Winter Fades, Spring Arrives
Winter had given way to spring, and time—ever fleeting—had carried along the hours of cultivation as if they were nothing at all. Before anyone could truly grasp it, three years had slipped by.
In the distant east, millions of li away from the Wangliang Sect, there stood a magnificent imperial city. Sprawling over hundreds of li, the city pulsed with rarity and splendor, its countless clusters of towering, sacred buildings testifying to an era of opulence. And yet, it was not the imperial palace that held the title of most exquisite. Rather, it was a revered Sword Sect located on the city's eastern fringe. Within its vast compound, elegant pavilions, courtyards, and immense palace halls sprawled in every direction. To journey on horseback from the main entrance of the Sword Sect to its rear sanctum would take nearly half a day. The sect—divided into the Outer Sword Court and the inner sanctum known as the Inner Sword Pavilion—was famed far and wide. Known by the name "Ten-Step Academy," it was one of the Four Mountain Immortal Sects of the vast, mysterious Huangyue Continent.
At that very moment, inside a vast palace hall of the Ten-Step Academy, three figures sat together in quiet conference. Seated in solemn companionship were a middle-aged cultivator clad in a flowing green robe, a youthful monk in simple attire, and an elderly Taoist dressed in a dignified purple robe. Each exuded a potent aura that betrayed their advanced cultivation, and all three were clearly in the later stages of Golden Core refinement.
The middle-aged green-robed man—round-faced with stern yet refined sword-like brows and an air of righteousness—sat at the head of the gathering. His presence carried the fierce and precise energy of the sword; indeed, ripples of sharp, cutting Qi shimmered about him. "Who would have thought that our academy would be graced by the presence of Master Yiye and Immortal Hanglin?" he said with a soft, amused chuckle. "It does surprise me, indeed."
A young monk, his features serene and his eyes clear as a mountain spring, folded his hands respectfully and nodded ever so slightly. "Greetings from Jingtu Sect. Master Yiye sends his sincere respects to Underwater Sword King," he intoned. Although his cultivation was only in the mid-stage of Golden Core, his gentle countenance and modest bearing belied his inner resolve. Draped in a simple blue kasaya, he reminded one of a humble monk from an ordinary temple—even as the radiance of his inner energy spoke of great potential.
Then the elderly Taoist, slender and dignified, bowed with one hand as he spoke, "Underwater Sword King, that your academy is represented by its Inner Sword now is evidence of the matter's gravity. I, from the Taixuan Sect, have come to assist both the Ten-Step Academy and Jingtu Sect. Rest assured, I shall render my full support." His head, crowned with smooth silver hair fashioned into a neat topknot, glowed with a strangely youthful, almost infantile, radiance. His cheeks still bore a healthy flush, and his small, discerning eyes sparkled with an inner wit—signs that he, too, had reached the advanced stages of Golden Core.
Master Yiye offered only a slight nod and quietly chanted a Buddhist mantra, his voice soft and without further comment.
The middle-aged cultivator smiled inwardly, thinking, "The Taixuan Sect has sent someone not merely to 'assist' but to secure as much influence and benefit as possible. Look at the cunning in his eyes—it is plain to see that even a venerable Taoist family should exhibit an unyielding sense of honor. Yet they claim to come here as helpers. Perhaps they fear that if misfortune strikes later, all the blame will be placed upon us—on the Ten-Step Academy and Jingtu Sect."
Under laughter and polite words, the Underwater Sword King merely chuckled lightly. "Within our sect, we are but branches of the same tree. I have come merely because some of our senior brothers have urgent matters to address. And as for Immortal Hanglin's modest phrasing, it is nothing more than self-effacing talk. That the three sects have entrusted this matter to us all together speaks to their unified intent. Next year marks the fifteenth cycle of their 'Boundary-Seeking Expedition.' But know this—in ages past, the Wangliang Sect has always exploited obscure and sinister poison techniques to seize the initiative. They not only claim nearly half of the valuable resources, but have also caused heavy losses among our elite Foundation disciples."
At these words, the slender, elderly Taoist's face grew even more grave. "Underwater Sword King speaks the truth. The Wangliang Sect, relying on its unique and nefarious cultivation method, shows no mercy toward any of our three sects. Our painstakingly nurtured Foundation-grade disciples from the Ten-Step Academy and Jingtu Sect have suffered immeasurable losses. And even our Taixuan Daoist School has been repeatedly hemmed in by the misfortune of our cursed methods—our Lotus Platform Purified Struggle technique, in particular—routinely falling into traps laid by them, resulting in heavy casualties. Such conduct is most dishonorable."
Inwardly, the middle-aged cultivator mused, "And do you imagine that your Taixuan method is any more righteous? Tell me, how many among the Sword Sect or the Buddhist mindset have not resorted to such expedients? In the immortal world, one is never so virtuous as to ignore the harsh realities of competition." At this, the young monk closed his hands in prayer and said simply, "Amitabha. Expelling demons and protecting the righteous is the fundamental duty of our Buddha." The middle-aged cultivator nodded in gentle agreement. "Then let us begin preparations for the coming year…" His voice faded as he discreetly employed a secret technique to transmit his words directly into the minds of the others—a method necessary in the well-guarded rear courtyard of the Ten-Step Academy. The monk and Taoist both listened intently and soon responded in kind through the same esoteric channel.
Three Years of Diligent Cultivation
Meanwhile, far from that august meeting, Li Yan himself emerged from deep meditation with eyes alight like laser beams. Three arduous years of constant practice had transformed him. In what seemed an instant, he had progressed to the seventh tier of the Qi Condensation stage—with rapid strides largely attributable to the unique power of the Gui Shui True Scripture. Moreover, the sect's additional resources had proven invaluable. Each month he received five extra low-grade spirit stones and two bottles of Ascending Spirit Pills. With these stones, whenever he practiced his immortal techniques, he could promptly replenish his lost spiritual energy—thus drastically reducing the need for long periods of seated restoration. The Ascending Spirit Pills, ingested before his daily sessions of the Gui Shui True Scripture, enhanced the purity of his Qi circulation so effectively that what once took two full energy cycles now needed only one. His overall progress had been remarkable.
In terms of immortal techniques, Li Yan's achievements were steadily accumulating. The "Fireball Technique" and "Wind Blade Technique" had reached the late stages of minor accomplishment; his "Flowing Sand Technique" had undergone a great breakthrough, and the "Cloud Rain Technique"—along with the newly learned "Wind Binding Technique" and "Sky Riding Technique"—were now in the mid stage of minor accomplishment. He had mastered the art of using each of the twelve segmented poison components of his bodily condition individually. Yet combining them—melding two or three together to create a unified, enhanced effect—still remained a fledgling practice.
After concluding his cultivation session for the day, Li Yan did not immediately rise. Instead, he maintained his lotus posture in deep meditation, his spiritual sense turning inward to examine the state of his dantian. He noted with pride that his five elemental "vats" for Qi—the water, wood, fire, earth, and metal tanks—had expanded by a factor of five or six compared to three years ago. Presently, the vats for water, wood, and fire had become filled with Qi that now flowed in a half–liquid state. Once this energy fully liquefied, his Foundation would be securely established. The vats for earth and metal, however, remained barren. By deliberately inducing the interplay among the five elemental forces, the energies stored in the first three vats began to gradually funnel into the latter two. This infusion was not a natural phenomenon, but rather the deliberate effect of Li Yan's self–engineered transformation—a process designed to temper his dominant water Qi by converting a portion into other elemental forms.
After a short time, Li Yan sensed that his overall aura had been intentionally suppressed. In effect, his true energy—which once radiated at a level characteristic of mid–7th-tier Qi Condensation—now appeared merely at early–6th tier. This was the subtle, concealed cultivation method prescribed by the Gui Shui True Scripture. Rather than merely dividing his Qi evenly (a method by which even high–level cultivators can eventually discern a full measure), this technique forced a deliberate "leakage" so that only a fraction of his power was displayed publicly.
Li Yan felt great satisfaction with this effect. Naturally modest and not drawn to ostentation, he appreciated his progress even though the sect continued providing additional support. Given his mixed spiritual root, breaking past the fourth level in three years had been an achievement in itself. Now positioned at mid–7th-tier Qi Condensation, he privately wished he could suppress his appearance even further—to seem merely at early–5th tier—to avoid drawing undue attention. Over these years he had occasionally attended meetings at the main hall of Xiao Zhu Peak. In a small sect such as this, the affairs of the other peaks could usually be managed by only a few key individuals. Yet Xiao Zhu Peak still required the presence of all disciples for certain matters—unless, of course, one was in deep seclusion. Typically, Li Yan's role in such meetings was purely as a listener; if his intervention were required, the notice would have stated so explicitly.
It was generally accepted that only after reaching the Foundation stage would Li Yan be deemed fully capable of participating in major sect discussions. However, on this day he had another matter pressing for his attention: his dwindling supply of spirit stones. Although the sect had sometimes shown favoritism in resource distribution, his average talent ensured that he was never among the most highly prioritized disciples. As his cultivation advanced, the eight spirit stones and two Ascending Spirit Pills he received monthly were no longer sufficient. The pills were exhausted in less than half a month, and his spirit stone reserves were growing perilously low. Even though the abundant ambient Qi of Xiao Zhu Peak and the efficiency of the Gui Shui True Scripture ensured that his cultivation proceeded unhindered, any disruption in his accustomed pace was intolerable.
Thus, Li Yan resolved that he must devise a way to secure a more reliable source of spirit stones. With a greater stock, he could not only sustain his own cultivation but also avail himself of additional Ascending Spirit Pills if necessary. Otherwise, if he were forced to wait for the sect to distribute further resources, that support would not arrive until he reached either the 10th tier of Qi Condensation or the Foundation stage. At the 10th tier, the sect typically supplements resources to maximize the chance of a successful Foundation, while at the Foundation stage resource distribution scales automatically with a disciple's level. Until that time, he would have to rely on his own ingenuity. Li Yan understood that while many ordinary disciples had long since learned to fend for themselves, he was still, to some extent, cared for by the sect.
As he walked the small path toward the main hall, Li Yan's thoughts drifted back to memories of those year–end, moonlit nights. He recalled how, without any formal arrangement, a graceful maiden would appear on the terrace. The one who arrived first would stand alone beneath the enormous, luminous moon, waiting patiently. Then, together, they would sit along the terrace's edge, speaking in gentle, meandering tones until dawn—in which their hearts discreetly communicated everything that needed to be said. Yet Zhao Min, that elegant maiden, rarely spoke of herself; more often, Li Yan found himself carrying the conversation while she listened in serene silence.
Lost in these recollections, Li Yan's smile grew ever brighter. Soon enough, he reached the door of the main hall and stepped inside with determined assurance.
Inside, a joyful voice immediately rang out: "Junior Brother, you're here! Ha—it's been half a year. Your cultivation has grown deeper—you must be at the 6th tier of Qi Condensation by now!"
Li Yan returned a gentle smile. The voice was unmistakably that of his close Seventh Brother, Lin Daqiao.
A quick survey of the room revealed that ten people had already gathered—seven men and three women—with the Master and Mistress not yet having arrived. Among these, seven sat while the remaining three moved about serving tea. Li Yan recognized them all; the seven seated were his five senior brothers united with two senior sisters.
Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi, as handsome and radiant as ever, greeted Li Yan with a warm, affable smile. His refined aura now attested to his advanced stage in Golden Core cultivation—merely a step away from condensing his Golden Core. Beneath him sat Second Brother—a robust, bear-like man—wearing a wide, genial grin as he regarded Li Yan. In the presence of Second Brother, Li Yan felt both admiration and apprehension. Now an elite Foundation stage cultivator, Second Brother's every interaction often culminated either in spirited martial practice or in hearty, bear-like pats on the shoulder that left Li Yan wincing and gasping. It was said that Second Brother, along with Fourth Senior Sister and Fifth Brother, had gradually been moved into the inner echelon of the sect in recent years.
Epilogue: A New Chapter on the Path
Time, like a flowing river, had carried Li Yan far along his path over these three transformative years. The unique benefits of the Gui Shui True Scripture, supported by the sect's preferential resources, had propelled his progress to an extent he had once only dreamed of. His immortal techniques—from the explosive "Fireball" and the precise "Wind Blade" to the intricate "Flowing Sand"—had all reached notable milestones. Even his newer abilities, "Cloud Rain," "Wind Binding," and "Sky Riding," were advancing steadily. Meanwhile, he had grown proficient in manipulating each of the twelve segmented toxins of his own mysterious poison body individually, though seamlessly combining two or three of them remained a challenge he was determined to master with further practice.
After his daily cultivation, Li Yan continued to sit in deep, introspective meditation. His spiritual sense probed the depths of his dantian, where the five elemental "vats" of his Qi had enlarged nearly five- to sixfold compared to three years past. His water, wood, and fire vats now pulsed with energy that flowed in a half–liquid state; when this process reached completion, his Foundation would be fully established. Yet the earth and metal vats still lay empty—an indication that further transformation was required. By deliberately forcing the harmonious interplay among the five elemental energies, Li Yan had begun to channel some of the excess water energy into the earth and metal vats. This conversion was not a natural occurrence during cultivation but an intentional, forceful infusion designed to suppress his dominant water Qi and foster balance.
After a short while, Li Yan sensed that his entire aura had been purposefully suppressed—from an outward appearance corresponding to mid–7th-tier Qi Condensation down to that of early–6th tier. This masked manifestation was precisely the hidden art of the Gui Shui True Scripture: not an even redistribution of energy, but a carefully executed concealment which allowed only a fraction of his true power to be perceived by others.
Content with this carefully wrought effect, Li Yan felt a quiet satisfaction. He was not one to seek the limelight. Although the sect had provided additional resources to support him, his average mixed spiritual root meant that surpassing the fourth level in three years was nothing short of extraordinary. And now, as he stood at the threshold of mid–7th tier Qi Condensation, he privately wished he could further mask his progress—to appear only as early–5th tier—if not for the risk that his master's discerning eyes might catch even a hint of discrepancy.
In the intervening years, he had occasionally attended meetings at the main hall of Xiao Zhu Peak. In a peak with so few members, most affairs among the other four peaks could be managed by only a handful of key individuals. Yet on Xiao Zhu Peak, there were still many matters that demanded the attendance of every disciple—unless one was deep in seclusion. Typically, Li Yan's role was confined to passive listening; if his active participation were necessary, the directive would have been unambiguous. It was widely understood that only once he reached the Foundation stage would he be entrusted with the major decisions of the sect. Today, however, he had yet another urgency to discuss with his senior: the impending depletion of his spirit stones. Although the sect had at times bestowed additional resources upon him, his modest talent ensured that he was never among the highest priorities. As his cultivation advanced, the eight spirit stones and two Ascending Spirit Pills he received every month proved increasingly insufficient. The pills were consumed in less than half a month, and his stock of spirit stones was growing dangerously thin. Even though the rich ambient Qi of Xiao Zhu Peak combined with the efficiency of the Gui Shui True Scripture could, in theory, let him progress smoothly, any disruption to his now-accustomed pace was deeply disconcerting.
Thus, Li Yan resolved that he must locate a more reliable source for spirit stones. With a greater supply at his disposal, not only could he sustain his cultivation more consistently, but he could also procure additional Ascending Spirit Pills. Otherwise, if he had to wait until the sect's next round of resource allocation, he would have been forced to wait until he reached either the 10th tier of Qi Condensation or the Foundation stage. (At the 10th tier, the sect typically enhances resource supplementation in order to improve the probability of a successful Foundation; at the Foundation stage, resource allocations increase automatically in proportion to one's level.) Until then, he would have to solve the problem on his own. Li Yan understood that while many ordinary disciples had long ago learned to secure their own cultivation materials, he was still fortunate to enjoy the sect's care.
As Li Yan continued steadily along the small path toward the main hall, his mind wandered back to those year–end nights bathed in full moonlight. He recalled how, without any formal appointment, a graceful maiden would appear on the terrace, quietly waiting beneath the vast, luminous moon. Then the two of them would sit together at the edge, engaging in gentle conversation until the first light of dawn caused them to part. Yet Zhao Min, the delicate maiden, rarely offered details of her own inner life; more often than not, Li Yan would find himself recounting every facet of the mortal celebrations while she listened with soft, quiet attention.
These memories warmed his heart and caused his smile to bloom more brightly still. Soon, he reached the heavy door of the main hall and, with confident resolve, stepped inside.
Within the hall, a joyful voice rang out, "Junior Brother, you're here! Ha—it's been half a year since we last met. Your cultivation and techniques have grown deeper—you must be at the 6th tier of Qi Condensation now!"
Li Yan returned a gentle smile. The familiar voice belonged unmistakably to his close Seventh Brother, Lin Daqiao.
A quick glance around revealed that ten people had gathered in the room—seven men and three women—with the Master and Mistress yet to make an appearance. Among the assembled, seven sat while three roamed about carrying cups of tea. Li Yan recognized every one of these faces; the seven seated comprised his five senior brothers and his two esteemed senior sisters.
Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi, as handsome and radiant as ever, greeted Li Yan with a warm smile that reflected a deeply refined aura—an aura that now attested to his advanced Golden Core stage and his imminent breakthrough into a condensed Golden Core. Beneath him, Second Brother—a robust, bear-like figure—looked at Li Yan with a broad, genial smile. Li Yan felt both admiration and a measure of trepidation in Second Brother's presence, for he was now an elite Foundation stage cultivator. Every encounter with Second Brother typically ended in either a friendly bout of martial sparring or in a hearty, sometimes overwhelming, pat on the shoulder that left Li Yan wincing and struggling to catch his breath. It was said that Second Brother, along with Fourth Senior Sister and Fifth Brother, had gradually earned promotion into the inner sect in recent years.
The Road Ahead
Thus, three years had flown by—a span during which Li Yan's constant toil had borne immense fruit. His mastery of the Gui Shui True Scripture, combined with the generous support from his sect, had accelerated his progress far beyond earlier expectations. His repertoire of immortal techniques—from the explosive "Fireball" and the swift "Wind Blade" to the cunning "Flowing Sand," and the more ethereal "Cloud Rain," "Wind Binding," and "Sky Riding" techniques—had all reached various stages of accomplishment. Meanwhile, his ongoing research into the segmented poison components of his body continued apace. Although each of the twelve components had come to be individually mastered, combining two or three of them into a seamless synergy was still a challenge that demanded further exploration.
After finishing his daily cultivation, Li Yan stayed in meditation a while longer. His spiritual sense—ever probing—revealed that his inner dantian now housed five elemental "vats" whose sizes had grown five to six times larger than they had been three years ago. His water, wood, and fire vats flowed with Qi in a half–liquid state, ready to reach full liquidity and mark the completion of his Foundation. The earth and metal vats, however, still remained unfilled. Li Yan, determined to harness the power of the five elements, had deliberately forced the energies in the water, wood, and fire vats to begin converting into earth and metal Qi. This was not a natural progression in cultivation, but rather an intentional, researched method meant to subdue the dominating water energy.
Soon afterward, Li Yan perceived that his entire aura had been consciously subdued—from an exuberance characteristic of mid–7th-tier Qi Condensation to the more modest radiance of early–6th-tier cultivation. This deliberate masking was the hallmark of the Gui Shui True Scripture's hidden methodology. Rather than simply dividing the total Qi evenly (a process by which even advanced cultivators can eventually reckon the full measure), Li Yan's technique ensured that only the desired portion was revealed to prying eyes.
Deeply content with this outcome, Li Yan allowed himself a quiet moment of satisfaction. Not one to seek public adulation, he preferred his work to speak quietly for itself. Although the sect had provided him with additional support, his modest mixed spiritual root had meant that advancing beyond the fourth level within three years was an achievement to be cherished. And now, while he stood at mid–7th tier, he privately wished he could conceal his true strength even further—appearing only as though he were at early–5th tier—if only to avoid possible detection by his strict master. Over these years he had occasionally attended discussions in the main hall of Xiao Zhu Peak. In a small sect like his, most matters affecting the other peaks could be managed by a handful of senior members. Yet here, on Xiao Zhu Peak, some issues still required the participation of every disciple, unless one was in a phase of prolonged seclusion. Typically, Li Yan's involvement was limited to silent listening; if his active input were necessary, the notice would have stated it unambiguously.
There remained one more issue weighing on his mind: his supply of spirit stones was almost exhausted. Although the sect had, on occasion, shown him preferential resource allocation, his average innate talent meant that he was never considered among the top disciples. As his cultivation matured further, the eight spirit stones and two Ascending Spirit Pills he received every month no longer met his daily needs—the pills were quickly consumed and his reserves of spirit stones became increasingly tight. Even though the bountiful ambient Qi of Xiao Zhu Peak and the power of the Gui Shui True Scripture allowed him to sustain his cultivation, any deviation from his established pace would be most disruptive.
Thus, Li Yan resolved that he must explore new avenues to secure a larger supply of spirit stones. With sufficient stones, he could not only maintain his cultivation uninterrupted but also purchase extra Ascending Spirit Pills if required. Otherwise, if he were forced to wait until the sect's next resource distribution, it might not come until he reached either the 10th tier of Qi Condensation or the Foundation stage. At the 10th tier, the sect typically bolsters resource support to enhance the likelihood of a successful Foundation, while upon reaching the Foundation stage, resources scale automatically in proportion to a disciple's level. Until such time arrived, he would have to rely on his own ingenuity. Li Yan was painfully aware that while many ordinary disciples had long since learned to secure cultivation resources independently, he was still fortunate enough to be under the sect's wing.
Lost in these reflections, Li Yan strolled along the narrow path leading to the main hall. His thoughts turned wistful as he recalled those year–end, full-moon nights—nights on which a graceful maiden would appear on the terrace seemingly unbidden. Although no explicit agreement had ever been made, the one who arrived first would stand in quiet vigil beneath the enormous orb, and then the two would sit side by side, engaging in half–spoken, introspective conversation until the first light of dawn signaled their parting. Yet Zhao Min, that ethereal maiden, rarely revealed her own inner sentiments; more often than not, Li Yan found himself recounting memories and details while she simply listened with an unspoken understanding.
The recollections brought a soft, genuine smile to his lips. Soon, he reached the door of the main hall and, with resolute determination, stepped inside.
Inside, a joyful voice rang out, "Junior Brother, you're here! Ha, it's been half a year. Your cultivation and skills have grown deeper—you must have reached the 6th tier of Qi Condensation by now!"
Li Yan returned a gentle smile. The familiar voice belonged unmistakably to his close Seventh Brother, Lin Daqiao.
Li Yan scanned the room quickly. Ten people were gathered—seven men and three women—with the Master and his wife not yet present. Among these, seven were seated while the other three moved about serving tea. Li Yan recognized every one of them; the seven seated comprised his five senior brothers along with his two cherished senior sisters.
Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi, handsome and as radiant as ever, greeted Li Yan with a warm smile that exuded refined vigor—his aura now attested to his advanced Golden Core stage and his looming breakthrough toward a fully condensed Golden Core. Beneath him, Second Brother—a robust, bear-like figure—beamed broadly as he regarded Li Yan. In Second Brother's presence, Li Yan felt both admiration and a twinge of apprehension, for this man was among the elite Foundation stage cultivators. Every encounter with him typically ended in either friendly combat or a hearty, almost overwhelming pat on the shoulder that made Li Yan wince and gasp. It was said that Second Brother, along with Fourth Senior Sister and Fifth Brother, had gradually ascended to the inner sect during recent years.
A New Chapter Unfolds
Thus, as the sky shifted and the seasons turned, Li Yan's three years of tireless cultivation had ushered in a new chapter in his journey. His mastery of the Gui Shui True Scripture and the continual support from his sect had propelled his progress to astonishing new heights. His immortal techniques—each with their own distinct flavor and purpose—were steadily maturing. And even though he had grown adept at managing the segmented toxins that marked his body, the art of fully harmonizing their strength remained a challenge he was determined to conquer in the coming months.
With his internal energy now carefully masked and his appearance deliberately suppressed to a lower tier than his true strength, Li Yan felt secure enough, for the moment, to step out into the wider affairs of his sect. Yet he also faced the pressing commercial matters of cultivation—such as securing more spirit stones—to ensure that his continuous progress would not be stunted by a lack of material support.
His thoughts often drifted back to the gentle, moonlit memories of solitary nights spent with Zhao Min on the terrace. Though no promises had ever been made between them, the silent, unspoken bonding beneath the vast, luminous moon had left Li Yan with a bittersweet longing for the simple, heartfelt celebrations of mortal life. These recollections reminded him that, however exalted the path of immortality might become, the warmth of home and the tender, fleeting joys of mortal existence were treasures not easily forgotten.
As Li Yan set off along the main hall's path, he felt a mixture of anticipation and resolve. Today he would attend the meeting—a social gathering he usually attended only in silent observation—but he also had a personal query: how could he best secure the spirit stones he so sorely needed? Until now, he had been content to rely on the sect's occasional favors, but with his growing speed of cultivation and the ever–increasing demands of his techniques, he realized that he must soon embark on a more independent course.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was both familiar and imbued with a quiet camaraderie. The cheerful exclamation from his Seventh Brother, followed by those gentle smiles from his elders and peers, reminded Li Yan that although he walked a solitary path in many respects, he was never truly alone. The spirit of the sect—its collective efforts, its shared aspirations—remained a guiding light on his journey.
And so, with renewed determination and a clear mind, Li Yan resolved to face the challenges ahead. He would work tirelessly to refine his immortal techniques, to master the alchemy of his segmented toxins, and to secure the resources that would sustain his cultivation. The road before him was long and fraught with hidden perils, but he now understood that every challenge was but a stepping stone toward the greater truths of immortality—a journey shaped not only by sublime Qi and transcendent techniques, but also by the quiet, enduring bonds with those who shared in the dream of eternal cultivation.
That evening, as the sun dipped low and the first stars began to twinkle in the vast sky over Xiao Zhu Peak, Li Yan stepped out of the main hall with a thoughtful smile. His mind was busy with plans for resource acquisition, strategies for further concealment of his true strength, and the inevitable interplay of lofty ambitions with the simple memories of moonlit nights long past. In the distance, the gentle murmur of discussions and the camaraderie of his fellow disciples offered reassurance that he was on the right path.
Though many trials lay ahead—and the immortal world, with its fierce rivalries and mysterious techniques, was never kind—the steady progression of time and the deep reservoir of inner strength that Li Yan had built over these three years gave him hope. He knew that one day he would not only secure his own future but also illuminate the hidden mysteries of the ancient arts for all who would follow in his footsteps.
Thus, as the night deepened and the cool breeze carried whispers of distant aspirations, Li Yan moved forward with quiet determination. The legacy of his cultivation—honed through the subtle arts of Gui Shui and tempered by the bittersweet memories of home—would guide him onward through the dark, star-strewn night toward a destiny yet unwritten.