Wei Chituo had bowed and taken his seat, while beneath him sat a young man with an indifferent demeanor. Appearing to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and at a mid-Foundation stage, he wore a simple gray robe. His tall, graceful build and a face as fine as carved jade marked him as a strikingly talented individual. When he noticed Li Yan looking in his direction, he neither nodded nor spoke—his expression treating Li Yan as if he were nothing. Li Yan, however, was not troubled by this cold indifference; he smiled warmly and offered a slight nod in return.
Over the past few years, Li Yan had encountered this young man several times. He recalled that his Third Senior Brother, Yun Chun, always presented a cold, icy look. Yet Li Yan knew that this very cold Third Senior Brother would only soften his expression—and a hint of color would flash in his eyes—when he looked toward Sixth Senior Sister Gong Chenying. Li Yan sometimes amused himself by imagining that if those two "chunks of ice" ever ended up together, the situation would be unbearably awkward.
At this meeting, three men were seated in a row while another four sat directly opposite them. At the head of that opposite row were two stunning, bewitching women—none other than Fourth Senior Sister Miao Wangqing and Sixth Senior Sister Gong Chenying. Miao Wangqing, dressed in an elegant goose-yellow ensemble, smiled radiantly as she noticed Li Yan enter and cheerfully called out, "Little Junior Brother!" In contrast, the short-haired, strikingly cool Gong Chenying merely glanced at Li Yan with a faint nod—a minimal greeting that sufficed. Both of these senior sisters were at the early stage of Foundation perfection, and Li Yan, ever respectful, quickly returned the courtesy with a proper bow.
Below these two ladies sat two young men. One of them, with exceptionally fair skin and a countenance matching that of Lin Daqiao, was of medium build with a long face, thick eyebrows, and delicate eyes. He lounged nonchalantly in a chair—one leg casually draped over the armrest while the other lay extended on the ground. At that moment he was clutching Lin Daqiao in one arm, as Lin Daqiao struggled frantically to break free. This young man, named Wen Xinliang, was Li Yan's Fifth Senior Brother—a disciple who, though only at the early Foundation stage, was reputed to be remarkably skilled in the art of toxins.
Li Yan, having seen this sort of behavior before, found nothing unusual. With a light-hearted chuckle, he strode over toward Lin Daqiao's side.
It was unclear whether Lin Daqiao had finally wrenched himself free of the Fifth Senior Brother's grip or if Wen Xinliang had purposely loosened it. In any event, Lin Daqiao soon approached Li Yan, took his arm in a firm grasp, and led him to a seat positioned two chairs away from Wen Xinliang. Once seated, Lin Daqiao mumbled, "Fifth Senior Brother always bullies people. Every time we meet he insists on picking on our Seventh Senior Brother. When I first entered the sect, he even carried me all the way to Li Li Peak—he's the worst."
Wen Xinliang, still exuding his typical nonchalant manner, remarked, "Xiao Qiao, you know that Fifth Senior Brother only means well. Only when you've passed my test will you never suffer losses wherever you go. And, little junior, you must someday teach your Seventh Senior Brother your lethal techniques. I've heard that back in the day you even killed that so-called strategist—and laid traps for some shady figures. To think you accomplished all this by the age of fifteen… tsk, tsk—I like it, heh, heh."
After hearing these words, Li Yan bowed courteously with a smile and then sat down beside Lin Daqiao. As his own cultivation deepened, he realized that the incident regarding the killing of the "Seasonal Strategist" was impossible to hide forever. He remembered that during his first encounter with Fifth Senior Brother, an unmistakable interest had shone in his eyes. Yet after listening to Lin Daqiao and the others recount details about their past, Li Yan had felt a measure of disbelief; according to what that Fifth Senior Brother claimed, even though the events at Lingchong Peak were not exactly as they appeared on site, it was remarkable that old stories should be brought up again today.
Lin Daqiao then arranged for Li Yan to sit in the front row, positioning him so that there were two seats between him and the Fifth Senior Brother. Li Yan only sighed in resigned amusement. It was known that his Seventh Senior Brother had only successfully established his Foundation a year ago, and that in these three years within a sect of tens of thousands, only five had managed to establish their Foundations—a stark reminder of the difficulty of immortal cultivation. Outsiders might think that establishing Foundations at Jiuzhu Peak was easy, but that was because most successful cases came from a few well–established families, making the success rate appear higher due to fewer numbers.
Even after establishing his Foundation, Lin Daqiao seemed not to have matured at all—he remained as carefree and whimsical as before.
Barely had Li Yan taken his seat when a young maiden of about sixteen or seventeen, clad in a flowing green robe, approached him. With a gentle bow, she presented a cup of fragrant tea. Li Yan accepted the cup with a smile; the maiden then quietly returned to the side.
These two young men and the maiden were new outer–dormitory disciples recruited by senior brothers and senior sisters over recent years. They were not Li Yan's direct juniors but belonged to the group admitted by his various senior figures. • Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi had taken on a disciple from those sent from the lower sect—named Ouyang Ping, who was at the early stage of the Qi Condensation's seventh tier. • Third Senior Brother Yun Chun had discovered another—a servant disciple named Zhang Que, a mid–sixth-tier candidate with promising talent—and, after passing his examination, had also admitted him. • The green-robed maiden had been discovered by Fourth Senior Sister Miao Wangqing during an outing to a small immortal family. Her talent and disposition struck Miao Wangqing's fancy immediately, so she was taken in at once (to the point where that minor immortal family nearly erected a "Longevity Memorial Tablet" for her, though they were sternly reproved by Miao, for she did not wish to appear too old). At that moment, the maiden's cultivation was at the mid stage of the Qi Condensation's fifth tier.
These three new disciples were roughly Li Yan's age. However, while they were considered proper outer–dormitory disciples of Jiuzhu Peak, Li Yan himself was still merely a "registered" disciple. In the immortal world's strict hierarchy, registered disciples were viewed as far inferior to formally admitted outer–dormitory disciples—especially since the latter were Golden Core cultivators and even treated as junior seniors. Although these three sometimes possessed a cultivation level equal to or even surpassing Li Yan's, the established regulations prevented them from formally referring to him as either their senior or their junior.
"Little Junior Brother, you've made progress again these past six months—your speed is truly remarkable," said Seventh Senior Brother Lin Daqiao as he sat down and reached over to pat Li Yan on the shoulder in a manner typical of an elder.
Li Yan found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Like his Second Senior Brother, his Seventh Senior Brother had a habit of shoulder–patting. Now, as his cultivation deepened, Li Yan had become increasingly sensitive to close physical contact; moments earlier he had almost instinctively prepared either to dodge or to block out the pat.
"Seventh Senior Brother," Li Yan said, subtly brushing the hand away from his shoulder while adding a touch of flattery, "after you established your Foundation, you became one of the outer–elite disciples—and it seems you will soon enter the inner sect—while I remain only a registered disciple. I wonder when I might catch up to your level?"
Lin Daqiao laughed softly and replied, "Ha, ha, little Junior Brother, do not underestimate yourself. My achievement was as much luck as skill—only one or two out of thousands manage to establish their Foundation, and that is a stroke of fortune. In my old third–class sect, among nearly a thousand disciples not one attained a Golden Core; only two managed to build their Foundations."
Nearby, Fifth Senior Brother listened to their hushed exchange, gave a dismissive snort, and said nothing further. He then turned his gaze upward, seemingly lost in thought. Soon, the room divided into smaller clusters. Miao Wangqing and Gong Chenying whispered quietly with each other, occasionally glancing at Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi. Li Wu‑yi, seemingly unaffected, turned earnestly to speak with Wei Chituo. As for the cold, silent Third Senior Brother, he remained uncommunicative, only occasionally casting his eyes across the room at Gong Chenying.
The three new outer–dormitory disciples—the two young men and the green–robed maiden—stood obediently behind their respective masters, occasionally replenishing tea.
After some time, a figure drifted gracefully into the room. When everyone lifted their eyes, they saw that the newcomer had already taken his seat in the center of the main hall—it was Wei Zhongran himself. In unison, everyone in the room rose and bowed deeply. After the formal ritual, the green–robed maiden poured a cup of fragrant tea for the venerable master and then, together with the two young male disciples, quietly withdrew from the hall.
Wei Zhongran's penetrating gaze swept over the assembled disciples, nodding in quiet satisfaction. Yet when his eyes fell upon Li Yan, he paused momentarily—a brief flash of surprise appearing in his eyes. Despite the fact that Li Yan's mixed spiritual root had earned him only modest additional resources from the sect, Wei Zhongran had long assumed that Li Yan's opportunity to establish his Foundation would come only after many decades—as if it were a miraculous sign from the heavens. To his great astonishment, Li Yan had already reached the early stage of the Qi Condensation's sixth tier, and his magical prowess now nearly equaled that of mid–to–late sixth–tier cultivators. Wei Zhongran marveled at the astonishing efficacy of Li Yan's methods; surely, he mused, a great part of this must be attributable to the influence of Li Yan's segmented poison body, which had undoubtedly transformed his very constitution.
"I see you are all present. I shall not waste more time on trivialities," Wei Zhongran declared in a commanding tone. "As you know, next year marks the time of the Boundary–Seeking Expedition. Our sect has recently received crucial intelligence: the Ten-Step Academy, the Taixuan Sect, and the Jingtu Sect have all initiated vigorous preparations—and there is even the possibility that they may act against our sect. Therefore, we must now finalize the list of representatives from each peak. In the coming days, an inter–peak competition will be held to select forty–nine Foundation candidates who will be afforded access to the secret realm. As for Wu Yi, Lin Daqiao, and Li Yan—you three will not participate this time. Wu Yi has already participated three times and has, on several occasions, decimated numerous cultivators from those three sects to secure valuable opportunities. Consequently, his participation is no longer required—I have arranged alternative plans for him. Lin Daqiao, though you have only just established your Foundation, still require further refinement. This secret realm is not yet suited to your abilities. However, you may register to participate in an internal competition among our peak's disciples as a means of honing your skills. Even if you are ultimately selected, you must then forfeit your position. Do you understand? Later, Wu Yi will present my Jade Slip to serve as formal proof explaining your non–participation."
At this, Wei Zhongran's tone became even sterner.
"Yes, Master," replied Wu Yi with only a slight, resigned shrug.
Lin Daqiao, though displaying some reluctance, quickly bowed his head in deference after receiving a stern glance from Wei Zhongran, and he too responded, "Yes, Master."
Finally, Wei Zhongran turned his attention to Li Yan and, softening his tone minutely, said, "Li Yan, your progress these past few years has been truly commendable. I earnestly hope that you will establish your Foundation as soon as possible."
Immediately, Li Yan rose and bowed respectfully.
"Mm," he murmured quietly, "as for the others—Chi Tuo and Yun Chun have each participated twice, and Chenying once—they are the experienced ones who can guide Old Fourth and Old Fifth. The latter two, however, lack experience—especially Old Fourth, whose overly kind nature sometimes causes him to be fatally vulnerable. Yet such hardships, as painful as they are, are indispensable trials on the immortal path; they must be endured if one is ever to progress and prosper. I speak of these matters on the condition that ultimately, each of you secures a place among the top forty–nine. If the inter–class competition does not yield forty–nine candidates, then all our arrangements become null."
A Contemplation on the Immortal Path
As Li Yan listened from his lower seat, his heart filled with a mixture of sorrow and resolve. The immortal path was a road laden with hardships and dangers, where one misstep could lead to total collapse. In these years at the Wangliang Sect, Li Yan had not only devoted himself to cultivation but had also absorbed vast amounts of esoteric lore and knowledge regarding immortal techniques. The upcoming Boundary–Seeking Expedition was to be a brutal, blood–soaked contest—a grand event jointly organized by the four major sects. The secret realm itself, as legends proclaimed, had been discovered tens of thousands of li away by two Supreme Elders. These grand figures, of the Yuan Ying stage, had then spent nearly a year breaking through its formidable protective barriers. Within that hidden realm, it was said, lay countless ancient treasures, top–grade magical implements, rare pills, prized ingredients, and even the inner cores of legendary demonic beasts. This secret realm, rumored to reside in some outer domain, spanned a colossal, self–contained area that might once have served as a sacred immortal sanctuary—its inhabitants now long vanished, leaving behind only tales and relics.
Even as Wei Zhongran's decisive words filled the hall, Li Yan's memories drifted back to those gentle, moonlit nights of years past. He recalled how, beneath an enormous full moon, a graceful maiden would appear on the terrace without any formal summons. The one who arrived first would stand silently beneath the luminous orb, waiting, until eventually the two would sit together on the terrace's edge and engage in soft, half–hearted conversation until dawn forced them apart. Yet Zhao Min, that elegant maiden, rarely spoke of herself—hence, Li Yan found that he often did most of the talking while she listened with quiet understanding.
Such recollections warmed Li Yan's heart even as practical concerns weighed on him—chief among them, his rapidly dwindling supply of spirit stones. Although the sect had, in times past, shown him notable favor by providing extra spirit stones and Ascending Spirit Pills, his average natural talent meant he was never a top–priority disciple. Now that his cultivation was accelerating, his monthly allotment of eight spirit stones and two pills was proving insufficient to sustain his momentum. Even though the abundant ambient Qi of Xiao Zhu Peak and the power of the Gui Shui True Scripture should, in theory, support his progress, any disruption to his established pace could be disastrous. Thus, Li Yan resolved that he must soon secure a more reliable source of spirit stones—or devise an alternative method—to bridge this vital gap.
At length, with a quiet determination borne of years of hardships and hope, Li Yan stepped onto the small path leading to the main hall and entered the room.
Inside, a cheerful and familiar voice greeted him: "Junior Brother, you're here! Ha—it's been half a year. Your cultivation and techniques have grown deeper—you must be at the 6th tier of Qi Condensation by now!" The warm tone unmistakably belonged to his close Seventh Brother, Lin Daqiao, and it filled Li Yan with both pride and humility.
A quick survey of the room revealed that ten disciples were gathered—seven men and three women—with the Master and Mistress having not yet arrived. Among the assembled, seven sat in neat order while three moved about serving tea. Li Yan recognized every face; the seven seated comprised his five revered senior brothers and two esteemed senior sisters.
Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi, as handsome and radiant as ever, greeted Li Yan with a warm smile that radiated refined vigor—a living testament to his advanced Golden Core stage and his near breakthrough to a fully condensed Golden Core. Just below him, Second Brother—a robust, bear-like man—regarded Li Yan with a broad, heartfelt smile. In the presence of Second Brother, Li Yan felt both admiration and a measure of apprehension. Now that Second Brother had reached the elite Foundation stage, every encounter with him typically ended either in spirited friendly sparring or in hearty pats on the shoulder that sometimes left Li Yan momentarily wincing.
Looking Ahead
Thus, as the formal meeting drew to a close and the room slowly divided into smaller groups and clusters of discussions, Wei Zhongran's authoritative voice rang out once more. He recounted the critical circumstances: next year would mark the Boundary–Seeking Expedition; intelligence had come in that the Ten-Step Academy, Taixuan Sect, and Jingtu Sect were all actively preparing—and might even target their sect. Therefore, it was imperative to finalize the list of representatives immediately.
Wei Zhongran declared, "In the coming days, an inter–peak competition will be held to select forty–nine Foundation candidates who shall enter the secret realm. As for Wu Yi, Lin Daqiao, and Li Yan, you three are exempt from participating this time. Wu Yi has already partaken three times, during which he has decimated numerous cultivators from these three sects and secured invaluable opportunities. Consequently, his participation is not required—I have arranged alternative plans for him. Lin Daqiao, though you have only just established your Foundation, you still must refine your skills further; this secret realm is not yet suitable for you. However, you may register for our internal competition among our peak's disciples to hone your abilities. Even if you are ultimately selected, you must then willingly forfeit your spot. Do you understand?" He continued, "Later, Wu Yi will present my Jade Slip as formal evidence to explain your non–participation."
At these words, Wei Zhongran's tone turned unmistakably stern.
"Yes, Master," Wu Yi replied with a slight shrug.
Lin Daqiao, though his expression betrayed some reluctance, quickly bowed his head in deference after receiving Wei Zhongran's severe gaze, and he too responded, "Yes, Master."
Then Wei Zhongran turned his gaze to Li Yan, softening his tone just a bit further: "Li Yan, your progress these past few years has been truly remarkable. I sincerely hope that you will establish your Foundation as soon as possible."
Immediately, Li Yan rose and bowed in deep, respectful salutation.
"Mm," he murmured quietly, "as for the others—Chi Tuo and Yun Chun have each participated twice, and Chenying once—they are the experienced ones who can assist in mentoring Old Fourth and Old Fifth. The latter two, however, are still inexperienced; particularly, Old Fourth's exceedingly gentle nature means that even a single lapse could be fatal. Yet such trials, as arduous as they are, are essential on the immortal path—they forge a lasting strength. I speak of these matters on the condition that each of you ultimately secures one of the top forty–nine placements. If even the inter–class competition fails to yield forty–nine candidates, then all our plans are nullified."
A Moment of Quiet Reflection
As Li Yan absorbed these words from his lower seat, his heart ached with the heavy understanding of immortal cultivation's cruelty and difficulty—a journey in which one misstep or momentary weakness could result in the end of everything. In his years at the Wangliang Sect, Li Yan had not confined himself solely to rigorous cultivation; he had also consumed vast amounts of esoteric knowledge and delved into the peripheral arts of immortality. The forthcoming Boundary–Seeking Expedition was more than simply a contest—it was a brutal, blood–soaked rites feast orchestrated jointly by the four great sects. The secret realm itself, discovered tens of thousands of li away by two Supreme Elders, was shrouded in myth: into its sprawling, self–contained expanse lay hidden countless ancient treasures, mythical magical implements, rare pills of unimaginable quality, and even the inner cores of legendary demonic beasts. This hidden realm was said to have once been a sacred immortal sanctuary, long separated from the mortal realm, its former inhabitants having vanished into legend.
In that moment, as the intensity of Wei Zhongran's words mingled with the soft remembrances of cherished, moonlit nights, Li Yan felt an overwhelming mixture of sorrow, determination, and resolve. He recalled how in those bygone nights a graceful maiden—Zhao Min—had met him in silent communion beneath the resplendent full moon. Though she rarely spoke of herself, her quiet presence had soothed his loneliness and filled him with yearning for both home and the fleeting simple joys of mortal life.
Yet the practical matters of cultivation pressed upon him as well—the dire need for more spirit stones. Though the sect had shown him favor in the past by providing extra spirit stones and Ascending Spirit Pills, his average inherent talent meant that he was never a top priority. Now that his cultivation was racing forward at an accelerated pace, his monthly allotment of eight spirit stones and two pills was insufficient to support his progress. Even though the rich ambient Qi of Xiao Zhu Peak and the refined techniques of the Gui Shui True Scripture allowed him to continue along his arduous path, any interruption to his steady pace could prove catastrophic. Thus, Li Yan resolved that he must soon secure a more dependable source of spirit stones—or devise an alternative solution—to bridge this critical supply gap.
With his mind a blend of pragmatic resolve and wistful reminiscence, Li Yan stepped from the narrow path into the main hall. There, he was greeted once again by his close Seventh Brother, Lin Daqiao, whose warm, familiar voice said, "Junior Brother, you're here! Ha—it's been half a year. Your cultivation and skills have deepened—you must now be at the 6th tier of Qi Condensation!" Such words filled Li Yan with pride and humility.
A quick survey revealed that ten disciples were present—seven men and three women—with the Master and his Wife yet to appear. Among these, seven were seated in an orderly row while three moved about serving tea. Li Yan recognized every face; the seated seven comprised his five senior brothers and two senior sisters, all of whom had long been his guiding lights.
Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi, as handsome and radiant as ever, greeted Li Yan with a warm smile that shone with the refined power of his advanced Golden Core stage—only a breath away from fully condensing his inner Golden Core. Just below him, Second Brother—a burly, bear-like man with a generous grin—looked at Li Yan with an expression that mixed admiration and a hint of stern expectation. In Second Brother's presence, Li Yan felt a blend of respect and nervousness; as an elite Foundation stage cultivator, every encounter with him typically culminated either in playful martial sparring or in hearty, almost overwhelming pats on the shoulder that sometimes made Li Yan wince.
Looking to the Future
Thus, as the meeting slowly drew to its close and the dispersal of groups began, Wei Zhongran's authoritative voice rang out once more. He reminded them all of the gravity of the days ahead:
"Now that you are all here, I will not indulge in idle chatter. As you well know, next year is the time for the Boundary–Seeking Expedition. Our sect has recently received critical intelligence: the Ten-Step Academy, the Taixuan Sect, and the Jingtu Sect have already begun preparations—and there is even the possibility that they will direct hostile actions against us. Therefore, it is imperative that we now finalize the list of our representatives. In the coming days, an inter–peak competition will be held to select forty–nine Foundation candidates who will be granted access to the secret realm. As for Wu Yi, Lin Daqiao, and Li Yan—you three will not participate this time. Wu Yi has already participated three times, during which he has decimated numerous cultivators from those three sects and secured many valuable opportunities. Thus, his participation is no longer required—I have arranged alternative plans for him. Lin Daqiao, although you have only just established your Foundation, you still require further refinement; the secret realm is not yet suited to your talent. However, you may register to compete among our own peak's disciples as a means of training—if, in the end, you are selected, you must forfeit your spot. Is that understood?"
Wei Zhongran's tone grew even sterner as he spoke.
"Yes, Master," replied Wu Yi with only a slight shrug.
Lin Daqiao, though visibly reluctant, quickly bowed his head in deference after receiving Wei Zhongran's stern look, and he too confirmed, "Yes, Master."
Finally, Wei Zhongran's gaze finally settled on Li Yan and his tone softened just a touch: "Li Yan, your progress these past few years has been truly remarkable. I sincerely hope that you will establish your Foundation as soon as possible."
Immediately, Li Yan rose and bowed deeply in respectful response.
"Mm," he murmured softly, "As for the others, Chi Tuo and Yun Chun have each participated twice, and Chenying once—they are the experienced ones who can mentor Old Fourth and Old Fifth. The latter two, however, are still lacking in experience; particularly, Old Fourth's excessively gentle nature means that a single careless moment might be fatal. Yet, such hardships, as arduous as they may be, are essential trials on the immortal path—they are necessary for enduring long and prosperous cultivation. I say all this on the condition that you all secure a position among the top forty–nine. If the overall inter–level competition fails to produce forty–nine candidates, then all our plans are for naught."
A Final Reflection
As Li Yan listened, his heart filled with a quiet, melancholy determination. The immortal path was fraught with danger—a journey where every step was laden with the risk of collapse if even a single error was made. In these painstaking years at the Wangliang Sect, Li Yan had not merely cultivated his inner power; he had delved into countless esoteric texts and absorbed a vast array of lore on the immortal arts. The impending Boundary–Seeking Expedition was a savage, blood–soaked event—a grand contest among the four major sects that would push each disciple to the limits of their endurance. The secret realm itself, shrouded in myth and discovered tens of thousands of li away by revered Supreme Elders, was said to hold innumerable ancient treasures, mystical magical implements, rare pills, and even the inner cores of legendary demonic beasts. This vast hidden realm, once perhaps a sacred sanctuary of immortality severed from the mortal realm, now existed only in legend, its inhabitants long vanished.
Even as Wei Zhongran's decisive words rippled through the hall, Li Yan's mind wandered back to memories of those gentle, moonlit nights. He recalled how, beneath an enormous full moon, a graceful maiden would appear on the terrace—standing alone in quiet vigil until, as fate would have it, the two would eventually sit together and exchange soft, half-formed words until the break of dawn forced their parting. Although Zhao Min rarely revealed her inner thoughts, Li Yan remembered how much he would end up saying, his voice laden with both longing and bittersweet reminiscence.
These tender recollections warmed Li Yan's heart as he walked the narrow path toward the main hall. Simultaneously, pragmatic concerns—especially his dwindling supply of spirit stones—pressed on his mind. Although the sect had occasionally granted him extra resources, his average inherent talent meant that he was never among the top-priority disciples. Now, as his cultivation advanced rapidly, his monthly allotment of eight spirit stones and two Ascending Spirit Pills was proving woefully insufficient to support his pace. Even though the rich ambient Qi of Xiao Zhu Peak and the precision of the Gui Shui True Scripture should, in theory, allow him to continue smoothly, any interruption to his accustomed momentum could prove disastrous. Thus, Li Yan resolved to secure a more reliable source of spirit stones—or devise alternative measures—if he were to continue his arduous journey.
With these thoughts fortifying his resolve, Li Yan stepped out of the main hall and began to make his way along the path, his mind oscillating between the tender memories of those cherished moonlit nights and the practical necessities of cultivation. Though the sect had supported him generously in the past, his growing power now demanded resources beyond the provided eight stones and two pills a month. Li Yan understood that if he were to rely solely on sect resources, he might have to wait until he reached the 10th tier of Qi Condensation or the Foundation stage—phases during which extra support was increased. Until that time, he would have to look for solutions on his own.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere remained warm and familiar. A joyful greeting from his Seventh Brother, Lin Daqiao, reaffirmed that despite the trials ahead, Li Yan was not alone. Surveying the room once more, he saw familiar faces—his five senior brothers and two senior sisters among the ten gathered disciples, each carrying their own mix of pride, hope, and hard-earned wisdom.
Eldest Brother Li Wu‑yi, ever the beacon of warmth and kindness, greeted him with a smile that shone with the refined power of an advanced Golden Core cultivator—so near now that he was just a breath away from fully condensing his ultimate core. Just below him, Second Brother, robust and gentle as a bear, regarded Li Yan with a mixture of approval and expectant seriousness, his presence both inspiring and slightly intimidating.
As the meeting concluded and the disciples began to disperse into clusters, Wei Zhongran's commanding presence had left an indelible mark on all. His words, stern and full of portent regarding the upcoming Boundary–Seeking Expedition, resonated deeply with Li Yan. And although his heart was heavy with the memories of sacrifice and hardship along the immortal path, Li Yan's resolve burned brighter than ever. He knew that he must continue to toil relentlessly, to secure additional material support, and to forge ahead with a determination tempered by both ancient lore and the quiet, tender remembrances of those gentle nights with Zhao Min.
Thus, with every step along the path toward a future yet uncertain, Li Yan carried both the weight of his trials and the soft warmth of home in his heart. The immortal journey would continue—arduous and perilous, yet filled with hope, companionship, and the secret promise that one day, his hidden strength would shine forth for the world to behold.