Lü Shaoqing stood atop a mountain, with a massive crater behind him.
He watched Ji Yan from a distance as the latter endured lightning strikes, his expression a bit gloomy.
As Ji Yan effortlessly passed the final tribulation bolt, his aura surged higher and higher before gradually stabilizing.
A vast, powerful spiritual pressure spread from Ji Yan, covering a thousand-mile radius. Animals in the vicinity cowered on the ground, trembling with fear.
Ji Yan had broken through, reaching the Nascent Soul stage—becoming a formidable cultivator at this level.
"So this is what it means to be a genius."
Lü Shaoqing sighed heavily, his tone laced with frustration.
"Staying around geniuses really puts the pressure on."
"I'm only at the seventh level of the Golden Core stage right now; it'll take at least two years for me to break through."
"Even if I use the Time Chamber, it'll still take two months."
"And that costs 20,000 lower-grade spirit stones."
"I'm broke."
Lü Shaoqing patted his head.
It took 10,000 lower-grade spirit stones to train for a year inside the Time Chamber within his ring. He was severely lacking in funds.
"Looks like I need to figure out a way to earn money."
"I wonder if the Sword Cave works. If it does, maybe I can make some cash."
Lü Shaoqing slowly made his way back to Tianyu Peak.
Xiao Yi was waiting for him.
"Second Senior Brother."
Xiao Yi ran over like a little puppy, wagging her tail, all cheerful and eager.
"What's this? Not angry anymore?"
Lü Shaoqing shot her a glance.
He could feel Xiao Yi's previous resentment towards him.
Xiao Yi giggled, denying it. "Second Senior Brother, what are you talking about? I was never mad."
After witnessing Lü Shaoqing's prowess, Xiao Yi had become his little admirer, idolizing him completely.
Xiao Yi said, "I know Second Senior Brother must have his reasons for making me work."
Shifu must be right. Second Senior Brother is testing me, and there's a deeper purpose behind his actions.
"It's good that you understand. If it weren't for those 1,000 lower-grade spirit stones, I wouldn't bother with you."
"Second Senior Brother, can you tell me why you made me work? How will I comprehend sword intent and reach the Foundation Establishment stage in two months?"
Xiao Yi's curiosity was piqued. She was eager to know what Lü Shaoqing's plan was.
After seeing the strength of Ji Yan and Lü Shaoqing, Xiao Yi was desperate to become like them.
I need to become stronger; otherwise, I wouldn't even have the face to call myself their junior sister.
Lü Shaoqing clasped his hands behind his back and said, "Just do as I say, and you'll understand in time."
Xiao Yi admired him, "Second Senior Brother, you're amazing, being able to fight on par with Big Senior Brother."
Lü Shaoqing replied, "Of course, if it weren't for the fact that he was about to break through, I would've easily beaten him to the ground."
Xiao Yi didn't believe this. She knew her Second Senior Brother had the hardest mouth—harder than anything else on his body.
She then asked a question she had held back, "Second Senior Brother, that move of yours—Meteor Summoning Technique—was amazing."
"Was it really just a Fireball Technique?"
Lü Shaoqing leaned in and whispered mysteriously, "Of course not. It's the Celestial Fireball Technique. Impressive, right?"
"Celestial Fireball Technique?" Xiao Yi was taken in by his words.
She didn't fully believe it, but she had to admit that a simple Fireball Technique couldn't possibly have such terrifying power.
"But Shifu said it was just an ordinary Fireball Technique."
Lü Shaoqing scoffed, "What does Shifu know?"
"Someone as ordinary as Shifu wouldn't understand a genius like me."
Xiao Yi huffed, "Hmph, I don't believe you."
"Second Senior Brother, if you were like this in another sect, you'd be expelled."
"Do you want to learn?"
Xiao Yi's attitude instantly shifted, nodding like a pecking chick, "Yes!"
"Heh, maybe when I'm in a better mood."
Xiao Yi quickly changed her expression to one of flattery, "Second Senior Brother, are you tired? Do you want me to give you a massage?"
The Meteor Summoning Technique was too cool and impressive—Xiao Yi desperately wanted to learn it.
Lü Shaoqing waved her off, "Get lost."
"Where's Shifu?"
"The Sect Master and the others are here. Shifu told me to wait for you, to keep you from..."
Xiao Yi trailed off, hesitating.
"Keep me from going over there, right? As if I'd go even if they invited me."
Xiao Yi nodded, "Shifu told me to tell you the Sect Master is here too."
Lü Shaoqing said, "That makes it even less likely I'll go."
Going to see the Sect Master and getting lectured? That'd be asking for trouble.
"I'm going to sleep and get some rest."
Xiao Yi looked troubled. "But… I… I want to go and see."
"See what?" Lü Shaoqing retorted. "A group of Nascent Soul bigshots chatting, and you, a little Qi Refining Stage cultivator, want to butt in?"
"Go rest. You're going back to work tomorrow."
With Ji Yan's breakthrough into the Nascent Soul stage, Lingxiao Sect didn't keep it a secret. Instead, they seized the opportunity to hold a grand celebration.
A cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage is a powerful figure, capable of becoming a regional lord. Each additional Nascent Soul cultivator boosts the sect's strength significantly.
Naturally, Lingxiao Sect wanted to invite notable figures from Qizhou to attend the celebration.
The addition of a Nascent Soul cultivator was a big deal—something worth celebrating. It was also an opportunity to show off their strength to other factions.
The news of Ji Yan's advancement spread quickly across Qizhou and beyond, even reaching neighboring regions.
The announcement shocked many.
"That's impossible! Someone only twenty-one years old advancing to the Nascent Soul stage? That's outrageous!"
"It's true! He's Qizhou's top genius."
"Amazing… How did he manage it?"
"Lingxiao Sect is incredible, having such a disciple. Their sect will flourish even more."
"Senior Brother Ji Yan truly is my idol—he's defied the heavens!"
"I swear I'll only marry Senior Brother Ji Yan. I want to bear his children!"
"Look at yourself. Do you really think Senior Brother Ji Yan would be interested in someone like you?"
"If he's marrying anyone, it'll be me!"
"Ji Yan, well done. You truly are my rival. Just wait—I'll defeat you one day."
"I'll show the world that I, Zhang Conglong, am Qizhou's true number one."
At Guiyuan Pavilion:
The Chief Senior Disciple, Zhang Conglong, heard about Ji Yan's breakthrough. His eyes burned with determination before he went into seclusion.
"Senior Brother, aren't you going to attend Lingxiao Sect's celebration?"
Zhang Conglong's voice echoed, "I still have three months; it's plenty of time."
At Twin Moon Valley:
A stunning young woman, with skin as fair as snow and graceful eyebrows, stood silently for a moment after hearing the news.
Her voice, as gentle and soothing as a spring stream, finally broke the silence.
"Senior Brother Ji Yan truly is a genius. I cannot compare."
A fellow disciple beside her said, "Eldest Senior Sister, don't be so modest."
"You're not much different from Senior Brother Ji Yan. You've already reached the eighth level of the Golden Core stage."
"You'll soon reach the ninth level and break through to the Nascent Soul stage."
The young woman, known as Eldest Senior Sister, was Xia Yu, the chief disciple of Twin Moon Valley. Her companion was her junior sister, Bian Rourou, who was as close as a sister.
Xia Yu smiled faintly, "It's difficult."
"Not to mention Senior Brother Ji Yan; even Senior Brother Zhang Conglong of Guiyuan Pavilion is stronger than me."
"He's also close to breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage."
Bian Rourou scoffed, "He's nowhere near. He's not Ji Yan, and he's certainly not you, Senior Sister. He'll likely be stuck at that step for his whole life."
Xia Yu smiled lightly. Zhang Conglong's usual behavior certainly didn't endear him to some people.
"Senior Brother Ji Yan is truly impressive. He had already comprehended sword intent while still in the Qi Refining stage."
"That kind of talent is unmatched not only in Qizhou but across the entire continent."
"Even in Zhongzhou, people like Senior Brother Ji Yan are rare."
Bian Rourou added, "Senior Sister, you're amazing too. Truly."
She was full of confidence in Xia Yu. "I believe you will surpass Zhang Conglong."
But Xia Yu remained calm and indifferent. "What's the point of competing?"
"I have no interest in that. I'll take things as they come."
"The upcoming celebration at Lingxiao Sect—do you want to go?"
"Of course!"
Bian Rourou's eyes lit up.
"Then get ready. We'll set off tomorrow."
"So soon? Isn't it three months from now?"
Xia Yu replied, "I'm gathering some people to explore a secret realm."