Liu Ningshuang had naturally mastered several techniques at this level. The two swords clashed. Clang! The metallic sound echoed, and mist swirled from their swords, enveloping the entire platform. The disciples below could feel the sharp sword intent in the air. They widened their eyes and held their breath, watching intently. On the platform, Lu Yi and Liu Ningshuang exchanged glances and seamlessly transitioned into new moves. Clang! Clang! Clang! Their demonstration was not a duel but an exhibition of techniques, showcasing each movement clearly. The White Cloud Sword Technique''s ethereal quality was displayed in full. Their synchronized movements created an inexplicable harmony, mesmerizing the audience, who watched without blinking. At this moment, Liu Ningshuang began explaining, "The White Cloud Sword Technique embodies the essence of drifting clouds¡ªelusive and ever-changing. Its core lies in intent, not form. Just as cultivators prioritize their inner essence, all techniques follow this principle. Observe carefully..." As their swordplay unfolded, the essence of the technique became clear, leaving many disciples enlightened. "So, this is how the third form works?! It should carry the grandeur of rolling clouds. I¡¯ve been practicing it wrong all along!" "I get it now! Haha!" "This is the mastery level? Incredible!" "Even with Senior Sister¡¯s explanations, anything beyond mastery still seems like an enigma. How did Junior Brother Lu Yi achieve it?!" On the platform, Lu Yi silently admired Liu Ningshuang''s insight¡ªworthy of a true genius. When their demonstration ended, both simultaneously sheathed their swords. A breeze brushed past, lifting a strand of Liu Ningshuang''s hair. She looked at Lu Yi with a faint smile, her first expression of warmth¡ªstunningly beautiful. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your White Cloud Sword Technique is remarkable. If you enter the inner sect, consider taking the test for Lingluo Peak and joining us there." Time for Harvest The disciples on the platform were in an uproar. ¡°I can¡¯t believe Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang actually invited Junior Brother Lu Yi to join Lingluo Peak?!¡± ¡°Lingluo Peak is one of the top three strongest peaks among the twelve inner sect peaks! I heard they have a lot of cultivation resources every month and amazing benefits. I wish I could join too...¡± ¡°Heh... You can keep dreaming. Elder Lingluo has made it clear that Lingluo Peak only accepts true geniuses. Junior Brother Lu Yi fits that, but do you think you are a genius?¡± ¡°Me? Haha... Not to boast, but I¡¯m a certified trash! I didn¡¯t understand a single thing during Senior Sister Liu and Junior Brother Lu¡¯s demonstration just now.¡± ¡°...What a coincidence, same here. Trash solidarity.¡± The disciples¡¯ eyes were filled with envy. If they could, they would also want to join Lingluo Peak. On the platform, Lu Yi was momentarily dazzled by Liu Ningshuang¡¯s smile. That damn smile¡ªso radiant! He smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯ll seriously consider it. Thank you, Senior Sister.¡± Ding, Liu Ningshuang¡¯s favorability +1. Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang personally invited him to take the assessment for Lingluo Peak. If this were a romance game, there would definitely be a notification popping up right now. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t have the golden finger of a romance game protagonist. Tch... As for joining Lingluo Peak, Lu Yi had no objections. Lingluo Peak was one of the strongest peaks in the entire White Cloud Sect¡¯s inner sect. Its Peak Master, Elder Lingluo, was one of the sect¡¯s most powerful figures and also the youngest among them, with extraordinary talent. Joining would mean having a powerhouse to back him up¡ªdefinitely a great move. Liu Ningshuang slightly nodded and flipped her hand, revealing a white porcelain bottle: ¡°This is a top-grade Qi Condensing Pill. It¡¯s a gift for Junior Brother Lu as thanks for assisting with my lecture. Your cultivation level is a bit low; don¡¯t slack off in training.¡± As she spoke, the porcelain bottle floated toward Lu Yi. Lu Yi was stunned. He felt as if he saw the glow of a rich lady emanating from Liu Ningshuang! This was a top-grade pill! Ordinary people couldn¡¯t even dream of obtaining one, yet Liu Ningshuang was giving it away so casually? That said, if this had happened earlier, Lu Yi would have been ecstatic to get such a pill. But now, with his mission rewards providing perfect-grade pills, he didn¡¯t feel much excitement. Still, Liu Ningshuang¡¯s kindness couldn¡¯t be rejected. Lu Yi accepted the Qi Condensing Pill and smiled. ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister. I will cultivate diligently and live up to your expectations.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. The disciples on the platform looked at Lu Yi with expressions of envy that turned their faces sour. A top-grade Qi Condensing Pill... This was far superior to mid-grade pills, and they wanted one too. Not to mention that it was personally gifted by Liu Ningshuang, a legendary figure in the sect. They could brag about this for a whole year! They might even put the bottle on display at home. Most importantly... Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang actually smiled at Lu Yi... She smiled?! Jealousy twisted their faces. ¡°Mm, you may step down,¡± Liu Ningshuang said with a slight nod. Lu Yi stepped down from the lecture platform and returned to his seat. Wang Xinqi, sitting beside him, couldn¡¯t hide his envy. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, you¡¯re so lucky... Even Senior Sister Liu treats you differently. I¡¯m so jealous.¡± ¡°Stay low-key.¡± Lu Yi smiled. He still considered himself a low-key person. ¡°Next, those with cultivation questions may raise their hands. I will select three to answer,¡± Liu Ningshuang announced, moving to the final part of the lecture. Hearing this, many disciples raised their hands eagerly. Having their questions answered by Liu Ningshuang could greatly smooth their cultivation paths. Lu Yi thought for a moment but found no pressing questions. With his techniques and spells progressing smoothly, thanks to mission rewards, he had no doubts. Liu Ningshuang glanced at Lu Yi and saw he didn¡¯t raise his hand. She wasn¡¯t surprised. The techniques cultivators could learn at the Qi Refining Stage were few and often similar. Lu Yi¡¯s ability to master the White Cloud Sword Technique to the Mastry Realm demonstrated excellent comprehension, making it unlikely for him to face obstacles at this stage. With that thought, Liu Ningshuang stopped paying attention to Lu Yi and randomly selected three disciples to answer. The Q&A session ended quickly. Liu Ningshuang then said, ¡°Today¡¯s lecture concludes here. You may all leave.¡± She nodded slightly at Lu Yi before turning into a sword light and disappearing into the horizon¡ªleaving gracefully. After Liu Ningshuang left, the disciples turned to Lu Yi and swarmed him. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, I¡¯m Li Long from White Ridge Peak. Let¡¯s get closer in the future!¡± ¡°Junior Brother Lu, Senior Sister has some doubts about sword techniques. Could we schedule a private lesson?¡± ¡°Junior Brother, the maple leaves in the sect¡¯s maple forest have turned red. It¡¯s beautiful. How about a stroll together?¡± Lu Yi was overwhelmed by the crowd¡¯s enthusiasm. Even more so when several beautiful senior sisters openly invited him for walks. He understood their eagerness, though. It was because he had displayed great talent and strength. In the past, none of these senior sisters showed such interest in him despite his good looks. It just proved that for men, strength was the ultimate appeal. With a sigh, Lu Yi smiled and said, ¡°Senior Brothers and Sisters, I¡¯ve had some insights and need to cultivate. Excuse me!¡± Lu Yi squeezed through the crowd and swiftly used his movement technique to leave the mountain without looking back. If he stayed any longer, he might never escape. He even noticed one senior sister trying to touch his thigh amid the chaos! Outrageous! Back at his home on Bailin Peak, Lu Yi sat down, catching his breath. Then, with excitement, he rubbed his hands together. It was harvesting time. Lu Yi opened his system panel: [Tasks] Defeat a seventh-level Qi Refining outer sect disciple (Completed) Defeat an eighth-level Qi Refining outer sect disciple (Completed) Ascend White Sun Peak¡¯s platform (Completed) Demonstrate White Cloud Sword Technique for outer sect disciples (Completed) Four completed tasks, all ready to claim rewards! Lu Yi began claiming them one by one. First, defeating Lin Gang earned him a Perfect Qi Condensing Pill. He chose to claim it. As Lu Yi clicked, he realized the pill didn¡¯t appear directly but required mental focus to determine its location. Surprised, Lu Yi experimented, placing it in his pocket using mental intent. Sure enough, he felt something round and glassy in his pocket. Taking it out, he saw a pure white pill emitting a faint medicinal fragrance. A Perfect Qi Condensing Pill! Lu Yi¡¯s eyes sparkled. This feature was convenient and discreet, avoiding attention. He wondered if future rewards could be sent directly into a spatial ring. He resolved to test it when he acquired one. Satisfied, Lu Yi continued claiming his rewards. The Transformation and Sublimation of Level 7 Lu Yi clicked to claim the reward for the second task. Immediately, a pair of light blue boots adorned with intricate cloud patterns appeared on the table in front of him. Mid-grade magic weapon, Flowing Cloud Boots. Lu Yi felt a bit excited in his heart. He finally owned a mid-grade magic weapon! Thinking about how stingy Old Lu was, never even letting him touch his mid-grade longsword, now he had his own! If Old Lu found out, he would surely be envious. Lu Yi couldn¡¯t wait to start the process of binding the boots. Magic weapons required recognition from their owner to unleash their full potential. Binding a magic weapon was simple. Lu Yi sent his spiritual power into the boots, leaving his spiritual imprint, and the process was complete. After binding the boots, Lu Yi took off his current shoes and put on the Flowing Cloud Boots. Standing up with the new boots, Lu Yi jumped twice in place and felt pleasantly surprised: as expected of mid-grade magic weapons, they were exceptionally comfortable! What made him even more thrilled was that after putting on the Flowing Cloud Boots, he felt his body become lighter. Did this mean his speed would increase? Lu Yi injected spiritual power into the boots, fully activating them. Then, he performed the White Cloud Step technique. In the blink of an eye, Lu Yi appeared at the other end of the room, stopping just one centimeter from the wall. That was close! His handsome face had almost smashed into the wall. Lu Yi felt a bit scared but then became overjoyed¡ªthe Flowing Cloud Boots had increased his speed by nearly 30%! It should be noted that Lu Yi had already trained his White Cloud Step technique to a masterful level, making his speed comparable to cultivators at eighth or even ninth level of Qi Refining. With this 30% increase, even ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators might not match his speed. No wonder mid-grade magic weapons were so powerful! Like a child with a new toy, Lu Yi practiced the White Cloud Step repeatedly, dashing around the room. His figure flickered unpredictably, like a ghostly shadow. After playing around for a while, Lu Yi finally sat down, satisfied, and continued to review his gains. The third task was to defeat an outer disciple named Wang Xinqi. The reward was two perfect Qi Condensation Pills. Lu Yi claimed them, bringing his total to three pills. He planned to use them during his next cultivation session. The fourth task involved demonstrating the White Cloud Sword Technique with Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang. Completing this task upgraded his White Cloud Sword Technique by one level. After accepting the task, Lu Yi suddenly felt his mind swell as a flood of insights about the White Cloud Sword Technique poured in.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. He closed his eyes to absorb the information. When he opened them again, a faint sword gleam seemed to flash across his gaze. He exhaled slowly, then raised a finger. Wisps of cloud-like spiritual power curled around his fingertip, looking soft yet powerful. With a gentle swipe, ripples resembling flowing clouds appeared in the air and silently imprinted cloud patterns onto the floor. Looking at the patterns, Lu Yi was overwhelmed with excitement. The difference between Level 6 and Level 7 was like night and day! Although the White Cloud Sword Technique was still the same in name, the way spiritual power flowed had changed. By altering a few routes, the technique became more efficient, enhancing its power! This was optimization! Before reaching Level 7, the technique focused on refining existing methods. But at Level 7, it transcended its original framework, achieving sublimation. Lu Yi felt that if he unleashed his full power now, the technique¡¯s effectiveness would be boosted by nearly 50%¡ªand without any increase in spiritual power consumption! A 50% power boost with no extra spiritual power cost¡ªcould this even be real? The transformation was almost unbelievable. Lu Yi was shaken. If Level 7 was already this strong, what about Level 8 or Level 9? Would the White Cloud Sword Technique keep getting stronger without additional spiritual power consumption? Wouldn¡¯t that be equivalent to using Foundation Establishment-level techniques at the Qi Refining stage? Normally, Qi Refining cultivators could only fully utilize techniques meant for their stage. Some geniuses could handle Foundation Establishment techniques, but the spiritual power drain was immense, limiting their use to emergencies. But if Lu Yi¡¯s White Cloud Sword Technique kept evolving, combining Foundation Establishment-level power with Qi Refining-level spiritual power consumption, wouldn¡¯t that be unfair? Lu Yi¡¯s expression turned strange. What others treated as trump cards; he could use as basic attacks? ¡­Wasn¡¯t this a little too unfair? Thinking about it, Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but grin uncontrollably¡ªnot because he wanted to, but because he simply couldn¡¯t stop. After all, he suddenly felt quite powerful. Lu Yi reveled in this feeling for a while before calming himself with deep breaths. Stay calm! Even if you can use ultimate moves as basic attacks, you¡¯re just an ordinary sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator! You¡¯re still weak! How could you be so weak?! You can¡¯t even dominate the outer sect! Qi Refining cultivators can¡¯t beat Golden Core cultivators, so what¡¯s there to brag about?! Stop acting smug! Even if you can throw out high-level techniques, there¡¯s still a limit¡ªyou¡¯re not casually casting forbidden spells! Don¡¯t get cocky! Stay grounded, and we¡¯ll win! Lu Yi kept reminding himself that he was still weak, to avoid becoming arrogant and making reckless decisions that could lead to disaster. Although he wasn¡¯t timid, Lu Yi believed that seeking death was wrong! No more reckless behavior¡ªstarting now! After repeatedly reinforcing this mindset, Lu Yi finally convinced himself that his situation was normal. So what if he had Foundation Establishment-level techniques? He was still just a Qi Refining cultivator. Lu Yi nodded in approval of his thoughts. He was just an ordinary sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator who needed to continue working hard and advancing steadily on the path of cultivation. With his inventory checked and accounted for, Lu Yi glanced outside. The sky was tinged with orange as the sun set. Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang¡¯s lecture had taken the whole day. After returning, Lu Yi had spent time reviewing his gains and digesting the insights from his Level 7 technique. Time had flown by. He wondered if Old Lu and his mom had finished work. Feeling a bit hungry, Lu Yi decided to check. ¡­ Meanwhile, in the Outer Sect Affairs Hall, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were preparing to wrap up their day. As stewards, they also had shifts, and it was time for them to leave. Just then, a middle-aged man with a red nose hurried over and called out, ¡°Hey, Old Lu! I didn¡¯t know your kid was so amazing! Why didn¡¯t you ever mention it?!¡± Lu Gaoyang looked at him, confused. ¡°Huh? What are you talking about?¡± Such a Big Scene Just to Come Home The man with the bulbous nose was stunned. He looked at the bewildered expressions of Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi with a strange expression. ¡°¡­You two don¡¯t know?¡± Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi exchanged glances, both seeing the confusion in each other¡¯s eyes. Their minds were filled with questions. Suddenly, Lu Gaoyang thought of something, and his heart skipped a beat. He asked, ¡°¡­Should we know something? What happened to my kid? Did he cause trouble?¡± Lu Gaoyang thought Lu Yi had a decent personality and shouldn¡¯t have done anything too outrageous. Why did it feel like he had done something that the entire sect knew about? Was he asking to have his legs broken? Lu Gaoyang felt there was a need to hold a family meeting once they got home to discuss how to break Lu Yi¡¯s legs. Wang Siqi was a bit worried and asked, ¡°Brother Li, what happened to my Yi¡¯er?¡± Seeing that the two of them really didn¡¯t know, Li Mang, another steward, was puzzled. He said, ¡°Your kid went up to the White Sun Peak platform today, and he actually cultivated the White Cloud Sword Technique to the level of Mastery. You two, as his parents, didn¡¯t know?¡± ¡°????¡± Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were full of questions upon hearing Li Mang¡¯s words. ¡°Wait, wait! Are you saying that brat of mine cultivated the White Cloud Sword Technique to the level of mastery?!¡± Lu Gaoyang felt like he either misheard or Li Mang was still dreaming. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. Don¡¯t look at me like that. This matter has already spread like wildfire in the outer sect. Today, the one giving the lecture was none other than Liu Ningshuang, the true disciple. I heard she thinks highly of your son. She even gave him a bottle of top-grade Qi Condensing Pills and invited him to participate in the Lingluo Peak assessment! Old Lu, you¡¯re about to make it big! Your son seems to be a genius!¡± As Li Mang continued speaking, his eyes turned green with envy as he looked at Lu Gaoyang. Damn it! Why didn¡¯t he have such good fortune to have a son like that? Thinking about his own son, Li Mang got even angrier. His son was almost twenty years old and still stuck at the seventh level of Qi Refining. Breaking through to Foundation Establishment was a pipe dream. He couldn¡¯t even compare! The more Li Mang thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He felt like going home immediately to break his own son¡¯s legs. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi no longer paid attention to Li Mang. They exchanged another glance, both showing disbelief. Was this really their son? Why did it feel like Li Mang was talking about someone else? Wang Siqi recovered and smiled at the somewhat twisted-faced Li Mang, saying, ¡°Brother Li, we have something to take care of. We¡¯ll be leaving first¡­¡± Before Wang Siqi could finish speaking, a gentle laugh echoed. ¡°Siqi, Gaoyang, you¡¯re here.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Lu Gaoyang, Wang Siqi, and Li Mang all turned pale. When they looked back, they saw an elder with gray whiskers approaching with a smile. The three of them immediately bowed respectfully. ¡°Greetings, Elder Qi.¡± Elder Qi was in charge of the outer sect¡¯s affairs hall. His name was Qi Feiyu, and he was a high-ranking elder with immense power, as well as a Golden Core cultivator with formidable strength. Qi Feiyu was usually in seclusion, rarely seen. None of the three expected him to appear here, and from the looks of it, he was here for Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. ¡°No need for formalities.¡± Qi Feiyu maintained a gentle smile and looked at the still somewhat dazed Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. He said, ¡°Have you encountered any difficulties at work recently? The task areas can be quite taxing.¡± ¡°Thank you for your concern, Elder Qi. Our work has been going smoothly,¡± Lu Gaoyang replied with a smile. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve been doing well¡­ By the way, two steward positions for distributing outer sect resources are currently vacant. You two can take up those positions. With your abilities, there should be no issues.¡± Qi Feiyu smiled. Lu Gaoyang: ¡°???¡± Wang Siqi: ¡°???¡± Li Mang: ¡°???¡± Qi Feiyu¡¯s words left the three of them dumbfounded. The position of distributing resources to outer sect disciples was a lucrative one! Generally, the sect allocated more resources than needed, and these extras were mostly split between elders and the stewards in charge. This was an unspoken rule within the affairs hall. Which steward wouldn¡¯t fight tooth and nail for a spot in the resource department? Usually, only those with strong backing could secure such positions. Regular stewards could only dream about it. But today, Qi Feiyu personally assigned Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi to these roles?! None of them saw this coming. Seeing their stunned expressions, Qi Feiyu smiled. ¡°So, what do you think? Are you willing?¡± Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi snapped out of it, filled with joy. They immediately responded, ¡°Of course we¡¯re willing! Thank you, Elder Qi!¡± Lu Gaoyang cautiously asked, ¡°Elder Qi¡­ Is this because of my Yi¡¯er?¡± Qi Feiyu smiled faintly. ¡°Lu Yi has great potential. Once he enters the inner sect, the sky is the limit. Gaoyang, you¡¯re fortunate. Work hard.¡± Qi Feiyu had naturally heard about Lu Yi. The name Liu Ningshuang carried significant weight in the White Cloud Sect. Since she valued Lu Yi, even Qi Feiyu felt inclined to offer goodwill. Without lingering, Qi Feiyu disappeared from sight. The three stewards, all at Foundation Establishment, couldn¡¯t even see how he left. After Qi Feiyu left, Li Mang looked at Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi with even more envy. ¡°I can¡¯t believe Elder Qi personally assigned you to the resource department. Old Lu, you¡¯re really making it big!¡± Li Mang was even more frustrated. Why didn¡¯t he have a son like that? He felt the urge to train a new one. Still dazed, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi exchanged glances. It felt like a dream. Lu Gaoyang then smiled. ¡°Old Li, I¡¯ll treat you next time to celebrate. We need to head back for now.¡± Li Mang understood and nodded. ¡°Go ahead.¡± Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi hurried out of the hall. Along the way, they noticed that many people gave them strange looks, even stewards who outranked them greeted them with smiles. They knew this was all because of Lu Yi. Eagerly, they soared into the air on their swords and flew toward White Spirit Peak. ¡­¡­ White Spirit Peak. Lu Yi assumed his parents weren¡¯t off work yet. He debated whether to practice the White Cloud Qi Drawing Technique for a week. Liu Ningshuang¡¯s lecture had given him new insights, but he felt a bit hungry and wasn¡¯t keen on cultivating. At that moment, two sharp sounds cut through the air, accompanied by a powerful aura. Lu Yi¡¯s eyes widened. An attack? Impossible! Who would dare cause trouble at White Sun Sect? Better safe than sorry, Lu Yi stood up cautiously, ready to run if there was an enemy. Then, Lu Gaoyang¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Lu Yi! Get out here!¡± Lu Yi was stunned, set down his sword, and walked out. He saw Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi standing furiously in the courtyard, which had sword marks on the ground and shredded plants. Lu Yi¡¯s mind filled with questions. ¡°Dad, Mom, what¡¯s with the big scene just to come home?¡± ¡°What¡¯s with the big scene?! It¡¯s all because of you!¡± Lu Gaoyang glared at Lu Yi. The Bottleneck at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining Lu Yi was a little confused. "Me? What about me?" Seeing Lu Yi''s bewildered expression, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were dumbfounded. Such a big deal, yet this boy acted as if nothing had happened! Wang Siqi took a deep breath and asked, "Yi''er, did you go to White Cloud Peak today? Did you step onto the platform?" Hearing this, Lu Yi immediately understood, feeling strange in his heart. So, their big reaction was because he stepped onto the platform? It seemed they already knew about the incident at White Cloud Peak? The lecture ended late in the afternoon, and not much time had passed since then. How did news spread so quickly in the outer sect, reaching his parents already? Lu Yi realized he had greatly underestimated the gossiping capabilities of the outer sect disciples. Lu Yi inwardly mocked this, then grinned and said, "Yes, I went up to White Cloud Peak. What do you think? Isn¡¯t your son a genius?" I, Lu, finally got to enjoy the feeling of being a genius. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi exchanged shocked glances. It really was Lu Yi! Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were initially unsure. After all, they knew their own son''s abilities very well. Lu Gaoyang¡¯s expression shifted, still somewhat in disbelief, and he asked, "So... you really mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique to the state of returning to simplicity?" "Yes," Lu Yi nodded. "...And Liu Ningshuang, the True Transmission Disciple, invited you to Lingluo Peak for an assessment? She even gave you a top-grade Qi Condensing Pill?" "Yes, that¡¯s right. Senior Sister Liu is very kind," Lu Yi nodded. "Hiss..." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi gasped in shock. Lu Gaoyang stared at Lu Yi, stunned. "How could my son be such a genius?! I don¡¯t believe it!" "????" Lu Yi¡¯s head was full of question marks. With a black line on his face, he said, "Seriously, Dad, you don¡¯t believe I¡¯m this talented?! Mom, help me out here!" Lu Yi was indignant. Why couldn¡¯t he be this talented? Wang Siqi hesitated and then said faintly, "...Honestly, I know your aptitude best, and I find it hard to believe too." Lu Yi: "???" What kind of parents talk about their son like this? If he hadn¡¯t transmigrated from birth, Lu Yi would have doubted whether he was picked up from a trash heap. Lu Yi said speechlessly, "There are stories about seniors achieving enlightenment overnight and ascending to immortality along with their chickens and dogs. Why can¡¯t I have a sudden realization?"Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Hearing this, Lu Gaoyang gave Lu Yi a sidelong glance. "...You¡¯re comparing yourself to immortals?" Seeing Lu Gaoyang¡¯s look, Lu Yi almost spats out blood in anger. He sneered and said, "Dad, thirty years of river east, thirty years of river west¡ªdon¡¯t underestimate a young man who¡¯s down on his luck! What if I really become an immortal in a few years? Be careful, I might not take you with me!" Hearing this, Lu Gaoyang felt a headache coming on. With a black line on his face, he said, "I don¡¯t believe you at all, you brat. Now you¡¯re dreaming of becoming an immortal... Ouch!!" Before Lu Gaoyang could finish, he let out a scream. Wang Siqi silently withdrew her foot from stepping on his. She smiled and said, "Yi¡¯er, you have ambition. Mom supports you! But did you really have an epiphany?" In fact, if they weren¡¯t in the sect with protective formations preventing infiltration by powerful demonic cultivators, Wang Siqi and Lu Gaoyang might have suspected that Lu Yi had been possessed. Moreover, Lu Yi¡¯s personality and habits remained unchanged. While someone who seized a body could hide, small details were hard to conceal. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi confirmed that Lu Yi had not been possessed. So, they could only consider other possibilities. Lu Yi nodded. "Yes, I started feeling clearer in my head some time ago. When practicing techniques and spells, I could grasp things faster. Otherwise, there¡¯s no way I could master the White Cloud Sword Technique to its peak so quickly." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi exchanged looks: What kind of principle was this? They couldn¡¯t figure it out. "Yi¡¯er, did you accidentally eat some rare spiritual treasure?" Wang Siqi speculated. "I¡¯m not sure. Maybe?" Of course, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t about to reveal his long-lost golden finger. He decided to play it safe. After all, White Cloud Sect was a righteous sect with good values. Talented individuals were treated well. As long as he didn¡¯t betray the sect, everything would be fine. With parents in the sect and having grown up here, the sect would be glad if he were even more talented. Lu Gaoyang couldn¡¯t make sense of it either. He said, "This is a good thing. Your state might disappear at some point, so make sure to work harder on your cultivation during this period." "Got it." Lu Yi nodded. Wang Siqi laughed happily. "I¡¯m in a good mood today. I¡¯ll cook something special for you two." ... After dinner, Lu Yi returned to his room, letting out a satisfied burp. He had to admit, his mom¡¯s cooking was excellent. He quickly circulated his spiritual energy to digest the food and then sat cross-legged on his bed to cultivate. Before starting, Lu Yi set a mental task to practice the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique ten times. However, when he saw the reward, his eyes widened. [Task]: Practice the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique ten times (Progress: 0/10) Reward: White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique Level +1 Accept? Yes/No The technique was about to level up? Lu Yi was stunned. Both his White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique and White Cloud Sword Technique had only reached level 6 four days ago. He thought it would take longer. Lu Yi quickly realized that today¡¯s lecture by Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang had inspired him. Could his comprehension boost have sped up his cultivation technique improvement? In gaming terms, this was probably a special event, adding extra experience to his White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique. Lu Yi was pleased with his talent. Instead of rushing into cultivation, Lu Yi first took out a white pill¡ªthe perfect Qi Condensing Pill. He decided to use it to boost his cultivation. Placing the pill in his mouth, it melted and transformed into streams of warm energy that spread throughout his body. The rich spiritual energy made him feel bloated, so he quickly activated his technique. As the technique circulated, the abundant spiritual power was gradually absorbed into his dantian. Lu Yi could feel his cultivation rising rapidly. With each cycle, his cultivation grew stronger. Suddenly, Lu Yi felt a barrier. It was an indescribable sensation¡ªan invisible wall blocking his spiritual energy. No matter how much energy the pill released, it couldn¡¯t be absorbed further. It felt like a bottle filled to the brim with water¡ªany more would just overflow. Lu Yi was all too familiar with this feeling, having encountered it several times before. He had reached the bottleneck of the sixth layer of Qi Refining. Lu Yi was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed. He didn¡¯t expect to hit the bottleneck so quickly! Double Happiness Arrives Originally, Lu Yi thought it would take a few more months to break through. Unexpectedly, from the awakening of his golden finger until now, it had only been half a month, and he was already about to break through. This was largely due to his White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique reaching level 6, which greatly enhanced his cultivation speed. The Perfect Qi Condensing Pill also played a crucial role. Lu Yi calmed his emotions, focused his mind, and controlled his spiritual energy, preparing to break through the bottleneck. Based on his previous experiences, breaking through bottlenecks was never easy, as he usually required a significant amount of time to succeed. However, this time... The spiritual energy in Lu Yi''s body surged like a flood, carrying the immense energy released by the Perfect Qi Condensing Pill. With unstoppable momentum, it forcefully struck the invisible barrier. Boom!! A loud rumble echoed as the spiritual energy tide collided with the barrier in Lu Yi''s body. Moments later, a cracking sound was heard. The barrier shattered, and the invisible restriction disappeared. Lu Yi felt his entire body lighten. As he operated the Qi Absorption Technique again, he began to absorb more spiritual energy. He had broken through. The bottleneck had not even lasted a minute! Lu Yi was pleasantly surprised but not entirely shocked. After all, his Qi Absorption Technique had reached level 6, providing him with an extremely solid foundation. Moreover, his body was still filled with the abundant energy of the Perfect Qi Condensing Pill. With such a vast supply of spiritual energy, even an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator could easily breakthrough in a few days. While the breakthrough made Lu Yi happy, he quickly calmed down. This was just the beginning. In the future, he could still advance to Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and even immortality! For now, he needed to continue cultivating! Lu Yi operated the Qi Absorption Technique repeatedly. After completing ten cycles, he finished his cultivation task and eagerly accepted the reward. Instantly, Lu Yi''s mind was filled with profound and mysterious information about the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique. The information was complex but easily absorbed by him. As Lu Yi had guessed, the level 7 White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique was significantly different from the level 6 version. The technique''s circulation path had changed. Previously, the Qi Absorption Technique passed through seventeen meridian points. Now, six more meridian points had been added. Excited, Lu Yi wanted to try the level 7 technique immediately. He assigned himself another cultivation task and began operating the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique. As soon as he started, Lu Yi noticed the difference. The spiritual energy absorption rate of the level 7 technique was more than double that of level 6! Not only that, but as the energy circulated, it continuously refined his spiritual energy. After just one complete cycle, Lu Yi could feel his spiritual energy becoming denser.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Lu Yi was thrilled. Refined spiritual energy meant higher quality, even if the quantity remained the same. After all, a rock and a sponge may have the same mass, but their hardness differs vastly. The White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique''s ability to refine his spiritual energy would further enhance his already solid foundation. Naturally, the power of any techniques using his spiritual energy would also increase. Would his spiritual energy quality soon rival that of Foundation Establishment cultivators? Lu Yi was filled with anticipation. Feeling the benefits of the level 7 White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, Lu Yi devoted himself even more to cultivation, repeatedly absorbing the lingering energy from the Perfect Qi Condensing Pill. The pill contained immense spiritual energy, and even after his breakthrough, a lot remained. As Lu Yi absorbed it, he could clearly feel his cultivation level rising rapidly. The night passed without incident. As dawn broke, the rising sun cast golden-red hues across the clouds in the White Cloud Mountains. Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, a faint white light flashing through them. He exhaled deeply and smiled. After a night of cultivation, he had finally absorbed all the energy from the Perfect Qi Condensing Pill and taken a significant step forward in the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Lu Yi estimated that if he had a Perfect Qi Condensing Pill every day, he could break through to the eighth layer of Qi Refining in just one month. Only one month! Even geniuses would hesitate to claim they could advance a layer in Qi Refining within a month. And this speed wasn¡¯t even his limit. If his White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique reached level 8 or level 9, his breakthroughs would be even faster! The only problem was that Lu Yi had only two Perfect Qi Condensing Pills left. Lu Yi immediately thought of Wang Xinqi and the other senior brothers. Maybe he could spar with them? Completing a few tasks wouldn¡¯t take too long and could earn him several more Perfect Qi Condensing Pills. Who wouldn¡¯t be happy with that? But with two pills remaining, there was no rush. He decided to focus on other things first. With both the White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique at level 7, only the White Cloud Footwork remained at level 6. It was slightly behind, so he needed to catch up. With that in mind, Lu Yi left his room. ... Over the next two days, Lu Yi continued his steady cultivation. He practiced the White Cloud Sword Technique during the day, the White Cloud Footwork in the afternoon, and the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique at night. His days were fulfilling. Two days later, Lu Yi used up all his Perfect Qi Condensing Pills and had to consider obtaining more. Although he still had a bottle of superior-grade Qi Condensing Pills gifted by Liu Ningshuang, after experiencing the Perfect Qi Condensing Pills, he no longer wanted to use ordinary ones. After breakfast, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi went off to work, while Lu Yi left his courtyard. This was his first time venturing out since returning from the lecture. The White Cloud Sect¡¯s outer sect had a dedicated martial platform area where disciples usually trained. If disciples had conflicts, they could resolve them through sparring matches. For life-and-death matters, a duel could also be held on the martial platform, but it required a steward to officiate. However, in Lu Yi¡¯s years at the sect, he had rarely seen any life-and-death duels. The White Cloud Sect maintained a harmonious and united atmosphere. Sparring matches, on the other hand, were common. Unlike Lu Yi, who could level up his techniques through tasks, most cultivators¡ªincluding geniuses¡ªrelied on combat to identify weaknesses. Cultivation required more than isolated practice. The martial platform was located in a basin between White Bright Peak and White Dew Peak, not far from White Spirit Peak. Lu Yi jogged towards the platform. Along the way, many outer sect disciples greeted him warmly. "Senior Brother Lu Yi!" "Senior Brother Lu Yi, you¡¯ve come out of seclusion?" "I heard your White Cloud Sword Technique has reached the realm of perfection. Could you guide me, Senior Brother?" ... Lu Yi responded with smiles, touching his face. He hadn¡¯t expected the news about White Sun Peak to spread so quickly. Had he really become so well-known? Several beautiful senior sisters even asked for personal guidance. If he didn¡¯t have plans for today, he might have agreed. What a pity! Lu Yi quickly reaffirmed his commitment to cultivation, firmly rejecting temptation. Taking Another Task Lu Yi didn¡¯t spend much time before arriving at the Martial Arts Platform area. The entire area was enormous, spanning several kilometers and paved with dark green stone slabs, forming a massive square. Scattered across the square were numerous sparring platforms meant for the outer disciples to practice and spar. At the center of the Martial Arts Platform was an even larger arena, referred to as the Central Platform. Generally, life-and-death duels and important competitions were held there. At this moment, many disciples were practicing their techniques in the square. With so many outer disciples, some preferred to practice quietly by themselves, while others liked to train in busy areas. After all, if they encountered difficulties during training, they could discuss and exchange insights with their peers, which was quite beneficial. Even those who usually trained alone would often come to the Martial Arts Platform to spar with others when they hit a bottleneck, hoping to gain new insights. Lu Yi entered the Martial Arts Platform, and a Qi Refining Stage Level 3 disciple practicing sword techniques nearby glanced at him. The disciple immediately froze, widened his eyes, and greeted him. "Senior Brother Lu Yi? Senior Brother Lu Yi, why are you here at the Martial Arts Platform?" Lu Yi smiled faintly. "I gained some insights after the lecture and thought I¡¯d find someone to spar with." Lu Yi stepped into the square as he spoke. The Qi Refining Level 3 disciple¡¯s eyes lit up. He was also practicing sword techniques and thought he might learn something from watching Senior Brother Lu Yi spar. Sword techniques at the Returning to Simplicity level! During the lecture, only those on the platform could see Lu Yi demonstrate the techniques. The tens of thousands of outer disciples below the platform had no chance to witness it. They, too, wanted to see such powerful techniques, but their lack of strength kept them away at the time. Who would have thought that Senior Brother Lu Yi would come to spar here? This was a heaven-sent opportunity! The disciple quickly followed him. The conversation between Lu Yi and the outer disciple was overheard by others nearby, and they began to discuss. "Senior Brother Lu Yi... Is he the one who mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique to the Perfection level and earned Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang¡¯s admiration?" "That¡¯s him! I didn¡¯t expect him to come to the Martial Arts Platform. No way, I have to go and watch. I might gain some insights!" "Senior Brother Lu Yi is so generous... During the lecture, we couldn¡¯t see the demonstrations of the basic techniques. Now, we¡¯re finally lucky enough to witness it." As the rumors spread, many disciples began following Lu Yi into the Martial Arts Platform. Like White Sun Peak, the inner areas of the Martial Arts Platform were occupied by stronger outer disciples. Lu Yi simply walked inward.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. It wasn¡¯t long before Lu Yi saw a familiar figure approaching him. It was Wang Xinqi, who had sparred with him on the platform earlier. Lu Yi didn¡¯t expect to see him here. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, I heard the commotion outside and realized you were here. I didn¡¯t expect you to come to the Martial Arts Platform," Wang Xinqi said with a smile. "So, it¡¯s Senior Brother Wang Xinqi. I recently gained some insights and wanted to find someone to spar with." Perfect¡ªa sparring partner! Lu Yi silently told himself, ¡°I want to defeat Wang Xinqi.¡± The panel remained silent. No task appeared. Huh? Why wasn¡¯t there a task? Lu Yi was puzzled. Previously, he had received two Perfect Qi Condensation Pills, so why wasn¡¯t there even a task this time? Suddenly, Lu Yi thought of something and showed a strange expression. Could it be that his strength had improved too quickly? After all, Lu Yi had advanced to Qi Refining Level 7, and both his White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Technique had reached level 7. His strength was vastly different from two days ago. According to the panel¡¯s evaluation, the gap between him and Wang Xinqi was too large, so sparring with him didn¡¯t qualify as a task. That seemed like the only explanation. Lu Yi scratched his head. It looked like he would need to spar with cultivators above Qi Refining Level 9 to receive rewards. Fortunately, even Qi Refining Level 9 cultivators posed no threat to him. Wang Xinqi was unaware of Lu Yi¡¯s thoughts. His eyes lit up and he said, ¡°Looking for sparring partners? In that case, let¡¯s spar, Junior Brother! I¡¯ve also made some progress recently.¡± Lu Yi was a bit helpless. Without rewards, what was the point of sparring? Wang Xinqi was too weak for him. He¡¯d even have to hold back to avoid damaging his senior brother¡¯s pride. What a waste of time. Lu Yi gave a faint smile, and the aura of a Qi Refining Level 7 cultivator spread out. "Qi Refining Level 7?!" Wang Xinqi exclaimed with wide eyes. Then he looked envious. "I didn¡¯t expect you to break through already. That makes sense¡ªSenior Sister Liu did give you a bottle of top-grade Qi Condensation Pills." Wang Xinqi sighed and shook his head. "I wasn¡¯t your match even when you were at Qi Refining Level 6... and now..." He no longer mentioned sparring, leaving Lu Yi relieved. Wang Xinqi continued, ¡°With your current strength, Junior Brother, you probably need to spar with Level 9 cultivators to improve. I know two Senior Brothers who are both at Level 9. They¡¯re inside. Would you like me to introduce you?¡± Lu Yi¡¯s eyes lit up. He wouldn¡¯t even need to find opponents himself? He nodded. "Thank you, Senior Brother." "Haha, you¡¯re too polite. Those two have been eager to meet you ever since the lecture." Wang Xinqi laughed. Lu Yi nodded, and the two walked inward. Before long, Wang Xinqi led Lu Yi to a platform where two young men sat cross-legged, discussing Dao. Both carried swords on their backs, indicating they were sword cultivators. Lu Yi looked at them but didn¡¯t recognize their faces. After all, there had been over a thousand disciples on the platform during the lecture, and he hadn¡¯t memorized everyone. Wang Xinqi led Lu Yi over, and the two young men sensed their approach, turning to look. Upon seeing Lu Yi, their expressions shifted slightly before they stood up. The slender youth on the left smiled. "Junior Brother Lu Yi is here too?" The sturdier youth on the right grinned. "I had a feeling something good would happen today. So, it was meeting Junior Brother Lu Yi." "Greetings, Senior Brothers." Lu Yi smiled. Wang Xinqi introduced them. "This is Senior Brother Lu Ling and Senior Brother Wang Wulian. Both are at Qi Refining Level 9 and rank in the top 100 among outer disciples." Then he turned to Lu Ling and said, "Senior Brother Lu, Junior Brother Lu Yi has broken through to Qi Refining Level 7 and is looking for sparring partners. Would you two be interested?" "Qi Refining Level 7?!" Lu Ling exclaimed, looking surprised. Wang Wulian immediately understood and said with admiration, "Senior Sister Liu gave you a bottle of top-grade Qi Condensation Pills, right? It must have been very effective." Lu Yi chuckled. "Senior Sister Liu is very kind." He thought to himself, ¡°I want to defeat Lu Ling.¡± [Task]: Defeat Lu Ling (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 10 Top-Grade Qi Condensation Pills / 1 Perfect Qi Condensation Pill Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi: ¡°¡­¡± He felt conflicted¡ªhappy to finally have a task, but disappointed that even defeating Lu Ling, a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivator, only earned him one Perfect Qi Condensation Pill. How tragic! Junior Brother, You Are Truly a Good Person! "I wonder if the two senior brothers are willing to spar with me?" Lu Yi calmed his emotions and asked with a smile. Lu Ling and Wang Wulian exchanged glances and saw the eager expressions in each other''s eyes. Lu Ling smiled and said, "Of course! Back at White Sun Peak, I was deeply impressed by your White Cloud Sword Technique, which has reached the Perfection realm. I''ve been wanting to ask for guidance for a long time." Wang Wulian also laughed. "Me too! Today, my wish has come true." "In that case, why don''t the two senior brothers take turns?" "I''ll go first!" Wang Wulian declared immediately. Lu Ling glanced at Wang Wulian, shrugged, and had no objections. Lu Yi quietly issued a task to defeat Wang Wulian, with the reward being a Perfect Qi Condensation Pill, the same as for defeating Lu Ling. The two stepped onto the arena. Thousands of outer disciples gathered around to watch them and murmured among themselves. "Senior Brother Lu Yi has already reached the seventh layer of Qi Refinement." "Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang gave him a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill earlier! With Senior Brother Lu Yi''s talent, isn''t it normal for him to break through?" "I don''t envy Senior Brother Lu Yi''s talent. I envy that he caught Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang''s attention. How great would it be if she could just look at me once?" "...Go to sleep, brother. You can have anything in your dreams." "Speaking of which, who do you think is stronger¡ªSenior Brother Lu Yi or Senior Brother Wang Wulian?" "Do you even have to ask? It''s definitely Senior Brother Lu Yi! The Perfection level White Cloud Sword Technique is legendary!" "But I think Senior Brother Wang isn''t weak. He''s already at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement and is said to be just one step away from reaching the tenth layer. His strength can''t be underestimated." "Let''s just watch and see!" "..." While the crowd discussed, Wang Xinqi and Lu Ling also conversed. Wang Xinqi curiously asked, "Senior Brother Lu, who do you think will win?" Lu Ling shook his head. "I don''t know. Logically speaking, I favor Wang Wulian, but the Perfection level technique is extraordinary. Junior Brother Lu Yi is not without a chance." Wang Xinqi looked at Lu Yi, full of envy. "So, does that mean Junior Brother Lu Yi already has the strength to rank in the top 100 of the outer sect? And he''s only at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement..."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Lu Ling glanced at Wang Xinqi. "Can an ordinary seventh-layer Qi Refinement disciple compare to someone who comprehended the Perfection technique? It''s just that Junior Brother Lu Yi''s cultivation is a bit low right now. Once he reaches the eighth layer, he could even contend for the top outer disciple." "Hiss..." Wang Xinqi gasped, as if the air around him suddenly thinned. On the arena, Lu Yi and Wang Wulian faced each other. Wang Wulian drew his sword and smiled. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, my technique is the Flowing Wind Sword Technique, and I''ve mastered it to the Perfection level. Don''t hold back! I hope you can inspire me to break through to the Transformation level." Lu Yi casually drew his sword and smiled slightly. "Don''t worry, Senior Brother. I won''t hold back. I''m not that kind of person." Hmm... Using the level 7 White Cloud Sword Technique might be too overwhelming. Better not. Oh, and the White Cloud Footwork was upgraded to level 7 yesterday. If needed, I can use the level 6 version. Lu Yi pondered quietly. Hearing Lu Yi''s assurance, Wang Wulian was very satisfied. He circulated his spiritual energy and charged at Lu Yi. His green robe fluttered like the wind, and his figure was as swift as a shadow. Clearly, Wang Wulian''s footwork was well-trained too. At the higher levels of the outer sect, there were no obvious weaknesses. Both cultivation and techniques were refined; otherwise, they wouldn''t be able to rank in the top 100. For ordinary people, making it into the top 100 out of tens of thousands of outer disciples was already considered genius-level. However, despite Wang Wulian''s impressive speed, it was still lacking in Lu Yi''s eyes. Lu Yi maintained a calm expression, his sword vibrating slightly. The next moment, sword qi transformed into clouds, swirling forward. Clang! Clang! Clang! The two exchanged blows instantly, creating a series of collisions. Spiritual energy ripples spread outward, stirring the robes of the onlookers. Many disciples focused intently, hoping to gain insights from the Perfection level technique. On the arena, Lu Yi and Wang Wulian''s figures flickered rapidly. Their movements were so fast that they appeared ghostly to ordinary mortals. Even lower-level Qi Refinement disciples struggled to keep up. With each breath, several clashes resounded. Sword light gleamed coldly, and spiritual energy waves stirred the air, making the fight intense. Wang Wulian''s expression turned solemn as he fought with all his might. Meanwhile, Lu Yi remained calm, even finding time to admire Wang Wulian''s strength. Indeed, as an elite outer disciple, Wang Wulian was far stronger than Wang Xinqi¡ªnot just in cultivation and technique mastery but also in combat experience. Lu Yi admitted he lagged behind in experience, but his superior strength more than made up for it. Even without going all out, he maintained complete control. Absolute strength rendered fancy techniques meaningless. Lu Yi could have ended the fight in a few moves using the level 7 White Cloud Sword Technique, but he aimed to prolong the match for rewards. He didn''t want to discourage Wang Wulian and make him refuse future sparring. Wang Wulian was a great partner for earning rewards. Lu Yi intended to showcase his technique enough to keep things competitive without crushing his opponent''s confidence. After hundreds of exchanges, Lu Yi''s sword vibrated, dispersing cloud-like energy that deflected Wang Wulian''s blade. Seizing the opening, Lu Yi dashed forward like a streak of light and placed his sword against Wang Wulian''s neck. Wang Wulian froze, glanced at the sword, exhaled, and shook his head with a bitter smile. "I lost. Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re truly amazing." Lu Yi smiled lightly. "Senior Brother, you''re strong too. I was just a bit luckier." "A loss is a loss. But this fight gave me a lot of insights. I need to go digest them." Wang Wulian hurried off, fearing his newfound understanding might slip away. Lu Yi checked his completed task, nodded, and said earnestly, "Go reflect, Senior Brother. Once you''re ready, we can spar again." Wang Wulian''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?!" Lu Yi nodded seriously. "Of course. Since you''ve gained insights, the least I can do is help you train." Wang Wulian was deeply touched, almost to the point of tears. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re truly a good person! If you ever need anything, just let me know, and I''ll help without hesitation!" Lu Yi smiled warmly. "You''re too kind, Senior Brother. Go reflect now." Meanwhile, he was already preparing for his next task¡ªdefeating Lu Ling. The Competition Begins Wang Wulian stepped down from the stage. Lu Yi looked at the eager-looking Lu Ling and smiled, "Senior Brother Lu Ling, shall we spar now?" Lu Ling was stunned for a moment and asked, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''ve just finished a match. Don''t you need to rest?" Lu Yi smiled and said, "My White Cloud Qi Guiding Technique is at a decent level. My spiritual energy recovers quickly, so I don''t need to rest." "Hiss..." The surrounding spectators all gasped. "White Cloud Sword Technique at the Perfection Realm, White Cloud Footwork at the Perfection Realm, and even the White Cloud Qi Guiding Technique at a profound level? As expected of Senior Brother Lu Yi." "Senior Brother Lu Yi''s comprehension is so high. I''m really envious. I''d be satisfied if I had half of Senior Brother Lu Yi''s talent." Hearing the murmurs around them, Lu Ling took a deep look at Lu Yi. Honestly, even he was envious. Quickly, Lu Ling stopped overthinking and laughed freely. "Since that''s the case, I won''t hold back." He lightly tapped the ground with his toes and floated onto the stage. Lu Yi noticed that Lu Ling had also practiced White Cloud Footwork, just like him. Not bad. Lu Ling stood firm and drew his sword. "Junior Brother Lu, please!" "Please!" Lu Yi responded with a smile. Without further words, the two charged at each other. Just like with Wang Wulian, Lu Yi sparred with Lu Ling for quite some time. Lu Ling''s swordsmanship wasn''t as refined as Wang Wulian''s, but his footwork was faster. For Lu Yi, it didn''t make much of a difference as the battle was always under his control. After sparring for a while, Lu Yi finally defeated Lu Ling, giving him enough face to make him feel comfortable. After sparring with Lu Ling, Lu Yi took the chance to recover since Wang Wulian was still reflecting on his earlier match. Although Lu Yi wasn''t particularly tired and still had about half of his spiritual energy, he thought it would be suspicious if he didn''t take some time to recover. Thus, Lu Yi sparred continuously with Wang Wulian and Lu Ling. The surrounding cultivators formed a circle, observing the precious realms of White Cloud Sword Technique in hopes of gaining insights. The sparring continued throughout the morning. Lu Yi sparred a total of sixteen times, completing sixteen tasks and earning sixteen Perfect Qi Condensation Pills. These pills were enough to sustain his cultivation until the competition began. Lu Yi felt well-prepared.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. After finishing the sparring with Lu Ling, Lu Yi smiled and said, "Senior Brothers Lu and Wang, let''s end here for today. I''ve gained a lot. Thank you both for sparring with me." Lu Ling and Wang Wulian were stunned but quickly shook their heads. Lu Ling expressed his gratitude, "Junior Brother Lu, don''t say that. I''ve gained a lot from our sparring today. It won''t be long before I break through to the Perfection Realm in swordsmanship. It''s all thanks to you!" Wang Wulian also nodded repeatedly, agreeing, "Lu Ling is right. My swordsmanship is just a step away from Perfection. It''s all because of you, Junior Brother!" Lu Yi touched his pocket, feeling the sixteen Perfect Qi Condensation Pills, and smiled modestly. "You two are too kind." In this friendly atmosphere, Lu Yi bid farewell and left. The surrounding spectators made way for him respectfully. Many of them looked at Lu Yi with gratitude. Just by observing the sparring, they had learned a lot. For cultivators, observing battles of powerful cultivators could be even more effective than regular training. Lu Yi''s sparring had a teaching effect as well. After leaving the martial arena, Lu Yi returned to Bai Ling Peak and began his training for the day. Although the morning was spent sparring, he wouldn''t let his afternoon and evening training go to waste. ...... In the following days, with the Perfect Qi Condensation Pills in hand, Lu Yi focused entirely on training to prepare for the competition. He practiced the White Cloud Sword Technique in the morning, White Cloud Footwork in the afternoon, and White Cloud Qi Guiding Technique at night, leaving almost no time for rest. His dedication reminded him of his days preparing for exams, where he studied day and night. Unlike studying, however, training showed visible progress, making the process addictive. Lu Yi enjoyed every moment of it. Time flew, and soon half a month had passed. On this day, Lu Yi opened his eyes, and a trace of white spiritual light flickered in them before dissipating. He exhaled lightly. "It''s time." Today was the day of the competition. Lu Yi stepped out of his room and entered the main hall, where Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were already seated at the table with breakfast prepared, though they hadn''t started eating. Seeing Lu Yi enter, they looked up. Lu Gaoyang''s expression was stern. "Yi''er, the competition begins today. How do you feel?" Wang Siqi also watched him. During this time, they hadn''t mentioned the competition to Lu Yi to avoid adding pressure. However, outside in the affairs hall, many deacons frequently inquired about Lu Yi. After all, his performance during the lecture had stunned everyone and earned him fame among the outer disciples. If Lu Yi didn''t perform well, he could expect criticism. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi didn''t want to burden Lu Yi with such concerns. Lu Yi smiled confidently. "Don''t worry, Old Lu. I feel great." Over the past half month, Lu Yi hadn''t been slacking. His efforts had paid off, and his status screen had changed again. [Character]: Lu Yi [Cultivation]: Qi Refining Level 7 [Techniques]: White Cloud Qi Guiding Technique (lv8) [Skills]: White Cloud Sword Technique (lv8), White Cloud Footwork (lv8) All his techniques and skills had reached level 8! Honestly, Lu Yi didn''t even know how strong he was anymore. The power of level 8 techniques was too immense to test in his small courtyard¡ªhe might accidentally destroy it. Regardless, Lu Yi felt confident about the competition. He also hadn''t forgotten the task associated with it. He wondered what reward awaited him if he took first place. Seeing Lu Yi''s confidence, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi relaxed. Wang Siqi smiled. "I knew my Yi''er would be fine!" Lu Gaoyang also smiled and said, "How does the saying go? Like father, like son!" Lu Yi looked at Lu Gaoyang speechlessly. Was this man shameless enough to call himself a ''tiger father''? Ridiculous! "Let''s eat! After breakfast, we''ll head to the martial arena," Lu Gaoyang said with a laugh. The competition was held annually at the martial arena, the biggest event for outer disciples. Although not everyone participated, most attended to observe the matches and learn. Since most disciples gathered there, even the deacons and elders often joined to watch. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi naturally wouldn''t miss it¡ªespecially when their son was participating. Image Ruined The Martial Arena area was packed with people. A large number of outer sect disciples had gathered here¡ªsome to participate in the competition and others to watch. Those watching the competition could not enter the Martial Arena and had to remain in the outer areas. Many even stood on nearby mountains for a better view. Since they were all Qi Refining cultivators, their eyesight was sharp enough to see clearly. Apart from the outer sect disciples, there were also sect stewards and elders present. Most of them hovered in the air on flying swords, hands clasped behind their backs, exuding an ethereal aura. Compared to the Qi Refining cultivators who couldn''t yet fly on swords, the elders appeared far more prestigious. At this moment, two streaks of sword light crossed the sky and landed outside the Martial Arena. It was Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. Lu Gaoyang was even carrying someone¡ªLu Yi. Feeling the gaze of the surrounding outer sect disciples, Lu Yi¡¯s face turned slightly red. After all, he had some reputation in the outer sect, but now he was being carried in like this? His dignified and heroic image was completely ruined... Lu Yi secretly vowed to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible and master sword flight immediately! Lu Gaoyang put Lu Yi down and patted his shoulder. "You rascal, just do your best. Don''t push yourself too hard." Wang Siqi smiled gently. "Yi''er, do your best. Mother believes in you. You''re the best." Lu Yi smiled at them. "I understand." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi nodded before turning into streaks of light and flying into the sky to join their peers. Lu Yi then walked toward the Martial Arena. On the way, many outer sect disciples greeted him with smiles. "Senior Brother Lu Yi." "Senior Brother Lu Yi, you¡¯re here!" "Senior Brother Lu Yi..." Lu Yi smiled and nodded in response. Soon, he arrived at the inner section of the Martial Arena, where only participants of the competition were gathered. Compared to the entire outer sect, there were fewer participants in the competition, but the number still reached tens of thousands. The arena was crowded. Some disciples meditated alone, while others chatted in small groups. Most of them greeted Lu Yi with nods and smiles as he passed by. "Junior Brother Lu Yi! Over here!" A familiar voice called out. Lu Yi turned and saw Lu Ling, Wang Wulian, and Wang Xinqi standing nearby. Wang Wulian waved at him with a bright smile. Lu Yi smiled and walked over. "Senior Brothers."Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "Junior Brother Lu, you¡¯re finally here. The preliminaries are about to start. I thought you wouldn¡¯t make it," Wang Wulian said with a grin. Wang Wulian laughed. "Junior Brother Lu is the son of Deacon Lu Gaoyang. Of course, Deacon Lu would bring him here. What are you worried about?" "I was just worried about losing a strong opponent," Wang Wulian said with a smirk. Wang Wulian rolled his eyes. "We¡¯ve never won against him in sparring." "This time will be different! My sword techniques have reached mastery!" Wang Wulian said confidently. "This time, my goal is to enter the top thirty!" Lu Yi smiled. "Congratulations, Senior Brother Wang." "I have to thank you, Junior Brother Lu. Really, I appreciate it," Wang Wulian said sincerely. While the four were chatting, a figure descended onto the central platform. It was an elderly man with graying hair, a stern expression, and dressed in white robes. He was Du Gufang, the Grand Elder of the White Cloud Sect¡¯s outer sect. It was said that his cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, and he could break through to the Nascent Soul stage at any time. He was one of the strongest in the outer sect and a formidable presence even within the entire White Cloud Sect. As Du Gufang appeared, the noisy arena gradually fell silent. All eyes turned to the central platform, drawn by the Grand Elder¡¯s imposing presence. Du Gufang swept his gaze over the crowd and spoke, "It¡¯s time for the annual outer sect competition. I hope someone will stand out this year and make a name for themselves in the White Cloud Sect. Now, the preliminaries begin. The rules are the same as before¡ªendure my spiritual pressure for one incense stick''s duration." As he spoke, a simple incense stick appeared in Du Gufang¡¯s hand. Without any movement, the incense ignited on its own. Du Gufang tossed the incense stick. Its wooden base, as hard as metal, embedded itself firmly in the stone platform, burning slowly. "Begin." A powerful pressure emanated from Du Gufang, spreading outward and enveloping the entire Martial Arena. Immediately, the participating disciples felt a heavy pressure on their chests. Many turned pale, and some even coughed up blood and collapsed. Most participants were at the fifth level of Qi Refining or higher, but there were always a few overconfident individuals at the third or fourth level who believed they were exceptional and could make a name for themselves. Every competition had such disciples. Unfortunately, they weren¡¯t exceptional. Under the pressure of a Golden Core cultivator, they couldn¡¯t endure even a breath¡¯s time. Compared to them, most fifth-level Qi Refining disciples managed to endure, though their breathing was labored as they circulated spiritual energy to resist the pressure. Higher-level disciples fared better. Lu Yi, for example, felt the pressure like a gentle breeze and remained unaffected. He glanced at his companions. Wang Wulian and Lu Ling looked relaxed, while Wang Xinqi was slightly pale but still fared better than most fifth- or sixth-level disciples. At that moment, Lu Yi had a thought. "I need to pass the preliminaries." He had already accepted the competition mission, but what if he could get an additional mission for the preliminaries? However, after waiting a moment, there was no change in his task panel. Clearly, it wasn¡¯t possible. Lu Yi felt a bit disappointed but not surprised. Exploiting loopholes like this was unlikely to work. He quickly refocused. As time passed, many fifth-level Qi Refining disciples began to waver, struggling to stand. Some even collapsed, failing to pass the preliminaries. Wang Wulian and Wang Xinqi eventually began circulating spiritual energy as well. Both glanced at Lu Yi in admiration. Despite being at the seventh level of Qi Refining, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t even using spiritual energy and still resisted the pressure effortlessly. Soon, the incense burned out. Du Gufang withdrew his pressure. Less than half the disciples in the arena remained standing. Most fifth-level disciples had failed. Those who passed were generally above the fifth level. Du Gufang looked at the remaining disciples, slightly disappointed. The outer sect¡¯s quality hadn¡¯t improved much. Still, he wasn¡¯t too surprised and simply said, "Those who passed the preliminaries, stay. The rest, leave the arena." The defeated disciples left with bitter expressions, supporting each other. Those who had fainted were carried out by their companions. Soon, only the successful candidates remained¡ªstill numbering nearly ten thousand, a staggering figure. Given the White Cloud Sect¡¯s size, it was no wonder that the competition usually lasted several days. Mask of Pain Du Gufang spoke, "Next, we enter the preliminary stage. As usual, it will be a one-on-one match, with the winners advancing and the losers eliminated." As he spoke, Du Gufang waved his hand, and numerous small stone tablets suddenly appeared in the air. These stone tablets transformed into streaks of light and fell before each outer sect disciple in the square. Lu Yi took the floating stone tablet in front of him and glanced at it. It was engraved with: 101-25. Lu Yi was somewhat familiar with this process. Although he had never participated in the outer sect competition before, he had watched it several times. The number before the dash represented the arena number, and the number after it represented the match sequence. Combined, it meant the 25th match on the 101st arena. The martial arts stage was incredibly vast, with a total of 320 arenas. Arena 101 was considered relatively close to the front. At this moment, Wang Wulian beside him looked at his stone tablet and said, "I''m at Arena 28. What about you all?" Lu Ling smiled slightly, "I''m at Arena 211." Wang Xinqi said, "I''m at Arena 7." The three looked at Lu Yi, and Lu Yi smiled, "Arena 101." Immediately, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Xinqi laughed, "Luckily, we''re not in the same arena as Junior Brother Lu. Otherwise, we''d be in trouble." "That''s right. With Junior Brother Lu''s strength, if we''re unlucky, we might get eliminated in the early rounds," Wang Wulian nodded in agreement. Lu Yi laughed, "You all flatter me. I''m not that strong." The three of them rolled their eyes, clearly not believing Lu Yi''s humble words. Did they not know how strong he was? While they were chatting, Du Gufang''s voice rang out again, "Alright, all participants, head to your designated arena areas. Referees, take your positions." As soon as Du Gufang finished speaking, figures descended from the sky, landing on each arena. These were the referees for the competition. Lu Yi smiled at the three, "Good luck, Senior Brothers. I hope you all succeed." The three exchanged glances and nodded. Lu Ling smiled, "Thanks for your blessing, Junior Brother. I believe you''ll definitely win your matches." Wang Wulian grinned and laughed, "I''m off first!" Wang Xinqi, slightly nervous, smiled and said, "I''ll go too." The four of them parted ways, and Lu Yi headed toward Arena 101. Soon, he found Arena 101, where over a hundred disciples had already gathered. They were all competitors assigned to this arena.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Many disciples initially appeared relaxed, but upon seeing Lu Yi, their expressions froze. "Lu... Lu Senior Brother?!" "Damn, how am I so unlucky to be in the same arena as Senior Brother Lu?!" "Ahhh!! I was hoping to make it to the top thousand! I just hope I don''t face Junior Brother Lu in the early rounds..." One by one, the outer sect disciples showed despair. Lu Yi felt innocent. He had no control over which arena he was assigned to. The referee on the arena was named Feng Tian, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man. Naturally, he also recognized Lu Yi, who had become famous in the outer sect recently, and couldn''t help but glance at him a few times. Feng Tian had to admit, Lu Yi looked quite good, probably very popular among young girls. But he wondered if Lu Yi''s strength was really as rumored. They would soon find out. Once all the disciples found their respective arenas, Du Gufang spoke from the central platform, "You may begin." After speaking, Du Gufang clasped his hands behind his back and ascended into the air, joining the other elders. A black-haired middle-aged man smiled slightly, "Elder Du, you''ve worked hard." Du Gufang gazed down at the arenas and said indifferently, "The outer sect is the place where we nurture elites. The outer sect competition is especially important. As the Grand Elder of the outer sect, this is my duty. How is it hard?" "The Grand Elder is truly noble!" "We should all learn from the Grand Elder." The elders chimed in one after another. Du Gufang sighed, "It''s a pity that the number of disciples passing the preliminaries hasn''t increased much this year. It seems talent is still lacking..." Hearing this, Elder Qi Feiyu of the Affairs Hall smiled and said, "Grand Elder, I must disagree. You''ve been in seclusion this past month, so you may not know that our outer sect recently produced a genius." Du Gufang was surprised and looked at Qi Feiyu with curiosity. "Oh? What kind of genius?" "I''m sure the other elders have heard of him too. Lu Yi of White Spirit Peak has cultivated the White Cloud Sword Technique to the level of perfection," Qi Feiyu replied with a smile. "Lu Yi? I''ve heard his name recently. It''s said his comprehension is extraordinary." "Yes, Elder Lin Feng even invited True Disciple Liu Ningshuang to give a lecture, and she was very impressed with Lu Yi." "With such comprehension, he might even become a core disciple in the future." The elders exchanged opinions about Lu Yi. Hearing this, Du Gufang''s eyes lit up and said, "Comprehending the White Cloud Sword Technique to the level of perfection? Such comprehension is indeed rare. In our sect, those who reached this level have achieved great things. And to be recognized by True Disciple Liu? He might even have a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm." Du Gufang became more excited as he spoke and asked, "How old is Lu Yi?" "Well..." The elders looked at each other. As elders, they didn''t usually ask about ages. Qi Feiyu smiled and said, "Lu Yi''s parents are stewards in our sect and work in my hall. I''ve looked into it. He''s only sixteen and recently broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining." "Only sixteen? Excellent! Excellent!" Du Gufang beamed. "Which arena is Lu Yi in?" Qi Feiyu, who had been paying attention to Lu Yi, pointed and said, "Arena 101." ... After Du Gufang announced the start of the matches, Feng Tian on Arena 101 spoke, "Alright, Match One, step up." Two disciples with the number one on their tablets jumped onto the arena. Lu Yi glanced at them. Both were at the sixth level of Qi Refining. In fact, most disciples who passed the preliminaries were at this level, followed by the fifth and seventh levels. In the eighth level, there were only about a thousand disciples in the entire outer sect. The ninth level had even fewer, and the tenth level had less than ten people. The two sixth-level disciples saluted each other and began fighting. At first, Lu Yi watched with interest, but he quickly grew bored. Their techniques were poorly executed¡ªone had barely reached minor success, while the other hadn''t even achieved that. Watching their moves full of flaws made Lu Yi cringe. With such techniques, he could defeat them blindfolded... After a brief exchange, the disciple with minor success in his technique won. Match after match proceeded, and Lu Yi was nearly dozing off. Thinking about the many rounds he had to go through; Lu Yi couldn''t help but put on a mask of pain. Luck "Number 25, step onto the stage!" Feng Tian''s voice rang out, snapping Lu Yi out of his drowsiness. Finally, it was his turn! Standing below the stage for so long had nearly put him to sleep. He hoped for a stronger opponent¡ªat least it would give him a chance to complete a task and earn some rewards. Lu Yi soared onto the stage, and the crowd of disciples below erupted in a stir. They were finally getting to see Lu Yi in action. Soon, another young man stepped onto the stage. Lu Yi was momentarily stunned when he saw who it was. He smiled and said, "So it''s you, Senior Brother Li Qi. What a coincidence!" The young man was none other than the onlooker who had been chased off the platform by Wang Xinqi at White Sun Peak earlier. Back then, he had simply been an unlucky bystander caught in the crossfire, leaving Lu Yi with a lasting impression of him. Li Qi''s expression twisted painfully as if he were wearing a mask of despair. He looked at Lu Yi, his lips twitching, unable to even muster a proper smile. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, what a coincidence indeed..." He was utterly hopeless. Why was he so unlucky? This was just the first round, yet he had already encountered the monster known as Lu Yi! With his own strength, he had been practically guaranteed a spot in the top thousand. Now, Li Qi felt like crying. Feng Tian glanced at Lu Yi and Li Qi before calmly announcing, "Begin the match." Lu Yi smiled faintly. "Senior Brother Li Qi, please proceed." He thought Li Qi was rather pitiable. Although he couldn¡¯t complete a task, he decided to spar with Li Qi a little to help him gain some confidence. Li Qi''s mouth twitched violently. With a face full of grief, he declared, "I forfeit!" "???" Lu Yi froze. He watched as Li Qi turned and jumped off the stage, disappearing into the crowd. Lu Yi: "..." Did Senior Brother Li Qi just suffer a mental breakdown? Lu Yi sighed. Luck was indeed important on the path of cultivation. It seemed Li Qi¡¯s luck was rather poor. After stepping down from the stage, Lu Yi noticed Feng Tian¡¯s slightly disappointed expression. Feng Tian had been eager to see Lu Yi¡¯s abilities, but he hadn¡¯t expected Li Qi to surrender so quickly. With no other option, Feng Tian called out, "Number 26, step onto the stage."
The selection process moved quickly. Since the preliminaries started early, the entire day was dedicated to them. Matches among Qi Refining cultivators didn¡¯t take long, and with each round passing swiftly, several cycles were completed. Lu Yi began to wonder if his luck was simply too good. On the 101st stage where he was assigned, the strongest opponent was only Li Qi, who was at the eighth level of Qi Refining. There wasn¡¯t a single ninth-level cultivator.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Every time Lu Yi stepped onto the stage, his opponents would surrender immediately. Lu Yi was exasperated. He had spent an entire day standing around, without even drawing his sword! By the end, he felt completely numb. What a waste of time¡ªhe just wanted to go home and cultivate. Unfortunately, as a participant, he couldn¡¯t skip out.
As the sun gradually set behind the mountains, the sky turned orange-red, and the preliminaries finally came to an end. Naturally, Lu Yi secured first place on the 101st stage. The next step was to compete with the other stage winners to vie for the top ten positions. This would be the ranking competition. After the preliminaries ended, Du Gu Fang stepped onto the central stage and announced, "Today''s matches are concluded. The ranking competition will begin tomorrow. I hope everyone maintains their condition and performs at their best tomorrow." As he spoke, Du Gu Fang glanced in Lu Yi''s direction. He felt a bit regretful¡ªhe had wanted to witness Lu Yi¡¯s strength, but all his opponents had surrendered. Following Du Gu Fang¡¯s announcement, the disciples began to disperse. After a full day of matches, most of them were exhausted. Even with the referees overseeing the fights, injuries were inevitable. Many needed time to heal to avoid long-term damage. Lu Yi looked up at the sky and noticed that Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi hadn¡¯t come down yet. To avoid being dragged home by Lu Gaoyang in front of everyone, he quickly used his movement technique and vanished into the crowd. He wanted to get home on his own.
Up in the sky, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were all smiles, accompanied by Li Mang and other officials from the Affairs Hall. At this moment, they were all congratulating Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. "Congratulations, Brother Lu. Lu Yi made it into the rankings without drawing his sword¡ªa true display of dominance." "Yes, Brother Lu, care to share how strong Lu Yi really is?" "I bet he can make it to the top hundred!" "Top hundred? Don¡¯t underestimate him! I say he¡¯ll be in the top ten!" "No matter what, Brother Lu, you¡¯ve got an amazing son. Don¡¯t forget us when you¡¯re successful in the future." "Of course, of course¡­" Lu Gaoyang was grinning so much that his eyes had nearly disappeared. Wang Siqi was also chatting with the female officials, her face beaming with pride. "Everyone, I need to take my son home first, so I¡¯ll excuse myself... Hmm? Where¡¯s Lu Yi?" Lu Gaoyang looked down and realized that Lu Yi was nowhere to be seen. Wang Siqi also looked down and was equally puzzled. "Where¡¯s my son? My big, grown son? How did he disappear so quickly?"
Back at Bai Ling Peak, Lu Yi returned to his room to rest. With his cultivation level, standing all day wasn¡¯t physically tiring, but it was mentally exhausting. He hadn¡¯t done anything all day besides stand around. Was this a competition or just a punishment for loitering? Lu Yi sighed, hoping the competition would end soon so he could claim his rewards. He had been eyeing that task in his task panel for a long time. Not long after, Wang Siqi¡¯s voice came from outside. "Yi¡¯er? Are you home?" Lu Yi was startled, then stepped out to see Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi standing outside. He asked in confusion, "I¡¯m here." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi breathed a sigh of relief. Lu Gaoyang scowled, "You brat! We were waiting to take you home, and you just left us behind." Lu Yi¡¯s mouth twitched. Did they expect him to be carried back? Didn¡¯t he have any dignity? He coughed awkwardly and said, "I saw you two chatting in the sky, so I decided to come back on my own." Hearing this, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi let it slide. Wang Siqi smiled warmly and said, "That¡¯s my boy! You¡¯re amazing¡ªwinning without a fight. The officials had high praise for you today." Lu Yi: "???" Standing around earned him praise? Were these people crazy? Lu Gaoyang laughed and added, "Exactly! My brothers all said I raised a tiger cub." Lu Yi stared blankly at Lu Gaoyang. "..." Well, as long as they were happy. After some laughter and dinner, Lu Yi was sent back to his room to cultivate. His parents wanted him to stay in top form. In his room, Lu Yi continued his daily cultivation. As spiritual energy circulated through him, he felt his energy growing stronger. He sensed that he wasn¡¯t far from reaching the eighth level of Qi Refining. Ever since his White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique had reached level 8, his cultivation speed had doubled compared to level 7. Combined with the Perfect Condensing Qi Pill, his progress was astonishing. Boldness The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Lu Yi got up, had breakfast with Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi, and then Lu Gaoyang said, "Let''s go to the martial arts platform!" Seeing Lu Gaoyang reaching out his hand, Lu Yi''s expression changed, and he quickly said, "Wait a minute, Old Lu! Today, I plan to go by myself!" Lu Gaoyang''s hand stopped. He looked at Lu Yi in confusion, "Why? Isn''t it more convenient if I take you there?" Lu Yi coughed dryly and said, "You know I''m quite famous now. It''s still early, and if I arrive too early and get surrounded by people, it would be embarrassing. I''d rather take my time and go later." Hearing Lu Yi''s words, Lu Gaoyang thought for a moment and felt it made some sense. Wang Siqi also smiled and said, "Since that''s the case, let Yi''er go by himself. He''s grown up now and has his own ideas." The two of them flew away on their swords, and Lu Yi breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, today he wouldn¡¯t be carried there, so his reputation might still be salvageable. Lu Yi happily jogged out the door. When Lu Yi arrived at the martial arts platform, a large crowd had already gathered. Since the preliminary and qualifier rounds were completed yesterday, there were fewer people inside the square, but more people gathered outside the platform. When the outer disciples saw Lu Yi approaching, their eyes lit up. "It''s Junior Brother Lu Yi!" "Yesterday, I was hoping to see Junior Brother Lu Yi''s swordsmanship. Whether at Baiyang Peak or on the martial arts platform before, I wasn''t there. But yesterday, Junior Brother Lu Yi didn¡¯t even draw his sword, so I still missed it." "Yeah, but today they''ll select the top ten rankings, so we¡¯ll definitely see Junior Brother Lu Yi¡¯s swordsmanship!" "..." Many disciples were faintly excited. Lu Yi entered the inner area of the martial arts platform, near the central arena. Around the central arena, there were ten slightly larger platforms. These were the ranking competition platforms. In previous competitions, 320 disciples competed on these ten platforms to determine the top ten. At this moment, many disciples had already gathered in the arena. These disciples were all among the top 320. Seeing Lu Yi approaching, many disciples looked over with curious eyes. Some seemed cautious, and Lu Yi even noticed a few hostile gazes. He glanced at those hostile disciples¡ªthey were all at the ninth level of Qi Refining.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Lu Yi thought about it and felt that he hadn¡¯t provoked them. Why did they seem so displeased with him? Unable to figure it out, Lu Yi decided to ignore it. At this moment, Lu Yi heard Wang Wulian¡¯s voice, "Junior Brother Lu, over here!" Lu Yi turned and saw Wang Wulian waving at him with a smile. Lu Yi walked over and said, "Senior Brother Wang!" Looking around, he asked curiously, "Where¡¯s Senior Brother Lu?" Lu Ling¡¯s strength wasn¡¯t weak, yet Lu Yi didn¡¯t see him here. Wang Wulian smiled bitterly and said, "Lu Ling was unlucky. His platform had Senior Brother Jiang Fan, so he didn¡¯t qualify." "Senior Brother Jiang Fan?" Lu Yi thought for a moment and then recalled, "The one at the tenth level of Qi Refining?" "Who else could it be?" Wang Wulian said. Lu Yi: "..." He realized that it wasn¡¯t just Senior Brother Li Qi who was unlucky¡ªSenior Brother Lu Ling was too. Despite having the strength to be in the top 100, he didn¡¯t even pass the qualifiers. However, the outer sect wouldn¡¯t care about fairness in such matters. For cultivators, luck might seem intangible, but it was still an important part of strength. Lu Yi didn¡¯t see a problem with it. After all, in the novels he read in his previous life, those with great fortune didn¡¯t always have outstanding talent. Yet, they survived against all odds and kept obtaining treasures¡ªwho could argue with that? "By the way, Senior Brother Wang, who¡¯s that disciple in the green robe? Why does he look at me like I took something important from him?" Lu Yi asked, puzzled. That person¡¯s gaze was so unfriendly that Lu Yi even wondered if he had stolen his wife. Wang Wulian glanced in the indicated direction and quickly looked away. Grinning, he said, "It¡¯s because you broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining." "What does my breakthrough have to do with this?" Lu Yi was confused. "Heh¡­ It¡¯s because your talent is amazing. You had the strength of the ninth level of Qi Refining even at the sixth level. Now that you¡¯ve reached the seventh level, some people are scared," Wang Wulian said with a smirk. "Junior Brother Lu, you know that the top ten in the annual competition can enter the inner sect without an exam, right?" Lu Yi nodded. "I know." Honestly, this was his goal. Wang Wulian explained, "Among this year¡¯s outer disciples, there are only six at the tenth level of Qi Refining. The other four spots will be filled by disciples at the ninth level. That guy you mentioned is Mo Lingxi. He¡¯s considered to have the strength to be in the top ten¡ªor just barely holding the tenth spot. Do you get it now?" Lu Yi suddenly understood. He finally realized why those ninth-level disciples looked at him with hostility. They were probably also contenders for the top ten, and now Lu Yi was a new competitor. Worse, based on Lu Yi¡¯s performance, they might feel unsure about beating him. As for the particularly unfriendly Mo Lingxi, Lu Yi understood¡ªthis guy was ranked tenth. If Lu Yi made it into the top ten, Mo Lingxi would be pushed out and miss entering the inner sect. That would be devastating. No wonder he was so unfriendly. Lu Yi almost felt sorry for him. Lu Yi sighed and said, "I hope Senior Brother Mo has better luck next year." Wang Wulian: "???" He looked at Lu Yi, speechless. "Junior Brother, do you think you¡¯re guaranteed to make the top ten?" Lu Yi smiled and said, "Of course." In fact, Lu Yi¡¯s goal was first place. He hadn¡¯t forgotten that the sect rewarded rankings based on placement¡ªthe higher the ranking, the better the rewards. Wang Wulian grinned and gave Lu Yi a thumbs-up. "Junior Brother Lu, you¡¯ve got guts! But don¡¯t underestimate the others competing for the top ten. Unlike me and Senior Brother Lu, they all have unique skills¡ªat least one spell cultivated to mastery. Some even have magical artifacts." Magical artifacts? Lu Yi felt amused. He had two¡ªa lower-grade sword and a pair of mid-grade shoes. As for mastered spells, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t bragging, but he was confident in his superiority. While they were talking, Du Gufang appeared at the central platform again. Looking at Lu Yi and the others, Du Gufang¡¯s expression was gentler than yesterday. He said, "Those of you who made it to the ranking competition are the elite disciples of our White Cloud Sect¡¯s outer sect. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll all enter the inner sect in the future. Show your best performance today. The ranking competition starts now!" As he spoke, Du Gufang waved his hand, and 320 jade tokens flew towards Lu Yi and the others. Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk Lu Yi picked up the stone plaque floating in front of him and took a glance: 9-5. Wang Wulian looked at Lu Yi nervously and asked, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, which platform are you on?" Lu Yi smiled and replied, "Platform 9." Wang Wulian grinned and quickly laughed, "I''m on Platform 10. If luck is on my side, maybe I can make it into the top ten?" Lu Yi: "..." Senior Brother Wang sure was optimistic. Lu Yi didn¡¯t dampen his enthusiasm. Instead, he smiled and nodded, "I believe Senior Brother Wang¡¯s strength is more than enough." Wang Wulian laughed heartily. Platforms 9 and 10 happened to be next to each other, so the two of them headed to their respective platforms together. At that moment, Lu Yi felt a sharp gaze on him. He turned to see Mo Lingxi staring at him coldly. Lu Yi was stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected Mo Lingxi to be here as well. This guy¡¯s glare looked like it could cut him apart. Others also noticed Mo Lingxi¡¯s attitude and immediately wore amused expressions, ready to watch the show. Disciples who could reach this stage were naturally strong, and many were familiar with Mo Lingxi¡ªone of the top ten gatekeepers. Now, he encountered the rising dark horse, Lu Yi. Wouldn¡¯t sparks fly between them? The crowd was excited, as if they were ready to sit back and enjoy the drama. Just then, a gentle voice sounded, "Junior Brother Lu, I didn¡¯t expect to see you here." Lu Yi turned and saw a plain-looking young man with a determined gaze smiling as he walked toward him. Qi Refining Stage, Level 10. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan?" "I didn¡¯t expect Senior Brother Jiang Fan to be on this platform as well? This is bad. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m making it into the top ten now." "Brother... stop drinking. Have some food." "Even one peanut could¡¯ve kept you from getting this drunk." "Who do you think is stronger, Junior Brother Lu Yi or Senior Brother Jiang Fan?" "I think Senior Brother Jiang Fan. He¡¯s a genius and might even go for first place." "I agree. If Junior Brother Lu Yi¡¯s cultivation level was the same as Senior Brother Jiang Fan¡¯s, I¡¯d bet on Lu Yi. But right now, he¡¯s at too much of a disadvantage." Many people nodded in agreement. Lu Yi smiled and greeted, "Senior Brother Jiang Fan." Jiang Fan returned the smile and asked, "Are you on Platform 9 or 10?"This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Lu Yi replied, "Platform 9." Jiang Fan smiled again. "That¡¯s a shame. I¡¯m on Platform 10. I was hoping to fight you early. I heard you broke through to Qi Refining Stage, Level 7." Lu Yi froze for a moment before smiling. "I¡¯ll definitely ask for advice from Senior Brother during the top ten matches." Jiang Fan raised an eyebrow and looked at Lu Yi deeply. "Junior Brother Lu is quite confident. I¡¯ll look forward to it, then." With that, Jiang Fan smiled and walked away. Lu Yi watched Jiang Fan¡¯s back, feeling a little odd. His enhanced perception made it clear¡ªJiang Fan¡¯s strength was far from ordinary. Lu Yi even felt a faint sense of danger. It should be noted that Lu Yi now possessed Level 8 spells, making him far stronger than most at Qi Refining Stage, Level 10. Did that mean Senior Brother Jiang Fan was also far stronger than others at his level? No wonder his name carried the character ¡°Fan¡± (ordinary). He was anything but ordinary. Lu Yi chuckled inwardly and vowed, "I will defeat Senior Brother Jiang Fan." [Mission] Defeat Jiang Fan (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 1 drop of Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk. Accept? Yes/No "???" Lu Yi froze when he saw the reward. Good heavens, Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk?! And as a reward? This was a treasure far more precious than pills and spirit stones. Spiritual milk was extremely easy to absorb, had no side effects, and could nourish the body while improving affinity with spiritual energy¡ªessentially enhancing one¡¯s cultivation talent! Though Lu Yi cultivated quickly due to his high-level techniques and perfect Condensing Qi Pills, his innate talent was only above average. With the Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk, his talent would significantly improve, and his cultivation speed would soar. While it might not compare to thousand-year or ten-thousand-year spiritual milk, it was still spiritual milk. More importantly, this was a sparring reward¡ªrepeatable! Hmm... Looks like I¡¯ll have to treat Senior Brother Jiang Fan better. I¡¯ll need to spar with him often. Not much¡ªjust thirty to fifty matches a day. That¡¯s thirty to fifty drops of Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk daily. His cultivation talent would skyrocket in no time. Suddenly, Lu Yi found Senior Brother Jiang Fan¡¯s plain face incredibly handsome. While Lu Yi was imagining his bright future, he once again felt Mo Lingxi¡¯s cold gaze. Snapping back to reality, he vowed, "I will defeat Senior Brother Mo Lingxi." [Mission] Defeat Mo Lingxi (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 20 Supreme Condensing Qi Pills / 2 Perfect Condensing Qi Pills. Accept? Yes/No "Tsk..." Lu Yi was disappointed. Senior Brother Mo Lingxi¡¯s rewards were weak. "What¡¯s wrong, Junior Brother Lu?" Wang Wulian asked. He was still stunned after hearing that Jiang Fan was on his platform and only recovered when he noticed Lu Yi¡¯s reaction. Lu Yi smiled at Wang Wulian. "Nothing. Looks like Senior Brother Wang is about to be eliminated by Senior Brother Jiang Fan." Wang Wulian¡¯s face stiffened. "...Junior Brother Lu, stop talking. I need some peace." "Hahaha!" While they were talking, Du Gufang announced, "The match begins now." Following his announcement, the stewards started calling numbers. "Number 1, step onto the platform!" ... The disciples who advanced to this stage were much stronger than those in the qualifiers. The weakest were at Qi Refining Stage, Level 8, and even they had likely advanced thanks to favorable matchups. No matter how lucky one was, it was impossible to avoid all strong opponents forever. On the platform, the matches were intense. Most contestants had at least one technique mastered to the Great Accomplishment level. Lu Yi was thoroughly entertained. Unlike yesterday¡¯s boring preliminaries, these fights were exciting. The matches proceeded quickly, and soon it was time for the fifth match. Lu Yi was number 5. He leaped lightly and landed on the platform. Facing him was a pretty girl with long black hair, cascading like a waterfall. Qi Refining Stage, Level 9. The girl smiled shyly when she saw Lu Yi. "Junior Brother Lu, I¡¯m Gu Mingxi." Lu Yi smiled politely. "Senior Sister Gu." "Junior Brother¡¯s swordsmanship talent is impressive. I admire you very much," Gu Mingxi said, smiling instead of attacking right away. Lu Yi was puzzled. Weren¡¯t they here to fight? Why were they chatting? He forced a smile. "You¡¯re too kind, Senior Sister." Inwardly, he thought, "Defeat Senior Sister Gu Mingxi." [Mission] Defeat Gu Mingxi (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 10 Supreme Condensing Qi Pills / 1 Perfect Condensing Qi Pill. Hmm... She¡¯s a bit weak. But Lu Yi didn¡¯t mind. Even a little gain was still a gain. Before Gu Mingxi made a move, her face flushed slightly. "Junior Brother Lu... if you have time, can we spar more often?" Lu Yi: "???" Something seemed off about this Senior Sister Gu. Youthful Elegance Not only was Lu Yi stunned, but even the disciples watching below were filled with disbelief. Many male disciples looked at Lu Yi with gritted teeth, full of envy, jealousy, and hatred. Damn it! Is it such a big deal to be handsome and talented?! Why is someone even getting invited out during the competition?! Even the steward acting as the referee was a bit stunned. He twitched his mouth and then coughed lightly, "During the competition, refrain from discussing unrelated matters!" Gu Mingxi blushed and nodded repeatedly. "Oh, oh..." "Hurry up and start the match!" The steward felt a bit exhausted. Gu Mingxi nodded repeatedly and looked at Lu Yi, saying, "Junior Brother, please guide me!" "I dare not, Senior Sister, please guide me!" Lu Yi also felt a bit helpless. Being too handsome could indeed be troubling sometimes. But this wasn¡¯t his fault. Gu Mingxi also practiced sword techniques. Holding a long sword, she charged toward Lu Yi like a fluttering butterfly. Lu Yi remained expressionless. After assessing her, he realized that Gu Mingxi¡¯s strength was slightly weaker than that of Senior Brothers Lu Ling and Wang Wulian. She probably wasn¡¯t too strong among the ninth layer of Qi Refining Stage. If he wanted, Lu Yi could end the match in one move. However, thinking of this Senior Sister¡¯s good taste, Lu Yi felt a bit reluctant. Besides, he needed to prepare for the upcoming top-ten challenge. Unlike the preliminaries, once the top ten were determined, other disciples could challenge them if they were unconvinced. Lu Yi was looking forward to more challengers so he could earn sparring rewards. Better take it slow. Lu Yi¡¯s long sword carried a misty aura as he went to meet her attack. ... In the sky, Du Gufang and a group of elders were all observing the match below, with their attention mainly focused on Lu Yi¡¯s platform. Du Gufang smiled, "Is this the first time we¡¯re seeing Lu Yi draw his sword?" Qi Feiyu laughed, "Yes. Sword energy turning into clouds¡ªjust like the rumors say. Lu Yi¡¯s White Cloud Sword Technique has indeed reached the Realm of True Essence." An elder nearby stroked his white beard. Seeing Lu Yi suppressing Gu Mingxi, he nodded. "A sword technique at the True Essence level is quite impressive. Despite only being at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, he¡¯s suppressing Gu Mingxi, who is at the ninth layer. His strength is indeed extraordinary." "Indeed. Lu Yi is only sixteen years old and has already cultivated the White Cloud Sword Technique to the True Essence level. His comprehension is remarkable, and his future potential is immense. He might even become a pillar of our White Cloud Sect." "And his parents are both from our White Cloud Sect. That¡¯s the best part."If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "Yes, we don¡¯t need to worry about him being a spy from another sect." Du Gufang looked at the battle below and gradually showed a strange expression. He laughed, "This little brat Lu Yi... is holding back." This statement stunned all the elders. They carefully observed the battle and were a bit confused. "Great Elder... you¡¯re saying that Lu Yi is holding back?" Qi Feiyu asked incredulously. "Yes. Suppressing someone at the ninth layer of Qi Refining while only being at the seventh layer is already impressive. And yet, he¡¯s still holding back?" "I don¡¯t see it. How is he holding back?" Several elders were puzzled and doubtful. Du Gufang smiled mysteriously. "Gu Mingxi probably can¡¯t force Lu Yi to show his true strength. He has also practiced the White Cloud Footwork, and I suspect it has reached the True Essence level as well." "What?!" The group was shocked, staring at Lu Yi in disbelief. "Great Elder, is this true?!" "Two techniques at the True Essence level? This comprehension... is even more exceptional than I thought." Seeing the elders¡¯ shock, Du Gufang chuckled. "I also practiced the White Cloud Footwork in my youth, so I¡¯m quite familiar with it. Although this brat is hiding his strength, he can¡¯t fool my eyes." Hearing this, the elders no longer doubted. Their gazes at Lu Yi grew even more astonished and thoughtful. Sixteen years old, with two techniques at the True Essence level... No, perhaps his understanding of cultivation methods isn¡¯t low either? Such a genius was extremely rare even in the White Cloud Sect. It was enough to make these Golden Core Realm elders in charge of the outer sect pay extra attention. One elder chuckled, "Lu Yi is quite charming as a youth. Gu Mingxi already showed her affection earlier, and he¡¯s even showing mercy?" This made the other elders laugh. After all, who hadn¡¯t been young once? They even started to consider introducing some beautiful juniors to Lu Yi. After all, young men liking beauty was only natural, and they had plenty of lovely juniors in their lineage. ... The match on the platform continued for a while. Seeing Gu Mingxi¡¯s aura weakening¡ªa sign that her spiritual energy was depleting¡ªLu Yi judged that it was about time. He activated his footwork and, with a whooshing sound, his long sword struck Gu Mingxi¡¯s sword. Clang! Gu Mingxi¡¯s sword trembled violently. Lu Yi took the opportunity to place his sword horizontally against her neck. Gu Mingxi panted heavily, her chest rising and falling, sweat appearing on her forehead. She looked at Lu Yi with some embarrassment. Lu Yi felt helpless... What¡¯s with that look? Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ll have to take responsibility? Quickly withdrawing his sword, he smiled. "Senior Sister Gu, thank you for letting me win." "Junior Brother, you¡¯re amazing. I lost," Gu Mingxi said. Just as Gu Mingxi seemed about to say something else, the steward, sensing trouble, quickly intervened. "Since the match is over, step down from the platform." Lu Yi smiled at Gu Mingxi and immediately jumped down. Gu Mingxi, seeing Lu Yi standing with Wang Wulian, felt shy and didn¡¯t dare approach. She moved off to the side. After Gu Mingxi, the matches continued. There were 320 disciples in the ranking competition. Each platform had 32 contestants. After the first round, 16 advanced, and they continued until the last two fought for the first place on the platform. In the second round, Lu Yi faced a disciple at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, who immediately conceded. Lu Yi was happy to take it easy. In the third round, Lu Yi faced a disciple at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, similar in strength to Gu Mingxi. Naturally, he wasn¡¯t a threat. Lu Yi prolonged the match for a while to complete another sparring task, earning a Perfect Condensing Qi Pill. In the fourth round, Lu Yi faced another ninth-layer disciple and repeated the process, earning another Perfect Condensing Qi Pill. The fifth round was the final battle for the top ten. "The final round begins. Lu Yi versus Mo Lingxi¡ªstep onto the platform," the steward announced. Mo Lingxi leaped onto the platform and glared sharply at Lu Yi. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, come up and fight! Let me see if you¡¯re worthy of making it into the top ten!" Lu Yi also jumped up, grinning. "Don¡¯t worry, Senior Brother. I¡¯ll definitely make it into the top ten." Two more Perfect Condensing Qi Pills¡ªcombined with the previous ones, he¡¯d have earned five from this competition. Not bad. Mo Lingxi, hearing Lu Yi¡¯s words, looked angry and laughed coldly. "Good, good! Let me test your strength, then!" The disciples below and the elders above all laughed and watched curiously, eager to see who was stronger. Gentle and Considerate Junior Brother Lu Qi Feiyu looked at the arena and asked, ¡°Grand Elder, do you think Lu Yi can win?¡± Du Gufang smiled slightly. ¡°If Lu Yi displays the Cloud Step technique at the Perfection Realm, he should be able to win. However, Mo Lingxi is no weak opponent, so it won¡¯t be an easy victory.¡± Hearing this, the other elders also nodded slightly. ¡°Mo Lingxi has cultivated the Spirit Snake Sword Technique and the Spirit Snake Footwork, both of which have reached the level of mastery. Coupled with his cultivation at the ninth level of Qi Refining, he is indeed formidable.¡± ¡°If Lu Yi can defeat Mo Lingxi, then his place in the top ten is guaranteed. Entering the inner sect at the seventh level of Qi Refining¡ªsuch a feat has been rare in our White Cloud Sect¡¯s history.¡± ¡°Excluding the geniuses recruited externally, we haven¡¯t seen such talent in several hundred years.¡± ¡°The last one was Wu Yong, the current head of the Inner Sect Law Enforcement Hall. He is already at the Nascent Soul Realm now.¡± Everyone looked at Lu Yi with increasing satisfaction. Not far away, Lu Gaoyang, Wang Siqi, and a group of stewards were also paying close attention to Lu Yi¡¯s match. At this moment, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were a bit nervous. If Lu Yi could win, he would secure a spot in the top ten of the outer sect and enter the inner sect. This would have a major impact on his future. How could parents not be nervous about such a moment? Nearby, Li Mang and the others were curious and expectant. ¡°Brother Lu, this is the most critical match. Do you think he can win?¡± Lu Gaoyang shook his head and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know. Of course, I hope Yi¡¯er can win.¡± ¡°Mo Lingxi is no slouch¡­ Lu Yi¡¯s cultivation is still a bit low. If Lu Yi were at the eighth level of Qi Refining, he would definitely win.¡± ¡°Yes, even if he doesn¡¯t win this time, it¡¯s not a big deal. Give him a year to reach the eighth level of Qi Refining, and he¡¯ll undoubtedly be among the top ten in the inner sect. It¡¯s just an extra year of effort.¡± ¡°¡­¡± While they were talking, the match on the arena had already begun. Mo Lingxi''s expression was cold. At the ninth level of Qi Refining, his spiritual energy erupted as he attacked with full force. The Spirit Snake Footwork and Spirit Snake Sword Technique embodied the agility and unpredictability of a snake. Mo Lingxi moved unpredictably, his speed astonishing. In an instant, he appeared beside Lu Yi, thrusting his sword like a snake flicking its tongue toward Lu Yi¡¯s chest.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Spiritual energy coiled around the sword, tearing through the air with a piercing whistle. Lu Yi¡¯s expression remained unchanged. His steps shifted slightly, and his figure drifted back like a floating cloud, appearing effortlessly graceful. Seeing Lu Yi retreat, Mo Lingxi pressed forward. His sword strikes were sharp and unpredictable, slicing through the air repeatedly. Even the disciples below the stage could feel the intense pressure, leaving them in awe. If it were them, they wouldn¡¯t be able to withstand such relentless attacks. Yet, Lu Yi moved skillfully amidst the storm-like attacks, dodging every strike with ease. As he dodged, Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but admire Mo Lingxi. He was worthy of being one of the top ten gatekeepers. His strength far surpassed that of Wang Wulian and Gu Mingxi. However, while Mo Lingxi¡¯s strength was impressive for someone at the ninth level of Qi Refining, it was just "so-so" in Lu Yi¡¯s eyes. After all, when Lu Yi fought Wang Wulian and the others earlier, he had held back considerably, not even fully unleashing his Returning-to-True Cloud Sword Technique. Now, Lu Yi felt it was time to show a bit more power. Cloud-like energy drifted around Lu Yi¡¯s sword. This time, the cloud energy was denser and more substantial, extending over a meter. Lu Yi stopped dodging and swung his sword. The light, cloud-like energy shot toward Mo Lingxi with astonishing speed. Mo Lingxi¡¯s pupils contracted, sensing immense danger. ¡°What?!¡± He immediately abandoned his attack and retreated using the Spirit Snake Footwork to avoid the cloud energy. The energy brushed past him and struck the arena, leaving behind intricate cloud patterns on the stone floor. The nearby stewards¡¯ eyes widened in shock. ¡°The power of this Cloud Sword Technique¡­ is this strong?!¡± The arena floor was made of reinforced stone, designed to withstand damage, yet Lu Yi¡¯s sword left clear patterns on it. ¡°This kid is incredible.¡± Below the stage, the disciples exclaimed: ¡°I couldn¡¯t block that strike!¡± ¡°Only someone at the tenth level of Qi Refining could stop that!¡± ¡°Lu Yi¡¯s Cloud Sword Technique has reached such a level?! And he wasn¡¯t even using his full strength before?¡± Wang Wulian, watching the match, was stunned. ¡°So this is the true power of the Returning-to-True Sword Technique?!¡± Gu Mingxi and two other ninth-level disciples who had fought Lu Yi earlier were equally shocked. One of them smiled bitterly. ¡°I thought the gap between me and Lu Yi wasn¡¯t too big. Now I see¡­ it¡¯s like heaven and earth.¡± Another nodded with a sour expression. Gu Mingxi¡¯s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Yi. Facing Lu Yi directly, Mo Lingxi felt even greater pressure. Cold sweat appeared on his forehead as he stared at Lu Yi. ¡°You were holding back before?!¡± Lu Yi smiled apologetically. ¡°After all, the senior brothers and sisters have trained hard. If I went all out, it might damage their Dao Hearts. If not for your strength, Senior Brother Mo, I wouldn¡¯t have shown this much power.¡± He couldn¡¯t just admit he held back so others would keep challenging him for practice, right? Hearing this, Wang Wulian and the others were stunned. Wang Wulian was touched. ¡°Junior Brother Lu¡­ you care so much about us! You¡¯re truly a good person!¡± Gu Mingxi¡¯s eyes sparkled even more. ¡°Junior Brother is so gentle and considerate!¡± ¡°Junior Brother Lu¡­ we appreciate your efforts.¡± Even other disciples admired Lu Yi. ¡°Senior Brother Lu is noble!¡± ¡°He¡¯s a role model for us all.¡± Even Jiang Fan, standing to the side, nodded slightly, smiling approvingly. ¡°Junior Brother Lu is kind-hearted. He¡¯s worth befriending.¡± Mo Lingxi remained silent but then took a deep breath, looking at Lu Yi seriously. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, you are noble. On any other day, I¡¯d toast to you. But this competition determines the inner sect slots, so I must apologize.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°No need for guilt. The path of immortality is a struggle for all. Just do your best without regrets.¡± Lu Yi¡¯s sword hummed, surrounded by clouds, as he smiled warmly. Leading by Example Mo Lingxi took a deep breath and charged at Lu Yi once more. Lu Yi unleashed his White Cloud Sword Technique to meet the attack. The two clashed again on the stage, their movements swift and precise. Mo Lingxi''s movements were unpredictable, while Lu Yi''s were ethereal. Their figures flashed across the platform, and each collision sent sword energy flying. Spiritual energy burst into semi-transparent waves spreading outward. Despite this intense exchange, Lu Yi maintained the upper hand. He had nearly mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique to its peak. As time passed, Lu Yi seized an opening in Mo Lingxi''s technique. With a swirl of cloud-like energy, Lu Yi struck, sending Mo Lingxi flying off the stage. Mo Lingxi staggered as he landed, his expression dazed. He quickly composed himself, let out a bitter laugh, and sheathed his sword. Bowing to Lu Yi, he said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your strength is truly astonishing. I admit defeat." From the moment he saw Lu Yi''s formidable swordplay, Mo Lingxi had felt his chances of winning were slim. Lu Yi smiled and nodded. "Senior Brother Mo, you are very skilled. I merely had a slight edge this time." Hearing this, Wang Wulian and the others felt a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. When Lu Yi defeated them earlier, he had said the same thing! Now, none of them believed such modest words. The overseer on the platform came back to his senses. He gave Lu Yi a long, thoughtful look. His previously indifferent expression softened as he nodded and announced, "Lu Yi wins and advances to the top ten." In the sky above, Du Gufang looked down at Lu Yi with a smile of satisfaction. "This boy is truly impressive. He has talent and values relationships. A disciple like this is a blessing for our White Cloud Sect." Qi Feiyu, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Compared to those cold-hearted geniuses who lack loyalty, this Lu Yi suits my taste much more." The other elders also nodded in approval. No one wanted to pour effort into raising a talented disciple only for them to sever ties with the sect or even turn against it later. A loyal disciple was far less worrisome. Not to mention, this loyal disciple also had extraordinary talent. Du Gufang sighed and said, "If this boy''s talent weren''t so exceptional, I might have taken him as my final disciple." The other elders were stunned and looked at Du Gufang in surprise. "Elder, are you joking? You''re nearly at the Nascent Soul Realm. How could you not be able to guide Lu Yi?"This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. "Exactly! If Elder Du Gufang is willing to take him in, it would be Lu Yi''s great fortune." Du Gufang shook his head. "This boy''s abilities exceed my expectations. His mastery of the White Cloud Sword Technique is likely at its peak, perhaps even unbreakable. With such talent, he''ll surely stir waves in the inner sect." "Hiss..." The elders gasped. They hadn''t expected Du Gufang to have such a high opinion of Lu Yi. Reaching the pinnacle of a technique required incredible comprehension and talent. The elders were momentarily dazed by the thought. Not far away, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi sighed in relief after seeing Lu Yi defeat Mo Lingxi. "Good! That''s my son!" Lu Gaoyang laughed cheerfully. Wang Siqi also smiled brightly. Li Mang and the others looked at Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi with envy. They kept offering congratulations. "Congratulations, Brother Lu! A Qi Refining Stage Level Seven disciple entering the inner sect¡ªthat hasn''t happened in centuries!" "Indeed, Nephew Lu Yi is extraordinarily gifted. Brother Lu, you''ll have to host a feast!" "What impresses me most is what Nephew Lu Yi said earlier. This boy values relationships." Many overseers nodded in agreement. "Brother Lu and Sister-in-law raised him well!" "Our White Cloud Sect needs more talents like Nephew Lu Yi." Lu Gaoyang beamed with pride. "Of course! My wife and I have taught him by example every day." Wang Siqi glanced at Lu Gaoyang, amused by his boasting. She made a mental note to deal with him later. Smiling, she said, "Our son has always been sensible and never caused us trouble." As the group chatted, Lu Yi stepped down from the platform. Wang Wulian approached him with a look of gratitude. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, I appreciate your kindness! If you ever need anything, I won''t hesitate to help." Lin Qifeng, a refined-looking Qi Refining Stage Nine disciple whom Lu Yi had defeated earlier, also approached. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re welcome to visit White Dew Peak anytime." "Congratulations on entering the top ten and the inner sect, Junior Brother Lu Yi." "With your talent, the sky is the limit. Congratulations!" Several other senior brothers and sisters came forward to congratulate Lu Yi warmly. Lu Yi responded with smiles. At that moment, Jiang Fan approached and said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re loyal and righteous. Let''s spar more often in the future." Lu Yi''s eyes lit up. Jiang Fan''s sparring rewards included hundred-year spirit milk! How could he not take advantage of this? Lu Yi grinned. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan, I''ll definitely visit you often." As they chatted, matches on the other platforms concluded. Soon, the top ten rankings were decided. Du Gufang descended onto the central platform and said calmly, "The ranking matches are over. The top ten outer sect disciples, please come to the central platform." Lu Yi exchanged glances with Jiang Fan. Both used their movement techniques to soar onto the stage. Joining them were eight others: a burly black-robed youth with a beast-like aura, a handsome white-robed youth in fine clothing, a cold-looking black-robed youth carrying twin blades, a refined white-robed girl with a sword on her back, and a lively green-robed girl. These six were all at the tenth level of Qi Refining. Additionally, there were two senior brothers and one senior sister at the ninth level of Qi Refining, along with Lu Yi at the seventh level. As Lu Yi scanned the group, he noticed the lively green-robed girl. He recognized her as Mu Wan''er, the senior sister who had complimented his looks on White Sun Peak. Mu Wan''er also saw Lu Yi and smiled, but she dared not speak with Du Gufang present. Standing beside Du Gufang, the ten disciples awaited further instructions. Du Gufang looked at the crowd below and announced with a faint smile, "The top ten are here. According to tradition, anyone dissatisfied can challenge them. If they win, they will take the defeated''s place." The crowd stirred. Several disciples at the ninth level of Qi Refining showed interest. While they dared not challenge the tenth-level disciples, they saw an opportunity with the others, especially Lu Yi. Lu Yi eagerly looked at the crowd, silently hoping, "Pick me! Pick me!" What Grudge, What Resentment? The atmosphere in the center of the martial arts arena was somewhat silent. Below the stage, the outer sect disciples who had the strength to challenge for the top ten but considered themselves unlucky were eyeing the top ten contenders on the platform. More precisely, they were looking at the three disciples at the ninth level of Qi Refining and Lu Yi. The three outer sect disciples at the ninth level of Qi Refining standing on the platform had cold expressions. Their gazes swept over their restless peers below, emanating an aura that warned others to think twice before challenging them. On the other hand, Lu Yi didn¡¯t exude any aura at all, appearing as harmless as a little white rabbit. At this moment, Mo Lingxi stepped forward and said, ¡°Yu Ming, I want to challenge you!¡± Yu Ming was a plain-looking disciple with thick eyebrows at the ninth level of Qi Refining. He frowned at Mo Lingxi and said, ¡°Mo Lingxi, are you sure you want to challenge me?! Do you think I¡¯m the weakest one?!¡± Mo Lingxi grinned and replied, ¡°I have no choice. I admit I¡¯m still a bit lacking compared to Tian Lu and Lin Yu. As for Junior Brother Lu Yi¡­ heh, I already lost to him earlier. I think Junior Brother Lu Yi is even stronger than Tian Lu and Lin Yu. That leaves only you, and I feel I might have a chance.¡± Hearing this, many people¡¯s expressions changed slightly, and they turned to look at Lu Yi. ¡°What?! Mo Lingxi lost to Junior Brother Lu Yi earlier?!¡± ¡°Is that true? Junior Brother Lu Yi¡¯s strength is that strong?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t know? The fight for the top ten on Stage 9 was between Junior Brother Lu Yi and Senior Brother Mo Lingxi. Junior Brother Lu Yi¡¯s strength is amazing, and that White Cloud Sword Technique was an eye-opener.¡± ¡°I had no idea. We were at Stage 4, which was separated from Stage 9 by the central platform, so we didn¡¯t pay attention.¡± ¡°Then you missed a great match. I think Junior Brother Lu Yi is stronger than Senior Sister Tian Lu and Senior Brother Lin Yu.¡± ¡°Whoa¡­¡± Everyone gasped in amazement. The disciples who had been eager to challenge him looked at Lu Yi with apprehension and quickly shifted their gazes away. Since that was the case, they decided to find someone else to challenge. Lu Yi felt the stares from everyone and was completely stunned. He looked at Mo Lingxi and the disciples below who had been talking and felt utterly helpless. What grudge, what resentment?! He had hoped to gain a few perfect Qi Condensation Pills, but now? Why were they making him sound so strong??? I¡¯m really not that good! Lu Yi watched as the ninth-level Qi Refining disciples shifted their gazes away and felt his heart sink. Yu Ming, hearing Mo Lingxi¡¯s words and the comments from the disciples below, also looked at Lu Yi. His expression changed slightly before he gritted his teeth and sneered at Mo Lingxi, ¡°Fine! Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got! I¡¯m not so easy to defeat!¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Du Gu Fang saw this and smiled, ¡°In that case, let the challenge begin.¡± The top ten challenge matches were held on the central platform. Lu Yi and the others stepped down from the stage, while Du Gu Fang floated in the air to serve as the referee. Mo Lingxi and Yu Ming stepped onto the platform. Below the stage, Lu Yi¡¯s face was blank and lifeless, practically exuding the aura of a tragic victim. He regretted not going all out against Mo Lingxi earlier. That fool had exaggerated his abilities so much that if no one came to challenge him, it would all be Mo Lingxi¡¯s fault! Then Lu Yi thought, if he had gone all out earlier, others might be even more afraid to challenge him. With this thought, Lu Yi felt even more disheartened. Nearby, Lin Wan¡¯er looked at Lu Yi with a teasing smile and said, ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, I didn¡¯t expect you to be so powerful?¡± Lu Yi came back to his senses and saw several tenth-level Qi Refining disciples looking at him. He smiled sheepishly and said, ¡°Senior Brother Mo Lingxi was exaggerating. I¡¯m really just average.¡± Jiang Fan, standing beside them, chuckled, ¡°Junior Brother Lu, no need to be so modest. I saw your strength with my own eyes. Your White Cloud Sword Technique is probably close to perfection, isn¡¯t it?¡± Hearing this, the others¡¯ expressions changed, and they looked at Lu Yi with surprise. ¡°Mastering a basic technique to perfection?¡± The cold-looking young man with dual swords looked at Lu Yi with a gleam of battle intent in his eyes. ¡°Interesting. I look forward to facing you in tomorrow¡¯s ranking match.¡± The other tenth-level Qi Refining disciples also regarded Lu Yi more seriously. Seeing this, Lu Yi felt somewhat relieved. While he had lost the chance to spar with the ninth-level disciples, tomorrow¡¯s ranking match was guaranteed to include fights. Surely, there would be rewards. With that thought, Lu Yi¡¯s mood improved. He laughed and said, ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, you flatter me. I just hope you all go easy on me in tomorrow¡¯s ranking match.¡± While they were talking, the battle on the stage had already begun. Lu Yi knew Mo Lingxi¡¯s strength well¡ªtop-tier among ninth-level Qi Refining¡ªbut Yu Ming was equally strong. Watching the fight, Lu Yi noticed that Yu Ming had also perfected his techniques. Most notably, Yu Ming wielded a low-grade magical weapon¡ªa long blade¡ªwhich Mo Lingxi lacked. The fight was intense, but in the end, Yu Ming leveraged his weapon advantage to win. Mo Lingxi was unwilling to accept defeat but had no choice. After their match, others stepped forward to challenge. Due to Mo Lingxi¡¯s earlier comments, all challengers avoided Lu Yi. Perhaps because Yu Ming seemed to be the weakest among the three ninth-level disciples, he was challenged the most. Eventually, a dual-sword-wielding disciple defeated Yu Ming and took his spot in the top ten. Lu Yi recognized the dual-sword disciple as Wan Hua, a talented and well-known figure among the outer sect. Yu Ming, on the other hand, was slightly inferior. Making it into the top ten required both strength and luck. Unfortunately, Yu Ming ultimately lost to Wan Hua and paved the way for his rise. After Wan Hua¡¯s victory, no further challenges occurred, and the top ten rankings were finalized. By this time, it was already evening. The matches for the day concluded, leaving the final ranking matches for tomorrow¡ªthe last and most crucial day of the competition. Despite the unexpected developments, Lu Yi still earned five perfect Qi Condensation Pills, leaving him quite satisfied. As usual, Du Gu Fang announced the end of the day¡¯s competition. The crowd dispersed, and Lu Yi returned home alone instead of following Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. ¡­¡­¡­¡­ Early the next morning. Nearly all outer sect disciples, supervisors, and elders arrived at the martial arts arena. Lu Yi was no exception. Upon arrival, he noticed even more people floating in the sky than before. Lu Yi realized that some of them were inner sect elders who had come to observe. Since the top ten disciples could directly enter the inner sect without further tests, they were already considered inner sect disciples. Some inner sect elders might even recruit them as apprentices if satisfied with their performance. However, the truly powerful elders and peak masters wouldn¡¯t bother showing up. To them, even the most talented outer sect disciples rarely stood out after entering the inner sect. After all, most inner sect disciples had been top talents in the outer sect themselves, and some were even groomed by influential figures from a young age. For those big shots, the outer sect rankings were nothing special. Only those who continued to shine in the inner sect would catch their attention. Just Getting Warmed Up Lu Yi quickly arrived at the central arena, where everyone else was already present. Jiang Fan had his hands behind his head, with a blade of grass in his mouth. Seeing Lu Yi, he smiled and greeted, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re here?" The others turned to look and nodded slightly in greeting. Lin Wan''er cheerfully waved at Lu Yi and asked, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, which peak are you planning to join after entering the inner sect?" Hearing this, the others looked at Lu Yi with curiosity. Lu Yi smiled and replied, "I promised Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang that I would take the assessment for Lingluo Peak." Upon hearing this, a handsome senior brother in luxurious clothing, who was at the tenth level of Qi Refinement, smiled and said, "With Junior Brother Lu Yi''s talent, joining Lingluo Peak is definitely possible." His name was Bai Yulong, one of the top three experts in the outer sect. Beside him, a sturdy senior brother also at the tenth level of Qi Refinement scratched his head and said, "Too bad my talent isn¡¯t good enough. If I go to Lingluo Peak, I''ll probably be sent away." This senior brother''s name was Tie Man, and he was also quite strong, practicing body-refinement techniques. "Lingluo Peak... that''s a gathering place for geniuses even in the inner sect. How can ordinary people get in?" "I''m different. I plan to join Chihuo Peak. I heard most fire cultivators go there. After Foundation Establishment, I want to focus on fire techniques." "Once we¡¯re in the inner sect, I wonder if we¡¯ll be able to stand out?" "We might not be sure, but Junior Brother Lu Yi definitely will." Everyone chatted about their aspirations for the inner sect, looking forward to the future. Before long, Du Gufang descended from the sky and landed on the central arena. The ten participants fell silent. The spectators around the arena, however, became even more excited. Du Gufang swept his gaze across the disciples and said, "Quiet!" The atmosphere instantly quieted down. Du Gufang¡¯s authority was undeniable. He looked at the top ten disciples and said, "Now begins the ranking battles. As usual, it¡¯s a one-on-one format to determine the final rankings." As he spoke, he took out ten jade tokens, which floated toward the ten participants.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Lu Yi picked up his token and saw the number 1. He was stunned. He didn¡¯t expect to go first. Looking around, he saw others examining their tokens curiously. At that moment, Du Gufang announced, "The match begins now. Number 1 remains in the arena; the others step down." Hearing this, eight people lightly tapped the ground and floated off the arena, leaving Lu Yi and Tie Man staring at each other. Lu Yi looked at Tie Man and grinned. "Senior Brother Tie Man, what a coincidence?" He thought to himself, "I must defeat Senior Brother Tie Man!" [Task]: Defeat Tie Man (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 40 Supreme Yellow Ming Pills / 4 Perfect Yellow Ming Pills Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi was surprised to see the reward wasn¡¯t Qi Condensation Pills but Yellow Ming Pills instead. Yellow Ming Pills were used for cultivating body-refinement techniques, accelerating their practice. Even without such techniques, they could enhance physical strength, though not as effectively. This was an excellent reward, more precious than Qi Condensation Pills. Cultivators typically relied on their realm for physical strength unless they practiced body-refinement techniques, which required time, effort, and resources. Lu Yi had never practiced such techniques due to his previous limitations and prioritized spiritual cultivation after awakening his golden finger. He had considered practicing body-refinement techniques later but didn¡¯t expect to receive such pills now. This was a great opportunity. Looking at Tie Man, Lu Yi¡¯s gaze grew kinder¡ªperhaps they could spar more often in the future? Tie Man noticed Lu Yi¡¯s friendly smile and returned it with a hearty grin. "It sure is a coincidence. Junior Brother Lu Yi, let¡¯s put on a good show." The spectators below saw that the first match featured Tie Man, a tenth-level Qi Refinement disciple, against Lu Yi and immediately grew excited, eagerly watching the arena. Du Gufang gave the two a glance and vanished, leaving only his voice. "Begin." Hearing this, Tie Man grinned, his spiritual energy surging. His skin turned iron-gray as he clenched his fists, producing a dull thud. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, please advise." Lu Yi drew his sword, spiritual energy swirling around it. He smiled slightly. "Senior Brother Tie Man, please advise." Tie Man grinned and suddenly pushed off the ground. Boom! The ground beneath him cracked like a spider web. He vanished and reappeared above Lu Yi, exuding a ferocious aura. His right fist, wrapped in semi-transparent energy, struck toward Lu Yi¡¯s head, generating strong gusts that made Lu Yi¡¯s hair dance. Lu Yi felt his skin tingle under the pressure and marveled at Tie Man¡¯s intensity. He channeled spiritual energy, moving as swiftly as a drifting cloud, retreating rapidly. Tie Man¡¯s punch missed, hitting the arena floor and leaving a small crater. Tie Man pushed off the ground again, vanishing. Lu Yi swung his sword to the right, releasing a cloud-like sword aura, which met Tie Man mid-charge. Sensing the sword¡¯s sharp energy, Tie Man¡¯s pupils shrank. He roared, his skin turning a deeper iron-gray as spiritual energy flowed over him. Tie Man clenched his fists and struck toward the sword aura. Boom! The collision of spiritual energy and sword aura produced a deafening blast. Waves of pressure rippled outward, stunning the outer sect disciples watching. "So strong!" "That power... One hit and I¡¯d be offering incense for myself!" "...You¡¯re not wrong." Near the arena, Bai Yulong and others also looked serious at the display. The three ninth-level Qi Refinement disciples exchanged glances, looking bewildered. "Is this really seventh-level Qi Refinement? Are you kidding me?" "I¡¯m lying flat. I made it to the top ten, and that¡¯s enough for me." "Junior Brother Lu Yi is truly incredible. Let¡¯s take it easy when it¡¯s our turn, okay? No need to go this hard." The three nodded. Lin Wan¡¯er overheard and mischievously said, "You think this is intense? They¡¯re just warming up." The three: "???" Chapter 27: Is There a Possibility In the sky, Du Gufang and a group of elders were also watching the battle on the arena. A chubby elder looked at Lu Yi below and exclaimed, ¡°This little guy is truly a genius. He¡¯s only at the seventh level of Qi Refining, yet he can unleash such powerful strength. Elder Du Gu, the outer sect has produced an extraordinary figure this time.¡± A middle-aged man beside him nodded slightly and said while looking at Lu Yi, ¡°If he can maintain this strength in the future, perhaps he has a chance to make it onto the Heaven''s Pride List of Green Province?¡± The other elders were stunned upon hearing this. One elder said, ¡°Elder Lin, that evaluation seems a bit exaggerated. Aren''t the geniuses on the Heaven''s Pride List all exceptionally talented? Although Lu Yi has remarkable comprehension, his cultivation talent doesn¡¯t seem too strong. At sixteen years old, he is only at the seventh level of Qi Refining. That gap is still quite large.¡± The other elders also nodded slightly in agreement. The middle-aged man smiled faintly upon hearing this and said, ¡°Great comprehension means he won''t lag in understanding techniques. If this kid can acquire a powerful cultivation technique and some resources, his cultivation level can definitely be raised. On the contrary, breaking bottlenecks without comprehension is impossible. I have high hopes for this kid.¡± These words made the other elders'' eyes flicker, and they also nodded in agreement. ¡°No matter what, it¡¯s always a good thing for our White Cloud Sect to have one more genius.¡± On the arena. After a loud collision, both Lu Yi and Tie Man retreated simultaneously. Lu Yi shook his slightly numb hand. He had to admit that Tie Man was the strongest opponent he had encountered since awakening his golden finger. Right now, Lu Yi had already pushed the White Cloud Sword Technique to its fullest potential at the Perfection realm, yet he still couldn''t completely suppress Tie Man. In fact, Tie Man''s physical strength was so powerful that Lu Yi felt his hand go numb after clashing with him. However, this made it even more interesting. Lu Yi smiled, and his spiritual energy circulated. He slightly increased the output of his spiritual energy. Previously, the intensity of his spiritual energy was roughly equivalent to an ordinary Qi Refining seventh-level cultivator. His White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique had already reached level 8, and the spiritual energy within his body was almost vaporized, close to forming spiritual liquid. The quality of his spiritual energy far exceeded that of an average tenth-level Qi Refining cultivator. Lu Yi felt that the quality of his spiritual energy was almost comparable to that of a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even with just a slight increase in spiritual energy output, the power unleashed by his White Cloud Sword Technique improved significantly. As Lu Yi''s spiritual energy erupted, his aura grew much stronger. He looked at Tie Man and smiled, ¡°Senior Brother Tie Man, the warm-up is about over. How about using more strength?¡± Sensing the surging spiritual energy from Lu Yi, Tie Man''s pupils shrank slightly, feeling considerable pressure. He grinned, his expression becoming more serious. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, it seems we all underestimated you¡­ Having such strength at the seventh level of Qi Refining makes me ashamed. But¡­ I won¡¯t hold back.¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. While speaking, Tie Man''s spiritual energy surged, and with a low shout, the sound of a tiger''s roar emanated from his fists. Qi Refining realm technique¡ªTiger Fist. Tiger Fist, like Tiger Blade, was a foundational technique of the White Cloud Sect, derived from the true intent of the tiger. Previously, Lin Gang had displayed Tiger Blade, which was not particularly strong, but Tie Man was different. With his naturally powerful physique and beast-like vitality, his execution of Tiger Fist exuded an incredibly fierce and oppressive aura. The waves of energy around him almost turned into gusts of wind, spreading in all directions. The intense pressure from the tiger¡¯s aura made the weaker outer sect disciples feel a heaviness in their chests. These disciples were all shocked, staring at the arena in terror. Lu Yi, feeling the immense pressure, smiled faintly, ¡°Senior Brother, give it your all. I won¡¯t hold back either.¡± Hmm¡­ Senior Brother Tie Man is a bit stronger than I expected. Looks like I¡¯ll need to use the White Cloud Steps at level 6. While Lu Yi was pondering, Tie Man stomped on the ground, cracking the floor. His body, like a tiger descending the mountain, charged at Lu Yi with a ferocious momentum. In a trance, Lu Yi seemed to see a massive feral tiger leaping at him. A flash of sword light flickered in his eyes, and then an even more overwhelming sword cloud swept out to meet Tie Man. Boom!! Amid the explosion, fine wounds appeared on Tie Man¡¯s skin, cut by the sword energy. However, the sight of blood only excited Tie Man further. He roared and forcefully broke through the sword cloud with his powerful physique, charging directly at Lu Yi. Lu Yi smiled helplessly and tapped his toes, disappearing from his original spot. Boom!! Tie Man¡¯s fist struck the floor, but then he sensed an incredibly sharp sword aura behind him. The hair on the back of his neck stood up, and he instinctively turned around, only to see a cloud of swords. Tie Man''s pupils contracted. He didn¡¯t have time to counterattack and could only roar, unleashing his spiritual energy while crossing his arms in defense. Boom!! Tie Man¡¯s clothes were torn apart, and the sword cloud left multiple sword marks on his body, causing blood to flow. His body was sent flying. However, Tie Man¡¯s physique was incredibly strong. Such injuries were not serious for him. He quickly rolled to his feet as soon as he landed. At that moment, a longsword was placed at Tie Man¡¯s neck, and his body froze. Lu Yi stood in front of Tie Man, smiling, ¡°Senior Brother Tie Man, I accept your concession.¡± The arena and its surroundings fell into silence. Then, an uproar erupted from the disciples below. ¡°What just happened?!¡± ¡°How did Senior Brother Lu Yi suddenly become so fast??¡± ¡°Yeah, that speed was completely different from before! I couldn¡¯t even see his movements!¡± ¡°¡­ Is there a possibility that Senior Brother Lu Yi¡¯s White Cloud Steps have also reached the Perfection realm?¡± These words left everyone stunned, and they looked at Lu Yi with disbelief. ¡°¡­ Isn¡¯t that impossible? Two foundational techniques, both cultivated to Perfection? That would require immense comprehension.¡± ¡°Are you kidding? I¡¯d rather believe Lu Yi is secretly at the eighth level of Qi Refining¡­¡± Below the arena, Lin Wan¡¯er, Jiang Fan, and others also looked at Lu Yi seriously. Bai Yulong, Lin Wan¡¯er, and several tenth-level Qi Refining disciples all had solemn expressions. Jiang Fan laughed and said, ¡°This Junior Brother Lu is truly impressive. White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Steps, both at Perfection. Is he still hiding something? Could it be that his White Cloud Steps are cultivated to the limit too?¡± Others rolled their eyes at Jiang Fan. A cold and stern youth with twin blades said, ¡°Jiang Fan, don¡¯t jinx it!¡± Lin Wan¡¯er nodded, ¡°Exactly! If you guess right, that would be terrible. I don¡¯t want to lose to a younger, lower-realm Junior Brother who¡¯s also so handsome. How embarrassing.¡± Bai Yulong took a deep breath and said, ¡°Have you considered the possibility that this guy¡¯s cultivation technique might also have reached the Perfection realm?¡± ¡°????????¡± Jiang Fan''s smile froze, and Lin Wan¡¯er and others also stiffened. ¡°¡­ That¡¯s probably impossible, right?¡± Meanwhile, the three ninth-level Qi Refining disciples who had already given up were watching cheerfully. It had nothing to do with them. They were just spectators enjoying the show. Chapter 28: Flashy On the stage, Tie Man''s expression was stiff, still carrying a trace of shock. After locking eyes with Lu Yi for a moment, he grinned and said, ¡°The White Cloud Step Technique at the Perfection Realm?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lu Yi smiled and nodded, withdrawing his sword. Tie Man scratched his head and cupped his hands towards Lu Yi. ¡°I admit defeat. Junior Brother Lu Yi, you are impressive. I lost.¡± With that, Tie Man jumped off the stage and began meditating to recover. The top ten matches weren¡¯t just a single round. Losing this round meant no chance at the top five, but there were still rankings to fight for in the lower five. Without recovering now, his state would suffer later. Lu Yi also jumped off the stage and noticed Jiang Fan and the others looking at him. He smiled sheepishly. ¡°Senior Brothers and Sisters, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Bai Yulong coughed lightly, waved his folding fan, and asked, ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, tell us honestly, have you also cultivated the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique to the Perfection Realm?¡± Lu Yi froze for a moment, then looked surprised. ¡°Senior Brother Bai Yulong, you¡¯re so smart. You could even guess that.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Bai Yulong and the others fell silent. Even Tie Man, who was already meditating, showed fluctuations in his breathing, clearly having overheard the conversation. The atmosphere was silent until Du Gufang stepped onto the stage and announced, ¡°Number 2, come up.¡± Only then did everyone snap out of their daze. Lin Wan''er and a Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining jumped onto the stage simultaneously. The Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining appeared calm. He knew he wasn¡¯t Lin Wan''er¡¯s opponent and didn¡¯t plan to force it. He simply displayed his full strength and conceded decisively when things became hopeless. It was uneventful. Next was the third match between Jiang Fan and a Senior Sister at the tenth level of Qi Refining. The Senior Sister¡¯s sword techniques and footwork were quite outstanding, having reached the Transformation Realm. However, Jiang Fan was clearly superior. Jiang Fan practiced blade techniques called the Sharp Gold Blade Technique, which was extremely sharp and aggressive. It contrasted completely with his ordinary appearance. As soon as the fight began, he dominated, forcing the Senior Sister to retreat repeatedly until she was ultimately knocked off the stage with a single slash. Watching Jiang Fan''s blade techniques, Lu Yi¡¯s eyes flickered. He noticed Jiang Fan seemed to be holding back, not using his full strength. Senior Brother Jiang Fan''s Sharp Gold Blade Technique might have also reached the Perfection Realm. Lu Yi sighed. No wonder Jiang Fan felt like a threat to him. His strength was indeed formidable. The fourth match was Bai Yulong against another Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Bai Yulong wielded a rare folding fan, surprising Lu Yi.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. At Foundation Establishment and above, magical weapons varied widely, but in the Qi Refining stage, swords, sabers, and spears were more common. However, Bai Yulong¡¯s folding fan was a lower-grade magical weapon with considerable power. The attacks he launched with it carried sharp blade intent, making them incredibly strong. Looking at Bai Yulong, dressed in white like snow, Lu Yi¡¯s mouth twitched. He realized this Senior Brother was quite vain. Using a saber would have made better use of his technique, but this guy deliberately chose a folding fan, clearly thinking it looked cooler. Watching Bai Yulong show off, Lu Yi started considering whether he should also get some flashier spells or magical items. After all, strength is temporary, but style is forever. Bai Yulong¡¯s strength was naturally top-notch. The Senior Brother at the ninth level of Qi Refining didn¡¯t last long before being sent flying off the stage by Bai Yulong¡¯s fan. The final match was between Li Yun, who used dual blades, and a Senior Sister at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Li Yun was not the type to show mercy. His blade techniques were also extremely sharp. He mercilessly sent the Senior Sister flying with just two strikes, leaving her eyes red and on the verge of tears. Lu Yi glanced at the expressionless Li Yun and thought this guy might be doomed to stay single forever. After determining the top five, they were given an hour to meditate and recover. Then came the second round of matches. The five competitors would battle in pairs, with one person getting a bye, determined by drawing lots. Du Gufang and the five competitors stood on the stage. Five jade tokens floated before them. Du Gufang smiled. ¡°Choose one.¡± The five looked at each other, and Bai Yulong smiled. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, you¡¯re the youngest. Why don¡¯t you go first?¡± Lu Yi smiled and didn¡¯t object. ¡°No problem.¡± He glanced at the five jade tokens and silently prayed, ¡°Please don¡¯t let me get the bye! Don¡¯t let me get the bye!¡± He picked the token on the far right. When it fell into his hand, he flipped it over and saw the number 1. A smile immediately spread across his face. No bye! Perfect! The other four looked at Lu Yi¡¯s token and then selected their own. Afterward, Jiang Fan froze for a moment and laughed. ¡°Looks like I got lucky.¡± He flipped his token to reveal a blank slate¡ªthe bye. Bai Yulong''s mouth twitched slightly. He silently flipped over his token: 1. He looked at Lu Yi and smiled. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, looks like we¡¯re matched up.¡± Seeing Bai Yulong¡¯s token, Lin Wan''er and Li Yun both looked relieved. Lin Wan''er grinned. ¡°Good thing I didn¡¯t run into Junior Brother Lu Yi or that show-off Bai Yulong. Those two are a headache.¡± Li Yun glanced at Lin Wan''er and said coldly, ¡°What? Do you think I¡¯m weaker than them?¡± Lin Wan''er looked at Li Yun and laughed, further irritating him until his demeanor grew even colder. At that moment, Du Gufang spoke calmly. ¡°Everyone else step down. Lu Yi and Bai Yulong, stay.¡± Lin Wan''er smiled at Lu Yi. ¡°Good luck, Junior Brother! Give that flashy guy a beating!¡± Lu Yi glanced at Bai Yulong, whose expression stiffened, and found it amusing. It seemed Lin Wan''er knew Bai Yulong¡¯s vain personality quite well. Jiang Fan patted Lu Yi¡¯s shoulder and smiled. ¡°Good luck.¡± Li Yun said nothing, still brooding from Lin Wan''er¡¯s jab, and quietly stepped off the stage. With the three leaving, only Lu Yi and Bai Yulong remained on the stage. The disciples below burst into excited chatter. ¡°Lu Yi and Bai Yulong are fighting already?!¡± ¡°Lu Yi¡¯s White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Step Technique are so strong, and Bai Yulong is one of the top three outer disciples. This is going to be exciting!¡± ¡°Yeah, both are geniuses. Who will win?¡± Not just the disciples, even the elders and stewards in the sky were eagerly watching. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were no longer worried since Lu Yi had secured a spot in the inner sect. Winning more rounds was just a bonus now. They were simply excited to see how strong Lu Yi could be. On stage, Lu Yi looked at Bai Yulong and thought, ¡°I¡¯m going to defeat Senior Brother Bai Yulong.¡± The next moment, text appeared before Lu Yi¡¯s eyes. He glanced at it and froze, then felt overwhelming joy. He hadn¡¯t expected such a reward?! Chapter 29: Lu Yi and the Old Mans Fate [Task]: Defeat Bai Yulong (Progress: 0/1) Reward: A Thread of Sword Intent Accept: Yes/No Sword Intent! Lu Yi did not expect the reward to be this. The last time he encountered a task rewarding intent was when he had to make Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang fall in love with him. Even though it was just a thread of sword intent, intent was intent. This was a powerful technique typically possessed only by experts at the Void Refinement Realm. Even a single thread was extremely formidable, enough to significantly boost Lu Yi''s combat strength! Lu Yi''s eyes shone brightly. Looking at Bai Yulong, he smiled warmly, "Senior Brother Bai Yulong, please guide me!" Bai Yulong was momentarily stunned by Lu Yi''s enthusiasm, but quickly smiled back, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, let''s have a good match." Du Gufang''s voice echoed, "Begin!" Upon hearing this, Bai Yulong unfolded his folding fan. Spiritual energy circulated around him, forming wisps of wind, and his figure vanished. Lu Yi also smiled slightly and activated the White Cloud Steps, disappearing from his spot. The next moment, both of them reappeared in the center of the arena. Lu Yi''s long sword and Bai Yulong''s folding fan surged with dense spiritual energy, clashing fiercely. Boom!! Sharp sword energy and fan energy intertwined, transforming into residual waves that ravaged the arena, leaving behind scars. Their figures disappeared again, only to reappear the next instant, clashing once more. Compared to Tie Man, Bai Yulong''s footwork was far superior and much faster. Against Tie Man, Lu Yi could rely on his speed advantage to find weaknesses and defeat him swiftly. However, against Bai Yulong, he could not replicate the same strategy. In terms of offensive techniques, Bai Yulong''s fan techniques were extraordinary. Although slightly inferior to Lu Yi''s White Cloud Sword Technique, Bai Yulong''s cultivation level was high, likely having remained at Qi Refining Level Ten for quite some time. His spiritual energy was abundant, making his attacks formidable. As a result, their battle reached a stalemate. Lu Yi held a slight advantage, but it was not significant enough to turn into a decisive victory. The intense fluctuations from their battle produced semi-transparent shockwaves, spreading outward like storms. The surrounding outer disciples were shocked. "So strong! Both Junior Brother Lu Yi and Senior Brother Bai Yulong are incredibly strong!"This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Yeah, even a casual attack from them would probably be impossible for me to block!" "Senior Brother Bai Yulong is understandable¡ªhe''s at Qi Refining Level Ten and just a step away from the Foundation Establishment Realm. But Junior Brother Lu Yi is only at Qi Refining Level Seven, yet he''s this powerful?!" "It''s terrifying!" Boom!! Another collision forced Lu Yi and Bai Yulong to retreat, landing in opposite corners of the arena. Bai Yulong exhaled deeply to calm his turbulent spiritual energy. He took a deep breath, looked at Lu Yi, and warned, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, be careful!" Spiritual energy surged into Bai Yulong''s folding fan. With a sharp clang, the fan released a razor-sharp aura, and his overall aura intensified. He had fully activated the power of his magical weapon. Seeing this, Lu Yi also smiled, channeling spiritual energy into his longsword. The sword emitted sharp intent. Lu Yi''s longsword was also a magical weapon, which had cost his father quite a few spirit stones to purchase. Both of them vanished and clashed again. Boom!! Two sharp semi-transparent energy waves sliced across the arena, leaving deep fissures over ten meters long. With their magical weapons activated, their techniques became even more destructive. After another round of fierce exchanges lasting hundreds of moves, Bai Yulong''s aura began to wane. Finally, in a powerful strike, Lu Yi pushed him back. Bai Yulong landed near the edge of the arena, exhaling heavily. He looked at Lu Yi and, with a slightly twisted expression, asked, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, haven''t you run out of spiritual energy yet?!" Lu Yi checked his remaining spiritual energy, which was about two-thirds full. Glancing at Bai Yulong''s thinning spiritual energy, he coughed and said, "Almost... it''s nearly gone." Hearing this, Bai Yulong took a deep breath. His eyes flashed with determination as he charged at Lu Yi again. Boom! Boom! Boom!! The battle resumed, but this time it lasted only a few dozen moves before Bai Yulong was sent flying. He landed with multiple steps backward, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. His face was pale as he glared at the still-energetic Lu Yi. "Junior Brother Lu Yi! You liar! How is this ''almost out of spiritual energy''?!" Seeing Bai Yulong''s frustrated expression, Lu Yi coughed again and said hesitantly, "...Really, it''s down to less than a quarter." Bai Yulong: "???" He stared at Lu Yi in disbelief. "You call having a quarter of your spiritual energy left ''almost out''?!" Below the arena, Jiang Fan and others also looked on with strange expressions. Lin Wan''er shouted, "Junior Brother Lu Yi is a monster, right?! Bai Yulong is at Qi Refining Level Ten, yet his spiritual energy can''t match someone at Qi Refining Level Seven?!" Jiang Fan''s expression was serious. "Didn''t you hear? His White Cloud Spiritual Breathing Technique is at the Returning to Origin Realm. The density of his spiritual energy far exceeds that of an ordinary Qi Refining Level Seven cultivator." Even the cold-faced Li Yun muttered, "...This isn''t just exceeding Qi Refining Level Seven. Bai Yulong''s energy is depleted, and this guy still has a quarter left. It''s far beyond Qi Refining Level Ten!" In the sky, Du Gufang and the other elders were equally shocked. An inner sect elder marveled at Lu Yi, "This young man is remarkable. In the Qi Refining Realm, he''s cultivated one breathing technique and two offensive techniques¡ªall reaching the Perfection Realm." "Indeed, such comprehension is rare! Even core disciples might not match this." "I think this kid is well-suited to sword cultivation. I plan to take him as my disciple," said a white-haired elder, stroking his beard with a smile. The other elders immediately glared at him, and the scene erupted. "You old fool! What nonsense! You''re not worthy!" "Exactly! His talent in movement techniques means he should learn escape techniques from me!" "Nonsense! I have a rare Nascent Soul cultivation technique fragment from a relic. I should pass it to him¡ªhe''s destined to be my disciple!" "I think this boy and I are fated..." The inner sect elders argued fiercely, their faces flushed. Chapter 30: Sword Intent Enters the Body At this moment, Du Gufang snorted coldly and spoke, "That''s enough from you all!" His powerful aura as a Golden Core cultivator at its peak spread out, immediately drawing the attention of the other inner sect elders. They too were at the Golden Core stage. Du Gufang sneered, sweeping his gaze over the crowd. "You shameless ones, not even at the Nascent Soul stage, and you dare to take Lu Yi as your disciple? Aren''t you afraid of ruining such talent?" Hearing this, the elders were instantly displeased. "Come on now, Old Du Gu, that''s going too far! What''s wrong with Golden Core? Are Golden Core cultivators not human? Can''t we compare to those Nascent Soul monsters? I believe my teaching skills are more than adequate!" "Say that again in front of the Nascent Soul elders of your Clear Water Peak," Du Gufang said coolly. The elder who had spoken fell silent. Fine, Golden Core really couldn''t compare to Nascent Soul experts. Du Gufang continued, "Lu Yi comprehended one cultivation method and two techniques to the level of Perfection. That''s only because outer sect disciples can only practice those few methods. How do you know his limits? With such talent, you can forget about taking him as your disciple. Look for someone else." Upon hearing this, the expressions of the elders shifted. After a moment, they sighed one after another. "Forget it. Once the competition ends and his strength becomes known, even those Nascent Soul monsters will take notice." "I think Bai Yulong is also quite good. His foundation is solid, and he could be considered for discipleship..." One by one, the elders decided to give up on Lu Yi and turned their focus to other contestants. After all, those who could make it into the top ten were naturally talented as well and would make good disciples. While the elders discussed, the match on the stage had already reached its conclusion. Bai Yulong was stunned when he heard that Lu Yi still had nearly a quarter of his spiritual energy remaining. Faced with Lu Yi''s renewed attacks, Bai Yulong, whose spiritual energy was almost depleted, simply could not resist. In just a few exchanges, Bai Yulong was sent flying off the platform by Lu Yi''s sword. Bai Yulong landed and staggered back several steps before steadying himself. Looking up at Lu Yi on the stage, his expression was complicated. Then he gave a bitter smile and cupped his hands. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your strength is truly extraordinary. I admit defeat." Lu Yi smiled and returned the salute. "Senior Brother, you let me win." Du Gufang descended onto the platform, nodded slightly at Lu Yi, and said with a warm smile, "Not bad. Go and recover." Lu Yi nodded and left the stage. When he rejoined Jiang Fan and the others, he noticed their odd expressions. Feeling a bit awkward, Lu Yi scratched his head and asked, "Senior Brothers and Sisters, why are you looking at me like that?"Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "...Are you a monster?" Lin Wan''er asked. Lu Yi''s face darkened. "...Senior Sister Lin, I''m just an ordinary human cultivator!" That was definitely slander, right? "..." The others didn''t know how to respond to Lu Yi''s words. Did this guy have some kind of serious misunderstanding about what ''ordinary'' meant? Just then, Du Gufang''s voice rang out, "Lin Wan''er and Li Yun, come to the platform!" Lin Wan''er and Li Yun exchanged glances before leaping onto the stage. Meanwhile, Jiang Fan turned to Lu Yi with a smile. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, take this time to recover. There are more matches to come." Lu Yi nodded and sat down cross-legged, pretending to meditate and recover. In truth, his energy consumption had been minimal. By the end of the match, he still had about two-thirds of his spiritual energy left. With his fast recovery speed, he had already regained a considerable amount. However, if he didn''t put on a show, people might really start treating him like a monster. Lu Yi still saw himself as a normal person. While pretending to meditate, Lu Yi checked his task progress. The task to defeat Bai Yulong was marked as complete and ready to claim. Lu Yi considered for a moment. Sword intent wasn''t a physical object but a type of insight, so claiming it now wouldn''t be a problem. Excited, Lu Yi used his mind to claim the reward. Immediately, a flash of sword light appeared in his consciousness. This sword light was extremely sharp and pure, as if it could cut through the darkness in his mind. Soon, a vast amount of profound information poured into Lu Yi''s mind¡ªall related to sword intent. Lu Yi absorbed this information like a sponge, and his understanding of swordsmanship improved at an astonishing rate. After a moment, he fully assimilated the sword intent and slowly opened his eyes. A flash of sword light briefly flickered in them. He exhaled deeply, his heart filled with joy. No wonder sword intent was so powerful. Adding it to his ''White Cloud Sword Technique'' at the ''returning to essence'' stage would likely boost its power dramatically. If he used it with the technique at level 7 or higher, the effect would be even more overwhelming. Feeling excited, Lu Yi glanced at Bai Yulong and silently vowed, "I must defeat Senior Brother Bai Yulong again!" [Task]: Defeat Bai Yulong (Progress: 0/1) Reward: A strand of sword intent Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi grew even more enthusiastic. Perfect! It seemed he''d have to spend more time with Senior Brother Bai Yulong in the future. Feeling Lu Yi''s gaze, Bai Yulong turned and saw his friendly expression. For some reason, Bai Yulong felt a chill and asked, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, is something wrong?" Lu Yi silently accepted the new task and said with a grin, "No, nothing. I just think Senior Brother Bai Yulong has an extraordinary demeanor and looks very elegant." Bai Yulong''s eyes lit up. Smiling, he opened his folding fan with a snap. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you are too kind. I like honest people like you!" Lu Yi replied seriously, "Honesty is my greatest virtue. After we enter the inner sect, we can spar more often." "Sure thing!" Bai Yulong said cheerfully. Jiang Fan, watching from the side, felt a bit puzzled. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, why do I feel like something about you has changed? Is it just my imagination?" Lu Yi froze and felt a jolt of alarm. He didn''t expect Jiang Fan''s intuition to be so sharp. He had just comprehended sword intent, and Jiang Fan already noticed something. Smiling, Lu Yi explained, "During my match with Senior Brother Bai Yulong, I had some insights. I must have improved a bit." Bai Yulong: "???" He looked at Lu Yi blankly, his mind full of questions. Wait... weren''t they fighting the same battle? Why did Lu Yi gain insights while he didn''t? Bai Yulong couldn''t figure it out, and Jiang Fan also felt helpless. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your comprehension is truly enviable." Lu Yi laughed and said, "You''re too kind, Senior Brother." Just then, a loud bang echoed from the stage, and everyone looked up to see Li Yun being sent flying off the platform. He landed unsteadily. On the stage, Lin Wan''er stood with a pale face. Her arm bore two cuts, and blood was seeping out, but her expression carried a hint of triumph. Du Gufang announced, "Lin Wan''er wins." Li Yun looked frustrated, snorted coldly, and sat down silently, sulking. Lin Wan''er jumped off the stage, grinning. "Hey, Li Yun, how about that? Isn''t this young lady amazing?" Li Yun glanced at her smug face and became even more dejected, emanating the aura of a defeated man. Du Gufang then said calmly, "Take an hour to rest before we begin the top-three matches." Chapter 31: Spell Technique Reward Hearing this, Lin Wan''er stopped teasing Li Yun, sat down to the side, and began meditating. Her injuries were not light, and she needed to recover to a better state. The others also began meditating. After deciding the top five, they still had to determine the rankings of the remaining five. Time passed quickly, and soon an hour had gone by. Du Gufang reappeared on the arena and calmly said, "The top three, come up to the stage." Lu Yi, Jiang Fan, and Lin Wan''er stood up and floated onto the stage. Du Gufang took out three jade plaques, which floated in the air, and said, "One of you will have a bye. The other two will compete to determine the second place and then face the one with the bye to determine first place." The three exchanged glances. Lin Wan''er smiled and said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, how about you go first?" Lu Yi smiled. "I don¡¯t mind at all." He reached out, took a jade plaque, and flipped it over: 1. Lu Yi raised his eyebrows slightly, feeling a little happy. Another match meant another reward. Not bad at all. Seeing Lu Yi take a plaque, Jiang Fan and Lin Wan''er also reached out their hands. After looking at the plaque, Lin Wan''er''s face fell. Jiang Fan smirked lightly and revealed his plaque: "I have the bye." Lu Yi looked at Jiang Fan strangely. Could this guy be a child of destiny? Such good luck¡ªgetting a bye twice. As expected, people with "Fan" in their names were extraordinary. Du Gufang smiled. "In that case, Jiang Fan, step down. Lu Yi and Lin Wan''er, prepare yourselves." Jiang Fan nodded and left the stage. Du Gufang also floated into the air, leaving only Lu Yi and Lin Wan''er on the arena. Lin Wan''er looked at Lu Yi and smiled. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, go easy on me, okay?" Lu Yi smiled. "Senior Sister''s strength is amazing. I might not be your match." Lin Wan''er widened her eyes and looked at Lu Yi speechlessly. "You can lie so blatantly without your conscience hurting?" Lu Yi felt fine physically and morally, and said earnestly, "Senior Sister, you''ve misunderstood me. I never lie." While speaking, Lu Yi silently made a wish in his heart: I will defeat Senior Sister Lin Wan''er.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. [Mission]: Defeat Lin Wan''er (Progress: 0/1) Reward: Foundation Establishment Spell Technique "Dust Forgetting Technique" Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi was stunned for a moment, a bit surprised. A spell technique? He hadn¡¯t expected such a reward. Lu Yi originally thought sparring-type missions only rewarded cultivation resources, but it turned out spell techniques were included too? He was curious about what kind of spell technique the "Dust Forgetting Technique" was. However, since the mission wasn¡¯t complete, he couldn¡¯t check its details yet. Another question crossed his mind¡ªif he defeated Lin Wan''er again in the future, what would the reward be? Would it be another "Dust Forgetting Technique," or a different spell technique? If it were another technique, he could farm rewards by sparring with Lin Wan''er multiple times. Lu Yi felt excited about this possibility. He decided to test it after completing this mission. Just then, Du Gufang''s voice rang out: "Begin." Lu Yi and Lin Wan''er exchanged glances. Spiritual energy surged around them as they drew their swords and vanished from their spots. Lin Wan''er''s strength was formidable, but she was slightly weaker than Bai Yulong. Naturally, she was no match for Lu Yi. As usual, Lu Yi held back a little, using less force during the battle. After hundreds of exchanges, Lin Wan''er''s spiritual energy was nearly depleted. Sweat covered her forehead as she panted heavily. She retreated to the edge of the arena, glaring at Lu Yi, who looked completely unfazed. Helpless, she said, "I give up!" Lu Yi smiled. "Thank you for going easy on me, Senior Sister." None of the elders or disciples were surprised by Lin Wan''er¡¯s surrender. After all, Lu Yi¡¯s earlier performances had shown strength far beyond Lin Wan''er''s. After Lin Wan''er surrendered, Du Gufang reappeared on the stage and announced, "Lu Yi wins!" He turned to look at Lu Yi with a slight smile. "Rest for a bit. The final match will begin soon." Lu Yi nodded. "Yes, Elder." After stepping down from the stage, no one disturbed Lu Yi. Everyone knew that the next match for first place was crucial, and Lu Yi needed to prepare. Jiang Fan leaned against a corner of the stage, his hands behind his head, watching Lu Yi meditate with mock seriousness, eyes full of battle intent. Bai Yulong, fanning himself, glanced at Jiang Fan and smiled. "Jiang Fan, you must have a hidden trump card, right?" Jiang Fan paused, then smiled. "Why do you think that?" "Lu Yi has shown such overwhelming strength, yet you don¡¯t seem worried. It means you believe he¡¯s not unbeatable." Bai Yulong grinned. "You¡¯re too sharp, Bai Yulong." Jiang Fan laughed. Seeing Jiang Fan admit it, Bai Yulong grew more curious. "We¡¯ve been fellow disciples for years. What trump card are you hiding that makes you so confident?" Bai Yulong glanced at Lu Yi. Although he considered himself talented, losing to a Qi Refining Stage Level 7 Lu Yi had made him feel defeated. "Lu Yi is practically a monster," Bai Yulong muttered. Jiang Fan squinted and smiled without answering. Seeing that Jiang Fan wasn¡¯t going to reveal anything, Bai Yulong smirked and didn¡¯t press further. He figured Jiang Fan would show his true strength in the final battle. The audience grew quiet, waiting eagerly for the final match. Time passed, and soon Lu Yi opened his eyes. Du Gufang, who had been standing on the stage, asked, "Lu Yi, are you ready?" Lu Yi smiled. "I¡¯m ready." "Good. In that case¡ªLu Yi, Jiang Fan, come up." As Du Gufang spoke, Lu Yi and Jiang Fan exchanged smiles and soared onto the stage, standing on opposite sides. Du Gufang said, "The match for first place begins now." With that, he floated into the air, leaving Lu Yi and Jiang Fan on the stage. The two locked eyes. Jiang Fan drew his long blade and smiled. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, I didn¡¯t expect you to be my final opponent." Lu Yi smiled back. "I guess I¡¯ve been lucky." Jiang Fan shook his head. "Luck alone won¡¯t get you this far. Let¡¯s not waste words. Let¡¯s fight." Lu Yi cupped his hands. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan, please." Jiang Fan¡¯s expression turned sharp, and his eyes gleamed. Blade energy surged around him as he activated the Sharp Gold Blade Technique. With a clang, a blade light over ten meters long slashed toward Lu Yi. Chapter 32: Jiang Fans Trump Card Swish! Lu Yi''s figure abruptly vanished from his original position. The blade light slashed across the ground, leaving a deep mark. Jiang Fan did not even glance at the mark. Instead, he moved his foot and disappeared from the spot as well. Boom!! In the next moment, at one corner of the arena, Lu Yi and Jiang Fan reappeared simultaneously. A booming sound erupted as spiritual energy swirled around them, forming faint light shields. Radiant halos flowed, and powerful aftershocks rippled outward, turning into translucent waves that radiated across the arena. The collision lasted only an instant before the two vanished again. In the blink of an eye, their figures flickered continuously across the arena. Blade lights and sword clouds crisscrossed, spanning over ten meters in length. The deafening sound of collisions rang out repeatedly. In just a short exchange, the already-scarred arena was left in complete disarray. The intense battle drew gasps of amazement from the watching disciples. The strength displayed by the two was considered top-tier even among those at the tenth level of Qi Refining. Few could match them. After a brief clash, the two reappeared on opposite sides of the arena, holding their weapons and staring at each other. Lu Yi sighed inwardly. He had to admit that Jiang Fan''s strength surpassed even Senior Brother Bai Yulong. Lu Yi had pushed his White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Steps to the limits of their Perfection Realm. Furthermore, he had infused ample spiritual energy using the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, enhancing its quality repeatedly. Yet, he still couldn''t suppress this senior brother. At this moment, Jiang Fan took a deep breath and slowly said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, is this your full strength?" Lu Yi paused before recalling that he hadn''t yet used his level 7 or level 8 White Cloud Sword Techniques and spells, his nearly mist-like spiritual energy, or his newly grasped sword intent. Clearing his throat, he replied, "I''m close to full strength." Jiang Fan''s expression shifted slightly. "So, it''s not your full strength?" Jiang Fan felt he had a fair understanding of Lu Yi. When Lu Yi said "close to full strength," it was likely far from it. He must still be holding back! Thinking this, Jiang Fan hesitated before taking a deep breath and declaring, "In that case, I will use my strongest move to decide the winner in one blow." Lu Yi blinked, feeling curious. Given Jiang Fan''s current performance, he shouldn''t pose much of a threat. The only move that had slightly concerned Lu Yi earlier must be this strongest move. Lu Yi smiled and said, "Senior Brother Jiang Fan, please proceed."Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Jiang Fan''s expression turned serious as he slowly said, "I haven''t completely mastered this move, so I can''t fully control it. Junior Brother Lu Yi, be careful." As he spoke, Jiang Fan''s spiritual energy began to surge, and his aura rapidly intensified. The surrounding spectators heard their conversation and were puzzled. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan is already so strong¡ªhe''s still holding back?" "What kind of technique is he hiding? I don''t think I''ve seen him use it before." Below the arena, Bai Yulong stared at Jiang Fan with growing curiosity. "What is this guy hiding?" At that moment, the sound of waves surged around Jiang Fan as his spiritual energy erupted. An overwhelming aura spread out, forming waves of energy that swept in all directions, causing his black hair to dance wildly. Lu Yi''s pupils contracted slightly as he focused intently on Jiang Fan. Goodness, this aura is a bit intimidating, isn''t it? High above in the sky, Elder Du Gufang and the others had subtle changes in their expressions, showing surprise. "Is this... the Raging Wave Palm?" "This kid has quite some talent. He''s only at the tenth level of Qi Refining, yet he has grasped a Foundation Establishment level spell?" "Interesting. I initially thought Lu Yi had this match in the bag, but now it seems there''s still a twist." The elders'' expressions shifted as they observed Jiang Fan. Comprehending and wielding a Foundation Establishment level spell at the Qi Refining stage demanded both solid fundamentals and exceptional perception. Jiang Fan''s performance clearly impressed them. The elders alternated their gaze between Jiang Fan and Lu Yi, filled with curiosity. Qi Feiyu smiled. "I wonder if Lu Yi can block a Foundation Establishment spell?" "I doubt it. Lu Yi has already pushed his White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Steps to their limits. Even with his higher-quality spiritual energy from the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, it is still limited. Blocking a Foundation Establishment spell is simply too difficult." Another elder shook his head. The others nodded slightly, agreeing. Even Elder Du Gufang nodded. "If Lu Yi doesn''t have more tricks up his sleeve, he might lose." One elder chuckled. "I thought Lu Yi was a sure bet for first place, but Jiang Fan has hidden his strength well." In the distance, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi looked at Jiang Fan''s powerful aura with changing expressions. Lu Gaoyang frowned slightly. "Raging Wave Palm? Jiang Fan actually mastered a Foundation Establishment spell?" Wang Siqi said worriedly, "The Raging Wave Palm is incredibly powerful. Will Yi''er be hurt?" Honestly, Lu Yi securing second place already far exceeded their expectations. Now, they were more concerned about whether he would be injured by such a powerful attack. Beside them, Li Mang reassured, "Don''t worry, Sister-in-law. With so many elders watching, there''s no way they''d let such a talented junior as Lu Yi get hurt." The others also offered words of comfort. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi relaxed slightly, their expressions softening. Below the arena, Bai Yulong, Lin Wan''er, and the others also focused on Jiang Fan''s overwhelming aura. Bai Yulong''s pupils constricted as he muttered, "I didn''t expect Jiang Fan to hide so much. He even saved this move!" Li Yun crossed his arms and added, "Junior Brother Lu Yi is in danger." Tie Man nodded slightly. "A Foundation Establishment spell... I doubt Junior Brother Lu Yi can block it." "Hmph! I believe Junior Brother Lu Yi can handle it!" Lin Wan''er snorted and shot a glare at the three. The trio fell silent. Was this woman just biased because Lu Yi looked good? Appearance wasn''t equivalent to strength. The three decided to stay quiet. At this moment, Jiang Fan stepped forward and shouted, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, be careful!" He raised his right hand, forming a palm, and struck toward Lu Yi. Waves of azure energy emerged, forming a massive palm imprint over two meters wide, surging toward Lu Yi at high speed. As the palm imprint swept forward, the arena floor cracked apart, and the surrounding air seemed saturated with water-attribute spiritual energy, sealing off all avenues of escape. Facing the overwhelming palm imprint, Lu Yi remained calm, his eyes gleaming with sword intent. In the next moment, an incomparably sharp sword aura burst forth, and clouds of sword energy began to rise from Lu Yi''s long sword. Chapter 33: First Place in the Grand Competition "What?! This is... sword intent?!" The moment the sharp sword intent appeared, Elder Dugu Fang and the others widened their eyes, staring intently at Lu Yi on the stage. Sword clouds rolled forward, surging towards the palm imprint. The sharp sword intent enhanced the White Cloud Sword Qi, greatly amplifying its power. The sword clouds and the palm imprint collided. Boom!! A deafening explosion resounded, with blue and white lights intertwining. Energy and sword light burst out, enveloping the entire stage. The aftermath turned into a violent wind, spreading in all directions. Bai Yulong and the others below the stage felt the terrifying shockwave, their faces filled with astonishment. "Back away!!" They quickly retreated, not daring to stay too close. The outer disciples watching from the back also felt their chests tighten, their faces turning pale under the powerful aura. Exclamations erupted from the crowd as everyone stared at the stage with wide eyes. "What terrifying power!" "A Qi Refining Stage level ten cultivator can be this strong?!" "No way! What¡¯s going on with Senior Brother Lu Yi?! How did he get even stronger? Wasn¡¯t he already at his limit?" "Heh... naive. You actually believe what Junior Brother Lu Yi said? That guy spouts nonsense! What limit? It¡¯s all fake!" In the sky, Lu Gaoyang, Wang Siqi, and the others stared blankly at the palm winds and sword clouds surging on the stage. "This is... sword intent?!" "My god! Nephew Lu Yi actually comprehended sword intent?!" "He¡¯s only at the seventh level of Qi Refining and already comprehended intent?!" "Lu Brother, did you know Nephew Lu Yi was this amazing?!" Lu Gaoyang was completely stunned and slowly shook his head. What did he know?! Honestly, if not for this competition, he wouldn¡¯t have even dared to imagine Lu Yi could enter the top ten. Sword intent? He didn¡¯t even dare to dream about that. Beside him, Wang Siqi had the same bewildered expression as Lu Gaoyang. Elder Dugu Fang¡¯s face also showed shock, unable to remain calm. "Unbelievable, truly unbelievable! This boy¡¯s talent is extraordinary." "Indeed!! Comprehending intent at the Qi Refining Stage, his future prospects are limitless!" "Forget the Nascent Soul Realm¡ªhe may even reach the Void Refinement Realm. If that happens, he could become one of the pillars of the White Cloud Sect." The elders marveled one after another. This was intent! Generally, only Void Refinement Realm cultivators could grasp such techniques.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Whoever comprehended intent before reaching the Void Refinement Realm was undoubtedly a prodigy. Moreover, Lu Yi was still only in the Qi Refining Stage! He was definitely worthy of being called a genius. "After today, the big shots in the Inner Sect probably won¡¯t be able to sit still," Dugu Fang chuckled. The other elders nodded in agreement. With such talent, even Nascent Soul Realm elders would scramble to recruit him. It might even attract the attention of Void Refinement Realm peak masters and Grand Elders. While the elders discussed, the clash on the stage gradually subsided, revealing the scene at the center. The massive stage was now in ruins, with not a single stone slab left intact. Lu Yi and Jiang Fan stood at opposite ends of the stage, facing each other in silence. Lu Yi¡¯s expression was calm, his aura slightly trembling but still in good condition. In contrast, Jiang Fan looked far worse. His face was pale, his aura weak, and sweat poured down his forehead. Jiang Fan looked at Lu Yi, his expression filled with disbelief. After a brief silence, Jiang Fan smiled bitterly and said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you actually comprehended sword intent... Truly..." Jiang Fan shook his head. "I admit defeat." After all, the Raging Wave Palm was a Foundation Establishment level technique. Using it drained Jiang Fan¡¯s spiritual energy significantly. After one strike, his spiritual energy was nearly depleted. Using it a second time would mean risking his life. Looking at Lu Yi, who still seemed to have energy to spare, Jiang Fan felt that even using the technique again wouldn¡¯t change the outcome. Hearing Jiang Fan¡¯s admission of defeat, Lu Yi smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for going easy on me, Senior Brother Jiang Fan. I was just lucky. During my earlier match with Senior Brother Bai Yulong, I had some insights and managed to comprehend sword intent." Hearing this, Jiang Fan froze and gave Lu Yi a strange look. Then he glanced back at Bai Yulong, who was standing further away from the stage, with an expression of disdain: Lu Yi managed to comprehend sword intent, but what did Bai Yulong comprehend? Bai Yulong also heard this and was dumbfounded. Wait... They both fought a match¡ªso why did Lu Yi end up comprehending sword intent?! Was something wrong?! This didn¡¯t make any sense! Bai Yulong desperately recalled the match with Lu Yi, trying to figure out how Lu Yi gained such insight. But no matter how hard he thought, Bai Yulong couldn¡¯t make sense of it and felt completely lost. He turned to see Lin Wan¡¯er and the others looking at him with complicated expressions. Bai Yulong¡¯s mouth twitched in frustration and snapped, "What are you looking at?! How is this my fault?! It¡¯s not like I wanted Lu Yi to comprehend sword intent!!" Lin Wan¡¯er muttered, "...So what did you comprehend?" Tie Man scratched his head. "Are people really this different?" Li Yun sneered without saying a word, simply giving Bai Yulong a side-eye. Bai Yulong: "..." He felt depressed. At this moment, Dugu Fang landed on the stage. He looked at Lu Yi with a satisfied expression, nodding repeatedly. "Not bad, not bad. To comprehend sword intent at such a young age, your future is extraordinary." Lu Yi smiled and said, "Elder, you flatter me." Dugu Fang chuckled and turned to Jiang Fan, also nodding. "Jiang Fan, you¡¯re also quite impressive, comprehending a Foundation Establishment technique. Your talent is exceptional and your future promising." Jiang Fan smiled. "Elder, you¡¯re too kind." Dugu Fang laughed heartily. "This year¡¯s competition has produced two geniuses. Very good... Now that the top two have been decided, you may leave the stage." Lu Yi and Jiang Fan nodded and stepped down. With the top three decided, the next matches focused on ranking the remaining participants. The fourth and fifth places were determined by a match between Bai Yulong and Li Yun. Perhaps driven by frustration after losing to Lu Yi, Bai Yulong unleashed his full potential and defeated Li Yun, claiming fourth place. The remaining rankings were decided as well. Tie Man took sixth place, followed by Senior Sister Liu Tian in seventh place, and three other Qi Refining Stage level nine cultivators filling out the top ten. The grand competition continued until sunset. Since Lu Yi¡¯s match ended early, he spent the rest of the time happily watching the fights. The battles among the Qi Refining Stage level nine and ten cultivators were intense and entertaining, much better than the preliminary rounds. When all the matches concluded, Dugu Fang returned to the stage. He looked around and said calmly, "The Outer Sect Grand Competition has ended. The top ten disciples should report to the Outer Sect Hall in one week, where I will escort you to the Inner Sect. Regarding rewards, the first-place winner will receive a low-grade magical artifact and one superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. The second and third places will each receive one superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. Fourth and fifth places will receive one mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill each. Sixth to tenth places will receive one low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill each. Preliminary qualifiers will receive one bottle of superior-grade Qi Condensation Pills, and those who passed the selection round will receive one bottle of mid-grade Qi Condensation Pills." Chapter 34: Invincible? What Invincible? The rewards for the annual Outer Sect Competition were generally the same each year, so Lu Yi and the others were not surprised. For them, Foundation Establishment Pills were valuable as they could increase the chance of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm. The first-place prize, a low-grade magical artifact, was naturally even more precious. However, the most important reward was the top ten being able to enter the Inner Sect. That was the true highlight. "Alright, that will be all for today. You may all leave now," Du Gufang said before disappearing from the stage. Lu Yi and the others exchanged glances. Bai Yulong gently waved his folding fan and smiled, "Everyone, the competition has been tiring. I need to go back and rest. Farewell." Jiang Fan nodded toward Lu Yi and smiled. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, let¡¯s spar sometime." Lu Yi grinned and nodded repeatedly. "No problem." After that, everyone dispersed. Just like before, Lu Yi didn¡¯t wait for Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. He returned home by himself. The moment he stepped into his room, Lu Yi couldn¡¯t wait to claim his rewards. This time, the rewards were plentiful. [Quests] Among the completed quests, the one Lu Yi anticipated the most was the first one. The White Cloud Sect Competition quest was clearly a major one. Lu Yi had taken first place¡ªwhat kind of reward would he get? Lu Yi opened the quest details. [Quest]: Participate in the White Cloud Sect Outer Sect Competition. Rewards are based on ranking. Completed. Rewards: Claim Rewards: Yes/No Lu Yi: "!!!" His eyes widened as he stared at the rewards, his breathing slightly quickened. The rewards were simply too generous! A superior-grade magical artifact needed no explanation. Even some Golden Core cultivators still used artifacts of this grade. The Purple Jade Bell was a defensive magical artifact that could activate a protective shield, capable of withstanding three attacks from a Golden Core cultivator. For Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was nearly indestructible. A life-saving treasure. As for Thunder Spirit Liquid, Lu Yi was familiar with it. It was a rare heavenly treasure used for Foundation Establishment.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Typically, cultivators used Foundation Establishment Pills to break through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. However, using special heavenly treasures during the breakthrough could form an even stronger Dao foundation. Treasures with specific elemental attributes could enhance affinity with that element, making cultivation of related techniques more efficient. Talented or well-resourced cultivators often sought such treasures for Foundation Establishment. Of course, not all heavenly treasures could be used for breakthroughs. Such items were extremely rare. Spirit liquids, in particular, were highly valuable among them. If Lu Yi used Thunder Spirit Liquid for his Foundation Establishment, his Dao foundation would become attuned to lightning, significantly boosting his cultivation of lightning techniques. This item was even more precious than a superior-grade magical artifact! As for the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills, they were also highly prized. Regular Foundation Establishment Pills only slightly improved breakthrough chances. Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills maximized success rates. Even cultivators with weaker foundations had a high chance of success with them. Combining these pills with heavenly treasures would create an even more solid foundation. The remaining three rewards upgraded Lu Yi¡¯s techniques and cultivation methods by one level each. His White Cloud Sword Technique, White Cloud Footwork, and White Cloud Qi Cultivation Technique all advanced to level 9. Lu Yi wasn¡¯t entirely sure how powerful the level 9 White Cloud Sword Technique and Footwork were, but they were undoubtedly much stronger than their previous states and likely comparable to Foundation Establishment techniques. The level 9 White Cloud Qi Cultivation Technique would also greatly accelerate his cultivation speed. It wouldn¡¯t be long before he reached the peak of Qi Refining and prepared for Foundation Establishment. Lu Yi was thrilled with these rewards and quickly claimed them. Immediately, the rewards materialized. A palm-sized, intricately crafted purple jade bell appeared on Lu Yi¡¯s desk¡ªthe superior-grade magical artifact, Purple Jade Bell. Next to it were five crystal-clear, purple-colored pills¡ªPerfect Foundation Establishment Pills. Beside those was a transparent crystal bottle containing a single drop of purple liquid with arcs of lightning dancing inside¡ªThunder Spirit Liquid. Lu Yi carefully stored these treasures in his pouch. Suddenly, a flood of information about his upgraded techniques filled his mind, causing his head to ache slightly. His brow furrowed. Moments later, Lu Yi exhaled deeply, absorbing the information and upgrading his techniques to level 9. He sensed the changes in his techniques and smiled brightly. The gains this time were immense. With level 9 techniques, Lu Yi felt confident he could handle most low-level Foundation Establishment cultivators. Combined with the Flowing Cloud Boots and Purple Jade Bell, Lu Yi believed he could stand undefeated in the Foundation Establishment realm and even escape from Golden Core masters if necessary. And yet, Lu Yi was only at Qi Refining level 7! Was this what "invincible" looked like? Just look at him. However, Lu Yi quickly snapped out of it. No! He couldn¡¯t get arrogant! He repeatedly reminded himself. I¡¯m just a rookie! So weak! I¡¯m only at Qi Refining level 7 and already dreaming of escaping from Golden Core cultivators? How shameless! Why not aim to crush Golden Core cultivators outright? I¡¯m already 16 and still at Qi Refining level 7. Think about Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, who reached the Golden Core realm at 19! My talent is so poor I might as well go work in a factory! Invincible? What invincible? I¡¯m not even invincible in White Cloud Sect! Work hard, stay disciplined! Early birds get the worm! After calming himself down, Lu Yi felt at peace. Yes, I¡¯m just an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator. Nothing to be proud of. Lu Yi then claimed the other rewards. Defeating Tie Man earned him four Perfect Yellow Bright Pills, which he stored carefully. He also thought about finding a body-tempering technique after entering the Inner Sect. A solid foundation was crucial, and Lu Yi wanted to push every aspect to its limits before advancing. The reward for defeating Lin Wan¡¯er was a special technique¡ª"Forget Dust Technique." After claiming it, information flooded his mind. Lu Yi absorbed the details and grew puzzled. Strictly speaking, Forget Dust Technique was a soul-affecting spell. It could erase a portion of someone¡¯s memory, with higher success rates against weaker mental defenses. Lu Yi fell silent. This was practically a memory-erasing technique. Wasn¡¯t this something straight out of those special manga? Several bold applications flashed through his mind. But he immediately dismissed them. No way! Lu Yi prided himself on being a charming, upright, and dashing young man. He would never resort to such shady tactics! That¡¯s just not who he was! Chapter 35 - The Task of Breaking Through However, this Dust Forgetting Technique also carries certain risks. If the opponent''s mental strength greatly surpasses yours, there is a possibility of backlash. If such a situation occurs, one''s own spirit will be damaged. Lu Yi glanced at the "Lv1" label behind the Dust Forgetting Technique on the panel and decided it was better not to attempt using it before reaching a higher proficiency level to avoid any accidents. Putting aside the Dust Forgetting Technique for now, Lu Yi claimed his final task reward for defeating Senior Brother Jiang Fan. A white porcelain bottle appeared in front of Lu Yi. When he opened the cap, a rich spiritual energy immediately dispersed. Lu Yi was satisfied and sealed the bottle again. Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk! This was an extremely precious cultivation resource that could enhance one''s talent! Lu Yi carefully stored the item away. Then he thought of something and issued another task in his mind¡ªto defeat Senior Sister Lin Wan''er. He was curious whether continuing to issue tasks would still grant him techniques. However, Lu Yi was soon disappointed. [Task]: Defeat Lin Wan''er (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 50 Superior Qi Condensation Pills / 5 Perfect Qi Condensation Pills Accept? Yes/No No techniques, only pills. Lu Yi then realized that rewards for sparring tasks were somewhat random. Most of the time, they provided cultivation resources like pills. The previous reward of the Dust Forgetting Technique might have just been good luck. Lu Yi continued issuing tasks involving other senior brothers and sisters. He found that the rewards for Senior Brother Jiang Fan and Senior Brother Bai Yulong remained unchanged¡ªa drop of Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk and a trace of Sword Intent. However, Senior Brother Tie Man''s reward decreased from four Perfect Yellow Ming Pills to three. The rewards from other senior brothers were all Perfect Qi Condensation Pills, which were not particularly special to Lu Yi. Lu Yi felt a bit helpless. Once he entered the inner sect, he might have to look for new sparring targets there. At the same time, Lu Yi pondered whether there were other ways to obtain rewards¡ªgathering more rewards would accelerate his strength improvement. It would be ideal if he could obtain Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk or even Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk¡ªjust the thought made him ecstatic. While Lu Yi was daydreaming, Wang Siqi''s voice called out, "Yi''er, are you back?" Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts and responded with a smile, "Coming!" ¡­¡­ Having won first place in the competition, Lu Yi naturally made Wang Siqi and Lu Gaoyang extremely happy. Their son''s outstanding performance filled them with pride. Lu Gaoyang even bought some expensive spiritual herbs and fierce beast meat, asking Wang Siqi to prepare a feast so the family could celebrate properly.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Lu Gaoyang drank quite a bit and shared many thoughts with Lu Yi. As a father, he naturally hoped his son would achieve great things. Although Lu Gaoyang held a certain status as an outer sect steward, he had endured many grievances and hardships. Now that Lu Yi''s talent had somehow improved dramatically, with a bright future ahead, Lu Gaoyang was overjoyed. He also hoped Lu Yi wouldn''t end up like him, merely serving as an outer sect steward. Wang Siqi was equally happy. Though she usually didn''t drink, she had a few sips, proudly praising her son for growing up. Yet, she also felt a bit melancholic, leaving her emotions conflicted. Although Lu Yi had transmigrated, he was still raised by them. Seeing their happiness made him equally content. Looking at Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi''s still-youthful faces, Lu Yi resolved that once he reached the Foundation Establishment stage and gained access to more resources, he would help them grow stronger, perhaps even attain immortality in the future. That night, Lu Yi did not cultivate. The three chatted late into the night before Lu Yi finally returned to his room to rest. After days of intense cultivation, Lu Yi felt somewhat fatigued and mentally strained. Following a good night''s sleep, Lu Yi felt refreshed and more optimistic. Cultivation also required a balance between work and rest. Occasional breaks could actually improve efficiency and mindset. In the following days, Lu Yi''s home was bustling with visitors, including colleagues of Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi¡ªfellow stewards who brought gifts to congratulate Lu Yi for achieving first place in the outer sect competition and qualifying for the inner sect. Many admired Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi, as their son had a promising future. With Lu Yi''s rise, they might eventually reach the Golden Core stage and leave their peers behind. Several elders also came to offer congratulations, including Qi Feiyu, the elder of the Affairs Hall where Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi worked. Lu Yi learned that Qi Feiyu had always looked after his parents, so he showed him great respect, which made Qi Feiyu beam with pride. A prodigy who had cultivated two techniques and one skill to perfection at Qi Refining Stage 7, even mastering Sword Intent, treated him with respect¡ªhow could Qi Feiyu not be pleased? As an ordinary Golden Core cultivator unlikely to reach the Nascent Soul Realm, Qi Feiyu recognized Lu Yi''s immense potential. With a bit of luck, Lu Yi might even reach the Void Refinement Realm, becoming a powerhouse in Green Province and the Eastern Region. Qi Feiyu secretly resolved to provide even more support to Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. Additionally, some inner sect elders invited Lu Yi to join their peaks. However, Lu Yi declined, stating his intention to participate in the Lingluo Peak assessment. After that, they stopped bothering him. Besides the visitors, Jiang Fan also came by once. Lu Yi proposed a sparring match, which Jiang Fan gladly accepted. The two sparred in a secluded forest for an afternoon, and when Jiang Fan left, Lu Yi had obtained twenty drops of Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk. Lu Yi enthusiastically saw Jiang Fan off, hoping for another visit. Similarly, Bai Yulong and Li Yun also came by for sparring matches. After obtaining the fifth trace of Sword Intent from Bai Yulong, the reward changed to five Perfect Qi Condensation Pills. Lu Yi felt slightly disappointed, as he had hoped to enhance his Sword Intent further. Nonetheless, five traces of Sword Intent significantly increased its power, making it several times stronger than before. As for Li Yun''s rewards, they consisted of ordinary Perfect Qi Condensation Pills. Being a battle maniac, Li Yun provided Lu Yi with a staggering seventy-five Qi Condensation Pills in one afternoon. Adding these to the pills obtained from Bai Yulong and previous tasks, Lu Yi now had over a hundred Perfect Qi Condensation Pills¡ªenough for a while. This made Lu Yi very happy. ¡­¡­ Time passed quickly, and on the sixth night¡ª Lu Yi sat cross-legged in his room, spiritual energy swirling around him as his aura fluctuated intensely. Within Lu Yi''s body, the spiritual energy contained in the Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk surged. His cultivation was advancing at an astonishing pace. The Lv9 White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique was incredibly powerful. Lu Yi suspected even Foundation Establishment cultivators might not absorb spiritual energy as quickly as he did. Typically, a drop of Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk would take a Qi Refining Stage 7 cultivator months to refine. Yet, Lu Yi could fully absorb it in just one night. With such efficiency, Lu Yi''s cultivation speed soared. As the spiritual energy circulated, Lu Yi sensed a barrier. The bottleneck for Qi Refining Stage 7 had arrived. Lu Yi felt delighted. Breaking through to Stage 8 in under a month¡ªthis speed was insane! Just as Lu Yi prepared to break through, he paused and thought of something. Wait¡­ could he issue a task for breaking through? Feeling curious, Lu Yi murmured in his heart, "I want to break through to Qi Refining Stage 8." Chapter 36: Rewards for Reaching Qi Refining Stage Eight [Mission]: Breakthrough to Qi Refining Stage Eight (Progress: 0/1) Reward: Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk * 1 Accept Mission: Yes/No Lu Yi: ¡°???¡± Staring at the reward, Lu Yi''s mind was filled with question marks. It actually worked?! And the reward was Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk?! Lu Yi''s heart instantly ached. When he broke through to Qi Refining Stage Seven before, he didn¡¯t issue a mission. What a huge loss! He almost wanted to cry. After taking several deep breaths, he finally calmed down. The past was the past. Regret was useless. From now on, he had to develop a good habit of issuing missions anytime and anywhere to see if tasks could be triggered. Lu Yi made up his mind and immediately accepted the mission. Afterward, Lu Yi began circulating the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique to break through the bottleneck. Now that his White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique had reached Level 9, its power was much stronger than before. When Lu Yi broke through to Qi Refining Stage Seven, the bottleneck had resisted slightly. However, this time, with the help of the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique and the spiritual energy from the Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk, the bottleneck didn¡¯t even resist. It was shattered almost instantly. Spiritual energy flowed through Lu Yi¡¯s body, slowly refining his physique. He exhaled a mouthful of foul air and opened his eyes. Qi Refining Stage Eight. This time, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t as surprised. From now on, breakthroughs would become routine for him, and he needed to learn to adapt. After the breakthrough, Lu Yi immediately claimed his reward. A porcelain bottle appeared in his hand. He opened it and took a sniff. The spiritual energy emanating from it was far more concentrated than that of the Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk. He carefully stored the Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk and felt a bit troubled. He had too many treasures now. Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk, Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, high-grade magical artifacts, Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills... He didn¡¯t even know where to put them all. Fortunately, he could enter the inner sect tomorrow, where he would receive a storage ring. Lu Yi was looking forward to the storage ring to store all his treasures. Learning from his previous experience, Lu Yi immediately issued another mission in his mind to break through to Qi Refining Stage Nine. As expected, the reward was another drop of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk. Looking at the reward, he suddenly felt motivated, closed his eyes, and began cultivating again, feeling content.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ... The next morning, Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of spiritual light flashing within them. After a night of cultivation, he had completely absorbed the spiritual energy from the Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk and stabilized his Qi Refining Stage Eight cultivation. Getting out of bed, Lu Yi stretched and left his room, heading to the main hall. In the hall, Lu Gaoyang was sitting at the table, carefully wiping his mid-grade magical artifact sword. Lu Yi glanced at it and looked away. If it had been before, he might have wanted to touch it. But now? He, Lu Yi, had a high-grade magical artifact. Seeing Lu Yi come in, Lu Gaoyang put away his sword and smiled. ¡°Yi¡¯er, you¡¯re up early today.¡± Lu Yi sat at the table and nodded with a smile. ¡°Mm, I finished my cultivation task early today. By the way, where¡¯s Mom?¡± He looked around but didn¡¯t see Wang Siqi. At this moment, Wang Siqi walked in from outside, her beautiful face carrying a gentle smile. ¡°I was in the kitchen making breakfast.¡± As she spoke, she took out portions of breakfast from her storage ring. It must be said that storage rings in this world were far more convenient than in his previous life. At least when serving food, there was no need to worry about making multiple trips. Everything could be taken out in one go. Watching Wang Siqi continuously take out breakfast, Lu Yi said cheerfully, ¡°Mom, why is breakfast so rich today?¡± Lu Gaoyang also laughed. ¡°How could it not be? This brat is finally entering the inner sect. After this, no one will disturb our couple time anymore.¡± Lu Yi¡¯s smile froze. ¡°???¡± Wang Siqi glanced at Lu Gaoyang with a subtle look, and his smile also stiffened. Wang Siqi sat down and placed a bun in Lu Yi¡¯s bowl, smiling gently. ¡°Yi¡¯er, once you enter the inner sect, you need to work hard. You might not be able to come back often, so I wanted to make something delicious for you today.¡± Facing Wang Siqi¡¯s gentle gaze, Lu Yi felt warm inside and smiled. ¡°Thank you, Mom.¡± But he couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit strange. Why did entering the inner sect feel like going away for college in his past life? The sense of deja vu was strong. ¡°Alright, eat up,¡± Wang Siqi said with a smile. Lu Gaoyang¡¯s expression turned serious as he looked at Lu Yi and said, ¡°Brat, your talent is good, but you must remember that there are always people better than you. Don¡¯t stir up trouble in the inner sect. Focus on cultivation.¡± Lu Yi quickly nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad. You know me. I¡¯m not someone who causes trouble.¡± Lu Gaoyang relaxed and nodded. ¡°I trust you.¡± Then he asked, ¡°After entering the inner sect, are you going to Lingluo Peak?¡± Lu Yi nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± His mind flashed to Liu Ningshuang¡¯s elegant face. He still had a mission to make his senior sister fall for him. Thinking about it made him a bit embarrassed. Lu Gaoyang nodded. ¡°I heard Lingluo Peak¡¯s assessment isn¡¯t easy. Be careful.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°I will.¡± Wang Siqi was more optimistic. ¡°With Yi¡¯er¡¯s talent, entering Lingluo Peak is no problem. He might even become the peak master¡¯s disciple.¡± The three of them finished breakfast while chatting, and then stepped out into the courtyard. Wang Siqi gently patted Lu Yi¡¯s hair and reminded him with a smile, ¡°Remember to dress warmly and don¡¯t overwork yourself in cultivation. Safety is the most important thing.¡± Lu Yi smiled and listened without interrupting. After a while, Lu Gaoyang said, ¡°Alright, it¡¯s about time.¡± Wang Siqi nodded and looked at Lu Yi. ¡°Go on.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m leaving now.¡± Lu Gaoyang nodded. ¡°Stay safe.¡± Lu Yi waved to them and then left for the outer sect hall. The outer sect hall was located on White Cry Peak, not far from White Spirit Peak. With Lu Yi¡¯s speed, it didn¡¯t take long to arrive. The grand, magnificent hall on White Cry Peak was the outer sect hall. Inside the hall, Outer Sect Elder Du Gufang and Jiang Fan were already present. Seeing Lu Yi enter, they looked over. Jiang Fan smiled. ¡°Lu Yi, you¡¯re a bit late.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°I chatted a bit longer with my family.¡± Bai Yulong waved his folding fan. ¡°Lu Yi, you¡¯re lucky to have family in White Cloud Sect.¡± Others also nodded in agreement. Most disciples came from the mortal world and rarely saw their families after joining White Cloud Sect. For younger disciples, this feeling was complicated. Du Gufang smiled. ¡°Since everyone is here, let¡¯s head to the inner sect.¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. Even Lu Yi felt a thrill. Finally, they were going to the inner sect¡ªthe true elite of White Cloud Sect. Chapter 37: Entering the Inner Sect A group of people exited the main hall and arrived at the square outside the Outer Sect''s main hall. With a wave of his hand, Du Gufang summoned a massive flying sword over ten meters long in front of everyone. Lu Yi and the others, who were fairly knowledgeable, widened their eyes slightly in surprise upon seeing the sword. "Is this a flying sword? A flying magical treasure?!" Typically, Foundation Establishment cultivators could use their swords for flight, turning their weapons into tools for transportation. However, such tools were generally inconvenient for carrying others. Otherwise, when Lu Yi was heading to the martial arts platform for the competition earlier, Lu Gaoyang wouldn¡¯t have needed to carry him. Aside from using regular magical treasures for flying, there were also specialized flying magical treasures. These flying treasures were crafted specifically for travel, offering more functions and greater speed. Of course, such flying magical treasures were usually quite expensive. The massive sword before them was clearly a flying magical treasure. Lu Yi and the others revealed expressions of envy. Flying treasures were extremely precious and costly. Du Gufang¡¯s eyes flashed with pride. Maintaining the dignity of a Grand Elder, he smiled faintly and said, "Get on. It¡¯s just a flying magical treasure. As long as you work hard, you¡¯ll have one too in the future." Lu Yi and the others stepped onto the flying sword. Du Gufang waved his sleeve, and the sword soared into the sky, disappearing into the clouds as it flew toward the Inner Sect. The sword was incredibly fast, and it created a barrier of spiritual energy during flight to shield against the strong winds. It was smooth and comfortable to sit in. On the way, Du Gufang briefly introduced the Inner Sect. Unlike the Outer Sect, the Inner Sect disciples were the true elites of the White Cloud Sect. Competition in the Inner Sect was naturally much fiercer, and there were more things to be mindful of. Lu Yi and the others listened attentively. Before long, the sword pierced through a layer of clouds, revealing a breathtaking scene. It was a vast mountain range with twelve towering peaks surrounded by smaller peaks. At the center of the twelve peaks was a massive basin, within which lay a small city. The city¡¯s center featured a towering pagoda that pierced the sky. This was the White Cloud Sect¡¯s Trial Tower. As Du Gufang had mentioned earlier, it was a high-grade magical treasure brought back by predecessors from ancient ruins, used for training Inner Sect disciples. Around the Trial Tower were pavilions, terraces, and decorated corridors, exuding grandeur and prosperity. The entire area was veiled in flowing white clouds, with numerous cultivators flying on swords and white cranes soaring through the skies, giving it an ethereal and divine appearance.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Lu Yi and the others were awestruck, completely captivated by the scene. It was nothing like the Outer Sect. Lin Wan¡¯er and Liu Tian, being female, were especially mesmerized, their eyes sparkling. Lin Wan¡¯er whispered, "It¡¯s so beautiful." Liu Tian nodded repeatedly in agreement. Du Gufang chuckled. "This is the Inner Sect area of the White Cloud Sect. From now on, this will be where you live and cultivate." Lu Yi and the others looked at the disciples flying on swords, their eyes full of anticipation. Du Gufang smiled faintly. "I¡¯ll take you to the Inner Sect Affairs Hall first. Since you¡¯re new here, you¡¯ll need to register as Inner Sect disciples and receive your identity tokens." Lu Yi and the others nodded. Du Gufang steered the flying sword toward the central city and soon landed outside a grand hall. Outside the hall was a vast square where many cultivators landed and took off on swords. They looked energetic and exuded powerful auras. Even Lu Yi could sense overwhelming pressure from some of them. However, there were also some whose auras felt relatively ordinary. Lu Yi speculated that these were likely recent Inner Sect entrants and not very strong yet. Their arrival on the flying sword attracted considerable attention since such treasures were rare even in the White Cloud Sect. Upon seeing Du Gufang and the group on the flying sword, the senior disciples quickly understood. "It¡¯s Elder Du Gufang." "Oh, the Outer Sect competition just ended, didn¡¯t it? These must be the top ten from this year¡¯s competition." "The Outer Sect competition, huh? I heard there were two geniuses this time," a disciple commented with a laugh. "Geniuses? Are you serious? We all came from the Outer Sect. Outer Sect talents don¡¯t really count as geniuses here." "Exactly. Calling them geniuses is a bit much." "You don¡¯t get it. I heard from an elder who visited the Outer Sect that one of them mastered Foundation Establishment techniques at the tenth level of Qi Refining, while the other, even more shocking, was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining but had mastered two combat techniques and a cultivation method to the Perfected Realm. He even comprehended sword intent! He has a real chance to reach the Nascent Soul Realm or even the Void Refinement Realm in the future. Isn¡¯t that genius enough?!" This statement stunned the listeners, who looked at Du Gufang¡¯s group with surprise. Even those who hadn¡¯t paid much attention before now turned to look, clearly astonished. A commotion ensued. "Are you serious?! The first one is impressive, but the second one? Someone like that came from the Outer Sect?! With that talent, shouldn¡¯t he have been taken straight into the Inner Sect for grooming?" "Exactly. With talent like that, he should at least be a direct disciple of a Nascent Soul elder or even a peak master!" "I don¡¯t know. This is what my elder from Dark Water Peak said, so it should be reliable." "Who are these two? We should get to know them." The disciple thought for a moment, his expression turning odd. "The one at the seventh level of Qi Refining is supposedly the most handsome among the top ten. The one at the tenth level is... the most ordinary-looking?" Du Gufang: "..." Lu Yi: "..." Bai Yulong and the others: "..." Jiang Fan: "?????" Though the Inner Sect disciples spoke softly and were some distance away, Lu Yi and the others were high-level Qi Refining cultivators with sharp hearing. They heard everything clearly. Their expressions turned awkward. Du Gufang, as the Grand Elder, quickly regained his composure after a slight twitch of his face. Lu Yi and the others, however, looked visibly embarrassed. Lu Yi glanced at Jiang Fan, feeling a bit guilty. There was no denying that he did outshine Jiang Fan in terms of looks, but pointing it out so bluntly felt uncomfortable. Even Jiang Fan, despite his strong mentality, was momentarily flustered, his expression stiff. He scratched his nose helplessly. "Is it wrong to look ordinary?" Lu Yi said seriously, "Jiang Fan, don¡¯t think too much about it. We all know your talent and skills." "Yeah, Jiang Fan. Strength is what really matters for a man. Pretty boys are just soft and weak," sneered Li Yun. Lu Yi: "???" Feeling personally attacked; Lu Yi¡¯s expression darkened. Bai Yulong also looked uncomfortable. Tapping his folding fan, he asked, "Do they really think Lu Yi is the most handsome?" "Isn¡¯t he?" Lin Wan¡¯er glanced at Bai Yulong. Bai Yulong coughed and straightened his back with a smile. Liu Tian added, "Bai Yulong, stop dreaming. In terms of looks, you¡¯re no match for Lu Yi." Bai Yulong froze, completely deflated. Du Gufang cleared his throat. "Alright, let¡¯s head inside." Everyone composed themselves and, under the watchful eyes of the senior disciples, entered the Affairs Hall. Chapter 38: Are You Lu Yi? Upon entering the Affairs Hall, Du Gufang led Lu Yi and the others through the vast hall and arrived at a smaller room designated for registering inner disciples. Inside the room, an elderly man in a gray robe was reclining on a chair. When he saw Du Gufang bring people in, he stood up with a smile and said, "Elder Du Gu, you''re a bit later than last time." Du Gufang grinned and replied, "It doesn''t make much difference since you''re always so free here anyway." The gray-robed elder chuckled and said, "That''s true. Only a handful of people join White Cloud Sect''s inner sect each year. I really don''t have much to do." As he spoke, the elder scanned Lu Yi and the others and smiled. "Are these the top ten from the outer sect competition?" Du Gufang nodded. "Yes." Then he introduced the elder to Lu Yi and the others. "This is Elder Li Wang of the Affairs Hall." Lu Yi was slightly surprised. He didn''t expect the elder to be of such high status, which explained his familiarity with Elder Du Gu. They quickly greeted him with respect. "Greetings, Elder Li." Li Wang smiled and nodded, saying, "Not bad, young ones. Come, let me register you." He leisurely walked over to a desk and sat down. Du Gufang said, "Lu Yi, you go first." Lu Yi nodded and stepped forward to Elder Li Wang''s desk. Li Wang glanced at Lu Yi and said with a smile, "So, you are Lu Yi? After the competition, the other elders were all talking about a genius who emerged from the outer sect¡ªsomeone so young who has already mastered techniques and cultivation to the True Essence realm and even comprehended Sword Intent. Quite extraordinary." Lu Yi replied humbly, "The elders are too kind." Li Wang smiled and didn''t say more. He simply asked Lu Yi for some basic information, registered it, and then handed over a white ring and a white token. "This spatial ring is a benefit for inner disciples. It contains a few sets of inner sect clothing and a guide to the inner sect rules. Be sure to read it carefully to avoid violating sect rules and getting punished. The inner sect disciple token is also important. You''ll need it for sect tasks, earning and spending contribution points, and more. If you lose it, you''ll need to spend spirit stones to get a replacement." Lu Yi nodded repeatedly, accepting the spatial ring and token. The spatial ring was undoubtedly a treasure. As for the inner sect token, Du Gufang had already explained its uses during their journey. It functioned somewhat like a university ID card from his previous life, storing information about the disciples, tracking points, facilitating transactions, and even acting as an access pass.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Lu Yi put on the ring and stored the token inside it before stepping back. Next, it was Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong, and the others'' turn. They proceeded one by one in ranking order. Once Wan Hua received his spatial ring and token, the registration process was complete. Li Wang said, "Now that your information is registered, you are officially inner disciples. Elder Du Gufang must have already introduced you to the Twelve Peaks of the inner sect. If you''re still unsure, check the guide in your ring. Choose a peak based on your future development. Although some say the peaks vary in prestige, all Twelve Peaks of White Cloud Sect have their strengths. Pick the one that suits you best." Lu Yi and the others nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Elder Li, for your guidance." Li Wang waved his hand. "Off you go." Du Gufang smiled and said, "Elder Li, I''ll take my leave now." Li Wang nodded and laughed. "Come visit me sometime. We can share a drink." "No problem." Du Gufang then led Lu Yi and the others out of the Affairs Hall. Outside, Du Gufang looked at them and smiled. "Alright, you are now officially inner disciples. From White Cloud Market, there are paths to each peak. Feel free to ask for directions if needed. One more reminder: each peak specializes in different areas, so choose wisely based on your strengths and goals." Lu Yi and the others nodded, indicating they understood. After bidding farewell, Du Gufang transformed into a streak of sword light and vanished into the sky, leaving the ten of them behind. Eager to join their desired peaks, the group said their goodbyes and set off in different directions. Lu Yi, of course, headed toward Ling Luo Peak. During the journey, Du Gufang had already pointed out the direction of Ling Luo Peak, so Lu Yi memorized it and headed there. White Cloud Market was vast, with complex roads, but finding the Twelve Peaks was easy with directions. Lu Yi quickly arrived at the foot of Ling Luo Peak. From the base, the peak looked even more massive. Although Lu Yi had never seen Mount Everest in his previous life, Ling Luo Peak seemed even taller. At the end of the path was a stone staircase leading up the mountain, guarded by two older male cultivators. These two were dressed in servant disciple uniforms, not inner sect robes. Lu Yi wasn''t surprised. Proper disciples of White Cloud Sect focused on cultivation, leaving chores to servant disciples and attendants, a norm for both outer and inner sects. However, these servant disciples had Qi Refining cultivation, far stronger than most outer sect servants who hadn''t even reached Qi Refining. Judging by their age, though, advancing to Foundation Establishment seemed unlikely. Noticing Lu Yi''s outer sect robes, the older of the two greeted him with a slight bow. "Senior Brother, do you have business at Ling Luo Peak?" Lu Yi smiled. "Greetings, Junior Brothers. I am Lu Yi, newly promoted to the inner sect through the competition. I wish to join Ling Luo Peak. Can you take me to the assessment?" He showed them his inner sect token. Seeing the token, the older disciple quickly said, "So you are Senior Brother Lu! Please follow me. I''ll take you to Steward Xiao, who handles entry assessments." Lu Yi nodded with a smile and followed him up the stairs. Not long after, they reached a platform with a palace. The older disciple led Lu Yi to the plaza in front of it. He introduced it, "Senior Brother, this is the Entry Assessment Hall. Steward Xiao is inside." Then he led Lu Yi into the hall, where a middle-aged man with a gentle appearance sat meditating, surrounded by flowing spiritual energy. Lu Yi paused. Meditating during work hours? Was this place that intense? Did he accidentally join the most competitive peak? Feeling a bit uneasy, Lu Yi waited. The middle-aged man opened his eyes upon hearing them. The servant disciple said, "Steward Xiao, this is Senior Brother Lu Yi, who joined the inner sect through the competition. He wishes to join Ling Luo Peak and is here for the assessment." Steward Xiao looked at Lu Yi with a slightly strange expression and said, "So, you are Lu Yi?" Chapter 39: The Shock of Lingluo Peak Lu Yi was stunned when he heard Steward Xiao''s words. He asked in confusion, "Steward Xiao, do you know me?" Steward Xiao''s mouth twitched, and his expression was very complicated. "How could I not know you? These past few days, the elders have been coming to me every day, telling me to notify them immediately if you come to Lingluo Peak. It seems they all have their eyes on you. I have to say, even in Lingluo Peak, your talent is extremely rare." Steward Xiao was well aware of Lu Yi''s performance in the Outer Sect Competition. After all, as the steward responsible for the entry assessment, how could he not know the talents and strengths of the top ten in the Outer Sect? These were important reference points for the assessment. Thinking about Lu Yi''s talent, Steward Xiao felt a bit numb. He had cultivated tirelessly for nearly a hundred years, yet he still hadn''t broken through to the Golden Core stage. As for comprehending an Intent? Haha, what was that? Was the gap between people really this vast? Steward Xiao deeply felt the malice of the world. Fortunately, he was the assessment steward of Lingluo Peak. Having encountered many genius disciples and endured numerous blows, his Dao heart was firm enough not to suffer from Qi Deviation. Lu Yi smiled and said, "Steward Xiao, you''re flattering me." Steward Xiao shook his head. "This is not flattery. I''ve been in charge of assessments for so many years and have seen tens of thousands of inner disciples. Few can match you." He then said, "Wait here for a moment. I''ll notify the elders; otherwise..." At this point, Steward Xiao shivered. "My little arms and legs can''t handle being pulled apart by those elders." Lu Yi looked at Steward Xiao sympathetically. It seemed like life was tough for him in a place full of big shots. Then, Lu Yi saw Steward Xiao take out a communication token and send a message. Not long after the message was sent, waves of powerful auras rose from Lingluo Peak, all at the Nascent Soul Realm. One after another, these powerful auras surged, startling the disciples of Lingluo Peak, who were meditating. They opened their eyes and rushed out of their caves. "What''s going on?! Are we under attack?!" "Which demonic cultivator dares to invade White Cloud Sect?! Not only that, they dare to come to our Lingluo Peak?! Aren''t they afraid our Peak Master will flay them alive?!" "Where is the demonic cultivator?! I just learned a new Golden Core technique. Let them come and die!" Soon, these disciples realized something was wrong.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Hmm? What''s going on? These auras... they seem to belong to the elders?" "No enemy presence? What''s up with the elders?" They saw beams of light rise from the peak and surrounding smaller peaks, turning into streaks of light shooting towards the Entry Assessment Hall. The disciples were dumbfounded. "What''s happening at the Entry Assessment Hall? Why are all the elders going there?" "Judging by their imposing manner... are they about to fight?" "Let''s go check it out!" One by one, the disciples flew towards the Entry Assessment Hall. ... Inside the Entry Assessment Hall, Lu Yi felt the powerful auras rapidly approaching and was dumbfounded. Sweat appeared on his forehead as he looked at Steward Xiao. "...Steward Xiao, how many elders asked you about me before?" Steward Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Pretty much all of them." Lu Yi: "?????" His scalp tingled as he saw the aggressive demeanor of the elders. He began to worry if he might get torn apart by them. At this moment, beams of light landed in the plaza outside, transforming into figures. There were men and women, some handsome, some ordinary-looking, some appearing young, and others looking old. In total, there were about twenty of them. All of them were Nascent Soul cultivators! The surging auras of these Nascent Soul cultivators made the middle-aged servant disciple beside them sway, nearly fainting. He had never seen so many Nascent Soul cultivators gathered at Lingluo Peak in his entire life. The middle-aged servant disciple couldn''t help but glance at Lu Yi, his mind filled with questions. Just who was this senior brother? The Nascent Soul cultivators exchanged glances, their expressions sharp, each looking displeased with the others. A handsome elder in a white robe holding a jade flute smiled and said, "Why are you all here?" A beautiful and mature elder in a purple dress sneered, "Dong Wanglian, stop pretending. We all came for Lu Yi, didn''t we?" An old man with white hair, wrinkles, and a strong build grinned. "That''s right. No need to hide it. We all see this kid as a promising talent." Dong Wanglian squinted, displeased. He sneered, "If that''s the case, let''s settle this!" A chubby and kind-looking Nascent Soul elder laughed. "Don''t ruin the harmony. Recruiting a disciple is a big deal. We should at least ask Lu Yi''s opinion first, right?" A cold and beautiful female cultivator with black hair nodded. "Besides, Lu Yi hasn''t even started the assessment yet." The elders calmed down after hearing these words. At this moment, more beams of light approached. These auras were weaker, at Foundation Establishment and Golden Core levels. However, these were young cultivators, all wearing the uniforms of inner disciples, core disciples, or even personal disciples of Lingluo Peak. After arriving, these disciples looked at the elders and then inside the hall. Seeing three people¡ªone servant disciple, ignored; Steward Xiao, also ignored; and finally, an unfamiliar, handsome young man. The disciples of Lingluo Peak were all geniuses, quick to deduce the situation, and began whispering. "Who is that guy?" "Not sure, but he seems important. The elders are clearly here for him." "I think I know who he is." A refined Golden Core youth examined Lu Yi with curiosity. "Who?" The others looked at him eagerly. "He should be Lu Yi, the champion of this Outer Sect Competition." The youth''s eyes gleamed. "Outer Sect Competition? Champion? What''s that?" The disciples were puzzled. "Are you kidding? The Outer Sect is barely qualified to enter Lingluo Peak, let alone have so many elders fighting over someone." A girl scoffed. "Yeah, are you serious?" another Golden Core disciple added. The refined youth rolled his eyes. "You don''t understand. This guy has more talent than all of us." "..." The disciples were speechless. "Listen to yourself, Nangong. Do you believe what you''re saying?" "Yeah, I don''t buy it. We''re among the top talents here. Someone from the Outer Sect better than us?" Nangong Moyu said, "This guy is at the seventh level of Qi Refining and has comprehended Sword Intent." The disciples: "??????" The atmosphere fell silent. Expressions froze as the disciples slowly turned to look at Lu Yi, their gazes filled with disbelief, as if they were looking at a monster. Chapter 40: Comprehension Stronger Than Liu Ningshuang "Comprehending intent at the Qi Refining Stage?!" "Hiss... No wonder so many elders showed up. Is this guy really from the Outer Sect?!" The disciples were utterly shocked. At this moment, Elder Dong Wanglian and several other elders had already arrived in the hall. Deacon Xiao quickly spoke, "Greetings, Elders." Lu Yi also stepped forward and said, "Lu Yi greets the Elders." The elders nodded at Lu Yi with warm smiles. "Welcome to Ling Luo Peak, young man." "Kid, do well in the assessment. I have high hopes for you!" "..." Then they turned to Deacon Xiao. Elder Dong Wanglian said, "Deacon Xiao, why haven''t you started the assessment yet?" Being stared at by several Nascent Soul experts made Deacon Xiao a bit nervous. He quickly nodded. "Yes, Elder Dong Wang." He looked at Lu Yi and smiled. "Lu Yi, the entrance assessment for Ling Luo Peak is the most difficult among all twelve peaks in the sect. According to the Peak Master''s philosophy, we prioritize quality over quantity, using limited resources to cultivate the most promising disciples. However, this difficulty mainly applies to ordinary disciples. For you, it might just be a formality. "Generally, disciples who can enter the Inner Sect have no issues with their talent. Therefore, our entrance assessment focuses on two aspects: comprehension and combat ability. The comprehension test involves grasping a technique." As he spoke, Deacon Xiao flipped his hand, and a book appeared. "Lu Yi, this is the Qi Refining technique ''Nine Shadow Sword.'' Among Qi Refining techniques, it is considered quite difficult. Your task is to grasp the basics of this technique within two hours." Lu Yi took the book, raised an eyebrow, and smiled. "Understood." No wonder Ling Luo Peak''s assessment is considered difficult. Two hours, equivalent to four hours, to grasp a technique¡ªeven if it''s just a Qi Refining technique¡ªis no easy feat. Meanwhile, Lu Yi silently thought, "I want to read through the ''Nine Shadow Sword'' manual." [Task] Read through the ''Nine Shadow Sword'' manual (0/1) Reward: ''Nine Shadow Sword'' Level +1 Accept: Yes/No As expected, Lu Yi was delighted. For just grasping the basics, he only needed to read through it once. Practically no difficulty at all.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Then Lu Yi had another thought and silently said, "I want to pass the entrance assessment for Ling Luo Peak." [Task] Pass the Ling Luo Peak entrance assessment. Reward: Spiritual Water Essence, Mid-Grade Magical Item ''White Spirit Belt.'' Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi''s eyes lit up, pleasantly surprised. Goodness, this entrance assessment offers such generous rewards? Although not as grand as winning first place in a competition, it''s already impressive! He quickly accepted the task. Deacon Xiao pointed to a cushion in the hall and said, "You can sit on the cushion to comprehend the technique. We won''t disturb you." Lu Yi smiled and nodded. He then sat on the cushion and opened the ''Nine Shadow Sword'' manual. Compared to the White Cloud Sword Technique, which emphasizes ethereal and unpredictable movements, the Nine Shadow Sword focuses more on speed and unpredictability. As comprehension deepens, the sword can create multiple shadows during strikes, making it highly formidable. Lu Yi immersed himself in the manual, quietly reading. While he was reading, the elders and disciples refrained from disturbing him. Instead, they communicated through voice transmissions. "It''s starting!" "Let''s make a bet. How long do you think it''ll take him to grasp the technique?" "You¡¯ve been influenced by the Peak Master, haven¡¯t you? Always betting... I bet one hour. His cultivation is still low. If he were at the Foundation Establishment stage, it¡¯d be much faster." "Hah... Impossible! Lu Yi has already comprehended sword intent. Even with low cultivation, it won¡¯t take him long to grasp a technique. I bet half an hour." "Half an hour?! No way! The Nine Shadow Sword is notoriously difficult. No matter how high his comprehension, he can''t grasp it in just half an hour!" "Hmph, we¡¯ll see!" "Let¡¯s wait and see!" "..." Lu Yi spent about ten minutes reading through the manual. After finishing, he glanced at his status panel and saw the task marked as complete. He happily claimed the reward, and information about the Nine Shadow Sword flooded into his mind. After absorbing it, he had already grasped the basics. He looked at the ''Nine Shadow Sword (Lv1)'' label on his panel, then checked the time. He couldn''t help but marvel. That was fast. Lu Yi suddenly felt like a top student. In his past life, there were always those who finished exams in half the time, making others envious and annoyed. Now he was that person. Four hours for the assessment, and he finished in just over ten minutes. How impressive was that? However, Lu Yi also felt a bit troubled. Standing up now might seem too ostentatious. He wasn''t one to show off. So, Lu Yi pretended to study the manual carefully again, while thinking about which Nascent Soul elder would make the best teacher. After another half hour, Lu Yi felt it was about time. Getting up now wouldn¡¯t seem too over-the-top. He stood up. Seeing this, the elders and disciples'' eyes lit up with excitement as they whispered among themselves. "He¡¯s done already? It¡¯s only been fifteen minutes. Isn¡¯t that too fast?" "Don¡¯t rush. He hasn¡¯t demonstrated it yet. He¡¯ll probably need a few practice runs." "Makes sense... How many tries do you think he¡¯ll need to master it?" "Within ten tries!" "Even so, it¡¯s still within half an hour, right?" "Let¡¯s just watch." "..." As they discussed, Lu Yi took out a longsword from his spatial ring and swung it. Swish!! The sword sliced through the air, leaving behind a sharp sword shadow¡ªa hallmark of mastering the Nine Shadow Sword. Everyone: "???" The hall fell silent as elders and disciples stared blankly at the fading sword shadow. Then, a disciple exclaimed, "He¡¯s mastered it?! Already?!" The others erupted in shock. "Two quarters of an hour to grasp the Nine Shadow Sword! What kind of monster is Lu Yi?!" "Yeah! He didn¡¯t even practice! Did he just simulate it in his mind after reading the manual?!" "No wonder he comprehended sword intent at the Qi Refining Stage. His comprehension is simply inhuman!" The disciples were stunned, and even the elders exchanged shocked glances. "Such comprehension..." "If he were at Foundation Establishment, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he mastered it in fifteen minutes. But he¡¯s only at Qi Refining!" "Yes, mastering such a difficult technique in fifteen minutes at this stage is unbelievable." "His comprehension might rival Liu Ningshuang¡¯s... No, it might even be stronger!" a Nascent Soul elder remarked. Chapter 41: What to Do When Youre Too Popular? The other elders fell silent upon hearing this. In the next moment, all the elders'' eyes gleamed green as they stared at Lu Yi. Who wouldn''t want a disciple with such talent?! Liu Ningshuang was an exception¡ªthey couldn''t dare fight the peak master to take her as a disciple. But now¡­ Lu Yi, this treasure, hadn''t been noticed by the peak master yet. This was their chance! For a moment, they glanced at each other and saw the same thoughts reflected in their eyes. They all sneered simultaneously, their auras slowly surging. A terrifying pressure began to spread within the hall. Dong Wanglian gently brushed his jade flute and said, "Heh, come on then. Let''s see who''s more qualified to teach Lu Yi!" The alluring female elder chuckled and produced a red ribbon in her hand. "I couldn''t agree more!" "Come on, who''s afraid of whom?!" "Lu Yi is destined to be my disciple!" In the distance, the disciples who witnessed the normally aloof Nascent Soul elders almost fighting broke out in envy as they looked at Lu Yi. "Have the elders gone crazy? Aren''t they afraid the peak master will punish them for causing such a commotion? The peak master hates disturbances in the peak," said a Golden Core stage youth, whose scalp tingled at the thought of Peak Master Ling Luo''s wrath. Nangong Moyu shrugged and said, "What can they do? Who told this new junior brother to be so talented?" "That''s true¡­ Setting everything else aside, just his comprehension ability alone might rival Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang." "Looks like we''ll have to get along well with this junior brother in the future." Everyone nodded. Lu Yi looked at the elders, who were about to draw their swords, and couldn''t help but feel a bit speechless. Was his earlier display too flashy? He felt a little regretful. If he had known, he would have held back a bit longer. However, he also heard the elders'' comments. His displayed comprehension ability was even stronger than Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang''s? Not bad. That made him a little happy. Beside him, Deacon Xiao saw the elders'' tense standoff and also felt a headache coming. He braced himself and said, "Ahem¡­ Elders, Lu Yi hasn''t finished the assessment yet. Shouldn''t we discuss discipleship after the test?" Hearing this, the elders snapped out of their daze, remembering that the combat test hadn''t been conducted yet.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Lu Yi''s performance in the comprehension test was so shocking that even these seasoned Nascent Soul cultivators had been rattled. "Ahem, indeed, we should finish the test first." "Then let''s proceed with the combat assessment." "If you ask me, Lu Yi''s performance in the outer sect competition already speaks volumes. Even Jiang Fan at Qi Refining Level 10 couldn''t beat him. Isn''t that enough?" said a fiery-tempered elder. "Facts are facts, but rules are rules. The process can''t be skipped." A white-haired elder said, looking at Deacon Xiao. "Xiao, let''s start the combat assessment." Deacon Xiao nodded. "Yes!" He turned to Lu Yi and smiled. "Lu Yi, your opponent will be me. Typically, the standard for this test is to defeat an opponent one small realm above your own. However, in your case¡­ I''ll fight you with Qi Refining Level 10. Is that okay?" Lu Yi smiled. "Of course, no problem." Deacon Xiao nodded. "Then let''s move to the outer square." Lu Yi nodded and followed Deacon Xiao out of the hall. The elders trailed along. Lu Yi glanced at the observing disciples and sensed their powerful auras. He couldn''t help but sigh inwardly¡ªLing Luo Peak''s disciples were indeed strong. As the disciples saw them step outside, they quickly cleared space, leaving plenty of room for the match. Lu Yi and Deacon Xiao stood facing each other. Deacon Xiao drew a long sword, and his aura surged with Qi Refining Level 10 spiritual energy. He smiled at Lu Yi and said, "Ready?" Lu Yi''s spiritual energy also began to flow. He drew his sword and smiled. "Ready." Deacon Xiao''s eyes gleamed, and the next moment, his sword swept forward with sharp sword energy toward Lu Yi. He used the Flowing Wind Sword Technique, showcasing the strength of a typical Qi Refining Level 10 disciple¡ªslightly weaker than Li Yun. For Lu Yi, this was no threat, but for most Qi Refining Level 9 cultivators, this was insurmountable. Lu Yi''s expression remained calm. His sword carried sharp sword intent, and clouds of sword energy formed around his blade as he slashed toward Deacon Xiao. The sword energy almost instantly reached Deacon Xiao. Sensing its sharpness, Deacon Xiao''s pupils contracted. If he were truly at Qi Refining Level 10, this strike might have killed him. Instinctively, he released his Foundation Establishment aura and struck to disperse the sword energy. As the energy dissipated, Deacon Xiao exhaled deeply, still looking slightly shaken. "Combat test passed." The disciples and elders, still gazing at the fading sword clouds, were equally shocked. "Perfection-level White Cloud Sword Technique, combined with sword intent¡­ Junior Brother Lu Yi is indeed impressive." "Heh¡­ Junior Brother Lu Yi is still young. Do you think he might become the next Liu Ningshuang?" "Impossible. Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang is an Innate Ice Spirit Body. No matter how talented Lu Yi''s comprehension is, he can''t match her talent in cultivation." "Regardless, with Junior Brother Lu Yi joining Ling Luo Peak, we might have another pillar of strength." "That''ll be decades from now. Let¡¯s wait until he reaches Golden Core first." "Hahaha, true. Before that, we senior brothers and sisters should take good care of Junior Brother Lu Yi." "No need to say that." "Quiet, it''s starting!" Nangong Moyu said, noticing the restless elders and adopting a spectator''s demeanor. The disciples also perked up, eager to watch the show. With the combat test over, Deacon Xiao smiled and said, "Lu Yi, you''ve passed the entrance exam. Are you sure you want to join Ling Luo Peak?" Lu Yi smiled and nodded. "Of course." Deacon Xiao grinned. "From today onward, you''re officially a disciple of Ling Luo Peak. You can join an elder''s sect or cultivate independently. If you face any difficulties, you can seek guidance from the elders, though that requires sect points." Lu Yi nodded. "Understood." At that moment, the elders'' spiritual energy flared as they quickly surrounded Lu Yi. "Lu Yi! Join my sect! I''ll make you my direct disciple and ensure you have endless cultivation resources!" "Young man, join my sect! I''ll teach you my unique divine technique, a Nascent Soul-level method!" "Kid, I see you''ve grasped sword intent. Join my sect, and I''ll impart all my swordsmanship insights to help you refine your intent!" Lu Yi felt like he was in a market, bombarded by voices. His head began to ache. What to do when you''re too popular? Just then, a crisp voice rang out. "Elders, the peak master wishes to see this disciple!" The elders, who had been clamoring moments ago, instantly fell silent as if someone had pressed a mute button. Chapter 42: Innate Spiritual Body Lu Yi turned his head toward the direction of the voice. At the fork near the assessment hall, there stood a young girl. The girl had long black hair tied into two ponytails, big eyes, a cherry-like mouth, a high nose bridge, and slightly chubby cheeks, giving her the appearance of a sweet and beautiful girl. What caught the most attention were her eyes. They were not the usual black but a peculiar light purple. She wore a light purple dress, exuding a sense of mystery while maintaining her cute demeanor. Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but be amazed in his heart: This girl is really beautiful. She¡¯s the second most beautiful person I¡¯ve seen. The first is Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang. While Lu Yi was marveling, the elders all turned to look at the girl. A white-haired elder gave an awkward laugh, ¡°Haha, hahaha, so it¡¯s Mingyue. Did the Peak Master send you? Are you here to see Lu Yi?¡± The elders all looked at the girl with hope in their eyes, praying that they had misheard earlier. The girl smiled, dimples appearing on her cheeks. She nodded, ¡°Yes, Elder Bai Liu. The Peak Master gave the order.¡± All the elders: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Their expressions immediately stiffened. Lu Yi glanced at the elders and saw their complicated expressions, as if something extremely precious had been taken away from them. Lu Yi felt a bit strange. Did the Peak Master want to take him as a disciple? Nice! After all, the Peak Master of Ling Luo Peak was hailed as the most talented genius in the history of White Cloud Sect! Becoming the disciple of such a powerful figure would undoubtedly be a great opportunity. While Lu Yi was feeling a bit excited, the stunning Nascent Soul Realm elder forced a smile and said, ¡°Since the Peak Master wants to see Lu Yi, we¡¯ll step aside for now.¡± Dong Wanglian also forced a smile, putting away his jade flute. ¡°The Peak Master¡¯s matters take priority.¡± ¡°Indeed, indeed.¡± ¡°In that case, Lu Yi, you should go.¡± The elders reluctantly made way, their expressions so stiff they looked like they were about to cry. Lu Yi felt a bit sympathetic. It seemed that the true boss of Ling Luo Peak was still the Peak Master. Even Nascent Soul elders didn¡¯t seem to have much influence. Lu Yi smiled and said, ¡°Thank you all for your kindness. Since the Peak Master has summoned me, I¡¯ll follow this senior sister first.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s politeness, the elders¡¯ expressions softened a bit. ¡°Go, go!¡± ¡°Kid, what I said earlier still stands. Even if you don¡¯t become my disciple, you can still come to me for guidance about swordsmanship.¡± ¡°Haha, although I can¡¯t teach you my unique techniques anymore, feel free to ask me about cultivation problems anytime, Lu Yi!¡± The elders smiled and spoke warmly, and Lu Yi repeatedly thanked them. He thought Ling Luo Peak was full of kind people, and he liked it here. Lu Yi approached the twin-tailed girl, who said, ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, let¡¯s go.¡± Lu Yi smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll trouble Senior Sister to lead the way.¡± ¡°This is the Peak Master¡¯s order, no trouble at all.¡± The twin-tailed girl said and turned to walk toward the stone steps. As Lu Yi and the girl left, the elders were filled with regret. The beautiful elder sighed deeply, ¡°Sigh¡­ why doesn¡¯t the Peak Master leave at least one genius for us?¡± ¡°Exactly! She already has Liu Ningshuang and Donggong Mingyue, both with innate spiritual bodies¡­¡± Dong Wanglian looked resentful, as if he had been wronged. ¡°Alright, stop complaining. It¡¯s a good thing that Lu Yi caught the Peak Master¡¯s attention. Honestly, with Lu Yi¡¯s comprehension, there¡¯s not much we can teach him. Following the Peak Master will surely help him achieve even greater heights.¡± An older elder shook his head and spoke. The elders fell silent. They knew the elder was right. ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡± Disheartened, the elders turned into streaks of light and disappeared. The disciples who had been watching also dispersed, realizing the show was over. ¡°Back to cultivation!¡± ¡°Damn it, Ling Luo Peak has another monster! This place is too competitive! I thought I was a genius¡­¡± ¡°Stop whining! Who here isn¡¯t a genius?¡± ¡°Exactly, go cultivate harder. At least try not to get completely outclassed by Junior Brother Lu Yi.¡± ¡°I¡¯m canceling one hour of entertainment time to practice techniques instead!¡± ¡°Damn! Are you even human?! Fine, I¡¯ll spend more time studying spells.¡± ¡°¡­If you¡¯re going all out, then I have no choice but to train harder too.¡± One by one, the disciples grumbled as they left, secretly determined to push themselves harder. On the mountain path, Lu Yi followed the twin-tailed Senior Sister as they slowly ascended. Along the way, the twin-tailed Senior Sister glanced at Lu Yi and smiled, ¡°I¡¯m Donggong Mingyue. You¡¯re Lu Yi, right? With so many elders wanting to take you as their disciple, you must be quite talented?¡± ¡°So it¡¯s Senior Sister Donggong.¡± Lu Yi spoke humbly, ¡°My talent is probably just average. The elders were just being kind. Senior Sister must be very talented, right?¡± Donggong Mingyue¡¯s lips curled into a proud smile, and she lifted her chin slightly. ¡°Of course! I have an Innate Thunder Spiritual Body! Just like Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, I¡¯m also an innate spiritual body. I¡¯ll definitely become a peerless powerhouse in the future!¡± ¡°Innate Thunder Spiritual Body?!¡± Lu Yi¡¯s eyes widened as he looked at Donggong Mingyue in surprise. He was genuinely shocked. In this world, people were not born equal. Some had talent for cultivation, while others were destined to remain ordinary. Even among cultivators, talent varied greatly. The most exceptional were those with special physiques and talents¡ªtrue prodigies. Innate Spiritual Bodies were renowned and incredibly powerful constitutions in the cultivation world! Such people were guaranteed to reach the Void Refinement Realm, and with great opportunities, they might even achieve Fusion, Great Ascension, or transcend into immortality! There were rumors about Liu Ningshuang having an Innate Ice Spiritual Body, though it was never confirmed. Now it turned out this Senior Sister also had an Innate Spiritual Body! These were the true geniuses. Lu Yi admitted he felt a bit envious. His talent was quite ordinary. Lu Yi said enviously, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Senior Sister Donggong to have such talent. Is Senior Sister also a disciple of the Peak Master?¡± Lu Yi was curious. If the Peak Master took a disciple, it would be a big deal. When Liu Ningshuang became her disciple, the entire White Cloud Sect knew about it. So why hadn¡¯t he heard of another disciple? Hearing this, Donggong Mingyue¡¯s smile froze, and she looked troubled. ¡°It¡¯s not that easy. The Peak Master has special requirements for accepting disciples. I haven¡¯t met them yet.¡± Chapter 43: Could This Person Really Be the Ling Luo Peak Master?! Lu Yi was stunned when he heard this and widened his eyes in surprise. "Conditions? What conditions? Even Senior Sister Donggong, who has an innate spiritual body, isn''t qualified?" "Who said I''m not qualified?" Donggong Mingyue glared at Lu Yi, puffing her cheeks slightly in defiance. "I just need a bit more time, that''s all!" At this point, she paused and then said, "As for the specific conditions, you''ll know when you meet the Peak Master." Although Lu Yi was curious, since Donggong Mingyue didn''t elaborate, he couldn''t press further. He decided to wait until he met the Ling Luo Peak Master to find out. At this moment, Donggong Mingyue asked curiously, "By the way, how long did it take you to comprehend the spell during the entrance assessment? It only took me half an hour~" As she spoke, Donggong Mingyue''s delicate face showed a hint of pride. "We should be fellow disciples, so if you have any questions about spells in the future, feel free to ask me. I''ll make sure to guide you well!" She even patted Lu Yi''s shoulder, acting as if she had everything under control. Lu Yi smiled sheepishly and replied, "It took me half an hour." Donggong Mingyue''s smile froze instantly. "???" "H-Half an hour?!" Donggong Mingyue''s already large eyes widened even more, her small mouth slightly open, looking inexplicably cute. Lu Yi nodded. "Yes." Donggong Mingyue looked shocked. "If that''s true, doesn''t that mean your comprehension is even better than Senior Sister Ningshuang''s?!" Lu Yi chuckled. "I don''t know if it''s better than Senior Sister Ningshuang''s, but my assessment result was half an hour." Donggong Mingyue''s face flushed red. Earlier, she had confidently said he could come to her for guidance, but now it turned out Lu Yi''s comprehension was even better than hers?! What was with this guy''s comprehension?! Wasn''t this a bit too ridiculous?! Feeling a bit embarrassed and unwilling to accept defeat, she said, "Hmph! Your comprehension is decent, huh? No wonder you''re my future junior brother! But your cultivation talent still can''t compare to mine! Overall, I''m still better!" Seeing Donggong Mingyue''s awkward yet stubborn demeanor, Lu Yi couldn''t help but laugh. He responded seriously, "Senior Sister Donggong''s cultivation talent is naturally unmatched. I still have much to learn from you." Hearing this, Donggong Mingyue''s eyes lit up. She placed her hands on her hips, looking extremely proud, and nodded. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, you''re not bad either. With your comprehension, when I ascend to immortality, I''ll definitely help you overcome tribulations!" Lu Yi grinned. "Thank you, Senior Sister Donggong." "You''re welcome. As your senior sister, it''s only right for me to take care of you." Donggong Mingyue smiled so brightly that her eyes squinted.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Lu Yi smiled and said, "Senior Sister is truly kind!" "Of course!" At this moment, Lu Yi remembered something. He was about to meet the Ling Luo Peak Master. Could he possibly trigger a mission? He wondered in his heart, "I need to meet the Ling Luo Peak Master." Suddenly, words appeared on his interface. [Mission] Meet the Ling Luo Peak Master. Reward: 10 drops of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk. Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi was overjoyed¡ªthere really was a mission! And the reward was actually 10 drops of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk. This was the first time Lu Yi had received such a large amount of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk as a reward in one go, and all he had to do was meet the Ling Luo Peak Master. Previously, sparring with Senior Brother Jiang Fan had earned him only one drop of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk after much effort! The difference was too drastic. Happily accepting the mission, Lu Yi continued chatting with Donggong Mingyue as they ascended the mountain, listening to her describe Ling Luo Peak along the way. Ling Luo Peak was extremely high, and from halfway up, clouds began to gather. Logically, the temperature should have dropped sharply. However, the surroundings remained as warm as spring. Green trees, lush grass, and flowing streams lined the stone steps, creating a picturesque and fairy-like atmosphere. The main peak of Ling Luo was home to elders and core disciples, but since there were few members on the peak, the residences were very scattered and far from the main path. Without Donggong Mingyue''s introduction, Lu Yi wouldn''t have known. As they climbed higher, Lu Yi noticed more rare plants and herbs, and the spiritual energy became extremely dense. Donggong Mingyue explained, "From here on, even the elders don''t have residences. Only the Peak Master, Senior Sister Ningshuang, and I live here." Lu Yi was surprised and looked up. There was still a long way to the summit. He asked, "Why? Isn''t there still a lot of space up there? Can''t the elders establish residences higher up?" Donggong Mingyue''s expression turned slightly odd. "Um... You''ll find out the reason later." Lu Yi: "??" Seeing Donggong Mingyue''s strange expression, Lu Yi felt like something was off. Could there be something wrong with the Ling Luo Peak Master? It shouldn''t be, right? After all, she was the most talented person in the White Cloud Sect. If there were any issues, the sect would surely go all out to resolve them. Deciding not to overthink it, Lu Yi followed Donggong Mingyue until they reached the summit. The spiritual energy here was so dense that just taking a deep breath caused a slight change in Lu Yi''s cultivation. He was utterly amazed. Looking around, he also noticed many rare treasures¡ªsome he had read about in books, and others he didn''t even recognize. At the summit, there was a bamboo forest, and beside it stood an exquisite bamboo house with a small pond nearby. The pond was filled with water, and mist floated above it. A hot spring? At such a high altitude, there was actually a hot spring? Moreover, the spring exuded dense spiritual energy, and the water clearly wasn''t ordinary. Lu Yi was deeply impressed. The Ling Luo Peak Master certainly knew how to enjoy life. Following Donggong Mingyue, he approached the bamboo house. Donggong Mingyue respectfully called out, "Peak Master, I brought Junior Brother Lu Yi." Lu Yi looked at the bamboo house, feeling a bit nervous. He was about to meet the legendary figure of the White Cloud Sect. But to his surprise, after a moment, there was no response from inside the bamboo house. Lu Yi glanced at Donggong Mingyue in confusion. Where was the person? Donggong Mingyue, however, seemed used to it. She called out again, "Peak Master, I brought you your favorite Magnolia Pastries." As soon as she finished speaking, a fragrant breeze wafted by. Before Lu Yi realized it, a figure appeared in front of him, as if she had been there all along. Lu Yi''s heart skipped a beat, and he broke into a cold sweat. He was nearly scared to death. A ghost?! He examined the figure in front of him¡ªa woman in a simple white dress. Her black hair draped over her shoulders, and her face was stunningly beautiful. However, she seemed half-asleep, with drowsy eyes and messy hair sticking up. Looking at this woman, who appeared completely unkempt and sleepy, Lu Yi''s mind slowly formed a question mark. Could this person... really be the Ling Luo Peak Master?! It... shouldn''t be, right? Chapter 44: Heavenly Dao Limitations While Lu Yi was still confused, the woman in white rubbed her hair, covered her mouth, and yawned. She looked at Donggong Mingyue, and her lazy, slightly magnetic voice sounded, "Little Mingyue, where¡¯s my Yulan Pastry?" Donggong Mingyue smiled and said, "Peak Master, didn¡¯t you ask me to bring Junior Brother Lu Yi here? Junior Brother Lu Yi is already here." So, she is the Peak Master?! Lu Yi¡¯s mouth twitched. He felt the legendary image of the stunningly talented Peak Master of Lingluo Peak collapsing rapidly in his mind. Hearing this, the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak glanced at Lu Yi. Her hazy eyes showed a hint of clarity, and she smiled lazily, "Ah, I remember now. I did tell you to bring this kid over." As she spoke, the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak sized up Lu Yi, raised her eyebrows, and said, "Not bad. When Ningshuang mentioned you, she said you were only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. It¡¯s only been a bit over half a month, and you¡¯ve already reached the eighth level? Your aura is solid, and your foundation isn¡¯t weak. Indeed, you have some talent. No wonder those old geezers are all trying to snatch you away." Lu Yi¡¯s pupils contracted slightly. He didn¡¯t expect the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak to see through his strength at a glance, which left him a bit shocked. This seemingly sleepy woman actually seemed to be quite powerful? Lu Yi smiled and said, "Peak Master overpraises me. I¡¯m still very weak and need to work harder on my cultivation." The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak stretched lazily and said, "Being too modest isn¡¯t good. You and Ningshuang, as well as Little Mingyue, are different. Reaching this level with a mortal body must mean you¡¯ve had a fair bit of luck." Lu Yi¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat almost broke out. He did indeed have quite a fortuitous encounter. After all, his golden finger was no small fortune. He didn¡¯t expect the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak to see through it so easily. Lu Yi felt a bit of pressure, and images from novels in his past life flashed through his mind¡ªplots about killing to seize treasures. He felt a chill. This was a powerhouse. Even if he wanted to run, he couldn¡¯t. At this moment, the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak continued in her lazy voice, "I know a bit of fate-reading techniques. I can tell you¡¯re not a bad person. Whatever fortune you obtained, it¡¯s your own luck. I¡¯m too lazy to care. I called you here simply because I value your talent." Hearing this, Lu Yi felt a slight relief. Cultivators valued their hearts and minds. Since the Peak Master said this, she probably had no ulterior motives toward him. Lu Yi then laughed at himself. It made sense. The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak was the most talented genius in White Cloud Sect, with unmatched talent. She must have seen countless geniuses and encountered many fortuitous opportunities.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Moreover, she was a righteous cultivator, not a demonic one. Such a figure couldn¡¯t possibly have any designs on him just because of his small progress, right? Lu Yi felt he had indeed been overthinking. However¡­ the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak actually knew fate-reading techniques? While Lu Yi didn¡¯t understand much about such techniques, he had never heard of any Nascent Soul Realm cultivator mastering them. Even Void Refinement Realm cultivators didn¡¯t seem to possess such abilities, did they? As expected of the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak¡ªshe sounded profound and impressive with just a few words. Lu Yi sighed inwardly and asked, "Does Peak Master intend to take me as a disciple?" The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak stretched lazily. Her simple white dress accentuated her slender waist and ample chest, but Lu Yi didn¡¯t dare to look, fearing for his life. "Let¡¯s go inside and talk. Standing here is exhausting." Lu Yi looked at the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak, who turned and walked toward the bamboo house, filled with question marks in his head. A Nascent Soul cultivator actually felt tired from standing? Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s confusion, Donggong Mingyue laughed and said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, let¡¯s go inside." Lu Yi came back to his senses, nodded, and followed the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak and Donggong Mingyue into the bamboo house. Inside was a hall with a bamboo tea table and a soft couch. The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak lounged casually on the couch, adjusted the soft pillows behind her, and smiled in satisfaction before looking at Lu Yi. "Taking you as my disciple depends on your performance." Lu Yi immediately thought of the condition Donggong Mingyue had mentioned earlier. Could it be that condition? Lu Yi asked in confusion, "What kind of performance does Peak Master need?" The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak gave a mysterious smile and asked, "Lu Yi, do you know what comes after the tenth level of Qi Refining?" Lu Yi froze, filled with questions. Seeing the Peak Master¡¯s mysterious expression, he twitched his lips, "Foundation Establishment?" The Peak Master smiled and said, "For ordinary cultivators, yes. The tenth level of Qi Refining is the limit set by the Heavenly Dao. Once you reach perfection, you can condense your Dao Foundation and enter Foundation Establishment. But some people don¡¯t like following the rules of the Heavenly Dao. Do you understand?" Lu Yi¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "¡­Peak Master, are you saying there¡¯s another path beyond the tenth level of Qi Refining?" The Peak Master raised her eyebrows and said, "Not bad, you¡¯re perceptive, but not entirely correct." She continued, "For most cultivators, the tenth level of Qi Refining is the limit of the realm. But this is the Heavenly Dao¡¯s limit. If you surpass it, there¡¯s still more to explore in the Qi Refining stage." Lu Yi was stunned by this revelation. "The tenth level isn¡¯t the limit of Qi Refining?" This was the first time Lu Yi had heard such a concept. In his understanding, Qi Refining had ten levels, followed by Foundation Establishment, then Golden Core¡­ But today, the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak opened his eyes to a new world. The tenth level wasn¡¯t the limit! The Peak Master smiled and said, "No, beyond the tenth level, breaking the Heavenly Dao¡¯s limit allows you to reach the eleventh level of Qi Refining. The Heavenly Dao has three barriers in the Qi Refining stage. Breaking all three can lead to the true limit¡ªthirteen levels." "¡­Thirteen levels of Qi Refining?" Lu Yi was stunned. He thought the eleventh level would be the limit after breaking through, but there were actually thirteen levels? If someone reached the thirteenth level in Qi Refining, how powerful would they be? Fighting Foundation Establishment cultivators with ease? "Yes, thirteen levels," the Peak Master confirmed. Lu Yi collected his thoughts and asked, "Peak Master, how can I break this limit?" In that moment, Lu Yi set a new goal for his cultivation¡ªto reach the thirteenth level in Qi Refining. The Peak Master smiled and said, "Breaking the limit is simple. Cultivators refine their essence, energy, and spirit, polishing themselves to ascend. Breaking limits is the same¡ªcontinuously refining your foundation, including your body, spiritual energy, and spirit. Once your foundation is strong enough, you¡¯ll naturally sense the Heavenly Dao¡¯s limit." Seeing Lu Yi deep in thought, the Peak Master smiled and added, "Didn¡¯t you want to know how to become my disciple? It¡¯s simple¡ªbreak one Heavenly Dao limit and reach the eleventh level of Qi Refining. Then I¡¯ll take you as my disciple." Chapter 45: Potential Rules of the Panel Breakthrough to the Eleventh Layer of Qi Refining? Goodness, no wonder only Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang has become a disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master so far. It¡¯s clear that breaking the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao isn¡¯t easy. Even Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue, with her innate thunder spiritual body, hasn¡¯t achieved this goal yet. It¡¯s obvious how despairing this condition must be for ordinary people. Lu Yi sighed inwardly. The Ling Luo Peak Master spoke again, ¡°So, what do you think? Are you willing to accept? If you don¡¯t want to accept, you can go down and find an elder to take you as a disciple.¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master lazily leaned on the soft couch, looking drowsy, without any intention of forcing Lu Yi. Hearing this, Lu Yi didn¡¯t immediately respond but instead spoke to himself in his heart, ¡°I want to become the registered disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master.¡± [Mission] Become the registered disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master (0/1) Reward: Foundation Establishment Technique "Concealment Technique," Supreme-Grade Flying Artifact Wind Breath Boat, Five Drops of Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew, One Drop of Fire Spiritual Liquid Accept Mission: Yes/No Lu Yi was utterly shocked upon seeing the rewards. Goodness, such high rewards again?! Since taking the mission to meet the Ling Luo Peak Master, Lu Yi had felt something was off. Why did it feel like all tasks related to the Ling Luo Peak Master came with such high rewards? Was it because the Ling Luo Peak Master was exceptionally powerful? Or was it because the Ling Luo Peak Master had extraordinary talent? Lu Yi thought that he might not fully understand the potential rules behind the panel¡¯s task rewards. Perhaps the stronger and more talented the person involved in the task, the higher the rewards? Thinking of this, Lu Yi recalled Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang. Previously, the task to make Liu Ningshuang fall in love with him also had outrageously high rewards. Could this be another reason? Lu Yi then thought about Donggong Mingyue, and his mind filled with bold ideas. With this in mind, joining Ling Luo Peak and becoming a disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master seemed like a great plan. Whether it was the Ling Luo Peak Master, Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, or Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue, all of them were exceptionally talented. Wouldn¡¯t this be a perfect opportunity to farm task rewards? Lu Yi already imagined himself adorned with countless immortal artifacts in the future, feeling overjoyed. Lu Yi silently accepted the task and then said, ¡°I¡¯m willing to accept!¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The Ling Luo Peak Master glanced at Lu Yi, the corners of her lips curving into a slight smile. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, you are now my registered disciple, just like little Mingyue. Once you break through the Heavenly Dao limit, you¡¯ll become an official disciple.¡± Lu Yi quickly bowed respectfully and said, ¡°Master.¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master shook her head and said, ¡°You¡¯re not my official disciple yet. Just call me Peak Master.¡± Lu Yi suddenly understood. No wonder Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue called the Ling Luo Peak Master ¡®Peak Master.¡¯ It was because she was still a registered disciple. Lu Yi promptly said, ¡°Yes, Peak Master.¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master nodded in satisfaction. With a casual wave, a green longsword and a talisman appeared before Lu Yi. ¡°Although you¡¯re only a registered disciple, there¡¯s still a gift for becoming my disciple. This is the high-grade artifact Green Spirit Sword, suitable for you. The talisman is a Thousand Mile Talisman. When you encounter danger, inject spiritual energy into it to teleport a thousand miles away and avoid danger. For cultivators like us, facing enemies and battles is inevitable. Survival is the most important thing¡ªonly by staying alive can you have a future.¡± Lu Yi was delighted. Wow, two gifts just for becoming a disciple? This was a massive gain. He had to admit that the Peak Master¡¯s thinking aligned with his own. He also disliked unnecessary risks. After all, in his previous life playing games, wasn¡¯t it said that survival ensures output? Lu Yi happily accepted the Green Spirit Sword and Thousand Mile Talisman, smiling as he said, ¡°Thank you, Peak Master.¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master nodded slightly, yawned, and said, ¡°If you have any questions, ask little Mingyue. As for cultivation resources, take whatever you need for your practice. Just say I allowed it. But don¡¯t waste them¡ªLing Luo Peak still has other disciples.¡± Lu Yi was stunned. Did this mean he had unlimited access to resources? This wasn¡¯t a registered disciple; even a direct disciple might not get such treatment! Suddenly, Lu Yi felt that the Peak Master looked even better, even in her half-asleep state. At this moment, Lu Yi thought of something and asked, ¡°By the way, Peak Master, what if I encounter problems with my cultivation?¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master paused, her expression showing slight hesitation before she said, ¡°Ahem¡­ Since you¡¯re my registered disciple, you can naturally come to me.¡± She added, ¡°But¡­ don¡¯t come too often. At most, once a month. Otherwise, it¡¯s too tiring.¡± Lu Yi: ¡°¡­¡± He gained a new understanding of the Peak Master¡¯s laziness. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t expect any major issues with cultivation. The task rewards would cover everything. Lu Yi reassured himself and said, ¡°Understood. Thank you, Peak Master.¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master nodded. ¡°That¡¯s all. Follow little Mingyue to pick a cave dwelling nearby.¡± Donggong Mingyue stood up and looked at Lu Yi with joy. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, we¡¯re officially fellow disciples now! Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll show you the cave dwellings!¡± Lu Yi nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± At this moment, the Ling Luo Peak Master suddenly remembered something. She looked at Donggong Mingyue and said with a sly smile, ¡°Little Mingyue, didn¡¯t you deceive me earlier?¡± Donggong Mingyue froze and turned stiffly, forcing a laugh. ¡°Peak Master, I had no choice back then. You weren¡¯t responding to me.¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master snorted. ¡°So what? Deceiving me deserves punishment! Go buy me a box of Magnolia Pastries!¡± Donggong Mingyue¡¯s expression twitched as she reluctantly agreed, ¡°Okay¡­¡± Seeing Donggong Mingyue¡¯s aggrieved look, Lu Yi felt a bit guilty since she had gotten into trouble because of him. He couldn¡¯t just stand by, so he said, ¡°Peak Master, how about I go buy it instead?¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master glanced at Lu Yi and smirked. ¡°Oh? Already defending little Mingyue? Fine, you go.¡± Donggong Mingyue was surprised but soon smiled brightly. ¡°Having a junior brother is great! Thank you, Junior Brother!¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°No need to be so formal, Second Senior Sister. It¡¯s what I should do.¡± The Ling Luo Peak Master yawned again. ¡°Also, buy a jug of Magnolia Wine. Go ahead, I need to sleep¡­ I mean, cultivate.¡± Lu Yi: ¡°???¡± You definitely just said you wanted to sleep, right?! Lu Yi felt numb. How did someone this lazy become the most brilliant genius in the White Cloud Sect? Still, thinking of the rewards, Lu Yi decided it was worth it. Lost in thought, Lu Yi followed Donggong Mingyue out. Outside, Donggong Mingyue smiled. ¡°Junior Brother, I¡¯ll show you the cave dwellings first, then we¡¯ll buy the wine and pastries.¡± Lu Yi nodded. ¡°Thank you, Second Senior Sister.¡± Donggong Mingyue pouted. ¡°No need for formalities. Just call me Mingyue or Senior Sister!¡± Lu Yi went along. ¡°Senior Sister.¡± Satisfied, Donggong Mingyue said happily, ¡°Let¡¯s go find you a nice cave dwelling close to mine!¡± Chapter 46: Special Reward Lu Yi followed Donggong Mingyue down the mountain peak and soon arrived at the entrance of a cave. Outside the cave was a flat rocky area. To the right was a dense forest, and to the left, a small stream meandered downhill. The environment was quite pleasant. Donggong Mingyue said, "How about here? It''s close to my cave dwelling. You can come find me anytime if you have questions." She pointed towards the forest. Lu Yi looked around, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled. "I think this place is nice too." "Let''s go inside and take a look!" Donggong Mingyue said with a smile. The two of them entered the cave. Although the entrance was not large, the interior was spacious. After entering, there was a hall, with a bedroom for resting, a training room for cultivation, and even a bathing room. At the Qi Refining Stage, even eating could be completely digested with spiritual energy, eliminating the need for toilets. By the Foundation Establishment stage, various techniques made cleanliness simple. Bathing was no longer necessary, though some cultivators enjoyed it. For instance, a certain drowsy peak master had a spiritual spring nearby, clearly used for bathing. Overall, the furnishings were simple but complete, making life very convenient. White Cloud Sect disciples never lacked necessities, only needing to focus on cultivation. After exploring, Lu Yi nodded. "This place is pretty good." Donggong Mingyue also smiled. "Since you like it, this will be your new home." At that moment, Lu Yi remembered something and asked, "By the way, Second Senior Sister, is Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang''s cave dwelling nearby too?" Donggong Mingyue nodded. "Yes, her cave dwelling isn''t far from mine. Do you want to meet her? She''s currently in seclusion, so you probably won''t be able to see her." Lu Yi smiled. "I was just asking. After all, Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang once gifted me a bottle of top-grade Qi Condensation Pills." Donggong Mingyue laughed. "Senior Sister Ningshuang mentioned you. She said you have great potential and might join our Lingluo Peak. But I bet she didn''t expect you to become the peak master''s personal disciple! She''ll be shocked when she finds out!" Lu Yi smiled, curious about how the cold and aloof Liu Ningshuang would react. He said, "Alright, Second Senior Sister, I''m heading out to buy something for the peak master." Donggong Mingyue grinned. "I''ll go with you. I usually buy things for the peak master. If you go alone, they might not recognize you."This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Lu Yi hadn''t considered that and nodded. "Alright then." At the same time, he thought to himself, "I need to buy Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine for the peak master." [Quest] Purchase Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine for Lingluo Peak Master. Reward: Spiritual Food Cooking Technique, Spiritual Wine Brewing Technique Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi was stunned when he saw the rewards. Such rewards?! Spiritual food was made from spirit-rich beast meat and heavenly treasures. It helped cultivators absorb spiritual energy quickly and offered various effects. It was a common food choice for cultivators. While regular food satisfied cravings, spiritual food assisted cultivation. Moreover, it tasted far better. Given the choice, which would cultivators pick? Spiritual food was considered a branch of alchemy. Recipes were as valuable as pill formulas and were closely guarded secrets. To eat spiritual food, one had to visit a cultivator inn or train as a spiritual chef. Lu Yi didn''t expect this quest to involve spiritual food techniques. With this, he could pair spiritual food with cultivation to improve his speed further. Spiritual wine worked the same way. Seeing the rewards, Lu Yi was thrilled. He could now become both a spiritual chef and a brewer. Though he had no interest in opening a shop, it would be great for personal use. As expected, tasks related to the peak master came with generous rewards. Lu Yi felt overjoyed. Donggong Mingyue noticed his expression and asked, "What made you so happy?" Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "I''m happy to be your junior disciple, of course!" Donggong Mingyue crossed her arms proudly, her twin ponytails bouncing. "Hmph! Of course! I''m destined to become an immortal! Being my junior disciple means you''re really lucky!" "Second Senior Sister is invincible!" Lu Yi praised. "Hehe~ Let''s go. I''ll take you to buy Magnolia Wine and Pastries!" Donggong Mingyue said cheerfully, leading Lu Yi off the mountain. The two descended and headed toward the market. Donggong Mingyue glanced at the sword lights flying through the sky and grumbled, "Once I reach Foundation Establishment, the first thing I''ll learn is sword flight!" Lu Yi nodded in agreement. Through their conversation, Lu Yi learned that Donggong Mingyue was only fifteen, a year younger than him. She had already reached Qi Refining Stage 10 by age thirteen. However, to break through the Heavenly Dao limit, she focused on refining her foundation instead of advancing, which meant she couldn''t fly yet. Lu Yi felt envious. At sixteen, he was only at Qi Refining Stage 8. Donggong Mingyue''s innate spiritual body gave her a huge advantage. Both she and Liu Ningshuang progressed at astonishing speeds. Still, Lu Yi''s current pace wasn''t slow either. It wouldn''t be long before he reached Stage 10 and began refining his foundation. The two soon entered the market. Donggong Mingyue, familiar with the area, led Lu Yi through the streets until they arrived at a refined three-story building in the central district. The sign above the door read "Magnolia Pavilion." Many powerful cultivators entered and exited. Most were at the Golden Core stage, and Foundation Establishment cultivators were rare. Lu Yi even sensed Nascent Soul cultivators. Lu Yi was shocked. "Second Senior Sister, why are the cultivators here so strong?" Donggong Mingyue explained, "Of course! Magnolia Pavilion makes the best spiritual food in White Cloud Sect. Their signature Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine are even Void Refinement-level products, so their customers are naturally strong." Lu Yi''s eyes widened. Void Refinement-level spiritual food? That must be expensive! His face changed as he quickly asked, "...Second Senior Sister, did you bring money? I can''t afford Void Refinement-level spiritual food." Donggong Mingyue rolled her eyes. "What are you thinking? Would the peak master make us pay? Just follow me inside!" Lu Yi sighed in relief and followed her in. Just then, he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Lu Yi, Junior Brother? What are you doing here? " Chapter 47: Bai Yulongs Shock Lu Yi was stunned and turned his head to see Bai Yulong looking at him with a surprised expression. Beside Bai Yulong were several senior brothers and sisters with powerful auras. One of the young men next to him bore some resemblance to Bai Yulong. Is this Bai Yulong''s older brother? Lu Yi speculated in his heart and then smiled as he greeted, "So it''s Senior Brother Bai Yulong. What a coincidence." Bai Yulong quickly walked over to Lu Yi, his face full of joy. "I didn''t expect to meet you here. Have you joined Ling Luo Peak?" Lu Yi smiled and replied, "I was lucky enough to pass the entrance test." Bai Yulong patted Lu Yi''s shoulder with a grin, a hint of envy in his tone. "As expected of you! Congratulations, Junior Brother Lu Yi! If it were me, I probably wouldn''t have made it." Lu Yi thought for a moment. Given Bai Yulong''s comprehension ability, he likely wouldn''t have passed the first test. Two hours to master a Qi Refining technique was sufficient for someone in the outer sect to cultivate a technique to the Return-to-Truth stage. Senior Brother Jiang Fan might have a chance, but unfortunately, when Lu Yi chatted with him earlier, Jiang Fan had already mentioned he wouldn''t join Ling Luo Peak. Returning to the conversation, Lu Yi smiled and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother. With your talent, you definitely have a chance to pass the assessment." Bai Yulong smiled and didn''t dwell on the topic. He said, "Oh, let me introduce a few people to you..." As he turned around to introduce his companions, Bai Yulong suddenly noticed that the senior brothers and sisters who came with him were all staring at the person beside Lu Yi with shocked expressions. Curious, Bai Yulong looked over and finally noticed Donggong Mingyue standing next to Lu Yi. His pupils contracted slightly, and he was visibly shaken. This senior sister is stunning. At that moment, the disciple who resembled Bai Yulong, along with the others, approached with respectful gestures. "So it''s Fairy Donggong. I didn''t expect to meet you here. How is the Ling Luo Peak Master these days?" Donggong Mingyue nodded with a smile. "Hello. The Peak Master has been well recently." Bai Yulong: "???" Seeing their interaction, Bai Yulong was dumbfounded. This seemingly young senior sister¡ªwhat''s her background? Does she hold a high status? Why is someone like her standing with Junior Brother Lu Yi? Noticing Bai Yulong''s shock, Lu Yi introduced, "Senior Brother Yulong, let me introduce someone to you. This is Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue, a named disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master." Bai Yulong''s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Lu Yi. "A... a named disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master?!"Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. A disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master? No wonder... the others were so respectful toward her. But... when did that influential figure take another disciple? Bai Yulong was full of questions. Lu Yi nodded. "Yes, that''s right. It''s a bit complicated, so I probably can''t explain it all right now." Bai Yulong quickly waved his hand. "No need to explain. I understand." He then pointed to the young man beside him, who bore some resemblance to him, and said, "This is my great-grandfather, Bai Lingfeng. He is a personal disciple of Spirit Wind Peak. Great-grandfather, this is the Junior Brother Lu Yi I mentioned earlier. His talent is extraordinary. He just joined Ling Luo Peak today." Lu Yi: "?" Lu Yi looked at Bai Yulong, then at the Golden Core youth, and a question mark slowly appeared in his mind. He had assumed this person was Bai Yulong''s older brother, but it turned out to be his great-grandfather?! What kind of joke is this? Bai Lingfeng smiled warmly at Lu Yi and said, "I heard about the competition from my master. Junior Brother Lu Yi, your talent is impressive. Congratulations on joining Ling Luo Peak." Donggong Mingyue snorted lightly and said, "My junior brother is extraordinary, of course. Even the Peak Master thinks highly of him and accepted him as a named disciple. He will surely become an official personal disciple like me in the future!" "What?!" Donggong Mingyue''s words caused Bai Yulong, Bai Lingfeng, and the others to widen their eyes in shock. They all looked at Lu Yi, filled with disbelief. Bai Yulong exclaimed, "Junior Brother Lu Yi... you were really acknowledged by the Ling Luo Peak Master?!" Lu Yi smiled and nodded. "Yes, sort of. The Peak Master thought I had decent talent and accepted me as a named disciple." "Hiss..." The surrounding senior brothers and sisters gasped, looking at Lu Yi with admiration. "Junior Brother Lu Yi''s talent is truly amazing." "Indeed, even the Peak Master acknowledged his potential." "I''m so envious. My talent is far inferior." Lu Yi smiled and responded politely, but he felt somewhat helpless. He had wanted to keep a low profile and avoid mentioning this matter, but his senior sister was so straightforward that she blurted it out. Now it was too late. It seemed he was destined to attract attention again. Lu Yi was troubled. He really didn''t want to stand out so much. What if he got targeted by others? At that moment, Donggong Mingyue said, "Junior Brother, we still have important things to do." Lu Yi nodded and smiled at Bai Yulong and the others. "Senior Brother Yulong, everyone, we need to buy some things for the Peak Master, so we''ll head out first." Bai Yulong immediately nodded. "Go ahead, Junior Brother." Bai Lingfeng smiled and said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, if you have time, come to Spirit Wind Peak to discuss Dao and spar with us." "Of course, Senior Brother. I will definitely visit when I have time," Lu Yi replied with a smile. Afterward, Lu Yi followed Donggong Mingyue into Yulan Pavilion. Bai Yulong watched as Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue were escorted upstairs by special attendants, his face full of envy. Bai Lingfeng patted Bai Yulong''s shoulder and said, "Don''t stare. The second floor is only for elders and disciples with special status. Our place is on the first floor. Let''s go and celebrate your entry into Spirit Wind Peak." A nearby youth laughed and said, "Yulong, your Junior Brother''s future status will be completely different from yours." Feeling complicated, Bai Yulong quickly followed them. After taking their seats, Bai Yulong asked Bai Lingfeng curiously, "Great-grandfather, when did the Ling Luo Peak Master accept another named disciple? I never heard of this in the outer sect." Bai Lingfeng leaned back in his chair and glanced at Bai Yulong. "This isn¡¯t news in the inner sect, but since the Ling Luo Peak Master didn¡¯t announce it publicly, others can only discuss it privately." "Why didn''t the Peak Master announce it?" Bai Yulong asked in confusion. "How would we know?" Bai Lingfeng chuckled. The others nearby shook their heads with amused expressions. "Yulong, you''re overestimating us. That involves a big figure''s decision. How could we know their thoughts?" one youth said while sipping his drink. "However, I did hear something interesting from a friend in Ling Luo Peak," Bai Lingfeng said with a complex expression. "What is it?" Bai Yulong grew even more curious. Bai Lingfeng took a sip of wine, his expression turning strange. "That Fairy Donggong... she has an innate Thunder Spirit Body." Chapter 48: The Strange Peak Master +1 Chapter 48: The Strange Peak Master +1 The expressions of the senior brothers and sisters nearby were extremely complicated at this moment. They were clearly aware of the situation. However, Bai Yulong did not know. When he heard this, his eyes widened, and countless thoughts raced through his mind. He sat there in a daze and muttered, "Innate Thunder Spirit Body?! Isn''t that a legendary cultivation physique? That fairy actually has such terrifying talent?!" "But, despite having such an extraordinary talent, she is still only a registered disciple?! How high must that senior''s standards be?!" Hearing Bai Yulong''s words, Bai Lingfeng and the others wore complex expressions. They could not comprehend how such a genius would willingly become a registered disciple. At this moment, a young man beside Bai Lingfeng chuckled and said, "Yulong, do you now understand why I said you and Junior Brother Lu Yi are completely different? Our White Cloud Sect is a major sect in Qingzhou with tens of thousands of disciples. Up until now, only Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang and Junior Sister Donggong Mingyue have caught the eye of the Ling Luo Peak Master, and both possess innate spirit bodies. Now, there is a third person, Junior Brother Lu Yi... Yulong, do you realize what this means?" Boom! Bai Yulong froze in place. After a moment of silence, he muttered, "The Ling Luo Peak Master believes that Junior Brother Lu Yi has talent comparable to Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang and Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue?!" The atmosphere fell silent. Bai Lingfeng took another sip of wine and shook his head with a bitter smile. "The gap between people is truly vast. Yulong, even though I seem to be doing well in White Cloud Sect and have become a personal disciple of an elder, compared to the real top-tier geniuses in the sect, there is still quite a gap." A young man beside him laughed and said, "Senior Brother Lingfeng, you are being too modest. Among the current disciples, you are definitely a prominent figure." Bai Lingfeng smiled and shook his head without saying more. Bai Yulong remained silent, deeply shaken by today''s events, as if his entire worldview had been upended. ... Meanwhile, on the other side, Lu Yi followed Donggong Mingyue into Magnolia Pavilion. A pretty maid quickly approached them and respectfully said, "Fairy Donggong, you have arrived?" Donggong Mingyue nodded familiarly and said, "Yes, I came to buy Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine for the Peak Master." Upon hearing this, the maid immediately replied, "Please follow me to the third floor." "Alright." Donggong Mingyue nodded with a smile. The maid glanced at Lu Yi, showing a trace of surprise in her eyes, but said nothing. Lu Yi followed Donggong Mingyue and the maid upstairs. When they reached the second floor, Lu Yi glanced around and saw powerful guests drinking and dining in the hall. These guests appeared older and were likely elders.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Lu Yi quickly withdrew his gaze and continued upstairs. Upon reaching the third floor, there was no hall, only private rooms. The maid led Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue to the innermost room and knocked on the door. Soon, a gentle voice came from inside, "Come in." The maid opened the door and led Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue inside. Upon entering, Lu Yi saw a simple room. It did not look like a dining room but rather a cultivation chamber. The room had minimal furnishings. In the center, a graceful and elegant woman with a gentle demeanor was seated on a cushion, seemingly having just been cultivating. Seeing the woman, Donggong Mingyue smiled and said, " Magnolia Peak Master, I''m here again!" Lu Yi was surprised to see the elegant woman in front of him. He did not expect her to also be a Peak Master?! A Peak Master was cultivating in a restaurant? Lu Yi found it strange. However, after thinking about it, he realized that Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine were spiritual foods and wines suitable for Nascent Soul cultivators. Such rare and valuable items might not be safe in ordinary hands and could even be stolen. Was this Peak Master personally guarding the spiritual food and wine? These Peak Masters all seemed somewhat peculiar. His own Peak Master appeared drowsy all the time, and this Magnolia Peak Master liked to guard a restaurant. The Magnolia Peak Master smiled gently upon seeing Donggong Mingyue. "So, it''s Little Mingyue. Are you here to buy Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine for Ling Luo?" "Yes, Peak Master loves your Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine," Donggong Mingyue said cheerfully. The Magnolia Peak Master couldn''t help but laugh. "That woman is just greedy. These pastries and wine are already useless to her." She then looked at Lu Yi and asked, "Little Mingyue, who is this?" Donggong Mingyue stuck out her tongue apologetically and said, "I forgot to introduce him. Magnolia Peak Master, this is our Peak Master''s new registered disciple, my Junior Brother Lu Yi. Junior Brother, this is the Magnolia Peak Master." Lu Yi bowed respectfully and said, "Disciple Lu Yi greets the Magnolia Peak Master." The Magnolia Peak Master widened her eyes slightly in surprise, her gaze like autumn waters showing a trace of astonishment. ¡®That woman accepted another registered disciple?!¡¯ She examined Lu Yi as if trying to see through him. Donggong Mingyue giggled and said, "Yes, Junior Brother is amazing. His comprehension is even stronger than Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang''s." ¡®Stronger than Liu Ningshuang''s comprehension?!¡¯ The Magnolia Peak Master was even more shocked. She smiled at Lu Yi and said, "Little one, I didn''t expect your talent to be so strong. Work hard, and perhaps you''ll become a great cultivator in the future." Lu Yi smiled and said, "I will work hard." The Magnolia Peak Master sighed again and said, "That woman is so lucky to have found three excellent disciples, while I can''t find even one." Donggong Mingyue laughed and said, "Disciples with alchemy talent are rarer than those with cultivation talent. I''m sure the Magnolia Peak Master will find a suitable disciple." "You sweet-talker," the Magnolia Peak Master said with a shake of her head. She then took out a white jade box and a white jade jug. "Here are the Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine. Take them." Donggong Mingyue carefully stored the items and said, "Put it on the Peak Master''s tab." The Magnolia Peak Master sighed and said, "That woman still hasn''t paid her tab. Tell her to pay up, or there won''t be any next time." Donggong Mingyue chuckled awkwardly and said, "I''ll make sure to tell her!" "Alright, you can go now. I need to continue cultivating," the Magnolia Peak Master said, waving them away. Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue bid farewell and left the room. After leaving Magnolia Pavilion, Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue chatted as they returned to Ling Luo Peak. Arriving at the upper section of Ling Luo Peak near Lu Yi''s cave abode, Donggong Mingyue smiled and said, "Junior Brother, I''ll deliver the pastries and wine to the Peak Master. You''ve had a busy first day in the inner sect and must be tired. Go rest." Lu Yi glanced at his completed task and didn''t insist. "I''ll trouble Second Senior Sister, then." "Go on," Donggong Mingyue said, waving her hand before happily skipping away. Watching her disappear behind the trees, Lu Yi smiled, turned, and headed toward his cave abode. Back in his cave abode, Lu Yi pressed a button on the stone wall, sealing the entrance with a boulder. Even though the entrance was sealed, the formation inside maintained fresh air. Lu Yi couldn''t wait to return to his room and count his gains for the day. His first day in the inner sect had yielded incredible rewards. Chapter 49: Inventory Check Lu Yi looked at the task module on his interface, which displayed the completed tasks. [Tasks] There was a total of four tasks, and the rewards for each were quite generous. Lu Yi claimed the rewards one by one. The entrance examination reward included Water Spirit Liquid and the White Spirit Belt. The Water Spirit Liquid required no explanation. Lu Yi already had Thunder Spirit Liquid, and with the addition of Water Spirit Liquid, he could enhance his talents in both thunder and water techniques when he reached Foundation Establishment. Since he had a spatial ring, Lu Yi directly attempted to store the task rewards in it. It turned out to be feasible. Seeing the Water Spirit Liquid appear in his spatial ring, Lu Yi revealed a satisfied smile. From now on, materializing task rewards would be more discreet and harder for others to notice. The White Spirit Belt was a white belt that could be worn around the waist. It reduced body weight and increased speed, making it a very useful magical artifact. Lu Yi happily fastened it around his waist. Currently, Lu Yi owned six magical artifacts, including the high-grade Purple Jade Bell and the mid-grade Flowing Cloud Boots. The White Spirit Belt was now added to his collection, all obtained as task rewards. His father had previously bought him a low-grade longsword, which he initially owned. Additionally, the competition awarded him a low-grade Yellow Earth Shield, a defensive artifact. Although small in size, it offered decent protection, capable of withstanding an attack from a high-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. Lastly, he had the high-grade Green Spirit Sword, gifted by the Lingluo Peak Master. With the Green Spirit Sword in hand, the low-grade longsword from his father was retired and sealed at the bottom of his spatial ring. Though he couldn''t claim to be equipped entirely with treasures, he felt adequately prepared. Lu Yi was quite satisfied. The reward for meeting the Lingluo Peak Master was 10 drops of Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk. Lu Yi still had some left from his sparring match with Senior Brother Jiang Fan, but having more was always better. He could now cultivate directly with Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk without relying on Perfect Qi Condensing Pills. Such resources for cultivation were exceptionally luxurious. Lu Yi figured he might be the most extravagant cultivator in the entire White Cloud Sect. Fortunately, Lu Yi maintained a low profile, so no one knew about his resources; otherwise, fellow disciples would surely envy him to death. He stored the 10 drops of Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk in his spatial ring as well.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. The reward for becoming the Lingluo Peak Master''s registered disciple was extraordinarily generous, surpassing even the first-place competition rewards. He received the Foundation Establishment spell ''Concealment Technique,'' a top-grade flying artifact ''Wind Breath Boat,'' 5 drops of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, and 1 drop of Fire Spirit Liquid. It was an absolute windfall. Just the top-grade flying artifact, Wind Breath Boat, was worth more than an average low-grade treasure. Even Golden Core cultivators rarely possessed such a high-quality flying artifact. The Wind Breath Boat was a palm-sized, cyan-colored boat. To use it, one simply needed to input spiritual power, enlarge the boat, and ride it. Its speed was astonishingly fast, making it difficult for even Golden Core cultivators to catch up. Combined with the thousand-mile talisman gifted by the Peak Master earlier, Lu Yi felt that if he needed to escape, even Golden Core cultivators wouldn''t be able to stop him. As for Nascent Soul cultivators... well, maybe he''d feel slightly nervous. Lu Yi suddenly snapped out of it and realized how ridiculous his thoughts were. ''I''m only at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Why am I already treating Nascent Soul experts as potential enemies?'' he thought. ''This is absurd. From now on, I should only consider Qi Refining disciples as my opponents!'' He silently reflected on his thoughts. In addition, he now had 5 drops of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk. With 1 drop from breaking through to the eighth level of Qi Refining earlier, he now had 6 drops in total. These were far more precious than Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk. As for the Fire Spirit Liquid, Lu Yi already possessed Thunder and Water Spirit Liquids. Adding Fire Spirit Liquid would further solidify his foundation during Foundation Establishment. Finally, there was the Foundation Establishment spell ''Concealment Technique.'' After absorbing the information, Lu Yi understood its function. Similar to the ''Dust Forgetting Technique,'' it was a special spell focused on concealing one''s aura. It not only hid cultivation levels but also masked movement traces, making it harder for others to detect. This technique was an essential tool for the cautious and scheming. Though Lu Yi was not old, he quite liked the Concealment Technique. He resolved to prioritize mastering it alongside the Dust Forgetting Technique. The rewards from this task left Lu Yi in high spirits. After storing all the rewards, he claimed the final task''s prize. The reward for purchasing Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine for the Peak Master was entirely new to Lu Yi¡ªSpiritual Food Cooking and Spiritual Wine Brewing techniques, branches of alchemy. To Lu Yi, learning additional skills was always beneficial. He figured he could experiment with these techniques during his spare time¡ªthey might come in handy someday. Upon claiming the reward, a flood of information about these techniques entered his mind. The knowledge covered the fundamentals of Spiritual Food Cooking and Spiritual Wine Brewing, giving Lu Yi a foundational understanding. These techniques, as branches of alchemy, differed from traditional pill-making. While alchemy prioritized medicinal effects and rapid efficacy, it often came with side effects like pill toxins. In contrast, spiritual food and wine focused on both flavor and medicinal effects. They worked gently within the body, allowing lower-level cultivators to consume higher-level products safely. For example, Nascent Soul-level spiritual food and wine could be enjoyed by Golden Core cultivators in moderation. However, the same couldn''t be said for pills. A Nascent Soul-level pill could seriously injure a Golden Core cultivator and might even prove fatal. Another advantage of spiritual food and wine was their minimal toxin levels, rivaling Perfect Pills, which were extremely rare and valuable. That said, spiritual food and wine had their drawbacks. Despite processing, they utilized resources less efficiently than pills, leading to wastage. This was why most cultivators preferred pills¡ªresources were expensive, and cultivation was costly. Unless one was wealthy, indulging in spiritual food and wine was considered extravagant. The information also included hand techniques and skills, along with recipes for Qi Refining-level spiritual food and wine. Upon seeing the recipes, Lu Yi''s eyes widened with a hint of amusement. Chapter 50: Rewards for Becoming a Personal Disciple The spiritual food recipe was for Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup, which could strengthen bones and temper the body. Long-term consumption could enhance physical strength, and when paired with body-refining techniques, the effects would be even better. This was somewhat similar to Yellow Spirit Pills. However, spiritual food had almost no pill toxins, and its medicinal effects were gentler. It could even be used alongside pills, making it a combination of double benefits. What surprised Lu Yi the most was the spiritual wine recipe. The spiritual wine was called Nourishing Spirit Dew, an extremely rare wine that could nurture the spirit and enhance mental strength! It was well known that during the Qi Refining Stage, a cultivator¡¯s mental strength was mostly improved as a side effect of cultivation progress. Other methods, including techniques focused on cultivating the soul, were not suitable for Qi Refining cultivators. As for pills, Lu Yi had never heard of any that could enhance mental strength during the Qi Refining Stage. But now, he actually had another method to boost mental strength?! ¡®This is amazing!¡¯ Lu Yi immediately felt delighted. He was currently focused on refining himself and breaking through the constraints of heavenly laws. Enhancing his body, spirit, and spiritual energy was essential¡ªnone of these aspects could be lacking. Now that he had a method to enhance his mental strength, Lu Yi planned to visit the Resource Hall later to check whether the required ingredients were available. ¡®The materials for the Qi Refining Stage shouldn¡¯t be too difficult to find, right?¡¯ he thought, full of anticipation. With all rewards collected, Lu Yi felt completely satisfied. Sitting cross-legged on the meditation mat, he didn¡¯t rush into cultivation but instead started pondering his next steps. Now that he had entered the Inner Sect, his next goal was to break through the limits imposed by heavenly laws and officially become the personal disciple of Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master. If even becoming a nominal disciple came with such generous rewards, what about becoming a personal disciple? Thinking about this, Lu Yi murmured to himself, ¡°I must become the personal disciple of Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master.¡±
[Mission] Objective: Become the personal disciple of Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master. Rewards: Mid-grade treasure artifact - Jade Spirit Robe, 3 pieces of Enlightenment Tea Leaves. Accept Mission? Yes/No Though the reward quantity seemed small, Lu Yi was thrilled. ¡®A treasure artifact!¡¯ Treasure artifacts surpassed even top-grade magic artifacts. They were usually possessed only by powerful Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivators. Yet, just by becoming a personal disciple, he could obtain one? And it was even a mid-grade treasure artifact!This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. This single reward was already exceptionally valuable, let alone the 3 pieces of Enlightenment Tea Leaves. Lu Yi had read about Enlightenment Tea Leaves in books before. A single piece could boost comprehension for an entire day, and with some luck, it might even trigger sudden enlightenment. Repeated usage could potentially result in permanently enhanced comprehension abilities! Such an item was an extremely rare treasure, far superior to even Foundation Establishment Elixirs. And now he had three pieces! Although Lu Yi could improve his techniques and spells through completing tasks, the number of tasks required was directly tied to his own comprehension ability. Higher comprehension meant fewer tasks needed to upgrade techniques. It was similar to a game where character stats affected leveling speed¡ªcomprehension was clearly an important base stat. With these Enlightenment Tea Leaves, Lu Yi¡¯s ability to improve his techniques and spells would skyrocket. Indeed, tasks related to Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master always came with abundant rewards. Smiling with satisfaction, Lu Yi immediately accepted the mission.
Breaking through the heavenly dao limitations required a solid foundation. Lu Yi felt his spiritual energy foundation was already stable. The remaining concerns were his physical and mental foundations. With the Nourishing Spirit Dew for mental strength, the biggest issue now was strengthening his physical foundation. ¡®Hmm¡­ Tomorrow, I¡¯ll ask Second Senior Sister for a suitable body-refining technique at the Qi Refining Stage.¡¯ Having made his plans, Lu Yi finally began cultivating.
By the time Lu Yi entered the Inner Sect, passed the entrance test, and met the peak master, it was already afternoon. He followed his usual training habits, focusing on his White Cloud Steps technique. Ever since reaching Level 9 in White Cloud Steps, Lu Yi had noticed slower progress during daily practice. He wasn¡¯t sure how long it would take to reach Level 10. However, as a cultivator with a long lifespan, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He just stuck to steady practice every day. After completing his training, evening arrived, and Lu Yi switched to cultivating the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique. With the Hundred-Year Spiritual Essence as a cultivation resource, combined with the Level 9 Qi Absorption Technique, Lu Yi¡¯s progress remained astonishingly fast, even after reaching the eighth level of Qi Refining. At this rate, he estimated it would take just over a month to break through to the ninth level. Given the high quality of his spiritual energy, now condensed into mist, this speed was already remarkable.
The day passed quickly, and soon it was the next morning. Lu Yi was meditating when he suddenly heard Donggong Mingyue¡¯s cheerful voice from outside his cave residence. ¡°Junior Brother, are you here?¡± Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, a faint white glow flashing across them. Appearing in the main hall, he opened the stone door and saw Donggong Mingyue standing outside in a white dress with twin ponytails. Smiling, Lu Yi greeted her, ¡°Second Senior Sister, what brings you here? I was just about to look for you.¡± Donggong Mingyue grinned. ¡°Junior Brother, since you just joined the Inner Sect, you haven¡¯t collected your cultivation resources yet, right? As disciples of the Peak Master, we get unlimited resources every month¡ªas long as we don¡¯t waste them. I¡¯m here to take you there.¡± Lu Yi¡¯s eyes lit up. He was planning to gather materials for the Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup and Nourishing Spirit Dew anyway, so this was perfect timing. He smiled. ¡°Thank you, Second Senior Sister.¡± ¡°No need to be polite!¡± Donggong Mingyue proudly patted her chest. ¡°I¡¯m your Senior Sister¡ªit¡¯s only natural to take care of you! If you need anything in the future, just come to me.¡± Laughing, Lu Yi replied, ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t hold back then. But if you ever need help, Senior Sister, I¡¯ll definitely lend a hand!¡± Donggong Mingyue put her hands on her hips and tilted her head proudly. ¡°I¡¯m your Senior Sister¡ªhow could I possibly need help? Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Lu Yi chuckled and flattered, ¡°Senior Sister is unbeatable!¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Donggong Mingyue¡¯s large, light-purple eyes sparkled with joy. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the Resource Hall.¡± Lu Yi nodded and followed her.
Unlike Outer Sect disciples, whose resources were distributed uniformly by the Affairs Hall, Inner Sect resources were allocated individually by each peak. Resource allocation also differed for Inner Sect disciples, core disciples, and personal disciples. However, this had nothing to do with Lu Yi. As a nominal disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master, he could take whatever he needed. Even personal disciples didn¡¯t have such privileges. The Resource Hall, responsible for distribution, was located halfway up the peak. Following Donggong Mingyue down the mountain, Lu Yi soon spotted a grand palace¡ªthe Resource Hall. Chapter 51: The Good Junior Brother of Senior Sister Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue walked along the stone steps and saw a handsome young man in a purple robe walking out of the hall. This purple-robed young man had profound cultivation and was at the Golden Core Realm. When he saw Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue, he was momentarily stunned, then revealed an enthusiastic smile. "So, it''s Junior Sister Donggong and Junior Brother Lu. What a coincidence! Are you here to collect resources as well?" Donggong Mingyue smiled and nodded. "So, it''s Senior Brother Xie. Junior Brother, this is Senior Brother Xie Tianming from our Ling Luo Peak. He is a core disciple under Elder Dongwang Lian and is very strong, ranking in the top ten among the Golden Core disciples of our White Cloud Sect." Xie Tianming smiled. "Junior Sister Donggong flatters me." Hearing this, Lu Yi smiled and greeted, "So it is Senior Brother Xie Tianming. Greetings, Senior Brother." Xie Tianming praised, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your performance in the peak entry assessment yesterday was truly impressive. If I had half your comprehension, that would be amazing." Lu Yi smiled awkwardly. "Senior Brother flatters me. My comprehension isn''t that exceptional." Xie Tianming smiled helplessly. "Junior Brother is too modest. If your comprehension isn''t strong, then what am I supposed to say?" ''No, my comprehension really isn''t that strong... It''s my cheat ability that''s strong.'' Lu Yi thought to himself but didn''t explain further and just smiled. "Senior Brother is too kind." Xie Tianming laughed. "It seems you two are busy, so I''ll take my leave first. Junior Brother Lu Yi, if you have any questions about cultivation in the future, feel free to come to me. Although my talent isn''t as good as yours, my cultivation experience might be of some help." Lu Yi was surprised to hear this. He hadn''t expected Xie Tianming to be so approachable. It seemed this Senior Brother was a good person. Lu Yi nodded and smiled. "If I encounter any problems, I''ll be sure to ask for your advice." "Haha, no problem at all. You two take care. I''ll be off now." Xie Tianming smiled and then turned into a streak of light, disappearing from sight. Watching Xie Tianming leave, Lu Yi sighed. "Senior Brother Xie Tianming seems like a good person." Donggong Mingyue grinned. "The disciples of our Ling Luo Peak are all pretty nice. Among the twelve peaks, our Ling Luo Peak has the best atmosphere. Everyone is united and harmonious." Lu Yi showed a slight smile. "That''s great." He personally preferred such an environment. After all, he wasn''t good at scheming and preferred making friends with kind people.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Let''s go inside," Donggong Mingyue said. Lu Yi nodded, and the two entered the Resource Hall. The hall was spacious and empty, with only a white-haired elder sitting in a rocking chair by the entrance. The chair swayed gently, and there was a small table beside him with a pot of tea. Seeing the elder, Donggong Mingyue grinned and said, "Elder Wang, we''ve come to collect resources." Elder Wang glanced at Donggong Mingyue and gave a kind smile. "Oh, it''s little Mingyue. What do you need this time?" Donggong Mingyue smiled and pointed to Lu Yi. "I''m not the one collecting resources this time; it''s my Junior Brother. By the way, the Peak Master has accepted him as a registered disciple, so don''t shortchange him on resources." Hearing this, Elder Wang was stunned and looked at Lu Yi with surprise. "Not bad, kid. Our Peak Master has extremely high standards. If you caught her eye, are you perhaps an innate spiritual body?" Lu Yi smiled and shook his head. "Elder Wang, you''re joking. I''m just of ordinary physique." Elder Wang was even more surprised. "An ordinary physique was accepted as a registered disciple by the Peak Master? You must have other exceptional qualities." "My Junior Brother has amazing comprehension, even stronger than Senior Sister Ningshuang! During the entry assessment, he passed the comprehension test in just two quarters of an hour!" Donggong Mingyue boasted proudly, as if she were talking about herself. Elder Wang''s pupils shrank, and he looked at Lu Yi in shock. Then he recovered and sighed. "The younger generation is truly surpassing the old. It seems the future of Ling Luo Peak will belong to you youngsters." He shook his head and stopped asking questions. "Lu Yi, what resources do you need? As long as the Resource Hall has them, you can take them. However, for particularly rare resources, you''ll need to explain their use. Otherwise, I can''t report to the Peak Master." Lu Yi nodded in understanding and then said, "I just need some Qi Condensation Pills, Yellow Ming Pills, and some materials that aren''t particularly rare, such as Fierce Tiger Bones, Spirit Ginseng, and Soul-Scattering Grass." Elder Wang gave Lu Yi a strange look. "These items aren''t rare. The storage room has plenty, but... it''s normal to need pills for cultivation. What do you need these materials for? Do you know alchemy?" Lu Yi smiled shyly. "I obtained some recipes for spiritual wine and food while completing tasks in the Outer Sect. It was inconvenient to gather materials in the Outer Sect, so I never tried them. Now that I have the chance, I want to give it a shot." In White Cloud Sect, both Outer and Inner Sect disciples had to complete a sect task annually. It helped build loyalty and offered rewards. Hearing Lu Yi''s explanation, Elder Wang laughed. "Trying to make spiritual food and wine? Interesting. Kid, if you succeed, you must let me try some." Lu Yi quickly replied, "Of course. I''ll definitely send some to Elder Wang." Donggong Mingyue grinned. "Junior Brother, save some for me too!" Lu Yi nodded and smiled. "How could I forget Senior Sister''s share?" Donggong Mingyue finally looked satisfied, patting Lu Yi''s shoulder. "Good Junior Brother indeed~" Elder Wang chuckled. "Wait here." He then got up and entered the inner hall. Before long, Elder Wang returned with several large bags and placed them on the table. "Here are your items. The Qi Condensation and Yellow Ming Pills are of the highest quality available in White Cloud Sect, even rare in Green Province and Eastern Domain. As for the other materials, I''ve prepared ten sets for you to practice with." Spiritual food and wine required talent, much like alchemy. It was unlikely Lu Yi would succeed on his first attempt, and Elder Wang didn''t expect him to. These resources, though substantial, were trivial for Ling Luo Peak, especially for a registered disciple under the Peak Master. Lu Yi quickly smiled. "Thank you, Elder Wang." "Mm, go focus on cultivation." Elder Wang nodded and reminded, "If you succeed, bring me some samples." Lu Yi grinned. "Of course." He then stored the items in his spatial ring and left with Donggong Mingyue. "Junior Brother, now that you''ve collected your resources, do you need help with anything else?" Donggong Mingyue asked with a smile. Lu Yi replied, "Actually, yes. Second Senior Sister, where can I find body-refining techniques?" Chapter 52: Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator "Body refining techniques?" Donggong Mingyue was momentarily stunned, then said speechlessly, "Oh right, the Peak Master didn¡¯t give you one yet." Lu Yi was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Will the Peak Master give me one?" "Of course. To break the limits of the Heavenly Dao, one cannot have obvious weaknesses. Both spiritual energy cultivation and physical body strength must be improved simultaneously. That¡¯s why the Peak Master gave me a body refining technique," Donggong Mingyue explained. Lu Yi¡¯s mouth twitched sharply. "¡­Then why don¡¯t I have one?" Could it be that the Peak Master disliked him? Lu Yi started to doubt his existence. Donggong Mingyue tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Maybe the Peak Master forgot." Lu Yi froze, looking dumbfounded. "Forgot?!" What kind of reason was that? "Yeah, you¡¯ve seen how the Peak Master is¡ªshe¡¯s always forgetting things," Donggong Mingyue said. Thinking of the Peak Master¡¯s drowsy demeanor, Lu Yi suddenly felt that Donggong Mingyue¡¯s explanation made sense. Feeling helpless, he asked, "So what should I do now?" Donggong Mingyue smiled. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take you to the Scripture Pavilion. You can just pick one." Lu Yi was stunned. "Is that really, okay?" Everyone knew that the White Cloud Sect had strict control over cultivation techniques and spells. Techniques obtained during outside training missions were fine, but sect techniques had to be exchanged with sect contribution points, earned by completing sect tasks. It was usually difficult to obtain them otherwise. Lu Yi found it hard to believe he could just take one. Donggong Mingyue waved her hand nonchalantly. "It¡¯s fine, Junior Brother. Don¡¯t worry. Didn¡¯t the Peak Master say to come to me if you had any problems? Once we explain the situation, they¡¯ll definitely give you one. You¡¯re the Peak Master¡¯s registered disciple. Her influence in the White Cloud Sect is very strong." Hearing this, Lu Yi nodded. "Alright." This was the fastest way to obtain a technique, so Lu Yi didn¡¯t refuse. "Let¡¯s go!" Donggong Mingyue said with a smile. Unlike the Resource Hall, which was controlled separately by each peak, the Scripture Pavilion was unified and located at the secondary peak near the main White Cloud Peak. Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue crossed the marketplace and soon arrived outside the Scripture Pavilion on the secondary peak. It was a massive five-story building with a large square outside. Many cultivators could be seen flying on swords, entering and exiting the pavilion, making the place bustling with activity.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Most cultivators worked hard to complete sect missions to exchange for the techniques they needed to improve their strength. As Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue crossed the square, several disciples who recognized Donggong Mingyue greeted her. As the registered disciple of Lingluo Peak¡¯s master, Donggong Mingyue held a unique position within the inner sect of the White Cloud Sect. Lu Yi, walking beside her, also drew a few glances. Some who recognized him smiled and nodded, while others, unfamiliar with him, looked puzzled. The two entered the pavilion, where a thin, elderly man with gray-white hair sat by the entrance. Though the elder¡¯s aura seemed ordinary, Lu Yi didn¡¯t believe he was just a common person. How could the Scripture Pavilion, such an important place, be guarded by an ordinary person? He was surely a powerful elder. The old man glanced at Donggong Mingyue and Lu Yi, raised an eyebrow, and said with a smile, "Ah, it¡¯s Mingyue. What brings you here?" Donggong Mingyue appeared more respectful than she had been with Elder Wang earlier. Smiling, she said, "Greetings, Elder Ming. I¡¯ve brought my Junior Brother to select a body refining technique." Hearing this, the old man raised his eyelids slightly and looked at Lu Yi. "Junior Brother? Lingluo accepted another registered disciple?" The disciples entering and exiting the pavilion froze, staring at Lu Yi in astonishment and whispering among themselves. "What?! Lingluo Peak Master accepted another registered disciple?!" "Who is this guy?! Never seen him before, yet he caught Lingluo Peak Master¡¯s eye?!" "I know him. His name¡¯s Lu Yi. He was the champion of this year¡¯s outer sect competition." "Outer sect champion? An outer sect disciple caught the Peak Master¡¯s attention?! Impossible!" "Exactly. Many geniuses brought from outside weren¡¯t chosen. Is he really from the outer sect?" "I heard from an elder that this kid has exceptional comprehension. All the techniques he practiced in the outer sect have reached mastery, and he even comprehended sword intent." This revelation left the disciples momentarily silent before gasps filled the air. "He¡¯s still at the Qi Refining Stage, right? Comprehending sword intent at this stage? No wonder¡­" "Youngsters these days are terrifying. It won¡¯t be long before the White Cloud Sect has another genius like Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang on the Eastern Domain Talent Rankings." "That¡¯s good news¡­" While the crowd murmured, Donggong Mingyue smirked and confirmed, "Yes, he¡¯s Lingluo Peak Master¡¯s new disciple." Lu Yi respectfully greeted Elder Ming. "Disciple Lu Yi greets Elder Ming." Elder Ming, having overheard the disciples, looked surprised as he examined Lu Yi, then nodded warmly. "Comprehended sword intent at the Qi Refining Stage? Impressive. Far better than I was at your age. No wonder Lingluo took you in. Drop by often¡ªI have some insights into sword intent." Lu Yi froze, as did the surrounding disciples. Then their eyes burned with envy. "Damn¡­ geniuses are so different. He just got here and already caught Elder Ming¡¯s attention." "Why wasn¡¯t I born a sword genius?!" "Elder Ming is a Nascent Soul sword cultivator. They say his sword intent pierces the heavens. With his guidance, this kid¡¯s future is set!" Lu Yi was stunned to learn Elder Ming was a Nascent Soul-level expert and a sword cultivator. No wonder the others were looking at him like they wanted to kill him. Realizing Elder Ming¡¯s stature, Lu Yi was awestruck. While he was lost in thought, Donggong Mingyue quickly tugged his sleeve and smiled sweetly at Elder Ming. "It¡¯s my Junior Brother¡¯s fortune to have your guidance. He¡¯ll definitely visit often." Lu Yi recovered and quickly said, "Thank you, Elder Ming! I¡¯ll definitely seek your guidance often!" Elder Ming nodded. "Go select a Body Refining technique. Since you¡¯re Lingluo¡¯s disciple, you may enter¡ªbut only this once. Stay on the first floor." Donggong Mingyue grinned. "Thank you, Elder Ming." Lu Yi also expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Elder Ming." "Mingyue, you stay here and chat with me," Elder Ming said. Donggong Mingyue stuck out her tongue and said, "Junior Brother, go ahead and pick." Lu Yi nodded. "Alright." With that, he stepped into the Scripture Pavilion, eager to find a powerful body refining technique. Chapter 53: New Task Channels Lu Yi entered the Library Pavilion and found himself in a massive hall. Rows of wooden shelves filled the room, each holding wooden plaques beneath which were written the names of various techniques and cultivation methods. The shelves were divided into sections for techniques and cultivation methods, further categorized by their specific functions, making it very convenient to search. Several disciples stood in front of the shelves, examining the plaques, which provided descriptions of the techniques and methods. The entire hall was extremely quiet, with everyone immersed in studying the techniques and cultivation methods. Lu Yi glanced around and murmured inwardly, ''I need to select a body-refining technique.'' [Task] Select a body-refining technique (0/1) Reward: 100 Supreme Yellow Ming Pills / 10 Perfect Yellow Ming Pills Accept Task? Yes/No Lu Yi was delighted. A reward just for picking a technique? ''Nice.'' Though the reward wasn''t much, who wouldn''t like free stuff? Lu Yi cheerfully accepted the task and began searching the body-refining techniques section. It didn''t take long for Lu Yi to locate the shelf dedicated to body-refining techniques, and he started browsing. As one of the largest cultivation sects in Green Province, White Cloud Sect housed an extensive collection of techniques and methods. Even body-refining techniques occupied an entire shelf. Few cultivators sought out body-refining techniques, so the shelf area was empty except for Lu Yi. He casually picked up a plaque introducing the "Withered Wood Technique." The "Withered Wood Technique" refined the body to resemble withered wood, making the skin tough. However, it didn''t do much for internal organ refinement and was highly vulnerable to fire techniques. Lu Yi immediately discarded it¡ªtoo many flaws. Next, he picked up the plaque for the "Gray Stone Body." The "Gray Stone Body" granted defense comparable to stone, making the body incredibly tough. However, it had a significant drawback¡ªit reduced agility and speed. Lu Yi rejected this one as well. It wasn¡¯t suitable. He wanted a more balanced body-refining technique without obvious weaknesses. Lu Yi continued browsing but couldn¡¯t find a satisfactory option until he was nearly done examining the entire shelf. Finally, he found one that seemed to suit him. The "Jade Body Technique" refined the body to form a jade-like structure, enhancing the skin, muscles, bones, tendons, and even internal organs. It provided all-around improvements.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. However, it had a glaring drawback¡ªit was excruciatingly slow to cultivate and consumed vast resources. The input-to-output ratio was highly imbalanced. For most people, achieving mastery in the "Jade Body Technique" could take over ten years. And this was just a Qi Refining stage technique! Ten years was enough time for most inner disciples to advance from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. Why waste time on this? Lu Yi figured few people would choose this technique. But for him, resources weren¡¯t an issue. Ever heard of Perfect Yellow Ming Pills? How about Tiger Bone Spirit Soup? Plus, he could continuously post tasks, significantly accelerating his cultivation speed compared to others. Once cultivated to a high level, this technique¡¯s benefits would likely be beyond imagination. Lu Yi decisively chose the "Jade Body Technique." Carrying the plaque, Lu Yi left the hall and headed to the entrance. Elder Ming was inspecting tokens at the entrance, with Donggong Mingyue standing obediently by his side. When Lu Yi emerged, Elder Ming and Donggong Mingyue both looked over. Donggong Mingyue smiled and approached. ¡°Junior Brother, have you made your choice?¡± Lu Yi nodded with a smile. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve made my choice.¡± Elder Ming grinned and asked, ¡°Which technique did you choose?¡± Lu Yi placed the plaque on the table and said, ¡°Elder Ming, I chose the "Jade Body Technique."¡± ¡°The ¡®Jade Body Technique¡¯?¡± Donggong Mingyue was briefly stunned and then said, ¡°Isn¡¯t that one really difficult? Are you sure about this, Junior Brother?¡± Elder Ming raised an eyebrow and added, ¡°This technique requires a high talent for body refinement. Most disciples only reach minor success even after ten years. Are you certain?¡± Lu Yi nodded confidently. ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± Elder Ming chuckled. ¡°Bold and ambitious. Since you¡¯re confident, I won¡¯t stop you.¡± Donggong Mingyue glanced at Lu Yi but didn¡¯t say more. At their level, talents usually had their own plans, and she respected Lu Yi¡¯s decision. Elder Ming retrieved the plaque and produced a jade slip from his storage bag. ¡°This is a one-time-use jade slip for the "Jade Body Technique." Use it when you get back. Also, sect techniques cannot be passed to others without permission. Swear an oath before taking it.¡± Lu Yi nodded. ¡°I understand.¡± He had already taken similar oaths when learning White Cloud¡¯s introductory techniques like the "Cloud Qi Absorption Technique," "White Cloud Sword Technique," and "White Cloud Step Technique." After making the oath, Lu Yi accepted the jade slip and left with Donggong Mingyue. Donggong Mingyue smiled and said, ¡°Junior Brother, the ¡®Jade Body Technique¡¯ is quite challenging. If you find it too difficult, don¡¯t waste time¡ªswitch to another technique. We don¡¯t have unlimited time to surpass the Heavenly Dao.¡± Lu Yi appreciated her advice and nodded sincerely. ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister, for the reminder.¡± Donggong Mingyue didn¡¯t press further and asked, ¡°Do you need anything else?¡± Lu Yi thought for a moment. He already had ingredients for spirit food and wine, a body-refining technique, and plenty of resources. There wasn¡¯t much else he needed. ¡°No, I¡¯m all set. Let¡¯s head back.¡± Donggong Mingyue cheerfully replied, ¡°Alright.¡± Then, she remembered something and added, ¡°Oh, Junior Brother, don¡¯t forget about the monthly Trial Tower and the annual sect tasks. Even as a Peak Master¡¯s disciple, you¡¯re required to participate. Don¡¯t lose track of time while cultivating.¡± Lu Yi nodded. ¡°Got it.¡± He recalled that Elder Du Guyang had already mentioned the Trial Tower. Inner disciples had to visit it monthly to assess their progress. The tower also influenced resource allocation. Disciples received rewards based on the floors they reached, and rankings further motivated them to improve. As for sect tasks, they were mandatory. Disciples could take as many as they wanted, even daily, but had to complete at least one each year. Lu Yi had already done several sect tasks before but hadn¡¯t completed this year¡¯s yet. He needed to handle that soon. While pondering, Lu Yi had a realization¡ªwhat if he posted tasks for himself while completing sect tasks? Double rewards from a single task? Not bad! And what about the Trial Tower? Could he set goals like reaching a certain floor or ranking? Lu Yi¡¯s eyes sparkled, as if he had discovered a new treasure. ''Brilliant!'' He realized that joining the inner sect had opened up many more opportunities for tasks. Feeling excited, Lu Yi resolved to focus on cultivation first and visit the Trial Tower at the end of the month to test the waters! Chapter 54: Introduction to Spiritual Cooking Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue returned to Lingluo Peak. After bidding farewell to each other, they went back to their respective caves. As soon as Lu Yi returned to his cave, the first thing he did was practice spiritual cooking and brewing spiritual wine! The spiritual cooking technique and brewing technique he had previously been rewarded with both had basic skills, while the Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup and Spirit Nourishing Dew were at Level 1. Just like techniques and cultivation methods, leveling up required Lu Yi to assign himself practice tasks. This wasn¡¯t difficult for Lu Yi. The cooking and brewing techniques at the Qi Refining level used tools similar to regular cooking and brewing equipment. Of course, better tools would be ideal, but those were treasure-level items, and Lu Yi didn¡¯t have any yet. For now, he planned to use the tools provided in his cave to make Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup and Spirit Nourishing Dew. Lu Yi went to the kitchen, assigned himself tasks, and began practicing. During the process, Lu Yi noticed some differences between cooking and brewing. When practicing making Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup, he only needed to complete the dish to finish the task. However, brewing Spirit Nourishing Dew was different. Brewing required fermentation time. It took fifteen days to produce a batch of Spirit Nourishing Dew. The brewing task could only be marked complete after the Spirit Nourishing Dew was fully prepared. Without completing the task, he couldn¡¯t claim any rewards. This put Lu Yi in a slightly awkward position. In the short term, it seemed difficult to level up his Spirit Nourishing Dew brewing skill. So, Lu Yi decided to use up all ten sets of ingredients he had and wait for the results when the tasks were completed. The rewards from brewing ten batches of Spirit Nourishing Dew would allow him to directly increase his brewing skill by one level. It was an acceptable outcome, though it required waiting fifteen days. It took Lu Yi an entire morning to use up all the materials. The harvest was quite substantial. He stored the ten jars of Spirit Nourishing Dew and waited for them to ferment, while his spatial ring now contained ten portions of Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup. Lu Yi tasted the first portion of Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup he cooked. How did it taste? Well... it wasn¡¯t terrible, but it wasn¡¯t exactly good either. Despite the mediocre taste, his Level 1 cooking skill ensured that the soup¡¯s medicinal effects were intact. The main issue was that the ingredient utilization wasn¡¯t very efficient. After taking just one sip, Lu Yi could feel rich spiritual energy circulating through his body. His limbs and bones felt warm, and he even sensed a slight increase in his physical strength. Although the effect was noticeable, Lu Yi couldn¡¯t bring himself to take a second sip due to the taste. It felt like he was punishing his taste buds.Stolen novel; please report. Lu Yi thought about it. Given his rate of improvement, it wouldn¡¯t take long for him to raise the soup¡¯s quality to a higher level. He could enjoy it properly then without wasting too much time. However, he also didn¡¯t want to waste the current batch of soup. Even though he could get more ingredients from the Resource Hall, wasting materials wasn¡¯t a good habit. Lu Yi decided to give the soup to others. He ruled out giving it to his second senior sister. After all, she treated him so well¡ªhe couldn¡¯t possibly give her something that tasted this bad. He had to make something better for her. He considered others instead. Lu Yi thought about Elder Ming, Elder Wang, Senior Brother Xie Tianming, and Senior Brother Jiang Fan. Elder Ming? Better not. He was a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator. Giving him such low-level spiritual food might be insulting. Elder Wang? Well, Elder Wang did want Lu Yi to make spiritual food for him. But considering the taste, Lu Yi was hesitant. In the end, Lu Yi decided to leave one portion for Elder Wang. After all, he might need more materials from him later. While Elder Wang wouldn¡¯t refuse, thanks to the peak master¡¯s support, it would be better if Elder Wang handed them over willingly. Senior Brother Xie Tianming? They had only spoken briefly and weren¡¯t close. Besides, Xie Tianming was already at the Golden Core stage, so the soup wouldn¡¯t be of much use to him. For the remaining nine portions, Lu Yi decided to give them to Jiang Fan and the others. They could actually use it. Tie Man Senior Brother was a body cultivator and would likely benefit from the soup. Lu Yi planned to bring him three portions and perhaps spar with him to acquire more Perfect Yellow Ming Pills for body refinement. Senior Brother Jiang Fan, Senior Brother Bai Yulong, and Senior Brother Li Yun had sparred with him many times before and provided him with plenty of cultivation resources. Leaving two portions each for Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong and one for Li Yun seemed reasonable. Finally, Senior Sister Lin Wan¡¯er had previously gifted him the Forget Dust Technique, which was very useful. He decided to save one portion for her as well. With this plan settled, Lu Yi was quite satisfied. However, he didn¡¯t plan to go out today. He had just obtained the Jade Body Technique and wanted to practice it. Lu Yi took out the one-time-use jade slip containing the Jade Body Technique and pressed it against his forehead, absorbing its contents. The jade slip turned to powder and scattered in the wind. Lu Yi murmured to himself, ''I need to carefully study the Jade Body Technique.'' [Task] Lu Yi raised his eyebrows. As expected, this technique was much harder. When he practiced the Nine Shadow Sword, he had grasped the basics after reading it just once. But now, studying the Jade Body Technique only provided a proficiency boost. Even so, Lu Yi gladly accepted the task. It was still better than training entirely on his own. After carefully studying the technique, Lu Yi felt streams of warm energy flowing through his body, circulating his spiritual energy and continuously tempering his muscles, bones, and internal organs. This process lasted for a while. When the warmth faded, Lu Yi felt his physical strength had increased by about 20%. Lu Yi was pleasantly surprised. He hadn¡¯t even mastered the technique yet, and it already had such a significant effect. He couldn¡¯t imagine how much stronger he¡¯d become when the Jade Body Technique reached Level 7 or higher. Next, Lu Yi took out some Perfect Yellow Ming Pills obtained from Tie Man and the reward from today¡¯s training. He murmured, ''I¡¯ll practice the Jade Body Technique ten more times!'' [Task] Indeed, improving this technique was much harder than the White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Steps. Lu Yi sighed and swallowed a Perfect Yellow Ming Pill, then began circulating the Jade Body Technique to temper his body. Lu Yi spent the entire afternoon practicing the Jade Body Technique and continued cultivating the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique at night. The next morning, Lu Yi opened his eyes and stepped out of his cave. He planned to visit the Resource Hall, deliver the Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup to Elder Wang, and collect more ingredients to improve the soup¡¯s quality. Chapter 55: Bitter Cultivation Lu Yi walked along the stone steps and arrived at the Resource Hall. The Resource Hall was quite deserted today. Whether on the stone steps or the plaza, Lu Yi didn¡¯t see any other disciples. Entering the hall, Lu Yi saw Elder Wang sitting alone on a reclining chair, leisurely rocking back and forth while reading a book. He looked completely relaxed. Noticing someone enter, Elder Wang looked toward the door. Upon seeing Lu Yi, he was momentarily stunned before smiling. ¡°So, it¡¯s you, Lu boy. You were just here yesterday, and now you¡¯re back again today?¡± Elder Wang didn¡¯t think Lu Yi could have used up all the resources so quickly. If that were the case, he would definitely need to ask some questions. Lu Yi smiled and took out a white porcelain bowl. ¡°Elder Wang, didn¡¯t you ask me to bring you a portion after cooking the spiritual food? I brought it over for you.¡± Hearing this, Elder Wang was momentarily stunned and looked at Lu Yi with a slightly confused expression. Then, he snapped out of it, quickly sat up straight, and looked at the porcelain bowl in Lu Yi¡¯s hands. His expression turned odd as he asked, ¡°...Are you saying you already succeeded in cooking the spiritual food?!¡± Lu Yi smiled and nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± He opened the porcelain bowl, revealing the milky white Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup inside, and explained, ¡°This is Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup. It¡¯s just a Qi Refining-level spiritual food, which strengthens the bones and refines the body. I worked hard on it all day yesterday and finally succeeded. Remembering Elder Wang¡¯s words, I brought some for you.¡± Elder Wang stood up, walked over to Lu Yi, took the bowl, and placed it on the table beside him. He examined the milky white soup carefully. With his Nascent Soul Realm strength, Elder Wang could easily sense the spiritual energy surging within the soup, a distinct feature of spiritual food. This made Elder Wang feel doubtful. ¡°Is this for real?! Even for Qi Refining-level spiritual food, it¡¯s not easy to learn, right? And you managed it in one day?!¡± Lu Yi smiled and handed him a spoon. ¡°If Elder Wang doesn¡¯t believe me, you can try it yourself.¡± Elder Wang took the spoon without hesitation and scooped up a spoonful to taste. The moment he drank it, Elder Wang¡¯s expression changed. His mouth twitched slightly, his face turned a little pale, and his expression contorted. Seeing Elder Wang¡¯s stiff expression, Lu Yi coughed awkwardly and smiled sheepishly. ¡°I haven¡¯t cooked much before, so my first attempt at spiritual food might not taste the best. I hope Elder Wang can forgive me.¡± Elder Wang, being a Nascent Soul cultivator, wasn¡¯t particularly bothered by a bad taste. He quickly recovered, sensing the spiritual energy circulating within him. His shock deepened as he muttered, ¡°...It really works.¡± He looked at Lu Yi with an odd expression. ¡°...Lu boy, did you really learn this in one day? You didn¡¯t secretly practice beforehand?¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Actually, I succeeded on my first try... Lu Yi thought to himself but maintained a serious expression. ¡°How could I deceive Elder Wang? I didn¡¯t have any materials before, so I never practiced.¡± Elder Wang¡¯s face twitched. ¡°...You should consider joining the Magnolia Peak instead.¡± Elder Wang couldn¡¯t imagine what the Magnolia Peak Master would do if she learned about Lu Yi¡¯s talent for spiritual food. He knew she had always envied his peak master for having disciples like Liu Ningshuang and Donggong Mingyue. If that happened, wouldn¡¯t the White Cloud Sect be thrown into chaos?! Just thinking about it gave Elder Wang a headache. Lu Yi was momentarily stunned by Elder Wang¡¯s words, recalling the elegant and gentle beauty he had met at Magnolia Pavilion earlier. He forced a smile. ¡°Elder Wang, you¡¯re joking. My ambition is to ascend to immortality. Cooking spiritual food is just a means to strengthen myself.¡± Elder Wang nodded approvingly and smiled. ¡°Ambitious! With your talent, it¡¯s not impossible.¡± To be honest, Elder Wang had never seen such a genius like Lu Yi before. In cultivation, he grasped sword intent at the Qi Refining Stage. In cooking, he mastered Qi Refining-level spiritual food in one day. It was ridiculous! Even Elder Wang, once considered a genius himself, now felt weak in comparison. ¡°Heh, then I¡¯ll take Elder Wang¡¯s blessing.¡± Lu Yi grinned. Elder Wang chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re not here just to bring me soup, are you?¡± Lu Yi laughed sheepishly. ¡°Elder Wang sees right through me. I used up all the ingredients practicing yesterday and came to get more.¡± Hearing this, Elder Wang didn¡¯t hesitate and said, ¡°With your talent as a spiritual chef, it would be a waste not to develop it properly. I¡¯ll give you a hundred portions this time.¡± Lu Yi¡¯s eyes lit up. He hadn¡¯t expected Elder Wang to be so generous. Bringing the soup over was definitely the right move! Lu Yi quickly thanked him. ¡°Thank you, Elder Wang.¡± Elder Wang smiled. ¡°Wait here.¡± He turned and entered the inner hall. Soon, Elder Wang returned, pulling out piles of ingredients from his spatial ring, stacking them into a small mountain in front of Lu Yi. ¡°Take them. Practicing spiritual food is fine, but don¡¯t forget your primary cultivation.¡± Lu Yi nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll remember.¡± He stores all the ingredients, looking at his spatial ring, which was almost full. The spatial ring provided to inner disciples wasn¡¯t small¡ªthree meters in length, width, and height¡ªbut the materials took up too much space. Lu Yi thought helplessly that he¡¯d need to get a bigger spatial ring in the future. He turned to Elder Wang and said, ¡°Thank you again, Elder Wang. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± Elder Wang waved. Lu Yi turned and left the Resource Hall. Elder Wang glanced at the Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then shook his head. He didn¡¯t want to drink it. The taste was just too unpleasant¡ªbetter to give it to his disciples instead. The effects mattered more than the flavor. ... Leaving the Resource Hall, Lu Yi visited Tie Man, Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong, Liu Tian, and Lin Wan¡¯er, giving them some of the Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup. Hearing that Lu Yi had learned to cook spiritual food, they were all astonished. Receiving such a gift made them deeply grateful. Tie Man, in particular, being a body cultivator, greatly needed this kind of spiritual food. Lu Yi gave him three portions, and Tie Man almost swore brotherhood with him on the spot. It took Lu Yi a lot of effort to dissuade him. They ended up sparring for an entire morning, and Lu Yi earned dozens of Perfect Yellow Ming Pills, leaving satisfied. ... In the following days, Lu Yi returned to his usual cultivation routine. With so many things to practice, he allocated time carefully. In the mornings, he practiced cooking Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup. In the afternoons, he trained in White Cloud Sword Art and White Cloud Steps. At night, he practiced Jade Body Technique in the first half and White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique in the second half. In his spare time, he also worked on Dust Removal Technique and Breath Concealing Technique. His schedule was packed, making each day productive. Soon, it was the end of the month. In the morning, Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes. A trace of spiritual light flashed within them. After this period of training, his aura had become deeper and more profound. However, this powerful aura quickly dissipated, making him seem like any ordinary cultivator. His Breath Concealing Technique had already reached Level 3, achieving preliminary results. Just then, Donggong Mingyue¡¯s voice came from outside. ¡°Junior Brother! Hurry up! We need to head to the Trial Tower!¡± Lu Yi smiled and replied, ¡°Coming!¡± Chapter 56: Liu Ningshuang Leaves Seclusion Lu Yi stepped out the door and saw Donggong Mingyue, dressed in a purple long dress, standing outside. She was rocking on her heels and craning her neck, looking around idly. Seeing Lu Yi come out, Donggong Mingyue broke into a cheerful smile and said, "Junior Brother, you¡¯re finally out. Senior Sister Ningshuang has left seclusion. Let¡¯s go see her first and then head to the Trial Tower together." "Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang is out of seclusion?" Lu Yi asked in surprise. "Yes, the Peak Master just informed me. She also said you should meet with Senior Sister Ningshuang." Lu Yi: "¡­" ''Why didn¡¯t the Peak Master just tell me directly? Is it because I¡¯ve been focused on cultivation lately?'' Despite his thoughts, the idea of meeting Liu Ningshuang left Lu Yi slightly expectant. If he could quickly raise her favorability toward him and make her fall in love with him, the rewards would be incredible. Lu Yi snapped back to reality and smiled. "Alright, let¡¯s go then." Donggong Mingyue nodded, and the two headed toward Liu Ningshuang¡¯s cave dwelling. Liu Ningshuang¡¯s cave dwelling wasn¡¯t far from theirs. After a short walk, they arrived outside her residence. Donggong Mingyue called out at the door, "Senior Sister Ningshuang! The Peak Master asked us to call you for the Trial Tower test." Soon, the stone door of the cave opened, and a familiar cold and elegant figure appeared. Liu Ningshuang wore a white dress, exuding an icy aura. She still looked as unapproachable as ever. Donggong Mingyue skipped over cheerfully and said, "Senior Sister Ningshuang, you¡¯re finally out!" Liu Ningshuang nodded slightly. Her cold face softened a little when facing Donggong Mingyue. "Mm." Then, she looked up at Lu Yi with a trace of curiosity on her face. "Junior Brother Lu? Why are you here?" Donggong Mingyue smiled and explained, "Senior Sister Ningshuang, Junior Brother joined Ling Luo Peak after the competition and has already been accepted as the Peak Master¡¯s registered disciple." Lu Yi also nodded with a smile. "Senior Sister Liu, it¡¯s been a while." Hearing this, Liu Ningshuang showed a hint of surprise. She looked at Lu Yi and, for the first time, a faint smile appeared on her cold face. "Junior Brother Lu, you really surprised me. I thought you might join Ling Luo Peak, but I didn¡¯t expect you to become the Peak Master¡¯s registered disciple." Lu Yi chuckled. "I have to thank Senior Sister Liu for your guidance last time and that bottle of top-grade Qi Condensation Pills. Without them, my strength wouldn¡¯t have improved so quickly." Liu Ningshuang shook her head. "It¡¯s because Junior Brother Lu is talented. I only played a minor supporting role." Lu Yi smiled. "Regardless, I will always remember Senior Sister¡¯s kindness." Donggong Mingyue, standing to the side, scratched her head and said, "Senior Sister Ningshuang, Junior Brother, what¡¯s the point of complimenting each other? Let¡¯s go quickly! At the end of the month, the Trial Tower gets crowded. If we don¡¯t hurry, we¡¯ll have to wait a long time."Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Liu Ningshuang and Lu Yi exchanged a smile. Liu Ningshuang then said, "Let¡¯s head out." She waved her hand, and a white jade boat appeared in front of them. It was a flying artifact. Lu Yi wasn¡¯t surprised that Liu Ningshuang had a flying artifact. After all, she was one of the top geniuses on the Eastern Region¡¯s Heavenly Pride Ranking. Among the younger generation in Green Province, she was practically unmatched. Moreover, with Ling Luo Peak¡¯s Master as her teacher, getting a flying artifact was naturally easy. The jade boat was more than 20 meters long, spacious enough for the three of them. The trio boarded the jade boat, which lifted off and streaked across the sky toward the Trial Tower at the center of White Cloud City. The jade boat soon arrived at the Trial Tower area. The towering Trial Tower stood on a vast square. Surrounding it were four stone monuments, each engraved with golden letters at the top. They read: Qi Refining Trial Rankings, Foundation Establishment Trial Rankings, Golden Core Trial Rankings, and Nascent Soul Trial Rankings. The rankings displayed names alongside the floors they had reached in the tower. These were details Elder Dugu Fang had explained to them when they first joined. Disciples who made it onto the rankings received preferential resource allocations. After all, the sect¡¯s resources weren¡¯t infinite. Naturally, more resources were given to talented disciples. Back then, Elder Dugu Fang had advised them to do their best during the Trial Tower tests to secure more resources. However, this no longer concerned Lu Yi. As the Peak Master¡¯s registered disciple, he wouldn¡¯t lack resources. At this moment, the square was bustling with two to three thousand people, with even more flying in from all directions. The inner sect had tens of thousands of disciples, and most preferred testing at the end of the month. Although there was no mandatory time for the tests, resources were a major concern. Even a little more cultivation time could mean climbing one more floor in the Trial Tower. Thus, most disciples postponed their tests until the last day. When Liu Ningshuang¡¯s jade boat appeared, almost everyone turned to look. "It¡¯s Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang¡¯s white jade boat! She¡¯s here." "Sigh, I feel bad for the other core disciples. With Senior Sister Liu around, they¡¯ll never be first." "Yeah, Senior Sister Liu is ranked among the top on the Eastern Region¡¯s Heavenly Pride Ranking. The gap is too big. Good thing I¡¯m not a core disciple, or I¡¯d feel hopeless." "Hah! Don¡¯t flatter yourself. Even if you wanted to be a core disciple, which elder or Peak Master would take you?" "That¡¯s Junior Sister Donggong, right? I wonder when the Peak Master will formally accept her as a disciple?" "Should be soon. Junior Sister Donggong has a natural spirit body, just like Senior Sister Liu. Her talent is extraordinary." "Wait¡­ who¡¯s that guy?" "What?! No way! There¡¯s a man on Senior Sister Liu¡¯s jade boat? My heart is broken!" As the jade boat descended, the crowd erupted into chatter upon seeing Lu Yi. Many looked shocked and incredulous. Among the crowd, Nangong Moyu stood beside a strong, handsome man in white robes. The man stared at Lu Yi with a stiff expression before asking, "Brother Nangong, who is that guy?" Nangong Moyu glanced at him and smiled. "Brother Wang, don¡¯t you know? That¡¯s our Ling Luo Peak¡¯s new junior disciple, Lu Yi. He¡¯s extraordinarily talented, especially in comprehension. He¡¯s already a registered disciple of the Peak Master." Hearing this, Wang Tianzun looked at Lu Yi in disbelief. "The Peak Master¡¯s registered disciple? Does he really have such talent?" "Looks like you haven¡¯t been paying attention," Nangong Moyu said with a chuckle. "Junior Brother Lu mastered Sword Intent at the Qi Refining Stage and learned a Qi Refining spell in just two minutes. What do you think of that talent?" Wang Tianzun fell silent. Nangong Moyu gave him a strange look and added, "Brother Wang, don¡¯t tell me you have feelings for Senior Sister Liu? Take my advice¡ªgive up. Senior Sister Liu is like the sun in the sky. People like us shouldn¡¯t even dream about it." Wang Tianzun snorted and retorted, "Haven¡¯t you heard? Sincerity can move even the hardest hearts!" Nangong Moyu shook his head and said no more. Meanwhile, the disciples who learned about Lu Yi¡¯s background looked at him with a mix of awe and curiosity. "So, he¡¯s the Peak Master¡¯s disciple!" "Wow¡­ his talent must be terrifying." Some beautiful female disciples also took note. "He¡¯s so handsome! And his talent matches his looks." "Hehe, I wonder if he already has a Dao companion?" "Let¡¯s see how many floors he can clear in the Trial Tower. With his talent, he might make it into the top ten of the Qi Refining rankings!" Chapter 57: Inside the Trial Tower As the white jade boat landed amidst the crowd''s discussions, Lu Yi and his two companions disembarked. They headed toward the Trial Tower, attracting greetings from passing disciples directed at Liu Ningshuang. "Senior Sister Liu." "Greetings, Senior Sister Liu." Liu Ningshuang''s expression remained cold and indifferent, yet the disciples persisted with enthusiasm. When Liu Ningshuang glanced at one of them, their face lit up with excitement. Lu Yi felt somewhat speechless. ''These people really resemble die-hard fans.'' Ignoring the crowd, Lu Yi turned his attention to the four trial rankings displayed. He immediately noticed some familiar names. His own Second Senior Sister, Donggong Mingyue, was ranked first on the Qi Refining Trial Ranking. Xie Tianming, the senior he had encountered earlier, held the twelfth spot on the Golden Core Trial Ranking. As for Liu Ningshuang, she topped the Nascent Soul Trial Ranking. Among the inner disciples, those who had reached the Nascent Soul Realm were rare and considered extraordinarily talented. Yet, all of them were overshadowed by Liu Ningshuang. What shocked Lu Yi even more was that Liu Ningshuang had reached the 34th floor of the Trial Tower. From Du Gufang''s explanations, Lu Yi knew that each ten floors corresponded to a major cultivation realm, and each floor within represented a minor stage. The first floor matched the first level of Qi Refining, while the 34th floor corresponded to the fourth level of the Nascent Soul Realm. This meant Liu Ningshuang''s combat strength had already reached the fourth level of the Nascent Soul Realm! However, this was likely not her full strength. After all, the Trial Tower only simulated challenges and was not a life-or-death battle. Talented disciples would not reveal all their trump cards just to clear floors. Considering her performance in the tower, Liu Ningshuang''s true combat power likely exceeded the fourth level of the Nascent Soul Realm. Lu Yi was stunned. ''Senior Sister Liu broke through to the Golden Core Realm at nineteen, and within just a few years, she''s already this strong. Is this what a true genius looks like?'' Even Donggong Mingyue, who was at the tenth level of Qi Refining, had already reached the 13th floor, equivalent to matching a cultivator at the third level of the Foundation Establishment Realm. ''This is the strength of an innate spiritual body.'' The trio approached the entrance of the Trial Tower, where a white-haired elder sat cross-legged nearby. When the elder saw Liu Ningshuang, he slowly opened his eyes and smiled.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Ningshuang, Mingyue, you''ve arrived." Liu Ningshuang''s cold face softened with respect as she greeted, "Elder Xuan." Donggong Mingyue followed suit, "Greetings, Elder Xuan." Lu Yi glanced at the elder and mimicked his seniors, "Greetings, Elder Xuan." Elder Xuan looked at Lu Yi with a warm smile. "You must be Lu Yi? Elder Ming mentioned you¡ªa Qi Refining disciple who has already comprehended sword intent. Quite impressive. Keep up the hard work." Lu Yi was surprised. ''Elder Xuan knows Elder Ming?'' He quickly replied, "I will work hard, Elder." Liu Ningshuang also gave Lu Yi a curious look. She hadn''t known that Lu Yi had already grasped sword intent. ''To comprehend sword intent at such a young age... Junior Brother Lu is indeed extraordinary.'' Elder Xuan nodded. "You arrived at a good time. There are still a few open slots in the tower. You can enter now." The disciples in line showed no dissatisfaction, instead looking forward to the trio''s performance. "I wonder if Senior Sister Liu can reach the 35th floor this time?" "I heard Senior Sister Liu gained insights during her recent closed-door cultivation. Her strength likely improved again. Reaching the 35th floor might be possible." "What about Senior Sister Donggong? Can she advance another floor?" "Senior Sister Donggong''s strength already nears the peak of the Qi Refining stage. Why hasn''t she broken through to Foundation Establishment yet?" "Maybe geniuses think differently?" Others focused on Lu Yi. "How far do you think Junior Brother Lu can go?" "Being favored by the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak, he can probably fight above his level. But I think he''s only at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining, so he might struggle against Foundation Establishment cultivators¡ªprobably around the 11th floor." "Maybe not. During the outer sect competition, he fought someone with Foundation Establishment-level strength and still had energy to spare. He might even defeat a first-level Foundation Establishment disciple." "Wow, is he really that strong?!" At another spot, Bai Yulong, Jiang Fan, and Tie Man observed the scene with curiosity. Bai Yulong fanned himself and smiled. "How far do you think Junior Brother Lu will go?" Tie Man scratched his head. "He can definitely reach the 11th floor." Jiang Fan crossed his arms lazily. "When I sparred with Junior Brother Lu, he held back. I think he could reach the 12th floor." Lin Wan''er declared confidently, "I believe Junior Brother Lu can definitely reach the 12th floor!" Bai Yulong added, "As a disciple of Lingluo Peak''s master, Lu Yi needs to perform well to avoid criticism. I hope he delivers." Jiang Fan nodded seriously. "With his talent, Lu Yi will definitely prove himself." While they discussed, Lu Yi and the others handed their inner disciple tokens to Elder Xuan, who placed them against the Trial Tower''s barrier. The tokens glowed faintly before being returned. Elder Xuan smiled. "All set. Go ahead. Don''t worry about safety. Failing a challenge will teleport you out, but avoid pushing yourself too far and getting seriously injured¡ªit could hinder your cultivation." "Thank you for the advice, Elder," Lu Yi said, appreciating the concern directed at him since it was his first time entering. "Go on." Elder Xuan nodded and opened the tower''s doors. Exchanging glances, the trio stepped inside. Once inside, Lu Yi found himself in a spacious, gray-white room about a hundred meters wide, made entirely of stone slabs with no visible doors. Neither Liu Ningshuang nor Donggong Mingyue were with him. Lu Yi was startled. "This is the inside of the Trial Tower?!" ''It¡¯s like being teleported to another dimension. This tower is amazing!'' Lu Yi recalled that the tower was an artifact obtained from ancient ruins. It truly lived up to its reputation. ''Could it be a spiritual artifact? Or maybe even an immortal artifact? No, if it were an immortal artifact, White Cloud Sect might not even be able to protect it.'' Shaking his head to refocus, Lu Yi felt excitement build. ''If this tower continuously provides tasks, I can farm resources here. At least, I won''t lack resources anytime soon.'' Lu Yi silently vowed, ''I will climb to the 2nd floor!'' Chapter 58: Trial Tower, 12th Floor [Task] Ascend to the 2nd floor of the Trial Tower. Reward: Hundred-Year Spiritual Dew * 2 Accept: Yes / No Lu Yi''s eyes lit up. There were rewards! With this, as long as he kept climbing, the rewards would surely increase. He could collect a lot of good items this way. He wondered if the tasks in the Trial Tower could be repeated. If they could, it would be perfect. Lu Yi accepted the task with excitement. At that moment, a flash of white light appeared in front of him, and a young man dressed in a green robe emerged. The young man¡¯s cultivation was at the first layer of Qi Refining, and his aura was weak. With an expressionless face, he immediately wielded a longsword and charged at Lu Yi. With only Qi Refining level one, his speed was naturally not fast. Lu Yi casually swung his sword, slicing across the young man¡¯s neck. The figure of the young man dissolved into white light and disappeared. A staircase appeared on one side of the empty room, leading to the second floor. Having defeated his opponent on the first floor, Lu Yi could now proceed to the second floor. Lu Yi ascended to the second floor and received the task to climb to the third floor. [Task] Ascend to the 3rd floor of the Trial Tower. Reward: Hundred-Year Spiritual Dew * 3 Accept: Yes / No Lu Yi, of course, chose "Yes." Thus, Lu Yi continued climbing. Every time he ascended a floor, he earned several drops of Hundred-Year Spiritual Dew. The opponents in the Trial Tower were ordinary Qi Refining cultivators. They had solid foundations but no particularly powerful techniques. For Lu Yi, defeating them was as easy as swinging his sword. He climbed until he reached the 10th floor, just like before, and muttered to himself, ''I want to reach the 11th floor.'' [Task] Ascend to the 11th floor of the Trial Tower. Reward: High-Grade Magical Artifact - Azure Fish Pendant. Accept: Yes / No Lu Yi was stunned when he saw the reward. A magical artifact?! And a high-grade one at that?This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. This reward was even better than he expected. Feeling a bit excited, Lu Yi accepted the task. The next moment, his opponent appeared. On the 10th floor, the opponent''s cultivation was naturally at the 10th layer of Qi Refining, with a stable aura, much stronger than previous opponents. The green-robed man tapped his toes, turning into a streak of light as he charged at Lu Yi. Swish! A sharp sword light flashed. The green-robed man froze mid-motion before dissolving into white light and vanishing. Instant kill. With Lu Yi¡¯s current strength, defeating a Qi Refining level ten cultivator was effortless. Lu Yi stepped toward the newly appeared staircase and climbed to the 11th floor. ... Meanwhile, outside the Trial Tower, more disciples gathered in the square. The disciples waiting for their trials were now focused on the changes in the Trial Leaderboard. Especially after Liu Ningshuang, Donggong Mingyue, and Lu Yi entered, everyone eagerly watched the leaderboard, curious about their performances. The names on the Trial Leaderboard constantly shifted, reflecting the progress of each participant. At this moment, Lu Yi¡¯s ranking appeared in the top 100, reaching 92nd place. The disciples watching the leaderboard immediately noticed. "Look! Lu Yi is on the board!" "Huh? Really? He¡¯s already on the 11th floor!" "That fast?!" "Yeah, how long has he been in there? He¡¯s already at the 11th floor?! Didn¡¯t he practically skip through each floor?" "Hiss... It seems even a Qi Refining level ten cultivator can¡¯t withstand a single move from him?" "...Isn¡¯t he only at Qi Refining level eight?" Everyone exchanged glances, utterly shocked. While they were discussing, Lu Yi¡¯s ranking jumped again, reaching 14th place. "?????" The square fell silent. Even Elder Xuan glanced at the leaderboard in surprise. Stroking his beard, Elder Xuan chuckled. "This little fellow is remarkable... Ling Luo¡¯s judgment is indeed sharp." The crowd erupted in an uproar. "Wait, what?! Did he just defeat a Foundation Establishment level one cultivator?!" "He defeated a Foundation Establishment cultivator so quickly? How strong is he? Where did this monster come from?!" Even those familiar with Lu Yi, like Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong, and Lin Wan¡¯er, were stunned. Bai Yulong stopped fanning himself. His mouth twitched bitterly. "Sigh... Comparing ourselves to Lu Yi is pointless. The gap between us keeps growing. Soon, we won¡¯t even be able to see his shadow." Lin Wan¡¯er¡¯s eyes flickered. Feeling a bit discouraged, she bit her lower lip. ''Lu Yi¡¯s talent is too shocking. He must have made huge improvements recently.'' Jiang Fan grinned. "This guy is truly incredible. After this, no one will ever doubt Lu Yi¡¯s talent again. That¡¯s a good thing." ... While the others were discussing, Lu Yi reached the 12th floor of the Trial Tower. In the empty room, a flash of white light revealed a young man in a green robe. Lu Yi noticed that all his opponents wore similar outfits, likely from the same sect. This made Lu Yi think about the Trial Tower¡¯s origins, possibly a relic from the White Cloud Sect. However, these thoughts didn¡¯t matter to him. The green-robed youth before him started gathering spiritual energy. Forming a hand seal, the two longswords strapped to his back rang out, unsheathing and shooting toward Lu Yi like lightning. Feeling the sharp sword aura, Lu Yi¡¯s pupils slightly contracted. He activated his White Cloud Steps technique at full power, drifting backward. The longswords grazed past him and stabbed into the stone floor, leaving cracks. Sword Control Technique! Lu Yi raised an eyebrow. At the Foundation Establishment stage, techniques and spells became much stronger than in the Qi Refining stage. This kind of sword control technique would likely be too fast for most Qi Refining cultivators to handle. But Lu Yi was not an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator. His Azure Spirit Sword radiated swirling sword clouds, extending several meters outward. The powerful sword intent surged, and an overwhelming aura erupted from Lu Yi. Lifting his sword, Lu Yi slashed at the distant green-robed youth. The rolling sword clouds spread tens of meters, carving patterns into the floor, and instantly engulfed the opponent. In the next moment, golden light flickered within the sword clouds. Boom!! With a thunderous roar, a battered figure stumbled out of the sword clouds. The green-robed youth¡¯s robes were torn, and he was covered in blood. His aura was significantly weaker than before. Lu Yi¡¯s single strike had gravely injured the Foundation Establishment level two opponent. Chapter 59: Rich Rewards from the Trial Tower Although the young man in the green robe was severely injured, as a trial projection, he was essentially lifeless. His expression remained unchanged. Once again, he formed a hand seal, causing his longsword to hum and split into two, attacking Lu Yi from different directions. The sharp and intense sword aura surged forward, causing Lu Yi¡¯s hair to stand on end instinctively. His body vanished from his original position, narrowly dodging the longsword¡¯s attacks. However, the swords pursued him relentlessly, shadowing his every move. Lu Yi turned around and slashed out two waves of sword clouds, colliding with the longswords. Amidst the clash of metal, the swords were sent flying. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yi charged at the young man, releasing waves of sword clouds as he advanced. The young man in the green robe circulated spiritual energy around his body and summoned a longsword in his hand. Sharp golden sword light radiated as he confronted the sword clouds. Despite being heavily injured, he was still a Foundation Establishment Stage Level 2 cultivator, capable of putting up a decent fight. Lu Yi and the green-robed youth clashed repeatedly, their movements swift. The booming sounds of battle echoed in the empty chamber, leaving deep marks throughout the room due to the residual force. After over ten exchanges, the young man was finally engulfed by the sword clouds and vanished into white light. Landing steadily, Lu Yi exhaled deeply, marveling at the strength of a Level 2 Foundation Establishment cultivator. ''The previous Level 1 Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn¡¯t even withstand a single strike.'' ''But this opponent managed to last more than ten rounds with me. Quite formidable indeed.'' Lu Yi had also exerted significant effort in this battle. He had pushed his White Cloud Sword Techniques and White Cloud Spells at the Perfection Realm (lv6) to their limits, even utilizing sword intent. Judging by his current state, Lu Yi estimated that without using White Cloud techniques and spells above lv7, he could probably face a Level 3 Foundation Establishment cultivator¡ªbut whether he could defeat one remained uncertain. Though the trial tower offered generous rewards, Lu Yi had no intention of using techniques above lv7 for now. After all, while he was currently safe in the White Cloud Sect, he couldn¡¯t stay in one place forever. Lu Yi wasn¡¯t fond of danger, but he also didn¡¯t want to remain sheltered and miss the opportunity to explore the world. Moreover, the White Cloud Sect required its disciples to undertake missions outside the sect each year. Keeping a few trump cards up his sleeve would allow him to handle unforeseen dangers in the future.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Rewards from tasks were not limited to the present, so there was no need to rush. Lu Yi established a rule for himself: he would only use Perfected Realm (lv6) techniques, combined with sword intent and his cultivation base, unless faced with true danger. Techniques above lv7 were to be reserved as last resorts. With his thoughts settled, Lu Yi issued a new command in his mind: ''I want to reach the 13th floor.'' [Task] Reach the 13th floor of the Trial Tower. Reward: Three drops of Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew. Accept: Yes/No How could Lu Yi refuse? Smiling, he accepted the task. The rewards from the trial tower were truly generous¡ªThousand-Year Spiritual Dew! Far superior to Hundred-Year Spiritual Dew. Lu Yi had been using Hundred-Year Spiritual Dew to cultivate and could clearly feel his aptitude improving bit by bit. Even when using the lv9 White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, his current cultivation speed was far higher than before. If he could use Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew, his aptitude would likely improve even faster, making him stronger. However, he still had too little Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew. The 12th floor had rewarded him with two drops, and now this task promised three more¡ªjust five drops total. Even adding the drops he had previously saved, he only had about ten. Lu Yi¡¯s goal was to eventually use Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew for daily cultivation. Having accepted the task, Lu Yi stepped onto the 13th floor.
At the moment Lu Yi entered the 13th floor, the Qi Refining Trial Leaderboard outside changed once again. Lu Yi¡¯s ranking shot up to second place, just behind Donggong Mingyue. The disciples who had been discussing Lu Yi¡¯s ranking earlier fell silent once more. Whether they were core disciples, inner sect disciples, or even elite disciples, all eyes were fixed on Lu Yi¡¯s name on the leaderboard. Despite being at the eighth level of Qi Refining, far below Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul cultivators, Lu Yi had defeated a Level 2 Foundation Establishment cultivator in such a short time¡ªa feat that was simply astonishing. Elder Xuan squinted his eyes and chuckled lightly. ¡°Looks like our White Cloud Sect has found its next dragon.¡± The disciples resumed their chatter. ¡°He reached the 13th floor?! What the heck!?¡± ¡°Lu Yi¡¯s strength is insane! He¡¯s only at the eighth level of Qi Refining!¡± ¡°No wonder the Lingluo Peak Master took him as a registered disciple. With talent and strength like that, I feel inferior.¡± Among the Lingfeng Peak disciples, Bai Lingfeng smiled bitterly and shook his head. Nearby, Nangong Moyu glanced at the silent Wang Tianzun and grinned. ¡°What do you think? Isn¡¯t my junior brother impressive?¡± Wang Tianzun¡¯s mouth twitched. He glanced at Nangong Moyu and said, ¡°Lu Yi¡¯s strength may be impressive, but he¡¯s your junior brother, not you. What does that have to do with you?¡± Nangong Moyu laughed smugly. ¡°Lu Yi and I are both Lingluo Peak disciples. We¡¯re connected, and we¡¯ll have more chances to interact in the future. You other peaks won¡¯t have that advantage.¡± Wang Tianzun snorted but said nothing. Cultivators naturally sought to befriend talented individuals like Lu Yi. Looking at the leaderboard, Wang Tianzun muttered, ¡°Lu Yi¡¯s climb reminds me of Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang¡¯s rise back then.¡± Nangong Moyu fell silent before sighing. ¡°Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang was indeed a prodigy. If nothing unexpected happens, Junior Brother Lu Yi will surely become renowned across the Eastern Region.¡± Both displayed envious expressions. After all, every young cultivator dreamed of becoming a legend. Meanwhile, Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan remained silent. Lin Wan¡¯er exhaled, smiling helplessly as she gazed at the leaderboard. ¡°Lu Yi is truly amazing. After today, there won¡¯t be a single disciple in the White Cloud Sect who doesn¡¯t know him.¡± Even Jiang Fan, who was usually calm, looked shocked. ¡°Lu Yi¡¯s performance far exceeds my expectations.¡± Bai Yulong stared at the leaderboard and asked, ¡°Do you think Lu Yi can surpass Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue and claim first place?¡± Among the inner disciples, several had reached the 11th floor, but only a few had made it to the 12th. As for the 13th floor, only Donggong Mingyue had reached it¡ªuntil now. With both at the 13th floor, it was hard to tell who was stronger. Bai Yulong¡¯s question echoed the thoughts of many others present. All eyes remained fixed on the leaderboard, curious to see whether Lu Yi or Donggong Mingyue would emerge as the top contender in this month¡¯s trial rankings. Chapter 60: First on the Trial Rankings Inside the Trial Tower. Lu Yi arrived at the 13th floor, feeling somewhat pleased. Previously, when he checked the Qi Refining Trial Rankings, only his Second Senior Sister had reached the 13th floor. Now, he had as well. Thinking of this, Lu Yi suddenly realized something¡ªhe hadn''t yet issued a trial ranking task. Lu Yi quickly spoke in his heart, ''I want to be first on the Qi Refining Trial Rankings.'' [Task] Climb to the first place on the Qi Refining Trial Rankings. Task Rewards: Top-grade magical artifact - Spirit Jade Mirror, 1 drop of Wind Spirit Liquid, random technique level +1. Accept: Yes/No? Such generous rewards? Lu Yi was astonished as he looked at the task. A top-grade magical artifact and rare heavenly treasures like the spirit liquid were exceptional rewards. Not to mention the random technique level +1. Currently, Lu Yi''s White Cloud Steps, White Cloud Sword Art, and White Cloud Qi Condensation Technique were all at level 9. Despite days of practice, they had yet to reach level 10. This highlighted the difficulty of advancing. Lu Yi suspected it might take months of training to improve further. If this technique level boost applied to one of these three techniques, it would save him months of arduous cultivation! Lu Yi felt fortunate to have thought of this task. Otherwise, he might have missed out. He quickly accepted the task. In front of Lu Yi, the opponent for the 13th floor appeared. It was another young man in green robes. As soon as the green-robed youth appeared, he formed hand seals. In an instant, fierce winds howled throughout the space, and sharp, semi-transparent wind blades materialized, slashing toward Lu Yi. A wind-element technique cultivator. Seeing hundreds of densely packed wind blades, Lu Yi felt a chill on his scalp. His figure flickered, transforming into several afterimages to dodge the attacks. The wind blades tore through the illusions, shattering them, but Lu Yi remained unscathed. Lu Yi sighed inwardly. No wonder this opponent is a Foundation Establishment Stage Level 3 cultivator¡ªhe''s indeed formidable.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. This indiscriminate wind blade attack posed a real threat, even to him. Using the strength he had displayed on the 12th floor would be insufficient to counter such attacks. He would likely be defeated quickly. Lu Yi took a deep breath. His sword intent surged, far surpassing his previous state. Terrifying sword clouds billowed out, covering an area over twenty meters wide, forming a domain of sword energy. After exhausting the sword intent he absorbed from Bai Yulong, Lu Yi''s sword intent had grown far beyond its state during the tournament. Unleashing this powerful sword intent enhanced the White Cloud Sword Art, even though it was only at level 9. The wind blades clashed against the sword cloud domain with metallic echoes. The sword cloud rippled but gradually dissipated the wind blades. Lu Yi exhaled slowly. The next moment, he slashed with the Azure Spirit Sword. The sword cloud swept across the room, surging toward the green-robed youth. Suddenly, gusts of wind enveloped the green-robed youth, boosting his speed dramatically. He vanished from his original position. Even Lu Yi felt that this speed surpassed his level 7 White Cloud Steps. Raising an eyebrow, Lu Yi circulated his spiritual energy. Without moving, he unleashed waves of sword clouds, slashing in all directions. The sword clouds carved intricate patterns into the walls and floor. Under such intense attacks, the green-robed youth could only dodge continuously without counterattacking. Despite his incredible speed, the green-robed youth was eventually forced into a corner. The sword clouds engulfed him entirely. Lu Yi watched as the opponent dissolved into white light and gradually disappeared. Sensing that half of his spiritual energy remained, he sighed inwardly. Foundation Establishment Stage Level 3 cultivators are truly powerful. Without the environmental restrictions of this trial, I wouldn''t have been able to defeat him. His speed was so overwhelming that if he had tried to escape, Lu Yi wouldn''t have been able to catch him. Of course, this was assuming Lu Yi didn''t use his level 7 White Cloud Steps. With higher-level techniques, he believed he could easily eliminate such opponents. As the white light faded, stairs leading to the 14th floor appeared. Lu Yi smiled and stepped forward. ¡­¡­¡­¡­ Outside the Trial Tower, in the plaza, everyone fell silent, staring at the Qi Refining Trial Rankings. More specifically, they focused on the top two names on the rankings. First place: Donggong Mingyue. Second place: Lu Yi. Donggong Mingyue had held first place on the Qi Refining Rankings for over three years, undefeated. But today was different. Lu Yi, attempting the Trial Tower for the first time, had charged up to second place in a domineering manner. Both Donggong Mingyue and Lu Yi were on the 13th floor. Everyone was curious¡ªwho was stronger? Time passed in silence. Suddenly, the rankings shifted. Lu Yi''s name replaced Donggong Mingyue in first place. Lu Yi¡ª14th floor. Everyone widened their eyes in shock. "He made it! He really made it!" "The 14th floor! Lu Yi defeated a Foundation Establishment Stage Level 3 cultivator and advanced!" "Unbelievable! Can a Qi Refining Stage Level 8 cultivator be this strong?!" "This must be what they call a genius." Exclamations filled the plaza. Those unfamiliar with Lu Yi were amazed, but his acquaintances¡ªJiang Fan and others¡ªwere utterly stunned. Bai Yulong stared blankly at the rankings; his folding fan frozen in mid-air. Tie Man, Lin Wan''er, and others were equally silent. Even Jiang Fan was shocked, muttering, "Lu Yi is truly incredible. After this trial, he''ll likely become the new leader of White Cloud Sect''s younger generation, following Liu Ningshuang." He sighed and added, "But did he push himself too hard? Being this high-profile¡ªis it really wise?" Jiang Fan believed that the path of cultivation was full of dangers, requiring hidden cards for self-preservation. Even for a prodigy like Lu Yi, such behavior seemed risky. Concerned, Jiang Fan resolved to discuss this with Lu Yi. While Lu Yi had remarkable talent, his experience in handling such matters was lacking. Amidst the commotion, the Trial Tower''s doors opened. Lu Yi, slightly pale, emerged. Flipping mid-air, he landed gently on the ground. Chapter 61: Questioning Life Lu Yi had just sparred briefly with a Foundation Establishment Stage Level Four cultivator on the 14th floor. Hmm... unless he used Level 7 or higher techniques, there was no way he could win. Then, he was forced out. Upon landing, Lu Yi noticed numerous gazes focusing on him. He paused for a moment before realizing something and looked toward the Qi Refining Trial Rankings. At the very top of the rankings, he saw his name. Lu Yi was immediately delighted. First place! Not bad! Mission accomplished. Lu Yi glanced at his panel, but then he froze. The mission status did not show as completed. What was going on? While Lu Yi was still puzzled, Elder Xuan¡¯s gentle voice rang out, ¡°Young one, I didn¡¯t expect you to reach the 14th floor. Truly impressive for someone so young.¡± Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts and looked toward Elder Xuan, quickly smiling, ¡°Elder Xuan, you flatter me.¡± Elder Xuan smiled slightly. ¡°If that girl Mingyue doesn¡¯t perform better, this first place should be yours. Reaching the top of the Qi Refining Trial Rankings with an eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivation is a first since the founding of our White Cloud Sect.¡± Upon hearing this, Lu Yi finally understood why his mission hadn¡¯t shown as completed. His second senior sister was still in the trial tower. The mission would likely only complete once the rankings were finalized. That meant he¡¯d have to wait until the end of the day for confirmation. Lu Yi didn¡¯t mind. It was just a few hours of waiting. As long as his second senior sister didn¡¯t surpass him, no one else should. The reward wasn¡¯t going anywhere. Facing Elder Xuan¡¯s praise, Lu Yi simply smiled, ¡°Second Senior Sister¡¯s strength is extraordinary. Her performance shouldn¡¯t be bad either.¡± ¡®Good heavens, I¡¯m actually the first in the history of the White Cloud Sect?¡¯ Thankfully, I didn¡¯t display any techniques above Level 7 earlier. Otherwise, it would have been even more shocking. ¡°It¡¯s a pity you specialize in swordsmanship. I can¡¯t offer much guidance, but if you have time, you can visit Old Ming. You might learn something useful.¡± Elder Xuan was evidently very pleased with Lu Yi¡¯s performance and chatted with him casually. Lu Yi repeatedly nodded, ¡°Elder Ming already invited me before. I¡¯ll definitely visit often.¡± Elder Xuan nodded in satisfaction and continued chatting with Lu Yi. The trial tower allowed multiple participants to test themselves simultaneously. Disciples kept exiting and entering the tower, and each time someone passed by Lu Yi, they gave him a strange look. After some time, the doors of the trial tower opened again, and a purple figure was thrown out. The figure staggered back two steps before stabilizing.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. It was Donggong Mingyue. Donggong Mingyue looked a little pale, panting heavily. Her twin ponytails swayed slightly with her breaths. However, her eyes carried a hint of excitement. She had finally defeated the Foundation Establishment Stage Level Three cultivator on the 13th floor and stepped onto the 14th floor! Hmph! As expected, I¡¯m the strongest... second strongest! I¡¯m just a tiny step away from Senior Sister Lingshuang. Right, I wonder how Junior Brother did? With his strength, he should have reached the 12th floor, right? While Donggong Mingyue was pondering, she suddenly heard Lu Yi¡¯s voice. ¡°Second Senior Sister, are you alright?¡± Donggong Mingyue looked at Lu Yi approaching with a concerned expression. She immediately straightened up, hiding her fatigue, and smiled. ¡°How could I not be fine? I just spent too much effort defeating that Foundation Establishment Level Three cultivator. I¡¯m a little tired.¡± Donggong Mingyue thought to herself that she had to maintain her dignity in front of her junior brother. Lu Yi nodded in agreement. ¡°That Foundation Establishment Level Three cultivator was indeed formidable and quite troublesome.¡± Donggong Mingyue: ¡°?¡± She froze for a moment and looked at Lu Yi suspiciously. ¡°Junior Brother, how do you know that Foundation Establishment Level Three cultivator is tough?¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°I passed the 13th floor too.¡± Donggong Mingyue: ¡°???¡± Her body stiffened. She turned her head rigidly to look at the trial rankings. When she saw Lu Yi¡¯s name at the top of the rankings, her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. ¡°How is this possible?! Junior Brother, how is your ranking higher than mine?!¡± Wait¡­ isn¡¯t Junior Brother only at the eighth layer of Qi Refining? I¡¯m already at the tenth layer with an innate Thunder Spiritual Body! How can he rank higher than me?! Donggong Mingyue suddenly began to doubt whether her innate spiritual body was fake. Seeing Donggong Mingyue¡¯s expression of disbelief, Lu Yi worried that this might hurt her confidence. He smiled sheepishly, ¡°I used all my trump cards to barely defeat that Foundation Establishment Level Three cultivator.¡± Hearing this, Donggong Mingyue¡¯s expression eased a little. She immediately felt reassured¡ªshe still had several powerful techniques with significant drawbacks that she hadn¡¯t used yet! Donggong Mingyue smiled brightly and said, ¡°Junior Brother, that¡¯s not good. The trial tower is important, but using techniques that harm your body is not worth it. It could affect your cultivation.¡± Lu Yi nodded seriously. ¡°Senior Sister is right. I¡¯ll be more careful next time.¡± Donggong Mingyue nodded, then asked, ¡°Are you feeling unwell? I have some healing pills if you need them.¡± Seeing Donggong Mingyue¡¯s concern, Lu Yi felt warm inside and smiled. ¡°I rested earlier and feel fine now.¡± Donggong Mingyue nodded. ¡°Then I¡¯m relieved.¡± Since Liu Ningshuang had not come out yet, the two continued waiting. After a while, the Nascent Soul Rankings updated. Liu Ningshuang had advanced from the 34th floor to the 35th floor. This meant Liu Ningshuang could already defeat a Nascent Soul Stage Level Four cultivator. This sparked heated discussions among the disciples. ¡°As expected of Senior Sister Liu! She¡¯s improved again so quickly.¡± ¡°She¡¯s still so young. I can¡¯t imagine how far she¡¯ll go in the future.¡± ¡°For someone like her, Void Refinement Realm is just a stepping stone. The real question is whether she can go even further.¡± Donggong Mingyue saw Liu Ningshuang¡¯s progress and smiled happily. ¡°Senior Sister Ningshuang¡¯s long seclusion has paid off.¡± She then sighed, ¡°How nice¡­ I wonder when I¡¯ll be as strong as Senior Sister Ningshuang? I¡¯m still not an official disciple of the Peak Master.¡± Lu Yi looked at Donggong Mingyue and smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Senior Sister. With your talent, it won¡¯t take long.¡± At that moment, the trial tower doors opened again, and Liu Ningshuang stepped out. Her aura was slightly weak, but compared to Donggong Mingyue, she appeared much more composed. Seeing Liu Ningshuang, Donggong Mingyue and Lu Yi immediately walked over. Donggong Mingyue smiled. ¡°Congratulations, Senior Sister Ningshuang, on advancing further.¡± Lu Yi also smiled. ¡°Senior Sister Liu is amazing.¡± Liu Ningshuang¡¯s expression softened slightly as she smiled faintly. ¡°How about you two?¡± She glanced at the Qi Refining Rankings. When she saw Lu Yi¡¯s name at the top, a hint of surprise flashed across her cool and elegant face. She looked at Lu Yi with curiosity. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, you keep surprising me. Eighth-layer Qi Refining and yet you defeated a Foundation Establishment Level Three cultivator.¡± Lu Yi smiled awkwardly. ¡°I gave it my all to win.¡± Liu Ningshuang looked at Lu Yi¡¯s deep aura and simply smiled without saying more. Lu Yi noticed her gaze and felt a bit uneasy. Does Senior Sister Liu think I didn¡¯t give it my all? He glanced at the cheerful Donggong Mingyue and felt relieved. Thankfully, my second senior sister isn¡¯t that sharp. Feeling tired, Donggong Mingyue said, ¡°Senior Sister, Junior Brother, let¡¯s go back. I¡¯m exhausted.¡± Liu Ningshuang and Lu Yi nodded. The three bid farewell to Elder Xuan and boarded the white jade boat to return to Lingluo Peak. Chapter 62: Extreme Level Returning to Lingluo Peak, Lu Yi bid farewell to Donggong Mingyue and Liu Ningshuang before heading back to his cave residence. Excitedly, he claimed all the rewards from the Trial Tower challenge. From the 2nd floor to the 10th floor, the rewards were all Hundred-Year Spirit Milk. Each floor''s reward increased by one drop, totaling 54 drops. Currently, Lu Yi consumed one drop of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk per day. These drops were enough to sustain his cultivation for over a month, nearly two months. Adding the Hundred-Year Spirit Milk he received from Jiang Fan¡¯s previous mission, he now had over seventy drops in total¡ªsufficient to cultivate to the 10th level of Qi Refining. As for the reward for reaching the 11th floor, it was a high-grade magical artifact¡ªthe Azure Fish Pendant. What surprised Lu Yi was that this Azure Fish Pendant could actually nourish the soul! Wearing the Azure Fish Pendant would continuously enhance his soul strength. Moreover, if he encountered powerful soul attacks, the pendant could even block or resist them to some extent. It was an extremely precious high-grade magical artifact. After all, artifacts targeting the soul were incredibly rare. Lu Yi happily hung the Azure Fish Pendant around his neck, carrying it with him at all times to constantly enhance his soul strength. With the addition of the Nourishing Soul Dew later, his soul strength was expected to increase at a relatively fast pace. The rewards for the 12th, 13th, and 14th floors were precious Thousand-Year Spirit Milk¡ª2 drops, 3 drops, and 4 drops, respectively, adding up to a total of 9 drops. Including his previous stock, Lu Yi now had 15 drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. This was Thousand-Year Spirit Milk! Even Golden Core cultivators would likely go green with envy if they knew he had so much. Lu Yi carefully stored away these spirit milks, treating them as vital resources for his cultivation. These were the task rewards for climbing the Trial Tower. Additionally, there was another reward for becoming the top ranker on the Qi Refining Trial Leaderboard. However, since the day wasn¡¯t over yet, the task still showed as incomplete. Lu Yi speculated that he would need to wait until the end of the day, once the monthly leaderboard stabilized, for the task to be officially marked as complete. With this in mind, another thought crossed Lu Yi¡¯s mind. He muttered to himself, ''I want to reach the 2nd floor of the Trial Tower again.'' He glanced at his panel, but it showed no response. Sure enough, since he had already reached the 14th floor, issuing a task to reach the 2nd floor again was impossible. He wondered if he could issue the task again when the leaderboard challenge restarted next month. Lu Yi decided to try it then.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! The Trial Tower test had taken up almost the entire morning. Without wasting more time, Lu Yi began his cultivation.
The next morning. Lu Yi woke up from his cultivation and immediately checked his panel. [Task] Achieve 1st place on the Qi Refining Trial Leaderboard (Completed) Task Rewards: Supreme-grade Magical Artifact Spirit Jade Mirror, 1 drop of Wind Spirit Liquid, +1 random skill level. Claim Reward: Yes/No Seeing the task marked as complete, Lu Yi¡¯s eyes lit up with joy. As expected, the task was completed, just as he had speculated. Lu Yi happily claimed his rewards. The supreme-grade magical artifact Spirit Jade Mirror was a mirror bordered with white jade. It was another defensive treasure. It could form a spiritual energy shield to block attacks, capable of withstanding most attacks from Golden Core cultivators. Paired with the Violet Jade Bell and Yellow Earth Shield, Lu Yi felt that even Golden Core cultivators might struggle to break through his defenses. Lu Yi¡¯s expression turned slightly strange. ''This level of defense is ridiculous.'' ''Why are the task rewards always defensive or escape-type artifacts? What about offensive ones?!'' ''Oh, right, I have the Azure Spirit Sword gifted by the peak master. Never mind then.'' Lu Yi cheerfully stored away the Spirit Jade Mirror. As for the Wind Spirit Liquid, there wasn¡¯t much to say. He already had several drops of spirit liquids. Now came the highlight. Lu Yi eagerly focused on the final reward¡ª+1 random skill level. If luck was on his side and it upgraded his White Cloud Sword Technique, White Cloud Steps, or White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, it would be amazing. This was a moment of fate! Lu Yi considered himself fairly good-looking, so luck shouldn¡¯t be an issue. Taking a deep breath, he used the reward. The moment he did, he stared intently at his panel. Then, he saw the "Lv9" label next to White Cloud Steps gradually change into the words "Extreme." Lu Yi¡¯s heart leaped with joy. ''My luck really is good¡ªit upgraded my White Cloud Steps!'' ''So, the level above Lv9 is called Extreme? Does that mean the maximum level for skills is 10?'' Before Lu Yi could ponder further, an incomparably profound stream of information poured into his mind. He felt his brain swell, and his consciousness began to drift. It was as if he had transformed into a wisp of white cloud, leisurely floating in the sky¡ªfree, unrestrained, and carefree. Time seemed to blur, and when Lu Yi finally returned to his senses, there was a subtle change in his demeanor. He now carried an aura of ease and grace, like a drifting cloud. However, the change quickly faded. A glimmer of light flashed in Lu Yi¡¯s eyes. He stepped forward as if ascending stairs, and suddenly, a tuft of white cloud materialized under his feet, supporting him as he floated into the air. Step by step, white clouds continuously formed beneath him, allowing Lu Yi to seemingly walk through the sky. This sensation amazed him. He wasn¡¯t deliberately condensing the clouds¡ªthey appeared naturally, as if this ability was innate, helping him soar. The feeling was akin to having a unique divine ability. Lu Yi felt a little dazed. The Tianming Continent was vast and inhabited by various races. Some of these races were born with extraordinary abilities. Now, he seemed to possess such an ability too?! From what he knew, human cultivators with innate abilities like this were all immensely powerful! Yet, despite only being at the Qi Refining stage, he already had such a skill. He wouldn¡¯t even need to fly on a sword¡ªhe could directly walk on clouds. ''This is incredible!'' Lu Yi was ecstatic. Circulating his spiritual energy, his speed abruptly increased, and he vanished from one side of the training room, reappearing on the opposite side as if teleporting. This speed was more than double that of the Lv9 White Cloud Steps! ''So, this is what an Extreme-level skill can do?'' Lu Yi speculated that even most peak Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn¡¯t be able to catch him at this speed. ''Too powerful!'' Lu Yi was overwhelmed by awe. Like a child with a new toy, he spent some time joyfully gliding through the air on white clouds, completely forgetting about cultivation. Just then, Donggong Mingyue¡¯s voice called from outside. ¡°Junior Brother! Senior Sister is here to see you!¡± Lu Yi finally landed. Suppressing his excitement, he walked to the door and opened it. Standing there, Donggong Mingyue wore a white dress and had her hands on her hips as she looked at Lu Yi. ¡°Junior Brother, let¡¯s have a sparring match!¡± Lu Yi blinked in confusion. ¡°Huh?¡± Chapter 63: Second Senior Sister is a Tsundere Lu Yi thought Donggong Mingyue was looking for him because of something important, but it turned out she just wanted to spar with him? Lu Yi''s expression turned a bit strange. "Second Senior Sister, why did you suddenly want to spar with me?" Donggong Mingyue smiled and said, "You see, in the inner sect, I''m the strongest at the Qi Refining Stage. Normally, I can only spar with Senior Brothers and Sisters at the Foundation Establishment Stage. But now, Junior Brother, you''re also so strong. Since we''re both at the Qi Refining Stage, sparring with you will definitely be more effective than sparring with those in the Foundation Establishment Stage." Hearing this, Lu Yi thought it made sense. He hadn''t even tried issuing a sparring task with his Second Senior Sister before. The main reason was that he didn''t know how strong his Second Senior Sister was. If he couldn''t win, he wouldn''t complete the task, and that meant no rewards. Now that he knew her strength, completing the task shouldn''t be an issue, right? Lu Yi thought to himself, ''I have to defeat Second Senior Sister.'' [Task]: Defeat Donggong Mingyue (Progress: 0/1) Reward: 5 drops of Hundred-Year Spiritual Essence, a trace of Thunder Intent. Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi glanced at the task and felt overjoyed. The rewards were so generous! For comparison, the most generous reward he''d received for sparring was with Senior Brother Jiang Fan, and that was only a single drop of Hundred-Year Spiritual Essence. But defeating Second Senior Sister, who was also at the tenth level of Qi Refining, offered five drops of Hundred-Year Spiritual Essence and even a trace of Thunder Intent! Lu Yi thought about his previous guesses¡ªrewards clearly had a lot to do with the opponent''s strength. He silently accepted the task and then smiled. "Since Second Senior Sister suggested it, let''s have a spar." Donggong Mingyue saw Lu Yi agree and cheerfully said, "Great! Let''s find a secluded spot." Donggong Mingyue was quite familiar with Lingluo Peak, and soon she led Lu Yi to a deserted area. "Here should be fine." Donggong Mingyue looked around and nodded in satisfaction. Lu Yi naturally had no objections. The two faced each other. Donggong Mingyue drew an elegant purple longsword, looked at Lu Yi, and said with a light laugh, "Junior Brother, don''t hold back. Only with pressure can we improve." Lu Yi also summoned his Azure Spirit Sword and chuckled. "I will give it my all." Donggong Mingyue was satisfied with his response. Then, spiritual energy surged around her, and streaks of purple lightning arcs appeared around her body. Her originally light-purple eyes deepened. The previously sweet and adorable Second Senior Sister now exuded a hint of cold elegance. Lu Yi felt the violent power emanating from Donggong Mingyue and was a bit surprised. Thunder power? Because he had already comprehended Sword Intent, Lu Yi could sense that the power surrounding Donggong Mingyue wasn''t Thunder Intent. It felt more like she innately controlled thunder itself. Divine ability? Innate Thunder Spirit Body!Stolen novel; please report. Lu Yi recalled Donggong Mingyue''s physique and was amazed. ''As expected of an innate spirit body. She can directly control thunder. No wonder she''s so strong.'' Bathed in lightning, Donggong Mingyue''s deep purple eyes gleamed with energy as she said, "Junior Brother, be careful. Here I come!" The next moment¡ªboom! Lightning roared, and Donggong Mingyue vanished, leaving only crackling bolts of thunder dancing in the air. Lu Yi''s pupils contracted slightly as spiritual energy surged around him. A powerful Sword Intent erupted, and wisps of sword energy spread from his Azure Spirit Sword. In the blink of an eye, Lu Yi sidestepped and swung his sword. The sword energy extended toward the spot where Donggong Mingyue appeared. Donggong Mingyue sensed the sharpness of the sword energy and shouted. Purple lightning flowed along her sword as she unleashed three streaks of Thunder Sword Qi. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Thunder Sword Qi collided with the sword energy. Boom! Under the explosion, waves of lightning and sword energy spread outward in rings. The surrounding grass flattened, and loose rocks scattered in all directions. Amidst the shockwaves, Donggong Mingyue stepped back a few steps and looked at Lu Yi in surprise. "Junior Brother, is this the Sword Intent you comprehended? It''s so powerful!" Lu Yi smiled slightly as Sword Intent surged around him. "Since Second Senior Sister told me to go all out, I can''t hold back." "Hmph! I won''t lose!" Donggong Mingyue snorted and once again transformed into a streak of lightning. Lu Yi smiled and charged forward as well. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Thunderous explosions continued to echo across the barren land. The two figures¡ªone white and one purple¡ªflashed repeatedly, and each collision created terrifying shockwaves. Donggong Mingyue''s comprehension was clearly exceptional. Her techniques were all thunder-based and, combined with her innate Thunder Spirit Body, had a significant amplification effect. She had even cultivated them to the True Essence Realm. Donggong Mingyue''s innate Thunder Spirit Body, combined with high-quality spiritual energy and the body-refinement techniques provided by Lingluo Peak''s master, made her nearly flawless. She was practically unrivaled at the pinnacle of the Qi Refining tenth level. Lu Yi didn''t have an innate Thunder Spirit Body, but his techniques were far more profound than Donggong Mingyue''s. Donggong Mingyue had reached the Perfection Realm, but Lu Yi''s techniques were at the limit of Perfection Realm¡ªunable to improve further unless upgraded to level 7. With his extremely powerful Sword Intent, Lu Yi showed no signs of weakness, even against Donggong Mingyue''s thunder power. Their battle lasted a long time. The barren land was covered with sword marks and cracks. After another collision, Donggong Mingyue stopped attacking. She looked at Lu Yi angrily and said, "Junior Brother, you lied to me!" Lu Yi was stunned and looked at her in confusion. "Second Senior Sister, what did I lie about?" Donggong Mingyue puffed up her cheeks and said, "Didn''t you say you went all out during the Trial Ranking Challenge? But now you''re only using basic techniques and still this strong? You must still have hidden trump cards!" Lu Yi suddenly remembered his words from yesterday. He really had said that. He coughed lightly and laughed. "Second Senior Sister, you don''t know this, but I had an insight last night. My Sword Intent improved slightly, so my strength also increased." Donggong Mingyue: "???" She stared at Lu Yi with her purple eyes, looking like a delicate and cute doll. "Junior Brother, your Sword Intent improved again?!" What kind of monster is this Junior Brother? Most people struggle to even comprehend Sword Intent, yet he keeps improving so easily? Lu Yi smiled humbly. "Just a bit of luck. Yesterday''s battles in the Trial Tower gave me some inspiration." Donggong Mingyue: "..." I¡¯ve fought in the Trial Tower so many times and barely had any insights! Donggong Mingyue fell silent. Lu Yi asked, "Second Senior Sister, want to continue?" Donggong Mingyue snapped out of her thoughts, bit her lip, and refused to back down. "Continue!" She charged at Lu Yi again. The battle continued, and Donggong Mingyue soon realized how profound Lu Yi''s techniques were. Even though Lu Yi was only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, Donggong Mingyue didn''t feel his spiritual energy was any weaker than hers. She marveled, ''Junior Brother is amazing. He''s clearly at a lower level, yet so strong.'' As the battle dragged on, Donggong Mingyue made another discovery¡ªher spiritual energy was depleted, but Lu Yi still had some left. Although his remaining spiritual energy was faint, it still surpassed hers. When Donggong Mingyue tried to cast another technique, she realized she had no spiritual energy left. She bent over, resting her hands on her knees, gasping for breath, utterly exhausted. Lu Yi looked at her with concern. "Second Senior Sister, are you okay?" He had also consumed a lot of energy. He had to admit¡ªhis Second Senior Sister was really strong. Donggong Mingyue stiffened, straightened up, and panted. "Hmph! This... this is nothing. I¡¯m not tired at all!" Lu Yi noticed her slightly trembling figure and twitched his lips. ''So, my Second Senior Sister is a tsundere?'' He walked over, laid a piece of clothing on the ground, and sat down. "I''m tired, so I''ll rest for now. Second Senior Sister, why don''t you join me?" Chapter 64: Qi Refining Tenth Layer Chapter 64: Qi Refining Tenth Layer Donggong Mingyue''s gaze wavered upon hearing this. "Since it''s Junior Brother''s request, as your Senior Sister, I naturally won''t refuse." As she spoke, she couldn''t wait to plop down beside Lu Yi. Lu Yi noticed that after Donggong Mingyue sat down, her delicate face visibly relaxed. Seeing Donggong Mingyue''s adorable expression, Lu Yi said with a half-smile, "Second Senior Sister, why do I feel like your body is trembling a bit?" Donggong Mingyue froze again, her face turning slightly red as she widened her eyes. "Junior Brother, you must be mistaken!" Seeing Donggong Mingyue looking a little embarrassed and annoyed, Lu Yi decided not to tease her any further. He simply smiled and said, "By the way, didn¡¯t I mention before that I¡¯ve been practicing cooking? Recently, I¡¯ve made some progress. Senior Sister, why don¡¯t you give it a try?" As he spoke, Lu Yi flipped his hand, revealing a porcelain bowl filled with milky white soup. A faint, exotic fragrance wafted out, drawing Donggong Mingyue¡¯s attention immediately. It was the Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup. Over this period, Lu Yi had refined the Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup to level 4. The level 4 Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup was far superior in terms of ingredient utilization and taste compared to the earlier versions. Lu Yi had been using this upgraded Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup along with the Perfect Yellow Ming Pill to practice the Jade Body Technique. The technique had now reached level 2. It had to be said¡ªthe Jade Body Technique was extremely difficult to cultivate. Even with level 4 Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup and perfect-grade body-refining pills, which were considered extravagant resources, the progress was slow. Moreover, Lu Yi had the assistance of his task panel, which greatly accelerated his cultivation speed. Even so, he had only managed to bring the Jade Body Technique to level 2. No wonder it typically took decades for ordinary Qi Refining cultivators to achieve mastery in the Jade Body Technique. That said, the benefits brought by the Jade Body Technique were remarkable. Lu Yi¡¯s physical body had improved nearly threefold, enhancing all aspects of his strength, and his defensive abilities had seen a significant boost. Through testing, Lu Yi confirmed that ordinary mortal weapons could no longer harm his body. This made Lu Yi feel that all the resources he had invested were well worth it. After all, he wasn¡¯t lacking in resources¡ªhe could collect materials anytime from the Resource Hall. Donggong Mingyue stared at the milky white soup in Lu Yi¡¯s hand, her eyes widening as she unconsciously swallowed. She asked, "This... this is the recipe for Qi Refining spiritual food that Junior Brother obtained earlier?" Lu Yi nodded. "Yes, this dish is called Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup. It aids in body refinement. Senior Sister, you should give it a taste."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Hearing Lu Yi¡¯s words, Donggong Mingyue¡¯s eyes lit up. She picked up the spoon and took a sip. Delicious! The first sensation was the delightful taste on her tongue. Then, she felt a gentle yet powerful flow of spiritual energy spreading through her limbs and bones. Donggong Mingyue clearly sensed the warm and potent medicinal effects contained in the soup. "This spiritual food... is so effective?!" Donggong Mingyue widened her eyes, stunned for a moment. Unable to resist, she took another sip. Afterward, she looked at Lu Yi and said, "Junior Brother, is this soup really something you made after just a few days of practice?! Even the spiritual food at Magnolia Pavilion isn¡¯t as good as this." Lu Yi smiled. "Yes, I seem to have a little talent in cooking spiritual food." Donggong Mingyue: "??" A little talent? Then what would count as great talent? Donggong Mingyue fell silent, contemplating life. Seeing this, Lu Yi smiled and said, "Second Senior Sister, drink it while it¡¯s still hot. It won¡¯t taste as good if it gets cold." Hearing Lu Yi¡¯s words, Donggong Mingyue pushed aside her inner shock and focused entirely on the Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup. She took the bowl and began drinking. Soon, she finished the entire bowl and even licked the milky white residue from her lips with her pink tongue. At that moment, Donggong Mingyue noticed Lu Yi watching her. Her face instantly turned red, and she averted her gaze in embarrassment. "I-I only drank so fast because it was made by Junior Brother! It¡¯s my way of showing care and appreciation for you as my Senior Sister!" Lu Yi chuckled and flattered her, "Second Senior Sister is the best!" Donggong Mingyue immediately nodded in satisfaction. "Hmph, as long as you know." Then she paused and added, "But¡­ Junior Brother, this soup is really excellent." Lu Yi smiled. "If Senior Sister likes it, I can make it for you every day." "R-Really?!" Donggong Mingyue¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Lu Yi. Lu Yi glanced at the task panel, where his task completion was displayed, and responded naturally, "Of course. And we can have a sparring match every day to improve ourselves." Donggong Mingyue nodded happily, beaming. "Junior Brother is so good to me!" Junior Brother really is the best, Donggong Mingyue thought to herself. This spiritual food would sell for a fortune at Magnolia Pavilion, yet he¡¯s willing to make it for her daily and even spar with her. Donggong Mingyue felt deeply touched. Junior Brother was so gentle and considerate¡ªit was wonderful. From now on, she would treat Junior Brother even better! Anyone who dared to bully him would be bullying her! Donggong Mingyue made up her mind. Seeing Donggong Mingyue lost in thought, Lu Yi reminded her, "Senior Sister, while the medicinal effects are still active, why don¡¯t you go back and cultivate?" Donggong Mingyue snapped out of her thoughts and nodded repeatedly. "Alright then. Junior Brother, I¡¯ll come find you tomorrow!" Lu Yi smiled. "Sure." With that, Donggong Mingyue stood up. After resting for a while, she had recovered significantly. Turning into a streak of light, she disappeared. Lu Yi, watching Donggong Mingyue leave, cheerfully returned to his cave. Sparring with Second Senior Sister every day earned him five drops of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk and a trace of lightning intent. Life was good. Lu Yi felt he should treat Second Senior Sister even better in the future. ... Time passed, and five months quickly flew by. Inside Lu Yi¡¯s cultivation chamber on Lingluo Peak. Lu Yi sat cross-legged, surrounded by swirling spiritual energy. A terrifying aura gradually spread, accompanied by flashes of sharp sword intent and streaks of lightning. Suddenly, a burst of spiritual pressure erupted from Lu Yi, creating a storm-like gust in the chamber. As the gust dissipated, Lu Yi opened his eyes, revealing a deep and profound glimmer. The light faded, and Lu Yi¡¯s lips curved into a smile. "I¡¯ve finally reached the tenth layer of Qi Refining!" He sensed the fully liquefied spiritual energy in his dantian and felt satisfied. Over the past five months, Lu Yi had trained diligently. During the day, he sparred with Donggong Mingyue and practiced the White Cloud Sword Technique since his White Cloud Steps had already reached its limit. Aside from that, he focused on the Jade Body Technique, Forget Dust Technique, Concealment Technique, and White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, refining each one. After about a month, Lu Yi advanced to the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Three months later, he finally reached the tenth layer. This cultivation speed was remarkably fast. In addition to his cultivation level, Lu Yi had made tremendous progress in other areas. Chapter 65: Closeness Just a few days ago, after Lu Yi''s relentless training, his White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique finally surpassed level 9, reaching the maximum level. The White Cloud Sword Technique at its maximum level, much like the White Cloud Step Technique, seemed to transform into an innate divine ability. The power of the White Cloud Sword Technique increased dramatically, while its spiritual energy consumption became even lower than before. Similarly, the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique felt as natural as breathing. Even when Lu Yi wasn¡¯t actively circulating the technique, it would continue to operate on its own¡ªthough not as quickly as when he deliberately focused on cultivating it. Not only that, Lu Yi''s spiritual energy had completely liquefied. Compared to Foundation Establishment cultivators, his spiritual energy was no weaker in quality. In terms of quantity, Lu Yi even felt that most low-level Foundation Establishment cultivators might not surpass him. Additionally, after much effort, Lu Yi finally cultivated the Forget Dust Technique to level 7. To practice this technique, he specifically captured wild rabbits and kept them in his cave. Each time he fed them carrots; Lu Yi would use the Forget Dust Technique to make them forget they had already eaten. Then, he observed them continuing to search for food. As a result, these rabbits grew plump and adorable. Not only were they cute, but their meat was also tender and delicious. (Note: Hahaha, damn that¡¯s pretty good idea) As for the Breath Concealing Technique, it was somewhat easier to train than the Forget Dust Technique. Lu Yi had already cultivated it to level 8, significantly improving his ability to conceal his presence. While he hadn¡¯t tested its effects yet, Lu Yi speculated it wouldn¡¯t disappoint him. In addition, the Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup had reached level 8, and even the Spirit Nourishing Dew, which required time to brew, had advanced to level 5 through his diligent efforts. The level 8 Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup produced remarkable effects. When combined with the Perfect Yellow Ming Pill, Lu Yi¡¯s Jade Body Technique progressed significantly, reaching the Perfection Realm, or level 6. At this level, the Jade Body Technique became incredibly formidable, enhancing strength, defense, speed, and recovery abilities across the board. Lu Yi tested it with the low-grade magic sword his father gave him. Without infusing strong spiritual energy, even the magic weapon couldn¡¯t cut through his skin or break his defense. To think this was a magic weapon! And this was only at level 6. Lu Yi speculated that if he reached the maximum level, even top-grade magic weapons might fail to penetrate his defenses. In that case, perhaps very few Foundation Establishment cultivators could even harm him?This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Meanwhile, his spiritual power was also improving rapidly, thanks to the level 5 Spirit Nourishing Dew and the top-grade magic treasure Azure Fish Pendant. However, manifesting spiritual power externally was still quite difficult. For now, Lu Yi only felt more energetic than before. Overall, Lu Yi¡¯s progress over the past five months had been astonishing. The only disappointment was that Lu Ningshuang, his senior sister, had barely spent time with him before being sent out by the peak master of Lingluo Peak for sect missions. She hadn¡¯t returned yet. As a result, his task progress remained unchanged. Shaking his head, Lu Yi stopped dwelling on it. Having reached the tenth level of Qi Refining, it was time to consider breaking through the Heavenly Dao limits. He wondered how many layers of limits he could break given his current state. At that moment, a familiar voice rang out outside the cave: "Junior Brother! I¡¯m here!" Lu Yi smiled. His body vanished from its original position and appeared at the cave entrance, opening the door. Outside stood Donggong Mingyue, looking lively and cheerful, smiling at Lu Yi. However, her smile quickly froze, and her eyes widened in shock. "This aura... Junior Brother, you broke through to the tenth level of Qi Refining!?" Since the fluctuations of his breakthrough hadn¡¯t completely settled, Lu Yi hadn¡¯t tried to hide it. He nodded with a smile. "Yes, I was lucky to break through." Donggong Mingyue looked as if she had seen a ghost. "You broke through two bottlenecks¡ªfrom the eighth to the ninth and then to the tenth level¡ªwithin just five months? That¡¯s not luck anymore!" She stepped closer, her light purple eyes fixed on Lu Yi. "Honestly, I¡¯m starting to suspect you have some kind of immortal body. Your speed is even faster than mine!" Lu Yi chuckled. "Senior Sister, don¡¯t joke around. I¡¯m already sixteen and only just reached the tenth level of Qi Refining. How could I possibly compare to you?" Hearing this, Donggong Mingyue immediately beamed with pride and laughed. "Of course, I¡¯m still better. But... Junior Brother, you¡¯re pretty impressive too." Having grown accustomed to her personality, Lu Yi knew she liked compliments. A slight praise was enough to make her smug. He smiled. "Senior Sister, how about a sparring match?" Surprisingly, Donggong Mingyue shook her head. "Not today. I came to tell you something." Lu Yi was curious. "What is it?" Donggong Mingyue¡¯s eyes sparkled as she crossed her arms and tilted her head proudly. "I sensed the Heavenly Dao limits! I¡¯m about to enter seclusion and break through!" Lu Yi froze, then looked at her with surprise and joy. "Really? Congratulations, Senior Sister!" It made sense¡ªDonggong Mingyue had been at the tenth level of Qi Refining for about three years, refining herself thoroughly. Donggong Mingyue grinned. "Hmph! Who do you think I am?" Then she looked at Lu Yi and smiled. "I have to thank you, Junior Brother. The Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup and Spirit Nourishing Dew, you gave me greatly boosted my body-refining technique and spiritual power. Without you, I might have needed another six months to sense the Heavenly Dao limits." Lu Yi smiled. "No need to be so formal, Senior Sister. We¡¯re family." Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s gentle smile, Donggong Mingyue felt her heart warm. She grinned. "Once I break through and become the peak master¡¯s direct disciple, I¡¯ll protect you." "Senior Sister is invincible!" Lu Yi laughed. Suddenly, Lu Yi remembered something. "Oh, I recently improved the Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup and Spirit Nourishing Dew. They¡¯re more effective now. You might need them for your breakthrough. I¡¯ll give you some." Donggong Mingyue¡¯s eyes lit up in delight. "You improved them again? Junior Brother, you¡¯re amazing!" Overjoyed, she hugged Lu Yi tightly. A faint fragrance filled Lu Yi¡¯s nose, and he felt a soft, warm sensation. He froze for a moment, stunned. This was the first time his Senior Sister had been so close to him. Donggong Mingyue quickly stepped back a few paces, her eyes darting nervously. "T-That was just encouragement for you! Junior Brother, you have to keep working hard." Lu Yi: "..." Watching Donggong Mingyue¡¯s reaction, he couldn¡¯t help but think it was straight out of a textbook example of tsundere behavior. Could Senior Sister actually be falling for him? Thinking about it, Lu Yi considered the possibility. Given how outstanding he was, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if she did. Then another thought crossed his mind. He hadn¡¯t even set a task to make her fall in love with him yet. Judging by her talent, the rewards for such a task might be exceptional. Chapter 66: Sect Missions This world is different from the previous one. It is normal for cultivators to have multiple Dao companions, as long as both parties are willing. Besides, isn¡¯t Second Senior Sister adorable? Lu Yi silently murmured in his heart: ''Make Second Senior Sister fall in love with me.'' [Task] Make Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue fall in love with me. Reward: 40% comprehension of Lightning Intent, Golden Core technique "Thousand Thunder Curse," and a mid-grade treasure, Purple Thunder Crown. Accept: Yes/No This mission reward... why is it so much less than the one for Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang? Lu Yi was a bit surprised, but then he remembered that Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang¡¯s cultivation level was much higher than Senior Sister Donggong Mingyue¡¯s. That probably made a big difference. Lu Yi accepted the mission and checked its status, only to find it still incomplete. He immediately felt a little disappointed. So, Second Senior Sister really hasn¡¯t fallen for him yet? It seemed to be one of life¡¯s three major illusions. Luckily, he didn¡¯t say it out loud earlier, or it would have been embarrassing. Lu Yi stopped dwelling on the matter. Even if Second Senior Sister didn¡¯t love him, she treated him quite well. Since others cared for him, he naturally cared for them too. Clearing his throat, he said seriously, ¡°Senior Sister, if you keep acting like this, I might think you¡¯re in love with me.¡± Donggong Mingyue¡¯s face instantly turned red. She stomped her foot and said, ¡°Junior Brother, w-what nonsense are you talking about?! T-this lady doesn¡¯t love you!¡± Seeing her flustered reaction, Lu Yi chuckled and decided not to tease her any further. He took out a Level 6 Tiger Bone Spirit Ginseng Soup and a Level 4 Nourishing Spirit Dew, handing them to Donggong Mingyue with a smile. ¡°Senior Sister, I was just joking. These are spirit food and spirit wine. You should focus on breaking through the Heavenly Dao restrictions.¡± Donggong Mingyue gave Lu Yi an angry look but nodded slightly. She accepted the items and patted her chest confidently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Junior Brother. With my talent, I¡¯ll definitely break through without a problem!¡± Lu Yi nodded and grinned. ¡°Second Senior Sister is the best.¡± Donggong Mingyue beamed happily. ¡°Then I¡¯ll head back first. You better focus on your cultivation too!¡± With that, Donggong Mingyue turned into a streak of light and disappeared. Watching her leave, Lu Yi shook his head slightly, feeling a bit helpless. He wondered how long her seclusion would last. It seemed there wouldn¡¯t be any sparring tasks for a while.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. The Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk he earned from sparring with Jiang Fan had long been used up. Recently, his cultivation relied on the Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk obtained through monthly Trial Tower tasks. After testing it out, Lu Yi found that the Trial Tower tasks could be repeated monthly, providing a stable supply. In addition, his daily sparring with Second Senior Sister had also provided a supply. However, after reaching Qi Refining Level 10, his resource consumption increased significantly. The monthly supply from the Trial Tower might not be enough, and he wasn¡¯t sure how long his current stock would last. It seemed he needed to find another senior brother or sister for sparring. As Lu Yi was thinking, he suddenly sensed two auras rapidly approaching. Turning to look, he saw two figures emerge from the forest and land in front of him. Seeing them, Lu Yi was momentarily stunned and then surprised. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang Fan? Senior Brother Bai Yulong? What brings you two here?¡± Over the past five months, Lu Yi had occasionally gathered with Jiang Fan and the others to relax in between his intense cultivation. But normally, they wouldn¡¯t disturb him on Lingluo Peak, as they had their own cultivation to focus on. Jiang Fan chuckled. ¡°We¡¯re here for something important. Junior Brother Lu Yi, have you completed this year¡¯s sect mission?¡± Bai Yulong fanned himself and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s already the end of the year, and neither of us has completed our sect missions yet. We thought you might be in the same boat, so we came to find you.¡± Lu Yi suddenly realized. ''It¡¯s already the end of the year? He rarely left the sect, and even in the outer sect, he only went out for missions when necessary. Naturally, he hadn¡¯t completed this year¡¯s mission either. After all, he didn¡¯t lack resources and didn¡¯t need missions for rewards. Similarly, Jiang Fan had joined Dark Water Peak and was reportedly favored by a Nascent Soul elder, who might take him as a personal disciple. He also didn¡¯t lack resources in the Qi Refining stage. Bai Yulong, with a Golden Core grandfather, didn¡¯t need to worry about Qi Refining resources either. The three of them were in the same situation¡ªnone had taken on sect missions this year. Lu Yi smiled. ¡°In that case, let¡¯s go.¡± With Donggong Mingyue entering seclusion, Lu Yi had been wondering how to gather more resources. Checking out sect missions seemed like a good opportunity. ¡°Perfect. It¡¯s better to have three of us for support,¡± Jiang Fan said. Bai Yulong grinned. ¡°Exactly. Let¡¯s head to the Mission Hall.¡± The three of them descended the mountain. It was their second visit to the Mission Hall since Du Gufang had brought them there to register as inner sect disciples. Upon entering the hall¡¯s plaza, many cultivators noticed them. Several senior brothers and sisters greeted them warmly. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Junior Brother Lu Yi.¡± ¡°What a coincidence! You¡¯re here at the Mission Hall today too?¡± ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, are you here to take on a mission?¡± Faced with their enthusiastic greetings, Lu Yi responded with a smile. Over the past few months, Lu Yi had topped the Qi Refining Trial Tower rankings, becoming widely known even among the elders. He had certainly made a name for himself in the sect. Finally entering the hall, Bai Yulong sighed. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi is quite the celebrity in White Cloud Sect now. I¡¯m envious.¡± Jiang Fan laughed. ¡°With his talent, you¡¯d better give up on catching up.¡± Jiang Fan had once advised Lu Yi to keep a low profile and save some hidden cards, but after Lu Yi admitted he hadn¡¯t even used his full strength in the Trial Tower, Jiang Fan gave up trying. What¡¯s the point of advising a monster? Bai Yulong¡¯s face twitched at Jiang Fan¡¯s words. He glared. ¡°Can¡¯t you say something nicer?¡± The three of them joked as they reached the mission area. The hall was vast, bustling with inner sect disciples accepting missions. Disciples without resources often relied on missions for cultivation resources, unlike Lu Yi and the others, who only came for the annual requirement. Rows of counters lined the hall, where disciples could register for missions. The three found a counter with a short line and soon reached the front. The middle-aged cultivator behind the counter glanced at them, his gaze quickly settling on Lu Yi with surprise. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi?¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Greetings, Senior Brother.¡± The middle-aged cultivator¡¯s attitude instantly became enthusiastic. ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, are you here for a mission? Do you have any specific requirements? I can help you find the best ones.¡± Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan exchanged glances, both twitching their lips. When had taking on missions ever been this warm and welcoming? Chapter 67: Immortal Masters Lu Yi smiled and said, ¡°Then we¡¯ll trouble you, Senior Brother. We¡¯re looking for tasks suitable for the tenth level of Qi Refining.¡± Although Lu Yi believed his strength was decent, he didn¡¯t plan to take on Foundation Establishment tasks. After all, he could cultivate steadily without lacking resources, so why take unnecessary risks? Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan were both polishing their skills at the tenth level of Qi Refining. Based on Lu Yi¡¯s perception, Jiang Fan was close to breaking through, and Bai Yulong was slightly behind but not too far off. They were all still young, not yet twenty years old. Reaching the Foundation Establishment stage at this age meant their talent ranked in the upper tier within the White Cloud Sect. For three disciples at the tenth level of Qi Refining, taking on a task of the same level posed no major issues. ¡°Any specific requirements for the task?¡± The middle-aged cultivator flipped through the task book. Lu Yi exchanged glances with Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong. They had already discussed this matter on their way here. Lu Yi smiled and said, ¡°Preferably not too far from the White Cloud Sect and no resource-collecting tasks.¡± As Qi Refining cultivators, they couldn¡¯t fly on swords and weren¡¯t fast. Traveling too far would waste too much time. As for collection tasks, while not dangerous, they were troublesome. Some materials required searching various locations, relying heavily on luck, and consumed considerable time. For these three at the tenth level of Qi Refining, time was as valuable as money. The middle-aged cultivator nodded slightly and continued flipping through the book. Soon, he smiled and said, ¡°There is a task that might suit you. The Mohe Kingdom has requested assistance. Recently, a tenth-level Qi Refining demonic cultivator has appeared in their capital, and they need sect disciples to handle it. Junior Brother Lu, how does this task sound?¡± ¡°A demonic cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Refining?¡± Lu Yi raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong. Jiang Fan asked, ¡°Senior Brother, what do we know about this demonic cultivator?¡± Lu Yi also wanted to ask this question. He didn¡¯t want to encounter any hidden threats later. The middle-aged cultivator flipped through the records and replied, ¡°No significant background. The Mohe Kingdom¡¯s Grand Advisor, also at the tenth level of Qi Refining, fought the demonic cultivator before requesting help. Both sides were seriously injured, and the demonic cultivator fled. Recently, the demonic cultivator resurfaced, but the Grand Advisor hasn¡¯t recovered and can¡¯t suppress him. That¡¯s why the Mohe King sought help from our White Cloud Sect. This demonic cultivator likely stumbled upon demonic techniques by chance and isn¡¯t particularly notable.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Hearing this, the three felt reassured. It wasn¡¯t uncommon for people to turn to demonic cultivation after accidentally acquiring such techniques. Some ordinary people, upon suddenly gaining power, often became mentally unstable. Combined with the nature of demonic cultivation methods, it was easy for them to wreak havoc. Every year, the White Cloud Sect handled numerous similar tasks. Lu Yi had encountered such cases even as an outer disciple. ¡°In that case, we¡¯ll take this task.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Alright, this task is yours then,¡± the middle-aged cultivator said, smiling. ¡°Show me your tokens, and I¡¯ll register you.¡± The three handed over their tokens, and after registration, they left the administration hall with their task assigned. They then headed to the Inner Sect¡¯s Spirit Beast Hall, where they each borrowed a unicorn spirit horse at the Qi Refining level. As Qi Refining cultivators who couldn¡¯t fly, their transportation options were limited to Qi Refining-level beasts. After preparing, the trio rode their spirit horses along the mountain path, leaving the Inner Sect and entering the outer sect areas. Lu Yi originally planned to visit his parents, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. However, after some thought, he decided to wait until after the mission. By then, it would be close to the New Year¡¯s festival, and he could celebrate at home. Thus, the trio departed from the White Cloud Sect, riding their unicorn spirit horses toward the Mohe Kingdom. Unicorn spirit horses, being Qi Refining-level beasts, far surpassed ordinary horses and could travel thousands of miles per day. Green Province was vast, with the White Cloud Sect governing dozens of kingdoms. Although Mohe Kingdom wasn¡¯t too far, it was still tens of thousands of kilometers away. Traveling at a steady pace, the trio took about a week to reach Mohe Kingdom.
Mohe¡¯s capital was surrounded by tall walls and heavily guarded gates. All entering civilians underwent inspections by soldiers. The commander of the capital guards, Qi Ming, was a burly man with a full beard. Standing on the city wall, Qi Ming observed the queue of civilians below and muttered, ¡°Not much profit lately.¡± His deputy glanced at the poorly dressed refugees below and shook his head. ¡°Sir, you know this year¡¯s drought has ruined the harvest. Refugees are flooding in, but few have any wealth. Unless merchants arrive, making money is nearly impossible.¡± Qi Ming snorted, dissatisfied. ¡°These worthless peasants, coming to the capital with nothing.¡± At that moment, he noticed a cloud of dust rising in the distance. Being a martial artist, his vision was sharp. He saw three young people in white robes riding unicorn-like beasts rapidly approaching. The sight of those beasts sent chills down his spine. But what terrified him more were the white robes¡ªthe attire of White Cloud Sect¡¯s Inner Sect disciples! Qi Ming¡¯s face turned pale, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He immediately shouted, ¡°Prepare to welcome the immortal masters from White Cloud Sect! If anything goes wrong, I¡¯ll have your hides!¡± The guards stiffened and stood at attention, their expressions tense. The civilians, hearing those immortal masters had arrived, quickly stepped aside, their faces filled with awe and fear. Qi Ming led his officers to the gate, bowing deeply with solemn expressions. Lu Yi and his companions arrived outside the city walls and saw the guards. Lu Yi wasn¡¯t surprised. In kingdoms under the White Cloud Sect, its disciples were highly respected. Even as an outer disciple, he had been treated with honor. Now, as an Inner Sect disciple, the reverence was even greater. Lu Yi also noticed the tattered clothes of the civilians. Raising an eyebrow, he thought, looks like times are tough this year. Without cultivation, these kingdoms resembled ancient societies, where even minor disasters could lead to widespread suffering. As Lu Yi reflected, Qi Ming and his officers bowed deeply. Qi Ming shouted, ¡°Welcome, immortal masters from White Cloud Sect!¡± Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts, glanced at Qi Ming, and smiled. ¡°Let us in.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Qi Ming responded promptly, clearing the way. The other guards followed suit, allowing Lu Yi and his companions to ride their unicorn spirit horses through the gates. Chapter 68: Mortal Hardships Upon entering the city gates, Lu Yi immediately noticed the stark contrast between the inside and outside of the city walls. Outside the walls was barren and desolate, but inside was unexpectedly bustling and lively. The voices of street vendors hawking their wares filled the air. On either side of the street were elegant shops, including fabric stores, cosmetic shops, pawnshops, and jewelry stores. Pedestrians crowded the streets. However, upon seeing the three-riding strange unicorn-like spirit horses, their faces changed, and they quickly made way. ''Judging by the unusual horses, these people can''t be ordinary,'' many seemed to think. Bai Yulong, riding his unicorn spirit horse, grinned and said with a hint of excitement, "Tsk tsk, mortal cities are so different from our sect. Much more vibrant." Even Jiang Fan nodded slightly in agreement. While White Cloud Sect had beautiful scenery, it was filled with cultivators and naturally felt colder and more austere. At that moment, Bai Yulong''s handsome face showed a peculiar smile as he said, "By the way, how about we visit the brothels later? I''m telling you; the girls there have sweet voices and are very understanding, completely different from the senior and junior sisters in our sect." Jiang Fan froze, a strange expression flashing across his ordinary face. He glanced at Bai Yulong. "You''ve actually been to such places?" Lu Yi also looked at Bai Yulong strangely. "Senior Brother Bai Yulong, I wouldn''t have guessed. With your righteous appearance, you''re actually fond of frequenting brothels?" Bai Yulong''s face turned red under their questioning gazes. "So what? My cultivation technique doesn''t require me to maintain purity! Why can''t I go?" He even cast a sidelong glance at them, mocking, "What about you two? Don''t tell me you''re still virgins?" Jiang Fan chuckled, saying, "What''s wrong with that? Cultivators shouldn''t be ruled by worldly desires." ''No, I do have quite a few worldly desires...'' Lu Yi thought to himself. However, since he had awakened his golden finger, he felt that, while he might not pursue saintesses, he should at least seek out some stunning beauties, like his Second Senior Sister or Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang. Otherwise, wouldn''t he disgrace all the transmigrators before him? Lu Yi maintained a serious expression. "I think Senior Brother Jiang Fan is right." Jiang Fan smiled. "See? Even Junior Brother Lu agrees." Bai Yulong''s mouth twitched as he snapped his folding fan shut. "Hmph! You two really don''t understand the pleasures of life." Jiang Fan shrugged indifferently, while Lu Yi couldn''t help but feel a bit curious.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ''So, what exactly are the pleasures of life?'' He almost wanted to ask Bai Yulong for advice but quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head. ''No, I can''t be so unambitious!'' The three chatted as they followed the main road and soon arrived at the palace. The guards outside the palace stiffened when they saw the three. A middle-aged man, who appeared to be the officer in charge, hurried over and respectfully asked, "Are you three immortals from White Cloud Sect?" Lu Yi nodded and smiled. "Yes, we were sent by the sect to assist the King of Mohe." Hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately bowed deeply. "The king has instructed us to bring any immortals from White Cloud Sect directly to him. Please follow me!" The three rode their spirit horses into the palace, following the man until they arrived outside a grand hall. A group of people stood at the entrance, led by a middle-aged man in a golden robe. Beside him was a pale, gray-haired elder and several others. Lu Yi''s eyes swept over them and deduced that the middle-aged man was the king of Mohe, and the gray-haired elder, who had a Qi Refining Level 10 cultivation but appeared injured, was likely the kingdom''s Grand Advisor. The others included two cultivators, also at the Qi Refining stage but with lower cultivation, and a few younger individuals who appeared to be princes. The King of Mohe quickly approached, cupped his hands, and said, "Mo Ling greets the three immortals from White Cloud Sect." The gray-haired elder also cupped his hands. "Li Qing greets the three senior brothers." The others followed suit. "Greetings, immortals!" The three dismounted, and Lu Yi smiled. "No need to be so formal, Your Majesty. We were sent by the sect to deal with the demonic cultivator." Bai Yulong looked surprised as he stared at Li Qing. "You called us senior brothers?" Li Qing showed a nostalgic expression and explained, "I was once an outer disciple of White Cloud Sect in my youth. However, I failed to enter the inner sect, and after leaving, I eventually joined Mohe Kingdom and became its Grand Advisor. Since you are all inner disciples, you naturally outrank me." The three immediately understood. Outer disciples of White Cloud Sect had a time limit. Those who failed to reach Foundation Establishment had to leave. Some became mortal representatives for the sect, some stayed as servants, and others left to explore the world. Li Qing was one of many such disciples. Hearing his story, the three smiled. "So, you are Junior Brother Li Qing." Knowing he was a former sect member made them feel closer. The King of Mohe, seeing their warm attitude, relaxed and smiled. "The three immortals must be tired from the journey. Please rest for a few days. If you need anything, just let me know." Bai Yulong''s eyes lit up. "That sounds great." Jiang Fan gave Bai Yulong a side glance and said, "Ignore him. We''re here for a mission. Tell us about the situation." Bai Yulong stiffened and gave Jiang Fan a resentful look before turning to Lu Yi, hoping for support. Lu Yi smiled. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan is right. Let''s hear about the mission first." Bai Yulong sighed in disappointment. "Fine." The King of Mohe nodded and said, "In that case, let us discuss this inside. The Grand Advisor can explain the details." The three followed them into the hall. After sitting down, Li Qing began, "It started four months ago. People began disappearing frequently in the capital. At first, the numbers were small, but the perpetrator grew bolder, and the disappearances increased. About a month ago, I tracked the demonic cultivator and fought him. We both suffered injuries, but I have yet to recover, while he resumed his crimes. I am the only one at Qi Refining Level 10 here, so the king had no choice but to seek help from White Cloud Sect." The three exchanged glances, their faces darkening. Bai Yulong snapped his fan shut. "Abducting people to refine flesh and blood for cultivation¡ªsuch demonic cultivators deserve death." Jiang Fan frowned. "Four months... Many must have died, right?" The king sighed bitterly. "This year''s drought drove many refugees to the capital. With so many beggars and vagrants, it was hard to track the missing. Only when the culprit began targeting civilians did we finally find clues." Lu Yi recalled the refugees at the gates and sighed inwardly. They thought entering the city meant safety, but who would have guessed there was a man-eating demon inside? Mortal lives are truly hard. At that moment, Lu Yi had a thought¡ªwould helping the refugees trigger a mission reward? Chapter 69: Lu Yis Grand Gesture Thinking of this, Lu Yi murmured to himself, ''I must provide disaster relief!'' As Lu Yi had this thought, words appeared on the panel. [Task] Disaster Relief in Mohe Kingdom Rewards will be determined based on the extent of relief efforts. Accept: Yes/No It can really issue missions? Lu Yi was momentarily stunned, then felt a trace of joy. Seeing the state of the disaster victims had touched Lu Yi''s heart. Now he could help those people and also earn rewards¡ªa win-win situation. Seeing Lu Yi in a daze, Jiang Fan glanced at him and asked, "Lu Junior Brother, what''s wrong?" Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "Nothing." He turned to Li Qing and asked, "Do you know where that demonic cultivator is right now? If you do, we can handle it immediately." For Lu Yi, a demonic cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Refining was not a significant threat. Hearing this, Li Qing quickly responded, "Recently, there have been more disappearances in the capital. However, perhaps due to the previous battle, that demonic cultivator has become more cautious. The missing persons are all vagrants. But because we¡¯ve tightened our inspections of vagrants since the last incident, we were able to detect the problem early." "However," Li Qing paused and continued, "We still can¡¯t determine the exact location of the demonic cultivator. It will take some time." Hearing this, Bai Yulong¡¯s eyes lit up, and he said cheerfully, "Then you should find the location as soon as possible. In the meantime, we¡¯ll stay in the capital." Seeing Bai Yulong¡¯s excitement, Lu Yi felt a bit strange. ''This guy¡­ is he planning to visit the brothels? Shameful!'' Lu Yi nodded and said, "Alright then. Please confirm the location first. By the way, I have another matter to discuss." Hearing this, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong looked at Lu Yi in surprise. "Lu Junior Brother, another matter?" Jiang Fan asked, puzzled. Their task only involved dealing with the demonic cultivator. Mo Ling, the King of Mohe Kingdom, immediately straightened up and said respectfully, "Immortal Master, what is your command? I will do my utmost to fulfill it!" Lu Yi smiled lightly. "While passing through Mohe Kingdom, I saw many people displaced, disaster victims everywhere. I felt pity for them and wanted to ask Your Majesty to help with disaster relief." Hearing this, everyone was stunned. Bai Yulong looked at Lu Yi in shock. "Disaster relief? Lu Junior Brother... mortal lives are fleeting. Why bother?" Jiang Fan remained silent, looking at Lu Yi with a bit of surprise.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Even Li Qing, Mo Ling, and the others were astonished, staring at Lu Yi in disbelief. They had never expected Lu Yi¡¯s concern to be about disaster relief. Lu Yi smiled and said, "It¡¯s true that mortal lives are fleeting. Even if I save them this time, I can¡¯t save them every time. However, having seen their suffering, I¡¯d feel uneasy turning a blind eye. Consider it my personal whim." The room fell silent. Jiang Fan chuckled and said, "Back in the outer sect, Lu Junior Brother always considered others¡¯ feelings during sparring and treated his peers like family. I didn¡¯t expect him to have the same compassion for mortals. Junior Brother, your kind heart is admirable." Bai Yulong also recalled the discussions about Lu Yi during the outer sect competition. Looking at Lu Yi, his expression was complicated, and he said with a bitter smile, "Junior Brother, your righteousness is commendable." Li Qing and Mo Ling exchanged glances, both clearly amazed. They realized that this seemingly young leading cultivator was different from most others. The young princes looked at Lu Yi with hesitant expressions. To them, the lives of a few lowly commoners hardly seemed worth the attention of an immortal. However, as princes, they couldn¡¯t voice such thoughts and could only keep them to themselves. Lu Yi smiled and said, "You flatter me, Senior Brothers. I¡¯m simply doing this for peace of mind." Then, he turned to Mo Ling and asked, "Can Your Majesty fulfill this request?" "This..." Mo Ling smiled bitterly and said, "I have been trying to provide disaster relief, but Mohe Kingdom is small, and the treasury is not wealthy. Even if I wish to help, resources are scarce." Lu Yi wasn¡¯t convinced. Mohe Kingdom was indeed small, evident from the fact that its strongest cultivator was only at the tenth level of Qi Refining. However, the capital¡¯s prosperity contrasted sharply with the plight outside. Claiming a lack of resources for relief didn¡¯t quite add up. He took out a white porcelain bottle and said with a smile, "Here are three Top-grade Qi Condensation Pills." As soon as Lu Yi spoke, the room fell silent. Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong stared at the bottle in shock. Top-grade Qi Condensation Pills! Even though both had strong backers, such pills were still incredibly precious to them. For Li Qing and the other cultivators, who were essentially rogue cultivators after leaving White Cloud Sect, such pills were beyond imagination. They stared at the bottle, their eyes nearly popping out. Mo Ling, the King of Mohe, also understood the value of these pills. Though he lacked cultivation talent, he was familiar with basic knowledge about cultivators. Staring at the pills, Mo Ling¡¯s breathing quickened. Seeing his reaction, Lu Yi pointed at a boy about eleven or twelve years old standing close to Mo Ling and smiled. "Is this your child? He has some talent for cultivation. With these three pills, he should be able to pass White Cloud Sect¡¯s entrance exam and join the sect." "I-I-I... Immortal Master! I swear to mobilize the entire treasury and spare no effort for disaster relief!" Mo Ling¡¯s face was filled with determination, his eyes burning with passion. If his son could join White Cloud Sect, the kingdom would be protected for a hundred years! For Mohe Kingdom, it meant stability and peace. These three pills were priceless! Lu Yi smiled and said, "I¡¯ll hand over the pills once I see results. My offer is only valid until this mission ends." After all, while Lu Yi wanted to help the disaster victims, he couldn¡¯t stay in Mohe Kingdom forever. Mo Ling nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Immortal Master! I will show results within a few days!" Lu Yi smiled. "Alright, arrange our lodgings, and inform us once you confirm the demonic cultivator¡¯s location." Mo Ling immediately said, "The palace has prepared accommodations for the Immortal Masters. Please follow me." Led by Mo Ling, the group arrived at an elegant palace. Mo Ling said, "This will be your residence. Do the Immortal Masters find it satisfactory?" He glanced at Lu Yi, knowing he was the decision-maker. As long as Lu Yi was satisfied, the others wouldn¡¯t object. Lu Yi smiled. "This is fine." Mo Ling breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I will take my leave to prepare for the relief efforts." He then hurried off with Li Qing and the others, leaving Lu Yi¡¯s group behind. Once they were alone, Bai Yulong looked pained and said, "Lu Junior Brother! How could you give such precious pills to that king?! He¡¯s not worth it!" Even Jiang Fan looked conflicted and smiled bitterly. "Lu Junior Brother, your kindness is admirable, but that¡¯s three Top-grade Qi Condensation Pills!" Chapter 70: Background Seeing Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan''s distressed expressions, Lu Yi felt helpless. The worst item he had on hand was a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill... These top-grade Qi Condensation Pills were originally taken from the resource hall as part of his cultivation supplies to avoid suspicion. Of course, Lu Yi now cultivated using Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk. Even though he still had perfect Qi Condensation Pills, he rarely used them, let alone top-grade ones, which were just gathering dust. He smiled and said, "I still have some top-grade Qi Condensation Pills. Both of you know that I am the registered disciple of Peak Master Ling Luo. Pills like these aren''t scarce for me. This time, I offered them to ensure the King of Mohe puts in his full effort." "Junior Brother, you''re just too kind," Bai Yulong sighed repeatedly. "The words have already been spoken, so there''s no turning back now," Jiang Fan also smiled helplessly. The three then each chose a room in the palace as their temporary residence.
Mo Ling hurried back to the hall with Li Qing and a few others. Mo Ling''s eyes were filled with excitement as he looked at the young boy beside him, who still had a hint of immaturity. He said, "Ming''er, your opportunity has come! I will make sure to get you that top-grade Qi Condensation Pill and help you enter White Cloud Sect!" Li Qing and the two other Qi Refining cultivators looked envious. One of the middle-aged cultivators said, "Who exactly is that White Cloud Sect disciple? That¡¯s a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill! I''ve never even seen one before!" "This is also my first time seeing one. As expected of a disciple from the White Cloud Sect¡ªso generous," another added. Li Qing glanced at the two and said, "You''re overthinking it. Even in the White Cloud Sect, only a very few people can use top-grade Qi Condensation Pills. That senior brother is already at the tenth level of Qi Refining and is an inner disciple. Yet, he was willing to offer a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill as a reward... He¡¯s probably a direct disciple of a Nascent Soul elder." Hearing this, Mo Ling and the others were stunned. The two Qi Refining cultivators were especially shocked. "A direct disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator!?" "That inner disciple has such a powerful background??" Mo Ling''s eyes flickered, and his determination solidified. He immediately called out, "Guards!" A eunuch entered, knelt, and said, "Your Majesty." "Open the national treasury and provide disaster relief!" Mo Ling paused and added, "From now on, daily palace expenses will be halved¡ªincluding mine. Additionally, inform the shadow guards to root out corruption and seize embezzled funds!" The eunuch froze, looking dumbfounded. "Your¡ªYour Majesty?" "Did you not hear me?!" Mo Ling stared coldly at him. Cold sweat dripped from the eunuch''s forehead. "Yes! Yes!"Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. "Go now. If anything goes wrong, I¡¯ll have your entire family executed!" Mo Ling said slowly. The eunuch''s face turned pale as he nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, Your Majesty! I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s done!" Watching the eunuch leave, Mo Ling still felt uneasy and said, "Tomorrow¡¯s court assembly will need to address this matter thoroughly..." He turned to Li Qing and smiled. "Advisor, I¡¯ll need you to closely monitor the demonic cultivator situation and oversee the disaster relief efforts. If all goes well, I¡¯ll reward you with a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill to help you break through to Foundation Establishment!" Li Qing¡¯s eyes lit up, and he smiled. "Since Your Majesty has given the order, I¡¯ll do my best." Li Qing was already at the peak of Qi Refining. He couldn''t obtain high-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, and he wasn¡¯t confident in succeeding with low-grade ones. However, with a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill to refine his foundation, he would have a good chance of success even with lower-quality pills.
That night, Lu Yi was cultivating in his room when a knock sounded on his door. Bai Yulong¡¯s voice called out, "Lu Junior Brother! Lu Junior Brother!" Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, a deep spiritual light flashing briefly. He walked to the door and opened it, seeing Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan standing there. Bai Yulong held a folding fan and had changed into a luxurious robe, looking quite flamboyant. Jiang Fan, on the other hand, wore simple black clothes, looking very ordinary. Seeing them, Lu Yi asked curiously, "Senior Brothers, what¡¯s going on?" Bai Yulong grinned. "Hehe, since we¡¯re visiting the secular world, how about we go out and have some fun tonight?" Seeing Bai Yulong''s eager expression, Lu Yi twitched the corner of his mouth, already guessing where he wanted to go. Lu Yi looked at Jiang Fan, who smiled and said, "It¡¯s rare to get out. Exploring the mortal world is also a form of cultivation. Besides, demonic cultivators are more likely to act at night. We might even get lucky." Hearing this, Lu Yi thought for a moment. Since he spent most of his time cultivating, an occasional outing sounded appealing. He agreed without hesitation. Lu Yi changed out of his White Cloud Sect inner disciple robes and put on a plain white outfit before heading out with Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan.
There was no curfew in Mohe¡¯s capital at night. The streets were brightly lit with shops and bustling crowds. Lu Yi rarely left the sect, and not every sect mission involved visiting cities. This was only his second time in a mortal city, and he found the experience enjoyable. The three strolled down the streets and soon arrived at a lavishly decorated building with glowing lights. Beautiful women stood at the entrance, smiling and inviting customers. Bai Yulong¡¯s eyes immediately lit up, and he asked, "Shall we go in and have some fun?" Jiang Fan shook his head. "You go ahead." Lu Yi glanced at the women and shook his head as well. "I¡¯ll pass." Compared to his Second Senior Sister and Liu Ningshuang, these women were worlds apart. Lu Yi¡¯s standards had already been raised too high, and he felt nothing seeing their revealing outfits and seductive smiles. Bai Yulong¡¯s mouth twitched, then coughed awkwardly and suggested, "How about we split up? It might increase our chances of encountering the demonic cultivator." Lu Yi and Jiang Fan exchanged a glance and rolled their eyes at Bai Yulong but still agreed. Bai Yulong happily entered the brothel, while Lu Yi and Jiang Fan continued their stroll. They soon left the bustling area, where the lights dimmed, and beggars in ragged clothes sat along the streets. Their faces were dull and lifeless. Just then, Lu Yi noticed a few ragged people walking quickly and overheard their conversation. "Hurry! I heard there¡¯s porridge being distributed at the palace!" "The palace distributing porridge? Impossible! They¡¯d rather let the grain rot than give us any." "Why not? It¡¯s true! Even a prince is supervising it! The immortals in the capital took pity on us and ordered the king to distribute food!" "...Really?" The beggars looked at each other in disbelief. "Why would I lie?!" "Immortals are merciful!" "Quick! Let¡¯s go check! My son hasn¡¯t eaten in two days¡ªwe need to get a bowl!" The beggars hurried off. Jiang Fan smiled at Lu Yi and said, "Junior Brother, your kindness is deeply appreciated by these people." Lu Yi smiled back. "I didn¡¯t do it for gratitude¡ªjust to ease my own conscience." Having lived through peaceful times in his previous life, Lu Yi often donated during disasters. Seeing refugees in this world, he naturally wanted to help within his means. Of course, the mission reward was also tempting. It seemed the allure of top-grade Qi Condensation Pills was strong. Mo Ling, who had initially hesitated, acted immediately. Lu Yi was quite satisfied. Now he just had to wait for the mission to be completed. Chapter 71: Demonic Cultivator In the following days, Lu Yi and Jiang Fan spent most of their time cultivating in the palace. At night, they would go out to try their luck, hoping to encounter the demonic cultivator. Unfortunately, they hadn''t come across the demonic cultivator yet. As for Bai Yulong, he was so captivated by the pleasures of the capital that he seemed to have forgotten about everything else, lingering in various entertainment establishments. Lu Yi expressed disdain, though he couldn''t help but feel a slight tinge of envy. Meanwhile, the disaster relief efforts were proceeding intensely. Starting from the second day, corrupt officials in the capital were being raided, and all their confiscated assets were used for disaster relief. This caused the officials in the capital to tremble in fear, worried that they might be next. Various orders were also issued from the royal palace, all focused on disaster relief. Rumors began to spread among the refugees about how immortal masters showed mercy to disaster victims. Even when Lu Yi walked through the streets, he could hear such tales. This left Lu Yi feeling a small sense of satisfaction. ...... Eight days passed quickly. Late one night, Lu Yi was cultivating in his room when a presence suddenly landed in the palace. A female voice called out, "Lu Yi, Jiang Fan! We''ve found traces of the demonic cultivator!" Lu Yi''s eyes snapped open, and a faint glimmer of light flashed through them. In the next moment, Lu Yi''s figure vanished from his spot, and his door was already open. In the courtyard, a middle-aged woman with an anxious expression was waiting. Her name was Qin Fang, one of the Qi Refining cultivators Lu Yi had encountered earlier, aside from Li Qing. She was at the sixth layer of Qi Refining. Judging by her age, her talent was average. Like the other middle-aged cultivator, she had become a rouge cultivator through a stroke of luck by obtaining a cultivation technique. As Qin Fang grew more anxious, Lu Yi''s figure suddenly appeared in front of her, as if he had been there all along. He asked, "Where is the person?"This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Qin Fang was so startled that her heart almost stopped. When did this Daoist friend Lu appear?! I didn''t even sense him! Doesn''t he know that scaring people can be fatal? Qin Fang quickly responded, "It''s in the northern part of the city. Lord Li has already gone ahead!" Lu Yi raised an eyebrow. Over the past few days, he and Jiang Fan had explored the entire capital. The central area housed the royal palace, the east was the busiest commercial district, the west was home to officials and wealthy merchants, the south was where ordinary people lived, and the north was an area filled with gangs and chaos. When Lu Yi and Jiang Fan had entered the north before, some thugs had even tried to rob them, thinking they were wealthy targets. While Qin Fang was explaining, Jiang Fan also emerged from his room. His ordinary face bore a serious expression as he said, "Lu Yi, should we go now?" Lu Yi nodded and asked, "Where is Bai Yulong?" Jiang Fan''s mouth twitched. "I checked earlier. He''s still in the brothel. Fortunately, it''s near the northern district, so we can pick him up along the way." Lu Yi rubbed his forehead, feeling speechless. "Let''s bring him along." Jiang Fan nodded. Lu Yi turned to Qin Fang and said, "You go first. We''ll catch up shortly." Qin Fang nodded and hurried off. Lu Yi and Jiang Fan transformed into streaks of light and disappeared from the palace. Lu Yi''s speed needed no elaboration, and Jiang Fan, being quite talented, was also fast enough to keep up. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been able to comprehend Foundation Establishment techniques while still in the Qi Refining stage. With Jiang Fan leading the way, they soon arrived at a brothel called Spring Breeze Pavilion and found Bai Yulong. When Bai Yulong heard about the demonic cultivator, he hurriedly left the room, still dressing as he walked. The two ladies who accompanied him looked at him with resentment, making Lu Yi feel awkward. Jiang Fan, however, remained calm and said, "Let''s go." "Wait, let me finish getting dressed!" Bai Yulong protested while fastening his belt. The three of them moved swiftly across rooftops. Bai Yulong was slightly slower than Jiang Fan and Lu Yi. Lu Yi glanced at Bai Yulong and teased, "Bai Yulong, speed up. Don''t tell me you''ve been visiting brothels so much that your legs have gone weak?" Bai Yulong''s face stiffened, and he retorted, "You two jerks are just naturally faster than me, okay? A few days of fun won''t slow me down!" Jiang Fan chuckled and said, "Since Bai Yulong''s legs are weak, let''s not wait for him." "Can''t you understand plain speech?!" Bai Yulong''s face darkened. At that moment, a loud explosion echoed. The trio''s expressions changed as they looked toward the source of the sound. They were already in the western part of the city, and in the distance, a cluster of low grass huts had been torn apart. Spiritual energy spread outward, and waves of force rippled through the air. A blood-red streak of light shot out and fled into the distance. Seeing this, Jiang Fan''s expression changed. "It''s the demonic cultivator! Damn it, he''s escaping!" Bai Yulong frowned. "He''s too far. Can we catch up? Li Qing couldn''t stop him?!" They were still some distance away from the demonic cultivator. While the two were speaking, a white streak of light shot past them, surrounded by swirling wind and faint clouds. Lu Yi''s figure was enveloped in clouds. In just a few breaths, he had overtaken them and was chasing the blood-red light. Chapter 72: The Power of a Single Sword However... Lu Yi glanced at Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong beside him. To be honest, he wasn¡¯t nervous at all about facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Not to mention anything else, just his Purple Jade Bell and Spirit Jade Mirror alone would render this demonic cultivator unable to break through his defenses even if he attacked for eternity. He was already in an invincible position. Moreover, he also had the White Jade Boat and the Thousand Mile Talisman. Even if he couldn¡¯t win, there was no way this demonic cultivator could stop him from escaping. The problem was Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong. It would be better not to reveal these trump cards in front of them, as it would be hard to explain later. After thinking for a moment, Lu Yi spoke, ¡°Senior Brothers, I have a trump card given to me by the Peak Master that can hold off this cultivator. I¡¯ll hold them off while you two retreat first.¡± Hearing this, Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan shook their heads simultaneously. ¡°How could we do that?! Junior Brother Lu, how could we leave you here alone?¡± ¡°Exactly! Junior Brother Lu, you¡¯ve sparred with us and even made us tiger bone spirit ginseng soup. You¡¯ve been so kind to us¡ªhow could we be so ungrateful?! No way! Absolutely not! I, Jiang Fan, am not that kind of person! I also have a few items that can hold this guy off for a while!¡± Their expressions were firm as they looked at Lu Yi. Lu Yi was stunned, his lips twitching. ¡®Aren¡¯t these two senior brothers a bit too loyal? But seriously, you guys leaving would be the most convenient thing for me...¡¯ Just as Lu Yi was about to speak, the middle-aged demonic cultivator sneered, ¡°Leave? None of you are leaving!¡± With a wave of his hand, a blood-colored banner appeared. As it fell to the ground, a dense blood mist spread out, enveloping all four of them. Shrill screams echoed from the mist, making Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong feel dizzy and disoriented even within it. Their expressions changed dramatically. ¡°We¡¯re trapped!¡± ¡°What do we do?!¡± The Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator snorted coldly, forming hand seals. Bloody streaks of light shot out from the mist toward the water barrier, causing it to tremble continuously with deafening booms. The water barrier shook violently, seemingly about to shatter soon. Seeing this, Lu Yi felt a bit helpless. It seemed that his senior brothers wouldn¡¯t be able to leave now. He muttered to himself, ¡°I need to kill this demonic cultivator.¡± [Quest] Kill the Foundation Establishment Level 10 Demonic Cultivator (0/1) Reward: Fundamentals of Array Formation Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi was stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected another cultivation technique? Previously, he had obtained spiritual cooking and spiritual wine brewing techniques. However, those techniques were relatively niche. Array formations, on the other hand, were highly practical and widely used in cultivation. Crafting magical treasures required array formations, constructing grand formations required array formations, and even exploring ancient ruins often required knowledge of arrays to unlock treasures. This reward was excellent. Lu Yi cheerfully accepted the quest. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, how can you still smile at a time like this?¡± Bai Yulong, looking pale, shouted upon seeing Lu Yi¡¯s cheerful expression. The demonic cultivator glanced at Lu Yi and sneered, ¡°Ignorant fool!¡± At the same time, he increased the power of his technique, causing the water barrier to dim visibly. Jiang Fan¡¯s face turned icy. He took out a talisman and transmitted his voice, ¡°I have a Dark Water Sword Talisman with power equivalent to a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator. When the barrier breaks, I¡¯ll use this talisman, and we¡¯ll run together!¡± Bai Yulong quickly added, ¡°I also have a Foundation Establishment peak-level Storm Talisman that can trap this bastard for a short while! Let¡¯s use them together and escape! Junior Brother Lu, you¡¯re the fastest¡ªdon¡¯t worry about us, just run first!¡± Jiang Fan nodded slightly and transmitted, ¡°Bai Yulong is right!¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi chuckled, ¡°Senior Brothers, no need to worry. You won¡¯t need those talismans.¡± Both Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan were stunned, looking at Lu Yi in confusion. Lu Yi didn¡¯t explain further. With a flip of his hand, the Azure Spirit Sword appeared in his grasp, and a terrifying spiritual energy began to radiate. Finally, he could test the full extent of his strength. He activated the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique at its peak. The liquefied spiritual energy in his body surged like raging waves, and the spiritual pressure emanating from him made Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan¡¯s faces change dramatically. They looked at Lu Yi in disbelief, their hair standing on end. ¡°What is this aura?!¡± ¡°Lu¡ªLu Junior Brother?!¡± They couldn''t believe it at all. The terrifying aura emanating from Lu Yi was simply unimaginable. This spiritual pressure, although not quite at the peak Foundation Establishment level like that demonic cultivator, was not far off. Lu Yi did not respond. He stepped forward and instantly appeared outside the water barrier. With his sword in hand, he slashed out. The sharp sword intent carried dense clouds, shredding the blood mist and slashing toward the demonic cultivator. The demonic cultivator''s eyes widened, filled with horror. ''A Qi Refining Stage cultivator at the tenth level¡ªhow could he possibly wield such terrifying swordsmanship?'' He even felt the aura of death from that sword technique. The demonic cultivator quickly formed hand seals. The blood-colored flag transformed into a stream of light, returning to his hand. Dense blood energy flowed and surged, clashing against the cloud energy. Boom!! A deafening explosion echoed as terrifying spiritual energy ripples spread out, covering a range of several hundred meters. The cloud energy tore through the blood mist like a tempest and surged toward the demonic cultivator. The demonic cultivator''s expression changed drastically. His body turned into a streak of blood light, rising into the air and fleeing into the distance. ''What the hell is this Qi Refining cultivator?! Is that sword intent?! And the power of that technique¡ªit doesn''t make any sense!'' Fortunately, this Qi Refining cultivator couldn''t fly. The demonic cultivator felt a moment of relief, but then a crackling thunderclap sounded. From the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of lightning. Lu Yi was stepping on white clouds, surrounded by lightning, and chasing him at incredible speed. ''Impossible!!!'' ''Lightning intent?! And why can this Qi Refining cultivator fly on clouds?!'' ''A divine ability??'' The demonic cultivator''s mind was full of questions. ''Is this guy even a Qi Refining cultivator?!'' He deeply regretted coming here. If he had known, he would never have come. Seeing Lu Yi approaching rapidly, the demonic cultivator let out a low roar. He waved the blood-colored flag in his hand, channeling spiritual energy frantically to block Lu Yi. Lu Yi''s expression remained unchanged. Lightning flickered along the Azure Spirit Sword, and sharp sword intent surged. With lightning intent, sword intent, the peak-level White Cloud Sword Technique, and the fully unleashed upper-grade magical artifact Azure Spirit Sword, Lu Yi''s strike made the peak Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator''s scalp tingle and his body go cold. A hundred-meter-long white sword light streaked across the sky, crackling with traces of lightning, illuminating the night. The sword light tore through the blood mist, engulfing the demonic cultivator, then crashed to the ground, carving a hundred-meter-long crack. Arcs of lightning danced along the edges, and sharp sword intent lingered. The blood-soaked corpse of the middle-aged demonic cultivator fell slowly from the sky, and the blood-colored flag dropped beside it, its glow completely dimmed. Not far away, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong stared blankly at the sword scar on the ground and the corpse of the demonic cultivator. They looked as if they had turned to stone. The two looked at the figure in the sky, stepping on white clouds and surrounded by lightning, then glanced at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Is that... Junior Brother Lu? Is that really Junior Brother Lu?" Bai Yulong''s face was filled with existential doubt. Jiang Fan''s mouth twitched as he looked at Lu Yi''s back, somewhat uncertain. "...Probably?" The two couldn''t understand why Lu Yi was so strong¡ªso strong it didn''t make any sense. Lu Yi descended to the demonic cultivator''s corpse, exhaled lightly, and felt a little excited. ''Looks like my strength is pretty decent. Even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn''t withstand a single strike from me.'' However, Lu Yi quickly calmed down. This demonic cultivator was clearly just an ordinary one, not a genius. While he could kill an ordinary peak Foundation Establishment cultivator in one strike, he might not fare as well against geniuses. Moreover... encountering a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator this time was completely unexpected. If possible, Lu Yi really hoped his opponents would always be like that previous Qi Refining Stage demonic cultivator. He mustn''t get arrogant! ''If I get arrogant and end up facing a Golden Core cultivator someday, what then? Or someone even stronger? Wouldn''t that be the end of me?'' ''I¡¯m still very weak!'' Lu Yi reminded himself. He then began searching the demonic cultivator''s corpse and quickly found his spatial ring. He also picked up the blood-colored flag. The flag was clearly a magical treasure, quite powerful, and probably not of a low grade. Of course, Lu Yi wouldn''t let it go. Lu Yi examined the spatial ring. It was slightly larger than his own and held quite a lot of items. After a quick look, he found a decent amount of low-grade spirit stones, a large pile of blood-colored crystals, and several bottles and jars¡ªlikely pills. In one corner, he also found a blood-colored token. Taking out the token, Lu Yi examined it. The words "Blood Spirit" were engraved on it. Lu Yi''s pupils shrank slightly. ''A Blood Spirit Sect token?'' ''Is this demonic cultivator from the Blood Spirit Sect?! No wonder he had so many blood crystals.'' The Blood Spirit Sect, like the White Cloud Sect, was a major sect in Green Province. Their territories were adjacent, and occasional conflicts were common. However, unlike the White Cloud Sect, the Blood Spirit Sect was a full-fledged demonic sect. Its cultivation techniques focused on absorbing blood essence. The Blood Spirit Sect''s cultivators were bloodthirsty and murderous. The two sects were constantly at odds. Lu Yi frowned, his expression darkening. For a Blood Spirit Sect cultivator to practice demonic techniques so close to the White Cloud Sect¡ªdid they not even fear the White Cloud Sect? Lu Yi took a deep breath, stored the blood-colored token, and decided to report the situation upon returning. While Lu Yi was lost in thought, Bai Yulong''s voice came from behind him. "Junior Brother Lu?" Lu Yi snapped out of his thoughts and turned around. Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan were staring at him in shock. Jiang Fan glanced at the corpse on the ground and asked in disbelief, "Junior Brother Lu, how are you... this strong?" Lu Yi felt helpless. ''And this is exactly what I was worried about.'' Fortunately, he had a contingency plan. Lu Yi smiled slightly and activated the "Dust Forgetting Technique." Almost instantly, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong felt a wave of drowsiness and fell asleep. Lu Yi picked them up, carried them back to the one-horned spirit horse, and mounted it himself, heading back toward the sect. Early the next morning, deep within the forested mountains¡ª Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong slowly woke up on their unicorn spirit horses. Both of them immediately sat up alert, scanning their surroundings. Jiang Fan circulated his spiritual energy and frowned. "What''s going on? Where are we?" Lu Yi turned and smiled in surprise. "Senior brothers, you''re awake?" Seeing Lu Yi, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong visibly relaxed. "Junior Brother Lu? What''s happening? Why did we pass out?" Bai Yulong asked with a confused expression. Lu Yi sighed and explained, "Last night, we encountered a peak Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator. The two of you were unfortunately knocked unconscious. Luckily, a powerful senior happened to pass by and killed the demonic cultivator, allowing us to escape unharmed. Afterward, I brought you both away from that dangerous place." Hearing this, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong were momentarily stunned before fragments of their memories resurfaced. They recalled the scene of the middle-aged demonic cultivator from the Blood Spirit Sect blocking their path. Lu Yi hadn''t completely erased their memories, as it would have been difficult to explain why they suddenly fainted. A story that was half-truth and half-lie was often easier to believe. Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong''s expressions shifted. Jiang Fan asked, "That demonic cultivator is dead?!" Lu Yi nodded. "Yes." He then took out the spatial ring. "That senior was incredibly powerful. He killed the demonic cultivator with a single sword strike and left without taking anything. I retrieved this spatial ring." As he spoke, Lu Yi also showed them the blood-colored token and said, "I checked the contents of the spatial ring and found this." When they saw the two characters ''Blood Spirit'' engraved on the token, Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan''s faces changed. "That demonic cultivator was from the Blood Spirit Sect?!" Lu Yi nodded again. "Yes." "Hmph! Members of the Blood Spirit Sect deserve to die! To think they''d dare enter White Cloud Sect''s territory to cultivate evil techniques!" Bai Yulong frowned deeply. Jiang Fan''s expression was equally unpleasant. Lu Yi spoke up. "We should report this token to the Affairs Hall once we return to the inner sect." Bai Yulong snorted coldly. "Hmph, I can''t believe the demonic cultivators from the Mohe Kingdom are disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect. We''re lucky this time; otherwise, we would''ve been in serious trouble." Jiang Fan smiled bitterly. "The White Cloud Sect handles many demonic cultivators every year without major incidents. It seems we just had bad luck to run into something like this." Lu Yi and Bai Yulong fell silent. Their luck truly wasn''t great¡ªchoosing a random mission only to encounter a peak Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator. It was like stepping into a pit of disaster. "Forget it. Let''s stop thinking about it and head back." Lu Yi shook his head. Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong nodded in agreement. The three of them continued their journey back to the sect. ¡ª A week later, Lu Yi and his companions returned to the sect. At the outer sect gate, Lu Yi turned to Bai Yulong and Jiang Fan with a smile. "Senior brothers, I''m planning to visit home for a bit. You two go ahead and return to the inner sect." Hearing this, Bai Yulong sighed. "It''s almost New Year''s. I haven''t been home for the past few years." Jiang Fan''s gaze turned distant as if lost in thought. He said, "Junior Brother Lu is fortunate. His family is right here in the White Cloud Sect." After bidding farewell, the two seniors headed back to the inner sect while Lu Yi rode his unicorn spirit horse toward White Spirit Peak. Although New Year''s was approaching, cultivators viewed time differently from ordinary people. Constant cultivation made their personalities colder, and there was little festivity on the mountain. Only a few families hung red lanterns to mark the occasion. Lu Yi soon arrived at White Spirit Peak and stopped in front of his home. Red lanterns hung outside the door, but aside from that, everything looked the same as usual. Lu Yi dismounted, knocked on the door, and called out loudly, "Dad! Mom! Your son is back!" Thud! Thud! Thud! Lu Yi heard hurried footsteps from inside. Moments later, the door opened to reveal Wang Siqi. Her face lit up with joy as she hugged Lu Yi. "Yi''er, you''re back?!" Feeling a bit awkward being hugged at his age, Lu Yi gently broke free and smiled. "I just finished my sect mission and thought it was perfect timing to come home for New Year''s." Wang Siqi''s face was full of happiness as she said, "You must be exhausted from your mission. Come inside and rest!" Lu Yi stepped into the courtyard, glanced around, and asked, "Where''s Dad?" "He''s busy with some affairs in the Affairs Hall but should be back soon." "Oh." Lu Yi nodded and didn''t ask further. Wang Siqi asked Bai Lingling to buy some ingredients, planning to prepare a big meal, while Lu Yi returned to his room. His room looked exactly the same as before, spotless and well-maintained, clearly cleaned regularly. After half a year away, Lu Yi still felt completely at home. He lay on the bed, relaxed, and waited for dinner. Before long, Lu Gaoyang''s voice echoed in the courtyard. "I''m back¡­ Hmm? Wife, what¡¯s the happy occasion today? Why do you look so cheerful?" Wang Siqi''s voice responded, "Yi''er is back." "That brat came back?" Lu Gaoyang¡¯s voice rose, and soon, Lu Yi heard a knock on his door. Sighing, Lu Yi got up and opened it to find Lu Gaoyang standing outside. Lu Yi grinned. "Dad, long time no see." Lu Gaoyang¡¯s face darkened. "You brat¡­ What are you doing back here? Shouldn''t you be cultivating in the inner sect?" "I just finished a sect mission, and with New Year''s coming, I thought I''d spend it with you two." Lu Gaoyang smiled at that. "Since you''re back, you should stay through New Year''s before leaving." Just then, Wang Siqi walked over and glared at Lu Gaoyang. "Stop bothering Yi''er. He just returned and needs rest! If you¡¯re free, go sort out those spiritual herbs." She then pulled Lu Gaoyang away. Watching his parents, Lu Yi felt warmth in his heart. Home was truly the most comfortable place. That evening, Wang Siqi prepared a table full of delicious dishes. Although Lu Yi could now cook spiritual meals himself¡ªand at a fairly high level¡ªhe still thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Wang Siqi and Lu Gaoyang watched Lu Yi eat with smiles on their faces. Feeling uneasy under their gazes, Lu Yi finally asked, "Dad, Mom, why are you staring at me like that?" Wang Siqi beamed. "Your accomplishments have already spread throughout the outer sect." Lu Yi looked puzzled. "My accomplishments? What accomplishments?" Lu Yi was a bit puzzled. "My matters? What matters do I have?" Lu Gaoyang widened his eyes and looked at Lu Yi. "You brat, you joined Lingluo Peak, became the registered disciple of the Peak Master, and even secured first place in the Qi Refining Trial Ranking. Such big news, and you''re asking us what matters?" Lu Yi suddenly understood. ''So, it¡¯s about that¡­'' To him, this wasn¡¯t a big deal. After all, he was already used to such things. Lu Gaoyang was speechless. ''Is this kid showing off?'' At this moment, Lu Yi smiled and said, "But I do actually have something to discuss." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi became curious. "What is it?" Lu Yi circulated his spiritual energy, closed the door, and then used spiritual energy to seal the room for soundproofing. Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi watched as Lu Yi effortlessly manipulated spiritual energy. Their pupils shrank, and they looked shocked. This level of control over spiritual energy was already better than theirs! ''This is our son!'' Their hearts were full of pride and satisfaction, but their curiosity grew even stronger. "Yi¡¯er, what is so serious?" Lu Yi began, "I obtained some fortune during my trip this time." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi exchanged glances. Lu Gaoyang¡¯s expression turned serious. "What kind of fortune?" "Some hundred-year spiritual milk." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi¡¯s eyes widened instantly. "Hundred-year spiritual milk?!" Their faces were filled with excitement. Wang Siqi looked at Lu Yi and smiled. "Not bad, not bad! Yi¡¯er, your cultivation talent isn¡¯t particularly outstanding, yet you¡¯ve reached this stage purely through comprehension. Now with the hundred-year spiritual milk, your talent can be further enhanced. Your future will definitely be extraordinary!" Lu Gaoyang also nodded repeatedly. "You¡¯re quite fortunate to have obtained hundred-year spiritual milk. It¡¯s perfect for you to use! But this treasure is precious, so don¡¯t tell anyone else, lest you draw unwanted attention." As parents, they naturally hoped Lu Yi could have better resources. Seeing their assumptions, Lu Yi felt helpless. He spoke, "I actually obtained more than enough hundred-year spiritual milk this time. I can¡¯t use it all by myself, so I plan to share some with you two." Hearing this, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi were stunned. The two exchanged looks, and Lu Gaoyang frowned. "Nonsense! Such a precious item should be used by you first! Improving your cultivation talent is the priority!" ''No, the hundred-year spiritual milk can no longer enhance my cultivation talent¡­'' Lu Yi silently retorted and then said, "I acquired about a small pool¡¯s worth of hundred-year spiritual milk." Lu Gaoyang: "???" Wang Siqi: "???" The room fell silent. The two stared at him, dumbfounded. "How much did you say?" Lu Gaoyang asked, doubting his own ears. "A small pool. About several thousand drops?" Lu Yi replied. To be honest, if he was willing to spend time completing tasks, he could gather tens of thousands of drops without any problem. After Lu Yi confirmed it, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi¡¯s pupils contracted, and they both took a deep breath. "So much?!" Wang Siqi was utterly shocked. Lu Yi smiled and explained, "Even though hundred-year spiritual milk can enhance cultivation talent, it has its limits. Once the talent reaches the maximum enhancement, continuing to use it would be wasteful. As for cultivation resources, I¡¯m not lacking any. The Lingluo Peak Master has given me unlimited cultivation resources. So, saving some of the spiritual milk for you two is the best option. You¡¯re still young. With improved talent, reaching the Golden Core stage shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Maybe with effort, you could even aim for the Nascent Soul Realm." Lu Yi¡¯s words made Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi¡¯s eyes flicker with desire. Who wouldn¡¯t want to avoid wasting two hundred years at the Foundation Establishment stage, only to die of old age? Now that such an opportunity was in front of them, they were naturally tempted. Still somewhat uneasy, Wang Siqi asked, "Yi¡¯er, did you really obtain that much hundred-year spiritual milk? You¡¯re not joking, right?" Lu Yi looked serious. "Do I seem like someone who would lie about this? Mom, have I ever lied to you?" Wang Siqi thought carefully. Lu Yi had always been obedient and sensible since childhood. He¡¯d never given them any trouble. After exchanging another look, Lu Gaoyang finally laughed. "In that case, we won¡¯t stand on ceremony." Lu Yi grinned. "What¡¯s there to be polite about between parents and their child?" Then, he took out the remaining hundred-year spiritual milk and handed it to Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi, reminding them not to let anyone know. Of course, even without Lu Yi¡¯s reminder, the two understood the value of the treasure and would never let anyone find out. Seeing his parents accept the spiritual milk, Lu Yi felt happy as well. With his task panel, ascending to immortality in the future would be easy. He didn¡¯t want to see his loved ones perish due to old age. ''What¡¯s the point of being invincible and immortal if I¡¯m all alone?'' Lu Yi naturally wouldn¡¯t abandon those dear to him. Chapter 73: The Peak Masters Lecture Right now, Lu Yi could only provide Hundred-Year Spirit Milk. Once he accumulated more Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, he planned to give some to his father, Lu Gaoyang, and his mother, Wang Siqi. Bit by bit, he would enhance their cultivation aptitude. Combined with other heavenly materials and treasures, helping them achieve immortality shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Feeling satisfied, Lu Yi chatted about other topics with Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. They talked late into the night before Lu Yi finally returned to his room to cultivate. After giving the Hundred-Year Spirit Milk to Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi, Lu Yi planned to try cultivating with Thousand-Year Spirit Milk next. This was his first time using Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, and he felt a little excited. With a flip of his hand, Lu Yi took out a porcelain bottle. He opened it and drank the Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. Moments later, gentle yet rich spiritual energy surged within him. Even the advanced White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique couldn¡¯t immediately absorb all the spiritual energy that spread throughout his body. It was worth noting that Lu Yi¡¯s White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique had been cultivated to its limit. Its efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy surpassed most Foundation Establishment techniques, which highlighted just how potent this spiritual energy was. Lu Yi operated the absorption technique at full force, feeling the rapid growth of spiritual energy in his body. His heart was filled with joy. As expected of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk! Its spiritual energy density far exceeds that of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk. If he maintained this pace, Lu Yi estimated that it wouldn¡¯t even take three months to push his Qi Refining Stage Level Ten to its peak. This was much faster than his breakthrough from Level Nine to Level Ten! Once he reached the peak of Level Ten, he could start thinking about breaking through the limits imposed by the Heavenly Dao. Thinking of this, Lu Yi suddenly remembered something¡ªhe hadn¡¯t yet issued a task to break through the Heavenly Dao limits and advance to Qi Refining Level Eleven. Previously, his breakthroughs to Level Nine and Level Ten were rewarded with Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. What would the reward be for reaching Level Eleven? Breaking through the Heavenly Dao limits wasn¡¯t something ordinary people could achieve¡ªonly true geniuses could do it. The reward shouldn¡¯t disappoint. Filled with anticipation, Lu Yi murmured in his heart, ¡®I want to break through to Qi Refining Level Eleven.¡¯
[Task] Break through to Qi Refining Level Eleven. Reward: A strand of Dao Essence. Accept: Yes/No
Lu Yi was momentarily stunned as he read the task. Dao Essence? What was that? The White Cloud Sect had many books, and with Lu Yi¡¯s years of learning from lectures and self-study, he had gained a solid foundation in cultivation techniques and heavenly materials. However, he had never heard of Dao Essence before. But considering that the Dao was above the Heavenly Dao, Lu Yi speculated that Dao Essence must be an extraordinarily rare treasure obtained after surpassing the Heavenly Dao¡¯s limits. Although he didn¡¯t fully understand what it was, it certainly wasn¡¯t something ordinary. He decided to wait until after his breakthrough to claim the reward and discover what it was. With eager anticipation, Lu Yi calmed his mind and continued cultivating.
The next day. Lu Yi finally finished absorbing the Thousand-Year Spirit Milk by noon and opened his eyes. He stepped outside, intending to grab something to eat, when he heard laughter coming from the main hall. Lu Yi walked in and saw his father, Lu Gaoyang, and his mother, Wang Siqi, chatting with an elderly man. Lu Yi recognized him immediately¡ªit was Elder Qi Feiyu from the Outer Affairs Hall. Seeing Lu Yi enter, Elder Qi Feiyu stood up and greeted him warmly. "Lu Yi, you¡¯re done cultivating?" Lu Yi quickly bowed. "Greetings, Elder Qi. What brings you here?" Qi Feiyu smiled. "I heard from your father that you came home for the New Year, so I thought I¡¯d drop by and visit. I didn¡¯t want to disturb your cultivation, so I just chatted with your parents." Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi beamed with joy. Their faces were practically glowing. In the past, while Elder Qi Feiyu treated Foundation Establishment officials respectfully, he wasn¡¯t this cordial. But ever since Lu Yi rose to fame in the Inner Sect, Elder Qi Feiyu¡¯s attitude had grown increasingly warm. He even treated Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi as equals. All of this was thanks to their son, and the couple couldn¡¯t have been happier. Lu Yi smiled apologetically. "Father should have informed me that you were here, Elder Qi." "How could I let that happen? You¡¯re our White Cloud Sect¡¯s treasure! If I disturbed your cultivation, it¡¯d be my fault," Elder Qi joked with a hearty laugh. Lu Yi chuckled. "You¡¯re too kind, Elder Qi." Lu Yi understood Elder Qi¡¯s intentions to maintain good relations. However, from last night¡¯s conversations with his parents, he also knew Elder Qi had genuinely treated them well over the years. Despite Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi only being Foundation Establishment officials, Elder Qi had supported their careers, making their status in the Affairs Hall higher than some elders. Their lives had been smooth and prosperous. Since Elder Qi had shown kindness to his parents, Lu Yi made a mental note to repay him in the future. Once Lu Yi¡¯s strength improved, he could share resources to help Elder Qi break through to Nascent Soul. Making friends was always better than making enemies. Besides, sparring with Elder Qi in the future could lead to unexpected gains. Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s humble demeanor, Elder Qi¡¯s smile grew even brighter. He showered Lu Yi with praises and even stayed for dinner before leaving.
News of Lu Yi¡¯s return quickly spread. Qi Feiyu¡¯s visit was only the beginning. Over the following days, more officials and elders came to visit, including Elder Du Gufang. Lu Yi¡¯s status had changed dramatically since his Outer Sect competition victory. Back then, he showed promising talent with potential to reach Nascent Soul or even Void Refinement. But now, he was the personal disciple of White Cloud Sect¡¯s most brilliant figure, the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak, and ranked first on the Inner Sect¡¯s Qi Refining Trials. Outer Sect elders, who were in the Golden Core stage, saw great benefits in forming connections with such a genius. Initially, Lu Yi welcomed familiar elders like Du Gufang. However, as the visits became overwhelming, he decided to retreat into cultivation, avoiding further socializing. No one complained¡ªafter all, Lu Yi was a rising star, and cultivation naturally took priority. Meanwhile, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi basked in the attention. Once mere officials, they now had elders frequently visiting their home. The difference in status was clear.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Time passed peacefully. Lu Yi celebrated the New Year with his family, even sharing dinner with Qi Feiyu and Du Gufang. On the second day after New Year, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi insisted that Lu Yi return to Lingluo Peak. As a disciple of the Peak Master, it was customary to pay respects on the first day of the year. Reluctantly, Lu Yi left his warm home and rode his unicorn spirit horse back to the Inner Sect. After returning the unicorn to the Spirit Beast Hall, Lu Yi climbed Lingluo Peak. As he ascended, he wondered about the Peak Master, who always seemed to be sleeping. Did she even stay awake for New Year? he mused. Soon, Lu Yi reached the peak. The bamboo forest remained lush despite the winter. White mist drifted from the nearby spiritual hot spring, and the bamboo house looked exactly as it did months ago¡ªunchanged, as if time had stood still. Looking around, Lu Yi didn¡¯t see Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang or Second Senior Sister. Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang must still be out on a mission. We¡¯ve barely spoken since I joined the Inner Sect. Completing her task seems hopeless. As for the Second Senior Sister, she was likely in seclusion, refining her Heavenly Dao limit. Lu Yi cleared his thoughts and respectfully called out, "Peak Master, disciple Lu Yi wishes you a Happy New Year." ¡­ There was no sound inside the bamboo house. Lu Yi paused for a moment before speaking again, "Peak Master, disciple Lu Yi wishes you a Happy New Year." As soon as Lu Yi finished speaking, a white figure suddenly appeared in front of him. Lu Yi was startled. Looking up, he saw the Peak Master of Lingluo standing there in white robes. Her long, jet-black hair was slightly disheveled, and she appeared to have just woken up. She glared at him with sleepy eyes, an annoyed expression crossing her face as she complained, "So noisy! Are you looking for a beating? Disturbing my sleep!" Lu Yi was a bit frightened by her glare. After all, she was a powerful figure. He cleared his throat and quickly said, "As the Peak Master''s registered disciple, I came to pay my respects for the New Year. I didn''t expect to disturb you. I will leave immediately." Hearing this, the Peak Master''s expression softened slightly. She glanced at Lu Yi, then froze for a moment. A hint of surprise flashed through her drowsy eyes as she examined him. "You¡¯re already at the tenth layer of Qi Refining?" Lu Yi smiled sheepishly. "I just had a lucky breakthrough." The Peak Master showed a strange expression and said, "...If breaking through two layers in six months is considered lucky, then all the cultivators in the world must be immortals." She stroked her chin, circled around Lu Yi, and clicked her tongue. "If I didn¡¯t know a little about fate techniques, I¡¯d have thought you were the reincarnation of some immortal." Lu Yi¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, and he forced a laugh. "Peak Master flatters me." The Peak Master smiled in satisfaction and said, "Not bad, not bad. At this rate, you might surpass Little Mingyue and break the Heavenly Dao limits ahead of her." Lu Yi responded respectfully, "I will do my best!" The Peak Master nodded and asked, "You haven¡¯t come to see me lately. Has your cultivation been going smoothly? Since you¡¯re here, I might as well give you a lecture." Hearing this, Lu Yi''s eyes lit up. The Peak Master was at least at the Nascent Soul Realm. Her teachings might even trigger a mission? Lu Yi thought to himself, I want to listen to the Peak Master¡¯s lecture. [Task] Listen to the Peak Master¡¯s lecture. Reward: An Enlightenment Session Enlightenment?! Lu Yi was shocked when he saw the mission reward. Even with his panel, he had never experienced enlightenment before. It was a rare state that only true geniuses could occasionally enter when encountering great opportunities. It was said that during enlightenment, one could gain profound insights into techniques, cultivation methods, and various other aspects, achieving significant improvement. As expected of the Peak Master! Her missions were always generous. Even just attending one lecture could lead to enlightenment. Lu Yi quickly accepted the mission and looked at the Peak Master with gratitude. "Thank you, Peak Master!" Seeing Lu Yi''s excitement, the Peak Master felt pleased. This boy understood the value of her lectures. After all, not just anyone could listen to them. "Come inside." The Peak Master led Lu Yi to the living room of the bamboo house. They both sat cross-legged, and the Peak Master began her lecture. Lu Yi listened attentively. The Peak Master discussed the fundamentals of the Qi Refining Stage, including matters related to the Heavenly Dao limits, how to break through them, and her own insights when she had advanced. Lu Yi felt he had gained a lot. He also became aware of his shortcomings in the Qi Refining Stage and understood how to address them. The Peak Master spoke for almost the entire morning, her mouth feeling dry by the end. She flipped her hand, revealing a jar of Magnolia Wine. After taking a sip, the room was filled with the rich aroma of wine. She then said, "Alright, that¡¯s enough for now. Do you have any questions?" Lu Yi reflected briefly and shook his head. The Peak Master¡¯s explanations were extremely thorough. Combined with his solid foundation from practicing various techniques to perfection, he could grasp concepts quickly and infer deeper meanings with ease. Then Lu Yi seemed to remember something and asked, "Peak Master, could you talk about sword techniques? My Sword Intent seems to have reached a bottleneck and hasn¡¯t progressed for some time." In fact, Lu Yi had developed his Sword Intent through sparring with Senior Brother Bai Yulong. However, as Lu Yi''s strength grew, Bai Yulong could no longer keep up, and the sparring no longer yielded rewards for Sword Intent. This left Lu Yi somewhat disheartened. Currently, his panel displayed an Intent section. His Sword Intent was only at half completion, even lower than his Thunder Intent. Through constant sparring with his second senior sister, his Thunder Intent had already reached one-tenth completion. Furthermore, sparring with his second senior sister consistently provided tasks for improving Thunder Intent, so Lu Yi wasn¡¯t worried about its progress. However, the lack of progress in his Sword Intent had troubled Lu Yi for quite some time. Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s troubled expression, the Peak Master¡¯s face darkened. "Are you showing off? Being able to comprehend Sword Intent at the Qi Refining Stage isn¡¯t enough for you? It¡¯s normal not to progress further." She continued, "I don¡¯t practice sword techniques and don¡¯t know much about Sword Intent... But you can visit the library and find Old Ming. His Sword Intent is quite impressive." Lu Yi''s eyes lit up upon hearing this. That''s right! Elder Ming had previously mentioned that he could discuss swordsmanship with him. However, Lu Yi had been so focused on cultivating recently that he completely forgot about it. Thinking about how listening to the Peak Master¡¯s lectures earned him mission rewards, what about listening to Elder Ming¡¯s lectures? There should be mission rewards too, right? Perhaps even sword intent rewards? Lu Yi began to look forward to it. Seeing Lu Yi''s eager expression, the Peak Master of Ling Luo couldn¡¯t help but understand what he was thinking. She yawned, waved her hand, and said, ¡°Go on, don¡¯t disturb my sleep!¡± Lu Yi glanced at the Peak Master of Ling Luo. ''Good heavens, this person doesn¡¯t even bother pretending anymore.'' He quickly stood up and respectfully said, ¡°Thank you, Peak Master, for your lecture. This disciple will take his leave.¡± ¡°Go, go. Come back when you break through your limits.¡± Lu Yi nodded, left the bamboo house, and didn¡¯t even return to his own cave dwelling. Instead, he excitedly headed toward the library. Lu Yi had a bold idea. He had just obtained an enlightenment opportunity from the Peak Master. Why not use it while Elder Ming was discussing swordsmanship? With this moment of enlightenment, his sword intent might see a significant improvement! The more Lu Yi thought about it, the more excited he became. He quickened his pace. Before long, Lu Yi arrived at the library. On the first day of the new year, the square outside the library was already bustling with people searching for spells and techniques. When they saw Lu Yi, almost everyone turned to look. Some nodded and smiled, while others greeted him enthusiastically. ¡°Junior Brother Lu!¡± ¡°Junior Brother Lu Yi, you¡¯re here too.¡± ¡°What a coincidence, Junior Brother Lu Yi.¡± Lu Yi responded with a smile and entered the library. Inside, Elder Ming was, as always, sitting by the door, looking relaxed. However, Lu Yi noticed that Elder Ming seemed a bit older than last year, with more white hairs visible. Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel emotional. Even cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm didn¡¯t have unlimited lifespans. They would eventually succumb to aging and death. Elder Ming noticed Lu Yi entering and smiled slightly. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, Lu. It¡¯s been quite a while since you last came to the library, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Lu Yi stepped forward, cupped his hands, and greeted, ¡°Greetings, Elder Ming.¡± Elder Ming smiled and said, ¡°I heard you¡¯ve been ranking first in the Qi Refining Trials recently? As expected of a genius who comprehended sword intent at the Qi Refining Stage. Sword cultivators like us should be like this¡­ So, are you here to choose a technique this time?¡± Lu Yi replied, ¡°Disciple is not here to choose a technique.¡± ¡°Not here to choose a technique?¡± Elder Ming was slightly surprised and looked at Lu Yi. Lu Yi scratched his head and smiled somewhat sheepishly. ¡°Didn¡¯t Senior mention that I could come to you with any questions about swordsmanship? My sword intent hasn¡¯t improved for quite some time, so I wanted to seek your guidance.¡± Hearing this, Elder Ming laughed heartily. ¡°So that¡¯s it. I always keep my word. When it comes to swordsmanship, feel free to ask me anything!¡± Lu Yi felt touched upon hearing this. After all, Elder Ming wasn¡¯t his master, yet he was so willing to help a junior like him. It was truly selfless. Lu Yi quickly said, ¡°Thank you, Elder Ming! I¡¯d like to hear your views on swordsmanship.¡± Elder Ming pointed to a cushion nearby and said, ¡°Sit down. Today, I¡¯ll talk to you about swordsmanship.¡± Lu Yi immediately sat down beside Elder Ming as instructed. The cultivators at the entrance of the library had naturally overheard Lu Yi¡¯s conversation with Elder Ming. Their eyes were filled with excitement as they looked at Elder Ming, whispering among themselves. ¡°Elder Ming is going to discuss swordsmanship?!¡± ¡°Junior Brother Lu has such great connections! He can actually get Elder Ming to explain swordsmanship to him!¡± ¡°Nonsense, Junior Brother Lu is a swordsmanship genius who comprehended sword intent at the Qi Refining Stage. Of course, Elder Ming would take care of him.¡± ¡°Is this the time to talk about this?!¡± ¡°Exactly! Elder Ming is going to discuss swordsmanship! Can we listen in? Are we even qualified to listen?!¡± ¡°Elder Ming didn¡¯t chase us away, so it should be fine, right¡­?¡± ¡°¡­.¡± As the whispers continued, Elder Ming glanced at them and said, ¡°You can listen, but you must remain silent. Otherwise, I¡¯ll have to ask you to leave.¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi admired Elder Ming even more. He was so open-minded that he was willing to let so many people listen to his teachings on swordsmanship. Lu Yi doubted he could ever be that magnanimous. The other disciples were ecstatic and quickly expressed their gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Elder Ming!¡± One by one, the disciples sat down and prepared to listen attentively. Even those who weren¡¯t sword cultivators were no exception. After all, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to listen to a Nascent Soul sword cultivator discuss swordsmanship. Lu Yi took a deep breath, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked at Elder Ming. He silently told himself, ¡®I must carefully listen to Elder Ming¡¯s explanation of swordsmanship!¡¯ Chapter 74: Sword Dao Enlightenment [Mission] Listen to Elder Ming''s lecture on Sword Dao. Reward: Sword Intent Enhancement Accept? Yes/No As expected! Seeing the task on the panel, Lu Yi felt a surge of joy in his heart. Just as he had thought, listening to a strong cultivator''s lecture would yield rewards. The Peak Master was like this, and so was Elder Ming. With this, he now had a new way to enhance his sword intent. Lu Yi happily accepted the task. Then, Elder Ming began his explanation. He did not discuss specific sword techniques or cultivation methods but instead approached the subject from the perspective of Sword Dao as a whole. Using himself as an example, he explained his understanding of the Sword Dao. Just as there are a thousand faces among a thousand people, different individuals have slightly different interpretations of the sword. However, all techniques return to the source. Even if everyone''s sword intent varies slightly, it ultimately remains part of the greater Sword Dao. The concept of "Dao" was distant and profound, not only for Lu Yi and the other disciples but even for Elder Ming, a Nascent Soul sword cultivator. It represented the path to the origin of all things. However, sword intent was something that could be traced and comprehended. As Elder Ming continued his lecture, Lu Yi''s eyes grew brighter. He already had a foundation in sword intent, so it was easier for him to grasp the insights. The other disciples, however, were troubled. Some were scratching their heads, finding Elder Ming''s words incomprehensible. A few tried to force themselves to understand, while others had already given up. Had Elder Ming not forbidden any noise, they would have started talking long ago. Gradually, Elder Ming''s lecture delved deeper, becoming increasingly profound. Even Lu Yi began to struggle to comprehend, finding the explanations mysterious and obscure. His head started to feel dizzy. He did not force himself, knowing his comprehension ability had its limits. Fortunately, Lu Yi had prepared in advance. He quietly claimed the reward from the previous task he had completed by listening to Peak Master Lingluo''s lecture. Enlightenment! At that moment, a burst of inspiration lit up in Lu Yi''s mind. He felt his spirit merge with the vast universe, becoming extraordinarily clear. It was as if he stood on a high vantage point, gazing down upon all things. Elder Ming''s explanations about the Sword Dao no longer felt profound and confusing. Lu Yi''s thoughts raced as he linked Elder Ming''s words with his own sword intent. His incomplete sword intent visibly began to strengthen and grow. Lu Yi sat cross-legged, closing his eyes. Threads of sharp sword intent began to flow around him, becoming increasingly powerful. The disciples in the library widened their eyes in shock as they stared at Lu Yi, filled with disbelief. Even Elder Ming paused briefly, staring at Lu Yi in astonishment. "This is... enlightenment?!" Having seen much in his life, Elder Ming immediately recognized Lu Yi''s state. But it was precisely because of this that he was even more stunned. Enlightenment was something legendary! Even true geniuses might not experience it once in their entire lives. Yet Lu Yi, still at the Qi Refining Stage, had entered enlightenment?! What kind of monster is this? However, thinking that this "monster" had achieved enlightenment while listening to his lecture, Elder Ming suddenly felt a sense of pride. Noticing Lu Yi''s sword intent fluctuations and sensing that he might leave his enlightened state, Elder Ming quickly steadied himself and resumed his lecture, afraid of breaking Lu Yi''s enlightenment. This was an unimaginable opportunity. Elder Ming swept his gaze over the stunned disciples and released a surge of spiritual awareness, delivering a message to everyone: "No one is allowed to make a sound! Violators will be punished as traitors to the sect!" With this declaration, the disciples who had been planning to discuss the situation immediately shut their mouths. However, even in silence, they could still communicate through voice transmission. Messages flew back and forth between the disciples. "Enlightenment! This is the legendary enlightenment!! Damn, damn!!" "No offense, but Junior Brother Lu Yi is an absolute monster!" "Indeed. He''s only at the Qi Refining Stage! How could he achieve enlightenment?! This is too enviable." "Forget envy¡ªI feel outright jealousy!" "Can you feel Junior Brother Lu Yi''s sword intent? I''m at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage, and even I feel a chill." "Same here! His sword intent is strong enough to threaten me? We''re an entire major realm apart!" "Even Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang wasn''t this terrifying at the Qi Refining Stage, right?" "Hiss... Does this mean Junior Brother Lu Yi might surpass Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang in the future?!" The disciples exchanged glances, their expressions complex as they looked at Lu Yi, who was surrounded by sword intent. Time passed. Elder Ming continued his lecture on the Sword Dao, and Lu Yi''s sword intent kept growing stronger. The sharp intent condensed into translucent, miniature swords that hovered around him, circling endlessly. The disciples near Lu Yi found it hard to withstand the pressure and stepped back, staring at him in awe from a distance. Elder Ming kept speaking but was inwardly shocked. He had personally witnessed Lu Yi''s sword intent multiply several times in strength. Zzz! Zzz! Zzz! Streams of light shot through the air, stopping above the library. They were elders, each exuding formidable auras, with the weakest among them at the Nascent Soul Realm. Drawn by the powerful sword intent, they had come to investigate. Scanning the scene, their eyes quickly landed on Elder Ming and the gathered disciples. Suspicion flickered across their faces. "Elder Ming?" "Is Elder Ming giving a lecture? That sword intent... it isn''t coming from Elder Ming?" "It''s coming from that kid... wait, that kid''s state?!" "Holy¡ª?! Enlightenment?!" One by one, the Nascent Soul elders widened their eyes, staring at Lu Yi in shock. "This soaring sword intent... is it emanating from this kid?! How old is he??" "Isn''t this kid Lu Yi? That little guy who ranked first in the Qi Refining Trial Rankings?" "It''s him? Incredible, truly incredible! He has already achieved enlightenment at the Qi Refining stage and comprehended such a powerful sword intent. Truly an exceptional talent!" The elders began discussing fervently. Achieving such a feat at the Qi Refining stage shocked even them. Time passed, and after a long while, Lu Yi''s state of enlightenment gradually faded. He could feel the flow of sword intent within him, and his heart was filled with joy¡ªhis sword intent had improved significantly!Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. He glanced at his status panel, and the sword intent column had already risen to 20%, far surpassing his Lightning Intent! He could clearly sense how terrifying his sword intent was now. With such sword intent, even without using high-level techniques, he could probably fight against high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators! However, Lu Yi also felt a tinge of regret. Unfortunately, the enlightenment time was too short; otherwise, he could have improved even more. This enlightenment is such a treasure. Should I find an opportunity to ask the Peak Master to give another lecture and rack up more enlightenment sessions? Then Lu Yi immediately recalled the Peak Master''s morning temper. If he asked her every day, she might actually beat him to death. Besides, experiencing enlightenment every day might be too outrageous and make others see him as a monster. Lu Yi decided it was better to be a bit more restrained. He glanced at Elder Ming''s lecture task. Sword Dao could still be improved without acting impulsively. As Lu Yi''s sword intent gradually dissipated, Elder Ming also stopped his lecture and quietly looked at Lu Yi. Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, and a sharp sword light shot out from them, like a sharp blade piercing through the air toward Elder Ming. Before the sword light could approach Elder Ming, it gradually vanished. Elder Ming burst into laughter. "Not bad, not bad! With just one enlightenment session, you''ve elevated your sword intent to 20%. That''s quite impressive!" Lu Yi quickly cupped his hands. "Thank you, Elder Ming, for your teachings. This disciple will always remember your kindness." Elder Ming waved his hand and said, "This old man is getting on in years. Seeing such a talented junior, I can''t help but want to guide you. Your talent surpasses mine. You have the potential to become a great sword cultivator, so make sure to work hard and not become complacent due to your talent." Hearing Elder Ming''s earnest advice, Lu Yi nodded repeatedly, feeling a sense of warmth. Elder Ming was truly a good person¡ªnot only did he explain Sword Dao but also cared about him so much. Lu Yi glanced at Elder Ming''s increasingly graying hair and thought that when his cultivation grew stronger, he must help Elder Ming improve as well. Just then, the Nascent Soul cultivators in the sky descended one by one, approaching Lu Yi and Elder Ming. "Greetings, Elder Ming." The elders paid their respects to Elder Ming and then turned to look at Lu Yi with strange expressions. "I didn''t expect to witness a disciple''s enlightenment today. I must be lucky." "Lu Yi, Lu Yi, you little rascal, you truly surprise people. At such a young age, you have such talent and fortune." "Lu Yi, are you interested in joining my peak?" a middle-aged cultivator said with a smile. His words instantly silenced the other Nascent Soul cultivators, who quietly moved away from him, looking at him as if he were an idiot. Are you insane? Do you even know whose disciple this is?! This is the registered disciple of that woman from Lingluo Peak! Are you seriously trying to poach her disciple?! Are you tired of living? The middle-aged cultivator immediately realized his blunder, his smile stiffening. He cleared his throat and said seriously, "Lu Yi, I was just joking. Don''t take it seriously." Lu Yi observed the reactions of the Nascent Soul cultivators and couldn''t help but feel speechless. It seemed that his Peak Master''s reputation was even more intimidating than he had imagined. Looking at the expressions of these Nascent Soul big shots said it all. The Nascent Soul elders were extremely enthusiastic, and Lu Yi responded with a smile, enjoying their conversations. Some elders even invited him to visit their abodes for tea, and Lu Yi gladly accepted. Receiving an invitation from Nascent Soul elders was beneficial. Who knew¡ªmaybe they''d even teach him something about cultivation? After bidding farewell to Elder Ming and the Nascent Soul elders, Lu Yi left the Scripture Pavilion and returned to his cave dwelling. First, he stabilized his Sword Dao comprehension and claimed Elder Ming''s task reward, further improving his sword intent. By the time he finished, it was already evening. Lu Yi resumed his regular cultivation, aiming to reach the peak of Qi Refining Level 10 and break through to Level 11. Lu Yi recalled that the Peak Master had once said he might break through to Qi Refining Level 11 faster than his Second Senior Sister. He wondered what her reaction would be if that actually happened. Feeling a bit mischievous, Lu Yi suddenly had a bold idea. He murmured to himself, "I want to break through to Qi Refining Level 11 faster than Second Senior Sister." [Task] Break through to Qi Refining Level 11 faster than Donggong Mingyue. Reward: Foundation Establishment technique "Thunder Shadow Step," top-grade artifact Purple Jade Dress, and 30 drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi''s expression turned strange. He could actually accept this task? Breaking through once could fulfill not one, but two tasks? No, three! Lu Yi recalled that his task to become the Peak Master''s direct disciple also required reaching Qi Refining Level 11. This was too amazing¡ªachieving three tasks with one breakthrough. Lu Yi was overjoyed. Looking at the rewards, Lu Yi''s expression became even more peculiar. A Foundation Establishment technique and Thousand-Year Spirit Milk were fine, but the artifact was a dress? I''m not the kind of person who wears dresses! This artifact was completely useless to him. It seemed that task rewards were completely random and gender-neutral. Lu Yi thought about giving the dress to his Second Senior Sister. She might like it. Lu Yi accepted the task and focused on his cultivation. ¡ª The next morning, while Lu Yi was cultivating, Bai Yulong''s voice came from outside the door. "Junior Brother Lu, are you there?" Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, walked to the door, and opened the entrance of his cave dwelling. Outside the door, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong were waiting. Lu Yi smiled and said, ¡°Senior Brothers, I was just about to go look for you.¡± They had yet to submit their sect mission, which was mandatory. Failing to complete it would violate sect rules. Moreover, the three of them had previously agreed to report the Blood Spirit Sect incident. Jiang Fan laughed and said, ¡°You just returned to the inner sect and already made a big splash. We heard you were back and came to find you ourselves.¡± Bai Yulong also looked at Lu Yi with shock, clicking his tongue in disbelief. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, you¡¯re incredible! Not only did you get Elder Ming to preach for you, but you even had an epiphany during the sermon!¡± Lu Yi was stunned and asked strangely, ¡°You already know?¡± ¡°The entire inner sect knows! Who doesn¡¯t?¡± Bai Yulong laughed. Lu Yi felt helpless. He had only wanted to improve his sword intent, but it had caused such a stir. Is it really so hard to keep a low profile? Feeling a little resigned, Lu Yi shook his head and said, ¡°It was just luck. Let¡¯s not talk about this anymore. Let¡¯s go to the Affairs Hall.¡± Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong nodded. The three left Lingluo Peak and headed to the Affairs Hall. On the way, Lu Yi noticed that the senior brothers and sisters they encountered were much friendlier than before. Especially the senior sisters, who frequently invited him to admire flowers and drink tea. Their bright smiles almost made it hard for him to resist. Bai Yulong, walking beside him, looked at Lu Yi with envy and jealousy, while Jiang Fan remained calm and indifferent. The three arrived at the Affairs Hall to submit their mission. Coincidentally, the same senior brother from last time was there. Upon seeing Lu Yi, the senior brother beamed. ¡°Junior Brother Lu? I heard you caused quite a sensation in the sect yesterday!¡± Lu Yi smiled wryly. ¡°The rumors are exaggerated.¡± ¡°Haha, who told you to be so talented?¡± The senior brother laughed before asking, ¡°Are you here to submit your mission?¡± ¡°Yes, the mission is complete,¡± Lu Yi nodded. ¡°Alright, your annual sect mission is complete.¡± The senior brother smiled. ¡°Hand over your inner sect tokens, and I¡¯ll credit your points.¡± Completing sect missions naturally came with rewards; otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t be so many disciples eager to do them. The most common reward was sect points, which could be exchanged for resources in the Resource Hall. For inner sect disciples, this was a major way to obtain cultivation resources. However, killing a tenth-level Qi Refining demonic cultivator didn¡¯t grant many points, and Lu Yi wasn¡¯t particularly interested in them. To be honest, he didn¡¯t lack resources. Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong felt the same; otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t only do one sect mission per year. Still, rewards shouldn¡¯t be left unclaimed. The three handed over their inner sect tokens to the senior brother, who processed them and returned them shortly after. ¡°All done. Do you need anything else?¡± The senior brother asked with a bright smile. Lu Yi replied, ¡°Actually, there is one more thing.¡± He took out the Blood Spirit Sect token and handed it to the senior brother, saying, ¡°The demonic cultivator in the capital of Mohe Nation was a blood puppet controlled by a Foundation Establishment disciple of the Blood Spirit Sect. That disciple tried to ambush us but was killed by a senior. This is their token.¡± Hearing this, the senior brother¡¯s expression turned serious. He examined the token carefully and said, ¡°Please wait here. I need to notify the elders. This matter requires their decision.¡± Lu Yi nodded, having no objections. The senior brother hurried away and soon returned with a cold-faced man. The man held the Blood Spirit Sect token. Upon seeing Lu Yi, his cold expression softened slightly, and he nodded before saying, ¡°I understand the matter regarding the Blood Spirit Sect disciple. I will inform the Law Enforcement Hall. Recently, their disciples have been appearing more frequently in White Cloud Sect territory. Be extra cautious when you leave the sect.¡± Lu Yi and the others exchanged worried glances. The Blood Spirit Sect and White Cloud Sect were enemies. Increased activity could signal rising tensions. Noticing their concern, the cold-faced man said, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. The Blood Spirit Sect isn¡¯t a threat to us. You¡¯ve done well by eliminating one of their Foundation Establishment disciples. The reward will be issued accordingly.¡± Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong brightened at this. Rewards for killing a Foundation Establishment sect¡¯s disciple were substantial. For Lu Yi, it was nothing remarkable. After speaking, the man left quickly, likely to report to the Law Enforcement Hall, while the senior brother updated their rewards. With the matter settled, the three left the Affairs Hall and went their separate ways. As for the Blood Spirit Sect, they didn¡¯t discuss it further. Both sects were massive forces in Green Province, and such conflicts weren¡¯t something they could influence. Even if a war broke out, it would be the stronger cultivators who fought at the front lines. As Qi Refining juniors, it had little to do with them. Returning to Lingluo Peak, Lu Yi focused on cultivating. Since Lu Yi had mastered the White Cloud Sword Technique, White Cloud Steps, and White Cloud Qi Technique, he freed up time to focus on other skills. Techniques like Jade Body Technique, Forget Dust Technique, Concealment Technique, Tiger Bone Spirit Soup, and Nourishing Spirit Dew advanced rapidly. Lu Yi also obtained the "Fundamentals of Formations," which contained several basic formations. He spent considerable time studying them. Time passed quickly in cultivation, and three months flew by. Inside his cave dwelling, Lu Yi sat cross-legged in the cultivation room, surrounded by dense spiritual energy. Thanks to cultivating with thousand-year spiritual milk, his progress was swift. He successfully reached the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refining. At this point, Lu Yi felt something unusual. He could clearly sense two paths ahead. One path led to breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. The other exuded an imposing aura, making him instinctively fearful and unable to see what lay ahead. Lu Yi understood. This was the will of the heavens, the authority of the Dao. Breaking through this barrier would mean stepping into the eleventh level of Qi Refining. Chapter 76: Qi Refining Eleventh Layer Lu Yi could sense the bottleneck, which naturally meant that he now had the ability to break through it. Back then, Second Senior Sister had spent three years refining herself before she could even perceive the existence of this Heavenly Dao limit. Yet, he had merely reached the peak of the tenth layer of Qi Refining and naturally felt it. Regarding this, Lu Yi was not particularly surprised. After all, his foundation was far more solid than Second Senior Sister¡¯s. Having sensed the bottleneck, Lu Yi did not hesitate. He took out another drop of the Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, consumed it, and began to charge toward the bottleneck. The Heavenly Dao limit was far more solid than an ordinary bottleneck. Previously, after cultivating the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique to an expert level, the bottlenecks at the eighth and ninth layers of Qi Refining shattered instantly under Lu Yi¡¯s spiritual energy. However, this Heavenly Dao bottleneck firmly resisted his impact. Lu Yi was not surprised by this outcome. After all, Second Senior Sister had already been in seclusion for over three months and had yet to break through the bottleneck. It couldn¡¯t possibly be that fast. Lu Yi continued his seclusion and focused on breaking through. Time passed, and after an entire week, Lu Yi suddenly heard a crisp crack in his ears. Immediately afterward, he felt a vast and oppressive force descend from the heavens, seemingly trying to stop him from continuing to break through the bottleneck. It was the Heavenly Dao¡¯s pressure. The bottleneck of the eleventh layer of Qi Refining was a limit set by the Heavenly Dao, and as a limit, it naturally would not allow anyone to break through easily. Faced with this pressure, Lu Yi felt as though a massive mountain was pressing down on him, making it difficult to breathe. However, his expression remained calm. He continued to operate his technique firmly, and his spiritual energy surged like tides, persistently attacking the bottleneck. With the Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk providing him with a continuous supply of spiritual energy, Lu Yi had no concerns. Following the first crisp crack, Lu Yi sensed cracks forming in the bottleneck. With the tide-like impact of his spiritual energy, the cracks multiplied, and the cracking sounds became more frequent. Two days later¡ª Boom!! A loud explosion echoed from Lu Yi¡¯s cave mansion, resembling a sudden clap of thunder. The sky above Lingluo Peak abruptly turned gloomy and oppressive. The disciples of Lingluo Peak, who had been cultivating, were startled. They ran out of their cave mansions, looking up at the darkened sky with astonished expressions. ¡°What¡¯s going on? That thunder just scared me!¡± ¡°Why is there thunder all of a sudden?!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Each disciple looked confused, unable to comprehend what was happening. At the peak of Lingluo, in the bamboo house of the Peak Master, the Peak Master lay sprawled on her bamboo bed, fast asleep. Her sleeping posture was rather casual, with her fair arms and legs exposed, appearing somewhat alluring. Unfortunately, no one could see this scene. At that moment, the sound of thunder jolted the Peak Master awake. She rubbed her black hair and blinked drowsily, still sleepy. Then, as if sensing something, her expression changed. She widened her eyes and looked out the window at the sky. She murmured in surprise, ¡°A breakthrough? Was it Mingyue? That¡¯s faster than I expected¡­¡± Speaking to herself, she disappeared from the room. In an instant, the Peak Master appeared outside Donggong Mingyue¡¯s cave mansion. Seeing the closed doors, her expression stiffened. ¡°Not Mingyue?¡± She looked incredulously toward Lu Yi¡¯s cave mansion. Rubbing her forehead, she muttered, ¡°¡­Am I still dreaming?¡± The Peak Master pinched her fair cheek hard, causing it to flush red. She hissed in pain and grimaced. ¡°How is this possible?! That kid actually broke through?! In just three months?¡± The Peak Master vanished again, reappearing outside Lu Yi¡¯s cave mansion. Sensing the residual spiritual fluctuations inside, the Peak Master confirmed it was indeed Lu Yi who had broken through. She was somewhat dazed. That kid had been at the tenth layer of Qi Refining just three months ago. To reach the peak of the tenth layer and then break through the Heavenly Dao limit¡ªall within three months? Even the Peak Master found this frightening. ¡°This kid¡¯s talent is that terrifying?!¡± Shortly after, the Peak Master burst into laughter. She cheerfully took out her Magnolia Wine, took a sip, and said, ¡°Not bad, not bad. I¡¯ve really found myself a good disciple.¡± She disappeared again, returning to her room to continue sleeping. ¡­¡­ The next day, the gloomy sky cleared, as if nothing had happened. Inside Lu Yi¡¯s cave mansion, Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes. Stars seemed to twinkle in his gaze, and strands of white clouds swirled around him, giving him an ethereal presence, as though he did not belong to the mortal world. After breaking through the Heavenly Dao limit, Lu Yi had undergone a tremendous transformation. Soon, the ethereal aura around Lu Yi faded. He returned to his normal appearance, stood up slowly, and revealed a smile. He had reached the eleventh layer of Qi Refining. Lu Yi did not attempt to test his current strength. He instinctively knew his new limits and power. He leisurely opened the door and stepped outside, looking up at the bright sunlight. Stretching lazily, he felt refreshed after being in seclusion for over three months. His efforts had yielded results. Lu Yi walked toward the mountain peak. Having broken through to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining, he could now become the Peak Master¡¯s personal disciple and complete his task. As for his other two tasks, one was to reach the eleventh layer of Qi Refining, which he had accomplished, and the other was to surpass Second Senior Sister¡¯s breakthrough speed. Lu Yi checked it off as completed too. Breaking through the Heavenly Dao limit was incredibly difficult. Even with Lu Yi¡¯s solid foundation, it had taken him an entire week. He wasn¡¯t surprised by the result at all. Lu Yi soon arrived at the peak of Lingluo. Seeing the bamboo house that looked the same as always, he respectfully said, ¡°Peak Master, disciple Lu Yi has broken through to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the bamboo house opened, and the Peak Master¡¯s voice came out, ¡°Come in.¡± Lu Yi was a bit surprised. The Peak Master wasn¡¯t sleeping?! Is the sun rising from the west? Lu Yi joked inwardly as he stepped inside. In the living room of the bamboo house, the Peak Master was reclining on a lounge chair, sipping wine slowly. The faint aroma of alcohol filled the room.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Lu Yi respectfully greeted, ¡°Peak Master.¡± The Peak Master glanced at Lu Yi, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled. ¡°Not bad. That was a quick breakthrough.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Thank you for the praise, Peak Master.¡± The Peak Master sat up and looked at Lu Yi seriously. She asked, ¡°Now that you¡¯ve broken through, you can officially become my personal disciple. I¡¯ll ask one last time¡ªare you willing to be my disciple?¡± Lu Yi responded earnestly, ¡°Disciple is willing!¡± How could he refuse such amazing rewards from the Peak Master? The Peak Master nodded with satisfaction and said, ¡°From today onward, you are my personal disciple. You¡¯re my second personal disciple after Ningshuang. I¡¯ll inform the entire sect.¡± Lu Yi nodded without any objections. ¡°From now on, you shall address me as Master.¡± ¡°Disciple greets Master.¡± The Master of Lingluo Peak nodded in satisfaction, looked at Lu Yi, and asked, "Since you are my direct disciple, I will personally guide you in cultivation techniques and spells. Do you intend to continue breaking the limits of the Heavenly Dao and advance to higher levels within the Qi Refining Stage?" Lu Yi naturally wouldn¡¯t settle at the eleventh level of Qi Refining. How could he not aim for the thirteenth level at least? "Disciple has such intentions," Lu Yi replied. The Master of Lingluo Peak nodded slightly, unsurprised. "With your talent and foundation, that is to be expected... Since that¡¯s the case, I have no techniques or spells to teach you at the Qi Refining Stage. Have you thought about which Dao you will focus on after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage?" Once a cultivator reaches the Foundation Establishment Realm, their paths for cultivation diversify. Techniques and methods differ, each with strengths and weaknesses. The most common paths are sword cultivation and elemental cultivation, such as fire, water, or wood cultivation. There are also rarer paths, such as fist cultivation, body cultivation, array cultivation, and even the Path of Harmony. Since one''s energy is limited, it¡¯s impossible to master every path. With three thousand Daos to choose from, each capable of leading to immortality, most cultivators focus on one primary path and, at most, supplement it with one or two secondary techniques. Lu Yi¡¯s goal had always been clear¡ªhe wanted to become a sword cultivator. After all, wielding a sword was incredibly cool! Besides, sword cultivators were indeed powerful in battle. However, before awakening his system panel, Lu Yi had planned to specialize solely in sword cultivation. But with the panel now assisting him, his comprehension speed of techniques and spells had skyrocketed. Even at the Qi Refining Stage, he had already grasped two types of intent. Thus, his direction adjusted slightly. His primary focus would still be the Sword Dao, but as long as other Daos were useful and he found suitable partners for task completion, he would cultivate those as well. As long as it benefited him, he would learn it. "Sword cultivation, hmm? That indeed suits you," the Master of Lingluo Peak smiled slightly. "Comprehending two levels of sword intent at the Qi Refining Stage¡ªsuch sword talent would be wasted if not focused on the Sword Dao." Then, she added, "Notify me before you break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Don¡¯t rush it. I will find suitable Foundation Establishment materials specifically for the Sword Dao." Lu Yi was momentarily stunned but then felt touched. Although he had obtained Foundation Establishment materials easily through tasks, they were actually extremely rare. He hadn¡¯t expected his master to prepare sword-specific Foundation Establishment materials for him. It seemed his master genuinely cared about him. Lu Yi smiled and said, "Thank you, Master." The Master of Lingluo Peak nodded and continued, "I will also prepare a cultivation technique for your Foundation Establishment." Lu Yi was even more grateful. "Thank you, Master." The Master of Lingluo Peak took a sip of wine and said casually, "Since you are my disciple, I naturally have to take care of you. Let me know immediately if you need anything in the future." Lu Yi felt deeply moved. His master seemed truly dependable. "As for cultivation resources, there will be no changes¡ªno limits. Do you need anything else?" Lu Yi thought for a moment, then smiled sheepishly. "I¡¯d like to hear Master lecture on the Dao again." The Master of Lingluo Peak felt quite pleased. This kid truly appreciated her teachings. She smiled and said, "Of course." Lu Yi was delighted and immediately issued a task in his mind. The reward remained an enlightenment. He was overjoyed. The Master of Lingluo Peak lectured until noon. She finally paused, took a sip of wine, and asked, "Did you gain anything?" Lu Yi glanced at the completed task and nodded repeatedly. "I gained a lot!" The Master of Lingluo Peak smiled in satisfaction. "Cultivate well." Lu Yi nodded and then smiled. "Master, could you give lectures more often in the future? I just want to listen to your teachings." The Master of Lingluo Peak¡¯s smile froze. "More often? How often?" Lu Yi saw her slightly stiff expression and tentatively asked, "Once a week?" The Master of Lingluo Peak stared at him expressionlessly, and Lu Yi felt a hint of killing intent. Cold sweat formed on his forehead. "...Once a month?" Her expression shifted slightly before she reluctantly agreed. "Once a month then. Lecturing is too exhausting. You didn¡¯t expect it to be so troublesome, did you?" Lu Yi broke out in cold sweat. His master was great in every way except for being too lazy. Still, once a month was good enough¡ªit meant an additional enlightenment every month. Wasn¡¯t that incredible? Lu Yi felt delighted. "Master, I have nothing else. May I return to cultivate now?" Just as the Master of Lingluo Peak was about to nod, she suddenly remembered something and said, "Wait. I¡¯m out of Magnolia Wine and Magnolia Pastries. Go buy some for me." Recently, Mingyue had been in seclusion, leaving no one to run errands. It seemed she would have to rely on Lu Yi from now on. Lu Yi¡¯s eyes lit up at her request¡ªanother task? He quickly smiled and said, "No problem, Master!" Then he added, "Master, if you ever need anything, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask. I will do my best!" The Master of Lingluo Peak glanced at the overly enthusiastic Lu Yi in surprise. She hadn¡¯t expected him to be so happy about running errands. Thinking about how convenient this would be in the future; she felt pleased and smiled. "Alright, I¡¯ll leave it to you then!" After that, Lu Yi bid farewell to his master and went to buy Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine. Last time, his task of buying these items had rewarded him with spiritual cooking and brewing techniques. This time, the reward was equally exciting¡ªit directly upgraded his Nourishing Spirit Dew by one level. Over the past three months, Lu Yi had not neglected the enhancement brought by Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup and Nourishing Spirit Dew. The Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup had been improved to its limit, leaving no room for further advancement. However, the Nourishing Spirit Dew required time to brew, making its progress extremely slow. Even now, it had only just reached level 7. With the rewards from this time, Lu Yi could directly upgrade the Nourishing Spirit Dew to level 8, accelerating his spiritual power growth significantly. Naturally, Lu Yi was quite pleased. Lu Yi made a trip to Magnolia Pavilion and purchased Magnolia Pastries and Magnolia Wine from the Magnolia Peak Master. He then delivered them to his waiting master, easily completing his task. Afterward, Lu Yi hurried back to his cave residence, eager to inventory his gains. This time, his breakthrough to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining completed three tasks, each with exceptionally generous rewards. [Tasks]
  1. Break through to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining (Completed)
  2. Break through to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining faster than Donggong Mingyue (Completed)
  3. Become the personal disciple of Lingluo Peak Master (Completed)
Lu Yi claimed the rewards one by one. The first task, breaking through to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining, rewarded him with a wisp of Grand Dao Qi. It was a strand of seven-colored mist, drifting like smoke yet remaining intact. Only after completing the task did Lu Yi understand the use of Grand Dao Qi. Grand Dao Qi was a natural treasure used for Foundation Establishment. Compared to ordinary natural treasures, Grand Dao Qi was far more powerful. Establishing one¡¯s foundation with Grand Dao Qi would allow the cultivator to harmonize with the Dao, significantly enhancing their cultivation talent. Moreover, they would excel in practicing any Dao techniques, surpassing even those who used spiritual liquids for Foundation Establishment! When Lu Yi realized the value of Grand Dao Qi, he was utterly stunned. Such a treasure would drive anyone to madness if revealed. Even Nascent Soul and Void Refinement cultivators might go to any lengths to seize it. Lu Yi looked at the Grand Dao Qi in front of him and thought, with this, who needs spiritual liquids? Currently, he had already collected Thunder Spiritual Liquid, Water Spiritual Liquid, Fire Spiritual Liquid, and Wind Spiritual Liquid through tasks. Despite their rarity and value, he no longer had any use for them¡ªtruly a bittersweet situation. Lu Yi shook his head helplessly, deciding not to dwell on it. He carefully stored the Grand Dao Qi away. Since it was crucial to his foundation, he dared not be careless. After securing the Grand Dao Qi, Lu Yi turned his attention to the other rewards. The second task, breaking through to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining faster than Donggong Mingyue, rewarded him with the Foundation Establishment technique "Thunder Shadow Step," a top-grade magic artifact¡ªPurple Jade Robe, and 30 drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. "Thunder Shadow Step" was a thunder-element technique suitable for thunder cultivators, but Lu Yi, having mastered ten percent of thunder intent, could also cultivate it. As a Foundation Establishment technique, "Thunder Shadow Step" was naturally superior to the White Cloud Step. Its movements resembled lightning, extremely fast. At higher levels, it could even condense thunder shadows, which possessed destructive power and could catch enemies off guard. After three months of seclusion, Lu Yi¡¯s Breath Concealing Technique had reached its maximum level. Currently, he could only train in Jade Body Technique, Dust Forgetting Technique, and Nourishing Spirit Dew. Now, he had another technique to cultivate. Lu Yi planned to start training it next. In addition to "Thunder Shadow Step," he also obtained the top-grade artifact¡ªPurple Jade Robe, and 30 drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. Thousand-Year Spirit Milk needed no explanation, while the Purple Jade Robe was an exceptionally luxurious purple long dress. As a top-grade magic artifact, it offered excellent defense and could enhance thunder techniques and speed up thunder cultivation. Considering its rarity, even Golden Core thunder cultivators would likely covet it. Unfortunately, it was a dress. Lu Yi felt a bit regretful as he stored it away. The last task, becoming the personal disciple of Lingluo Peak Master, also offered generous rewards: a mid-grade treasure¡ªJade Spirit Robe, and three pieces of Enlightenment Tea Leaves. A mid-grade treasure! This was the first time Lu Yi had seen such a high-level artifact. Even Nascent Soul cultivators might not possess one. The Jade Spirit Robe was a pure white long robe. Lu Yi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was suitable for male cultivators. If it had been another dress, I might have vomited blood, Lu Yi thought. The Jade Spirit Robe, as a mid-grade treasure, could enhance the wearer¡¯s connection with spiritual energy. Wearing it increased cultivation speed significantly and even improved recovery rates during combat. Even with Lu Yi¡¯s current cultivation speed, wearing it would boost his progress by fifty percent. The enhancement was simply astonishing. Moreover, the Jade Spirit Robe could activate the Jade Spirit Formation, improving spiritual energy quality and boosting technique power. The enhancement was equally substantial. Most importantly, the robe also had a refined and elegant appearance. Although it lacked defensive capabilities, the Jade Spirit Robe was practically perfect. Lu Yi immediately put on the robe, feeling delighted. Chapter 77: Changes in Mission Rewards The final reward was three pieces of Enlightenment Tea. Unlike the effects of sudden enlightenment, which are more immediate, Enlightenment Tea does not produce results as quickly. However, sudden enlightenment only lasts for a short period, whereas Enlightenment Tea can permanently enhance comprehension. Additionally, it significantly boosts comprehension for an entire day, although the effect is not as pronounced as sudden enlightenment. In the short term, sudden enlightenment may appear more effective, but in the long run, Enlightenment Tea is clearly the better option. After carefully checking all the rewards, Lu Yi was quite satisfied. Since it was still midday, Lu Yi had a quick meal before continuing his cultivation. He immediately used the enlightenment opportunity he gained today to cultivate Thunder Shadow Steps. Even though Thunder Shadow Steps was a Foundation Establishment-level technique, Lu Yi¡¯s spiritual energy and mental strength had already reached the standards of Foundation Establishment. Combined with his understanding of the intent of thunder, by the time the enlightenment ended, his Thunder Shadow Steps had directly advanced to level 5, just one step away from the Perfection Realm. Lu Yi tried using Thunder Shadow Steps along with White Cloud Steps and found that the perfected White Cloud Steps were significantly stronger than level 5 Thunder Shadow Steps. Moreover, White Cloud Steps consumed less spiritual energy. The power of perfected techniques was so overwhelming that it even surpassed conventional level classifications, leaving Lu Yi amazed. For now, Lu Yi decided to set Thunder Shadow Steps aside until it could surpass White Cloud Steps in usefulness. Afterward, Lu Yi resumed his peaceful cultivation routine. Upon reaching the eleventh layer of the Qi Refining Stage, Lu Yi discovered that the amount of spiritual energy required for further progress had increased drastically. Even with the Jade Spirit Robe accelerating his cultivation speed, it was difficult to break through in a short period. Fortunately, Lu Yi was not short on time and could afford to cultivate slowly. Two months later, while Lu Yi was meditating in his room, a sudden clap of thunder startled him awake. At the same time, he felt the sky grow inexplicably heavy and oppressive. Lu Yi froze for a moment before breaking into a smile. He recognized this phenomenon all too well¡ªit was the commotion caused by breaking through the limits of the Heavenly Dao. His second senior sister had reached the eleventh layer of the Qi Refining Stage. No¡ªtechnically speaking, since Lu Yi had become a direct disciple before her, shouldn¡¯t she now call him senior brother? Thinking of this, Lu Yi felt a little amused. With a grin, he disappeared from his room. Since his junior sister had broken through, it was only proper for him, as her senior brother, to congratulate her. As Lu Yi approached Donggong Mingyue¡¯s cave residence, he heard her jubilant voice echoing from the entrance: ¡°Hahaha! I knew it! I¡¯m a genius! I broke through the bottleneck in less than a year and reached the eleventh layer of Qi Refining! I¡¯m amazing!¡± Lu Yi walked over and saw Donggong Mingyue standing proudly at the entrance of her cave with her hands on her hips, her eyes squinting with joy. Lu Yi greeted her with a smile, ¡°Second Senior Sister, you¡¯ve finished your seclusion?¡± Donggong Mingyue froze, her face flushing slightly. She glanced at Lu Yi nervously. ¡°Junior Brother? Why are you here? Did you¡­ hear what I just said?!¡± Lu Yi nodded earnestly. ¡°I heard everything.¡± Donggong Mingyue¡¯s face turned redder, and she muttered shyly, ¡°I was just a little excited.¡± Then, puffing out her chest confidently, she said with a grin, ¡°Now that I¡¯ve broken through, I¡¯ll soon become the peak master¡¯s direct disciple. Junior Brother, from now on, I¡¯ll look after you!¡± Lu Yi¡¯s lips twitched. He covered his mouth and coughed before replying seriously, ¡°Senior Sister, I have some good news for you.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Donggong Mingyue asked curiously, noticing Lu Yi¡¯s serious expression. Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Three months ago, I also broke through to the eleventh layer of Qi Refining.¡± Donggong Mingyue: ¡°??????¡± Her mind filled with question marks, and she froze in shock. Silence fell between them as they stared at each other, wide-eyed. The atmosphere suddenly felt a little awkward. Donggong Mingyue gaped at Lu Yi in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± Lu Yi chuckled at her stunned expression. ¡°The peak master announced it to the inner sect two months ago.¡± Donggong Mingyue¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, and she pouted indignantly. ¡°How could this happen?! I worked so hard and stayed in seclusion for over six months!¡± I was supposed to be first! I¡¯m the senior sister! she thought. How did my junior brother become a direct disciple before me after my seclusion? Does this mean I have to call him senior brother now?! This isn¡¯t fair¡­ Donggong Mingyue suddenly felt the world was a cruel place. Lu Yi looked at Donggong Mingyue¡¯s adorable, tearful expression and couldn¡¯t help but find her even cuter. No! What am I thinking? Lu Yi scolded himself. She¡¯s my senior sister. How can I enjoy seeing her upset? Lu Yi reprimanded himself internally before clearing his throat. ¡°Senior Sister, how about we go see the peak master first? Afterward, I have another surprise for you.¡± Donggong Mingyue immediately grew wary. She had already fallen for one "good news" from this troublemaker and ended up becoming his junior sister. What kind of surprise would it be this time? Still, she decided to follow Lu Yi¡¯s suggestion and meet the peak master to become a direct disciple. She nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go see the peak master first.¡± Lu Yi grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you!¡± The two of them headed to the top of Lingluo Peak to meet the peak master. Just like Lu Yi, Donggong Mingyue smoothly became the peak master¡¯s third direct disciple. Upon learning that Lu Yi had indeed become a direct disciple before her, Donggong Mingyue visibly deflated and lost some of her earlier enthusiasm. Afterward, the peak master discussed Donggong Mingyue¡¯s future plans and prepared some thunder-elemental treasures to help her build her Foundation Establishment. Lu Yi felt a wave of gratitude. Their master genuinely cared for her disciples and treated them well. Once Donggong Mingyue officially became a direct disciple, she and Lu Yi left the bamboo house together. On their way down the mountain, Donggong Mingyue pouted, clearly unhappy. Lu Yi laughed and teased, ¡°Congratulations, Junior Sister, on becoming the peak master¡¯s direct disciple.¡± Donggong Mingyue''s expression soured even more as she glared at Lu Yi with resentment.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Lu Yi smiled and said, "Why won''t Junior Sister address me as Senior Brother?" Seeing Lu Yi''s cheerful demeanor, Donggong Mingyue pouted angrily. Just a moment ago, he was still her junior, but now he was already acting so arrogant?! She had thought Lu Yi was gentle and considerate before¡ªhmph! Reluctantly, she said, "...Senior Brother." "Good girl!" Lu Yi immediately felt satisfied. Although he didn''t care much about titles like Senior Brother or Junior Sister, he found Donggong Mingyue''s aggrieved expression rather amusing. Smiling, he said, "Junior Sister Mingyue, do you remember when I mentioned giving you a surprise?" Donggong Mingyue looked at Lu Yi warily. "What surprise?" Lu Yi chuckled. "I have a gift for you to celebrate your breakthrough to the eleventh level of Qi Refining." Donggong Mingyue was taken aback and asked curiously, "What kind of gift?" Lu Yi smiled mysteriously. "Come with me to my cave residence, and I''ll show you something precious!" Feeling intrigued by Lu Yi''s secretive tone, Donggong Mingyue followed him to his cave residence. After Lu Yi closed the door, Donggong Mingyue''s curiosity grew. "Lu Yi, what exactly is this gift?" she asked impatiently. "Aren''t you supposed to call me Senior Brother?" Lu Yi teased. Donggong Mingyue: "..." Feeling frustrated, she reluctantly said, "Senior Brother!" Only then did Lu Yi nod in satisfaction. With a smile, he took out the top-grade magical artifact, the Violet Jade Dress, which he had obtained as a reward from a previous mission, and handed it to Donggong Mingyue. "This top-grade magical artifact, the Violet Jade Dress, was something I received from a sect mission. It enhances lightning cultivation considerably. Since I can''t use it, I''m giving it to you, Junior Sister Mingyue." Donggong Mingyue''s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Lu Yi. "A top-grade magical artifact?! Junior Brother, are you really giving this to me?" Lu Yi corrected her helplessly, "You need to call me Senior Brother!" Donggong Mingyue: "..." ''Is this really the time to worry about titles?!'' This was a top-grade magical artifact! Donggong Mingyue understood how rare and valuable such an item was. Even as the personal disciple of a peak master and with her respectable family background, her most precious treasure was only a high-grade magical artifact. Yet Lu Yi was giving her this without hesitation. Moreover, as Donggong Mingyue gazed at the exquisite dress, she couldn''t help but admire its beauty. However, she still managed to resist its allure and shook her head firmly. "Senior Brother Lu, a top-grade magical artifact is too precious. I can''t accept it. You can exchange it for something more useful to you. I''m sure someone would trade for it." Lu Yi smiled. "I was fortunate with my recent sect missions, and I already have suitable artifacts for myself. This Violet Jade Robe is the perfect match for your innate lightning spirit body. If you refuse it, it will be like letting a pearl gather dust." Lu Yi had gained many items from helping Donggong Mingyue with her missions recently. He had noticed her efforts and care, so he naturally wanted to return the favor. Seeing Lu Yi''s sincerity, Donggong Mingyue bit her lip. She recalled how Lu Yi had prepared tiger bone ginseng soup and nourishing dews for her daily, and even sparred with her to help her solidify her foundation and break through her limits. And now, he was giving her a top-grade magical artifact. Donggong Mingyue''s mind felt chaotic, and her face seemed to grow warm. ''Maybe it''s too hot in this cave.'' ''Lu Yi is so careless... he didn''t even ventilate the room.'' Lu Yi noticed Donggong Mingyue standing there silently and assumed she was still struggling with the decision. He smiled and said, "Junior Sister, just take it." Snapping out of her daze, Donggong Mingyue hesitated for a moment longer before reaching out to accept the Violet Jade Robe. She nodded lightly. "Thank you... Senior Brother Lu." Lu Yi''s smile widened. "I''m glad you like it. From now on, we''ll truly be Senior Brother and Junior Sister. We must support and help each other. Oh, and our daily sparring can''t stop." Donggong Mingyue felt a subtle ripple in her heart. ''Is Senior Brother sparring with me to help me improve faster now that his strength has grown even more?'' She nodded softly. "Alright." Hearing her response, Lu Yi felt delighted. ''My lightning intent can improve again¡ªthis is great.'' He quickly issued a task in his mind: Defeat Donggong Mingyue. Reward: Enhancement of lightning intent and two drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. Accept Task: Yes/No? Lu Yi was momentarily stunned by the rewards and felt a sense of disbelief. The rewards had changed. Previously, defeating Junior Sister Mingyue only gave him five drops of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk and a trace of lightning intent. But now, it had increased to two drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk?! Hundred-Year Spirit Milk and Thousand-Year Spirit Milk were completely different in quality and value! Why had the rewards increased so much? Lu Yi pondered for a moment and realized the main difference¡ªDonggong Mingyue''s cultivation had risen to the eleventh level of Qi Refining. ''Could it be that as the target''s strength improves, the rewards also increase?'' Lu Yi''s thoughts churned, and he came up with several bold ideas. Initially, he was worried that as his strength increased too quickly, obtaining other rewards might become more difficult. But now it seemed he might be able to help his task targets improve their cultivation, which in turn could increase the rewards he received from completing tasks. This idea seemed quite feasible. To be honest, Lu Yi currently had plenty of resources he couldn''t use himself. For instance, Perfect Qi Condensation Pills were often rewards he obtained from tasks, and he could earn dozens of drops of Hundred-Year Spirit Milk every month from the trial tower. Last time, he had given some to his father, Lu Gaoyang, and his mother, Wang Siqi. Even after that, he had already accumulated two to three hundred drops. Currently, Lu Yi was cultivating using Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. These other resources had just been sitting in a corner, unused. Not to mention, every month, Lu Yi would go to the Resource Hall to collect top-grade Qi Condensation Pills to avoid suspicion. These pills had already piled up into a small mountain. These resources could be used to help others with their cultivation¡ªof course, the targets needed to be people who could help him earn task rewards, such as Junior Sister Mingyue. If Junior Sister Mingyue grew stronger, he could gain even better rewards for completing tasks. Lu Yi felt he needed to take on some sect missions. Only this way could he have a reasonable excuse for obtaining these resources. Otherwise, it would be suspicious to keep producing Perfect Qi Condensation Pills and Hundred-Year Spirit Milk out of nowhere. Lu Yi accepted a mission and sparred with Donggong Mingyue. After breaking through to the eleventh level of Qi Refining, Donggong Mingyue''s strength had improved significantly. However, compared to Lu Yi, the gap had only grown wider. After all, Lu Yi''s foundation was incredibly solid. On top of that, his sword intent had already surpassed twenty percent comprehension. Even though Donggong Mingyue possessed an Innate Thunder Spirit Body, she was no match for him. To keep Donggong Mingyue from losing confidence in her cultivation, Lu Yi sparred with her for a while before finally defeating her. After the sparring session, Donggong Mingyue sat on the ground with Lu Yi, her forehead covered in sweat and her breathing heavy. She looked at Lu Yi and smiled. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, your strength keeps growing stronger." Back then, Lu Yi''s strength had clearly been inferior to hers. Yet, in just one year, he had grown to this level. This left Donggong Mingyue feeling somewhat frustrated. After all, she was an Innate Thunder Spirit Body. However, the thought that Lu Yi had already pushed his sword intent to over twenty percent left her both shocked and impressed. Lu Yi replied helplessly, "You need to call me Senior Brother." Donggong Mingyue rolled her eyes and giggled. "I''ve been calling you Junior Brother for a year. How can I change it so easily? Right, Senior Brother Lu Yi~?" Lu Yi: "..." The two chatted for a while and rested before Donggong Mingyue bid farewell and returned to her cultivation. With Donggong Mingyue out of seclusion, Lu Yi now had daily sparring tasks again, allowing him to accumulate more Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. He could cultivate without any worries, and his comprehension of lightning intent began to improve once more. During this time, Lu Yi visited his master once a month to listen to Dao lectures and gain enlightenment opportunities. He also visited Elder Ming to study sword intent and refine his understanding further. Apart from that, Lu Yi focused on steady cultivation, not only improving his cultivation level but also enhancing various spells and techniques. His Spiritual Nurturing Dew finally reached the maximum grade. The dew brewed at this level was highly effective for enhancing mental power. After consuming it continuously, Lu Yi even felt a faint opening sensation at the center of his forehead. This was a sign of spiritual power transformation¡ªsomething impossible at his current realm. If others found out, it would cause a huge stir. Additionally, Lu Yi continued refining his Thunder Shadow Steps, investing most of his enlightenment opportunities into mastering the technique. Eventually, he pushed it to the maximum grade, making it exceptionally powerful. Four months later, Lu Yi broke through the second layer of the Heavenly Dao''s restrictions, reaching the twelfth level of Qi Refining. The breakthrough reward, as expected, was strands of Grand Dao Qi. However, this time, he received two strands instead of one. Lu Yi carefully stored all three strands of Grand Dao Qi, planning to use them when forming his Foundation Establishment. By then, his foundation would likely be unmatched. After breaking through to the twelfth level of Qi Refining, the year was almost over. Lu Yi decided to take on another sect mission. Once he returned, he planned to use treasures like Hundred-Year Spirit Milk to aid Junior Sister Mingyue in her cultivation. Over the past four months, Donggong Mingyue''s progress had been limited due to resource constraints. With Lu Yi now at the twelfth level of Qi Refining, the rewards for sparring tasks had decreased. They now offered only one drop of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk and a small boost in lightning intent. Lu Yi found this unacceptable. This time, to create an excuse for obtaining resources, he didn''t invite Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong, or even Donggong Mingyue. He went alone to the Affairs Hall and took on a mission. To ensure his excuse was convincing, Lu Yi chose a mission in an area known for hidden opportunities¡ªthe Myriad Beast Mountain Range. This vast mountain range stretched across the entire Eastern Region, with a portion extending into Green Provance. A small section was within White Cloud Sect''s territory, though it was quite far from the sect itself. The range housed numerous ferocious beasts and rare spiritual treasures. Legends claimed that ancient, powerful beasts and relics left behind by past experts resided in its depths. However, the core region of the Myriad Beast Mountain Range was a forbidden zone. Even Great Ascension cultivators had ventured in and never returned. Since then, no one dared to approach its core. Taking on a mission there made it unlikely to encounter fellow disciples. This meant Lu Yi could fabricate stories without any trouble. He praised himself for his cleverness. The mission required Lu Yi to find a rare spiritual herb called Heavenly Star Grass. After accepting the mission, Lu Yi didn''t forget to issue himself a personal task. He silently vowed, ¡®I must find Heavenly Star Grass.¡¯ Lines of text appeared on his task panel. When Lu Yi saw the rewards listed, he froze, feeling a wave of astonishment. He hadn''t expected the reward to be this item. Chapter 78: Golden Core Battle [Task] Find Heavenly Star Grass (0/1) Reward: Basic Alchemy Technique, 50 drops of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk. Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi''s expression was a bit strange. He had already acquired various skills through quests¡ªspiritual cooking techniques, spiritual wine brewing techniques, basic formations¡ªand now there was a basic alchemy technique. ''At this rate, am I going to become an all-rounder?'' he thought. However, since the quest was issued, there was no reason not to accept it. Lu Yi silently accepted the quest and left the Affairs Hall. This time, instead of heading to the Spirit Beast Hall, Lu Yi directly left the sect. Unlike his previous mission with Senior Brother Jiang Fan and Senior Brother Bai Yulong, going out alone was undoubtedly more liberating. Using spells for travel, his speed was far superior to riding Qi Refining Realm spirit beasts. After leaving White Cloud Sect, Lu Yi confirmed there was no one around, activated his spiritual energy, and summoned lightning around him. He transformed into a streak of lightning, soaring into the sky and disappearing into the horizon. The extreme technique, Lightning Shadow Step, also allowed for aerial flight, with speeds far exceeding the White Cloud Steps. Spending two days on the road, Lu Yi arrived at the edge of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. At the edge of the mountain range was a large city called Myriad Beasts City. The city was surrounded by massive walls to defend against beast tides from the mountain range, preventing the city¡¯s destruction. Built against the mountains, the city was home to numerous cultivators. Many rogue cultivators without resources often entered the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range in search of treasures. It was said that Myriad Beasts City was originally just a small village. As more cultivators came to the mountain range seeking heavenly treasures, the village gradually expanded into a market. Eventually, it grew into the massive city it was today. Lu Yi didn¡¯t wear his White Cloud Sect inner disciple robes. Instead, his Jade Spirit Robe concealed its brilliance, making it impossible for others to recognize it as a mid-grade magic treasure. He appeared just like an ordinary rogue cultivator as he entered the city. "Steaming hot buns! Made with spirit beast meat! Satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back!" "Candied hawthorn! Sweet and delicious candied hawthorn!" "..." The city was bustling, filled with street vendors shouting to attract customers. Lu Yi leisurely wandered through the streets, buying some snacks to enjoy while strolling. Having spent his recent days in rigorous cultivation, he decided to take this outing as a chance to relax and experience the bustling world. Because Heavenly Star Grass was a rare herb, Lu Yi visited several pharmacies in the city, hoping to buy it directly. However, he was disappointed. Heavenly Star Grass was both rare and highly useful, as it could be refined into Heavenly Star Pills. Even if it appeared, it would be purchased immediately. Leaving the last pharmacy, Lu Yi decided to venture into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range himself. Just then, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man approached him and whispered, "Young man, are you looking to buy Heavenly Star Grass?" Lu Yi was surprised and glanced at him. The man was a Qi Refining tenth-level cultivator. He nodded and asked, "Do you have any?" The middle-aged man rubbed his hands and smiled. "I don¡¯t, but I saw some in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range." Lu Yi¡¯s eyes lit up. "Really? Where?" The man chuckled and said, "I can take you there, but, young man, I¡¯ll need a guide fee." Lu Yi didn¡¯t object. It was reasonable to pay for information. He smiled and asked, "No problem. How much do you want?" The man¡¯s eyes brightened as he held up five fingers. "Fifty low-grade spirit stones!" Lu Yi raised his eyebrows and examined the man. That price was quite steep¡ªa blatant overcharge. Fifty low-grade spirit stones were a significant sum for Qi Refining Realm cultivators. However, for Lu Yi, this amount was trivial. Since he didn¡¯t need low-grade spirit stones for cultivation, he didn¡¯t mind paying. Lu Yi nodded. "No problem. If you can lead me to the Heavenly Star Grass, fifty low-grade spirit stones it is." The man was stunned for a moment, then looked at Lu Yi oddly. He quickly added, "Pay upfront!" Lu Yi narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Do I look that easy to fool?" Releasing a trace of his powerful aura, Lu Yi suppressed the man. The middle-aged man immediately turned pale, broke into a cold sweat, and looked at Lu Yi in terror. Lu Yi smiled. "I¡¯ll give you half first. The rest comes after we find it." He took out twenty-five low-grade spirit stones and tossed them to the man. Seeing the spirit stones, the man¡¯s fear vanished, replaced by excitement. He gratefully thanked him. "Young master, you¡¯re so generous! I¡¯ll definitely guide you there!" Lu Yi nodded. "Do your job well, and you¡¯ll be rewarded." The man eagerly agreed. "Shall we leave now?" "Let¡¯s go." The man quickly led Lu Yi out of Myriad Beasts City. Once outside, the two moved toward the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. Even though this was only a small section of the range, it stretched endlessly to the horizon. The man, whose name was Lin Ting, was quite talkative. He shared various rumors about Myriad Beasts City, like a lucky rogue cultivator who had found rare spiritual herbs but vanished the next day without a trace, and even Golden Core cultivators who ventured deep into the mountains only to escape gravely injured. "The hottest rumor in Myriad Beasts City recently is that the Li family discovered the remains of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. That cultivator was supposedly a formation expert, and their cave abode is surrounded by layers of formations. The Li family is gathering other families in the city to break the formations and claim the treasures. They¡¯re even recruiting rogue cultivators to assist. They¡¯ll set off in two or three days." Hearing this, Lu Yi was surprised. "A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator¡¯s cave abode?" Lu Yi felt a bit strange in his heart. Originally, he had been thinking about coming up with an excuse, such as discovering the cave dwelling of a senior cultivator, to take out those treasures. Unexpectedly, he had really stumbled upon a cave dwelling. However, Lu Yi''s heart remained calm. A Nascent Soul cultivator''s cave dwelling, even if it contained treasures, held little appeal for him. After all, he already had everything he needed. Even if there were things he didn''t have, his master would provide them for him. Seeing that Lu Yi was only slightly surprised and did not inquire further, Lin Ting was somewhat puzzled. "Young Master, don''t you want to take a look?" Lu Yi shook his head. "A Nascent Soul cultivator proficient in formations likely left dangerous traps in the cave dwelling. Treasures are good, but you need to stay alive to claim them." Recently, Lu Yi had been practicing basic formations and had already trained several to level 8 or higher, giving him a solid understanding of formations. Although he didn¡¯t know what kind of formations the Nascent Soul cultivator had set up, formations laid by such a cultivator were unlikely to be weak. He might not be able to break them, so there was no need to take such risks.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Hearing Lu Yi''s words, Lin Ting glanced at him in surprise. Most cultivators at such a young age considered themselves favored by destiny and would eagerly seize an opportunity like this. Lin Ting chuckled. "Young Master''s thinking is different from most. However, the immortal path is difficult, and resources are essential. If you don''t compete for such opportunities, you might miss out on a lot." Lu Yi looked at Lin Ting and smiled. "Are you planning to go?" Lin Ting smiled helplessly and said, "I''m already over fifty years old. Without a special opportunity, I fear I''ll never reach Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. Naturally, I have to take my chances." Lu Yi nodded without saying much more. Everyone had their own opportunities. Since he had no deep connection with Lin Ting, there was no need to say anything further. Lin Ting, having spent years making a living in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range, was very familiar with its outskirts. He led Lu Yi through winding paths, avoiding the territories of several Foundation Establishment-level beasts with Lu Yi¡¯s keen senses. After a day, they arrived at the foot of a towering mountain. The mountain stood three to four thousand meters high, covered in jagged rocks and stunningly beautiful. Lin Ting took a deep breath and said, "Young Master, it''s here." He led Lu Yi to a cliff and pointed to the top. Soon, Lu Yi spotted a tuft of bluish-green grass that sparkled faintly with starlike specks of light. Even during the day, the glow was faintly visible, but at night, the light from the Heavenly Star Grass shone like stars. Lu Yi glanced at the grass and then at the massive cave entrance nearby, from which a powerful aura emanated. Raising his brows, Lu Yi looked at Lin Ting. "You didn¡¯t mention there was a Foundation Establishment-level beast''s lair near the Heavenly Star Grass." Lin Ting scratched his head without any embarrassment. "Young Master, you didn¡¯t ask. I promised to bring you to the Heavenly Star Grass, and I¡¯ve fulfilled that promise." Lu Yi gave him a look but didn¡¯t say more. Instead, he took out the remaining twenty-five low-grade spirit stones and tossed them to Lin Ting. Lin Ting caught the spirit stones excitedly and thanked him. "Thank you, Young Master!" Then he hesitated and said, "Young Master, that Foundation Establishment beast looks quite formidable. Should we go back and find reinforcements? Or perhaps wait for someone else to harvest the Heavenly Star Grass, and then you can buy it later?" Lu Yi shook his head, his expression calm. "It¡¯s just a Foundation Establishment beast. No need to complicate things." He thought to himself, I want to collect the Heavenly Star Grass. Immediately, a task appeared on his interface. [Task] Collect the Heavenly Star Grass. Reward: Foundation Establishment Spirit Food Recipe: ''Grilled Meat Ribs'' Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi felt a surge of joy. As expected, the difficulty of collecting the grass due to the nearby Foundation Establishment beast had triggered a task. Looking at the reward, Lu Yi was delighted. A spirit food recipe for the Foundation Establishment stage was a valuable resource. He currently had few recipes to use for training tasks, so this would be perfect. Lu Yi accepted the task without hesitation and stepped toward the cliff. Lin Ting was stunned to see him approach the cliff. "Young Master, there''s no need to risk your life! Life is more valuable than anything¡ª" Before Lin Ting could finish, powerful spiritual energy surged around Lu Yi, and sword intent soared into the sky. The terrifying aura cut Lin Ting off mid-sentence, leaving him frozen in shock. "T-This..." What was this aura?! How could someone so young have such a terrifying presence? Lin Ting was in disbelief. Just then, a hiss echoed from the cave. A black snake¡¯s massive head emerged from the darkness. Behind the head, its body, as thick as a barrel, slithered into view. The Foundation Establishment-level serpent fixed its yellow eyes on Lu Yi and hissed menacingly, clearly sensing Lu Yi¡¯s threat. Lu Yi remained calm as his Azure Spirit Sword appeared in his hand. He casually swung it. Slash! A flash of white sword light streaked across the snake¡¯s neck. The serpent¡¯s body froze, and a bloody line appeared on its neck. Its head slowly slid off and crashed to the ground, followed by its massive body, forming a pool of blood. At the twelfth level of Qi Refining, Lu Yi¡¯s base strength already matched the Foundation Establishment stage. Even using only the White Cloud Sword Art at the Perfection level with a hint of sword intent, he could easily slay Foundation Establishment beasts at the fifth or sixth level. After all, Lu Yi had already cleared the 19th level of the White Cloud Sect¡¯s trial tower. This was the result even when Lu Yi had yet to use many of his techniques. Just twenty percent of his sword intent was enough to cause a qualitative change in Lu Yi''s combat strength, making him nearly invincible at lower realms. Lin Ting stared at the corpse on the ground, his expression blank. A Foundation Establishment realm serpent had actually been slain with a single sword strike?! Cold sweat broke out on his back as he glanced nervously at Lu Yi, afraid that Lu Yi might cut him down with one strike as well. Lu Yi paid no attention to Lin Ting behind him. He took a step forward, his whole body rising lightly into the air like a drifting white cloud. He easily reached the cliff and collected the Heavenly Star Grass. The mission was completed with ease. Feeling pleased, Lu Yi jumped down from the cliff and casually stored the giant serpent''s corpse away. It was excellent material for cooking. Only then did Lu Yi look towards Lin Ting in the distance. Lin Ting now wore an expression of terror, as if he were extremely frightened. Seeing Lu Yi glance his way, Lin Ting swallowed nervously, forced a smile, and stammered, "Y-Young Master, your strength is truly extraordinary! Oh, by the way, t-these spirit stones¡ªI thought about it, and it''s better if I return them to you." Lu Yi glanced at the low-grade spirit stones Lin Ting handed over and smiled. "I''m not a demon. Why are you so scared of me? Since it was a fair trade, what''s yours is yours." Although Lin Ting had not mentioned that there was a Foundation Establishment beast near the Heavenly Star Grass, he had indeed fulfilled his part of the deal by leading Lu Yi to it. Lu Yi saw no reason to say more. Instead, Lin Ting had even given him another task, earning himself a Foundation Establishment-level spirit food recipe. Lin Ting carefully observed Lu Yi. Seeing that Lu Yi did not appear angry, he let out a sigh of relief and quickly expressed his gratitude. "Young Master is truly generous!" Inwardly, he was speculating about Lu Yi''s identity. Just who is this young master? Killing a Foundation Establishment beast at the Qi Refining stage as easily as slaughtering a chicken... Even in the White Cloud Sect, only the legendary Fairy Liu Ningshuang might possess such strength, right? Not daring to probe further, Lin Ting promptly said, "Young Master, now that the Heavenly Star Grass has been found, should we head back?" Lu Yi shook his head. "I plan to stay in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range for a few more days. You go ahead and return first." Since he needed an excuse to claim fortuitous encounters, it wouldn''t make sense to stay in the mountain range for only a brief moment. Spending a few extra days would be more reasonable. Hearing Lu Yi''s words, Lin Ting didn''t think too much about it. He repeatedly nodded. "In that case, I''ll take my leave now." Lin Ting cautiously glanced at Lu Yi. Seeing that Lu Yi had no objections, he quickly turned and left. Once Lin Ting had departed, Lu Yi took a step forward, moving lightly like a drifting white cloud and disappearing from sight. He refrained from using Thunder Shadow Steps, as their commotion might attract beasts. Instead, he used the White Cloud Steps, which produced no sound. Afterward, Lu Yi casually found a high mountain and dug a cave into a cliffside to serve as a temporary cultivation dwelling. He planned to stay in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range for a few more days before returning to the sect. Four days later, Lu Yi sat cross-legged in front of the cave. He was poking a piece of snow-white snake meat with a wooden stick, roasting it over charcoal. Occasionally, he sprinkled seasonings, and the rich aroma made Lu Yi look forward to the meal. He was currently practicing charcoal-grilled meat skewers. This dish could enhance spiritual energy cultivation. After consumption, the spiritual energy within the ingredients would be absorbed in an extremely gentle manner, making it possible to use in tandem with cultivation pills to accelerate progress. The recipe required only a few ingredients, all of which could be found in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range. It hadn''t taken Lu Yi long to gather plenty of materials, and he practiced making it several times a day. Thanks to his earlier mastery of the Tiger Bone Spiritual Ginseng Soup, Lu Yi''s cooking skills were already decent, making the process much easier this time. At the very least, the flavor was acceptable. In just four days, Lu Yi had leveled up his charcoal-grilled meat skewer technique to level 3. After all, it was a Foundation Establishment-level cooking recipe, so it did have some difficulty. Just as Lu Yi was happily roasting the snake meat, a deafening explosion suddenly echoed from the distance. Lu Yi''s expression changed slightly. He looked up in the direction of the sound and saw intense spiritual light surging. Mountain peaks crumbled, spiritual energy swirled, and gales swept outward in all directions, shattering rocks and trees. Such a powerful aura! Lu Yi was a bit stunned. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn''t have such destructive power. Destroying mountains likely required at least Golden Core-level strength. Are Golden Core cultivators battling? What''s happening? Lu Yi stared in the direction of the spiritual light. With his vision, he could faintly see several figures crossing paths in mid-air. Soon after, Lu Yi sensed powerful energy fluctuations. Someone fell from the sky, while another fled. It seemed the fight had ended. However, Lu Yi''s expression quickly darkened because he noticed a streak of spiritual light flying toward him, pursued by another streak of blood-colored light. "Damn it... seriously?!" Lu Yi was dumbfounded. I''m just roasting some meat, and now Golden Core bigshots are passing by? Why me?! Without a second thought, Lu Yi quickly extinguished the fire, descended the mountain, and entered the forest. Activating his peak-level Concealment Technique, he hid his aura completely. He had no intention of getting involved in a fight with Golden Core cultivators. Whoosh! Whoosh! Two streaks of light swiftly crossed the sky, approaching Lu Yi''s location. Lu Yi managed to catch a glimpse of their appearances. The first was an elderly man with white hair, covered in blood and looking pale. The pursuer was a cold-faced young man with a sword wound on his chest and an icy expression. What caught Lu Yi''s attention was the overwhelming stench of blood emanating from the young man. The smell made Lu Yi extremely uncomfortable. It was exactly the same as the aura of the Blood Spirit Sect disciple he had encountered before. Chapter 79: Sword Slays Golden Core Lu Yi''s face instantly stiffened. What terrible luck¡ªhe had encountered someone from the Blood Spirit Sect again?! Last time it was a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the peak stage. But this time, it was a Golden Core cultivator. This was still within the territory of the White Cloud Sect, so why was there another disciple of the Blood Spirit Sect here? Lu Yi frowned deeply. He recalled the reminder from the elder at the Affairs Hall¡ªlately, there had been an increasing number of Blood Spirit Sect disciples appearing within White Cloud Sect''s territory. He didn''t expect to run into them twice in a row while doing sect missions. As for the Golden Core elder being hunted by the Blood Spirit Sect cultivator, Lu Yi wasn''t entirely sure, but he figured the elder probably belonged to one of the cultivation families under the jurisdiction of the White Cloud Sect. While Lu Yi was observing the two Golden Core cultivators, the Blood Spirit Sect cultivator was already about to catch up with the white-haired elder. Sensing the aura behind him, the white-haired elder''s face turned grim, and he roared, "Blood Spirit Sect scum! How dare you hunt cultivators within the White Cloud Sect''s territory! Aren''t you afraid of the White Cloud Sect''s retaliation?!" The Blood Spirit Sect disciple behind him sneered, "Once you''re all dead, how will the White Cloud Sect ever know? Old man, stop struggling. You can''t escape." As he spoke, the Blood Spirit Sect cultivator formed a sword seal with his hands. Five blood-colored swords shot out from his body, transforming into streaks of light that pierced toward the white-haired elder. The white-haired elder circulated his spiritual energy and summoned a white umbrella. The umbrella opened up like a shield, continuously deflecting the blood-colored swords. Booming sounds echoed endlessly. Waves of spiritual energy spread out from the collisions, causing the trees on the ground to tremble violently as if they could be uprooted at any moment. "Kill!" the Blood Spirit Sect disciple roared. A streak of blood light shot out and heavily struck the white umbrella. The umbrella shattered instantly. The white-haired elder''s hair and beard flared out as he roared in fury. Spiritual energy surged around him, and his robes billowed. He stretched out his hand, summoning a massive flaming hand that reached for the blood light. The blood light and the flaming hand collided with a deafening explosion. Amid the blasts, both the flaming hand and the blood light shattered, scattering fire rain that ignited the forest. The elder''s face turned pale, and he was sent flying, coughing up blood from his mouth. At that moment, the five blood-colored swords shot through the air toward him again. The elder''s expression changed. He hurriedly dodged but was still pierced through the abdomen by one of the blood swords, staining the sky with blood. A massive hole appeared in his abdomen, revealing writhing internal organs. However, thanks to the powerful vitality of a Golden Core cultivator, he did not die immediately. Instead, he landed heavily on the ground, coughing blood while looking up at the Blood Spirit Sect disciple in the sky with unwilling eyes. The Blood Spirit Sect disciple sneered and slowly descended, looking down at the elder. "I told you¡ªyou can''t escape." "Cough... The White Cloud Sect won''t let you get away with this!" The Blood Spirit Sect disciple laughed indifferently. "That''s a problem for the future. By then, you''ll already be reduced to blood essence. Golden Core blood essence¡ªheh¡ªwhat a great tonic." He formed a hand seal, preparing to capture the elder alive. Just then, an incomparably sharp sword intent erupted behind the Blood Spirit Sect disciple. The terrifying aura carried traces of destructive lightning, making the disciple''s hair stand on end. He roared and gathered his spiritual energy to defend, but before he could react, a sword light flashed across his neck. His eyes widened in shock. Blood spurted as his vision spun. Before his consciousness faded, he saw a young boy holding a longsword¡ªlooking slightly immature¡ªstanding behind him. The boy''s aura was clearly at the Qi Refining Stage. Impossible! I''m a Golden Core cultivator! With a heart full of unwillingness, the disciple''s mind went blank as he died. Lu Yi watched the Blood Spirit Sect disciple''s body collapse and let out a light breath. If these two Golden Core cultivators had flown overhead, Lu Yi would never have interfered. But he hadn''t expected them to land right next to him, leaving him no choice. Lu Yi had trained his Breath Concealment Technique to the highest level. Combined with his ability to break the Heavenly Dao''s limits, his control over his aura was extremely precise. It was easy to deceive the Golden Core cultivator''s senses and deliver a fatal strike from behind. Although ambushing from behind wasn''t exactly honorable, Lu Yi felt no shame¡ªonly satisfaction. He hadn''t expected to kill a Golden Core cultivator so easily. He glanced at his task panel. [Task] Kill a Blood Spirit Sect Golden Core cultivator. (Completed) Reward: Golden Core Sword Technique "Seven Mystic Sword Art." Claim reward: Yes/No That''s right¡ªbefore making his move, Lu Yi had assigned himself a task. Although it was risky and might have caused a commotion, the reward was well worth it. A Golden Core sword technique! Currently, Lu Yi only practiced the White Cloud Sword Technique. While its perfected form was strong¡ªcomparable to powerful Foundation Establishment techniques¡ªhaving a stronger method was naturally more appealing. However, Golden Core techniques were notoriously difficult to master. Lu Yi wasn''t sure how long it would take to cultivate it to a high level. Of course, he wasn''t in a hurry. He had plenty of time. Lu Yi did not claim the reward yet. Instead, he turned to the white-haired elder. At this moment, the elder was clutching his heavily wounded abdomen, staring blankly at Lu Yi. His mind was in chaos. Moments ago, he thought he was doomed, but now the Golden Core Blood Spirit Sect disciple had been slain? And his savior was just a Qi Refining Stage youth?! If not for the intense pain from his abdominal wound and the constant blood loss, the elder might have thought he was dreaming. Seeing Lu Yi approach, the elder coughed up blood and said, "I am Li Dongqi from the Li family. Many thanks for saving my life, young friend!" Lu Yi noticed how badly the elder was coughing blood. His eyes lit up as a bold idea formed. He thought to himself, I want to save this Golden Core cultivator. [Task] Rescue Li Donglai. Reward: 10 drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk. Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi was pleasantly surprised.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk? This was the first time Lu Yi had received such a cultivation reward. Even Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk was already extremely powerful. This Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk must be even stronger. But before rescuing him... Lu Yi circulated his spiritual energy and once again cast the Forget Dust Technique. Li Donglai felt a wave of spiritual power strike him. His face changed as he prepared to resist, only to realize that he couldn''t withstand the overwhelming mental force. His mind grew dazed, and he fainted on the spot. Lu Yi glanced at the unconscious Li Donglai and exhaled slightly. Sure enough, his mental strength was now strong enough to be on the verge of transformation, even surpassing that of Golden Core cultivators. Combined with the Forget Dust Technique, which had reached its maximum level, even Golden Core cultivators would likely struggle to resist it. Of course, this only applied to ordinary Golden Core cultivators. Exceptional talents were another matter entirely. Having cast the Forget Dust Technique on Li Donglai, Lu Yi felt reassured. First, he picked up the spatial ring from the Blood Spirit Sect''s Golden Core cultivator and erased all traces in the area before carrying Li Donglai away. Lu Yi took Li Donglai to a nearby hilltop and examined the wound on his abdomen. The bleeding had stopped, but the wound hadn''t healed yet. The vitality of a Golden Core cultivator was indeed remarkable. For Lu Yi, the task was simple¡ªjust keep Li Donglai safe from beasts and return him to a secure location to complete the rescue. Of course, having healing pills would speed up Li Donglai''s recovery. Unfortunately, Lu Yi had few healing pills, most of which were for Qi Refining cultivators. He had none for Golden Core cultivators, so he could only leave Li Donglai to recover on his own. Not long after, Li Donglai gradually woke up. As a Golden Core cultivator, his mental strength helped him recover quickly. Upon waking, he instinctively tried to sit up, but the movement tugged at his abdominal wound, causing him to cough up blood again. He immediately fell back down. "Where is this place?" Lu Yi approached with a gentle smile. "Senior, I saw you unconscious on the ground and carried you to a safe place." Hearing this, Li Donglai was stunned. A sharp pain struck his mind, and faint memories surfaced. He recalled that a disciple of the Blood Spirit Sect was about to take him away when an astonishing sword light flashed. After that, he lost consciousness amid a burst of spiritual energy. Li Donglai suddenly understood and muttered, ¡®Which fellow Daoist saved me?¡¯ He quickly looked at Lu Yi and said, "Thank you for saving my life, young friend. Did you see anyone else there?" Lu Yi shook his head. "No, I only saw you lying there." "Just me?" Li Donglai was puzzled and then asked, "Was there no headless corpse in a blood robe?" Lu Yi shook his head again. "I didn''t see one." Li Donglai was confused. The Blood Spirit Sect disciple''s body was gone? Could it have been taken away by the mysterious Daoist who saved him? Pondering this, Li Donglai couldn''t figure out why someone would save him and then take the corpse. However, he had no time to dwell on it and quickly said, "Young friend, I am seriously injured and urgently need treatment. I must ask you to do something for me!" Lu Yi was surprised and asked, "What is it?" "The Nascent Soul cultivator''s cave abode discovered by the Li family is a trap! It was a setup by the Blood Spirit Sect to ambush the cultivators of Beast City! You must notify the cultivators of White Cloud Sect in Beast City immediately!" Lu Yi was stunned, his face filled with shock. He had overheard parts of the conversation between the Blood Spirit Sect disciple and Li Donglai earlier, including mentions of an ambush. However, he hadn''t associated it with the Nascent Soul cultivator''s burial site. Now it made sense. Lu Yi recalled Lin Ting mentioning that the Li family planned to raid the cave mansion. This old man must be the Li family''s Golden Core cultivator. Everything matched up. Lu Yi''s expression grew serious. This was a big deal. Based on Lin Ting''s words, the news about the Nascent Soul cultivator''s cave abode had spread far and wide, attracting many cultivators. Lu Yi had also seen several Golden Core cultivators fighting earlier. Could it be that those Golden Core cultivators had already been ambushed? Lu Yi''s face darkened, and he said, "Senior, don''t worry. I will notify them." "Go quickly! I can recover on my own." Li Donglai nodded. Lu Yi nodded, stopped paying attention to Li Donglai, and looked toward the earlier battlefield. He hesitated. He wasn''t sure what other Blood Spirit Sect disciples were still there. If only Golden Core cultivators remained, he might be able to defeat them using all his trump cards. But if a Nascent Soul cultivator appeared, it would be disastrous. After careful consideration, Lu Yi decided to play it safe and seek help. He figured that issuing a mission to rescue cultivators might yield a generous reward. However, he didn''t take every mission lightly. Even so, there were tasks worth accepting. Lu Yi thought to himself, I need to notify White Cloud Sect about the Blood Spirit Sect''s conspiracy. [Task] Notify White Cloud Sect about the Blood Spirit Sect''s conspiracy. Reward: Foundation Establishment Pill Formula - "Blood Essence Pill." Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi was thrilled. A Blood Essence Pill? This was an excellent body-refining pill for the Foundation Establishment stage, comparable to the Yellow Ming Pill''s effect on Qi Refining cultivators. Lu Yi was on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. It was time to start preparing for his cultivation at the next level. He had no concerns about spiritual energy cultivation. With rewards like Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk and even Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, he could sustain his training for now. Not to mention, Lu Yi had also acquired a spirit food recipe for grilled meat ribs, which further enhanced cultivation speed. The problem lay in body refinement and spirit cultivation. Lu Yi had already cultivated the Jade Body Technique to its peak state. His physical body was incredibly strong and terrifying. He had tested it¡ªeven the Azure Spirit Sword, if not used with full force, could not leave a scratch on his body. Not only that, but his recovery ability had also become extraordinarily powerful. However, the Jade Body Technique was only a body-refining method for the Qi Refining Stage. Now that he is about to reach at the Foundation Establishment Stage, Lu Yi naturally had to cultivate a new technique. At that time, he would need resources for body refinement. The Blood Essence Pill recipe had come at just the right moment. He could practice more now and make use of it later. The next issue was spirit cultivation. The Spirit-Nurturing Dew he used during the Qi Refining Stage was still effective, but its effects were starting to diminish. This was even after Lu Yi had cultivated it to the highest grade. Once he advanced to Foundation Establishment, he would likely need to find another method to enhance his spiritual power. Lu Yi took note of this matter, planning to address it later. For now, he focused on the task at hand. Lu Yi accepted the mission. Streams of white clouds swirled around him, and he vanished from his original spot. After creating some distance from Li Donglai, Lu Yi switched to the Thunder Shadow Step. His body transformed into a streak of light, and he quickly arrived at the edge of the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. Then, Lu Yi switched back to the White Cloud Step technique and rushed through the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, entering Myriad Beast City. As the territory of the White Cloud Sect, Myriad Beast City served as the gateway to the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. Its strategic importance was high, and it had its own garrison, with even elders stationed there long-term. Lu Yi arrived at the White Cloud Sect''s garrison. Two gatekeeping servant disciples frowned when they saw him and blocked his path. "Who are you? This is the White Cloud Sect''s garrison!" Lu Yi took out his inner sect token. "Lu Yi, an inner sect disciple of the White Cloud Sect. I have urgent matters to report to the stationed elder!" Upon seeing the inner sect token, the two servant disciples'' expressions immediately changed. They respectfully stepped aside. Lu Yi quickly entered and soon encountered a man dressed in inner sect disciple robes. The man was momentarily stunned before breaking into a joyful smile. "Junior Brother Lu? I didn¡¯t expect to see you here!" Lu Yi was also surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected to run into someone he knew. He asked with some astonishment, "Senior Brother Mo Yu? Why are you here?" This person was none other than Nangong Moyu, a Golden Core disciple from Ling Luo Peak. Lu Yi had spent quite some time at Ling Luo Peak. Since the number of disciples there was quite small, they all had a good relationship. Naturally, Lu Yi knew them all. Nangong Moyu had exceptional talent. He sometimes even ranked in the top ten on the Golden Core Trial Rankings, surpassing Senior Brother Xie Tianming. Lu Yi had a very deep impression of him. However, Lu Yi had not expected to meet him here. Nangong Moyu smiled and threw an arm around Lu Yi¡¯s shoulder. "Of course, it¡¯s for the mission. Guarding Myriad Beast City is a cushy job. It¡¯s usually quite peaceful, allowing time for cultivation. The mission rewards are high, and we occasionally get to explore the Myriad Beast Mountain Range for extra gains. Everyone in the sect fights over this post. I had to beat up several competitors to get this position." Lu Yi was a bit surprised after hearing this. He hadn¡¯t expected the mission at Myriad Beast City to be so favorable. "Come on, Junior Brother, since you¡¯re here, let me take you around Myriad Beast City." Nangong Moyu enthusiastically tried to drag Lu Yi out for a tour. Lu Yi quickly spoke up. "Senior Brother, I have urgent news for the elder stationed here." Hearing this, Nangong Moyu paused and looked at Lu Yi in surprise. "What is it? Elder Yu is currently in closed-door cultivation. You can tell me. I can handle most things." Lu Yi immediately said, "Recently, there have been rumors about the cave abode of a Nascent Soul cultivator in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. Do you know about this, Senior Brother?" Nangong Moyu nodded. "Of course, I know. Our White Cloud Sect didn¡¯t get involved. The map was discovered by the Li family. Since they are affiliated with our sect, we wouldn¡¯t compete with them. Besides, it¡¯s just the cave abode of a Nascent Soul cultivator¡ªit¡¯s not a big deal for our sect. What¡¯s wrong?" Lu Yi¡¯s expression grew serious. "I was training in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range and happened to rescue a Golden Core cultivator from the Li family. He told me that the cave abode is a trap! It was specifically set up by the Blood Spirit Sect to ambush cultivators in Myriad Beast City." Upon hearing this, Nangong Moyu¡¯s expression drastically changed. "Damn it!! This is serious. Junior Brother Lu, wait here!" He immediately disappeared, shouting as he went. "Elder Yu! Come out quickly! Something major has happened!" Not long after, an elder with gray hair emerged, following Nangong Moyu. This was Elder Yu. Nangong Moyu introduced them. "Junior Brother, this is Elder Yu Lufei, the stationed elder here!" Lu Yi found the name a bit odd. Dropping the surname, this elder could practically be a pirate king. Yu Lufei¡¯s expression was stern as he looked at Lu Yi. "There¡¯s no need to introduce Lu Yi. No one in the inner sect doesn¡¯t know him. Lu Yi, is what you said true?" Lu Yi nodded. "Of course, it¡¯s true." Yu Lufei¡¯s expression turned icy. "Those damned Blood Spirit Sect members! How dare they be so audacious! Where are they?" "Over in that direction. Quite a distance from here." Lu Yi pointed toward the location where he had witnessed the battle. Yu Lufei nodded. "I¡¯ll head there first. Moyu, gather the others and follow later!" As he spoke, Yu Lufei¡¯s body vanished like foam, leaving only his voice echoing in the air. Chapter 80: The Way of Nature After Yu Lufei disappeared, Nangong Moyu turned to Lu Yi and said, "Junior Brother Lu, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I will take my leave. The Myriad Beasts Mountain Range may face some disturbances soon. Although your talent is exceptional, your cultivation is still weak. It is best to avoid getting too close." Lu Yi nodded slightly. "I understand." Nangong Moyu then gathered the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed at the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. In the relatively small Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, White Cloud Sect had deployed as many as five Golden Core cultivators and dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators. The group of cultivators soared into the sky, turning into streaks of light as they moved towards the mountain range. In Myriad Beasts City, the sudden movement of White Cloud Sect disciples left many cultivators in shock, speculating why such a large-scale mobilization was occurring. After Nangong Moyu left, Lu Yi thought for a moment and re-entered the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. He still had the task of rescuing Li Donglai to complete. Now that the mountain range was unstable, there was a risk that powerful cultivators might discover Li Donglai, which could endanger him. Ten drops of ten-thousand-year spirit milk were no small matter, and Lu Yi couldn''t afford to lose them. He activated his White Cloud Steps, moving silently through the mountains toward Li Donglai. Halfway there, dazzling lights suddenly flashed in the sky. Scarlet and azure lights enveloped several distant peaks, radiating blinding brilliance. Lu Yi turned his head and saw mountains crumbling within the lights. Roaring sounds echoed, and the ground trembled slightly. Numerous ferocious beasts fled in panic. Lu Yi was shocked. This level of destruction is terrifying. Without defensive artifacts, he had no confidence in surviving such devastating attacks. Is this the power of Nascent Soul cultivators? Indeed, for the Blood Spirit Sect cultivators to dare ambush others so close to Myriad Beasts City, they must have a Nascent Soul cultivator in charge. Thankfully, he had not acted recklessly earlier. Lu Yi found it hard to comprehend¡ªwere the Blood Spirit Sect cultivators insane? Even Nascent Soul cultivators dared to attack in White Cloud Sect''s territory. Were they not afraid of starting a war? Watching the continuous explosions and seeing the terrifying spiritual energy distorting space, Lu Yi took a deep breath and continued moving toward Li Donglai. The battle between two Nascent Soul cultivators caused such a commotion that beasts began to flee. If any beasts reached Li Donglai''s location, it would spell trouble. Lu Yi moved quickly and soon arrived at the peak where Li Donglai was located. He saw Li Donglai sitting cross-legged, surrounded by a faint red flame shield. It was clear that Li Donglai was safe. Lu Yi breathed a sigh of relief and walked over. Sensing the movement, Li Donglai opened his eyes abruptly. Upon seeing Lu Yi, his expression softened, and he showed a surprised smile. "Little friend, you returned so quickly? There are signs of Nascent Soul cultivators fighting in the Blood Spirit Sect''s direction. Have you already informed the White Cloud Sect?" Lu Yi nodded and smiled. "Yes, Elder Yu has already gone over." Li Donglai visibly relaxed. Lu Yi glanced at him and noticed the wound on his abdomen had shrunk and begun to scab. It was evident that he possessed effective healing medicine. At that moment, a roar echoed, and a beast resembling a massive tiger covered in azure scales charged up the mountain. Upon spotting Lu Yi and Li Donglai, it rushed toward them. Li Donglai''s face changed. "It''s an Azure Scaled Tiger, at Foundation Establishment level. Little friend, come inside quickly!" Before Li Donglai could finish speaking, a sword light flashed, splitting the Azure Scaled Tiger into two halves mid-air. Blood splattered onto the ground. Li Donglai froze, looking at Lu Yi with a strange expression. "...Little friend, your strength is actually this high?" Lu Yi smiled sheepishly. "Don''t worry, Senior. Ordinary Foundation Establishment beasts can''t harm me." Li Donglai was stunned. Isn''t this young man only at the Qi Refining stage? How is he this strong? Lu Yi, however, was pleasantly surprised. He had made an important discovery. Before killing the Azure Scaled Tiger, he issued a mental task and found that killing a Foundation Establishment beast rewarded him with ten drops of thousand-year spirit milk. What was the most abundant thing in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range? Beasts! Lu Yi''s eyes sparkled. He had found a new way to obtain thousand-year spirit milk. However, he quickly calmed down and dismissed the idea. Killing too many creatures could accumulate karmic consequences. While occasional supplementation was fine, committing mass slaughter for spirit milk was not the righteous path. Lu Yi said, "Senior, you probably can''t fight much for the time being, right? The Nascent Soul battle has caused disturbances among the beasts. Should we head back for now?" Li Donglai thought for a moment and nodded. "That seems reasonable." Though Li Donglai was still injured, he was capable of basic movement. He followed Lu Yi down the mountain, heading toward Myriad Beasts City. Along the way, Lu Yi took the opportunity to kill several Foundation Establishment beasts that attacked them, earning more thousand-year spirit milk. The battle between the Nascent Soul cultivators lasted for about sometime. The battlefield was left in ruins¡ªcracked ground and shattered forests. Eventually, a blood-colored light streaked across the sky and disappeared, leaving calm in its wake. As the sky returned to peace, the beasts stopped fleeing, and the entire mountain range seemed to fall into a strange stillness. Lu Yi and Li Donglai had not yet left the mountain range. They turned to look in the direction of the earlier battle. Li Donglai exhaled lightly and said, "It''s over. It seems the Blood Spirit Sect''s demonic cultivator has fled." Lu Yi said regretfully, "It''s a pity we couldn''t kill him." Li Donglai smiled. "Nascent Soul cultivators are usually brilliant and extraordinary. They aren''t so easily killed." Lu Yi nodded slightly. Reaching the Nascent Soul stage required significant talent¡ªthose lacking it would have been stuck in earlier stages. The two continued their journey. When they arrived at the city gate, they found it crowded with people. Lu Yi saw Elder Yu and Nangong Moyu there, along with other White Cloud Sect disciples. Numerous bodies and wounded individuals lay on the ground. Additionally, many people were gathering from inside the city. Li Donglai exclaimed, "These are the cultivators who fell into the trap earlier! Some are from my Li family!" Lu Yi nodded. "Senior, let''s go take a look." Li Donglai nodded and walked over.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Noticing Lu Yi and Li Donglai approaching, Yu Lufei and Nangong Moyu both looked over. Seeing Lu Yi, Nangong Moyu''s expression changed slightly. He hurried forward, his concern evident. "Junior Brother, why didn''t you listen to the advice and still went into the mountain range?" Lu Yi smiled and said, "I was worried about Senior Li Donglai still being in the mountains, so I went to check. Senior Brother, you know my strength. As long as I don''t encounter a Golden Core cultivator, there won''t be any problems." Hearing their conversation, Li Donglai looked at Lu Yi in confusion. Along the way, he had never known Lu Yi''s identity and only thought Lu Yi was an exceptionally talented genius. Li Donglai had even considered marrying off the most outstanding woman in his family to him. However, he never expected Lu Yi to be a disciple of the White Cloud Sect? Li Donglai quickly cupped his hands toward Yu Lufei and Nangong Moyu. "Greetings, Elder Yu, and Daoist Nangong. I cannot thank Lu Yi enough for saving my life." Yu Lufei glanced at Li Donglai and said, "Lu Yi is the personal disciple of Ling Luo Peak''s master. If anything happens to him, can your Li family bear the consequences?" Hearing this, Li Donglai''s pupils shrank slightly. He looked at Lu Yi in shock. "So, Lu Yi is that one''s personal disciple? No wonder he has such talent and strength." Lu Yi gave a helpless smile. "Senior, you should go see your family first." Li Donglai nodded, cupped his hands toward Lu Yi again, and then walked toward the wounded. Yu Lufei looked at Lu Yi helplessly. "Lu Yi, you were too reckless. How can the Li family''s Golden Core compare to your worth?" Nangong Moyu also nodded slightly. Seeing their expressions, Lu Yi felt a bit helpless. He understood they were concerned about him. However, they didn¡¯t know that even if a Nascent Soul cultivator appeared, Lu Yi was confident he could escape. He could only nod along and change the topic. "Elder Yu, how about the Blood Spirit Sect''s demonic cultivators?" Hearing this, Elder Yu''s expression turned cold, and he said, "A Nascent Soul cultivator led a few disciples and managed to escape. However, we still caught a few of them." Nangong Moyu''s expression also turned cold as he said, "The Blood Spirit Sect has been getting more and more outrageous recently. They actually dared to ambush and kill our White Cloud Sect cultivators in broad daylight. If we don¡¯t retaliate, what will our cultivators think of us?!" Elder Yu also looked serious. Listening to their words, Lu Yi felt a slight heaviness in his heart. Once this kind of situation occurred, a war between the two sects would be inevitable. Afterward, Lu Yi followed Yu Lufei and Nangong Moyu into the city. When passing by the corpses, Lu Yi glanced over and paused slightly. He saw Lin Ting¡¯s body, and beside it, a young man knelt, crying uncontrollably. For a moment, Lu Yi felt complicated. Just a few days ago, Lin Ting had taken him to find the Heavenly Star Grass. He hadn¡¯t expected that in just a few days, Lin Ting would be dead. The cultivation world, like the mortal world, was equally cruel. Death could come at any moment. Lu Yi¡¯s pause made Nangong Moyu look over curiously. "Junior Brother, what¡¯s wrong?" Lu Yi shook his head and smiled. "Nothing." He shifted his gaze away and didn¡¯t look any further. After returning to their quarters, Lu Yi rested for two days. Nangong Moyu took him around for some sightseeing. During this time, Li Donglai also sent a gift of rare materials called Purple Gold, which could be used to refine treasures. Even Golden Core cultivators would find it extremely precious. This was his way of thanking Lu Yi for saving his life. Later, Lu Yi bid farewell to Nangong Moyu and spent another half-month exploring the Myriad Beast Mountain Range before returning to the White Cloud Sect. The next morning, while Lu Yi was cultivating, a crisp and cheerful voice came from outside the door. "Senior Brother! Senior Brother! Come out quickly!" Lu Yi opened his eyes, vanished from his spot, and opened the cave mansion''s door. Outside, Donggong Mingyue stood gracefully, wearing the Purple Jade Dress that Lu Yi had given her. She looked pure and lovely, her skin as fair as jade, breathtakingly beautiful. Lu Yi smiled. "Junior Sister, how did you know I was back so quickly?" Donggong Mingyue put her hands on her hips and laughed proudly. "Senior Brother, you¡¯re so famous! The moment you came back, word spread throughout the sect. I just heard about it when I went to buy Magnolia Wine and Magnolia Pastries for Master." Then, Donggong Mingyue began to complain. "Senior Brother, why did you leave for so long? Now all the errands for Master fall on me again!" Lu Yi¡¯s mouth twitched. Since he was usually in the sect, he handled the errands for Master, especially since there were rewards. Of course, he didn¡¯t let others do it. During his one-month absence, it unexpectedly fell to Donggong Mingyue. "Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang hasn¡¯t returned yet?" Lu Yi asked with a smile. According to Donggong Mingyue, Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang also had to run errands before. Donggong Mingyue shook her head. "She¡¯s still out on a mission. Master hasn¡¯t told us what kind of mission it is. It¡¯s so annoying..." Seeing Donggong Mingyue¡¯s frustrated expression, Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but laugh and said, "I went to the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. Something happened, but luckily, I also gained some rewards." Lu Yi wasn¡¯t lying. Last night, he checked his spoils, and they were impressive. Basic Alchemy Techniques, 10 drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, Foundation Establishment recipes like ''Grilled Meat Ribs,'' Foundation Establishment Pill Recipe ''Blood Essence Pill,'' Golden Core-level sword technique ''Seven Mysteries Sword Art,'' over 200 drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, a Golden Core Blood Spirit Sect disciple¡¯s entire belonging, and Purple Gold. Such gains would make even Golden Core cultivators envious. "Myriad Beast Mountain Range?" Donggong Mingyue thought of something and asked, "Was it about the Blood Spirit Sect ambushing our sect¡¯s cultivators there?" Lu Yi nodded slightly. "I was there." Donggong Mingyue examined Lu Yi with concern. "That was a Nascent Soul cultivator! Senior Brother, are you okay?" Lu Yi shrugged. "Do I look like someone who just faced trouble?" Seeing Lu Yi perfectly fine, Donggong Mingyue finally relaxed. She nodded and then said, "Senior Brother, you don¡¯t know, but the elders in the sect were furious recently. Even the Sect Master was extremely upset and issued many missions to hunt down Blood Spirit Sect cultivators." Lu Yi sighed inwardly upon hearing this. As expected, there was no way the White Cloud Sect would continue to tolerate the Blood Spirit Sect openly provoking them. He said, "There might be some chaos within the sect''s territory soon. Junior Sister, make sure not to wander around carelessly." Donggong Mingyue nodded. Then, she glanced at Lu Yi mysteriously and said, "Senior Brother, I heard there''s a reason why the Blood Spirit Sect''s cultivators have been causing trouble in our White Cloud Sect''s territory lately." Lu Yi was taken aback and looked at Donggong Mingyue with curiosity. "Oh? What reason?" Honestly, Lu Yi also found it strange that so many Blood Spirit Sect cultivators had infiltrated White Cloud Sect''s territory, even bringing Nascent Soul cultivators. Donggong Mingyue explained, "I heard that an ancestor of the Blood Spirit Sect at the Void Refinement Realm is nearing the end of his lifespan. This ancestor even has the potential to break through to the Great Ascension Realm. The entire Blood Spirit Sect has gone mad, desperately trying to extend his life by collecting large amounts of fresh blood." Hearing this, Lu Yi was a bit shocked and muttered under his breath, "So that''s the reason?" He couldn''t help but sigh inwardly. A cultivator at the Void Refinement Realm, in order to extend his life and break through to the Great Ascension Realm, was resorting to such crazed methods to gather blood. He wondered how many people would die as a result. Although Lu Yi had heard many tales about the cultivation world, he couldn''t help but lament that the world outside the sect was truly cruel and dangerous. ''Hmm... I must be even more careful when venturing out in the future.'' Donggong Mingyue crossed her arms and analyzed with a serious expression, "Right? Now that our sect is trying to eliminate the Blood Spirit Sect cultivators within our territory, it might also be to prevent that ancestor from breaking through." Lu Yi looked at Donggong Mingyue, who spoke so confidently, and couldn''t help but chuckle. "You little girl, you''re only at the Qi Refining Stage. Why are you so concerned about the affairs of such powerful figures?" He reached out and playfully poked Donggong Mingyue''s smooth forehead. Donggong Mingyue covered her forehead, glaring at Lu Yi in defiance. "Hmph! This lady will definitely become an immortal in the future. That Blood Spirit Sect ancestor will surely be my enemy one day. I''m just getting to know my future opponent in advance!" Lu Yi nodded seriously with a straight face. "I see. As expected of my Junior Sister. Impressive!" Donggong Mingyue finally nodded in satisfaction. Lu Yi smiled and said, "By the way, I do have some cultivation resources that might suit you." Donggong Mingyue dismissed it casually, "Senior Brother, Master already allows us to take cultivation resources freely. I''m not lacking anything." Lu Yi smiled. "Perfect Qi Condensing Pills and Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk¡ªyou''re not lacking those?" Donggong Mingyue froze, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at Lu Yi. "Perfect Qi Condensing Pills? Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk?!" Lu Yi grinned. "Yes. I gained some rewards while venturing outside. I can''t use them all, so I thought you might find them useful. Judging by your reaction, it seems you''re not lacking them, huh?" Donggong Mingyue''s cheeks flushed slightly, and she suddenly felt embarrassed. Who knew he was talking about Perfect Qi Condensing Pills and Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk?! Of course, she lacked those... Donggong Mingyue looked at Lu Yi hesitantly. "These are precious items. Are you sure you don''t need them yourself, Senior Brother?" "I still have plenty," Lu Yi replied with a smile. After all, he was already using Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk and even had Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk in his possession. Donggong Mingyue pursed her lips slightly, her cheeks flushing as her heart fluttered. Senior Brother is so thoughtful, always considering me... Feeling a little overwhelmed, she eventually said, "Thank you, Senior Brother." Lu Yi patted Donggong Mingyue''s head with a smile and said earnestly, "You must work hard on your cultivation. Resources alone won''t be enough." He hoped Donggong Mingyue could break through faster, as that would mean more rewards for him. Donggong Mingyue nodded firmly. "Don''t worry, Senior Brother! I will cultivate diligently!" Satisfied, Lu Yi smiled and handed Donggong Mingyue some Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk and Perfect Qi Condensing Pills. After returning from the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, Lu Yi did not go out again. Having completed his sect missions for the year, Lu Yi had no other obligations and focused entirely on his cultivation. Nine months later, Lu Yi successfully broke through to the thirteenth level of the Qi Refining Stage. This breakthrough rewarded him with five strands of Grand Dao Qi, bringing his total to eight. Lu Yi was filled with anticipation. When he reached Foundation Establishment and absorbed all eight strands of Grand Dao Qi, how strong would his foundation become? Breaking through to the thirteenth level of Qi Refining shattered the final Heavenly Dao restriction. Lu Yi noticed a complete transformation in his perception. His understanding of Dao techniques became sharper, and it was easier to comprehend the mysteries of nature. It wasn''t that Lu Yi''s talent had improved, but breaking the Heavenly Dao restrictions was akin to removing barriers. He could now perceive and connect with Dao techniques more clearly. In fact, Lu Yi had felt this change when he broke the first and second Heavenly Dao restrictions, but the clarity after breaking the third restriction was incomparable. The sensation was indescribably wonderful. Everywhere he looked, he could feel the mysteries of nature and the profundities of Dao techniques. Lu Yi even felt as if he had become one with the universe. Chapter 81: The Limit of Qi Refining Thirteenth Layer Lu Yi marveled inwardly. Was this the benefit of breaking through the heavenly limits? His master had also broken through three layers of heavenly limits before advancing, which explained why she was hailed as the most talented and outstanding individual in White Cloud Sect. It was no wonder that Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang could rise in Green Province and become one of the top geniuses in the Eastern Region''s rankings. After all, Green Province was not particularly prominent within the entire Eastern Region. Breaking through heavenly limits and comprehending the natural laws of the Dao was the mark of true strength. With such a foundation, combined with the Dao Qi he possessed, Lu Yi could hardly imagine how solid his foundation would be after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. The future was undoubtedly bright. Lu Yi calmed himself and continued cultivating. Four months later, while Lu Yi was cultivating, he heard Jiang Fan''s voice outside the door. "Junior Brother Lu Yi, are you there?" Lu Yi was slightly surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected Senior Brother Jiang Fan to come looking for him. When Lu Yi stepped outside, he saw Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong standing at his door. Both of them carried an extraordinary demeanor, and their auras faintly revealed traces of Foundation Establishment cultivation. Lu Yi was a little surprised, then smiled and said, "Congratulations to both Junior Brothers for advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage." Jiang Fan smiled helplessly and said, "I can''t compare to you, Senior Brother Lu. I heard from Master that you became the personal disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master. You must have broken through the heavenly limits and reached the eleventh layer of Qi Refining. You''re truly a peerless genius¡ªreaching the Nascent Soul stage would be as easy as reaching into your pocket. I can''t hope to achieve such a level." Lu Yi hadn¡¯t expected Jiang Fan to know about this, but he wasn¡¯t surprised. He simply smiled and reassured him, "Junior Brother Jiang Fan, you¡¯ve advanced steadily and methodically. You may very well become a Nascent Soul cultivator¡ªor even stronger¡ªin the future." Jiang Fan nodded slightly without arguing. His master had told him the same thing. Throughout history, there were cultivators who, without breaking through heavenly limits, still defied the odds to become immortals. Standing beside him, Bai Yulong gave Jiang Fan a resentful look and said, "Senior Brother Lu, don¡¯t listen to this guy¡¯s nonsense. After breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, this guy awakened a Water Spirit Body. Now, he¡¯s the most sought-after figure in Dark Water Peak." He let out a sigh and said, "As for me, I¡¯m just an average cultivator¡ªa plain Foundation Establishment disciple." Lu Yi looked at Jiang Fan in surprise. No wonder he had felt Jiang Fan¡¯s aura was somewhat unusual¡ªhe had become a spirit body as well? Although acquired spirit bodies couldn¡¯t compare to innate ones, they were already considered top-tier talents in a place like Green Province. Not bad for someone with ''Fan'' in his name, Lu Yi thought with a chuckle. He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Jiang Fan. With your talent, you¡¯ll undoubtedly become a formidable cultivator in the future." Jiang Fan smiled and said, "Stop teasing me, Senior Brother. We¡¯re here today because we have something to discuss with you." Lu Yi was puzzled and asked, "What is it?" Bai Yulong fanned himself with a folding fan and said, "Senior Brother Lu, you¡¯ve probably heard about the Blood Spirit Sect, right?" "You mean the Blood Spirit Sect disciples causing trouble in White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory?" Just as Donggong Mingyue had mentioned, about a month ago, the sect confirmed that a Nascent Soul peak ancestor of the Blood Spirit Sect was nearing the end of his lifespan. The entire Blood Spirit Sect was frantically collecting blood essence to extend his life. The Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s domain was filled with cries of resentment. Some Blood Spirit Sect cultivators even willingly shouldered great karmic consequences by sacrificing an entire city through blood rituals, refining all its inhabitants into blood essence. This left their domain in turmoil. Many rogue cultivators began fleeing to other regions. Ordinary mortals, unaware of cultivation matters, were left defenseless and faced imminent disaster. However, the Blood Spirit Sect still had some scruples. After the sacrificial ritual in one city, they ceased such atrocities within their own domain and turned their focus to wreaking havoc in other regions. White Cloud Sect and Blood Spirit Sect had always been mortal enemies. Naturally, White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory became their primary target. With intentions now completely exposed, more Blood Spirit Sect disciples invaded White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory, prompting the sect to retaliate fiercely. Any Blood Spirit Sect cultivator daring to conduct blood rituals within White Cloud Sect¡¯s domain was hunted down and killed. As a result, conflicts between the two sects intensified. Jiang Fan nodded and said, "We¡¯ve both broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and need practical experience. Additionally, now that we¡¯ve advanced, we need to gather more resources for cultivation. We plan to take on missions to hunt down Blood Spirit Sect disciples." Bai Yulong¡¯s eyes gleamed as he added, "Senior Brother Lu, you haven¡¯t been to the Affairs Hall recently, have you? You wouldn¡¯t believe it¡ªthey¡¯ve issued tons of missions to hunt Blood Spirit Sect disciples, and the rewards are incredibly generous! It¡¯s a great opportunity to earn big rewards!" Lu Yi suddenly understood why they had come to him. Given the escalating conflict between White Cloud Sect and Blood Spirit Sect, it was natural for disciples to get involved. It made sense for White Cloud Sect to post many missions targeting Blood Spirit Sect disciples. However¡­ Lu Yi shook his head slightly and smiled. "Junior Brothers, I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m currently focused on cultivating and won¡¯t be leaving the sect anytime soon." Hearing Lu Yi¡¯s words, Bai Yulong froze and said in surprise, "Senior Brother Lu, you¡¯re not tempted at all?" Lu Yi looked at Bai Yulong innocently and said, "I¡¯m my master¡¯s personal disciple. My cultivation resources are unlimited." Bai Yulong: "¡­" Jiang Fan: "¡­" The two of them stared at Lu Yi with resentful eyes, saying nothing. Lu Yi felt a little awkward, worried that he had unintentionally hurt their feelings. He smiled and said, "The outside world is probably very chaotic and dangerous right now. If you¡¯re heading out, I do have some things that might help you." With that, Lu Yi took out two sets of blue robes and several top-grade pills. "These are mid-grade magical artifacts, the Mystic Silk Robes, and these pills are ones I refined during my free time. They include pills for explosive power and healing. Take them with you." These mid-grade magical artifacts were rewards Lu Yi earned every month for clearing the eleventh level of the Trial Tower.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The rewards varied¡ªsometimes pills, sometimes spiritual liquids, and sometimes magical artifacts. Over time, Lu Yi accumulated quite a collection of magical artifacts. Since his own were superior, he gave some to his parents and still had leftovers. Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong were both stunned by Lu Yi¡¯s generosity. They had never expected him to gift them magical artifacts and pills¡ªand mid-grade magical artifacts, no less. To put things into perspective, even Lu Gaoyang, who had been in the Foundation Establishment stage for years, only had one mid-grade magical artifact, and he cherished it dearly. This showed just how rare such items were. Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong had only recently advanced to Foundation Establishment. Even as inner disciples, mid-grade magical artifacts were still precious to them. Both of them were deeply moved by Lu Yi¡¯s kindness. ¡°Senior Brother... what are you doing?¡± Jiang Fan stared at Lu Yi and said, ¡°You¡¯ve helped us a lot. Without you, we wouldn¡¯t have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage so smoothly. How can we take these things from you!¡± Bai Yulong also nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right, Senior Brother. Take these back. We have never done anything for you and would feel ashamed to accept them.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Back then, when facing that Blood Spirit Sect disciple at the peak of Foundation Establishment, the two Junior Brothers told me to leave first. From that moment, I already considered you both as friends. Now that you are heading out for training, it¡¯s only natural for me to lend a hand. Don¡¯t worry, I still have other magical treasures, so you don¡¯t need to feel burdened.¡± He was wearing a mid-grade treasure artifact... If Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong knew, who knows what their expressions would be like. Of course, Lu Yi wasn¡¯t going to tell them. Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s sincere and serious expression, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong exchanged a glance. Then Jiang Fan took Lu Yi¡¯s items first, looked at him seriously, and said, ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother!¡± Bai Yulong also accepted the items afterward. Both of them kept Lu Yi¡¯s kindness in their hearts, silently resolving to help him with all their strength if he ever needed it. This kind of gratitude didn¡¯t need to be spoken aloud. Lu Yi smiled and said, ¡°This trip might be full of dangers. Junior Brothers, you must be careful.¡± Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong nodded slightly, then smiled and said, ¡°That brute Tie Man also broke through. We plan to bring him along. The three of us together shouldn¡¯t face any big problems. Senior Brother, don¡¯t worry.¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi thought for a moment and took out a pair of gauntlets and some pills. ¡°These are for Junior Brother Tie Man.¡± Jiang Fan: ¡°???¡± Bai Yulong: ¡°???¡± Both of them were filled with questions, staring at Lu Yi with strange expressions. ¡°Senior Brother, just how many magical artifacts do you have?¡± Bai Yulong was dumbfounded. Lu Yi scratched his head shyly. ¡°Just a little. Not much.¡± Jiang Fan shook his head helplessly. ¡°Senior Brother, then you focus on your cultivation. We¡¯ll be heading out first.¡± After saying their goodbyes, Lu Yi looked up at the sky outside the sect and rubbed his forehead. The conflict between White Cloud Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect was becoming more and more intense. Fortunately, when the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up. He was just a small newbie at the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining. Better to focus on cultivation. Thus, Lu Yi continued cultivating. Later, at the end of the year, Lu Yi took on a sect mission. After leaving the sect, Lu Yi realized that the atmosphere outside had completely changed. There was now a heavy air of killing intent. As he passed through several cities, he saw many rogue cultivators with solemn expressions, hurrying about. He also overheard a lot of news. The conflict between the Blood Spirit Sect and the White Cloud Sect had become fierce. Even Golden Core stage cultivators had joined the fray. Many Golden Core disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect had fallen within White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory, but White Cloud Sect also suffered losses, with some disciples being refined into blood essence. Fortunately, both sides still exercised some restraint. Nascent Soul and Void Refinement stage cultivators had yet to take action. With the destructive power of Nascent Soul cultivators, their fights would be like natural disasters to ordinary people. The only time a Nascent Soul cultivator took action was in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. Elder Yu¡¯s strength slightly surpassed that of the Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s Nascent Soul cultivator, forcing him to retreat. Even without Nascent Soul or Void Refinement cultivators intervening, battles among those below the Golden Core stage still caused many human tragedies. In such chaos, naturally, some genius cultivators rose to prominence. Lu Yi even heard about Junior Brother Jiang Fan and the others, especially Jiang Fan. After becoming a postnatal Water Spirit Body, Jiang Fan¡¯s combat power had significantly increased. Together with Bai Yulong and Tie Man, the three killed many Foundation Establishment cultivators. They even managed to escape from the pursuit of a cultivator at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. Considering that all three were only at the first layer, it caused quite a stir. Lu Yi found it amusing. It seemed Jiang Fan was making a big name for himself, while Bai Yulong and Tie Man were more like sidekicks, clinging to a strong ally. On his journey, Lu Yi saw several deserted villages, completely devoid of people. It was unclear whether they had fled or died. Anger filled Lu Yi¡¯s heart. The Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s demon cultivators were truly inhumane. Unfortunately, even if he joined the fight, it wouldn¡¯t change much. Blood Spirit Sect disciples refined blood essence in secret, making it difficult to catch them all. There were too many disciples entering White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory. Rooting them out wasn¡¯t so easy. Lu Yi wasn¡¯t a deity. He was just a small Qi Refining cultivator. With his strength, killing Qi Refining stage demon cultivators was effortless. Lu Yi casually eliminated all the Blood Spirit Sect demon cultivators he encountered along the way, including two at the Foundation Establishment stage. Afterward, Lu Yi returned to the sect and continued cultivating. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a year passed. Inside his cave dwelling, Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes. His gaze shone like stars, with divine light flowing within, appearing as deep as a black hole. Gradually, the divine light faded, and Lu Yi exhaled a murky breath, revealing a smile as he murmured to himself, ¡°Finally, I¡¯ve reached the peak of the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining.¡± Reaching the thirteenth level of Qi Refining had taken Lu Yi nearly a year to accumulate to its peak. At this moment, Lu Yi could clearly sense the mysterious barrier interwoven with Dao and principles. This time, there was no fork in the road for Lu Yi to choose from¡ªthere was only one path forward, and that was to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. However, Lu Yi did not immediately start the breakthrough. He had promised his master that when it was time to break through, he would inform her first, as she had prepared heavenly materials and treasures for his Foundation Establishment. Even though Lu Yi already had the best heavenly material for Foundation Establishment¡ªthe Grand Dao Qi¡ªhe couldn¡¯t possibly tell his master directly that he didn¡¯t need her materials anymore. Lu Yi¡¯s body felt weightless as he stood up and took a step forward, arriving directly at the entrance. Then, he opened the door of his cave dwelling and stepped onto the peak of Ling Luo Mountain. In front of the bamboo house, Lu Yi bowed and said, "Master, disciple Lu Yi requests an audience." A few breaths later, the door to the bamboo house silently opened, and the weak-sounding voice of Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master came out. "Come in." Lu Yi stepped inside and saw his master lying lazily on a recliner like a salted fish. She was dressed in a loose white robe, her snow-white skin exposed, completely indifferent to Lu Yi¡¯s presence¡ªentirely different from their first meeting. Lu Yi felt helpless. By now, he was used to his master¡¯s salted-fish-like demeanor. Every time he came, his master always looked as if she had just woken up. Lu Yi even suspected whether her cultivation technique required her to sleep frequently. Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master scratched her head upon seeing Lu Yi enter and grumbled discontentedly, "Brat, what do you want from me? Isn¡¯t it too early for a lecture? Disturb my sweet dreams again, and I¡¯ll punish you by making you clean my bamboo house!" Hearing this, Lu Yi immediately perked up and solemnly said, "Master, please allow your disciple to clean your bamboo house!" Lu Yi inwardly thought, I must clean Master¡¯s bamboo house. [Task] Clean Master¡¯s bamboo house. Reward: Golden Core Secret Technique "Transformation Art" Accept? Yes/No Lu Yi¡¯s heart leaped with joy. What a great reward! A Golden Core-level secret technique! Without hesitation, Lu Yi accepted the task. Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master: "???" She looked up blankly at the excited Lu Yi, doubting whether her disciple had gone mad. Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master spoke impatiently, "Alright, tell me what you came here for." She took out a jug of Magnolia Wine and took a satisfied sip. Lu Yi cleared his throat and smiled, "Disciple has reached the peak of the thirteenth level of Qi Refining and came to report to Master." Hearing this, Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master spat out her wine and coughed repeatedly, sitting up abruptly. Her misty eyes widened in shock as she stared at Lu Yi. "The peak of the thirteenth level of Qi Refining?! This fast?!" After breaking through the heavenly limits of Qi Refining, even Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master could only sense that Lu Yi was still in the Qi Refining stage but couldn¡¯t determine his exact level. She hadn¡¯t expected that Lu Yi had already reached the peak of the thirteenth level so quickly¡ªfar surpassing her own pace back then. Lu Yi nodded slightly. "Yes." Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master stood up and circled around Lu Yi a few times before leaning in close to inspect him. The faint scent of wine drifted over, causing Lu Yi to instinctively lean back. With a face full of black lines, he said, "Master, what are you doing? You scared me." Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master looked puzzled. "You don¡¯t look any different. How did you progress so fast?" Lu Yi: "..." What do you mean by ¡®so fast¡¯? Isn¡¯t it bad for a man to be called fast? Lu Yi silently complained in his heart and helplessly said, "Master, you told me to inform you when I reached the peak of the thirteenth level." Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master suddenly realized, "Ah, that¡¯s right." She had been too shocked earlier and momentarily forgotten. Lu Yi felt exasperated¡ªhis master was truly unreliable. Ling Luo Peak¡¯s master glanced at Lu Yi again but found nothing unusual. She then flopped back onto her recliner like a salted fish. She said, "Since you intend to cultivate the sword path in the future, I went out a while ago and found some heavenly materials for sword-path Foundation Establishment." As she spoke, she opened her palm, revealing a small, sword-shaped grass. The grass was vibrant green yet emitted a sharp aura, like a peerless sword. Lu Yi was surprised. "Sword Intent Grass?" This was an extremely rare heavenly material, as rare as various spiritual liquids. Such a treasure, if used for Foundation Establishment, could create an exceptionally strong foundation for the sword path. Lu Yi hadn¡¯t expected his master to actually find something like this for him. Chapter 82: Peerless Immortal Talent Faces Thunder Tribulation Lu Yi knew that Sword Intent Grass did not seem to exist anywhere in Green Province. Curious, he asked, "Master, where did you find this Sword Intent Grass?" The Master of Ling Luo Peak lazily replied, "I made a trip to the Divine Sword Sect and requested it from them." Lu Yi was stunned and looked at her with a strange expression. "The Divine Sword Sect in Hope Province of the Eastern Region?!" The Divine Sword Sect was completely different from White Cloud Sect. While White Cloud Sect was a powerhouse in Green Province, it was merely average within the Eastern Region. There were countless sects and holy lands stronger than it. However, the Divine Sword Sect was considered a holy land even within the entire Eastern Region. Many powerful sword cultivators hailed from there. Lu Yi never expected that his master could obtain such a treasure from the Divine Sword Sect. The Peak Master of Ling Luo didn¡¯t explain further and simply said, "Yes, that Divine Sword Sect. This Sword Intent Grass, combined with your foundation at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining, is enough to forge an unparalleled foundation in swordsmanship. Your future path in sword cultivation will be exceptionally smooth. Take it." Lu Yi felt touched as he accepted the Sword Intent Grass and earnestly said, "Thank you, Master." The Peak Master of Ling Luo sipped her wine nonchalantly and smiled. "Since you are my disciple, it is only natural for me to take good care of you. As for cultivation techniques..." She hesitated briefly before continuing, "I have two techniques suitable for you. You can choose for yourself." Lu Yi was surprised. "Two techniques?" The Peak Master of Ling Luo nodded slightly. "One is the ''Azure Sky Sword Manual,'' a technique that can be cultivated up to the Void Refinement Realm. It was the foundational technique of the now-declined Azure Sky Sword Sect in Green Province. It''s fairly decent. The other... is something I acquired by chance from an ancient ruin. It¡¯s an immortal scripture called the ''Immortal Sword Scripture.'' Unfortunately, it only has complete methods up to the Nascent Soul Realm. The techniques for later stages are incomplete. Most importantly, the Immortal Sword Scripture cultivates an extremely domineering Immortal Sword Qi. After reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, switching to another technique would require an equally powerful one." After explaining, she looked at Lu Yi. "The path of swordsmanship is yours to walk. As your master, I can only support you. The choice is yours." Lu Yi hesitated for a moment. In terms of sheer power, the Immortal Sword Scripture was undoubtedly stronger, being an immortal scripture. However, it could only be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul Realm. If he couldn¡¯t find follow-up techniques later or techniques of similar strength, switching cultivation methods would be extremely difficult. On the other hand, the Azure Sky Sword Manual offered a smoother path, allowing him to cultivate up to the Void Refinement Realm and making transitions to other techniques much easier. After thinking for a moment, Lu Yi recalled the missions he had recently received. The highest reward included Liu Ningshuang¡¯s Void Refinement Realm technique. Since he could access such techniques even at the Qi Refining Stage, it seemed possible to find even stronger techniques at later stages. Perhaps even immortal scriptures weren¡¯t out of reach. Moreover, there were immortal sects and holy lands in Tianming Continent¡ªsects that had produced true immortals. They likely held immortal scripture legacies as well. In the worst case, he could approach them. With his abilities, it would be a waste not to cultivate the strongest technique available. Finally making up his mind, Lu Yi said, "Master, I choose the ''Immortal Sword Scripture.''" The Peak Master raised her brows and chuckled. "You have ambition. If you can''t find follow-up techniques later, I will help you think of a solution." Hearing this, Lu Yi nodded. "Thank you, Master!" The Peak Master took out an old leather-bound book. Its pages were yellowed, and it seemed to have been preserved for countless years. She handed it to Lu Yi. "This is the Immortal Sword Scripture. Take it." Lu Yi accepted it and found the book unusually heavy, weighing nearly a thousand pounds. He was shocked and wondered what kind of beast¡¯s hide had been used to make it. Thanks to his powerful physique, he could lift it with ease. Ordinary Qi Refining cultivators would struggle to even pick it up. Opening the book, he noticed that many pages were slashed by sharp sword intent, leaving behind faint traces of sword energy. Only the first few pages were intact, likely covering the methods up to the Nascent Soul Realm. Lu Yi stored the book carefully, planning to study it later. The Peak Master yawned and stretched. "Alright, go back and cultivate." Hearing this, Lu Yi quickly said, "Master, I still need to clean your bamboo house." The Peak Master paused before smiling in satisfaction. "Not bad, taking care of your master. Go ahead and clean it." Lu Yi cheerfully began cleaning. Although he had never done chores before, as a cultivator, he knew basic spells like the Dust Removal Technique. Soon, the bamboo house was spotless. He cleaned several rooms, leaving only the Peak Master¡¯s bedroom untouched. Looking at her, he asked, "Master, should I clean your room as well?" The Peak Master, lounging on her chair and drinking wine, waved her hand nonchalantly. "Go ahead." Lu Yi nodded and stepped inside. He was immediately stunned to see a few sets of undergarments casually thrown on the bed. What?! He froze at the doorway, his mind going blank. Am I supposed to be seeing this? Just then, the Peak Master seemed to realize something. Her expression changed, and in the next instant, she appeared behind Lu Yi, grabbed his collar, and flung him out of the bamboo house. Her voice echoed with a hint of menace. "If you dare speak of this, I will end you!" Feeling the murderous intent, Lu Yi coughed dryly and said, "What is Master talking about? I didn¡¯t see anything." The door slammed shut without another word. Lu Yi glanced at his task and sighed in relief. Fortunately, the mission was complete; otherwise, his efforts would have been in vain. Back in his cave, Lu Yi claimed his reward and was pleasantly surprised. The reward included the Art of Transformation, a technique that used spiritual energy and controlled one¡¯s flesh and blood to alter appearance. At higher levels, it could even transform a man into a woman or vice versa. Though Lu Yi was slightly disappointed that it couldn¡¯t transform him into other creatures, he still appreciated its usefulness. Still, it¡¯s a bit lacking compared to the legendary 72 Transformations of the Monkey King. Even so, the Art of Transformation could be incredibly practical in certain situations. Lu Yi added it to his future cultivation plans. For now, however, his main focus was breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. ¡®I must reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.¡¯ [Quest] Break through to Foundation Establishment Stage. Reward: Accept? Yes/NoIf you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Looking at the quest, Lu Yi¡¯s heart filled with excitement. The rewards were exceptionally generous! Not only did he receive treasures, but he could also upgrade his techniques and obtain Enlightenment Tea Leaves. Amazing! Lu Yi was immediately filled with greater motivation and began preparing to break through his realm. He consumed the Thousand Year Spiritual Milk, which, under the effect of the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique at its peak level, transformed into the purest spiritual energy. The spiritual energy surged, charging towards the bottleneck of the Foundation Establishment realm. Boom!! A loud rumble echoed. The bottleneck, intertwined with Dao patterns and principles, remained completely unmoved. The Dao patterns shimmered with an incomparably mysterious light. Lu Yi observed but could not comprehend it; he only felt an inexplicable profundity within. He paid no heed and continued to charge forward. Again and again, without the slightest pause, Lu Yi consumed more Thousand Year Spiritual Milk whenever its spiritual energy was depleted. Time flowed on. Lu Yi spent a full month in repeated attempts, resting only occasionally. All other times were dedicated to wearing down the bottleneck. Another impact. Boom!! Crack... A faint cracking sound rang out. Lu Yi sensed the interwoven Dao patterns flickering, radiating a wondrous aura. His consciousness drifted, seemingly merging with heaven and earth, intertwining with all things. He perceived the natural cycles, the rotation of life and death, and even felt himself being drawn into them. At this moment, Lu Yi forcibly pulled himself back. With his breakthrough imminent, what he needed most was to establish the strongest foundation. Without hesitation, Lu Yi took out a wisp of Grand Dao Qi and swallowed it. As the Grand Dao Qi entered his body, it immediately transformed into the most primordial energy between heaven and earth, merging into Lu Yi''s body. It was an energy far superior to spiritual energy¡ªheavier, more ancient, as if it had existed since the dawn of creation. With the infusion of the Grand Dao Qi, Lu Yi''s mind was flooded with visions of stars shattering, the birth and destruction of the universe, and cycles of creation and annihilation. He became immersed in the essence of the Dao, feeling the most primitive and original rhythms of all existence. Chaos shattered, and the Dao emerged. The spiritual energy within his body circulated on its own, continuing to assault the bottleneck. With the integration of the Grand Dao Qi, Lu Yi''s spiritual energy seemed to undergo a qualitative transformation. Almost instantly, it shattered the intertwined Dao patterns. At the same time, Lu Yi''s aura surged rapidly as the liquidized spiritual energy within him began to circulate and condense towards the core. The previously pure-white spiritual energy started to radiate brilliant colors, shimmering with seven hues. Lu Yi began transitioning from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. He quickly took out another wisp of Grand Dao Qi. One after another, the wisps of Grand Dao Qi merged into Lu Yi''s body. In his consciousness, the sound of the Dao roared, and his spiritual energy rapidly transformed into the seven-colored brilliance. One, two, three... When eight wisps of Grand Dao Qi had been completely absorbed, the spiritual energy within Lu Yi formed a vortex. The vortex rotated slowly yet firmly, radiating colorful brilliance. The aura around Lu Yi also underwent a transformation. He seemed both disconnected from the world and completely integrated with it, with strands of seven-colored light drifting around him like an immortal. Moments later, the colorful glow around him gradually faded, and the vortex of spiritual energy in his body also reverted to its original milky-white color, as if the Dao had returned to its natural state. Lu Yi contemplated briefly and then took out the Sword Intent Grass, consuming it. The intense sword intent spread through his body before slowly merging into the spiritual energy vortex within him. However, the powerful sword intent fell silent the moment it entered his spiritual energy vortex, creating no waves at all. Lu Yi remained calm and unsurprised. After all, his foundation was forged with eight wisps of Grand Dao Qi. The Sword Intent Grass was not on the same level and naturally caused little disturbance. Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of impure air, and revealed a smile. He had broken through. He was now in the Foundation Establishment realm. At that moment, Lu Yi suddenly sensed something. His expression changed, and his body vanished from his cave dwelling, appearing outside. Looking up at the sky, he saw dark clouds gradually forming. An oppressive and majestic aura spread out from the clouds, accompanied by streaks of purple lightning. Lu Yi''s expression froze. ''Could this... be tribulation lightning?'' Normally, tribulation lightning wouldn''t appear before reaching the Nascent Soul Realm. So why was it happening now? Lu Yi could clearly feel that the target of this tribulation lightning was him. He had only just broken through the Qi Refining stage, and yet tribulation lightning had appeared? This was completely unexpected, and Lu Yi felt his scalp tingle. The gathering thunderclouds alarmed the entire Lingluo Peak and even the whole White Cloud Sect. One by one, powerful figures rose into the sky. Golden Core and Nascent Soul elders stood in mid-air, staring at the forming thunderclouds with grim expressions. "Which idiot is breaking through in the inner sect?!" "Judging by the direction... Lingluo Peak? The elders there are all at the Nascent Soul stage. Could someone be advancing to the Void Refinement Realm? Or is there another genius disciple reaching the Nascent Soul stage?" "No, this doesn¡¯t feel right. The power isn¡¯t enough for a Void Refinement breakthrough... It doesn¡¯t even seem like a Nascent Soul breakthrough. What is going on?" "..." The elders were full of doubts and discussed among themselves, but none dared to approach. If the tribulation lightning engulfed them, its power would increase, leaving them seriously injured or even dead. The disciples and elders of Lingluo Peak were the most speechless. They rushed out of their caves and were dumbfounded when they saw the tribulation clouds in the sky. "What the hell?! Who¡¯s undergoing tribulation on the peak?!" "Is it Xie Tianming? Or Wang Jianyu? Which bastard is it?!" "Are they insane?? Damn it, I¡¯m speechless." "Run! Get far away! Don¡¯t get caught up in the tribulation lightning!" One by one, the disciples rose into the air and left Lingluo Peak as if fleeing from a deadly plague. The elders, too, were bewildered. They raised their heads to look at the heavenly tribulation and quickly left Lingluo Peak. "Hmph! Which disciple is so audacious?! After this breakthrough, I must teach them a proper lesson!" Dong Wanglian''s face darkened. "The herbs in my medicinal garden are about to mature. They better not be destroyed by this heavenly lightning! If they are, I¡¯ll make that bastard pay me back tenfold!" A burly man¡¯s face was grim, full of worry. At the peak of Lingluo Peak, the peak master, who had been sleeping, was startled awake by the aura of the heavenly tribulation. She opened her eyes, stepped out of her bamboo house, and was utterly furious. "Which bastard dares to break through within the peak? Disturbing my dreams! They must be locked up in confinement!" At this moment, the Lingluo Peak Master¡¯s expression changed. She noticed something unusual. Her drowsy eyes filled with shock as she looked in the direction of Lu Yi¡¯s cave mansion. "That little brat? How is this possible?!" She took one step forward and instantly appeared beside Lu Yi. She saw Lu Yi standing there stiffly, looking up at the heavenly tribulation with a blank expression. The Lingluo Peak Master¡¯s face twitched. "You little brat, what did you do to trigger a heavenly tribulation?!" Lu Yi looked innocent. "Master, I just broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and then I suddenly sensed the heavenly tribulation. What should I do?" Lu Yi was completely dumbfounded. He truly hadn¡¯t expected to face a heavenly tribulation. He wasn¡¯t prepared for this at all. The Lingluo Peak Master was shocked, looking at Lu Yi¡¯s innocent expression. She took a deep breath and murmured, "There are legends of peerless geniuses in ancient times who could even attract heavenly tribulation during the Qi Refining Stage. I never thought I¡¯d actually encounter one." She muttered to herself before calmly speaking, "Focus on transcending the tribulation. I¡¯ll handle the rest." At that moment, a voice called out, "Senior Brother! Senior Brother! Run! I don¡¯t know which idiot caused a heavenly tribulation in the peak, but once I become stronger, I¡¯ll definitely beat them up!" Donggong Mingyue suddenly landed. When she saw Lu Yi¡¯s blank expression and the Lingluo Peak Master¡¯s astonished face, Donggong Mingyue froze. She blinked her bright, watery eyes, looked at Lu Yi, then at the Lingluo Peak Master, and finally at the dark clouds in the sky. Her small face gradually turned dazed. "...This heavenly tribulation, is it because of you, Senior Brother?" Lu Yi expressionlessly nodded. "Yeah." Donggong Mingyue let out an awkward laugh. "Senior Brother, you¡¯re amazing! I really admire you!" Lu Yi: "..." Wasn¡¯t she just saying she¡¯d beat up the person responsible earlier? The Lingluo Peak Master looked at Lu Yi and asked, "Are you confident in overcoming the tribulation?" Lu Yi glanced at the sky and nodded slightly. "Yes." The Lingluo Peak Master took out a formation plate and threw it to Lu Yi. "Use this in case of emergency. It can withstand a Nascent Soul-level attack. Don¡¯t use it unless absolutely necessary. Heavenly lightning is extremely beneficial for a cultivator¡¯s growth. You can try to use it for body tempering." Lu Yi¡¯s mouth twitched. As expected of his master. What others considered a death sentence, she actually suggested using it for body tempering. He took the formation plate and nodded. "I understand." The Lingluo Peak Master grabbed Donggong Mingyue by the back of her collar and lifted her up. "Let¡¯s go! Don¡¯t disturb your Senior Brother¡¯s tribulation!" In the blink of an eye, the Lingluo Peak Master disappeared along with Donggong Mingyue. Outside Lingluo Peak, the Lingluo Peak Master and Donggong Mingyue reappeared. One by one, the senior members of the White Cloud Sect quickly flew over. The leader was a handsome middle-aged man¡ªWu Qingfeng, the Sect Master of the White Cloud Sect. He looked at the Lingluo Peak Master and frowned. "Junior Sister Lingluo, who is undergoing tribulation in your peak? This violates sect rules." The Lingluo Peak Master yawned and replied, "This time it¡¯s an accident. The one undergoing tribulation is Lu Yi." Hearing this, not only Wu Qingfeng but also the other elders¡ªand even the disciples watching from afar¡ªwere all stunned. The air suddenly fell silent, with only the distant rumble of thunder echoing from the dark clouds above. After a moment of silence, Wu Qingfeng¡¯s mouth twitched, and he asked in disbelief, "Lu Yi is undergoing tribulation?!" The Lingluo Peak Master nodded. "Yes. That kid just broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage and triggered a heavenly tribulation." "Hiss¡­" Gasps of shock echoed through the sky. Whether it was the elders or the disciples in the distance, they all exchanged looks of disbelief. The elders were utterly astounded. "How is this possible?! How could breaking through to Foundation Establishment cause a heavenly tribulation?!" "It¡¯s not entirely impossible. There are legends that in ancient times, peerless geniuses who reached the Foundation Establishment stage could indeed trigger heavenly tribulations. Those individuals were destined to ascend to immortality." "Could it be that Lu Yi is comparable to those ancient geniuses? Could he truly ascend to immortality in the future? Our White Cloud Sect hasn¡¯t had a cultivator ascend in nearly a thousand years!" "..." The elders were both shocked and excited. If Lu Yi truly possessed such talent, he might one day lead the White Cloud Sect to rise and make a name for itself throughout the Eastern Region. Chapter 83: Creating a New Cultivation Technique The Master of Ling Luo Peak spoke lazily, "That boy''s talent cannot be measured by common sense. He has already broken through the threefold limits of the Heavenly Dao and reached the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining. Such a breakthrough would not trigger a heavenly tribulation. The only explanation is that this boy possesses a talent unknown to us, one that we have yet to uncover." "Could it be that Lu Yi is actually some kind of immortal body?" "That''s right. Lu Yi was ordinary before, but he began to rise rapidly a few years ago. It must be that he experienced some kind of awakening." "No matter how you look at it, Lu Yi having an extraordinary talent is the most logical explanation." Lu Yi''s rapid progress since the outer sect competition seemed too fast. To them, being ordinary was the most abnormal thing. Lu Yi must possess a talent they were unaware of. The elders discussed this fervently. Wu Qingfeng looked at the Master of Ling Luo Peak and said, "Junior Sister Ling Luo, Lu Yi is your disciple. How to uncover his talent depends on you." Even the other elders and peak masters looked at the Master of Ling Luo Peak with envy. Two innate spiritual bodies were already taken in as disciples by the Master of Ling Luo Peak. Now, Lu Yi, who displayed the demeanor of an ancient prodigy, was also her disciple. How could the Master of Ling Luo Peak be so lucky? The bond between master and disciple itself was a form of karma. If the disciple achieved great success in the future, the master would naturally benefit as well. This was why they envied the Master of Ling Luo Peak so much. Especially the Master of Magnolia Peak. At this moment, she stood in the crowd, her elegant face showing a trace of worry. To this day, she had not yet found a suitable disciple. Finding a disciple with outstanding talent was too difficult. Just then, a thunderous roar rang out. Within the dark clouds, a streak of purple lightning, like a sharp sword, shot directly toward Ling Luo Peak. "It''s coming!" The elders and disciples immediately focused their attention, watching Lu Yi. Some looked expectant, some envious, and others were filled with excitement. Wu Qingfeng clenched his fists and said slowly, "If Lu Yi successfully breaks through, then he will have the demeanor of an immortal. His future potential will be limitless." "This is a rare opportunity for our White Cloud Sect." The elders and peak masters all fixed their eyes on Ling Luo Peak, waiting for the final result. ... On Ling Luo Peak, Lu Yi was slightly concerned that the thunder tribulation might damage his cave dwelling, so he specifically moved to a deserted area to face the tribulation. When the thunder struck, Lu Yi remained completely calm. In fact, even if his master had not given him the formation disk, he was confident he could withstand the heavenly thunder. After all, the many magical and treasured artifacts he possessed were not just for show. With this formation disk, capable of resisting Nascent Soul-level attacks, there was even less cause for concern. However, since his master suggested he try tempering his body with the heavenly thunder, he naturally had to give it a try. Looking up at the descending lightning, Lu Yi''s lips curved into a slight smile. His skin transformed into jade-like stone, and without circulating his spiritual energy, he exposed his body completely to the heavenly thunder. Boom! The thunder enveloped Lu Yi, and arcs of electricity danced across his jade-like body. At the same time, a violent force surged into his body. At this moment, the spiritual energy vortex within Lu Yi seemed to awaken. Strands of seven-colored radiance emerged, absorbing the violent force into his dantian and channeling it into the spiritual energy vortex. Before the spiritual energy vortex, which was forged from the Qi of the Dao, the violent force became as gentle as a lamb, transforming into pure and rich primal energy that slowly spread through Lu Yi''s body. Lu Yi''s Jade Body Technique had already been cultivated to its limit, making his physical body extremely strong. Yet under the nourishment of this primal energy, his body began to improve once again. Arcs of lightning danced over Lu Yi''s jade-like body, eventually forming faint purple patterns resembling thunder marks. As the patterns took shape, Lu Yi''s spiritual energy surged with terrifying power. Simultaneously, a flash of inspiration struck Lu Yi''s mind. Bathed in thunder, his consciousness merged with the lightning, feeling its violent and destructive essence. The intent of lightning within him visibly grew stronger. Lu Yi''s body became completely covered in lightning. With more thunder patterns appearing on his body, profound insights flooded Lu Yi''s mind. The spiritual energy vortex within him radiated seven-colored light, containing endless Dao principles. As Dao sounds echoed, Lu Yi seemed to grasp some profound mystery of thunder, though it felt just out of reach, as if separated by a veil. Sensing this, Lu Yi activated his remaining opportunity for enlightenment. Instantly, countless insights into Dao and reason intertwined in his mind. He gradually fused the destructive nature of heavenly thunder with his Jade Body Technique and the mysteries of lightning intent. On his jade-like body, the lightning patterns became clearer. His glowing skin and dancing black hair exuded an ancient and terrifying power that made one¡¯s heart tremble. At this moment, the first bolt of heavenly thunder dissipated, and the second bolt descended. Lu Yi, still bathed in lightning, deepened his comprehension and gradually achieved clarity. ''Jade must be polished to become a treasure. Similarly, the power of thunder can temper and refine the jade body, unlocking even greater potential.'' This body would possess both the full enhancements of the Jade Body Technique and the destructive ferocity of thunder, unleashing a storm-like devastation upon enemies. Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. Bathed in thunder, Lu Yi created a brand-new body cultivation technique. As Lu Yi''s understanding solidified, the lightning patterns on his body shifted from chaotic to organized, forming array-like markings. A purple lightning mark appeared on his forehead, exuding an inexplicable majesty. With the completion of the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique, Lu Yi''s physical body visibly strengthened. The heavenly thunder tempered his body, and under the transformation of the Dao-infused spiritual energy vortex, no energy was wasted. It was all used to refine Lu Yi''s body. ... Outside Ling Luo Peak, the peak masters, elders, and inner disciples looked at Lu Yi, who was bathed in thunder, with astonishment. Wu Qingfeng noticed the lightning patterns forming on Lu Yi''s body and said in disbelief, "...What is Lu Yi doing?" Elder Wang''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as he shouted, "Enlightenment! That boy is having another enlightenment?!" "Wait, isn''t he undergoing tribulation?! How can someone have an enlightenment while being struck by lightning?! Is there any justice in this world?!" Dong Wanglian exclaimed, utterly baffled and questioning his life choices. He wondered if he had cultivated incorrectly¡ªwhy was he so different from Lu Yi? "It''s not just enlightenment. That boy... he''s comprehending the intent of thunder. And it doesn''t seem weak¡ªit''s almost comparable to sword intent! If Elder Ming finds out, I can''t imagine his reaction," Elder Xuan said, his aged face filled with shock. Unlike Elder Ming, who guarded the library and couldn''t leave, Elder Xuan''s role allowed him to witness this unbelievable scene firsthand.Stolen novel; please report. At this moment, he also came over to join the commotion. "Lu Yi''s comprehension of the Intent of Thunder doesn''t seem like something he just understood. When did he comprehend it?" A senior elder''s expression was blank. A Qi Refining stage cultivator comprehending Sword Intent was already shocking enough, but now he had also comprehended the Intent of Thunder?! The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak looked at Lu Yi, then at Donggong Mingyue, raising her eyebrows. "This brat spars with Little Mingyue every day. Perhaps he gained some insights during their practice." Donggong Mingyue: "???" Her expression was blank. "Huh? Senior Brother actually comprehended the Intent of Thunder while sparring with me?" Why could she feel Sword Intent every day but never comprehend it herself? Was there something wrong somewhere?! "Wait a moment... Look carefully, something seems off." The Peak Master of Magnolia Peak stared at the strange fluctuations gradually emanating from Lu Yi, her pupils slightly contracting. A look of shock appeared on her elegant and beautiful face. The disciples and elders at the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms also noticed something unusual, and their expressions changed. Even the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak was stunned as she looked at Lu Yi, whose body was gradually exuding a primal force of destruction. She spoke up, "Unbelievable, this brat... is using his sudden enlightenment, heavenly thunder, and the Intent of Thunder to comprehend a cultivation technique?!" "The Jade Body Technique! This brat is cultivating the Jade Body Technique. I remember Old Ming mentioning it, but to think his Jade Body Technique has already reached such a level?! What kind of talent is this?" "No, the Jade Body Technique itself shouldn''t be this powerful. It must have transformed under the influence of heavenly thunder and the Intent of Thunder, evolving into a new technique." The experienced Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators discussed among themselves, gradually piecing together the truth. They looked at Lu Yi with disbelief. Wu Qingfeng was somewhat shocked. "Lu Yi... actually comprehended a body refinement technique during his tribulation?!" Everyone exchanged glances. "Judging by the grade of this technique, it¡¯s probably not low, possibly at the Golden Core level," the Peak Master of Magnolia Peak said faintly. She glanced at the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak, her heart filled with envy. Not only her, but all the other Peak Masters, including Wu Qingfeng, also looked at the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak with jealousy. "What kind of genius is this?! Breaking through from the Qi Refining stage to Foundation Establishment and comprehending a technique all on his own." A Nascent Soul elder sighed. "This kid''s talent even surpasses that of Liu Ningshuang." "Such talent is truly unheard of and unseen before. No wonder he faced heavenly tribulation at the Qi Refining stage. He truly has the demeanor of an ancient unparalleled genius!" Wu Qingfeng looked deeply at Lu Yi before turning to the Peak Master of Lingluo Peak. "Junior Sister Lingluo, you''ve seen Lu Yi''s talent for yourself. From now on, the resources needed for his cultivation will be supplied without limit by White Cloud Sect. If you need anything, just come to me." The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak replied lazily, "As my direct disciple, of course, he''ll have unlimited resources. I''m just worried that there are some things even White Cloud Sect doesn¡¯t have." Wu Qingfeng declared resolutely, "If White Cloud Sect doesn¡¯t have it, I will personally go find it for Lu Yi!" "I wouldn¡¯t mind going out to search myself." "I have some stockpiles. If Lu Yi needs them, he can ask anytime." Several Nascent Soul elders, and even some Void Refinement experts, all spoke up. The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak glanced at everyone and said leisurely, "No need to trouble yourselves over my disciple. Besides, if I can¡¯t get something, do you think you can?" Everyone fell silent. She wasn¡¯t wrong. Her talent was astonishing, and her strength was unfathomable. If even she couldn¡¯t obtain something, it was unlikely that the others could. The disciples nearby watched as the elders scrambled to offer resources to Lu Yi, their eyes green with envy. "If only I had Lu Yi''s talent..." "How dare you dream so boldly?! You think you can comprehend a technique in the Qi Refining stage? If I could comprehend a technique like his at the Nascent Soul stage, I''d already be overjoyed!" "Stop dreaming. Didn¡¯t the elders already say it? Junior Brother had already comprehended the Intent of Thunder. Who else could achieve that at the Qi Refining stage?" "Forget intent comprehension. Who else in the Qi Refining stage can even trigger a heavenly tribulation?" Hearing this, all the disciples fell silent. It was too disheartening. They couldn¡¯t even summon a basic tribulation. How could they expect to achieve anything beyond that? Xie Tianming looked at Lu Yi amidst the thunder and sighed. "Junior Brother Lu¡¯s talent is truly admirable." He glanced at Wang Tianzun, whose face was stiff, and smirked. "What do you think? Isn¡¯t my Junior Brother amazing?" Wang Tianzun¡¯s mouth twitched as he glared at Xie Tianming. "I admit that Junior Brother Lu¡¯s talent is exceptional, far beyond mine. But you, Xie Tianming, are nothing. You¡¯re just as average as I am." "Oh, you¡¯re upset now? The great Wang Tianzun is using foul language?" "Shut up!" While the crowd conversed, the tribulation neared its end. The last bolt of lightning was absorbed by Lu Yi, and the dark clouds in the sky began to disperse. The sky returned to its clear, sunny state. Lu Yi was still immersed in the Intent of Thunder. When he suddenly lost the connection to the thunder, he was momentarily stunned and opened his eyes. Seeing the dark clouds dissipate, Lu Yi¡¯s expression fell. "That¡¯s it?" This tribulation wasn¡¯t enough! If he had a few more rounds, his Intent of Thunder could reach forty percent, and he could further refine and enhance his Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. Lu Yi felt slightly unsatisfied. At that moment, several figures appeared beside him. Hearing Lu Yi¡¯s words, everyone¡¯s expressions froze. While others feared heavenly tribulations, this brat seemed addicted to being struck by lightning? The Peak Master of Lingluo Peak looked at Lu Yi, whose body was still radiating terrifying energy, and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Such talent proves my judgment was correct." Wu Qingfeng walked over with a smile. "Lu Yi, you¡¯ve done well." As the Sect Master of White Cloud Sect, Lu Yi naturally recognized him and quickly cupped his hands. "Greetings, Sect Master." "No need for formalities. From now on, if you need anything, just let the sect know. Your only focus should be cultivating diligently." Lu Yi listened to the others'' words, and suddenly understood. They must have seen him comprehending the technique earlier. Lu Yi smiled and said, "Thank you, Sect Master. I will be sure to cultivate diligently." The elders also congratulated Lu Yi on breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm. As for the disciples, they were squeezed outside and could only watch from afar. Lu Yi smiled and responded to each one. Finally, the Peak Master of Ling Luo Peak used the excuse that Lu Yi had just broken through and needed to stabilize his cultivation, driving away the elders, disciples, and even Sect Master Wu Qingfeng. The once lively area suddenly quieted down, leaving only Lu Yi, the Ling Luo Peak Master, and Donggong Mingyue. The Peak Master of Ling Luo yawned, patted Lu Yi on the shoulder, and said, "Not bad, you¡¯ve broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm. But Foundation Establishment is just the beginning. The road ahead is still long, so don¡¯t let yourself slack off." Lu Yi nodded seriously and said, "I will keep Master¡¯s teachings in mind." The Peak Master of Ling Luo stretched lazily and said, "Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll be heading back now. This has been exhausting." Before her words even finished, her figure had already disappeared. Only Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue were left. Donggong Mingyue looked at Lu Yi, her eyes sparkling. "Senior Brother, you¡¯re amazing! You actually comprehended a technique during the lightning tribulation!" She was almost in awe of her senior brother. He was incredible! Lu Yi grinned proudly. "As the senior brother of a future celestial maiden, I naturally must be a genius too." "Hehehe~ Senior Brother, you¡¯re absolutely right! I will definitely become a celestial maiden in the future!" Donggong Mingyue said proudly. Then, she looked at Lu Yi with anticipation and asked, "Senior Brother, what body refinement technique did you comprehend? Can you teach me? I want to learn too!" Lu Yi smiled. "It¡¯s actually very suitable for you." After all, the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique required the power of lightning to cultivate. It could even utilize lightning to accelerate the improvement of the Jade Body Technique. It was most suitable for someone with an innate thunder spirit body or someone who had comprehended the concept of thunder. Lu Yi thought that teaching Donggong Mingyue wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea. With this thought, Lu Yi suddenly had another idea. He mused inwardly, ''I want to teach Junior Sister to cultivate the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique.'' [Mission] Teach Donggong Mingyue to cultivate the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. Reward: Thunder Intent Enhancement, 5 drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. Accept: Yes/No It¡¯s actually possible? And the reward isn¡¯t bad either. Lu Yi felt like he had discovered a new task channel. He accepted the mission and said with a smile, "Let¡¯s go to the cave dwelling. Senior Brother will personally guide you." Donggong Mingyue nodded excitedly. "Okay, Senior Brother!" It had to be said, Donggong Mingyue¡¯s talent was indeed exceptional. Coupled with her innate thunder spirit body, she was extremely suited for the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. Very quickly, Donggong Mingyue made progress. However, during the cultivation process, some physical contact was inevitable. Donggong Mingyue quickly blushed and ran away in embarrassment. Lu Yi felt a bit helpless. After all, he hadn¡¯t recorded the specific technique. Some points in the circulation route required hands-on guidance to avoid accidents. Hmm¡­ looks like I need to find an opportunity to record the technique later. That said, the task was completed. Teaching her frequently in the future and sparring with her could also yield rewards, which was quite nice. Lu Yi was quite pleased as he began to check the gains from his breakthrough. The main rewards were two magical treasures¡ªa pair of Ice Silk Boots of lower grade and a Mysterious Sun Sword of middle grade. The Ice Silk Boots were entirely snow-white with streaks of blue patterns, appearing elegant and beautiful. Of course, appearance wasn¡¯t the key point. As a lower-grade magical treasure, it naturally had excellent functions. It could not only enhance speed but also transform spiritual energy into frost energy, creating ice mist. At critical moments, it could disrupt an opponent¡¯s actions. As for the Mysterious Sun Sword, being a middle-grade magical treasure, it was even more impressive. It contained Mysterious Sun Qi, greatly enhancing the power of spiritual energy. It was far superior to the Azure Spirit Sword his master had given him earlier. Additionally, there were other valuable items. Three Enlightenment Tea Leaves didn¡¯t need much explanation. Lu Yi could use them to boost his comprehension. The designated technique-level enhancement especially caught Lu Yi¡¯s attention. He had just broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm and planned to cultivate the Immortal Sword Scripture. Given the difficulty of an immortal-level technique, the Immortal Sword Scripture was likely extremely hard to master. With this designated enhancement, he could save himself a lot of effort. Chapter 84: Condensing the Immortal Sword Seed Lu Yi did not immediately use the opportunity to upgrade a designated technique level. Instead, he planned to wait until he reached a bottleneck in cultivating the Immortal Sword Scripture before using it, hoping for better results. Aside from the rewards for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, Lu Yi¡¯s biggest gain was the self-created body-refining technique, Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. This technique, based on the Jade Body Technique, used the power of thunder to temper the body and was a Golden Core stage body-refining technique. However, Lu Yi felt this was not the true limit of the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. How could a thunder-tempering technique be so simple? He lacked sufficient foundation and insight at his current Foundation Establishment stage to comprehend higher levels of the technique. Lu Yi wasn¡¯t in a rush¡ªhe knew he would continue to break through in the future. Once he advanced to the Golden Core stage and faced another lightning tribulation, he could further refine the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. Apart from enhancing the physical body, the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique also contained a powerful burst secret art. The technique, Thunder Patterns Coiling the Body, could unleash power far exceeding one¡¯s limits. This made the technique stand out even more. To Lu Yi, however, the most valuable aspect was the insights gained from creating the technique. It gave him tremendous confidence. Even though he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he could already create a Golden Core-level body-refining technique. The Great Dao was now within his reach. With the aid of thunder, Lu Yi had cultivated the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique to level 3. At this stage, his physical body had become exceptionally strong, surpassing the Jade Body Technique at its previous limit. This was no small achievement. After summarizing his gains, Lu Yi calmed his mind. As his master had said, Foundation Establishment was only the beginning of the immortal path¡ªhe had to keep pushing forward. He still considered himself a beginner. Lu Yi took out the leather-bound book and began reading the Immortal Sword Scripture. This was the technique he would be focusing on for a long time. He carefully reviewed the Immortal Sword Scripture, gaining a general understanding of its contents. The Scripture focused on condensing an Immortal Sword Seed in the dantian. This seed nurtured Immortal Sword Qi, resulting in sword energy that was exceptionally resilient and powerful, possessing unimaginable destructive potential. Unfortunately, this technique only extended to the Nascent Soul Realm. As Lu Yi studied the Scripture, the multicolored light swirling in his spiritual energy vortex shimmered faintly, and Daoist sounds echoed in his mind. Lu Yi vaguely grasped the profound mysteries of the Immortal Sword Scripture and began to develop some insights, which greatly surprised him. Back during his lightning tribulation, he had already noticed that his spiritual energy vortex behaved unusually, seemingly enhancing his comprehension of Daoist techniques. Is this the effect of the Grand Dao Qi? Lu Yi wondered. He recalled the description of the Grand Dao Qi, which stated it could enhance affinity with the Dao and improve comprehension of techniques. Given that he had used eight strands of Grand Dao Qi to build his foundation, the effects were astonishing. Lu Yi felt delighted. With such a foundation, if his comprehension improved further, even immortal-level techniques wouldn¡¯t be too difficult to master. Thinking of this, Lu Yi took out a leaf of Dao Comprehension Tea and brewed a pot. The tea leaf floated in the water, releasing a rich fragrance, and a faint Dao Essene seemed to emerge with the rising mist. Lu Yi took a sip, immediately feeling his mind clear and his thoughts sharpen. Savoring the tea while reading, Lu Yi began meticulously studying the Immortal Sword Scripture.
A week later, Lu Yi sat cross-legged, with a golden sword-shaped mark faintly appearing between his brows. His body emitted a sharp sword intent. Inside him, a small golden sword floated above his multicolored spiritual energy vortex. This was the Immortal Sword Seed! After obtaining the Immortal Sword Scripture, Lu Yi had devoted himself to studying it day and night. Finally, today, he had condensed the Immortal Sword Seed, officially entering the foundation stage of the Immortal Sword Scripture. It was a shocking achievement¡ªthis was an immortal-level technique, and he had cultivated it to the introductory stage in just seven days. After condensing the Immortal Sword Seed, Lu Yi noticed something unusual. Normally, condensing the Immortal Sword Seed would convert all spiritual energy into Immortal Sword Qi. However, his dantian didn¡¯t undergo this transformation. The multicolored vortex still existed, radiant as ever, while the Immortal Sword Seed could only hover outside and couldn¡¯t merge with it. Lu Yi¡¯s expression turned slightly strange. It seems the spiritual energy vortex infused with Grand Dao Qi is far stronger than the Sword Seed. Despite this, Lu Yi found that channeling his spiritual energy through the Immortal Sword Seed could still transform it into Immortal Sword Qi. This sword energy was incredibly destructive and domineering, especially when combined with sword techniques, amplifying their power even further. Lu Yi was quite satisfied with the results. After stabilizing his foundation, Lu Yi discovered that his vortex absorbed spiritual energy like a black hole. Even thousand-year spiritual milk wasn¡¯t enough to sustain it for long. Fortunately, he had acquired a new task that rewarded more spiritual milk. Otherwise, he would soon run out. Still, this wasn¡¯t a sustainable approach. He needed more reliable ways to gather resources. Additionally, he wanted to help Donggong Mingyue increase her strength. Higher cultivation would lead to better rewards from missions. If she reached the Foundation Establishment stage, the rewards might even include ten-thousand-year spiritual milk! Unfortunately, despite providing Donggong Mingyue with resources far beyond her previous levels, she had only recently reached the twelfth layer of Qi Refining. She was still some distance away from Foundation Establishment.
One day, while Lu Yi was cultivating, Donggong Mingyue came to find him, saying their master needed to see them. Curious about the reason, Lu Yi followed her to the peak of Lingluo Mountain. The door to the bamboo house was open, and the peak master of Lingluo Mountain reclined lazily on a deck chair, looking as laid-back as ever. However, what surprised Lu Yi was that Liu Ningshuang had returned and was sitting nearby. Lu Yi greeted her with some surprise, ¡°Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, you¡¯re back?¡± Liu Ningshuang¡¯s cold expression softened slightly as a faint smile appeared. She nodded. ¡°Mm, I just returned. Congratulations on reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Junior Brother Lu Yi. I heard you even attracted a lightning tribulation. That¡¯s impressive.¡± Liu Ningshuang had just returned to the sect when she heard the disciples discussing Lu Yi''s breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage. Her junior brother not only triggered a tribulation during his breakthrough but also created his own cultivation technique. This left Liu Ningshuang extremely shocked. Even she had not been this strong during the Qi Refining stage, and she certainly did not trigger a tribulation when advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage. Lu Yi smiled sheepishly. "Senior Sister, you flatter me." Donggong Mingyue, standing beside him, patted Lu Yi''s shoulder with a grin. "Senior Brother, you''re too humble. You''re just incredibly talented."The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. At that moment, the head of Ling Luo Peak yawned and said, "Whatever you need to talk about, do it later. I have something to discuss with the two of you." Lu Yi and Donggong Mingyue looked at the Ling Luo Peak Master with curiosity. The Peak Master spoke, "The ancient ruins of Eastern Forest, which open once every hundred years, will be accessible in a year. Our White Cloud Sect has twenty slots available. Before the ruins open, the sect will hold a small competition. Only Foundation Establishment disciples who pass the competition can enter. Lu Yi, you¡¯ve already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. With your talent and combat strength, there shouldn¡¯t be any issues. I¡¯m just informing you; whether you choose to participate is up to you. As for you, Mingyue..." She turned to Donggong Mingyue and said, "Your cultivation speed has improved quite a bit recently. You¡¯re already at the twelfth level of Qi Refining. Within the next year, you can decide whether to push for the thirteenth level or break through entirely." Hearing this, Donggong Mingyue''s expression turned serious, and she nodded. "Understood, Master." Lu Yi, upon hearing the Peak Master¡¯s words, suddenly realized, So it¡¯s almost time for the Eastern Forest ruins to open? The Eastern Forest ruins were something Lu Yi had heard about multiple times within the White Cloud Sect. These ancient ruins were famous throughout Green Province. Long ago, they were the battleground between humans and demons. Battles between ancient cultivators caused spiritual energy to surge and space to collapse, forming a small world with different rules from the Tianming Continent. Only cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage could enter. The ruins contained rare herbs, heavenly materials, and treasures that could fortify one''s foundation or enhance the patterns of Golden Cores. Furthermore, as the site of battles between humans and demons, it might hold relics left behind by powerful cultivators¡ªsuch as magical artifacts and inheritances. If one were lucky enough to find such inheritances, achieving meteoric success wouldn¡¯t be impossible. Every time the ruins opened; countless cultivators flocked to them. However, the ruins were located in an area controlled jointly by the White Cloud Sect, Blood Spirit Sect, Winter Valley, Myriad Flower Sect, and Sky Serpent Sect. These five sects cleared the area beforehand and sent their elite disciples to reap the rewards. Naturally, this created fierce competition among the disciples. Lu Yi felt a surge of anticipation. Based on his experience, opportunities like this were bound to provide tasks¡ªand generous rewards. Currently, his resources were still sufficient, but as he advanced further and aimed to break through the heavenly limits of the Foundation Establishment stage, his resources might no longer suffice. Yes, the Foundation Establishment stage also had three layers of heavenly limits. Lu Yi¡¯s goal was to break through all three, which would require an enormous number of resources. I need to participate in the Foundation Establishment competition, Lu Yi thought. [Task] Participate in the Foundation Establishment competition and earn rewards based on ranking. Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi continued thinking, I want to enter the Eastern Forest ruins. [Task] Enter the Eastern Forest ruins. Reward: 30 drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. Accept: Yes/No Seeing the reward, Lu Yi was immediately tempted. After breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, his cultivation resources had become a bit scarce. This was the perfect opportunity to replenish them. Without hesitation, Lu Yi accepted the mission. And this was only for entering the ruins. Imagine the rewards for completing tasks inside! Lu Yi¡¯s heart was filled with anticipation. He smiled and said, "Master, I plan to go to the Eastern Forest ruins." The Ling Luo Peak Master nodded slightly. "In that case, prepare well. The ruins are full of dangers. Even with your talent, you must be careful." Lu Yi nodded seriously. "I understand, Master." "Good." The Peak Master nodded again and then asked, "How is your cultivation of the Immortal Sword Scripture going? If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Although I haven¡¯t practiced it myself, I can still offer some guidance." Lu Yi smiled. "It¡¯s going well. I just finished condensing the Immortal Sword Seed." The Peak Master: "..." Her expression froze for a moment before she waved her hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, get out of here." Damn genius¡­ she muttered inwardly. Having such a disciple takes all the fun out of being a master. Lu Yi paused and then asked, "Master, is there anything you need help with? Running errands? Buying wine? Cleaning the bamboo house?" Since he was already there, it felt wrong not to pick up a few more tasks. However, the Peak Master gave him a long look upon hearing "cleaning the bamboo house." With a wave of her hand, Lu Yi was promptly thrown out of the house. "Focus on your cultivation." Donggong Mingyue and Liu Ningshuang both looked at the master of Lingluo Peak with some confusion, unable to understand why she suddenly lost her temper. The master of Lingluo Peak noticed their expressions and said slowly, ¡°You two should also go back and focus on your cultivation.¡± Liu Ningshuang cupped her hands and said, ¡°Disciple takes her leave.¡± Donggong Mingyue also smiled mischievously and said, ¡°Master, this disciple is leaving too.¡± After the two of them left the bamboo house, they saw Lu Yi emerging from the bamboo forest with a dusty and disheveled appearance. Lu Yi was secretly annoyed, thinking, ''I completely forgot about cleaning Master¡¯s room last time... I better not bring up cleaning the bamboo house again next time, or I might not even get any tasks anymore...'' Donggong Mingyue walked over with some curiosity and asked, ¡°Senior Brother, what did you do to make Master so angry?¡± Her small face showed surprise. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen Master get angry.¡± Even Liu Ningshuang, who was standing beside her, slightly nodded and glanced at the now-closed bamboo house door. ¡°Me too.¡± Before Lu Yi could respond, he felt a faint, almost imperceptible pressure gathering around him. His mouth twitched, and he forced a dry laugh. ¡°Maybe Master didn¡¯t rest well. Let¡¯s head down quickly.¡± Donggong Mingyue still felt that things weren¡¯t so simple. Her big eyes darted around as she looked at Lu Yi, but she didn¡¯t press further. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go then! Oh, by the way, since Senior Sister Ningshuang rarely comes back, how about we have a gathering at Senior Brother¡¯s place? What do you think?¡± Lu Yi glanced at Donggong Mingyue and saw her swallowing her saliva repeatedly. He was speechless and said, ¡°You just want to eat spiritual food, don¡¯t you?¡± Donggong Mingyue grinned and giggled. Liu Ningshuang was a bit puzzled. ¡°Spiritual food? What spiritual food?¡± Lu Yi smiled and explained, ¡°Senior Sister has been out on missions for a while. During that time, I learned some recipes for spiritual food and spiritual wine.¡± Liu Ningshuang¡¯s cold and elegant face showed a trace of surprise as she glanced at Lu Yi and said with a light smile, ¡°Can I have a taste?¡± ¡°Of course, if Senior Sister is interested.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great! Let¡¯s go! Gathering time!¡± Donggong Mingyue cheered, clearly the most excited. The three of them went to Lu Yi¡¯s cave dwelling, where Lu Yi brought out several spiritual dishes, including Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup, grilled meat ribs, and two dishes he had received as rewards from the trial tower: Crystal Dumplings and Jade Bamboo Roast Chicken. The Crystal Dumplings could temporarily enhance spiritual energy cultivation, although the effect would fade as the spiritual energy was depleted. While it wasn¡¯t as effective as explosive-type pills, its gentle effects and lack of side effects made it highly appealing. The Jade Bamboo Roast Chicken was a rare dish that could detoxify and even boost resistance to poisons if consumed regularly, making it quite valuable. Both dishes were suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators, so Donggong Mingyue could eat them as well. As for spiritual wine, Lu Yi only had Spirit Nurturing Dew, which had a minor effect on enhancing spiritual power. However, its impact had grown weaker for him since his spiritual power was already on the verge of transformation. Unfortunately, he hadn¡¯t acquired any other spiritual wine recipes yet. Lu Yi felt a bit helpless but wasn¡¯t too worried. There was still plenty of time. Once the spiritual dishes and wine were served, their rich aroma filled the air. Liu Ningshuang¡¯s pretty face showed a hint of amazement as she looked at Lu Yi in disbelief. ¡°Did you really cook all these dishes?¡± Donggong Mingyue proudly put her hands on her hips and said, ¡°Yep! Senior Brother made them. He¡¯s a great cook!¡± Looking at her proud expression, one might think she was the one who cooked the food. Lu Yi smiled and nodded. ¡°I practiced during my free time. Senior Sister, try some.¡± Liu Ningshuang took a spoonful of the creamy Tiger Bone Ginseng Soup and felt a warm current flowing through her body. She softly praised, ¡°Such a powerful effect.¡± Given that she was already at the Nascent Soul Realm and could still feel the slight spiritual energy effect, it spoke volumes about how potent this spiritual food was, even though it was only suitable for the Qi Refining Stage. ¡°Junior Brother, your talent is truly impressive. Not only do you excel in cultivation, but you also have a remarkable gift for spiritual food.¡± Lu Yi smiled modestly. ¡°With Senior Sister¡¯s level of cultivation, this food is mostly for enjoyment rather than utility. If you like it, eat more.¡± Liu Ningshuang nodded lightly. ¡°Alright.¡± The three of them, being the closest disciples of the Lingluo Peak Master, ate and chatted comfortably. Donggong Mingyue, the weakest among them, found the spiritual energy in the food overwhelming. Her face turned red, and she started sweating profusely, clearly having consumed too much. She quickly ran into Lu Yi¡¯s cultivation room to refine and absorb the energy. Meanwhile, Lu Yi and Liu Ningshuang continued eating. Lu Yi waved his hand, causing the wine jug to float up and pour Spirit Nurturing Dew into Liu Ningshuang¡¯s cup. After taking a sip, Liu Ningshuang sighed, ¡°This Spirit Nurturing Dew is quite good. If I had it during the Qi Refining Stage, I probably could have reached Foundation Establishment even sooner. Little Mingyue is lucky.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Senior Sister flatters me. If I manage to find higher-level recipes in the future, I¡¯ll be sure to make something more suitable for you.¡± Liu Ningshuang glanced at Lu Yi and smiled slightly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll thank you in advance.¡± Lu Yi poured her another cup and asked, ¡°By the way, Senior Sister, what task took you so long this time?¡± Liu Ningshuang replied calmly, ¡°A Nascent Soul Realm serpent demon was causing trouble within the White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory. It was extremely cunning, and I had to chase it for a long time. It almost escaped to the Eastern Region border before I finally managed to kill it.¡± Lu Yi: ¡°¡­¡± ''Wow, that poor serpent demon. The Eastern Region is vast, stretching millions of miles, yet it was hunted down over such a distance.'' Still, the relationship between demons and humans was never great. History had seen many wars between the two races. For a serpent demon to stir trouble in human territory instead of hiding properly, it really had a death wish. Chapter 85: Water Intent Lu Yi chuckled softly. "Sister, your strength is exceptional. I toast to you." The two continued drinking and chatting until Donggong Mingyue finished refining the medicinal effects, marking the end of their gathering. Afterward, the three went their separate ways, and Lu Yi resumed his cultivation. In the following days, Lu Yi cultivated diligently. It is worth mentioning that due to his extraordinary talent, the sect made an exception for him, allowing him to focus solely on cultivation without taking on sect missions. In fact, the elders and sect master of White Cloud Sect preferred that Lu Yi avoid leaving the sect grounds too often. After all, the White Cloud Sect was still at war with the Blood Spirit Sect, and daily skirmishes continued to occur between disciples of both sects, creating chaos. Given Lu Yi''s astonishing talent, any danger he might face outside could result in an enormous loss for the sect. For Lu Yi, this was naturally good news. Without the burden of sect missions, he could focus entirely on cultivation. Having broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage from the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining and using Grand Dao Qi to establish his foundation, Lu Yi''s foundation was exceptionally solid. His cultivation speed in the Foundation Establishment stage was extremely fast. Coupled with using thousand-year spiritual milk for cultivation and practicing techniques from immortal scriptures, Lu Yi reached the second layer of Foundation Establishment within a month. Two months later, he advanced to the third layer. After one year, Lu Yi''s cultivation directly reached the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment. Such progress was unimaginable for most cultivators. Typically, it would take a Foundation Establishment cultivator ten years to break through a single minor realm. Even a genius cultivator could not achieve such terrifying speed. On this day, within Lu Yi''s cave dwelling, he sat cross-legged, surrounded by dense spiritual energy and swirling strands of transparent sword energy. Moments later, the sword energy dissipated, and the spiritual energy gradually calmed. Lu Yi opened his eyes. He exhaled gently, stood up, stretched, and smiled. "It''s finally time." Today was the day of the Foundation Establishment competition to select cultivators to enter the Eastern Forest Ruins. Lu Yi felt no pressure. Over the past year, his progress had been tremendous. Aside from reaching the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment, he had made significant advancements in other areas. He had practiced the Qi Refining chapter of the Immortal Sword Scripture, re-tempered the foundation established by the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique, and advanced to the Foundation Establishment chapter. Using the monthly enlightenment opportunities provided by his master, he pushed the Foundation Establishment chapter to level 6, reaching the Perfection Realm. It was worth noting that this was an immortal scripture. Advancing to the Perfection Realm within just one year was an achievement rarely seen in history. The Immortal Sword Scripture''s Foundation Establishment chapter at the Perfection Realm provided incredible cultivation efficiency. This was one of the key reasons Lu Yi could break through realms so quickly within a year. Not only did his cultivation speed increase, but the immortal sword qi condensed by the Perfection Realm was also exceptionally powerful, far surpassing the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique at its peak. In addition, Lu Yi practiced the Golden Core-level technique, the Seven Profound Sword Art, reaching level 8. While he had not yet tested its full power, it was undoubtedly formidable. He also focused on cultivating the Golden Core secret art, the Transformation Technique. Due to its complexity, and without using enlightenment opportunities, it had only reached level 6 so far. Lu Yi continued practicing the Thunder Jade Body Technique daily. Although his resources for body refinement were somewhat lacking compared to Qi cultivation, the Thunder Jade Body Technique could enhance physical refinement through the Intent of Thunder. With the addition of Blood Essence Pills, his progress, while not the fastest, was acceptable. He had reached level 5. Beyond these, Lu Yi also practiced several Foundation Establishment-level techniques and spells. Thanks to his exceptional talent, the White Cloud Sect granted him unrestricted access to the Scripture Pavilion. He could freely select any technique or spell for cultivation. At this point, Lu Yi''s strength had reached a formidable level. Even he was unsure of his limits when exerting his full power. Lu Yi stepped out of his cave dwelling and saw a flash of sword light landing outside. It was Liu Ningshuang. Dressed in elegant white robes, Liu Ningshuang appeared calm and graceful. She smiled faintly upon seeing Lu Yi. "Brother, are you ready?" Lu Yi nodded slightly. "Yes." Over the past year, Liu Ningshuang did not leave the sect often and did not enter long retreats. They had plenty of opportunities to interact. With Donggong Mingyue, the lively and cheerful presence, the three occasionally gathered for meals, growing closer than before. "With your strength, there shouldn¡¯t be any problems," Liu Ningshuang said, nodding slightly. As they spoke, Donggong Mingyue arrived, grinning. "Brother, do your best today!" Donggong Mingyue had ultimately decided to delay her breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, choosing instead to focus on refining her foundation to reach the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining. This decision could significantly affect her future achievements and could not be taken lightly. Previously, Donggong Mingyue would have been satisfied with reaching the twelfth layer of Qi Refining. However, with the abundant resources provided by Lu Yi, including hundred-year spiritual milk and high-quality spiritual foods, her conditions had improved drastically. Given her remarkable talent, not pushing for the thirteenth layer would have been a waste. Since she had not broken through to Foundation Establishment, Donggong Mingyue naturally did not participate in the competition. Instead, she and Liu Ningshuang accompanied Lu Yi as spectators. "Little Mingyue is here. In that case, let¡¯s go," Liu Ningshuang said. She took out her white jade boat, and the three boarded it. Transforming into a stream of light, they flew toward the central city. The Foundation Establishment competition took place in the plaza near the Trial Tower. When the trio arrived, they saw a crowd of disciples, some standing in the plaza and others floating in the air. Among them were Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and even Nascent Soul cultivators. After all, the Eastern Forest Ruins opened only once every hundred years, attracting cultivators eager to witness the event. Lu Yi even noticed several elders observing from above, clearly interested in the proceedings. The plaza around the Trial Tower now had numerous arenas set up for the competition. As Lu Yi and his companions arrived, many disciples turned to look at them. Whether inner disciples or elders, all took notice. Ever since Lu Yi triggered heavenly tribulation during the Qi Refining stage, his reputation had surpassed even that of Liu Ningshuang, making him one of the most recognized figures in the inner sect. Whispers spread through the crowd. "It''s Brother Lu! He''s here."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Of course he is. The Eastern Forest Ruins only open once a century, filled with endless opportunities. With Brother Lu¡¯s talent, entering it will make him even stronger in the future." "Opening once every hundred years, and Brother Lu happens to be here? His luck is incredible." "A genius who triggered tribulation during Qi Refining¡ªhow could his luck be bad?" No one doubted Lu Yi''s ability to qualify for the ruins. After all, Lu Yi had already reached the 23rd floor of the Trial Tower, proving he could defeat a third-layer Golden Core cultivator. Holding the top spot in the Foundation Establishment trial rankings, his position had remained unshaken. Who would question such strength? Liu Ningshuang smiled at Lu Yi. "Brother, go ahead. We''ll be watching from here." Lu Yi nodded, stepping down from his sword and walking into the plaza. There, numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered, all participants in the competition. Since the sect had many Foundation Establishment disciples, the competition was restricted to the top 1,000 ranked in the Trial Tower to save time. This set the entry threshold high. Lu Yi had just landed when several Foundation Establishment cultivators greeted him with smiles. "Brother Lu, you¡¯re here." "I hope I don¡¯t end up facing you later, Brother Lu, or it¡¯ll be tragic for me." "..." Lu Yi responded to each of them with a smile. At that moment, a familiar voice rang out, "Brother Lu!" Lu Yi turned his head and saw Jiang Fan approaching. Beside Jiang Fan were several other Foundation Establishment cultivators. Lu Yi smiled and said, "Brother Jiang Fan, long time no see." Jiang Fan looked Lu Yi up and down and said with emotion, "It really has been a while. I¡¯ve been busy running around doing missions for cultivation resources lately." Lu Yi chuckled. "Brother Jiang Fan, your efforts have clearly paid off¡ªyou¡¯ve already reached the third level of Foundation Establishment." The last time Lu Yi and Jiang Fan met was over six months ago. At that time, Lu Yi had just broken through, while Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong, and Tie Man had returned to the sect to rest and spent some time with Lu Yi. Back then, Jiang Fan was only at the second level of Foundation Establishment. Now, after six months, he had advanced by another level. This was a rather commendable cultivation speed. Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but marvel¡ªas expected of someone with a postnatal Water Spiritual Body. Though not as gifted as an innate spiritual body, it¡¯s still much faster than ordinary cultivators. Lu Yi recalled that Jiang Fan had only broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm a little over two years ago. Advancing to the third level of Foundation Establishment in just over two years¡ªabout one minor realm per year¡ªwas quite impressive. What surprised Lu Yi the most was that Brother Jiang Fan, with his third-level Foundation Establishment cultivation, had managed to rank among the top 1,000 on the trial leaderboard. This indicated that Jiang Fan¡¯s combat strength far exceeded his current cultivation level. It was evident that Jiang Fan must have some trump cards of his own. The disciples standing nearby were also from Dark Water Peak and were Jiang Fan¡¯s brothers and sisters. Seeing Jiang Fan being so familiar with Lu Yi, they were all astonished. They hadn¡¯t expected Jiang Fan to have such a close relationship with Lu Yi, who was rumored to possess the bearing of an immortal. For a moment, the cultivators looked at Jiang Fan with thoughtful expressions. Being on good terms with Lu Yi must mean that Brother Jiang has exceptional talent too. The group silently resolved to strengthen their ties with Jiang Fan in the future. Lu Yi and Jiang Fan chatted about matters outside the sect, including Bai Yulong and Tie Man. Compared to Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong and Tie Man¡¯s talents were slightly inferior. Over the past two years, despite their relentless efforts, risking their lives and gathering many resources, they had only managed to reach the second level of Foundation Establishment. While this was decent progress among the new inner disciples, the gap compared to older disciples was still quite significant. In terms of combat strength, the two couldn¡¯t compare to Jiang Fan either, and they hadn¡¯t made it into the top 1,000 of the trial leaderboards. Naturally, they missed the opportunity to enter the Eastern Forest Ruins. Jiang Fan expressed some regret about this. "This time, if I find any treasures suitable for Bai Yulong and Tie Man in the Eastern Forest Ruins, I¡¯ll bring them back to help improve their strength." Lu Yi smiled. "Brother Jiang Fan, with such thoughtfulness, I¡¯m sure Brothers Bai Yulong and Tie Man will be very touched." As the two continued talking and laughing, a figure suddenly appeared in the sky¡ªit was Wu Qingfeng. Wu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was stern and authoritative, completely different from the gentle demeanor he showed when he first met Lu Yi. He swept his gaze over the Foundation Establishment cultivators below and spoke calmly, "You all know the purpose of this competition. The Eastern Forest Ruins present an incredible opportunity for Foundation Establishment cultivators, but opportunities require strength to seize. Without strength, entering the ruins will only lead to death. If you want to enter the ruins, show your strength!" Wu Qingfeng gave some more encouraging remarks before announcing the start of the competition. The Foundation Establishment competition was similar to the previous outer sect competition that Lu Yi had participated in. Among the top 1,000 disciples, matches were conducted in pairs, with opponents determined by drawing lots¡ªentirely dependent on luck. Lu Yi¡¯s luck wasn¡¯t particularly good. In the first round, he faced a ninth-level Foundation Establishment brother named Li Feng. Li Feng was handsome, with a gentle smile on his face. However, when he stepped onto the stage and saw Lu Yi approaching, his smile gradually faded. Seeing Li Feng¡¯s look of despair, Lu Yi chuckled awkwardly. "Brother Li Feng, please advise me." Li Feng forced a smile, his expression more pained than crying. "...Brother, you¡¯re too modest. I¡¯ll admit defeat." Neither the disciples below nor the cultivators watching in the sky were surprised by this outcome. Wu Qingfeng and several elders looked at Li Feng stepping down from the stage and began discussing. "Li Feng¡¯s luck was really bad." "Indeed, such a pity. Among the Foundation Establishment disciples of Red Flow Peak, he¡¯s ranked in the top ten. Who knew he¡¯d face Lu Yi in the first round?" "Luck is also a part of strength. The Eastern Forest Ruins don¡¯t only offer opportunities¡ªpoor luck could mean death shortly after entering," Wu Qingfeng said calmly. "The Sect Master is right." "Luck is indeed important." "..." The competition progressed quickly, and after a few rounds, the top 100 rankings were decided. Every time Lu Yi''s opponents saw that their adversary was him, their faces immediately fell. There was no helping it. In their eyes, the strength Lu Yi displayed in the Trial Tower was completely unbeatable. One after another, they all simply surrendered without a fight. Regarding this, Lu Yi was not surprised. For him, participating in the competition was just a formality. What truly surprised Lu Yi was that Brother Jiang Fan had actually made it into the top 100. The disciples in the top 100 were basically all at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment or higher. Jiang Fan, who was only at the third level of Foundation Establishment, stood out exceptionally. Of course, Lu Yi was an exception. Lu Yi had watched Jiang Fan''s matches and noticed that he had mastered a rather impressive Golden Core technique. Its power was extraordinary, resembling surging waves that swept his opponents off the stage. Lu Yi inwardly sighed, ''As expected of someone with a Water Spiritual Body¡ªhis strength is indeed remarkable.'' At that moment, Lu Yi suddenly thought of something and murmured to himself, ''I must defeat Brother Jiang Fan.'' [Task] Defeat Jiang Fan. Reward: A strand of Water Intent, 1 drop of Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk. Accept: Yes/No Lu Yi''s eyes lit up, and he was filled with excitement. It had been a while since he last sparred with Brother Jiang Fan, and he hadn''t even issued a mission related to it. After all, the previous rewards for defeating Jiang Fan were too low, so Lu Yi had been too lazy to bother. Unexpectedly, now that Jiang Fan had awakened his Water Spiritual Body and advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, the rewards had become so tempting? ''Wonderful!'' A drop of Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk was already better than the rewards he got from his sister. Not only that, but there was also a reward of Water Intent. If he could comprehend the Water Intent, Lu Yi would have mastery over three types of intent. It seemed he would need to find some time to spar properly with Brother Jiang Fan. Oh, right¡ªhe still had a drop of Water Spiritual Liquid. Since he no longer needed it, he might as well gift it to Jiang Fan after returning from the Eastern Forest Ruins. By then, if Jiang Fan''s strength improved further, his sparring tasks might yield even better rewards. Jiang Fan defeated his opponent, stepped down from the stage, and returned to Lu Yi''s side. Seeing Lu Yi looking at him, he paused and asked with some confusion, "Brother Lu, what''s the matter?" Lu Yi smiled and said, "I''m just surprised that Brother Jiang Fan has improved so much in such a short time. It''s truly astonishing." Jiang Fan laughed heartily, "Brother, your words sound like you''re making fun of me. Compared to you, my progress is nothing." Lu Yi chuckled. "You can''t say that. Everyone has their own strengths. Brother Jiang Fan''s techniques were quite impressive¡ªthey really caught my attention. If we have time, we should spar again." Hearing this, Jiang Fan''s eyes lit up, and he smiled. "That would be great!" He had actually been hoping to spar with Lu Yi. After all, Lu Yi''s talent and strength were well-known, and sparring with him would be very beneficial. However, since there was a large gap in their strength before, Jiang Fan hadn¡¯t had the courage to bring it up. He never expected Lu Yi to suggest it himself, so he naturally couldn''t refuse. Jiang Fan couldn¡¯t help but feel touched. ''Brother Lu is so thoughtful. Is he trying to help me improve my strength?'' Jiang Fan felt a surge of gratitude. ''Brother Lu¡¯s kindness is as vast as a mountain.'' The competition continued. After the top 100 were determined, the matches grew even fiercer. Even cultivators at the eighth and ninth levels of Foundation Establishment were starting to struggle. However, for the chance to enter the Eastern Forest Ruins, even those who knew they were outmatched had no choice but to give it their all. The battles became increasingly intense. Although Jiang Fan had refined his Golden Core technique to a considerable degree, he still found himself in dangerous situations. Just as Lu Yi was considering whether to lend him a hand, Jiang Fan suddenly took out an extremely powerful magical treasure. It was a slightly worn-looking white bottle. Large amounts of mysterious water spilled out from the bottle under Jiang Fan¡¯s control, enabling both offense and defense. It was incredibly strong. Even cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment could not break through the water¡¯s defenses. This drew quite a bit of attention. Lu Yi¡¯s sharp spiritual perception, which was close to transformation, detected the formidable power contained within the small bottle. It might even pose a threat to low-level Golden Core cultivators. This was practically a top-grade magical artifact¡ªpossibly even approaching the strength of a lower-grade treasure. Lu Yi found this peculiar. ''This must be one of Brother Jiang Fan''s lucky encounters.'' ''No wonder his name has the character for "Fan" in it¡ªhis luck really is extraordinary.'' The treasure appeared slightly damaged, but if repaired, it might become even more powerful. Although Jiang Fan¡¯s cultivation wasn¡¯t quite enough to fully utilize the artifact, he still managed to break into the top 20. In the end, the top 20 were decided¡ªLu Yi and Jiang Fan were both among them. The remaining competitors included five cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment, while the rest were at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. From start to finish, Lu Yi had not even needed to make a move. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he had just been there as a spectator, feeling a bit helpless. As the competition concluded, Wu Qingfeng landed on the stage, swept his gaze over the twenty competitors, and spoke calmly: "The twenty of you will enter the Eastern Forest Ruins. Go back and make your preparations. We set out in one week." Chapter 86: Echoes of Battle from Endless Ages Ago Afterward, Wu Qingfeng announced the conclusion of the competition, and the crowd dispersed. Lu Yi, Liu Ningshuang, and Donggong Mingyue left together and returned to Lingluo Peak. The following seven days passed peacefully, and soon the time for departure arrived. Early that morning, Lu Yi left his cave dwelling and headed to the gathering point. The meeting place was at the peak of White Cloud Mountain, where the main hall of White Cloud Sect was located. When Lu Yi arrived at the peak, he saw that many people had already gathered, including Jiang Fan and the senior brothers and sisters who were also heading to the Eastern Forest Ruins. Surprisingly, Lu Yi also saw Liu Ningshuang, who was standing with several elders exuding powerful and profound auras. Lu Yi walked over and asked in surprise, "Senior Sister, why are you here too?" Upon seeing Lu Yi, Liu Ningshuang''s usually cold expression softened slightly, and she smiled faintly. "The disciples heading to the Eastern Forest Ruins are the future backbone of White Cloud Sect. Moreover, with you participating, someone needs to provide protection. I, along with several elders, will be accompanying you." Lu Yi glanced at the elders nearby. They wore gentle expressions and nodded slightly toward him. All these elders were in the Nascent Soul Realm, but among them, there was an elderly woman whose aura was so profound that Lu Yi couldn¡¯t even sense her cultivation level. She was likely as strong as Elder Xuan and Elder Ming¡ªat the Void Refinement Realm. The elderly woman stepped forward, examined Lu Yi, and smiled warmly. "Child, you must be Lu Yi? You truly are talented and handsome. Very impressive." Liu Ningshuang introduced her, "Junior Brother, this is Elder Chuyun. She is one of the true powerhouses of White Cloud Sect, a figure who dominated Green Province a thousand years ago. She will be leading the team this time." Lu Yi quickly bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Chuyun." The elderly woman smiled kindly, exuding a grandmotherly demeanor. "That was all so long ago. Seeing such talented young people now makes me happy. I don¡¯t have many years left to live, so the future of White Cloud Sect will depend on all of you." After exchanging a few words, the group was finally assembled, and Elder Chuyun spoke. "Let¡¯s set off." A Nascent Soul elder nearby nodded, waved his sleeve, and summoned a magnificent wooden ship. The ship was engraved with intricate formations and slowly expanded in size. Soon, it turned into a massive vessel hundreds of meters long, shimmering with light, and floated above White Cloud Peak. It was a flying treasure! Lu Yi was astonished. Such a large flying treasure likely surpassed the level of magical artifacts and might even be a spiritual artifact. He hadn¡¯t expected White Cloud Sect to possess such a treasure. "Board the ship. It¡¯s a long journey, so we should start as soon as possible," Elder Chuyun instructed. The group boarded the ship one by one. Standing on the deck, Lu Yi watched as the formations carved into the ship lit up. A translucent barrier enveloped the vessel, which then transformed into a stream of light and vanished from White Cloud Peak. From the deck, Lu Yi gazed down at the rapidly shrinking mountains and rivers below. ''What incredible speed,'' he thought. ''This is much faster than my full-speed Lightning Shadow Step.'' Come to think of it, Lu Yi remembered he also had a flying treasure¡ªa top-grade flying artifact. However, he had never used it. The Wind Breath Boat was too conspicuous, and since he rarely traveled, he had no need for it. While Lu Yi was lost in thought, Liu Ningshuang approached and stood beside him. Lu Yi glanced at her; her snow-white, jade-like complexion gleamed softly, making her look as stunning as a painting. Liu Ningshuang looked back at him and chuckled lightly. "Junior Brother, the Eastern Forest Ruins are far outside White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory. Even aboard the Radiant Light Ship, it will take half a month to get there. Standing here won¡¯t do. Come with me; I¡¯ll find you a room to rest." Lu Yi nodded, and the two headed into the cabin. Lu Yi found that the Radiant Light Ship was extraordinarily spacious. With only about thirty people onboard, there was more than enough room¡ªeach person even had their own chamber. To his surprise, each room was equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array, making it possible to cultivate peacefully. ''What luxury,'' Lu Yi marveled. In the following days, Lu Yi focused on cultivating. Occasionally, he chatted and drank with Liu Ningshuang or sparred with Jiang Fan. The Radiant Light Ship¡¯s deck was incredibly sturdy¡ªLu Yi doubted he could damage it even with his full strength¡ªmaking it a perfect spot for sparring. Through these sparring sessions, Lu Yi gained insight into the Water Dao and even collected nearly a hundred drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk. He had now accumulated several hundred drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, most of which were rewards from clearing over twenty levels in the Trial Tower, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and completing missions a year ago. Lu Yi hadn¡¯t used the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk yet. For now, the Thousand-Year Spirit Milk was sufficient for his cultivation. He planned to switch once its effects diminished. After sparring with Jiang Fan, several other Foundation Establishment disciples joined in. Lu Yi challenged them one by one. Among them, five Foundation Establishment peak disciples demonstrated impressive talent, earning me Thousand-Year Spirit Milk as rewards. From others, I got Perfect Qi Gathering Pills instead. Qi Gathering Pills were valuable for Foundation Establishment cultivation, and Perfect Qi Gathering Pills were considered rare treasures. However, to Lu Yi, they were too ordinary for his use. Still, he accepted them all, planning to distribute them later to his father, Lu Gaoyang, and mother, Wang Siqi, or perhaps to Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong. After several days, the Radiant Light Ship left White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory and continued its journey, passing through various regions until it reached a desolate wasteland. This barren land was deathly silent, with faint traces of bloodthirsty energy lingering in the air. Lu Yi¡¯s mind wavered for a moment, and he seemed to hear echoes of battle cries from an unknown, ancient era. Lu Yi snapped out of it, startled, and looked down at the wasteland. ''What a strange and eerie place,'' he thought. He turned his head and saw that some of the Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby appeared dazed, even Jiang Fan was the same. As for the few Nascent Soul cultivators, Elder Chuyun, and Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, they seemed unaffected. Seeing Lu Yi recover so quickly, the Nascent Soul elders all showed expressions of surprise. Elder Chuyun nodded in satisfaction, smiling as he said, "Not bad, not bad. To break free from the Blood Fiend Illusion this quickly, Lu Yi, your mental strength is quite formidable." Liu Ningshuang, however, remained calm and said, "Junior Brother is at the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining and has a Foundation Establishment base. His mental strength is naturally far superior to others of the same rank."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Thirteenth layer of Qi Refining¡ªindeed an exceptionally strong foundation." "Haha, it seems we were overthinking things. Nephew Lu Yi is, after all, the genius who triggered the Foundation Establishment tribulation." The elders all sighed in admiration, and one of them spoke up, "Alright, let''s wake the others." An elder opened his mouth and shouted, "Wake up!" Instantly, the Foundation Establishment disciples shuddered and regained their senses. Their faces turned pale as they looked down below, horror evident in their eyes. Jiang Fan furrowed his brows, his face full of shock. "What was that illusion just now?" A Nascent Soul elder explained, "This place is an ancient battlefield where humans and demons once fought. The area is stained with the blood of mighty beings. Even after countless years, the killing intent remains in this scorched land. Those with lower cultivation or weaker mental strength can easily be influenced by this killing aura, falling into illusions. The same killing aura exists within the Eastern Forest Ruins, and in some areas, it is even more concentrated. If your mind is not strong enough, you should avoid those places. If you get lost in the illusions, you may never return." Hearing this, the disciples all shuddered in fear. "So, the Eastern Forest Ruins are just ahead?" Lu Yi gazed into the distance. Liu Ningshuang nodded slightly and pointed toward a barren hillside. "The entrance to the ruins is over there." Lu Yi looked ahead and noticed figures present. Apart from cultivators floating in mid-air, there was also a massive, floating, azure-colored ice mountain. "Heh, it seems the people from Winter Valley have already arrived. It''s rare for them to be this early," a Nascent Soul elder said with a smile upon seeing the ice mountain. "Let''s head over too," Elder Chuyun commanded, and the Radiant Light Ancient Ship flew in that direction. As they drew closer, Lu Yi saw everything more clearly. The ice mountain was enormous, and several cultivators sat cross-legged atop it. They appeared completely unbothered by their surroundings, meditating with their eyes closed despite the nearby discussions. Lu Yi took a closer look at the peculiar ice mountain, which exuded intense coldness. It seemed to have been refined into a powerful magic treasure. As for the cultivators outside the ice mountain, Lu Yi suspected they were rogue cultivators. Each time the Eastern Forest Ruins opened, rogue cultivators would gather, hoping to sneak into the ruins and acquire resources. Some simply treated the event as a spectacle to watch. When the Radiant Light Ancient Ship approached, the rogue cultivators turned their attention to it. "It''s the Radiant Light Ancient Ship of the White Cloud Sect. They''ve arrived too." "I wonder how strong the disciples from White Cloud Sect are this time. I heard that Winter Valley produced a genius with an innate ice spirit body. They were hidden away for twenty years and have now reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. If not for the opening of the Eastern Forest Ruins, this genius might have remained hidden even longer." "An innate ice spirit body? Winter Valley actually has such a prodigy? Reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment at twenty years old may not match Liu Ningshuang, but it''s not far off. Perhaps no one among the disciples of the five great sects can compete with them this generation." "That''s not necessarily true. The Blood Spirit Sect''s sect master''s son was born with the Blood Spirit Orb and has been trained from a young age. It''s said that he has also reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. If not for the opening of the Eastern Forest Ruins, he might already be at the Golden Core stage. He may even surpass Winter Valley''s ice spirit genius." "I''ve heard about the Blood Spirit Sect''s young master. They say he is extremely bloodthirsty. Isn''t he afraid of retribution?" "Watch your words... You may not fear death, but we don''t want to die." Hearing this, the rogue cultivators distanced themselves from the speaker, who seemed to realize his mistake and fell silent. "What about the Heavenly Serpent Sect, the Myriad Flower Valley, and the White Cloud Sect? Do they have any standout disciples this time?" "Heh, I don''t know about the other sects, but as someone from the White Cloud territory, I can assure you that White Cloud Sect is undoubtedly the strongest this time." Hearing this, the crowd was stunned and looked toward the speaker. "Brother, aren''t you being a bit too confident?" "Exactly. The five sects are all major powers in Green Province, each with numerous talents. To say that one sect is far superior might be a stretch." "You all just don''t understand. Did you know that White Cloud Sect produced a genius who surpasses Liu Ningshuang?" This statement caused an uproar among the crowd, who all stared at the speaker in disbelief. "A genius surpassing Liu Ningshuang?!" "Fairy Liu Ningshuang is ranked among the top three prodigies in the Eastern Region and has overshadowed the younger generation throughout Green Province. White Cloud Sect has someone even better?!" "Impossible! I don''t believe it!" The rogue cultivator sneered and said, "That genius broke through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment last year and even triggered a lightning tribulation! Have you ever seen a lightning tribulation during Qi Refining?" This revelation silenced the crowd before an uproar broke out again. "Qi Refining Stage, yet it triggered a lightning tribulation?! How is that possible?" "What kind of aptitude would it take to draw a lightning tribulation at the Qi Refining Stage?" A rogue cultivator sneered, "If it weren''t for the fact that the tribulation occurred within the sect and caused such a commotion, no one would have known about it. That genius''s talent is probably comparable to the prodigies of ancient times." "Hiss... If that''s true, then as long as this genius doesn''t fall, wouldn''t there be hope for ascension to immortality in the future? White Cloud Sect really hit the jackpot." "Wait, you said he only broke through to Foundation Establishment last year? How strong can he be in just one year? He might not be able to match those other prodigies who are already at the peak of Foundation Establishment, right?" These words brought everyone back to their senses. "That does make sense. No matter how great the talent, if it hasn''t been converted into strength, it''s all meaningless." "He just reached Foundation Establishment a year ago, and he dares to come to the Eastern Forest Ruins? If we know about this, I can''t believe other sects don''t know about the monstrous genius from White Cloud Sect. If he really dares to come here, the geniuses from other sects won''t miss the chance to eliminate him." "That''s true. With such monstrous talent, he shouldn''t come out so soon. If he waited until his cultivation was perfected, who could stand against him? He might even cause a sensation throughout the Eastern Region." While the crowd was still discussing, the group of cultivators from Cold Winter Valley atop the icy mountain seemed to sense something. They opened their eyes one after another and looked toward the approaching Radiant Light Ancient Ship. Sitting at the peak of the icy mountain was a white-haired elder. His cold eyes flickered slightly as he lightly floated into the air and flew toward the Radiant Light Ancient Ship. "Hahaha, fellow cultivators of White Cloud Sect, I didn''t expect you to arrive so early. Who''s leading your group this time? Please come out and meet me." Elder Chuyun rose into the air, his gentle voice ringing out, "Fellow Daoist Dongyu, it''s been a long time. I hope you''ve been well." Dongyu, upon seeing Elder Chuyun, smiled and said, "So it''s Daoist Chuyun." He glanced at Elder Chuyun''s aged face. Although traces of her former elegance remained, Dongyu sighed with some emotion, "It''s been a long time. We''ve both grown old." Chuyun smiled warmly, "Without achieving immortality, aging and sickness are inevitable. Having come to this mortal world, we might as well live freely. Being so sentimental doesn''t suit someone called the Ice Demon." Dongyu laughed, "Even the once-renowned Fairy Chuyun can be so open-minded. Why should this old man dwell on it?" As he spoke, his gaze swept across the Radiant Light Ancient Ship and finally landed on Lu Yi. A trace of light flashed in his eyes as he smiled faintly, "I heard your White Cloud Sect produced a genius with immortal potential. You''re not afraid of him dying in the Eastern Forest Ruins?" Elder Chuyun looked at Dongyu and smiled, "Since he''s an immortal seed, this small Eastern Forest Ruins poses no threat to him." "Then what about the prodigies from other sects?" Dongyu gave Lu Yi a deep look before withdrawing his gaze slowly. Elder Chuyun''s eyes turned cold as he said, "If they have the ability, they are welcome to try." Dongyu smiled and said, "Cold Winter Valley has no enmity with White Cloud Sect, so we certainly won''t harm your immortal seed. But the Heavenly Serpent Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect might not be so kind." "Hmph, do you think the disciples of those sects can even lay a hand on Lu Yi?" Elder Chuyun sneered. Lu Yi was the personal disciple of the Magnolia Peak Master, whose strength was unfathomable. If Lu Yi''s safety couldn''t be reasonably assured, how could he possibly be allowed to enter the ruins? At this moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed, "Chuyun, after more than two hundred years, your cultivation hasn''t improved much, but your arrogance certainly has..." Many cultivators turned their heads to see an ancient ship shrouded in a sinister blood mist slowly approaching from the horizon. Even though it was still some distance away, the cultivators could already sense the intense smell of blood. "That''s the Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship!" "The Blood Spirit Sect is here. Things are about to get interesting!" "I heard that a Nascent Soul elder of the Blood Spirit Sect is nearing the end of his lifespan, and they''ve been sending cultivators to the White Cloud Territory to refine blood essence, stirring up trouble. The enmity between the two sects is already deep." "Heh, as if there wasn''t already hatred between the two sects before this. Remember when the Blood Spirit Sect''s Sect Master died at the hands of White Cloud Sect?" "I wonder if they''ll start fighting right now?" Nearby rogue cultivators whispered among themselves, watching the approaching Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship. Elder Chuyun''s expression turned cold as he looked at the Blood Spirit Sect''s ship. With a sneer, he said, "So it''s you, Xueluo. Looks like you''ve recovered well from the injuries you sustained back then?" A streak of blood-red light shot out from the ancient ship, landing near Elder Chuyun. It was an elder clad in a blood-red robe, with hair dyed crimson as if soaked in blood. His dark red eyes gleamed with a bloody light as he sneered and turned his gaze toward the Radiant Light Ancient Ship. When he saw Lu Yi, a murderous intent flickered openly in his eyes. He grinned and said, "I originally thought the little brat from White Cloud Sect wouldn''t dare show up, but it seems he really came? Since he''s here, he shouldn''t expect to leave." Elder Chuyun locked his aura onto Xueluo to prevent any sudden attacks and said indifferently, "If your Blood Spirit Sect''s disciples can come, why can''t our White Cloud Sect''s disciples?" Xueluo sensed Elder Chuyun''s aura and smirked, holding back from attacking. "I hope he enters the ruins." On the ancient ship, Lu Yi naturally felt Xueluo''s murderous intent, and he was displeased. He muttered, ''That old guy''s gaze is disgusting. At his age, he still wants to make a move against me? Shameless.'' Beside him, Liu Ningshuang''s cold expression didn''t change as she glanced at Xueluo and said calmly, "With Elder Chuyun and us here, no one can touch you outside the ruins." At that moment, Lu Yi suddenly frowned, sensing undisguised malice emanating from the Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship. He turned and saw a handsome young man with a blood-red mark on his forehead staring at him. Noticing Lu Yi''s gaze, the young man grinned wickedly, then pointed at Lu Yi and slowly ran his finger across his own throat. Chapter 87: Abundant Mission Rewards Within the Ancient Ruins Lu Yi saw the provocation in the blood-marked youth''s eyes and raised his eyebrow. "Who is this person?" A steady-looking young man at the peak of Foundation Establishment beside him replied with a serious expression, "He is Xue Tianhen, the son of the Blood Spirit Sect''s leader. It is said that he was born with a Blood Spirit Pearl, possesses extraordinary talent, and has been honing his foundation at the peak of Foundation Establishment for a long time. His strength is likely formidable." This young man, named Yu Ling, was the runner-up in the recent sect competition. His strength was exceptional, and his ranking in the trial rankings had already reached level 22, which meant he was capable of defeating a Golden Core stage cultivator. Next to them, a delicate-looking woman frowned as she looked at Xue Tianhen and said, "This person seems to have set his sights on you, Junior Brother Lu. Once we enter the Eastern Forest Ruins, he might make a move against you. You must be careful." This woman, named Lin Xiaoxiao, ranked third in the sect competition and was nearly as strong as Yu Ling. Lu Yi chuckled lightly. "I see, the bloodline heir of the Blood Spirit Sect''s leader. No wonder he''s so arrogant. I''ll be careful. Thank you, Senior Sister Lin, for the reminder." He recalled the atrocities committed by the Blood Spirit Sect disciples at White Cloud Sect¡ªdesolate villages and countless wandering refugees. His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced toward the Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship. When Xue Tianhen revealed his killing intent, the other Blood Spirit Sect disciples also stared at Lu Yi with cold expressions. ''I will kill the Blood Spirit Sect disciples who enter the Eastern Forest Ruins,'' Lu Yi resolved silently. [Task] Kill the Blood Spirit Sect disciples who enter the Eastern Forest Ruins. Rewards will be based on the number of kills. Accept: Yes / No Lu Yi quietly selected "Yes" and smiled back at Xue Tianhen. On the distant Blood Spirit Sect ship, Xue Tianhen noticed Lu Yi''s boldness in smiling back at him. He grinned, revealing sharp white teeth. "What a fool who doesn''t fear death..." A seductive woman beside him giggled. "Why bother getting angry with someone who is destined to die, Brother Tianhen?" "Exactly. So what if he triggered heavenly tribulation while still in the Qi Refining stage? He only broke through to Foundation Establishment a year ago. Instead of staying in his sect to cultivate properly, he dares to come out and court death." An elderly Blood Spirit Sect elder beside them gazed deeply at Lu Yi and slowly said, "This boy''s talent is extraordinary. If we let him grow, he will become a great enemy of our Blood Spirit Sect. Your primary mission in the Eastern Forest Ruins is to eliminate him. Even if it means sacrificing some opportunities, it is worth it. Whoever kills him will be greatly rewarded by the sect." The Foundation Establishment disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect had gleaming eyes and were eager to act. "Yes!" While tension built between the factions, a piercing cry echoed through the heavens. A powerful aura spread, causing everyone, including Lu Yi, to look over. In the distance, a massive black serpent, hundreds of meters long, with dark wings spread wide, flew toward them. On the serpent''s back stood several cultivators with grim expressions, exuding an intimidating presence. "That''s the Black Jade Serpent! The disciples of the Heaven Serpent Sect are here too." "As expected of the Heaven Serpent Sect. Judging by the Black Jade Serpent''s aura, it has already reached the Nascent Soul Realm. They''ve actually tamed it as a mount." "Does the Heaven Serpent Sect have any strong disciples? Can they compete with the Blood Spirit Sect, White Cloud Sect, and Cold Winter Valley?" "The Heaven Serpent Sect has always kept a low profile, but they are not weak. This generation''s disciples may include hidden talents." As the crowd discussed, colorful light beams lit up the sky. A magnificent flower boat approached swiftly. "It''s the Myriad Flower Sect!" Many cultivators looked toward the flower boat with anticipation. The Myriad Flower Sect was the only sect in Green Province that consisted entirely of female cultivators. With beautiful women everywhere, many male cultivators took pride in marrying a disciple of the Myriad Flower Sect. The flower boat soon arrived, carrying a group of graceful female cultivators. Leading them was a stunning woman in a green dress, whose aura was both profound and commanding. On the White Cloud Sect''s ancient ship, the disciples also took notice of the flower boat. Yu Ling looked at the beautiful woman and said, "That woman in green is Yun Xi. She is rumored to have the Myriad Flower Spirit Physique and possesses extraordinary strength." A Foundation Establishment disciple beside him chuckled. "Regardless of her strength, Yun Xi is certainly breathtakingly beautiful." Many disciples exchanged knowing smiles. Even Lu Yi acknowledged Yun Xi''s beauty, though he felt no particular emotions. ''Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang and Junior Sister Donggong Mingyue are both stunning beauties. My standards have already been raised by them. No matter how beautiful Yun Xi is, she doesn''t affect me,'' Lu Yi thought. Nevertheless, Lu Yi could sense that Yun Xi''s strength was impressive, with immense power hidden within her. After the arrival of the Myriad Flower Sect and the Heaven Serpent Sect, the elders on the serpent and flower boat flew toward the three elders of the White Cloud Sect. They were also Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, with immense strength. "So it''s Fellow Daoist Du Qin and Fellow Daoist Mie Yue," Elder Dong Yu greeted with a smile. Du Qin was an elderly woman from the Myriad Flower Sect, and Mie Yue was a gaunt old man from the Heaven Serpent Sect. Now, all five sects had assembled. Before long, Lu Yi noticed the killing aura on the scorched earth intensify. Blood fiend energy surged, causing a faint sense of rage to stir in people''s hearts. This was the influence of the blood fiend energy. Lu Yi circulated his spiritual power, quickly suppressing the feeling. He looked in surprise toward a nearby hill. Thick blood fiend energy had gathered into a dense mist. "What is that?" many disciples exclaimed. An elder explained, "The time has come. When the killing aura reaches its peak, the spatial barrier of the Eastern Forest Ruins will be at its weakest. The gate can now be opened." As the elder finished speaking, the five Nascent Soul cultivators rose into the air and stood before the blood mist. Mie Yue shouted, "Let us join forces to open the gate to the ruins!" "Begin!" Spiritual power surged as the five elders unleashed powerful techniques, causing the surrounding space to tremble. The killing aura resonated with their power, making the scorched earth feel alive. Ancient silhouettes from a distant era appeared across the land¡ªboth human and demon¡ªfilling the air with deafening war cries, as if their murderous intent had traversed time to reach this moment.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Lu Yi stared at the ancient figures, wide-eyed and amazed. ''To think the killing intent of this battlefield has lingered for so long and can still be awakened. Just how powerful were the cultivators who fought here?'' he marveled. The Nascent Soul elders were prepared. They combined their techniques into a single strike, shattering the blood mist. Boom! A black void formed where the mist had been, its depths obscured, sending chills down the spines of those who looked. A few rogue cultivators immediately rushed toward the void, but a powerful force crushed them into blood mist before they could enter. The remaining rogues froze in fear. Mie Yue spoke coldly. "This ruin was discovered by the five sects. Our disciples enter first. The rest of you will wait for your turn. Five sect disciples, what are you waiting for? Enter now!" On the White Cloud Sect''s ancient ship, Jiang Fan turned to Lu Yi with a smile. "Senior Brother, let''s go." Lu Yi nodded slightly. Twenty White Cloud Sect disciples flew toward the dark void on their swords. Disciples from the other four sects quickly followed suit, disappearing into the ruins. Lu Yi stepped through the entrance and immediately felt the world spin. Space twisted, leaving him disoriented. The surroundings fell into complete silence and darkness, as if the other cultivators who entered with him had vanished. Only an endless void remained. Moments later, light returned to his vision, and his feet felt solid ground beneath them. Lu Yi surveyed his surroundings and found himself in a dense forest. Towering ancient trees surrounded him, their bark weathered and aged, with patches of moss clinging to them. Looking up, Lu Yi saw the sky through the gaps in the foliage. It was a dark red hue, devoid of sun or moon, as though it had been soaked in blood. ''I''ve entered the ancient site,'' Lu Yi thought, feeling his heart settle. Based on his research, the sky in the Eastern Forest Ruins was always like this¡ªa crimson expanse without sun, moon, or stars, only eternal red. This small world was essentially a fragment of space, so it naturally lacked celestial bodies. Lu Yi glanced at his status panel and saw that the mission to enter the Eastern Forest Ruins was marked as complete. With no more doubts lingering, he allowed himself a faint smile. "Thirty drops of ten-thousand-year spiritual milk, effortlessly obtained." Now, all he had to do was explore the area and test his luck. To be honest, Lu Yi did not have high expectations for fortune within the ruins. He was more interested in finding tasks to complete, as task rewards often surpassed the opportunities hidden within the ruins. Of course, he also had another objective¡ªto find and eliminate disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect. Lu Yi had not forgotten his mission to hunt them down. While Lu Yi pondered his next steps, a sudden, menacing growl came from behind him. Turning around, he saw a massive beast, about the size of an elephant, covered in black armor-like scales. Its crimson eyes locked onto him, radiating murderous intent. The beasts in the Eastern Forest Ruins had been soaked in killing aura for countless years, making them exceptionally aggressive. Lu Yi remained calm. ''A Foundation Establishment Stage Level Eight beast, not particularly strong.'' He muttered to himself, ''I need to kill this beast.'' [Task] Kill a Level Eight Foundation Establishment beast. Reward: 8 drops of Savage Beast Blood Essence, 8 drops of ten-thousand-year spiritual milk. Accept? Yes/No Seeing the mission details, Lu Yi was momentarily stunned, surprised by the generous rewards. ''Isn''t this reward a bit too extravagant?!'' Lu Yi had hunted Foundation Establishment beasts before in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, but the rewards had only been thousand-year spiritual milk. And now? It was offering ten-thousand-year spiritual milk¡ªand eight drops at that. Not to mention, it also included Savage Beast Blood Essence. Savage Beasts were incredibly powerful creatures. Their blood essence was a natural treasure for body refinement, making it perfect for tempering the body. If refined into pills, the effects would be even more potent. Lu Yi happened to know how to refine Blood Essence Pills. With the addition of Savage Beast Blood Essence, the pills could be elevated to an even higher level. ''Just when I thought my resources for body refinement were lacking, this falls right into my lap?'' Lu Yi was overjoyed and promptly accepted the mission. ''Coming to the Eastern Forest Ruins was the right decision. The rewards are simply too good.'' As Lu Yi accepted the mission, the beast let out a deafening roar. Spiritual energy surged around it, mixed with a bloodthirsty aura, as it charged toward him with overwhelming momentum. Lu Yi was slightly impressed. Although this beast was only at Foundation Establishment Stage Level Eight, its aura alone could rival a cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Clearly, the beasts in the Eastern Forest Ruins had been tempered by the bloodthirsty aura for countless years. While it made them savage and mindless, it also enhanced their combat strength significantly. Of course, such strength was meaningless against Lu Yi. Without even drawing his sword, Lu Yi simply pointed a finger. A golden sword light flashed and pierced through the beast''s forehead, extinguishing its life force instantly. Lu Yi glanced at the beast''s corpse and, after some thought, stored it away. ''It might make for good grilled meat. If not, I can always throw it away later. No point wasting it.'' Lu Yi then soared into the air, rising above the forest to get a clearer view of his surroundings. According to the information he had gathered, the spatial fluctuations during entry caused cultivators to appear randomly within the outskirts of the ruins. The inner region of the Eastern Forest Ruins was far more unstable, making it impossible to traverse. As for leaving the ruins, they would have to wait ten days. At that time, a spatial gate would open in a special location to the north of the outskirts, where five Nascent Soul Realm cultivators would lead them out. For now, there was still plenty of time, so Lu Yi decided to continue exploring. From the sky, he saw that he was currently above a massive forest. The forest stretched endlessly, with barren lands visible in the distance. This was clearly the outer region. Looking toward the depths of the ruins, he noticed the blood mist growing denser. At its core, the mist was so thick it appeared solid, obscuring all visibility. Such dense killing aura hinted at the unimaginable dangers hidden within. That place was the core area where the great war between the human and demon clans took place back then. It was also likely the burial ground of many powerful cultivators. Even after so many years, the baleful aura of blood had yet to dissipate. There were probably unimaginable dangers lurking within. According to the explorations of Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Five Sects who had entered the Eastern Forest Ruins over the years, the outer regions were the safest, and the deeper one ventured, the more dangerous it became. Not a single cultivator who ventured into the depths of the Eastern Forest Ruins had ever returned alive, including many extraordinarily talented individuals. This made numerous disciples regard the core area with fear and respect, keeping their distance. Lu Yi naturally would not court death. Although his strength was not weak, and he was quite confident in himself, he did not believe he was truly invincible. If he were to encounter some unforeseen danger inside, it would spell trouble. He was not lacking in resources, so there was no need to take such risks. It would be enough to explore the outer areas safely and steadily. Having made up his mind, Lu Yi decided to head toward the wasteland. Generally speaking, wastelands were areas where remnants of battles remained, and he might find treasures left behind by cultivators from countless years ago. Just as Lu Yi finalized his decision, a sharp and piercing bird cry rang out. Lu Yi turned his head and saw a giant bird covered in golden feathers streaking across the sky, flying toward the depths of the Eastern Forest Ruins. Even though it was far away, Lu Yi could still sense the powerful aura emanating from the bird¡ªGolden Core peak. Lu Yi exhaled slowly, descending from the air. Only Foundation Establishment cultivators could enter from the outside, but this restriction did not apply to the native creatures of the Eastern Forest Ruins. Many strong cultivators speculated that extremely powerful beasts existed in the core area of the Eastern Forest Ruins. Shaking his head, Lu Yi stopped dwelling on it. After all, the outer area was relatively safe. With wisps of white clouds swirling around him, Lu Yi headed toward the wasteland. After breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm, his speed had increased significantly. In just a short moment, he had traveled dozens of kilometers. At that moment, Lu Yi heard booming sounds in the distance and felt strong spiritual energy fluctuations. It was a battle between cultivators. Raising an eyebrow, Lu Yi moved toward the source of the commotion. Before long, he reached the battlefield. He saw six cultivators chasing down two others. Lu Yi recognized the two being pursued. They were senior brothers from the White Cloud Sect who had entered the ruins with him, named You Jing and Wang Chuanlu. At this moment, both of them were covered in blood, their auras weak. Their situation looked dire. What surprised Lu Yi even more was that the six pursuers included four disciples from the Heavenly Serpent Sect and two from the Blood Spirit Sect. Lu Yi''s strong spiritual sense and sharp memory allowed him to recognize all the cultivators from the other four sects who had entered the ruins. It was strange to see disciples from these two sects working together. Lu Yi frowned, finding the situation unreasonable. However, this was not the time to think about it. Lu Yi took a step forward and vanished from his spot, reappearing in front of the group. The two White Cloud Sect disciples who had been fleeing were stunned when they saw Lu Yi. The short-haired youth on the left, You Jing, suddenly changed his expression and shouted anxiously, "Junior Brother Lu, run! The Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect have joined forces to kill you. They are scouring the outer regions of the Eastern Forest Ruins to find you!" Hearing this, Lu Yi raised an eyebrow. The six pursuers also froze when they saw Lu Yi, but then their faces lit up with joy. "Lu Yi! I didn''t expect to find him so soon!" "What luck! Capturing him will be a great achievement!" "Quick, notify the others!" One of the Heavenly Serpent Sect disciples took out a black insect about the size of a finger, which wriggled in his hand. He opened his mouth and swallowed the insect. His face turned pale, then quickly regained color as he grinned. "I''ve already sent the message. Senior brothers are on their way. Let''s block him first and prevent his escape!" Seeing the group of cultivators surrounding Lu Yi, the two White Cloud Sect seniors grew even more anxious. "Junior Brother, why haven''t you left yet?!" "Run quickly, Junior Brother! If you don''t, more of them will come! Those bastards from the Heavenly Serpent Sect even brought Mother-Child Transmission Insects just to trap you!" Despite their serious injuries, the two senior brothers were visibly worried about Lu Yi''s safety. This warmed Lu Yi''s heart. It seemed his fellow disciples were genuinely good people. Lu Yi chuckled softly. "Don''t worry, Senior Brothers. It''s not a big deal." He had originally planned to find trouble with the Blood Spirit Sect disciples, but now it seemed he didn''t need to search for them. Fishing them out here was far more convenient. Chapter 88: Gathering from All Sides The disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect hesitated to approach Lu Yi, wary of his strength. After all, Lu Yi was the rumored genius who triggered a lightning tribulation while still in the Qi Refining Stage. Even though he had only broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage a year ago, he could not be underestimated. They didn¡¯t believe they could secure a decisive victory over him. Their plan was to stall for time until their sect¡¯s stronger cultivators arrived, at which point victory would be assured. Hearing Lu Yi¡¯s confident words, a Blood Spirit Sect disciple sneered, ¡°Lu Yi, your talent is extraordinary, but an unripe genius is nothing more than an ordinary person. Once Senior Brother Tian Hen of the Blood Spirit Sect arrives, it will be your death sentence!¡± A disciple of the Heavenly Serpent Sect chimed in, ¡°Heh, Senior Brother Qin Luo of my sect has been personally trained by the Grand Elder since birth. His strength is unparalleled. Let¡¯s see if you can keep up that attitude when he arrives.¡± Their taunts made the two White Cloud Sect disciples even more uneasy. Lu Yi, however, remained calm. Noticing that his two senior brothers were gravely injured, he took out two bottles of pills and handed them over. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, senior brothers. Everything will be fine. These are White Jade Pills¡ªthey can heal injuries. Take them first.¡± The White Jade Pill was a Foundation Establishment Stage healing pill. Lu Yi had obtained the recipe from the Trial Tower and had already refined it to the highest grade. Given his current mastery of several peak-level pill recipes, refining a Foundation-level pill did not take much effort. After all, as long as one understood the principles, alchemy was not too difficult to master. The two senior brothers hesitated when they saw Lu Yi¡¯s calm expression, but eventually accepted the pills. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, though your strength is formidable, the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect both have prodigies. If they join forces against you, it will be extremely dangerous. Why don¡¯t we retreat for now?¡± Wang Chuanlu suggested nervously. You Jing also nodded repeatedly. They both knew Lu Yi¡¯s strength was remarkable¡ªhe had already reached the 23rd level of the Trial Tower. However, the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect also had their own prodigies. Lu Yi had only broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage a year ago, after all. You Jing opened the jade bottle, intending to heal his injuries to avoid becoming a burden if they needed to flee. At that moment, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, instantly refreshing his spirit. You Jing¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°This pill¡­ top-grade? No, even top-grade doesn¡¯t have such potent effects. This is a Perfect-grade White Jade Pill?!¡± Wang Chuanlu, who had been about to persuade Lu Yi to retreat, was stunned. ¡°???¡± ¡°A Perfect-grade White Jade Pill?!¡± Both senior brothers were dumbfounded. Perfect-grade pills¡ªwere they even something they were qualified to consume? If sold, such pills could be exchanged for countless top-grade ones. Even the six Foundation Establishment disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect looked on with undisguised greed. They hadn¡¯t expected that the pills Lu Yi casually handed out would be Perfect-grade. For Foundation Establishment cultivators, a Perfect-grade White Jade Pill was practically a second life! And Lu Yi just gave them away like that? Lu Yi smiled. ¡°It¡¯s just something I came across by chance. I don¡¯t really need it myself, so you two should use it.¡± The two senior brothers were deeply moved. ¡°I¡¯ve long heard that Junior Brother Lu is generous and kindhearted. Seeing it firsthand today is truly impressive,¡± You Jing said. Wang Chuanlu took a deep look at Lu Yi and swallowed the pill in one gulp. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Junior Brother. I will stand by your side no matter what. You are White Cloud Sect¡¯s most talented disciple¡ªits future. You cannot fall here!¡± You Jing also swallowed the pill. As soon as they took the pills, a warm current surged through their bodies. Their intense pain quickly subsided, and their wounds began to scab over visibly. Both were amazed. This was their first time taking a Perfect-grade pill, and they hadn¡¯t expected the effects to be this astonishing. Even more so than the two senior brothers, the six opposing disciples were practically green with envy. ¡°Damn it¡­ Perfect-grade pills! And they were wasted on two doomed men!¡± one Heavenly Serpent Sect disciple said bitterly. Another Heavenly Serpent Sect disciple¡¯s eyes gleamed with greed as he looked at Lu Yi. ¡°If he can casually take out Perfect-grade pills, how many more treasures does he have?¡± At this, the six disciples¡¯ breathing grew heavier. Their gazes toward Lu Yi were filled with intense desire. Lu Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled. ¡°Weren¡¯t you waiting for your senior brothers to arrive? Or are you planning to act now? Feel free to try.¡± Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s fearless demeanor, the disciples exchanged glances, their confidence wavering as they began communicating through voice transmissions. ¡°Does he have some hidden trump card?¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem afraid of us at all. His strength might be extraordinary.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a Heaven-born talent. We shouldn¡¯t underestimate him. Should we wait a little longer?¡± ¡°Wait? For what?! He just handed out Perfect-grade pills! He definitely has even more valuable treasures. Think about what he might be carrying. Don¡¯t you want them?!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Their eyes flickered, the greed in their gazes intensifying. ¡°Let¡¯s try! There are so many of us¡ªwhat¡¯s there to fear?!¡± ¡°Exactly! So what if he¡¯s a Heaven-born talent? He¡¯s only been in the Foundation Establishment Stage for a year. How strong can he be?¡± ¡°Kill Lu Yi, take his treasures, and earn a massive merit!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it! Go for broke!¡± The disciples¡¯ eyes burned with eagerness. One Heavenly Serpent Sect disciple charged at Lu Yi first, shouting, ¡°Kill!¡± Wielding a long blade, he slashed it, releasing tendrils of green mist with a faintly sweet and poisonous scent. However, Lu Yi had been eating Jade Bamboo Roast Chicken daily, and his poison resistance was already exceptionally high. This level of poison was meaningless to him. As the first disciple rushed forward, the others followed suit. ¡°Junior Brother Lu! We¡¯ll fight alongside you!¡± The two senior brothers of White Cloud Sect saw that six cultivators had already made their move. Unable to continue healing their injuries, they quickly stood up, intending to intervene. Lu Yi''s expression remained calm and unchanged. He casually placed his hands on the shoulders of the two senior brothers and pressed them back down. "You two should focus on resting," he said.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. With a flick of his finger, a golden sword light flashed by. The forehead of the fastest disciple from Heavenly Serpent Sect was pierced through. His eyes were still filled with disbelief as his corpse fell heavily to the ground. Lu Yi''s expression remained indifferent. With consecutive flicks of his fingers, streaks of golden sword light shot out. In an instant, several disciples from Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect were slain, leaving only the disciple from Heavenly Serpent Sect who had consumed the Parent-Child Transmission Gu earlier. The remaining disciple from Heavenly Serpent Sect, seeing that his fellow sect members and the disciples of Blood Spirit Sect had been slaughtered in mere moments, widened his eyes in terror. He let out a scream and turned to flee. Lu Yi casually extended his hand. The fleeing disciple suddenly felt an irresistible force binding him and pulling him toward Lu Yi. Soon, the disciple from Heavenly Serpent Sect was dragged in front of Lu Yi. Lu Yi looked at him helplessly and said, "You people really are something. Wouldn''t it have been better to just stay here quietly? Why insist on seeking death?" The disciple''s face turned pale with fear. He stared at Lu Yi as if he were looking at a monster, unable to utter a word. "You..." Lu Yi maintained a gentle smile. "Now, tell me your location. Let that Qin Luo from Heavenly Serpent Sect and Xue Tianhen from Blood Spirit Sect come over." Lu Yi had just issued another task to eliminate the disciples of Heavenly Serpent Sect. ''What a joke,'' Lu Yi thought. ''They dared to come and kill me, so naturally, I won''t sit back and do nothing.'' The disciple, terrified by Lu Yi''s strength, repeatedly nodded. Behind Lu Yi, the two senior brothers looked at each other, worried expressions on their faces as they saw Lu Yi waiting for the disciples of Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect to arrive. "Junior Brother Lu, are you really going to wait for all of them to come?" You Jing asked anxiously. "Exactly, Junior Brother. Although Qin Luo is not well-known, he has been kept hidden by Heavenly Serpent Sect for many years. His talent must be extraordinary. And Xue Tianhen is notorious, with extremely formidable strength. It''s even rumored that he has slain a cultivator at the fifth level of Golden Core," Wang Chuanlu added. Lu Yi raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. ''Xue Tianhen can kill a fifth-level Golden Core cultivator? It seems he has also broken through the Heavenly Dao¡¯s limitations¡ªa rare genius indeed.'' However, Lu Yi was only mildly intrigued. He chuckled lightly and said, "You two need not worry. Just focus on healing your injuries." Wang Chuanlu and You Jing exchanged bitter smiles. ''How can we focus on healing like this?'' ... While Lu Yi waited quietly, cultivators in the outer areas of the Eastern Forest Ruins quickly noticed unusual movements from Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect. In a desolate wilderness, a slender young man with short white hair and delicate features stood confronting a beast. The beast had the lower body of a fierce tiger but a snake¡¯s head. The beast¡¯s aura was powerful, having reached the Golden Core realm¡ªa terrifying presence. The young man remained expressionless. With a graceful wave of his pale, slender hand, a massive hand of ice materialized in the air and enveloped the beast. The beast roared, its body surrounded by bloody light as its aura surged. It lunged left and right, trying to escape the icy hand¡¯s grasp. However, the ice seemed to seal space itself, closing in step by step. The beast¡¯s movements were gradually restricted until it was completely crushed in the icy grip. Crack, crack! The ice hand kept tightening. Blood seeped out through the cracks, and when the hand finally shattered, the beast had been reduced to frozen chunks of flesh radiating a chilling aura. The delicate young man remained unfazed. He calmly walked forward and plucked a pitch-black flower guarded by the beast. Just then, another young man hurried over and landed in front of him. "Senior Brother Hanyu, something big seems to be happening," the newcomer said. Hanyu turned and looked at him expressionlessly. "What is it?" The youth replied, "Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect have joined forces to hunt down White Cloud Sect¡¯s prodigy. It seems the prodigy has already been found, and disciples from both sects are heading there now." Hearing this, Hanyu¡¯s calm face finally showed a trace of fluctuation. "White Cloud Sect¡¯s prodigy¡­" He had heard about this prodigy months ago¡ªa peerless talent who triggered heavenly tribulation upon breaking into the Qi Refining Stage. Even the elders of Cold Winter Valley had lamented that White Cloud Sect might flourish for ten thousand years. Hanyu was equally curious to see what abilities this so-called prodigy possessed. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Where are they?" "The disciples of Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect are heading toward Dark Moon Forest. They should be there." "Let¡¯s go take a look." ... Meanwhile, in another flower-filled valley, Yun Xi strolled through the blossoms with a radiant smile. "Is it here?" Yun Xi asked the flowers around her. The flowers swayed as if responding to her. Yun Xi giggled and continued forward. Before long, she arrived at a pool where a snow-white lotus emitted strange ripples. "Such good luck! A white jade lotus this large must be several hundred years old!" At that moment, a giant ape covered in crimson fur descended from the sky and roared at Yun Xi. Yun Xi kept smiling and said, "Little monkey, can you let me have this white jade lotus?" The ape roared and charged at Yun Xi, clearly refusing her request. Still smiling, Yun Xi¡¯s presence caused the flowers around her to sway, releasing waves of fragrance. The giant ape suddenly wobbled and collapsed, drifting into a deep sleep. Yun Xi chuckled softly. "You¡¯ve grown so big. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to kill you." She gracefully stepped forward, gently caressing the white jade lotus. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll just take the seeds. It won¡¯t hurt." Surprisingly, the lotus seemed to respond and willingly released its seeds, which fell into Yun Xi¡¯s hand. Yun Xi stored the seeds and smiled. With a soft motion, she sent a green light into the lotus. "This is my thanks." The lotus absorbed the green light and instantly glowed with vibrant colors, swaying its stalk as if rejoicing. Yun Xi smiled warmly and waved goodbye. "See you next time." Yun Xi took a step forward and turned to leave. Just as she stepped out of the Flower Valley, two disciples of the Myriad Flower Sect landed in front of her. One of them hurriedly said, "Senior Sister Yun Xi, something big has happened! The Heavenly Serpent Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect have joined forces to kill the White Cloud Sect''s immortal seed." Yun Xi blinked and looked curious. "A immortal seed... I heard from Granny that he seems to be quite formidable. Could he truly ascend to immortality in the future?" One of the disciples curled his lips, a bit unconvinced. "There are plenty of talented people out there. How many of them can actually ascend?" "But no matter what, that celestial seed must have extraordinary talent; otherwise, he wouldn''t have triggered the Qi Refining Tribulation," another disciple added. Yun Xi squinted her eyes and smiled. "Then let''s go take a look." "Senior Sister Yun Xi, are you planning to see that celestial seed?" Yun Xi grinned and said, "No, I''m going to kill Xue Tianhen. Didn''t he kill our Myriad Flower Sect sisters last time?" With that, Yun Xi took a step forward. Her figure blurred as though the distance of a thousand miles was covered in an instant. After a few steps, she had vanished without a trace. The two Myriad Flower Sect disciples finally came to their senses, their faces changing. "Oh no, we forgot to tell Senior Sister Yun Xi the location!" "Senior Sister Yun Xi is still so reckless... Hurry and catch up!" "Can we even catch up to her?" "Stop talking and just run!" ... In the Dark Moon Forest, Lu Yi sat leisurely by a fire. Before him, a golden-brown piece of meat was roasting, emitting a rich and enticing aroma. Beside him, You Jing and Wang Chuanlu sat cross-legged, healing their wounds. However, both of them kept swallowing as their eyes occasionally drifted toward the roasting meat. Not far away, a disciple of the Heavenly Serpent Sect was bound tightly, his face blank but with lingering fear in his eyes. Even he couldn''t help swallowing when he saw the golden roasted meat. He couldn¡¯t be blamed¡ªthis roasted meat simply smelled too good! The Heavenly Serpent Sect disciple felt utterly speechless. ''Why does this immortal seed have such exceptional culinary skills?'' This roasted meat was clearly spiritual food, and not just any ordinary kind¡ªit was top-grade spiritual food. Otherwise, it couldn''t possibly have such a heavenly fragrance. Lu Yi turned the meat over, infusing strands of spiritual energy into it to activate the hidden essence within the flesh. He sprinkled some homemade seasoning, then smiled in satisfaction. "It''s about to be ready." You Jing and Wang Chuanlu opened their eyes simultaneously and stared at the roasted meat. Seeing their expressions, Lu Yi chuckled. "How are your injuries, Senior Brothers?" You Jing said gratefully, "Thanks to your Perfect White Jade Pill, we''ve mostly recovered." Wang Chuanlu added with a serious face, "I¡¯m just feeling a bit weak. I might need some nourishment." Lu Yi laughed. "Feel free to have some of this roast, Senior Brothers." "Thank you, Junior Brother!" The two had been waiting for this moment and quickly looked at Lu Yi expectantly as he divided the meat. Taking a bite, You Jing¡¯s eyes lit up in astonishment. He looked at Lu Yi. "Junior Brother Lu, I didn¡¯t expect you to not only have peerless talent but also be capable of cooking such spiritual delicacies." Lu Yi smiled. "I just practiced a little in my spare time." The two senior brothers exchanged silent looks, seeing the same sadness in each other''s eyes. ''Comparisons truly are infuriating. It¡¯s bad enough that his cultivation talent surpasses ours, but even his casually practiced cooking is this extraordinary? Who are we supposed to complain to?'' The two didn¡¯t say another word and focused on eating. Lu Yi glanced at them and chuckled softly before turning his gaze to the forest on his right. Faint, subtle fluctuations could be sensed in that direction. If Lu Yi¡¯s spiritual sense wasn¡¯t so strong, he might not have noticed them. Those people were lingering in the distance, not daring to approach, but their faint hostility toward Lu Yi was evident. They were likely disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect. They probably thought they weren¡¯t strong enough and were waiting. Lu Yi glanced at the bound and expressionless Heavenly Serpent Sect disciple lying on the ground. The corners of his mouth curved into a faint, mocking smile. ¡®So it must have been this guy who leaked the information.¡¯ Lu Yi didn¡¯t mind. As long as Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo didn¡¯t get scared away, it didn¡¯t matter. He thought for a moment. Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo were both geniuses, likely very confident in their strength. Scaring them off wouldn¡¯t be easy unless Lu Yi displayed overwhelming power. And dealing with the other disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect wouldn¡¯t require absolute strength. With that thought, Lu Yi felt reassured and continued waiting for the big fish to take the bait. Just then, a presence quickly approached. Lu Yi raised his eyebrows in slight surprise. It was a familiar presence. Moments later, Jiang Fan flew over with a serious expression. Lu Yi looked surprised. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan, why are you here?" Chapter 89: The Finest of the Mortal World Jiang Fan, seeing that Lu Yi was unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief and said, ¡°I noticed several groups of disciples from the Heavenly Serpent Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect acting together and heading in the same direction. It seemed suspicious, so I captured one of the Heavenly Serpent Sect disciples. After interrogation, I discovered they were planning to ambush you, Brother Lu, so I hurried over to assist you!¡± Lu Yi noticed that Jiang Fan¡¯s breathing was still uneven. Smiling slightly, he felt a warm sense of gratitude in his heart. He had indeed made the right decision to help Jiang Fan before. Lu Yi chuckled and said, ¡°Brother Jiang, there¡¯s no need to worry. Sit down and have something to eat?¡± Nearby, You Jing and Wang Chuanlu both brightened up upon seeing Jiang Fan. You Jing immediately said, ¡°Brother Jiang, you¡¯re here! You and Brother Lu are close, so try to persuade him. There¡¯s still time for us to leave! Brother Lu hasn¡¯t been cultivating for long. He can wait until he grows stronger before taking on the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect. There¡¯s no need to act on impulse.¡± Wang Chuanlu nodded repeatedly. ¡°That¡¯s right, Brother Jiang. Try to talk some sense into Brother Lu. We haven¡¯t been able to convince him! Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo are not easy opponents.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Fan looked at Lu Yi, whose expression remained calm. Jiang Fan then laughed and sat down beside Lu Yi. ¡°Since Brother Lu has decided to stay, then I¡¯ll stay and risk my life with him. Do we have wine? Just roasted meat alone is a bit dry.¡± Lu Yi smiled and took out some Spirit-Nourishing Dew. ¡°I have fine wine. Drink as much as you like.¡± Seeing the Spirit-Nourishing Dew, Jiang Fan¡¯s eyes lit up, and he licked his lips. ¡°Spirit-Nourishing Dew? The last time I had this was half a year ago. Finally, I can enjoy it again.¡± You Jing: ¡°¡­¡± Wang Chuanlu: ¡°¡­¡± The two of them, seeing Jiang Fan¡¯s glowing eyes fixed on the Spirit-Nourishing Dew, felt numb all over. They exchanged glances, both looking exhausted. ¡°Brother Jiang, what are you doing?¡± ¡°Exactly, Brother Jiang! How can you join Brother Lu in this foolishness?¡± Lu Yi glanced at the two of them and smiled. ¡°If you two are worried, you can leave now. You won¡¯t be able to leave later.¡± Hearing this, You Jing and Wang Chuanlu¡¯s expressions turned serious. You Jing said, ¡°Brother, you underestimate us!¡± ¡°Exactly. Without your help earlier, we would have been surrounded and killed. Not to mention, you gave us Perfect White Jade Pills to heal our injuries. That¡¯s a life-saving grace. How could we abandon you at a time like this?¡± Jiang Fan glanced at the two of them, his gaze softening slightly. Taking the wine flask from Lu Yi, he smiled. ¡°Since we¡¯re staying, let¡¯s drink properly. Brother Lu¡¯s Spirit-Nourishing Dew is truly the finest of the mortal world. You two will definitely love it.¡± He then took out four cups, filled them, and with a wave of his hand, sent three cups to Lu Yi, You Jing, and Wang Chuanlu. You Jing and Wang Chuanlu took their cups. Wang Chuanlu said dismissively, ¡°I believe it¡¯s good wine, but I¡¯ve been cultivating for decades and tasted many kinds of wine. Calling it the finest of the mortal world might be a bit much.¡± Saying this, he took a sip. As soon as the Spirit-Nourishing Dew entered his throat, a wave of cool energy rose and gathered at his brow. He felt his spiritual power becoming unusually active and even slightly increasing. This made Wang Chuanlu freeze, his eyes widening in shock. You Jing, noticing Wang Chuanlu¡¯s odd expression, said with a strange look, ¡°Wang, you¡¯re overreacting. Your acting is too exaggerated.¡± He then took a sip himself. Upon feeling the effects, his eyes also widened, and he exclaimed, ¡°This wine can actually enhance spiritual power?!¡± It was well-known that even Foundation Establishment cultivators considered medicines and techniques that boosted spiritual power to be extremely rare treasures. Yet, this wine, despite emitting only Qi Refining-level spiritual fluctuations, could enhance spiritual power?! Both You Jing and Wang Chuanlu found it unbelievable, as if they were in a dream. Jiang Fan, seeing their shock, recalled his own astonishment when he first tasted the Spirit-Nourishing Dew. He downed his cup and laughed. ¡°So, was I exaggerating? This wine deserves to be called the finest of the mortal world, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Wang Chuanlu and You Jing took deep breaths and looked at Jiang Fan, then at Lu Yi. ¡°Brother Jiang is right.¡± ¡°Excellent wine! Truly excellent wine!¡± You Jing¡¯s eyes shone with anticipation as he asked Lu Yi, ¡°Brother Lu, where did you buy this wine? I need to get some for myself!¡± This wine could boost spiritual power¡ªhow could he let such an opportunity slip away? Lu Yi smiled. ¡°It¡¯s not particularly rare. I brewed it myself during my free time. It just takes considerable effort. If you two need some, I¡¯ll gift you a jar later.¡± Seeing that the two were willing to stay, they likely intended to fight to the death if necessary. Lu Yi naturally wouldn¡¯t be stingy. ¡°You brewed it yourself?!¡± ¡°Brother, not only are you skilled in spiritual cooking, but you can also brew such fine wine?!¡± Both of them were utterly shocked. Lu Yi chuckled and nodded. ¡°I was fortunate to acquire the recipe and decided to give it a try. It turned out better than I expected.¡± You Jing and Wang Chuanlu were speechless once more. As the group continued drinking and eating, the number of approaching auras increased. Jiang Fan and the others didn¡¯t notice, but Lu Yi felt it clearly. Yet, his heart remained calm, even somewhat amused. ¡®It¡¯s better if they all come at once. I can deal with them in one go.¡¯ While the group enjoyed their feast, the disciples from the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect in the distance looked grim. ¡°Damn it! Look at them enjoying themselves!¡± ¡°Hmph! They have no idea they¡¯re already dead! Do they really think surviving a lightning tribulation at Qi Refining makes them invincible?!¡± ¡°Once Brother Tianhen arrives, we¡¯ll turn him into a blood puppet and make him suffer for eternity!¡± ¡°How much longer until Brother Tianhen and Brother Qin arrive?¡± ¡°Soon! The East Forest ruins are large, but they¡¯re coming at full speed.¡± Meanwhile, in another area, Han Yu and three disciples of the Cold Winter Valley watched Lu Yi¡¯s group. Their expressions varied. A cold-looking female disciple sneered. ¡°So, this is Lu Yi? He¡¯s far less impressive than rumored. Eating and drinking at a time like this? Even with confidence, he should be preparing himself.¡± A male disciple frowned. ¡°Underestimating the enemy is the easiest way to fail. Even a prodigy is still human. If he dies prematurely, he¡¯ll be nothing.¡± Another disciple turned to Han Yu and asked, ¡°Brother, what do you think?¡± Han Yu gazed deeply at Lu Yi and shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t see through his cultivation. He must have a powerful concealment technique. But¡­ he wouldn¡¯t act like this without absolute confidence.¡± Hearing this, the others¡¯ expressions subtly shifted. ¡°Brother, do you think Lu Yi has absolute confidence to face both Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo?¡± ¡°How is that possible? Brother Hanyu, you fought Xue Tianhen before, and it was a draw. No matter how strong Lu Yi is, can he be stronger than you?¡± ¡°Exactly. Even if he has extraordinary talent, it has only been a year since he broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Even for a heavenly prodigy, growth takes time, right?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Hanyu listened to the three disciples'' words, his expression calm. He simply shook his head. ¡°I cannot see through him. Perhaps, he has a trump card.¡± The three disciples fell silent. Not far away, Yun Xi and two disciples from the Myriad Flower Sect were moving. One of the disciples complained, ¡°Sister Yun Xi, you don¡¯t know the way, can¡¯t you slow down a bit? We¡¯ve been chasing after you for a while.¡± The other disciple nodded repeatedly. ¡°Exactly, exactly.¡± Yun Xi scratched her head and smiled apologetically. ¡°Hehehe, didn¡¯t I come back to find you? Don¡¯t be mad, okay? I promise I won¡¯t leave you behind next time¡­ Hmm? What a nice smell.¡± Her expression shifted slightly as she stepped forward and quickly moved toward the source. ¡°Sister Yun Xi?!¡± The two Myriad Flower Sect disciples were dumbfounded. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just promise not to leave us behind?!¡± The two hurriedly followed her. This time, however, they didn¡¯t have to walk far before spotting Yun Xi. But when they saw where she was, their expressions changed drastically. Yun Xi was standing in front of Lu Yi, looking intently at the wine in his hands. She smiled brightly and said, ¡°I really want to drink this wine. Can you sell me some? I¡¯ll pay you.¡± The two Myriad Flower Sect disciples covered their faces, looking utterly hopeless. ¡°¡­Not again¡­!¡± ¡°Sister Yun Xi has always done as she pleases, but that¡¯s Lu Yi! Isn¡¯t he about to face Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo?¡± The two looked at each other, then quickly rushed over. ¡­¡­¡­¡­ Lu Yi and his companions had been eating when Lu Yi suddenly noticed something, his gaze flickering with surprise. He looked up and saw a green silhouette appear out of nowhere¡ªit was Yun Xi. Lu Yi remained calm, but the others were clearly startled. Yun Xi¡¯s sudden appearance, without any warning, shocked them. They all stood up, staring at her in disbelief. You Jing stared at Yun Xi and muttered, ¡°¡­Yun Xi of the Myriad Flower Sect?¡± Wang Chuanlu whispered, ¡°Such a fast movement technique. When did she get here?¡± Jiang Fan glanced at Yun Xi, then at Lu Yi, his brows furrowed slightly. ¡°Brother Lu? What now?¡± Seeing their nervousness, Yun Xi smiled. ¡°I mean no harm. Don¡¯t be so tense.¡± She then turned to look at the wine in Lu Yi¡¯s hands, her smile sweet. ¡°I really want to drink this wine. Can you sell me some? I¡¯ll pay you.¡± Everyone¡¯s expressions froze, turning strange. Lu Yi also looked at her with an odd expression and said speechlessly, ¡°Daoist Yun Xi, do you not recognize me?¡± Yun Xi smiled. ¡°Of course I do. Lu Yi, the heavenly prodigy of White Cloud Sect. Granny said you¡¯re amazing.¡± Lu Yi smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯m waiting here to fight Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo in a decisive battle. Isn¡¯t it inappropriate for you to come and ask to buy wine?¡± Yun Xi blinked and looked at Lu Yi. ¡°What does your fight have to do with me buying wine? I just want to drink some. I feel like this wine is really good.¡± Lu Yi raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised. This woman has sharp instincts. But¡­ What kind of logic is this? He was about to fight, and she treated this place like a tavern? Lu Yi was speechless and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this wine is not for sale. Daoist Yun Xi, please leave.¡± Yun Xi frowned, looking disappointed. ¡°Not for sale?¡± She then glanced at Jiang Fan and the others. ¡°Then why can they drink it?¡± Wang Chuanlu said helplessly, ¡°We are Brother Lu¡¯s fellow disciples, and we¡¯re about to fight a bloody battle!¡± He felt aggrieved. This might be our last meal. Why can¡¯t we drink it?! Yun Xi turned back to Lu Yi, who smiled and said, ¡°They are my brothers, and they agreed to stay and fight with me.¡± Yun Xi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t join the White Cloud Sect, or Granny will be upset. But I can recognize you as my brother and help you fight. Will you give me wine then?¡± Lu Yi: ¡°???¡± Jiang Fan: ¡°???¡± Everyone looked at Yun Xi with strange expressions, full of question marks. They exchanged glances, and the same thought crossed their minds: What¡¯s with this woman? Is she out of her mind? At that moment, the two Myriad Flower Sect disciples arrived and overheard Yun Xi¡¯s last words. Their expressions froze, and they almost tripped. ¡°Sister Yun Xi! What are you saying?!¡± ¡°Yeah! Sister Yun Xi! Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo are key figures of the Blood Spirit Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect. You represent our Myriad Flower Sect! If you stay, this means too much!¡± ¡°Sister Yun Xi, we need to leave now!¡± One of the Myriad Flower Sect disciples, as if facing a tiger, grabbed Yun Xi and tried to pull her away. The other disciple smiled apologetically at Lu Yi. ¡°Young Master Lu, Sister Yun Xi has a simple mind. Please don¡¯t take her words seriously. Our Myriad Flower Sect does not intend to oppose White Cloud Sect, nor do we want to get involved in this conflict.¡± Yun Xi, dragged by her sisters, protested, ¡°I stayed to deal with Xue Tianhen. I was planning to kill him anyway.¡± The Myriad Flower Sect disciple felt her head throbbing and said, ¡°Sister Yun Xi! So many people are watching! He¡¯s the young master of the Blood Spirit Sect! If you kill him, there will be war between the Blood Spirit Sect and Myriad Flower Sect.¡± Yun Xi frowned, about to argue again, when the other disciple quickly added, ¡°If you keep this up, the Sect Leader will be furious.¡± Hearing this, Yun Xi stiffened, her expression reluctant. But she said no more. Lu Yi watched Yun Xi''s departing figure, thought for a moment, and smiled, "Daoist Yun Xi, please wait." Hearing this, Yun Xi turned around and looked at Lu Yi, while the other two disciples of the Myriad Flower Sect regarded Lu Yi with vigilance. "Young Master Lu, our Myriad Flower Sect does not wish to get involved in this matter." "Young Master Lu, you wouldn''t intend to force us to stay, would you?" Seeing the wary expressions of the two disciples, Lu Yi couldn''t help but laugh. He said, "You two have misunderstood." Lu Yi took out a jar of wine, tossed it to Yun Xi, and said with a light smile, "Daoist Yun Xi, you have a straightforward nature. Today, I offer you this wine as a token of friendship." Lu Yi mused to himself, I must defeat Yun Xi. [Mission] Defeat Yun Xi. Reward: 30 drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew, a wisp of Natural Intent. Accept? Yes/No As expected, Yun Xi was a Myriad Flower Spiritual Body, extraordinarily talented, and her cultivation was not low. The reward for sparring with her was extremely high. Thirty whole drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew¡ªone must know that even after clearing the 30th level of the Trial Tower and defeating a Golden Core Stage cultivator at the tenth level, the reward was only 10 drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spiritual Dew. Not only that, but there was also a far more precious wisp of Natural Intent. Although they had little interaction now, forming a friendship could always provide an excuse to spar in the future. For him, a jar of Spirit Nourishing Dew was nothing. Making a friend, on the other hand, was a profitable endeavor. Yun Xi took the jar of Spirit Nourishing Dew, looked down at the wine, then glanced at Lu Yi. She smiled brightly, "Thank you. I think you''re a good person. Let''s be friends from now on." Lu Yi: "???" For some reason, those words sounded a bit strange. Nonetheless, Lu Yi''s goal was achieved. He smiled slightly, looked at the two Myriad Flower Sect disciples beside Yun Xi, and said, "Ladies, please escort your sister away." The disciples of the Myriad Flower Sect saw that Lu Yi had no intention of making things difficult for them and breathed a sigh of relief. One of them smiled and said, "Thank you for understanding, Young Master Lu." She exchanged a glance with the other disciple, and the two hurriedly dragged Yun Xi away. Only after putting some distance between themselves and Lu Yi did the two disciples stop. One of them let out a soft breath and said, "Fortunately, Young Master Lu is broad-minded and didn''t trouble us. Otherwise, we would have been in big trouble this time." The other disciple also nodded and then looked at Yun Xi helplessly, "Sister... can''t you be more careful? Given the current situation, who Lu Yi is, and the sensitivity of this moment, how could you just approach him?" Yun Xi took out the jar of Spirit Nourishing Dew, smiled, and said, "But I had a feeling this wine is really good." As she spoke, she opened the lid, took out a jade wine cup, and poured three cups. "Let''s have a taste!" The two disciples were surprised. "We get some too?" Yun Xi nodded and smiled, "Of course. This wine will benefit you as well." The two disciples, knowing Yun Xi''s personality, exchanged a glance and then nodded, accepting the wine. After drinking the wine, the two disciples trembled slightly and widened their eyes. "This wine... it can enhance spiritual power!" "A spiritual wine suitable for the Qi Refining Stage that can enhance spiritual power? This... must be extremely rare." The two looked at each other in disbelief. "Such precious wine, and Young Master Lu just gave it to Sister Yun Xi?" Yun Xi also drank some. She smiled and said, "As I thought, this wine is very precious. Daoist Lu Yi is very kind to have given me an entire jar." The two looked at Lu Yi, who was far away, and felt a bit ashamed. "Young Master Lu gave such a precious gift, yet we didn''t offer anything in return." "Now that Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo have joined forces, I wonder if Young Master Lu can get through this unscathed." The two sighed but dared not get involved in such disputes, as the stakes were too high and could even lead to sect wars. They even glanced worriedly at Yun Xi. Given their understanding of her, if Lu Yi were truly in danger, she might step in to help. Yun Xi noticed their looks, glanced toward Lu Yi, and smiled. "You don''t need to worry. Daoist Lu Yi is very strong. Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo may not be his match." Hearing this, the two disciples were stunned and looked at Yun Xi in shock. "Sister Yun Xi... are you saying that Young Master Lu''s strength is already comparable to Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo?" "How is that possible?! Didn''t he just reach the Foundation Establishment Stage a year ago?!" The two couldn''t believe it. Yun Xi also looked toward Lu Yi, her expression unusually serious. "I''m not entirely sure, but my instincts tell me he is very strong¡ªso strong that I am no match for him." "Hiss..." The two disciples gasped, their faces full of disbelief. Yun Xi''s instincts, like those of a pure-hearted child, were extremely accurate and rarely wrong. If Yun Xi said so, it was likely true. This revelation left them even more shaken. "Let''s wait and see." The three curiously observed Lu Yi, who had returned to his seat, drinking and eating. The atmosphere grew increasingly heavy, like the calm before a storm. Lu Yi, a core talent of White Cloud Sect, was of great significance to his sect. Meanwhile, Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo were also peerless prodigies of the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect. The conflict between the three had already transcended personal rivalry and now involved the sects themselves. If Lu Yi were harmed, White Cloud Sect would surely retaliate. Similarly, if Xue Tianhen or Qin Luo fell, the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect would not let the matter rest. Yet, at the center of this storm, Lu Yi remained completely unaware. Nearby, You Jing spoke sourly, "Brother Lu, you are really generous. She is a disciple of the Myriad Flower Sect, yet you gave her an entire jar of Spirit Nourishing Dew." Wang Chuanlu smiled knowingly. "I understand. Daoist Yun Xi is indeed a beauty. Brother Lu''s actions are perfectly natural." Lu Yi said helplessly, "My Sister Liu Ningshuang and Sister Mingyue are equally beautiful. What does it matter? I just found Yun Xi''s personality amusing." "Heh, we understand." You Jing and Wang Chuanlu both grinned. Even Jiang Fan raised his cup and said, "Brother Lu is exceptionally talented. I¡¯m sure Daoist Yun Xi will admire you greatly." Lu Yi: "..." He was speechless. How could they know how generous the sparring mission rewards were? As they joked and laughed, a tyrannical aura suddenly erupted. A cold voice sneered, "Laugh all you want. Eat all you want. This will be your last meal!" Jiang Fan and the others'' expressions changed as they turned toward the source of the aura. A flash of dark-gold light streaked through the air and crashed to the ground, leaving a deep crater. A figure emerged¡ªa young man wearing dark-gold armor, exuding overwhelming blood energy and a terrifying aura. "Qin Luo!" Wang Chuanlu took a deep breath and said slowly. This man was none other than Qin Luo of the Heavenly Serpent Sect. Chapter 90: Crushing Two Geniuses After Qin Luo appeared, there was a disturbance in the distance. Both Han Yu and Yun Xi became alert, carefully observing the situation. Meanwhile, disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect, who had been hiding in the shadows, flew over one after another and landed behind Qin Luo. There were more than twenty of them in total. The five sects entered the Eastern Forest Ruins, each with twenty slots. The Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect had a total of forty people, but half were already present. Adding the five disciples Lu Yi had killed earlier, only a few disciples from the two sects remained. Standing behind Qin Luo, the disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect began to clamor arrogantly: "Lu Yi! You are truly arrogant! Knowing that Senior Brother Qin and Senior Brother Tianhen want your life, yet you remain here drinking and feasting. Do you even know the word ''death''?!" "So what if you are the Immortal Seed? You''re still going to die at the hands of our Senior Brother Qin!" "Lu Yi, stop struggling. Senior Brother Qin will give you a quick death!" "..." Qin Luo glanced at the roasted meat and wine in Lu Yi''s hands, his expression darkening. He sneered coldly at Lu Yi and said, "It seems you don¡¯t take me or Brother Xue seriously." Lu Yi smiled faintly. "Not at all. I was just bored and needed something to pass the time." "Bored?" Qin Luo was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. Dark golden light flowed around him, and his pitch-black pupils turned into dark yellow vertical slits. Patterns resembling dragon scales appeared on his face, and his aura grew more terrifying, even stirring up fierce winds that caused the branches of the ancient trees to sway. Everyone present felt as though a massive stone was pressing against their chests, leaving them breathless. In the distance, the cultivators of Cold Winter Valley changed expressions. One of them exclaimed in shock, "This is... the Heavenly Serpent Sect¡¯s Nine Transformations of the Serpent technique? It¡¯s said that each transformation causes a drastic change in both body and spiritual energy, greatly enhancing strength. Legend has it that after nine transformations, one can even transform into a dragon. The Heavenly Serpent Sect only possesses an incomplete version of this technique. To what level has Qin Luo cultivated it? How is he this terrifying?!" "Such strength... he might even rival Golden Core cultivators. Is he really still in the Foundation Establishment stage? This is too powerful!" Another Cold Winter Valley cultivator exclaimed in awe. Han Yu looked at Qin Luo in the distance, his eyes flashing with battle intent. His skin seemed to take on a crystalline appearance, exuding an extreme chill. He was slightly surprised and murmured, "To make my innate Ice Spirit Body react instinctively... Qin Luo must possess an incredibly powerful physique. Otherwise, he couldn¡¯t have cultivated the incomplete Nine Transformations of the Serpent to such a degree while still in the Foundation Establishment stage. He¡¯s a strong opponent." Han Yu stared deeply at Qin Luo before turning to Lu Yi with curiosity, whispering to himself, "An Immortal Seed, how will you handle such an opponent?" Elsewhere, two disciples from the Myriad Flowers Sect had slightly pale faces as they looked at Qin Luo, whose black hair was dancing wildly like a demon god. Their bright eyes showed a trace of fear. "So strong! Qin Luo is terrifyingly strong." "Can Young Master Lu really handle him? Will he die here?" Yun Xi observed Qin Luo and said seriously, "He is indeed very strong, not much weaker than me." Then, she looked at Lu Yi and, seeing his calm expression, added with confidence, "But Qin Luo is definitely not Fellow Daoist Lu Yi¡¯s match." "Really?" The two Myriad Flowers Sect disciples looked at Lu Yi in surprise. "Just watch." Jiang Fan and his group also felt Qin Luo¡¯s aura, their faces slightly pale. You Jing had a bitter smile. "Junior Brother Lu, can you handle this?" Wang Chuanlu said seriously, "Should we run now? But I don¡¯t know if we can even escape." Jiang Fan had already taken out the ancient white bottle, his expression tense as he stared at Qin Luo. Lu Yi remained calm and said softly, "No need to worry, Senior Brothers." He looked at Qin Luo and smiled. "Where is Xue Tianhen? Why hasn¡¯t he arrived yet? If it¡¯s just you, this feels a bit lacking." Qin Luo narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within. He sneered and said, "I hope your strength matches your mouth." As he spoke, Qin Luo stomped the ground. With a loud boom, cracks spread across the ground. Blood energy surged around him like smoke, and he charged at Lu Yi with the ferocity of a wild beast. Lu Yi smiled faintly. "Body refinement? Perfect, I can test my body refinement technique." As he spoke, lightning flickered around his body, and mysterious lightning patterns appeared on his skin. Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique. Lu Yi also stepped forward, rushing toward Qin Luo. Both men¡¯s surging vitality twisted the air around them, radiating terrifying primitive power. Qin Luo clenched his fist, his knuckles glowing with dark golden light as he punched toward Lu Yi. The fist radiated terrifying force, shining like the sun. Lu Yi reached out and grabbed Qin Luo¡¯s fist. Boom!! When their fist and palm collided, a shockwave rippled outwards, causing the ancient trees around them to crack and their branches to shake. Leaves fell like rain. The ground beneath their feet caved in, forming a several-meter-wide pit. Qin Luo¡¯s punch was firmly blocked by Lu Yi. After the initial clash, Lu Yi closed in, driving his left knee like a warhammer into Qin Luo¡¯s chest. The resulting shockwave filled the area with white mist. Qin Luo turned his punch into a palm strike, blocking Lu Yi¡¯s knee and using the momentum to leap into the air. He whipped his right leg toward Lu Yi¡¯s head, creating a sharp sonic boom. Lu Yi reached out and caught Qin Luo¡¯s leg. His fingers, like iron hooks, clamped onto Qin Luo¡¯s ankle, and he swung him toward the ground. Qin Luo¡¯s pupils shrank. As he neared the ground, he pressed both hands down, causing cracks to spread across the earth. Using the force, he kicked at Lu Yi¡¯s chest with his other leg. Lu Yi blocked the kick and retreated, releasing Qin Luo¡¯s ankle. Qin Luo used the opening to flip and land a short distance away. Their exchange had occurred in an instant¡ªless than a single breath. Many Foundation Establishment disciples couldn¡¯t even follow their movements. They only saw their silhouettes flash before both retreated, leaving behind a large pit surrounded by cracks.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Only a few disciples at the peak of Foundation Establishment, who were fairly talented, along with Han Yu and Yun Xi, could clearly see what was happening. "This... this... Lu Yi only broke through to the Foundation Establishment realm a year ago, yet he can fight Senior Brother Qin to a standstill?!" "Senior Brother Qin has cultivated the ''Nine Transformations of the Celestial Serpent!'' It''s said that if fully mastered, this technique approaches the level of an immortal scripture, capable of refining an unparalleled physique. How does Lu Yi possess such a terrifying body as well?!" The cultivators from Cold Winter Valley stared in disbelief at Lu Yi and Qin Luo, who were evenly matched in battle. They hadn''t expected Lu Yi''s strength to be this formidable. "What kind of body-refining technique is he cultivating? Lightning coils around his body, and thunder patterns shimmer across his skin. I''ve never seen this technique before," a disciple from Cold Winter Valley asked, puzzled. Han Yu looked deeply at Lu Yi and slowly spoke, "I heard that Lu Yi had an epiphany during his tribulation and fused the intent of thunder, the power of heavenly lightning, and a body-refining technique he had been practicing to create a new cultivation method. This must be that very technique." These words left the other disciples from Cold Winter Valley silent as they exchanged glances. "Lu Yi... actually created his own cultivation method?!" "His physique can even rival Qin Luo, who practices the ''Nine Transformations of the Celestial Serpent.'' Just how powerful is this technique?! And he created it while still in the Qi Refining Stage?" "No wonder he triggered a lightning tribulation... Such talent is simply monstrous." They could scarcely comprehend the magnitude of his talent. Even Han Yu had to admit that Lu Yi''s aptitude was truly exceptional. On the other side, Yun Xi and her companions were equally astonished by Lu Yi''s formidable physique. At this moment, Qin Luo was the most shocked of all. He stared intently at Lu Yi, disbelief evident in his eyes. Only he knew the true strength of his own body. Yet now, Lu Yi had managed to block him. Feeling the destructive, primal force emanating from Lu Yi, Qin Luo couldn''t help but be deeply affected. Then, a chilling killing intent surfaced in Qin Luo''s eyes. "No wonder the elders said you cannot be allowed to live. Just breaking through to Foundation Establishment and already possessing such strength... If you continue to grow, you''ll become a disaster! Today, I must kill you!" Lu Yi chuckled lightly. "With just you? I''m afraid that''s not enough." In truth, Lu Yi was also slightly surprised. He knew the exact strength of his body. Having cultivated the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique to the fifth level, while it was one of his relatively weaker techniques, it was still beyond what most Golden Core cultivators could withstand. For Qin Luo to resist his attacks with only Foundation Establishment cultivation, he had to admit the man had some skill. Unfortunately, the one called Xue Tianhen hadn''t arrived yet. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have needed to waste time playing around. Lu Yi could only endure and wait a bit longer. "Hmph! You''ll find out soon enough!" With a low shout, Qin Luo summoned the shadow of a massive, sky-devouring serpent behind him. The serpent raised its head and let out a shrill hiss before merging into Qin Luo''s body. Qin Luo''s aura surged once more. Even the ground beneath him began to crack under the weight of his power, forming a web of fine fractures. "That''s the ''Celestial Serpent Transformation'' secret art!" "It''s the explosive technique within the ''Nine Transformations of the Celestial Serpent!'' I can''t believe Senior Brother Qin has resorted to this! That Lu Yi must be truly extraordinary." "But this will be the end for him. After using the Celestial Serpent Transformation, Senior Brother Qin''s strength is enough to kill a powerful Golden Core Stage cultivator at the fifth layer." Amidst the exclamations of the crowd, Qin Luo charged toward Lu Yi again. As a body cultivator, Qin Luo''s close-combat prowess was unparalleled. Once a body cultivator closed the distance, most cultivators could only endure the assault. Sensing Qin Luo''s explosive surge of power, Lu Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled. Lightning patterns flashed around his body as his aura similarly rose to meet the challenge. Boom!! Their fists collided, shattering the ground and snapping ancient trees. The space around them distorted as though the ruins themselves were wailing. Boom! Boom! Boom!! The two transformed into streaks of light, clashing repeatedly within a radius of several hundred meters. Each exchange produced deafening explosions. Waves of shockwaves rippled outward without pause. The ground was riddled with deep craters. Ordinary cultivators couldn''t even see their movements. Under the terrifying shockwaves, they scrambled to retreat. A Foundation Establishment disciple of the Blood Spirit Sect was a step too slow and was instantly reduced to a mist of blood by one of the shockwaves. Witnessing this, others felt chills run down their spines, breaking out into cold sweat as they retreated even faster. Even Jiang Fan and the others kept backing away, not daring to linger. Wang Chuanlu watched as Lu Yi punched an ancient tree several hundred meters tall, shattering it into splinters. He swallowed nervously. "Junior Brother is way too fierce!" "When Junior Brother Lu was in the trial tower, he probably didn''t even use his full strength!" You Jing remarked. "But if Junior Brother Lu used his full strength, wouldn''t he have earned even more resources?" Jiang Fan gave You Jing a sidelong glance and said, "Junior Brother Lu is the direct disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master. He can already access any resource he needs." "..." You Jing and Wang Chuanlu fell silent, feeling as if their hearts had just been stabbed. The battle had turned the area within several hundred meters into ruins. Trees were shattered one after another, the ground was riddled with pits, and storms of energy swirled like blades, cutting through the air. No one dared to step foot into that zone. The battle between the two lasted only for a brief moment before a loud, unrestrained laugh echoed through the air. "Hahaha! Qin Luo, is this all your strength amounts to? You can''t even handle a junior who has only been at the Foundation Establishment stage for a year? And to think you''re hailed as the greatest genius of the Heavenly Serpent Sect in a thousand years." As soon as these words fell, the disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect glared angrily in the direction of the voice. When they saw the speaker, many of their expressions shifted slightly. It was Xue Tianhen. In Xue Tianhen''s hand were three severed heads. The eyes of the heads were wide open, filled with terror and unwillingness. Boom!! A loud explosion rang out as Qin Luo and Lu Yi clashed, both forced to retreat. Qin Luo''s face darkened as he coldly glanced at Xue Tianhen and said, "His strength is formidable. You wouldn''t fare any better." Xue Tianhen sneered disdainfully, "Only the weak make excuses." Spiritual energy surged around Qin Luo as he icily responded, "Xue Tianhen, do you want to die?" Xue Tianhen laughed heartily. "I''m just joking. Don''t take it seriously, Brother Qin." He then looked toward Lu Yi in the distance, grinning as he waved the severed heads and tossed them toward Lu Yi. "A gift for you. I ran into them on the way and killed them casually." Lu Yi had already noticed the heads in Xue Tianhen''s hands as he approached. The three were senior brothers from White Cloud Sect who had accompanied him earlier. Lu Yi had even sparred with them before. One of them, Yu Ling, was ranked second in the sect. Seeing the three heads being thrown over, Lu Yi extended his hand, using a strand of gentle spiritual energy to catch them and carefully place them on the ground. Behind him, Jiang Fan and the other two rushed forward. Upon seeing the heads, You Jing''s eyes turned red. "Brother Fang!" One of the severed heads belonged to his close friend. Wang Chuanlu and Jiang Fan also wore grim expressions as they glared at Xue Tianhen. Xue Tianhen, however, remained unfazed, his face bearing an unbridled grin despite their murderous gazes. He gestured at his neck with his hand and sneered at Lu Yi. "You''re next." In the distance, a female cultivator from Cold Winter Valley frowned slightly as she looked at Xue Tianhen and said, "Xue Tianhen is so bloodthirsty and arrogant. Is he not afraid of inviting karmic retribution?" Han Yu replied calmly, "The cultivation techniques of the Blood Spirit Sect focus on absorbing blood essence, inevitably affecting the practitioners'' temperament. Most disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect are bloodthirsty and fond of killing." "Such techniques are practically demonic!" On the other side, Yun Xi stared at Xue Tianhen with rage in her eyes and gritted her teeth. "I want to kill him. He killed several of our senior sisters from the Myriad Flowers Sect last time!" Two disciples from the Myriad Flowers Sect quickly held Yun Xi back. "Senior Sister Yun Xi! No, you can''t go over there right now!" Lu Yi knelt down and gently closed the eyes of the three severed heads, letting out a soft sigh. "Three senior brothers, I will send this man to join you shortly." Hearing this, Xue Tianhen burst out laughing. "You? Don''t make me laugh. My sense of humor is rather sensitive." Lu Yi ignored him and turned to Jiang Fan and the others. "Senior brothers, please take care of these heads for now." You Jing nodded, carefully collecting the heads. The three looked at Lu Yi''s cold expression and felt a sudden chill. They instinctively backed away, moving to a safer distance. They had a feeling¡ªLu Yi was angry. Lu Yi then turned to face Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo. Xue Tianhen smirked arrogantly. "Done saying your goodbyes? Ready to die?" Lu Yi''s face remained calm. "I''ve been waiting for you both to gather. Now I can send you on your way." Hearing this, both Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo''s faces turned icy. "Courting death!" "Ignorant fool, I''ll refine you into a blood puppet!" Spiritual energy surged around them as they prepared to charge at Lu Yi. Suddenly, golden sword lights erupted around Lu Yi, shooting into the sky and slicing through the air. The space trembled as the sword lights slashed toward the two men. Their faces changed drastically. Qin Luo roared as dark golden light flickered across his body, forming a protective armor. Xue Tianhen summoned a blood-colored spirit orb above his head, releasing streams of bloodlight that formed a barrier before him. But it was futile. The golden sword lights carried nearly fifty percent of Lu Yi''s sword intent and the indestructible sword energy of the Perfection Realm, obliterating all in their path. In an instant, three sword lights shattered Qin Luo''s protective armor, slicing him into pieces. Four more sword lights pierced through Xue Tianhen''s blood barrier, striking his body and reducing him to a mist of blood. In the distance, the disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect were wide-eyed with horror. "Senior Brother Qin?!" "Impossible! Senior Brother Tianhen!" Regaining their senses, they tried to flee, but golden sword lights swept through them, shredding every last one. The entire forest fell silent. Whether it was Jiang Fan and his companions, the disciples of Cold Winter Valley, or those of the Myriad Flowers Sect, all stared at Lu Yi in shock. Chapter 91: Over Thousand. Ten-Thousand Drops of Spiritual Milk The atmosphere turned silent. A female cultivator from Cold Winter Valley, her voice trembling slightly, spoke up, ¡°How is this possible?! Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo were so powerful, yet they couldn¡¯t even withstand a single strike?!¡± Another cultivator added, ¡°Lu... Lu Yi only broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage a year ago, didn¡¯t he? How can he be this terrifyingly strong?!¡± Han Yu¡¯s expression stiffened, his face turning pale as he stared fixedly at Lu Yi. The other disciples noticed something was wrong and turned to look at Han Yu with concern. ¡°Senior Brother Han Yu?¡± Han Yu snapped out of his thoughts and responded, ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± However, the disciples noticed that Han Yu¡¯s fingers were trembling slightly. They exchanged glances but dared not say more. On the other side, Yun Xi and her two companions were equally shocked. The two disciples from the Myriad Flower Sect were dumbfounded. ¡°Young Master Lu... Lu is actually this strong?!¡± ¡°Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo¡¯s strength isn¡¯t inferior to Senior Sister Yun Xi, yet they couldn¡¯t even block a single move.¡± The two were utterly stunned. Yun Xi stared directly at Lu Yi, her eyes unblinking. ¡°My instincts were right. He¡¯s incredibly strong... I¡¯m a little scared now.¡± One of the Myriad Flower Sect disciples stuck out her tongue. ¡°Luckily, we didn¡¯t provoke Young Master Lu earlier. Otherwise, things could have ended badly.¡± The other disciple nodded repeatedly. After killing the disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect and Sky Serpent Sect, Lu Yi stepped forward to collect their storage rings. Just then, a blood-colored pearl suddenly shot into the air, turning into a streak of light as it fled into the distance. Lu Yi narrowed his eyes, his figure transforming into lightning and disappearing from his spot. In an instant, he blocked the blood-colored pearl¡¯s path. He reached out, sealed the surrounding space, and captured the blood-colored pearl in his hand. The Blood Spirit Pearl struggled violently. Lu Yi saw the soul of Xue Tianhen inside, his face filled with terror and a hint of madness. Lu Yi raised his eyebrows, the corner of his mouth lifting into a faint smile. ¡°Interesting. He¡¯s only at Foundation Establishment, yet he can preserve his soul after his body was destroyed? Is it because of this Blood Spirit Pearl?¡± The Blood Spirit Pearl trembled even more fiercely. Xue Tianhen¡¯s fear deepened, and he shouted, ¡°Let me go! I¡¯m the heir of the Blood Spirit Sect! If you kill me, war will break out between the Blood Spirit Sect and White Cloud Sect!¡± Lu Yi chuckled. ¡°Aren¡¯t the Blood Spirit Sect and White Cloud Sect already at war? Besides, you already tried to kill me. Do you still expect me to let you go?¡± Lu Yi infused a wisp of indestructible sword energy into the Blood Spirit Pearl, instantly shredding Xue Tianhen¡¯s soul. Looking at the now-dim Blood Spirit Pearl, Lu Yi found it quite fascinating. He wondered if he could use it to protect his own soul someday. ''I''ll think about that later.'' Lu Yi stored the Blood Spirit Pearl and proceeded to collect the storage rings of the Sky Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect disciples. Qin Luo¡¯s dark-gold spiritual armor was actually a decent magical artifact, but unfortunately, it was shattered by his strike. Lu Yi had used the Seven Profound Sword Technique at the Perfection level, combined with the Immortal Sword Scripture at the Perfection level and fifty percent sword intent. The power far exceeded his expectations. It had been a long time since Lu Yi had used such powerful attacks, and he had misjudged his strength slightly. Looking at the broken dark-gold spiritual armor, Lu Yi sighed. ¡°What a pity.¡± Still, the material could be salvaged. He could sell it for some money or perhaps repair it later with other treasures. Lu Yi picked up the broken armor. At that moment, Jiang Fan and the others approached, still dazed as they looked at the corpses. They hadn¡¯t fully recovered from the shock. Jiang Fan looked at Lu Yi with a complex expression and smiled bitterly. ¡°Senior Brother Lu, your strength...¡± He shook his head. ¡°I thought I was progressing quickly and might catch up to you someday, but your growth far surpasses mine.¡± You Jing and Wang Chuanlu appeared even more conflicted. Wang Chuanlu said expressionlessly, ¡°Now I understand why Junior Brother Lu wasn¡¯t worried at all... If I were that strong, I wouldn¡¯t be either.¡± You Jing shot him a glance. This guy didn¡¯t seem so calm earlier. Lu Yi chuckled. ¡°Senior brothers, the matter is settled.¡± You Jing sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a shame about Brother Fang and the others.¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi fell silent. He said, ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that Xue Tianhen¡¯s body was destroyed. Otherwise, we could have used it to honor the fallen senior brothers.¡± You Jing smiled. ¡°The path of immortality is fraught with danger. The senior brothers were unlucky, but you avenged them. I¡¯m sure they would be pleased.¡± Lu Yi nodded slightly, saying no more. His heart felt heavy. ''Ordinary people envy cultivators for their ability to soar through the skies and live long lives, but how could they understand the dangers we face? Perhaps one day we are fine, and the next, disaster strikes.'' Strength is the only way to ensure freedom. Determined, Lu Yi resolved to continue cultivating diligently, to protect himself and those he cared about. Suddenly, several streaks of light approached quickly. Lu Yi turned to see Han Yu leading a group of Cold Winter Valley disciples, while Yun Xi and two disciples from the Myriad Flower Sect arrived from the other side. Lu Yi remained calm. He had already sensed their presence earlier. Since they cultivated ice-attribute techniques, their auras were distinct from those of the Sky Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect, making them easy to detect. The group landed and stared at Lu Yi, still visibly shocked. Han Yu, the white-haired youth, glanced at the corpses before focusing on Lu Yi. He said, ¡°Lu Yi, your strength is truly astonishing. It seems the elders of my sect were right¡ªthe White Cloud Sect will flourish in your hands.¡± Yun Xi¡¯s bright eyes sparkled, and she smiled. ¡°Lu Yi, you¡¯re amazing.¡± Lu Yi replied with a slight smile, ¡°You flatter me.¡± Han Yu shook his head. ¡°However, you killed Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo. Decades of effort from both sects have been wiped out. This might affect the White Cloud Sect.¡± Lu Yi nodded slightly and said helplessly, ¡°They wanted to kill me. I had no choice but to fight back. What¡¯s done is done.¡± Han Yu didn¡¯t press further. He knew this incident would likely trigger chaos among the five sects of Green Province. With tensions already high between the Blood Spirit Sect and White Cloud Sect, this could escalate into an all-out war. Han Yu chuckled. ¡°Lu Yi, you¡¯re righteous and worth befriending. If I could, I¡¯d offer my sect¡¯s support.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Lu Yi smiled. ¡°Your goodwill is more than enough.¡± Yun Xi spoke earnestly, ¡°I¡¯ll talk to my sect elders when I return. Our Myriad Flower Sect will help fight the Blood Spirit Sect.¡± The two disciples beside her looked worried and tugged at her gently. Their senior sister was making rash promises again. Lu Yi did not mind and simply expressed his gratitude to Yun Xi. He chuckled lightly and said, ¡°The two Daoist friends have impressive strength. If we have the chance, we can spar and discuss Dao techniques together.¡± Lu Yi silently issued the task to defeat Han Yu and discovered that the rewards for Han Yu''s task were also quite generous. Twenty drops of ten-thousand-year spiritual milk and a wisp of ice intent. ''I must say, as a heaven''s chosen, the task rewards are exceptional.'' Lu Yi naturally had no objection to forming connections with Han Yu. By sparring a few more times, his comprehension of ice intent could greatly improve. Hearing Lu Yi''s words, both Han Yu and Yun Xi nodded in agreement. Boom!! While the group was conversing, a deafening explosion suddenly resounded. A terrifying aura spread out, causing Lu Yi¡¯s expression to shift slightly, and he felt a sense of oppression in his chest. The others were even more visibly shocked, their faces turning pale. ¡°What happened?!¡± Jiang Fan exclaimed, looking in the direction of the sound. ¡°It¡¯s the central area of the ruins!¡± Han Yu¡¯s previously calm face was now filled with shock. Lu Yi and the others soared into the sky. The sight that met their eyes froze their expressions. The core area of the Eastern Forest Ruins, originally shrouded in dense blood mist, was now emitting a terrifying blood-red light. The mist churned violently, as if some monstrous entity was wreaking havoc within. An overwhelmingly powerful aura rose slowly from the blood-red glow, as though an ancient demon was awakening. Perhaps due to the anomaly in the core area, ferocious beasts brimming with dreadful energy began charging out of the inner perimeter, seemingly fleeing in panic. Lu Yi even saw the golden giant bird he had encountered earlier when he first entered the ruins. The bird let out a mournful cry as it fled from the inner area, only to be devoured in one bite by an enormous beast. Meanwhile, the beasts in the outer perimeter were also growing agitated, appearing extremely uneasy as if encountering something terrifying. ¡°What is that?¡± Everyone was filled with fear. Boom! Another thunderous roar rang out, heavier than the previous one. Someone groaned and turned pale. Lu Yi also felt a bone-chilling coldness throughout his body. Even his blood seemed to be freezing, as if he was facing a top predator. ¡°We¡¯re doomed! The ruins are in turmoil!¡± Many disciples turned pale with terror. ¡°It¡¯s long been rumored that powerful beings reside within. With so many strong beasts, including those at the Nascent Soul Realm, there might be even stronger creatures inside. Now that these beasts are breaking out, what are we supposed to do?!¡± Jiang Fan and the others turned to Lu Yi. ¡°Junior Brother Lu, what should we do?¡± Yun Xi and Han Yu also looked at Lu Yi expectantly. Lu Yi¡¯s expression stiffened. ''This situation is completely unexpected! How should I know what to do?'' Lu Yi felt troubled. ''Why didn¡¯t this happen to those who entered the ruins before me? Just my luck!'' Lu Yi spoke up, ¡°The inner beasts are charging out, and the outer perimeter is no longer safe. We need to head north toward the exit. If we can hold out for ten days, we¡¯ll be able to leave!¡± The group exchanged glances and nodded. At this moment, Yun Xi asked worriedly, ¡°What about the other disciples?¡± The group fell silent. They lacked the Mother-Child Transmission Insects of the Heavenly Serpent Sect, and communication talismans could not function within the ruins. They had only ended up here because they followed the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect disciples after noticing their suspicious movements. The other disciples had either avoided this place entirely or never encountered it. Without any means of contact, they had no way to locate the others. Han Yu said, ¡°If they have any sense, they¡¯ll head in the same direction. We might encounter them on the way. We can¡¯t search for them, so we must move forward.¡± Lu Yi added, ¡°Han Yu is right. If we meet them, it would be fortunate. If not¡­¡± The group remained silent before proceeding into the forest. Transforming into streaks of light, they headed north. They avoided flying in the sky, as too many powerful beasts lurked above. Drawing their attention would be dangerous even for Lu Yi, let alone the others. Roar!! Before long, a deafening roar echoed. A massive wolf-like beast covered in black hide lunged at the group. A golden sword light flashed, piercing the beast''s skull. It fell lifelessly to the ground. Standing at the front, Lu Yi led the group, clearing the path. As time passed, the beasts they encountered grew stronger, even reaching the Golden Core Stage. The others looked at Lu Yi¡¯s back with gratitude. He bore the brunt of the attacks, eliminating most of the beasts. The stronger ones were always handled by him first. Even Han Yu was somewhat moved. He looked at Lu Yi and said, ¡°Daoist Lu Yi, your spiritual energy must be running low. Should we take a break? I can also lead the way!¡± Yun Xi nodded in agreement. ¡°I can help too, Daoist Lu Yi. There¡¯s no need for you to handle everything alone.¡± Lu Yi smiled. ¡°My cultivation technique has reached the Perfection Realm, granting profound recovery abilities. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± ''Are you kidding? These kills come with amazing rewards! How could I give up this opportunity?'' In such a short time, Lu Yi had already obtained over three hundred drops of beast essence blood and nearly a thousand drops of ten-thousand-year spiritual milk. ''This is ten-thousand-year spiritual milk! Nearly a thousand drops! Even Void Refinement cultivators would be envious.'' Lu Yi was inwardly ecstatic, his expression resolute. There was no way he would give up his position at the front. Han Yu and the others, seeing his determination, felt even more touched. Soon, the group emerged from the forest and reached a barren plain. Certain areas of the plain were dark red, as if stained by blood over countless years. Scattered across the area were fragments of broken weapons, remnants left behind from battles long past. Some ancient weapons might still retain spiritual energy, and there were even rumors of ancient cultivators leaving behind spatial rings, waiting to be discovered. Unfortunately, they had no time to stop and search. As they entered the wilderness, their vision expanded. Everyone''s eyes scanned the depths of the ruins. Suddenly, a strange shadow moved faintly within the blood mist, exuding an unsettling, demonic aura. Lu Yi''s heart skipped a beat as he saw the shadow. Goosebumps rose on his skin, and a chill ran down his spine. Outside the blood mist, countless ferocious beasts surged outward, forming a beast tide. Everyone''s expressions changed drastically. "We can''t be swallowed by this beast tide, or our lives will be in grave danger!" At that moment, everyone felt a surge of spiritual energy from the distance. They turned and saw a group of about ten people gathered, moving swiftly in their direction. "It''s others!" Someone exclaimed with joy. Lu Yi immediately commanded, "Charge through!" A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he unleashed waves of undying sword energy, cutting down the beasts blocking their path with unstoppable force. In mere moments, Lu Yi carved out a path and led them to merge with the other group of cultivators. The group included disciples from the White Cloud Sect, Cold Winter Valley, and Myriad Flowers Sect. Seeing Lu Yi, Han Yu, and Yun Xi, their faces lit up with relief. "Junior Brother Lu!" Lin Xiaoxiao called out from the crowd. Lu Yi noticed four White Cloud Sect disciples gathered together, covered in blood¡ªthough whether it was their own or from the beasts was unclear. Lu Yi nodded and said, "Everyone, gather together. We''re leaving this place!" Lin Xiaoxiao and the others joined the group. Once again, Lu Yi pushed forward, carving a path through the beasts¡ªmany of which were Golden Core and Foundation Establishment level. The newly joined cultivators were stunned. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they witnessed Lu Yi''s overwhelming strength. However, given the dire situation, no one had time to dwell on it. They followed closely, protecting themselves while charging forward under Lu Yi''s lead. Along the way, they rescued a few more cultivators, crossing the wilderness and trudging through swamps. After half a day of struggle, they finally reached a barren mountain range. Everyone was exhausted, their spiritual energy nearly depleted. Only Lu Yi still had ample reserves. Thanks to his cultivation of the Immortal Scripture, which continuously generated spiritual energy, combined with his foundation built upon the Qi of the Great Dao, Lu Yi''s spiritual vortex could sustain him unless the battle was extraordinarily intense. Although the battles had been fierce, they were still within Lu Yi''s endurance. Boom! Another thunderous explosion echoed. Everyone turned pale, and several cultivators with almost no spiritual energy coughed up blood, staggering to the ground. "We can''t hold on much longer!" Faces were ashen, and even Han Yu and Yun Xi were panting heavily, their spiritual energy nearly exhausted. At that moment, the demonic figure within the blood mist suddenly vanished, as if it had never been there. With its disappearance, the oppressive aura also gradually faded. As the pressure receded, the frenzied beasts began to calm down, no longer attacking mindlessly. Seizing this opportunity, Lu Yi led the group into a narrow valley where they could finally catch their breath. Everyone collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily, their eyes still filled with lingering fear. "I thought for sure I was going to die here today! I can''t believe we made it out alive." "What was that thing in the blood mist? I''ve never heard of anything like it before." The group murmured in confusion, but no one could explain the strange occurrence deep within the mist. After resting for a while, their breathing gradually steadied. Han Yu approached Lu Yi and cupped his fists, saying, "Thank you, Daoist Lu. Without you, we would have died here today." Yun Xi also smiled charmingly. "Lu Yi, we owe you our lives. You''re incredible¡ªkilling so many beasts like it was nothing." The others echoed their gratitude, still in awe of Lu Yi''s strength. "Lu Yi, you''re unbelievably strong. Even a peak Golden Core cultivator might not match your power." "No wonder you''re called an immortal seed." The disciples couldn''t hide their admiration and gratitude. Even the White Cloud Sect disciples were no exception. Lin Xiaoxiao''s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Yi and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Lu, thank you for saving us. If you ever need anything, just let me know." Lu Yi smiled helplessly. "Senior Sister, you''re too polite." He responded warmly to everyone, but inside, he was filled with joy. Throughout the escape, Lu Yi had killed countless beasts and obtained over thousand drops of ten-thousands-year spiritual milk! With such an abundant supply, Lu Yi wouldn''t have to worry about resources for a long time. It might even be enough for him to advance directly to the Golden Core stage! This trip to the Eastern Forest Ruins had definitely been worth it. Although there had been challenges, they were manageable. Just then, a startled voice called out, "Look at the sky!" Everyone quickly looked up, and their expressions changed drastically. The once-clear sky was now tinged with faint red mist, slowly spreading. Chapter 92: Appearance of the Demon Clan "What''s going on?!" Everyone was in an uproar, discussing the sudden change. "This fog... it¡¯s somewhat similar to the mist that occasionally appears on the scorched earth outside the outer sect." "Could there be danger?" Han Yu and Yun Xi also looked vigilant, with faint traces of worry in their expressions. Yun Xi turned to Lu Yi and asked, "Fellow Daoist Lu Yi, the Eastern Forest Ruins have undergone an unknown anomaly. What should we do?" The others also turned their gazes toward him. Lu Yi¡¯s strength had been overwhelmingly impressive, saving all of them. At this moment, he had practically become the pillar of support for everyone. Faced with their expectant gazes, Lu Yi felt rather helpless. ''It''s my first time here too! This is also my first time encountering such a situation!'' How could he possibly know? Nevertheless, no matter what, they needed to leave this place. If they wanted to get out, they had to head toward the exit. After some thought, Lu Yi spoke, "Regardless of what happens, we have to leave. We must go to the exit. First, we should check whether this blood mist poses any danger. After that, we¡¯ll recover our strength and continue heading north." Everyone exchanged looks and nodded. "That seems to be the only option." "Lu Yi is right. If we want to leave, we must head to the exit." Han Yu nodded slightly. "In that case, let¡¯s recover first. The sudden appearance of the red mist might indicate unknown dangers." Hearing this, the group stopped overthinking and began restoring their energy. Lu Yi sat cross-legged, looking at the sky. Instead of meditating deeply, he allowed his spiritual energy to recover on its own. He was already nearly at full capacity. He was slightly worried that some unknown danger might emerge from the red mist. Lu Yi¡¯s gaze swept over the group. After rescuing more people one after another, there were now about fifty cultivators gathered here. Apart from disciples from the three major sects, there were also a few rogue cultivators. Rogue cultivators could only enter after the disciples from the Five Great Sects had gone in. Seeing a few of them was no surprise to Lu Yi. However, this was probably all the cultivators in the Eastern Forest Ruins. The earlier beast tide had been too terrifying, with even traces of Nascent Soul Realm auras faintly detectable. Lu Yi had led the group and forcefully carved a path out, narrowly avoiding the area occupied by Nascent Soul beasts. Even so, they had to kill quite a few Golden Core beasts along the way. Others didn¡¯t have Lu Yi¡¯s level of strength. Facing such an overwhelming beast tide, they would likely have been devoured. Lu Yi sighed inwardly. ''How unlucky. Fortunately, my strength is decent.'' Just then, Lu Yi suddenly paused and looked at the fifty or so cultivators around him. A bold idea came to his mind. He thought to himself, I will rescue these people and lead them out of the Eastern Forest Ruins. [Task] Rescue the cultivators and lead them out of the Eastern Forest Ruins. Rewards depend on the number of survivors. Accept Mission: Yes/No Lu Yi¡¯s heart leaped with joy. This triggered a mission? Not bad. Motivated, Lu Yi¡¯s spirits lifted. With Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo dead, most of the disciples from the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect were likely gone as well. Once he got out, those earlier missions should be complete. How many rewards would he get? An idea suddenly struck him again. He thought to himself, I want to leave the Eastern Forest Ruins. [Task] Leave the Eastern Forest Ruins. Reward: Golden Core Realm Spirit Wine Recipe ¨C "Jade Essence Wine." Accept Mission: Yes/No It worked! Lu Yi¡¯s heart surged with excitement. He hadn¡¯t expected to trigger two missions just by leaving the ruins. This is great! Moreover, the reward was a spirit wine recipe. Until now, Lu Yi only had the "Spirit Nourishing Dew" recipe. Finally, he had a second one. And this one was for the Golden Core Realm, perfect for his current stage. Feeling satisfied, Lu Yi happily accepted the missions. Suddenly, Lu Yi¡¯s consciousness trembled. It was as if he had traveled through endless time, arriving in an ancient era. All around him were endless mountain ranges, with countless human cultivators standing in the sky. On the other side, numerous demon clan cultivators hovered in the air. "Kill!!" The leading human cultivator was surrounded by brilliant light, resembling an immortal descended to the mortal world. He led his forces in a charge against the demon clan. From the demon clan¡¯s side, a cold yet seductive voice rang out. The leader was shrouded in divine radiance, their aura no weaker than the immortal-like human cultivator. "Kill!" Both sides clashed, and the battlefield erupted. Magic treasures flew, spiritual energy surged, and blood dyed the sky red. A surge of fighting spirit and killing intent filled Lu Yi¡¯s heart, making him feel as if he could tear apart the heavens. At that moment, the colorful spiritual energy vortex in Lu Yi¡¯s dantian stirred, emitting a faint Dao resonance. His mind cleared instantly. Opening his eyes, Lu Yi sensed chaotic fluctuations around him. Looking around, he saw the cultivators who had been meditating now had bloodshot eyes, seemingly trapped in illusions. Their spiritual energy was swirling as if ready to attack. Lu Yi¡¯s expression changed. Blood Fiend Illusion?! It was the same illusion he had encountered on the scorched earth outside the ruins! But the illusion here was far stronger than the one outside. All the cultivators were ensnared, even Han Yu and Yun Xi. However, Han Yu¡¯s skin glistened like icy jade, exuding extreme cold, while flowers bloomed around Yun Xi, releasing a faint fragrance. Both of them instinctively resisted the illusion, faring better than the others. Among the rest, only Jiang Fan was also resisting. Mist swirled around him, and an ancient white bottle emerged from his body, forming layers of mystical water to envelop him.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Lu Yi glanced at Jiang Fan with surprise. As expected of Brother Jiang Fan. Even the Foundation Establishment Peak cultivators are almost completely trapped, yet he, at the third level of Foundation Establishment, is nearly on par with Han Yu and Yun Xi. Lu Yi took a deep breath. Spiritual energy surged from his forehead as he shouted, "Wake up!" Lu Yi''s voice was like the evening drum and morning bell, resonating with his spiritual power. It shook the spirits of the other disciples, and immediately, many cultivators trembled, showing signs of waking up. Yun Xi was the first to wake up. She opened her clear eyes, looked around warily, and upon seeing Lu Yi, she let out a slight sigh of relief. Smiling, she said, "Daoist Lu Yi, was it you who awakened me? You''ve saved me once again." Lu Yi smiled and said, "It was just a small effort. Daoist Yun Xi, you need not mind it. Besides, even without me, you probably wouldn¡¯t have remained trapped." Yun Xi shook her head and said seriously, "Grandmother always taught me to repay kindness." Seeing Yun Xi''s earnest expression, Lu Yi smiled helplessly. "Daoist Yun Xi, you really don¡¯t have to take it so seriously." Yet Yun Xi still shook her head. After a moment of thought, she said, "It is often said that a life-saving grace should be repaid with marriage. How about I become your Dao companion? Though we have no feelings between us now, I think you are a good person." Lu Yi: "??" His expression froze. Was such good fortune even possible? "Cough, cough!" Just then, the sound of coughing broke the awkward moment. Lu Yi turned his head and saw that Han Yu had also woken up. His delicate features, almost like a woman¡¯s, remained as calm as ever. "Did I wake up too early?" Lu Yi shook his head seriously, "No, you woke up at just the right time." Otherwise, he really wouldn¡¯t have known how to respond to Yun Xi. This woman¡¯s thought process was a bit too outlandish. Han Yu chuckled lightly and looked at Lu Yi. "I¡¯m a man, so I won¡¯t repay with marriage. But for this life-saving grace, feel free to ask for my help in the future." Lu Yi: "..." Could they not move past this marriage repayment topic? Lu Yi smiled helplessly and said, "Daoist Han Yu, you¡¯re too polite. It was merely a small effort." Han Yu calmly shook his head and said no more. Before long, Jiang Fan also woke up, which surprised Yun Xi and Han Yu. A cultivator at the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage was able to awaken so quickly. Both of them were quite astonished. Jiang Fan stored away the white bottle, exhaled a breath of stale air, and looked at Lu Yi with a smile. "Brother Lu, it¡¯s all thanks to you." Lu Yi smiled back. "Brother Jiang, there¡¯s no need to be polite." Jiang Fan nodded without saying more. Lu Yi had already helped him too many times; this was just one more instance. Soon after, the other cultivators began waking up one by one, their faces filled with lingering fear. "Was that a Blood Fiend Illusion Realm just now? Such a realistic illusion, I truly felt like I had become one of those ancient cultivators!" "We are so fortunate to have Daoist Lu Yi. Otherwise, we might have been trapped in the illusion and died there." One by one, the cultivators expressed their gratitude toward Lu Yi. After a long time, everyone was finally awake. Lu Yi also felt a sense of relief. Since he had taken on this mission, it was best if no one died. Bringing everyone out safely would maximize his rewards. Before long, everyone¡¯s spiritual energy had mostly recovered. Lu Yi stood up and said, "Now that we¡¯ve rested enough, let¡¯s continue our journey." Han Yu and Yun Xi stood up as well, followed by the others. The group left the valley and continued moving north toward the exit. Once outside the valley, Lu Yi noticed that the surroundings were enveloped in a faint red mist, reducing visibility significantly. The faint red mist carried a murderous aura passed down from ancient times, occasionally pulling people into the Blood Fiend Illusion Realm, making it extremely dangerous. Fortunately, Lu Yi¡¯s spiritual vortex of Dao energy was exceptionally strong. Each time he fell into an illusion, he would immediately wake up and then awaken the others, preventing them from becoming trapped. Even so, the group still found themselves growing mentally exhausted. However, the disappearance of the terrifying aura from the core area meant that the demonic beasts were no longer in a frenzy. The number of ferocious beasts in the surroundings had also decreased compared to before, making their journey relatively safer. For Lu Yi, however, this was not entirely good news. Fewer beasts meant fewer rewards for his mission. Thankfully, the amount of ten-thousand-year spirit milk he had collected was already substantial, enough to sustain his cultivation for a considerable time. Traveling through the red mist, even Lu Yi found himself mentally fatigued. They couldn¡¯t cover much distance each day before needing to rest. It took them three full days to reach the northern region of the Eastern Forest Ruins. They arrived at a desolate, scorched land. The blood fiend aura in this area was even more concentrated than in other places. Though not as intense as the core region, it was still quite terrifying. Upon entering this area, even Lu Yi had to tread carefully, as he sensed the presence of several powerful Golden Core beasts. He even faintly felt the aura of Nascent Soul beasts in the distance. Everyone held their breath as they moved forward. "What bad luck. In the past, the outskirts only had low-level Golden Core beasts." "Exactly. Who would have thought that even Nascent Soul beasts would appear in the outer regions now?" Many people muttered complaints in low voices, their expressions visibly tired. Days of traveling, coupled with the frequent illusions and experiencing the ancient battles, had left them mentally exhausted. "I wonder what kind of changes occurred in the core area. Something major must have happened in the Eastern Forest Ruins." "Indeed. With such events unfolding, who knows if the Eastern Forest Ruins will even be accessible in the future?" Everyone wore worried expressions. Some were even anxious, unsure if they could escape from the Eastern Forest Ruins. Two more days passed. After taking a winding path, they finally approached the exit. At this moment, Lu Yi, who was leading the group, suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching from the front. This aura did not feel like that of a cultivator; instead, it carried a strange demonic presence. Han Yu, Yun Xi, and the others naturally noticed it as well. Everyone''s expression shifted. "This aura... is its demonic energy?!" "How can there be demonic energy here?" While everyone was alarmed, three figures emerged from the red mist. One was a burly man over two meters tall with a pair of bull horns on his head. The second was a slender woman with grayish-white wings on her back and fine feathers on her face. The last figure had the head of a tiger. "Demon clan!" Lu Yi''s expression changed slightly, showing surprise. Before entering, he had gathered much information about the Eastern Forest Ruins, but he had never heard that demons existed here. Not only him, but Han Yu, Yun Xi, and the others also displayed expressions of disbelief. "How is this possible? How can there be demons in the Eastern Forest Ruins?" While they were shocked, the three demons were equally surprised, as if they had not expected to encounter them. The tiger demon furrowed his brows. "The previous beast tide failed to kill them? So many humans are still alive? Impossible!" "They probably hid somewhere and survived the disaster. These humans are quite lucky," the bull demon sneered, scanning the group with cold eyes. The bird demon covered her mouth and let out a crisp laugh, saying, "So what? Killing them now isn¡¯t too late. His Highness is about to succeed. Let¡¯s consider this a celebration for him." Hearing this, the other two demons nodded, their faces showing cruel smiles. Violent demonic energy surged into the air, causing the red mist to churn. "Golden Core demons?!" Everyone''s expression shifted again. All three demons were in the Golden Core stage. Lu Yi, however, remained calm. He looked at the three demons and asked, "Did you also come from outside?" The bird demon glanced at him and giggled. "What a handsome little brother. Yes, we did come from the outside." "Impossible! The entrance to the Eastern Forest Ruins has always been controlled by our five sects. How could you get in? Moreover, you¡¯re already at the Golden Core stage. How can you enter?!" A disciple from Cold Winter Valley exclaimed in disbelief. "Heh, we naturally have our own secret methods. If we want to enter, we can," the bull demon said with a cold smile. Lu Yi thought of something, and his expression changed slightly. He asked, "Who is your Highness? Does it have something to do with the changes in the core area of the Eastern Forest Ruins?" The others also recalled the earlier conversation among the three demons, and their expressions darkened as they looked at them. "Heh, human boy, you¡¯re quite sharp. This place contains the remains of our Nine-Tailed Demon Emperor. His Highness possesses the bloodline of the Demon Emperor and has naturally come to inherit its power." Hearing this, everyone¡¯s faces turned pale. "Demon Emperor remains?!" "A figure of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan is here? We¡¯re doomed." Many cultivators looked ashen. Even Lu Yi¡¯s expression changed slightly. The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan¡¯s status among the demons was equivalent to the holy lands of human cultivators, representing an immensely powerful force. The fact that the Eastern Forest Ruins housed the descendant of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, someone possessing the talent of a Demon Emperor, was terrifying. Even Lu Yi dared not underestimate such a foe. Judging from the commotion earlier in the core area, that being must be extremely formidable. Lu Yi hadn¡¯t expected the ancient demons that battled humans to be led by the Nine-Tailed Demon Emperor. Recalling the ethereal figure shrouded in divine light he had seen earlier, Lu Yi suspected that it might have been the Nine-Tailed Demon Emperor. Seeing the change in expressions among Lu Yi and the others, the three Golden Core demons sneered and stepped closer, intending to wipe them out. Lu Yi looked at the three demons, took a deep breath, and said to himself, ''I must kill these three demons.'' [Task] Eliminate the three Golden Core demons. Reward: One Seven-Colored Soul-Nurturing Flower. Accept: Yes/No Seeing the reward, Lu Yi was overjoyed. It was a Soul-Nurturing Flower, an extremely rare and precious herb that could nourish the soul. A three-colored flower required a hundred years to mature, a five-colored one needed five hundred years, and a seven-colored flower required at least a thousand years to form. The medicinal properties it contained could cause a qualitative transformation in Lu Yi¡¯s spiritual power. This reward was too good to pass up. Lu Yi immediately accepted the mission, then looked at the three demons and chuckled. "In that case, I can¡¯t let you leave. Otherwise, you might bring more demons back." His words stunned the three demons, who then burst into laughter. "Kill us?" "With just you lot? You¡¯re nothing but Foundation Establishment cultivators!" "Kill them!" The three demons unleashed their demonic energy and launched their attacks. The tiger demon roared and spat out a massive bronze bell, which fell and sealed off the area, trapping everyone inside. The bull demon released a wild and ferocious power, his blood and energy surging like a dragon as he charged forward. The bird demon took out several gray-white feathers, refined like sharp blades that shimmered with a ghostly light. With a wave of her hand, the feathers shot toward the group like arrows. The three Golden Core demons were extremely powerful, and their attacks caused many cultivators to turn pale, unable to resist. However, Lu Yi remained calm. Taking a step forward, his white robes fluttered as golden sword lights surrounded him. An immortal sword intent radiated outward. The sword lights seemed to possess life, transforming into golden rays that shot toward the three demons. The terrifying sword intent caused the demons¡¯ expressions to change dramatically. Chapter 93: The Might of the Treasure Weapon Sword light sliced through the gray-white feathers, instantly turning them to dust. The bird demon''s face turned pale, and she spat out a mouthful of blood essence as her body transformed into white light and retreated repeatedly. In the next moment, the sword light slashed through where she had stood, causing the space to distort. Elsewhere, the sword light slashed toward the bull demon, whose body radiated yellow light. The bull demon roared furiously, his aura surging like smoke as he punched toward the sword light. Boom!! Cracks appeared on his fist and arm under the sword light, and his massive body, over two meters tall, was sent flying, leaving blood splattering across the ground. The remaining sword light struck the giant bell overhead, producing a series of resounding clangs. The bell trembled, forming fine cracks, and the tiger demon controlling it shook violently as streams of blood seeped from his pores. The three Golden Core demons stared wide-eyed, their gazes fixed on Lu Yi, who was surrounded by golden sword light. His handsome features and ethereal aura made him look like a sword immortal descending to the mortal world. Their faces were filled with shock. "This sword intent... it actually contains a trace of immortality?!" "A mere Foundation Establishment human cultivator¡ªhow can he possibly wield such terrifying sword intent?! This sword intent must have reached nearly fifty percent mastery!" The three Golden Core demons were horrified. As followers of the Demon Emperor''s descendant, they were undoubtedly geniuses among their peers, possessing strength beyond their cultivation level, capable of contending with upper-tier Golden Core experts. Even so, the three of them working together were struggling to resist the sword of a single Foundation Establishment human?! Exchanging glances, a murderous glint appeared in their eyes. The bull demon let out a low growl as his blood surged, yellow light pulsed, and his broken bones cracked back into place. His severed arm reattached, and his flesh began to regenerate. Panting, he said harshly, "This man is undoubtedly a monstrous human genius. He cannot be allowed to live!" The tiger demon took a deep breath, his eyes widening as he glared at Lu Yi. "He possesses such strength at the Foundation Establishment stage¡ªif he grows further, he will become a dire threat to our lord. Kill him and clear the path for our lord!" The bird demon, no longer smiling as before, wore a grave expression. Sharp, metallic energy radiated from her body, and beams of white light emerged, exuding an intimidating aura. "Kill!" She struck first, her body disappearing in an instant and transforming into a streak of white light that charged at Lu Yi. Her speed surpassed that of Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo by far, reaching an extreme level. Lu Yi''s expression remained unchanged. With a step forward, he soared into the air as golden sword light clanged and resonated. The Seven Mysteries Sword Art activated, and the multicolored spiritual vortex within him spun. Streams of immortal sword qi surged out endlessly. The sword light kept up with the bird demon''s speed, descending like a heavenly blade to strike her. Sealed by the sword''s aura, the bird demon let out a sharp cry. Three pitch-black feathers appeared in her hand, which she shot toward the incoming sword light. Clang! Clang! Clang! The black feathers were deflected, and the bird demon dodged quickly. Though she avoided the sword strikes, the residual sword qi tore through her tough demon body, leaving her drenched in blood. She coughed up blood, feeling the immortal sword qi invading her body. Her eyes filled with horror as she retreated rapidly. But the golden sword light pursued her relentlessly, continuing to slash toward her. At that moment, a loud roar echoed as the bull demon arrived. A dark yellow staff appeared in his hands, radiating a heavy, earth-like aura. Roaring repeatedly, he swung the staff to clash with the immortal sword energy. A series of metallic crashes rang out, scattering the immortal sword energy. Yet, each collision forced the bull demon back a step. His trembling arms, shredded muscles, and bloodied form showed his struggle against the terrifying force. Meanwhile, the tiger demon acted. With a low growl, the massive bell shrank and ignored everyone else, focusing solely on Lu Yi as it descended upon him. To the tiger demon, no one else mattered compared to this Foundation Establishment human cultivator. Even if the others escaped, he had to kill this human! The bronze bell radiated a greenish glow and emitted a devouring force like a black hole, aiming to trap and refine Lu Yi. However, Lu Yi remained unmoved. Lightning patterns emerged around him, and destructive lightning coiled around his body. The devouring force vanished upon contact with the lightning, leaving Lu Yi untouched, standing as if impervious to all techniques. "Lightning intent!" "Also near fifty percent mastery!" "What kind of monster is this?!" The three demons were stunned again, staring at Lu Yi in disbelief. They had initially thought Lu Yi was a rare sword genius who dedicated his life to refining his sword intent, thus achieving fifty percent mastery at Foundation Establishment. But what were they seeing now?! In addition to fifty percent sword intent, this human also possessed fifty percent lightning intent?! "His talent rivals our lord''s!" "With such talent, he is destined to ascend the immortal path. Our lord will face grave trouble!" "He cannot be allowed to live. Even if we die, we must kill him!" The three demons'' killing intent solidified, filled with determination to perish alongside him. Despite being enemies, Lu Yi couldn''t help but admire their loyalty to their lord. Unfortunately for them, they had met him. Golden lightning flickered in Lu Yi''s eyes, and a golden sword seal appeared on his forehead¡ªan embodiment of the immortal sword technique pushed to its limits. Lu Yi fully activated his Immortal Sword Technique, releasing an increasingly terrifying aura. Golden sword light entwined with lightning, and dazzling patterns of lightning shimmered around him, surpassing the phenomena seen in his previous battle with Qin Luo. Surrounded by lightning, Lu Yi charged toward the bird demon, his speed surpassing hers. The bird demon''s pupils shrank. Her injuries hadn''t healed, so she hastily retreated. "You shall not pass! Face me, you human monster!" The bull demon roared, stepping in front of the bird demon. Lu Yi smiled faintly. "My sword will play with you."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. As he spoke, countless strands of immortal sword qi intertwined with destructive lightning, slashing toward the bull demon. Sensing the overwhelming power, the bull demon''s eyes widened in terror as he was entangled by the sword energy. Without sparing the bull demon another glance, Lu Yi continued chasing the bird demon. The tiger demon roared, and the bell fell like a collapsing mountain, trying to crush Lu Yi. Lu Yi turned and punched the bell, denting it. Clang! The deafening sound echoed, causing the Foundation Establishment cultivators behind Lu Yi to clutch their ears in pain. Even Yun Xi and Han Yu, who resisted better than others, had pale faces. Han Yu shouted, "Retreat! It''s too dangerous here!" Yun Xi waved her hand, summoning flowers to shield the group as they quickly retreated. The bell was blasted into the air by Lu Yi''s punch, and the tiger demon, connected to it, vomited blood, his face full of disbelief. "Impossible! This bell has killed even eighth-layer Golden Core cultivators!" Lu Yi stepped forward, transforming into lightning and catching up with the bird demon. His expression remained calm as he drew a longsword radiating scorching sunlight. The dazzling golden light made it seem as though he held the sun itself. Pouring his spiritual energy into the sword, Lu Yi swung it. A golden-red sword light hundreds of meters long cleaved the sky. The heat evaporated the surrounding air, even dispersing the red mist. The sword light slashed through the bird demon, who didn''t even have time to scream before being vaporized. "Dark Sparrow!" The bull demon and tiger demon were greatly alarmed, their faces filled with terror. "Run!" They glanced at Lu Yi, their expressions changing drastically before turning to flee deeper into the ancient ruins. "You can''t escape!" Lu Yi''s speed was even faster than the bird demon earlier, let alone these two Golden Core demons who were not known for their swiftness. Transforming into lightning, Lu Yi quickly caught up with the two demons. With the Mysterious Sun Sword in hand, exuding the aura of a scorching sun, the power of his indestructible sword intent surged dramatically. A sword light spanning hundreds of meters enveloped the two demons. The tiger demon roared, turning to release a large bronze bell, which expanded to over ten meters tall, resembling a mountain as it met the incoming sword aura. Boom!! With a thunderous explosion, the bronze bell was riddled with cracks from the sword light and spun away uncontrollably. The tiger demon coughed up blood repeatedly but dared not linger, continuing its desperate escape. Lu Yi remained expressionless, slashing out two more sword lights, instantly engulfing the bull demon and tiger demon, reducing them to mere vapor. Lu Yi let out a light breath, glancing at the Mysterious Sun Sword in his hand, inwardly sighing in admiration. ''As expected of an offensive mid-grade treasure, its power is truly immense. Even Golden Core demons are vaporized upon contact.'' However, the energy consumption was equally astonishing. Even for Lu Yi, wielding this treasure felt somewhat strenuous. Moreover, the sword light''s destructive power left nothing intact¡ªeverything was vaporized, including the spatial rings, leaving almost no spoils. Lu Yi couldn''t help but sigh. If it weren''t for the concern of attracting more demons due to prolonged battle and excessive noise, he wouldn''t have used this treasure. He stowed away the Mysterious Sun Sword and picked up the bronze bell left behind by the tiger demon. The bell appeared to be a top-grade magical artifact, nearing the quality of a treasure. Its material was decent, and despite being damaged by the sword light, it hadn''t shattered completely. With some repairs, it might be restored. This was his only tangible gain from the battle. Of course, aside from completing the mission. Lu Yi turned to look at Han Yu and the others. At this moment, everyone was still staring at Lu Yi in shock, unable to fully process what had happened. After all, those were three Golden Core demons! And Lu Yi had slain them one by one so effortlessly. Lu Yi flew over, smiling lightly. "It''s over. Let''s move quickly. If other demons come, it will be troublesome." Only then did everyone snap out of their daze, hastily following Lu Yi as they flew into the distance. Many of them couldn''t help but keep glancing at Lu Yi, their eyes still filled with astonishment. Han Yu''s cold and elegant face showed a wry smile as he said, "Daoist Lu''s strength is truly extraordinary. I thought I had already gauged your capabilities before, but you have surprised me yet again." Yun Xi''s beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Yi. "Those three demons were each far stronger than Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo, yet they were completely overwhelmed by Daoist Lu. Truly remarkable." Lu Yi smiled slightly. "Even for me, dealing with them took considerable effort. You flatter me too much." Yun Xi, curious, asked, "Daoist Lu, the treasure you used earlier... It radiated the aura of a blazing sun. That can''t be an ordinary magical artifact, can it?" The two disciples from the Myriad Flower Sect beside her exchanged nervous glances and hurriedly tugged at Yun Xi''s sleeve. One of them quickly offered an apologetic smile to Lu Yi. "Daoist Lu, please don''t take offense. Our senior sister is merely curious and means no harm." After all, asking about a cultivator''s treasures was a sensitive topic. Lu Yi didn''t mind and smiled. "No worries. I picked it up from an ancient battlefield when I first entered. I guess I got lucky¡ªit appears to be a treasure." "Hiss..." Everyone gasped in disbelief, their eyes turning green with envy. "A treasure?!" "A treasure... Even Nascent Soul cultivators might not possess such an artifact..." The crowd buzzed with excitement. Yun Xi looked at Lu Yi with envy. "Daoist Lu, your luck is incredible. I only managed to gather a few rare herbs. Compared to your gain, mine is insignificant." The disciples from the Myriad Flower Sect facepalmed. Lu Yi also found Yun Xi''s openness amusing. ''Is she really revealing her possessions so casually?'' Lu Yi had only revealed the Mysterious Sun Sword out of necessity and provided a plausible explanation. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have said anything. Han Yu couldn''t help but sigh as well. "Daoist Lu truly possesses great fortune." His tone was full of admiration. Lu Yi smiled humbly. ''No, I have a golden finger...'' Truth be told, given the rewards offered by his mission panel, even those with great fortune would pale in comparison. The missions provided far too many benefits. Everyone was worried that the demon clan might discover their tracks. They moved at an extremely fast pace and soon traveled a great distance, continuing deeper into the desolate mountains. After a long time, they finally left the battle zone far behind, and only then did they breathe a sigh of relief. Carefully, they continued moving toward the place of departure. Before long, they arrived at a mountain not far from the location of the departure point. The departure point was situated deep within the barren mountains, in a massive valley filled with green stones that formed a spacious plaza. Surrounding the plaza stood numerous stone pillars, each engraved with intricate and mysterious patterns. Lu Yi and the others were somewhat worried about a possible demon ambush, so they did not approach immediately. Instead, Lu Yi, Han Yu, and Yun Xi split up and scouted the surroundings. After confirming there were no demons in the vicinity, the group cautiously advanced. Upon reaching the departure point, Lu Yi carefully examined the mysterious patterns on the stone pillars, feeling a sense of awe. These were formation patterns¡ªand highly complex ones at that! Although Lu Yi had studied basic formations and had some understanding of formation patterns, even he could not comprehend their purpose. They seemed extraordinarily profound and mysterious. When Lu Yi focused intently on the patterns, he even felt slightly dizzy and disoriented. ''These patterns are too profound for someone at my level to comprehend,'' he thought. Lu Yi felt puzzled. He could not understand why these stone pillars were here, nor did he know what purpose this departure point served. He reached out and knocked on one of the pillars, finding it as hard as iron. ''These pillars have stood here since the ancient wars between humans and demons, yet they remain intact. Their sturdiness is truly unbelievable,'' he mused. Lu Yi memorized all the patterns, planning to study them in the future when his formation skills improved. After reaching the departure point, the group relaxed slightly. ¡°We just need to wait here for three days, and we can leave!¡± someone said excitedly. ¡°It¡¯s a shame. The Eastern Forest Ruins are filled with opportunities, yet we spent most of our time dealing with danger and barely had any time to search for fortunes,¡± You Jing said bitterly. The others also fell silent, their expressions grim. ¡°Sigh, I suppressed my cultivation for three years just for this chance,¡± a Foundation Establishment peak disciple from Cold Winter Valley said dejectedly. ¡°This damned place¡­ If I had known such abnormalities would occur, I definitely wouldn¡¯t have come!¡± another cultivator said angrily. At this moment, someone¡¯s eyes lit up as they suggested, ¡°Since we still have three days, why don¡¯t we search the nearby area and see if we can find any opportunities?¡± Hearing this, many people were tempted. However, Lu Yi suddenly spoke, ¡°Can you escape the Blood Fiend Illusion?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Everyone¡¯s expressions turned bitter. If it weren¡¯t for Lu Yi waking them up each time in the Blood Fiend Illusion, they would have died there already. Han Yu looked at Lu Yi and asked, ¡°Brother Lu, with three days left, what do you think we should do? Stay here?¡± Lu Yi hesitated for a moment before replying, ¡°Although the ferocious beasts in the red mist are no longer as violent, the demon clan is still present. If they discover us, we¡¯ll be in grave danger. It¡¯s better to find a place to hide and quietly wait for the external experts to guide us out.¡± Hearing this, the group exchanged glances and found Lu Yi¡¯s suggestion reasonable. Soon, the group left the departure point. Since it was too conspicuous, they found a nearby cave to settle in and quietly waited for time to pass. By the second day, the depths of the ruins stirred again. A rhythmic thumping sound echoed, like the beating of a powerful heart. Demon energy surged into the sky, as if an ancient Demon Emperor was awakening from its slumber. Based on what Lu Yi had previously learned from the three great demons, this commotion likely indicated that the descendant of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan was receiving the inheritance of the ancient Nine-Tailed Demon Emperor. The scale of the disturbance suggested how terrifyingly powerful the inheritor would become after obtaining the Demon Emperor¡¯s legacy. Lu Yi flew into the sky to observe the core area. Within the red mist, shadows swayed, resembling the tails of a Nine-Tailed Fox. The ancient ruins¡¯ beasts became restless again. Fortunately, this time was not as dangerous as before. Lu Yi only had to kill a few beasts that strayed into their hiding place. The disturbance lasted until the second day, which was also the day the ruins¡¯ exit was set to open. Finally, the area fell silent. Time continued to pass. Lu Yi and the others nervously watched the departure point, not daring to blink, afraid they might miss the opening of the exit. Just then, spatial fluctuations appeared in the center of the departure point. Everyone¡¯s faces lit up with joy. ¡°It¡¯s here!¡± ¡°The Elders have started bringing us out! We can leave now!¡± The group left their hiding spot and flew toward the area where the spatial fluctuations appeared. However, at that moment, a soft laugh echoed, ¡°Finally, I¡¯ve found you all.¡± Chapter 94: Bridal Chamber Candle Night Hearing this voice, everyone''s expressions subtly changed as they turned toward its source. On the cliff stood four figures. The leading figure was enveloped in radiant light. Through the glow, a graceful and alluring silhouette could be faintly seen, with snow-white, jade-like arms. However, her face remained obscured. Beside her were two stunningly beautiful women and a handsome young man. The aura emanating from the three was overwhelmingly powerful, even more formidable than the three great demons Lu Yi had previously slain. As for the woman shrouded in light at the center, her presence was even more terrifying, like an unfathomable abyss. Even Lu Yi felt she might be beyond his ability to confront. Golden Core¡ªtheir cultivation levels were all at the Golden Core stage. Lu Yi was somewhat puzzled. How could demons at the Golden Core level enter this ancient ruin? Had they mastered some secret technique? However, this was not the time to dwell on such doubts. These four demons were clearly no ordinary beings. Especially the alluring figure in the center¡ªLu Yi vividly recalled her. In the Blood Fiend Illusion, the leader of the demon side was precisely this woman shrouded in radiant light. The Nine-Tailed Demon Empress. This woman likely belonged to the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, a descendant of the Demon Empress. Had she obtained the inheritance of the Nine-Tailed Demon Empress and come seeking him? The other cultivators¡¯ expressions shifted as they saw the demoness, the radiant glow making her identity all too conspicuous. Many of them began to guess who she might be. Han Yu''s expression turned cold, and she transmitted her voice to Lu Yi, "Fellow Daoist Lu, this situation is bad. That demoness might be a descendant of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan." Yun Xi also sent a voice transmission, "Lu Yi, what should we do?" Jiang Fan, Lin Xiaoxiao, and the others also sent transmissions, asking Lu Yi for instructions. Lu Yi glanced at the pitch-black exit slowly emerging nearby, calculating the timing in his mind. He then transmitted his voice to the others, telling them to wait. Looking at the radiant figure, Lu Yi chuckled and said, "Who are you?" From within the light, a pair of enchanting eyes gazed at Lu Yi. Those black-and-white eyes carried a natural allure. Just by looking into them, one could imagine how captivating the figure within the glow must be. She spoke softly, her voice carrying an unusual charm that could easily captivate the mind, "You killed Youque and the others, didn''t you? I can sense the immense power hidden within you." Her enchanting eyes revealed a hint of surprise. "It''s hard to believe that the human race has a prodigy like you." She had just received her inheritance and was currently in a state of merging with the Dao. Her heightened perception detected the terrifying power within Lu Yi, which did not match his cultivation level. Lu Yi smiled and replied, "You mean those three demons? Yes, I killed them. What do you plan to do about it?" "Naturally, I plan to kill you," the handsome young man sneered. Golden light flickered around him, exuding a sharp and unstoppable aura. He stepped forward, ready to attack. At that moment, the radiant woman raised her hand, signaling him to stop. The young man immediately retreated respectfully. The radiant woman studied Lu Yi, smiling lightly. "It would be a pity for such a talented individual to die here. Why not join me and serve the demon race?" Lu Yi''s lips twitched. The relationship between humans and demons had always been hostile, with frequent conflicts. For a human like him to join the demon race? Wouldn''t that make me a traitor? Lu Yi chuckled. "I appreciate your offer, but I think I¡¯ll stay with the human race." The radiant woman laughed softly. "That''s fine. I''ll capture you and take you back to the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan. You''ll change your mind eventually." Hearing this, Lu Yi''s scalp tingled. Without hesitation, he transformed into a bolt of lightning, disappearing from his spot and reappearing high in the sky. Where he had just stood, rays of light emerged, sealing the space. Had he stayed there, he would have already been captured. Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s astonishing speed, the two beautiful women beside the demoness widened their eyes in surprise. "A Foundation Establishment cultivator moving this fast?" "No wonder the young mistress wants to recruit him..." The handsome young man¡¯s gaze flickered, also showing a trace of surprise, though he still sneered coldly. The demoness smiled seductively, her voice like feathers brushing against Lu Yi''s heart. "Little brother, why are you running? My Nine-Tailed Fox Clan won''t mistreat you." Lu Yi smiled faintly. "The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan is impressive, but I have no desire to leave the human race." "Oh? That¡¯s not up to you." The radiant figure moved like a flash, suddenly appearing beside Lu Yi. A snow-white jade hand reached toward his shoulder. Lu Yi¡¯s scalp tingled again, and he instantly transformed into lightning, fleeing at an even faster speed. Even the demoness was slightly surprised. "I underestimated you again..." Her gaze swept downward, landing on Yun Xi and the others. She chuckled softly, "Yue¡¯er, guard the exit with the others. Don¡¯t let them leave. I¡¯ll chase after him." "Yes, Young Mistress!" one of the beautiful women responded with a smile. The demoness vanished on the spot. The three remaining demons looked down at Yun Xi and the others with calm expressions. However, Jiang Fan and the others did not look calm at all. "Lu Yi..." Jiang Fan¡¯s face was filled with worry as he looked in the direction Lu Yi had fled. "What should we do? What now?" A disciple from Cold Winter Valley looked pale and alert, eyeing the three demons cautiously. Han Yu gazed in the direction Lu Yi had fled and transmitted her voice, "Lu Yi told us to wait, so we¡¯ll wait. He must have a plan!" "But that¡¯s a descendant of the Demon Empress! Even Lu Yi might not be able to protect himself, let alone save us!" Everyone''s faces turned pale as they stared at the three powerful demons before them, feeling a sense of despair. By the side, Yun Xi transmitted her voice, "Stop panicking! I believe in Daoist Lu Yi. I have a feeling he will definitely be fine."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "That demoness said she wants to take Daoist Lu Yi back to the demon clan. She must have taken a liking to his talent. He¡¯ll probably be safe, but we are useless to these monsters. We¡¯re the ones in trouble!" The expressions of the gathered cultivators were filled with bitterness. In the distance, Lu Yi''s body transformed into lightning, streaking through the crimson mist like a purple beam, fleeing at an astonishing speed. Having left the crowd, Lu Yi no longer concealed his strength and directly employed his ultimate technique¡ªThunder Shadow Step. In truth, Lu Yi could no longer afford to hide his abilities. The demoness chasing him was far too fast. Even now, she was able to keep pace with him. Behind him, the alluring voice of the demon emperor''s heir carried a hint of surprise. "I underestimated you. I didn¡¯t expect your speed to reach such a level. Even ordinary Golden Core peak cultivators might not be able to catch up with you." Lu Yi glanced back at the radiant glow chasing him and said, "Daoist friend, you¡¯re also a Golden Core cultivator. Why don¡¯t you fall back and stop chasing me?" "Hehehe~ Unfortunately, I¡¯m not an ordinary Golden Core cultivator." As she spoke, the radiance behind her suddenly exploded with dazzling light. Her snow-white, delicate hand reached out through the void toward Lu Yi. In an instant, the space around him seemed to solidify, drastically slowing his speed. A sharp glint flashed in Lu Yi¡¯s eyes as his Mysterious Sun Sword appeared in his hand. With a swing, a strike resembling the sun burst forth. Thunder and indestructible sword intent merged, slicing through the air and slashing toward the radiance behind him. Boom!!! A thunderous explosion erupted. The air cracked, and space distorted. The terrifying force vaporized a mountain below into nothingness. Breaking free from the spatial confinement, ice mist began to swirl around Lu Yi¡¯s feet, dramatically increasing his speed. It was the effect of his lower-grade treasure, the Ice Silk Boots. Fully activated, they significantly boosted his agility. "Sword intent and the will of thunder? Both at fifty percent? Little brother, it seems your talent is even greater than I imagined. Now I desire you even more." The demon empress¡¯s heir spoke with a tone of surprise. Lu Yi¡¯s face darkened. Turning to look back, he noticed that even with his enhanced speed, the demoness was still following closely behind. Her aura, however, had noticeably grown stronger. He shouted, "Daoist friend, humans and demons have no future together! You should give up. Even if you capture me, you won¡¯t win my heart! I prefer human cultivators!" A brief silence followed before the enchanting laughter of the demoness rang out. "Hehe, with your talent, there¡¯s hardly anyone in the entire Heavenly Bright Domain who can match you. Just like me, you stand at the pinnacle. If you join my Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, I might even marry you." "Really? But I¡¯m the only heir of the Lu family. I can¡¯t marry into another clan. How about you marry into mine instead?" "Hehehe~ That¡¯s not entirely impossible. Why don¡¯t you stop, and we can discuss our wedding arrangements?" The demoness¡¯ voice came from behind. Lu Yi¡¯s face twitched. This fox spirit¡ªwho would believe her nonsense? If he stopped, she¡¯d surely capture him. He laughed aloud. "No need to discuss. Why don¡¯t we consummate our marriage tonight?" The figure in the radiance hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "Hehe~ Fine, let¡¯s do it now. Stop, and we¡¯ll consummate immediately." Her voice carried a strange charm, and Lu Yi momentarily felt dazed, falling into an illusion. In the illusion, a stunning woman with waist-length black hair and a figure both graceful and seductive appeared. She wore a revealing long dress, her shy gaze directed toward him, as if waiting for him to approach. At that moment, the seven-colored spiritual vortex in Lu Yi¡¯s dantian trembled, snapping him out of the illusion. He sensed the aura behind him closing in and broke out in cold sweat. ''Damn this fox spirit!'' Lu Yi channeled his spiritual energy furiously, pushing his speed to the limit and barely avoiding capture. "Daoist friend, ambushing people like this isn¡¯t very honorable!" "Hehe~ But I¡¯m a woman, not a gentleman. Also, don¡¯t call me Daoist friend. You may call me Qingqiu Hua. Little brother, what¡¯s your name?" "So it¡¯s Daoist Qingqiu. I am Bai Yulong," Lu Yi replied casually. Another pause followed, and Qingqiu Hua¡¯s voice sounded again, "Didn¡¯t you just say you¡¯re from the Lu family?" Lu Yi froze for a moment before quickly replying, "Fine, my real name is Lu Yulong." Qingqiu Hua fell silent once more before speaking slowly, "Little brother of the Lu family, if you don¡¯t stop, I¡¯ll get angry. You wouldn¡¯t want to see me angry, would you?" Feeling the turbulent aura behind him, Lu Yi raised an eyebrow in surprise. For someone of Qingqiu Hua¡¯s talent, it didn¡¯t make sense for her to lose control over her own power. Then it hit him¡ªperhaps she had just inherited the demon empress¡¯s legacy and hadn¡¯t stabilized her power yet? Lu Yi smirked. "Daoist Qingqiu, you just inherited the demon empress¡¯s legacy. Using your power like this might not be wise, don¡¯t you think?" The radiance behind him flickered slightly. Lu Yi was delighted¡ªhis guess was right. However, Qingqiu Hua¡¯s next words made his smile freeze. "Hehe, thank you for your concern, little brother. It does have some effects, but for you, it¡¯s worth it." "...No, I¡¯m really not worth it!" Lu Yi was speechless. He was just an ordinary human cultivator. What did he do to deserve this level of pursuit? "Hehe... Whether you¡¯re worth it or not, that¡¯s for me to decide." At that moment, Lu Yi judged the distance and smirked. "Daoist Qingqiu, it¡¯s better if you stop. Goodbye for now¡ªI need to return to my senior sisters." As he spoke, Lu Yi took out a talisman. Spiritual energy surged, enveloping him in light. In the next instant, he vanished. It was a Thousand Mile Talisman, a rare spatial talisman his master had given him as a life-saving measure. He had never expected to use it here. Watching Lu Yi disappear, Qingqiu Hua¡¯s radiance trembled with anger. "Scoundrel!" She naturally understood that she had been deceived. In the next moment, Qingqiu Hua disregarded the backlash and erupted with even more formidable power, transforming into a streak of rainbow light as she flew toward the exit. At this moment, the exit had already formed. It was a dark, hollow void, similar to the entrance. As the exit took shape, the handsome young man stood blocking it, sneering coldly at Yun Xi and the others. Meanwhile, the other two fox demonesses stood at either side, completely cutting off their escape route. Looking at the slowly revolving exit, everyone felt their hearts sink. If they failed to leave within a certain time, the exit would close, trapping them inside forever. "What should we do?" "There''s no way! That demon clan member is at the Golden Core realm. His strength is probably even greater than the previous three great demons. How can we get through?" "I wonder how Fellow Daoist Lu Yi is doing?" "Sigh... Fellow Daoist Lu Yi might not even be able to protect himself." At that moment, spatial fluctuations rippled, and Lu Yi suddenly appeared. Seeing Lu Yi, both the three demons and Yun Xi''s group were stunned, and the atmosphere fell silent for a moment. Lu Yi shouted in a low voice, "Prepare to leave!" In his hand, the Mysterious Sun Sword emerged, radiating a terrifying aura like a blazing sun, entwined with formidable sword intent and the essence of thunder. Lu Yi immediately unleashed his full strength and slashed toward the handsome young man blocking the exit. The golden-red sword light tore through the air, heading straight for the young man. His pupils contracted, and a trace of terror flashed in his eyes. He shouted, flipping his hand to summon a war spear engraved with the image of a flood dragon. He threw the spear, which transformed into a roaring azure flood dragon, charging toward the golden sword light. Boom!! A deafening explosion rang out, followed by the mournful cry of the flood dragon. The azure dragon was instantly annihilated, reverting to its spear form, though its glow had dimmed significantly. The young man turned pale and spat out a mouthful of blood. Lu Yi reached out and grabbed the spear, stepping forward as lightning surrounded him, and instantly charged toward the handsome young man. Seeing this, the young man roared and unleashed his power, desperately trying to dodge. "Go!" Lu Yi glanced nervously in the direction of Qingqiu Hua, sensing a terrifying aura rapidly approaching. Even he couldn''t help but break into a cold sweat. That fox demon must be furious. Indeed, her anger is terrifying. If they didn''t leave now, they would be doomed. Hearing Lu Yi''s shout, the group of cultivators snapped out of their daze, their faces lighting up with joy. They immediately transformed into streaks of sword light and flew toward the exit. "Don''t even think about leaving!" The two fox demonesses only reacted after the handsome young man''s swift defeat. Terrifying azure light surged around them as they attempted to block the cultivators. Lu Yi countered with several slashes, each infused with fifty percent sword intent and thunder essence. The sword light forced the two fox demonesses to retreat. Cultivators were naturally quick, and soon everyone rushed through the exit. Lu Yi took one last glance at the rapidly approaching streak of light in the distance and sighed in relief. He laughed and said, "Daoist Qingqiu, my offer still stands. You are welcome to marry into my Lu family!" With that, Lu Yi didn''t linger. He turned and fled through the exit. Mere breaths after Lu Yi entered the exit, the streak of light descended, shattering the ground and forming a massive crater. Qingqiu Hua stood in the center of the crater, her radiant light fluctuating violently, reflecting her inner turmoil. She glanced at the two disheveled fox demonesses and the seriously injured handsome young man before turning her gaze toward the exit. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Lu family brat, fine, very well! Once I''ve fully absorbed and refined the inheritance, I will personally visit Green Province and capture you to bring back to my Qingqiu clan!" ... Outside the ancient site of Eastern Forest , Elder Chuyun and four other Nascent Soul elders were anxiously watching the dark spatial exit, their hearts unsettled. Xueluo sneered and turned to Elder Chuyun, saying, "I suppose your White Cloud Sect''s prodigy won''t be coming out." Chuyun glanced at him and replied, "Perhaps it''s your young master who won''t be coming out." "Hahaha, Chuyun, you probably don''t know yet. Our Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect joined forces and even brought the rare Mother-Child Transmission Gu to set a trap for your prodigy in the Eastern Forest ruins. I refuse to believe he could survive that!" Mieyue laughed repeatedly. Hearing this, Elder Chuyun''s expression shifted slightly before she coldly replied, "Do you think Lu Yi is someone that petty clowns like you can defeat?" "Hmph! Let''s see if you can still talk big later!" Nearby, Dongyu and Du Qin remained silent, enjoying the spectacle. The surrounding rogue cultivators were also watching the spatial exit expectantly. After hearing Mieyue''s words, they were curious to see whether the White Cloud Sect''s prodigy could return alive. At that moment, the spatial exit rippled, and a streak of sword light burst out. Everyone''s eyes lit up. "Someone''s coming out!" Chapter 95: Yun Xis Gratitude The first to rush out was a disciple of the White Cloud Sect, followed by more disciples pouring out one after another. There were disciples from the White Cloud Sect, Cold Winter Valley, and the Myriad Flowers Sect, as well as some rogue cultivators. However, there were no signs of disciples from the Heavenly Serpent Sect or the Blood Spirit Sect. This caused Yue Mie and Xue Luo to frown involuntarily. All the disciples who emerged carried expressions of relief, as though they had narrowly escaped death. Once outside, their first reaction was to look back toward the exit. Soon, Yun Xi and Han Yu also rushed out. Both of them looked slightly pale and immediately turned their gazes toward the exit as well. A few breaths later, Lu Yi stepped out of the exit. The disciples present let out a collective sigh of relief before erupting into cheers. "Fellow Daoist Lu Yi has come out!" "That''s great! It''s all thanks to Fellow Daoist Lu Yi. Without him, we wouldn¡¯t have made it out alive!" The thunderous cheers left everyone else bewildered. Many looked on in confusion, not understanding what had just transpired. In the distance, some rogue cultivators were equally puzzled. "What''s going on? Isn''t Lu Yi just the prodigy of the White Cloud Sect? Why is everyone so happy after he came out?" "No idea. It¡¯s understandable if the White Cloud Sect disciples are excited, but why are the disciples of the Myriad Flowers Sect and Winter Valley acting the same way? Even those rogue cultivators¡ªdid they lose their minds?" "By the way, has anyone seen the disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect or the Blood Spirit Sect?" "..." The crowd murmured among themselves, speculating endlessly. When Elder Chuyun saw Lu Yi emerge, she heaved a sigh of relief and broke into a smile. Glancing at the grim-faced Yue Mie and Xue Luo standing nearby, he sneered, "It seems your disciples were no match for my White Cloud Sect''s prodigy." Yue Mie and Xue Luo''s expressions darkened, but they said nothing and continued to stare intently at the exit. Elder Chuyun chuckled coldly, then stepped forward to greet Lu Yi with a smile. "Good child, it''s great that you made it out. You¡¯re not hurt, are you?" Lu Yi smiled slightly. "There were some dangers, but I managed to make it out." Lin Xiaoxiao, standing to the side, interjected, "Elder Chuyun, there was an anomaly in the Eastern Forest Ruins! If it weren¡¯t for Junior Brother Lu, we wouldn¡¯t have made it out alive. We would¡¯ve all perished inside!" "An anomaly?" Elder Chuyun''s expression stiffened, and she frowned deeply, looking at them seriously. "What kind of anomaly?" The Eastern Forest Ruins were a vital training ground for nurturing prodigies among the five sects, containing many rare treasures that allowed their disciples to grow stronger. If something had gone wrong, it would be a huge loss for the five sects. "We encountered demonic beasts in the ruins!" "It was the descendant of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Clan, who obtained the inheritance of the Ancient Demon Empress inside the ruins!" "The demonic beasts inside the ruins went berserk. If it weren¡¯t for Junior Brother Lu, we would have died long ago!" One after another, the White Cloud Sect disciples began recounting the events inside the ruins. Elder Chuyun¡¯s expression shifted repeatedly, becoming increasingly grim. "The descendant of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Clan from the Northern Territory entered the Eastern Forest Ruins? Is this site actually the battlefield of the legendary Nine-Tailed Demon Empress?!" Elder Chuyun had never imagined that the ruins, passed down through the five sects for thousands of years, would have such origins. The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Clan was exceptionally powerful, comparable to the sacred lands of the human race, far beyond what the five sects could contend with. If a Nine-Tailed Fox expert were to enter Green Province, it could lead to major upheaval. Fortunately, this was human territory, and despite their strength, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan wouldn¡¯t dare act openly here. The other sect elders also received reports from their disciples, and both Elder Dongyu and Elder Duqin''s expressions darkened with worry. Their greatest concern was whether the five sects could still use the ruins to cultivate their disciples after this anomaly. If not, it would be a catastrophic loss. Additionally, they were shocked to learn that Lu Yi had single-handedly killed Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo¡ªtwo of Green Province¡¯s top prodigies¡ªand had done so with ease. Based on the descriptions, Lu Yi had led them through waves of rampaging beasts, allowing everyone to survive. Even Han Yu and Yun Xi admitted they were no match for Lu Yi. This revelation shook the two Nascent Soul cultivators. As elders of their respective sects, they were well aware of their disciples¡¯ talents and potential. Both Han Yu and Yun Xi were highly likely to break through to the Nascent Soul stage and even had slim chances of reaching the Void Refinement Realm. Yet they claimed to be no match for Lu Yi? "A prodigy truly worthy of the title ''Immortal Seed,''" Elder Duqin remarked, glancing at Lu Yi with admiration. Just then, two terrifying auras erupted and bore down upon Lu Yi. "You little brat! How dare you use such ruthless means to kill the heir of my Blood Spirit Sect!" "Such viciousness at such a young age¡ªkilling the disciples of our two sects. Today, you will pay with your life!" Xue Luo and Yue Mie¡¯s eyes burned with undisguised killing intent as they glared at Lu Yi, their faces twisted with rage. Xue Tianhen and Qin Luo had been rare talents in the Blood Spirit Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect, and tremendous resources had been invested in them. Their deaths were a devastating blow to both sects. More importantly, all their Foundation Establishment disciples had perished in the ruins¡ªthese were meant to be the backbone of their sects in the future. Such a loss was unbearable. "Hmph! Two old monsters, both over a thousand years old, trying to strike down a child? Do you think I¡¯ll just stand by and let it happen?" Elder Chuyun¡¯s expression turned icy as he stepped in front of Lu Yi, blocking the pressure. "Chuyun! Will you dare obstruct us today?!" "Lu Yi must die today!" The spiritual energy surrounding the two Nascent Soul cultivators surged violently, and the immense pressure caused the weaker cultivators nearby to turn pale and retreat in fear. The strength of Nascent Soul realm cultivators was simply overwhelming. Lu Yi, shielded by Elder Chuyun from the oppressive aura, felt no discomfort. Looking at the two Nascent Soul cultivators, he chuckled lightly and said, "Since they intend to hunt me down, they should be prepared to be countered. Do they think they can kill others but no one is allowed to kill them?" The expressions of the two Nascent Soul cultivators turned grim. They stepped forward, their auras surging, clearly intending to start a battle. Elder Chuyun frowned slightly, her spiritual energy flowing around her. Facing two opponents at once, even she felt the danger.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. At this moment, streams of light flew over from the distant Radiant Light Ancient Ship and landed beside Elder Chuyun. It was Liu Ningshuang and a group of elders. Liu Ningshuang''s face was calm and cold as she stood beside Lu Yi. Her spiritual energy fluctuated, and the surrounding air seemed to grow colder. Without looking at Lu Yi, she said calmly, "With me here, no one can harm you." Lu Yi felt warmth in his heart and smiled slightly. "Thank you, Senior Sister." The other elders also stepped in front of Lu Yi, glaring angrily at Xue Luo and Mie Yue. "Mie Yue, it was your Heavenly Serpent Sect that attacked first! Nephew Lu only defended himself! Do you really intend to act?" "Xue Luo, do you want to provoke a full-scale war between the sects? Don''t forget, Lu Yi''s master is the Lord of Lingluo Peak!" Hearing the mention of the Lord of Lingluo Peak, the expressions of the two Nascent Soul cultivators faltered slightly but soon turned cold again. "No matter what, Lu Yi must die today!" At that moment, elders from the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect also arrived, standing behind Mie Yue and Xue Luo. Their auras surged as they stared coldly at the White Cloud Sect''s members. Suddenly, in the distance, a stream of light surrounded by blooming flowers flew over from the Myriad Flowers Sect''s area. It landed beside Lu Yi, revealing Yun Xi. She spoke firmly, "Lu Yi, you saved me several times before. Now it''s my turn to help you." Lu Yi was momentarily stunned. He hadn''t expected Yun Xi to step forward and help him in such a situation. Du Qin, who had been observing and waiting for the three sects to exhaust each other, was also stunned. Looking at Yun Xi, her mind was full of questions. "Yun Xi?!" Her expression changed, and she quickly shouted, "Yun Xi! Get back here!" Yun Xi glanced at Du Qin and shook her head. "I won''t go back. I want to help Lu Yi." Feeling the hostile intent from the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect, Du Qin frowned and reached out. A terrifying force restrained Yun Xi, pulling her back. Yun Xi frowned, her spiritual energy surging as she tried to resist. However, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she was no match for a Nascent Soul cultivator. She was quickly pulled back to Du Qin''s side. Du Qin scolded, "Yun Xi, stop being reckless! This matter is too serious. Getting involved will only harm the Myriad Flowers Sect!" Yun Xi''s spiritual energy calmed, but she looked at Du Qin and said, "But Lu Yi saved me many times!" Du Qin was silent for a moment before saying, "You can repay the favor another time!" Yun Xi hesitated briefly before her spiritual energy gradually settled. Du Qin sighed in relief, knowing Yun Xi''s stubborn nature and fearing that she might act impulsively. Suddenly, she noticed a strange energy surging within Yun Xi and her expression changed drastically. "Yun Xi, what are you doing?!" Yun Xi''s body emitted a vibrant green light, and flowers bloomed around her, making her look like a celestial maiden. She looked at Du Qin with a calm expression and said, "Lu Yi saved me several times. Today, it''s time to repay the debt. If the Grand Elder refuses, then I will give my Myriad Flowers Spirit Body to him as repayment." Hearing this, Du Qin''s expression froze. "What are you saying?!" Yun Xi remained calm as the aura of nature around her grew stronger, accompanied by a refreshing fragrance that drew everyone''s attention. The surrounding rogue cultivators were astonished and murmured in disbelief. "That''s the Myriad Flowers Spirit Body... Yun Xi is the most talented disciple of the Myriad Flowers Sect''s younger generation. Is she really going to give her spirit body essence to Lu Yi? Wouldn''t that mean her death?!" "What kind of person is Lu Yi to deserve such a sacrifice?!" Even Lu Yi was visibly stunned. He had previously thought Yun Xi was somewhat eccentric, often speaking without much thought, but he hadn''t expected her to act like this. The Myriad Flowers Spirit Body essence was equivalent to Yun Xi''s life force. If she gave it away, she would die. Seeing this, the Myriad Flowers Sect disciples exchanged glances before turning to Du Qin and pleading, "Grand Elder, please help Fellow Daoist Lu!" "Fellow Daoist Lu saved us several times in the Eastern Forest Ruins. If we don''t help him, we''ll be tormented by guilt and unable to progress further in our cultivation!" Faced with the disciples'' pleas and Yun Xi''s increasingly intense green aura, Du Qin''s expression shifted repeatedly. Finally, she shouted, "Enough! I''ll help him!" Hearing this, Yun Xi''s expression brightened. The green aura around her slowly faded, though her face paled as a result, clearly indicating that she had harmed her foundation. Seeing Yun Xi''s pale face, Du Qin sighed softly. "Why go this far, Yun Xi?" Yun Xi, her breath slightly unsteady, replied, "Grandmother said debts must be repaid." Du Qin took a deep breath and smiled bitterly. "But this is too big a matter..." Without further hesitation, she stepped forward to stand beside Elder Chuyun, shielding Lu Yi. Mie Yue and Xue Luo''s expressions changed. "Du Qin, are you really siding against the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect?!" "Think carefully! Do you want the Myriad Flowers Sect to join this war?!" Du Qin took a deep breath and stared coldly at them. "Enough nonsense. Today, the Myriad Flowers Sect will protect Lu Yi!" "You..." Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect saw Du Qin''s firm attitude, their expressions flickered. If it were only White Cloud Sect, their two sects combined would still have a fair chance of victory. However, with the addition of the Myriad Flower Sect, their dominance was no longer assured. At the same time, on the icy peak of Cold Winter Valley, Han Yu looked toward Dong Yu. Dong Yu noticed Han Yu''s gaze and stiffened, his face darkening. "...Han Yu, you don¡¯t intend to help that Lu Yi as well, do you? Helping him brings no benefit to our Cold Winter Valley!" Han Yu calmly looked at Dong Yu and said, "Elder Dong Yu, you wouldn''t want me to give away the essence of my Innate Ice Spirit Body, just like Daoist Yun Xi, would you?" Dong Yu: "???" The nearby disciples of Cold Winter Valley also began to speak up. "Elder Dong Yu, please help!" "Daoist Lu Yi is righteous and has saved us from peril multiple times. If we don''t repay this favor, we will feel uneasy and our Dao hearts will waver!" Dong Yu and the other elders all wore grim expressions. They glanced at Lu Yi with resentment. One elder spoke bitterly, "What kind of demonic charm does that brat have? What kind of potion did he give these disciples?!" Han Yu remained calm. "I simply wish to repay a favor." Seeing Han Yu¡¯s unwavering determination, Dong Yu sighed and said, "Fine, fine..." He, too, disappeared from his spot and reappeared beside Elder Chuyun and Du Qin. Seeing Dong Yu arrive, Elder Chuyun was slightly stunned, her expression becoming strange. What kind of charm did her sect''s genius have to make two sects willing to step in and help him? Dong Yu and Du Qin exchanged glances, seeing helplessness reflected in each other''s eyes. Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s expressions turned ugly. Seeing Dong Yu also stand in front of Lu Yi, the powerhouses of the two sects wore grim faces and furrowed brows. "Dong Yu, are you getting involved too?" Heavenly Serpent Sect''s elder stared deeply at Dong Yu. Dong Yu smiled wryly. "I have no choice. Lu Yi saved the Innate Ice Spirit Body of our Cold Winter Valley. That¡¯s no small favor¡ªwe must repay it." Upon hearing this, the expressions of Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect grew even darker. Elder Chuyun sneered. "Heavenly Serpent Sect, Blood Spirit Sect, what now? Do you still intend to attack my White Cloud Sect today?" The elders of the two sects swept their gazes across Chuyun and the others, their eyes flickering. Finally, Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s elder glared coldly at Lu Yi, his killing intent icy. "You little bastard! I¡¯ll spare your life today, but soon, you¡¯ll regret everything you¡¯ve done!" Lu Yi simply smiled faintly at Blood Spirit Sect''s elder, showing no fear. With resentful snorts, the two sects turned and left, their elders¡¯ faces still grim. Seeing the Black Jade Serpent and Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship retreat, Elder Chuyun let out a sigh of relief. She cupped her hands toward Dong Yu and Du Qin, smiling. "Thank you both for your assistance." Dong Yu smiled wryly. "You¡¯re being too polite, Chuyun." Du Qin, however, glared at Lu Yi in annoyance and said, "Don¡¯t thank me. Thank Yun Xi instead." Lu Yi, unfazed by Du Qin¡¯s irritation, cupped his hands and smiled. "Thank you both, elders, for your help." "Hmph! Brat, take care of yourself. Next time, if you get into trouble again, I won¡¯t save you!" Du Qin huffed. Lu Yi smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Elder. I¡¯ll be more careful next time." Elder Chuyun spoke up. "Alright, since this matter is settled, let¡¯s return." Dong Yu¡¯s expression turned serious as he nodded. "The anomaly at the Eastern Forest Ruins is no trivial matter. We¡¯ll need to discuss this carefully after we return." Du Qin also nodded slightly at this. Dong Yu and Du Qin returned to their respective flying treasures. Elder Chuyun then turned to Lu Yi and the others. "Let¡¯s go as well." Lu Yi nodded, but then looked toward the flying treasures of the Myriad Flower Sect and Cold Winter Valley. He smiled and called out, "Daoist Yun Xi, Daoist Han Yu, and all fellow Daoists of the two sects, thank you for your help. When you have time, visit White Cloud Sect. We¡¯ll drink and discuss the Dao!" Lu Yi had not forgotten about the rich sparring rewards he could gain from Yun Xi and Han Yu, so he made sure to invite them. "We¡¯ll definitely visit, Daoist Lu Yi," Yun Xi¡¯s somewhat weakened voice replied. "We will come," Han Yu also responded. Afterward, Lu Yi followed Elder Chuyun, Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, and the rest of the White Cloud Sect disciples back to the Radiant Light Ancient Ship. Elder Chuyun gave orders to set off, and the group departed. The disciples of the three sects left, but the remaining rogue cultivators continued to discuss the earlier events with amazement. No one had expected the heirs of Myriad Flower Sect and Cold Winter Valley to make such sacrifices for Lu Yi. "What kind of charm does that Lu Yi have?" many wondered. Only a few rogue cultivators who had survived the Eastern Forest Ruins recounted what had happened inside, leaving the others in awe. "As expected of a chosen genius! To escape the pursuit of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan¡¯s heir? Truly astonishing." "Breaking through beast tides alone and killing Golden Core beasts like slaughtering chickens? And he¡¯s only been at the Foundation Establishment stage for a year?!" "What¡¯s more, Lu Yi is extremely righteous. He was willing to risk himself as bait to lure away the Nine-Tailed Fox Empress¡¯s heir!" "Indeed. Lu Yi is admirable. No wonder the geniuses of Cold Winter Valley and Myriad Flower Sect are willing to bend for him." "But... the Nine-Tailed Fox Empress was said to have reached the Tribulation Transcendence stage, almost becoming an immortal. Who would¡¯ve thought she died in the Eastern Forest Ruins?" "With the Nine-Tailed Fox Empress¡¯s legacy reappearing, the Northern Region is bound to descend into chaos." On the Radiant Light Ancient Ship, Elder Chuyun worried that Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Snake Sect might ambush them on the way back. She ordered a detour to avoid risky paths. Meanwhile, Lu Yi returned to his room, accompanied by Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang. Liu Ningshuang looked at Lu Yi, her cold eyes tinged with a hint of surprise. "I didn¡¯t expect you to have such charm, Junior Brother. Even the geniuses of Myriad Flower Sect and Cold Winter Valley are willing to sacrifice for you." Lu Yi smiled slightly. "Senior Sister flatters me. I merely helped them before, so they see me as a friend." Liu Ningshuang smiled faintly and changed the topic. "The anomaly at the Eastern Forest Ruins must have exhausted you. Rest well¡ªI won¡¯t disturb you further." Lu Yi nodded. Liu Ningshuang turned and left. After closing the door, Lu Yi returned to his bed. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he rubbed his hands together, full of anticipation. Finally, I¡¯ve returned from the Eastern Forest Ruins. It¡¯s time to reap my rewards. Lu Yi turned his gaze to his task panel. Chapter 96: Blood of an Immortal [Tasks] A total of six tasks! The last task was issued by Lu Yi himself while being chased by Qingqiu Hua. Due to Qingqiu Hua''s overwhelming strength, the reward for this task was exceptionally generous. [Task] Escape from Qingqiu Hua''s pursuit (Completed) Reward: Talisman "Three Yang True Fire Talisman" Claim reward: Yes/No Upon completing the task, Lu Yi could now review the details of the "Three Yang True Fire Talisman." This talisman could unleash the formidable Three Yang True Fire, a flame powerful enough to incinerate Nascent Soul cultivators to ashes. Even Void Refinement cultivators would face fatal danger if caught off guard. With this talisman, it felt as though Lu Yi had obtained a powerful weapon. Even when facing Void Refinement-level cultivators, he would no longer be completely powerless. Delighted, Lu Yi claimed the reward and carefully stored the talisman. He realized how useful talismans could be. During this expedition in the Eastern Forest Ruins, if not for the Thousand Mile Talisman gifted by his master, the situation might have been even more complicated, and escaping could have been far more difficult. Now, the Three Yang True Fire Talisman gave Lu Yi the illusion of holding a nuclear weapon in his hand. ''If I can deepen my understanding of formations, I could craft even more powerful talismans myself,'' Lu Yi thought. He also recalled the runes carved onto the stone pillars at the exit of the Eastern Forest Ruins and was curious about their purpose. Although he had already mastered many basic formations, he still lacked knowledge of higher-level ones. Perhaps, once he returned to his sect, he could check the library for books on advanced formations. Given his current status in the sect, gaining access to such books shouldn''t pose a problem. Lu Yi decided to keep this matter in mind and address it after returning to the sect. He continued reviewing the rewards. [Task] Kill Blood Spirit Sect disciples in the Eastern Forest Ruins. (Completed) Reward: Secret Technique "Blood Burn Technique," three thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng roots Claim reward: Yes/No The "Blood Burn Technique" was a self-sacrificial secret art that allowed cultivators to burn their own essence blood to temporarily enhance their strength. The enhancement had no upper limit¡ªthe more blood burned, the greater the power boost. Moreover, the stronger the cultivator, the more significant the boost. However, this came at a steep cost. Essence blood was incredibly precious to cultivators. Losing it could weaken vitality, slow down cultivation progress, diminish talent, or even cause a regression in cultivation levels. If all essence blood were depleted, death would be inevitable. Lu Yi shook his head slightly. While this technique was worth learning, it should only be used as a last resort. Still, having an extra trump card was never a bad thing. However, Lu Yi soon felt elated. The reward also included three thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng roots, rare and precious treasures. These roots could restore lost essence blood and even act as substitutes for it when using the Blood Burn Technique. With these three Blood Ginseng roots, Lu Yi could safely use the technique a few times without harming his foundation. Feeling pleased, Lu Yi carefully stored the items and moved on to check the other rewards. [Task] Kill Heaven Serpent Sect disciples in the Eastern Forest Ruins. (Completed) Reward: One drop of True Dragon Blood Claim reward: Yes/No Seeing this reward, Lu Yi''s eyes widened in disbelief. True Dragon Blood?! What was a True Dragon? Once fully grown, a True Dragon was considered an immortal being! It was an incomparably powerful existence! This meant that this was a drop of an immortal''s blood! The reward left Lu Yi overjoyed. With this drop of True Dragon Blood, his physical body would undergo an unimaginable transformation, far surpassing its current state! Excitedly, Lu Yi claimed the reward and stored the True Dragon Blood in his spatial ring. Using his spiritual sense, he inspected the item. Inside a crystal vial was a drop of golden blood about the size of a baby''s fist. The blood emanated an overwhelming aura, as though storms raged within it. Just scanning it with his spiritual sense made Lu Yi''s entire body shiver and freeze in place. ''Such terrifying power!'' This was just an ordinary drop of blood, yet it exuded such immense might that Lu Yi could barely withstand it. ''Is this the strength of a True Dragon? Even ordinary blood contains such terrifying energy.'' After absorbing the energy of the Dao previously, Lu Yi''s spiritual perception had grown sharper. He could sense that even with his current physical strength, attempting to absorb the True Dragon Blood would be life-threatening. Taking a deep breath, Lu Yi suppressed the urge to absorb it immediately. He decided to wait until his cultivation level advanced further and his Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique reached its peak before attempting it. With excitement still surging in his heart, Lu Yi continued reviewing the remaining rewards. [Task] Rescue the cultivators and leave the Eastern Forest Ruins. (Completed) Reward: Designated technique level+2, Thunder Spirit Liquid *1, Earth Spirit Liquid *1, 20% Wind Intent. Claim Reward: Yes/No Lu Yi looked at the rewards, feeling somewhat conflicted. Hmm... how should he put it? These rewards were already extremely generous. Most importantly, the increase in technique levels was the most practical reward. Not only could he improve by two levels instantly, but he could also specify which spell to enhance. If Lu Yi upgraded the "Immortal Sword Scripture," he could push it to level 8. That would greatly improve his cultivation speed and the strength of his Immortal Sword Qi. Although the Thunder Spirit Liquid and Earth Spirit Liquid weren¡¯t particularly useful to Lu Yi, as rare heavenly treasures, they were still powerful resources whether used for Foundation Establishment or cultivation. Not to mention, the 20% Wind Intent was also quite valuable. However, after witnessing the True Dragon Blood, Lu Yi felt that these rewards were slightly lacking in comparison.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. He sighed inwardly, ''Once you''ve seen the vast ocean, no other waters compare.'' After claiming the rewards, Lu Yi turned his attention to the next task. [Task] Leave the Eastern Forest Ruins. (Completed) Reward: Golden Core Realm Spirit Wine Recipe ¨C "Jade Wine." Claim Reward: Yes/No This was the worst reward he had seen today. Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but complain inwardly, but he still checked the function of the Jade Wine. The next moment, Lu Yi¡¯s eyes lit up. It turned out that this Jade Wine could also enhance spiritual power. Not bad! Although Lu Yi already had a Seven-Colored Spirit-Nourishing Flower, it was a single-use item and couldn¡¯t be replenished. With the Jade Wine, he could continue to boost his spiritual power. Even though this was the weakest reward today, Lu Yi still smiled in satisfaction. The final task was to kill three Golden Core demon clansmen, and the reward was the Seven-Colored Spirit-Nourishing Flower. Compared to the Blood-Burning Secret Art that grew stronger with opponents, the True Dragon Blood, and the 20% Wind Intent, this reward seemed slightly inferior. However, it was still decent. After organizing all the rewards, Lu Yi let out a contented breath and lay down on the bed, feeling pleased. Exploring the Eastern Forest Ruins had been somewhat exhausting. He decided to take a short rest. Moreover, since they hadn¡¯t returned to the sect yet, Lu Yi still felt a bit uneasy. ''What if the Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect ambush us on the way back?'' Fortunately, Elder Chuyun was highly cautious. Using the speed of the Radiant Light Ancient Ship, they took a long detour. As they neared the sect, Elder Chuyun used a Sound Transmission Jade to call for reinforcements. When Lu Yi saw Peak Master Lingluo appear on the ship, he finally relaxed. Though his master often seemed unreliable, her strength was widely acknowledged. With Lu Yi¡¯s current heightened spiritual senses, he could vaguely perceive the power of Nascent Soul cultivators. However, when facing his master, it still felt like gazing into a bottomless abyss. Sometimes, Lu Yi even suspected that his master might have already reached the Void Refinement Realm but was too lazy to reveal it. "Disciple greets Master," Lu Yi and Liu Ningshuang greeted Peak Master Lingluo respectfully. Peak Master Lingluo¡¯s silky black hair had a few strands sticking up, but she looked more alert than usual and not as drowsy as in her bamboo hut. Seeing Lu Yi, she smiled and patted his shoulder. "Not bad. I heard you wiped out the younger generation of the Heavenly Serpent Sect and Blood Spirit Sect?" Lu Yi¡¯s face darkened, and he quickly defended himself, "Master, it was self-defense! They tried to kill me first!" Anyone overhearing his master might think he was a cold-blooded killer. "What¡¯s difference," Peak Master Lingluo yawned, looking unconcerned. Lu Yi felt helpless. ''Why is my master so unreliable?'' Meanwhile, Elder Chuyun was speaking with Sect Master Wu Qingfeng about the incident at the Eastern Forest Ruins. Wu Qingfeng¡¯s expression was stern, his brows tightly furrowed. He said coldly, "Hmph! The Blood Spirit Sect and Heavenly Serpent Sect have gone too far! They dared to target Lu Yi and attempt to kill him! Are they trying to destroy White Cloud Sect¡¯s thousand-year legacy?!" To Wu Qingfeng, Lu Yi¡¯s talent was heaven-defying¡ªthe kind seen only in ancient eras. He had an immense chance of achieving immortality in the future. If Lu Yi attained immortality, White Cloud Sect could rise to become a sacred land of immortals! That was the dream of countless sects. As long as Lu Yi survived, White Cloud Sect could thrive for countless generations! Currently, the immortal sects established by past immortals dated back hundreds of thousands of years. If White Cloud Sect could remain prosperous for hundreds of thousands of years, what a glorious sight that would be? Wu Qingfeng had been dreaming about this lately. But now, someone dared to shatter his dreams! Wu Qingfeng roared, "The Blood Spirit Sect has been causing chaos in White Cloud Sect¡¯s territory recently, and now they dare to target our immortal seed?! They must be taught a lesson! I will personally handle this!" As he spoke, Wu Qingfeng vanished. Lu Yi watched him disappear and felt a little worried. ''Is he really planning to storm the Blood Spirit Sect alone?'' Looking at his master, who was already showing signs of sleepiness, Lu Yi asked helplessly, "Master, will Sect Master be alright going alone?" Peak Master Lingluo waved her hand dismissively. "Don¡¯t worry. He won¡¯t die." Lu Yi: "?" ''As long as I don''t die, it''s fine, right?'' Lu Yi thought speechlessly. After Wu Qingfeng left, the Radiant Light Ancient Ship peacefully returned to White Cloud Sect. Lu Yi and Jiang Fan bid farewell to the others and returned to Lingluo Peak with their master and senior sister. Back in his cave dwelling, Lu Yi found a layer of dust had accumulated during his absence. He used a dust-clearing technique to clean the entire place before entering his cultivation chamber to start training. Lu Yi took out the Seven-Colored Soul-Nurturing Flower, planning to enhance his spiritual power first. After all, his spiritual power had been stuck at the edge of transformation for a long time without breaking through. With this Seven-Colored Soul-Nurturing Flower, he could finally make progress. The Seven-Colored Soul-Nurturing Flower was a palm-sized flower with seven vibrant colors and emitted a faint fragrance. Lu Yi didn''t dare consume the entire flower at once. After all, it was an extremely top-grade natural treasure, filled with immense power. He feared being overwhelmed by its potency. He plucked a petal and placed it in his mouth. Instantly, the petal dissolved into a cool stream, merging into his mind. Boom! A faint pressure built up between Lu Yi''s brows, as if mists churned and the heavens and earth were opening. He felt his spiritual power rapidly surging, like waves crashing against rocks, continuously pushing against some kind of limit. After consuming one petal, Lu Yi sensed his spiritual power reaching its peak. Without hesitation, he consumed another petal. The cool energy surged once more. Lu Yi felt as if a bolt of lightning split his brow, opening up a space where drops of golden liquid slowly condensed. This was the transformation of his spiritual power¡ªcondensing into liquid form, a manifestation of a powerful divine sense. Lu Yi felt his mind become extraordinarily clear. Although he could not physically see behind himself, his spiritual sense clearly outlined the scene in his mind. His spiritual power expanded, easily enveloping the entire cave dwelling. Every movement within the dwelling seemed to be under his control, as if it were his domain. Lu Yi knew his spiritual power could expand even further, but with so many experts in Lingluo Peak, he refrained from making too big a disturbance. After the transformation of his spiritual power, Lu Yi gained greater control over his body. In his introspective state, he could sense even his bones and muscles with extreme clarity, achieving an unparalleled mastery over himself. No wonder Nascent Soul Realm experts possess such terrifying power. With this level of spiritual power, they can utilize every ounce of strength to its fullest potential, Lu Yi marveled inwardly. Although his aura cultivation had not improved, the transformation of his spiritual power alone significantly boosted his combat strength. Without stopping, Lu Yi continued to consume the Seven-Colored Soul-Nurturing Flower. Perhaps due to his exceptionally strong body and foundation built using the Dao Qi, his absorption capacity was far beyond ordinary. He consumed petal after petal, absorbing half the flower before reaching his limit. By then, the spiritual power at his brow had increased severalfold, forming a golden lake filled with vast, formidable energy. After breaking through in spiritual power, Lu Yi used the reward that upgraded his techniques by two levels, raising his Immortal Sword Scripture to level 8. At level 8, the Immortal Sword Seed formed within his body was interwoven with immortal Dao patterns¡ªextremely profound markings that even Lu Yi could only vaguely comprehend. The Sword Seed, born with natural Dao patterns, still could not match the spiritual vortex he forged using Dao Qi. It floated above the vortex, with the seven-colored light from the vortex faintly illuminating the Sword Seed, making its patterns appear even more intricate and profound. Lu Yi sensed that if he could fully comprehend these Dao patterns, his strength might reach unimaginable heights. Next, Lu Yi practiced the Immortal Sword Scripture. Surprisingly, a single drop of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk could only sustain him for an hour before being completely absorbed. Lu Yi couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath. This efficiency¡ªworthy of a level 8 immortal scripture! Even ordinary immortal scriptures at the Nascent Soul Realm couldn''t match such efficiency. Once a technique surpasses level 6, it undergoes a qualitative transformation, and at level 8, it transcends ordinary techniques entirely. Previously, with such absorption rates, Lu Yi''s stockpile of Spirit Milk wouldn''t have lasted long. Fortunately, he had gained substantial resources from the Eastern Forest Ruins. He had acquired nearly twenty thousand drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk¡ªenough to sustain his training for a long time. Lu Yi began sealing away his Thousand-Year Spirit Milk and switched to using Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk for cultivation. With ample resources, Lu Yi rarely left his cave dwelling. Apart from the monthly trial in the training tower, he focused solely on cultivation. He practiced techniques during the day and refined methods at night. During his free time, he visited the library to study swordsmanship teachings by Elder Ming and browsed books on formations. Of course, Lu Yi also kept up with spiritual cooking and brewing techniques. The materials required for Jade Wine, a Golden Core-grade spirit wine, were abundant in Lingluo Peak. Lu Yi took his share without hesitation. Whenever he gathered materials, Lu Yi brought jars of wine as gifts for Elder Wang, who was so delighted he practically floated with joy. Sometimes, if Lu Yi delayed collecting materials, Elder Wang personally delivered them to his cave dwelling. Jade Wine, being a Golden Core-grade spirit wine, was challenging to brew. After a year, Lu Yi managed to refine it to level 5. He was satisfied with this progress. Unlike ordinary cultivators, he could post tasks and earn rewards to expedite learning. Most people might take decades or even centuries to achieve such results. At level 5, Jade Wine had become highly valuable, providing significant boosts to spiritual power. Even with his transformed divine sense, Lu Yi benefited greatly from drinking a few bowls each day. In addition to brewing and cooking, Lu Yi occasionally practiced alchemy. Using the beast blood obtained from the Eastern Forest Ruins, Lu Yi crafted Blood Essence Pills. Later, he realized the original pill formula couldn''t fully utilize the beast blood''s effects. He used an enlightenment opportunity and combined it with his alchemy insights to modify the formula. The new formula, focusing on beast blood as the main ingredient, produced Barbaric Blood Pills. These pills had remarkable effects on body refinement. Although technically a Foundation Establishment-grade formula, their potency rivaled Golden Core-grade pills. Normally, pill formulas were developed by masters through painstaking effort over decades or centuries. Yet, Lu Yi modified and elevated the formula within a year. Such feats were beyond imagination for others. With Barbaric Blood Pills, Lu Yi''s body refinement advanced rapidly. He finally maxed out his Thunder Jade Body Technique. Having reached the peak of Foundation Establishment in body refinement, Lu Yi took out the drop of True Dragon Blood he had obtained earlier. He could finally absorb it now. Chapter 97: The Gun Almost Misfired Inside the cultivation chamber of the cave dwelling. Lu Yi took out the drop of True Dragon blood. The golden liquid pulsed with incomparably rich life essence, and the energy within it was violently surging. Lu Yi opened his mouth and swallowed the blood. Instantly, a force like boiling magma erupted within him. Boom! Lu Yi groaned, blood seeping out of his pores as his black hair danced wildly. The terrifying vitality within him trembled uncontrollably. Although there was no spiritual energy fluctuation, the blood energy inside Lu Yi transformed into waves of heat, raising the chamber''s temperature significantly. The entire room felt like a furnace, and the air began to distort. Lu Yi only felt a terrifying power rampaging within his body, causing faint pain all over him. His expression remained calm as he fully activated the Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique, starting to absorb and refine the dragon blood. As the dragon blood was absorbed, Lu Yi''s physical body seemed to be reforged, becoming flawless and immaculate, radiating spiritual light and pure strength. At the same time, a wild aura began to emanate from him, carrying the majesty of a True Dragon. At that moment, the multicolored spiritual energy vortex within Lu Yi''s body trembled slightly. The sound of a Dao resonated, and a True Dragon''s roar exploded in Lu Yi''s ears. In his mind, Lu Yi''s spiritual consciousness boiled. He vaguely saw a golden dragon roaring toward the sky within the endless void, shattering space and dimming stars. The dragon seemed to be the sole existence in the world. The dragon''s scales bore natural patterns, like innate Dao markings, intertwining with profound laws and principles. With just a glance, Lu Yi felt his mind blur and a splitting headache. Even the mere existence of such a divine dragon carried profundities that could overwhelm mortals. The principles and patterns on the scales alone could trap mortals in obsession, spiraling until the end of their lives. At this moment, the Dao resonance in Lu Yi''s heart grew louder. He felt a trace of Dao meaning emerge in his mind. Vaguely, as if guided by instinct, he began to comprehend the patterns on the scales. Yet, it was as if he was peering through endless mist, unable to grasp the essence. Without hesitation, Lu Yi used the enlightenment opportunity he had earned from his master''s lecture task this month. His mind cleared instantly, and his thoughts accelerated. Combined with the Dao resonance, it felt as though he was born with an affinity for the Dao. Lu Yi looked once more at the roaring dragon in the void. Gazing at the intertwining patterns of Dao and laws, he felt comprehension stirring within him and immersed himself deeply. It was a fundamental Dao of physical strength. Every drop of blood, every scale, every muscle fiber seemed to proclaim the supremacy of life itself. Lu Yi fused this primal power with his own, continuing to refine his Heavenly Thunder Body Technique. Lightning patterns emerged across his body, and his skin turned as flawless as white jade, translucent and pristine. At this moment, faint golden light began to radiate from his skin, accompanied by mysterious patterns that flickered with terrifying power. A golden dragon phantom appeared above Lu Yi''s head, raising its head and letting out an earth-shattering roar. "Roar!!" The dragon''s roar echoed across Lingluo Peak and throughout the inner sect. A trace of dragon might faintly spread, startling the cultivators within the sect. Many abruptly opened their eyes in shock. Numerous cultivators, previously meditating, rushed out of their caves and looked to the sky. "What''s going on?!" "Did I just hear a dragon''s roar?! Was it an illusion?" "I felt a strange pressure... could it be the legendary dragon might?!" Even Elder Ming in the library couldn''t help but widen his eyes and glance toward the source of the sound. Other Nascent Soul elders and peak masters also took to the skies, staring in astonishment toward Lingluo Peak. "It came from Lingluo Peak." "Could Lingluo Peak''s master have obtained a treasure containing dragon blood?" Doubt and curiosity filled the air. Meanwhile, at the peak of Lingluo, the peak master who had been sleeping was startled awake by the dragon''s roar. Her eyes snapped open, showing rare astonishment. "This aura... a True Dragon? No, it''s weaker, but it contains the rich blood essence of a dragon-like beast?" She vanished from her spot, tracing the aura''s source. Standing outside Lu Yi''s cave, the Lingluo Peak Master scratched her head awkwardly and muttered, "Looks like this kid gained a lot from the Eastern Forest ruins. As expected of someone who triggered my Great Fate Technique¡ªhe has immense fortune." At this moment, a sword light flashed as Liu Ningshuang arrived, following the aura. Seeing the peak master, Liu Ningshuang greeted her, "Master." She looked toward the cave, her cold eyes filled with surprise. "Was it Junior Brother who caused this commotion?" The peak master nodded slightly. "This kid must have obtained some beast blood containing dragon lineage in the Eastern Forest ruins. He''s bold enough to refine such blood at his current level." Liu Ningshuang''s gaze shifted as she looked at the cave with admiration. "Junior Brother must be confident. Absorbing such blood will only make him stronger." The peak master grinned mischievously at Liu Ningshuang. "You better train hard. Otherwise, it won''t be long before your Junior Brother surpasses you." Liu Ningshuang nodded lightly. "I understand." The golden dragon phantom soon faded, turning into golden light and merging into Lu Yi''s body. The dragon might dissipated, and Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes. A golden shimmer flickered within them, carrying an indescribable majesty. The golden light quickly vanished, and Lu Yi''s eyes returned to pitch black. He felt immense joy in his heart. As expected of True Dragon blood! Even an ordinary drop brought about a transformation. Lu Yi felt his physical strength had grown tremendously¡ªhe even imagined he could punch a hole through the sky. Of course, that was merely an illusion caused by his sudden surge in power. More importantly, with the lingering True Dragon imprint in the blood, combined with his enlightenment and Dao foundation, Lu Yi not only perfected his Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique but also elevated it to a higher level¡ªall before reaching the Golden Core realm. The current Heavenly Thunder Jade Body Technique contained the profound mysteries of heaven and earth that Lu Yi comprehended from the True Dragon''s scale, allowing his body to be tempered to a strength comparable to that of a True Dragon. Although Lu Yi had only grasped a small fragment of insight from the scale, it was still derived from the mysteries of an immortal-level being. Even a small fragment was already extraordinarily powerful. The Heavenly Thunder True Dragon Technique was a body-tempering cultivation method that could be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul Realm.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. If cultivated to its peak, Lu Yi''s physical body would possess both the resilience of a True Dragon and the destructive properties of heavenly thunder, making it extremely terrifying. At that point, he might even be able to use his physical body to slay powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm! After absorbing the True Dragon''s blood, Lu Yi continued to consolidate his insights. Two days later, Lu Yi heard a crisp voice coming from outside the cave dwelling: "Senior Brother! Senior Brother! Your adorable Junior Sister has come to see you!" Lu Yi opened his eyes, and a slight smile appeared on his face. He disappeared from his spot, reappearing at the entrance of the cave, and opened the door. He saw Donggong Mingyue and Liu Ningshuang standing outside. When Donggong Mingyue saw Lu Yi open the door, she rushed forward. Her dark eyes widened with curiosity as she looked at Lu Yi. A faint fragrance wafted toward him, and a strange feeling rose in his heart. Lu Yi couldn''t help but feel that Donggong Mingyue seemed even more attractive than usual today, causing his thoughts to wander uncontrollably. Lu Yi was momentarily stunned and felt a bit perplexed. ''This reaction... I didn''t have this before.'' Then Lu Yi suddenly realized something. ''Dragons are inherently lustful, and the True Dragon''s blood is still extremely potent. Since I absorbed the True Dragon''s blood but haven''t fully stabilized myself, am I being influenced by the dragon''s traits?'' Lu Yi felt a slight headache and quickly suppressed his emotions. He decided that he must prioritize fully absorbing and refining the True Dragon''s blood. This influence was not something he could take lightly. He forced a smile and said, "Junior Sister, why are you looking at me like that?" Over the past year, with Lu Yi''s support, Donggong Mingyue had finally broken through to the thirteenth level of Qi Refining a few months ago. Perhaps in a little more time, she could break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Donggong Mingyue exclaimed in surprise, "Senior Brother, I heard from Master and Senior Sister that the dragon''s aura a few days ago was caused by you absorbing dragon blood?" Lu Yi paused and then smiled. "That''s right, it was me." Donggong Mingyue was immediately shocked. "Master said that after absorbing the dragon''s blood, your strength will improve significantly. Doesn''t that mean you''re even more powerful than before?" Lu Yi smiled slightly. "I''ve indeed made some progress." Donggong Mingyue held her head with a distressed look. "Ah... I just broke through to the thirteenth level of Qi Refining, thinking I could finally catch up a little, but now you''ve improved again... At this rate, you''ll have no friends!" Liu Ningshuang, standing beside her, gave a gentle smile and said, "Congratulations on your progress, Junior Brother." Lu Yi returned the smile. "Thank you, Senior Sister." Over the past year, Lu Yi''s cultivation had also advanced significantly. His cultivation technique had reached level 8, and combined with his constant use of ten-thousand-year spiritual milk, his cultivation had risen to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. He was not far from the tenth level. It should be noted that the further one advanced in cultivation, the slower the progress. For Lu Yi to achieve such rapid advancement within a year was already astonishing. He chuckled. "After all the hard cultivation recently, and with the visit of Senior Sister and Junior Sister today, how about we celebrate my progress with a feast?" Donggong Mingyue, as if anticipating this, immediately jumped up cheerfully. "Yes! I want to eat lots of roasted meat today so I can break through to the Foundation Establishment stage faster!" Liu Ningshuang also had no objections. She smiled lightly and said, "It''s always good to enjoy Junior Brother''s Jade Wine." The three of them sat down in the hall, and Lu Yi brought out some food and drinks. They ate and chatted. Most of their conversation revolved around cultivation insights and discussions about the Dao. Lu Yi and Liu Ningshuang did most of the talking, while Donggong Mingyue listened intently. After all, Donggong Mingyue''s cultivation was weaker than the other two. As for talent, Lu Yi, having absorbed the Qi of the Great Dao and frequently using enlightenment techniques, had insights into the Dao that even Liu Ningshuang found astonishing. She was completely engrossed in the discussions. They discussed the Dao for several hours before moving on to recent events. Liu Ningshuang took a sip of Jade Wine and said softly, "Ever since we returned from the Eastern Forest Ruins, the Blood Spirit Sect''s leader has been furious over the death of his son. The Blood Spirit Sect has declared full-scale war against our White Cloud Sect. Nascent Soul Realm elders from the Blood Spirit Sect have even attacked our sect''s outposts, resulting in casualties among our Nascent Soul elders." Hearing this, Lu Yi frowned slightly, his expression turning cold. "Even Nascent Soul elders have taken action? The Blood Spirit Sect is truly insane. Our White Cloud Sect is not weaker than them. Aren''t they afraid of mutual destruction?" Donggong Mingyue''s face was slightly flushed. She had drunk a fair amount of Spirit Nourishing Dew and was a little tipsy. Leaning unsteadily against Lu Yi''s arm, she muttered, "The Blood Spirit Sect has always been full of lunatics. Of course, they would do something like this!" Liu Ningshuang nodded slightly. "At this point, reconciliation is no longer possible. Recently, the Sect Master personally took action, killing two of their Nascent Soul elders within their territory. However, according to the Sect Master''s latest report, he is now being pursued by the Blood Spirit Sect''s leader and several Nascent Soul elders." Lu Yi recalled the Sect Master''s anger upon his return and felt a warmth in his heart. He didn''t expect the Sect Master to personally take action for revenge. And when he did, he managed to kill two Nascent Soul elders directly. It must be noted that Nascent Soul cultivators were considered rare and formidable even in the Eastern Region. Losing two of them was a significant blow to the Blood Spirit Sect. ''How domineering,'' Lu Yi thought. However, upon realizing that the Sect Master was now being hunted, Lu Yi couldn''t help but feel a bit worried. "Will the Sect Master be alright?" Liu Ningshuang smiled faintly. "Don''t worry. Master said the Sect Master''s greatest skill is his escape techniques." Lu Yi: "..." Upon hearing this, Lu Yi felt slightly relieved. Generally, cultivators who specialize in escape techniques are not easy to kill. Lu Yi smiled slightly and said, ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± However, Liu Ningshuang continued, ¡°But the Sect Master cannot return to the sect for now. He has diverted much of the Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s attention within their territory. If he returns, given the temperament of the Blood Spirit Sect''s cultivators, they might launch a full-scale invasion. While the sect''s protective formation can hold, the outside world may suffer greatly.¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly. The Sect Master truly has it hard. At this moment, Donggong Mingyue, already tipsy, started acting drunk. She rubbed her small face against Lu Yi¡¯s sleeve and murmured hazily, ¡°I heard in the market yesterday that the Heavenly Serpent Sect seems to be making moves too. They might join forces with the Blood Spirit Sect to attack us. After all, their genius was also killed by Senior Brother.¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi frowned slightly. ¡°The Heavenly Serpent Sect''s territory is not close to White Cloud Sect. The Myriad Flowers Sect is in between. How would they get here?¡± Liu Ningshuang glanced at Donggong Mingyue, who was clinging to Lu Yi like a kitten, took a sip of wine, and said indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ve heard about it too. The Heavenly Serpent Sect shares a border with the Blood Spirit Sect. The two sects appear to be forming an alliance. The disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect may enter White Cloud Sect''s territory through the Blood Spirit Sect.¡± Lu Yi¡¯s heart sank slightly at these words. ¡°What is the sect planning to do about this?¡± It was well-known that White Cloud Sect was roughly on par with the Blood Spirit Sect in strength. If the Heavenly Serpent Sect joined in, two against one would be difficult to handle. Liu Ningshuang responded, ¡°The sect¡¯s idea is that if they can form an alliance, so can we. Some of the Grand Elders have already gone to the Myriad Flowers Sect and Cold Winter Valley to persuade them to join forces against the threat.¡± ¡°Will they agree?¡± Lu Yi asked with some concern. Just then, Lu Yi suddenly felt Donggong Mingyue wrap her arms around his arm. He immediately felt a soft, overwhelming sensation. His body stiffened, and he felt slightly numb. Damn! With the effects of dragon blood already affecting me, is this a test of my virtue as a gentleman? Lu Yi felt a bit overwhelmed, sitting there momentarily unsure how to move. Speaking of which, when did Junior Sister grow up so much? Lu Yi glanced at Donggong Mingyue¡¯s intoxicated appearance and couldn¡¯t help but twitch the corner of his mouth. For some reason, she had recently started leaning on him every time she got drunk. Lu Yi even began to suspect that his Junior Sister might have fallen for him. However, since his task remained incomplete, he couldn¡¯t figure out what was going on. Whether the problem lay with his Junior Sister or his mission board, Lu Yi was a bit confused. At that moment, Liu Ningshuang¡¯s cold voice rang out. ¡°Little Mingyue, go refine the spirit wine in your body first. What kind of behavior is this?¡± ¡°Mmm~~!¡± Donggong Mingyue let out a soft, incoherent sound and wriggled slightly. Lu Yi¡¯s body immediately tensed up even more. Liu Ningshuang took another sip of wine, her face calm and composed. Streams of spiritual energy flowed around her, and suddenly, a piece of ice appeared behind Donggong Mingyue¡¯s neck. The ice dropped from mid-air, sliding down into her collar. Lu Yi could clearly feel Donggong Mingyue shudder, and the sensation against his arm became even more pronounced. Lu Yi: ¡°¡­¡± Cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and he felt dazed. What kind of torture is this? Donggong Mingyue suddenly let out a cry and jumped up. Her slightly hazy eyes carried a trace of confusion as she looked at Liu Ningshuang. ¡°Senior Sister, what are you doing?¡± Liu Ningshuang smiled faintly. ¡°Waking you up a bit. Go refine the spirit wine first and don¡¯t waste Junior Brother¡¯s good intentions.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Donggong Mingyue replied and wandered off to Lu Yi¡¯s cultivation room. Once Donggong Mingyue left, Lu Yi exhaled softly, finally relaxing. Just now, he had almost lost control of the restlessness within his body. Seeing Lu Yi¡¯s slightly strange expression, Liu Ningshuang asked with some concern, ¡°Junior Brother, you don¡¯t look well. Is something wrong?¡± Lu Yi gave a dry laugh and shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing. My spear almost misfired.¡± Liu Ningshuang raised an eyebrow in confusion. ¡°Your spear almost misfired? What does that mean?¡± Lu Yi circulated his spiritual energy to suppress his internal turmoil and laughed. ¡°I was just thinking about how this crisis facing the sect was caused by me killing those two geniuses. I felt a bit guilty.¡± Liu Ningshuang shook her head slightly. ¡°Junior Brother, you shouldn¡¯t think that way. You are the immortal seed of White Cloud Sect. Naturally; the sect must protect you while you grow. Besides, they intended to kill you first. So, what if you killed them instead?¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi felt a warmth in his heart. ¡°Thank you for your words, Senior Sister. I understand now. I¡¯ll toast to you.¡± Lu Yi used his spiritual energy to pour Liu Ningshuang another cup of wine. Liu Ningshuang smiled and said, ¡°Moreover, the fairy of the Myriad Flowers Sect was willing to destroy her spiritual core and soul essence for you. The chances of forming an alliance with them are quite high.¡± Hearing this, Lu Yi coughed awkwardly and said solemnly, ¡°Daoist Friend Yunxi is a person who repays kindness, and I greatly admire her. Of course, Daoist Friend Hanyu as well.¡± ¡°I admire them too,¡± Liu Ningshuang said with a light smile. The two continued chatting for a while longer. Before long, Donggong Mingyue returned from the cultivation room. Perhaps because her cultivation had grown stronger, Donggong Mingyue was refining spiritual food and wine faster, giving Lu Yi and Liu Ningshuang less time alone. After Donggong Mingyue returned, Liu Ningshuang bid farewell to Lu Yi and left with her. A month later, while Lu Yi was cultivating in his cave, he suddenly heard a familiar voice outside. ¡°Daoist Friend Lu Yi, Yunxi has come to visit. May I request an audience?¡±