The disciple recruitment assembly lasted for three months before finally drawing to a close. Two disciples with single spirit roots were discovered, along with ten who possessed dual spirit roots. Without question, young Cheng Shan was taken in as a personal disciple by the Sect Leader of Zhengyang Peak, Perfected One Jingyuan. The other girl, named Chen Sijing, possessed a single Earth spirit root and was accepted as a disciple by Daoist Yulan of Zhongyin Peak. The dual-spirit root disciples were divided among the Golden Core elders of Chiyang Peak, Shangyin Peak, and others. Of the thousands who applied, only about two hundred with three or more spirit roots were selected as outer sect disciples, illustrating just how fierce the competition truly was.
Young Cheng Shan had made quite an impression on Li Xue, and she visited him at Zhengyang Peak several times. With the Sect Leader’s personal guidance, the boy’s future was surely boundless.
Upon returning to Chonghua Palace, Li Xue immediately entered secluded meditation to prepare for her breakthrough to the ninth level of Qi Condensation. She circulated her Golden Breath Technique, slowly refining the spiritual energy absorbed from the White Spirit Pills and Red Spirit Pills into her dantian. Gradually, the spiritual energy in her dantian reached a state of saturation, nearing completion. However, no matter how hard Li Xue pushed, there were no signs of a breakthrough. Finally, she let out a long sigh; it seemed she had hit a cultivation bottleneck.
At this moment, Li Xue couldn't help but feel envious. Li Lin’s Fire spirit root and Ji Rufeng’s Ice spirit root had never encountered such obstacles; they had both smoothly reached the peak of the tenth level of Qi Condensation. After Ji Rufeng began training under Daoist Bai Ruihua, his Water-Wood dual spirit roots had mutated into an Ice spirit root within the second year—though the pills and the price required for such a feat were immense. Since then, Li Lin, Ji Rufeng, and two other disciples from the Cloud Might Sect had frequently gone out for experiential training, forming a small team and gaining rich combat experience.
When Li Xue arrived at the alchemy room, Li Lin took one look at her expression and immediately understood. "Mother," he said, "the Chuyun Secret Realm opens once every ten years, and the next opening is only a year away. When the time comes, you should come out with us for some experience. I’m sure breaking through your bottleneck won't be difficult then!"
Li Xue’s heart stirred, and her mood instantly brightened. "You're right, you're right," she said happily. "I’ve been too focused on working behind closed doors and lack practical exercise!" As she spoke, she didn't forget to pat her son on the shoulder.
Li Lin was now one hundred and seventy-eight centimeters tall, a handsome young man. Li Xue felt a sense of pride looking up at her son, who was now taller than her.
The Chuyun Secret Realm opened once a decade, and Qi Condensation disciples from the five great sects of the Mangyun Mountains, as well as various mid-sized sects and clans, would enter for training after a selection process. Li Lin was determined to have his mother join him and the others in the Chuyun Secret Realm trial a year from now.
To go on a trial, one naturally had to learn how to fight. Li Xue’s actual combat experience was nearly zero; she was only familiar with spells through her usual sparring sessions with Li Lin. For real combat, one needed magic artifacts and the mastery of them. Thus, Li Xue began her combat training.
Aside from her Metal-attribute spells, Li Xue’s primary offensive method was her flying sword. However, she had spent the last dozen years in bitter cultivation and had never left the Cloud Might Sect, so her artifacts were quite ordinary. Most of the artifacts in the treasure chamber of Chonghua Palace could only be used after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. Li Lin used alchemy techniques; his cauldron could serve as both an offensive and defensive tool. Consequently, finding a truly high-quality, low-tier artifact was proving difficult. While Daoist Yuhong had many mid-tier artifacts in his collection, he had very few low-tier ones.
When Daoist Yuqing of Zhengyang Peak heard of this, he stepped forward without hesitation and bestowed a treasure upon Li Xue that left everyone excited.
This treasure was called the Five Elements Flying Shuttle. It was originally a magic treasure forged by a Nascent Soul rank artifact refiner using materials of the five elements. The original intent was to form a Five Elements Array, using the principle of mutual generation to make the treasure even more powerful. Unfortunately, it was rare for anyone with five spirit roots to reach the Nascent Soul stage. Later, after he modified it, its power decreased significantly. Since Golden Core cultivators all had their own natal treasures, none were willing to spend energy on a treasure with such diminished power. After further modifications by other refiners over the years, it had become something of a "chicken rib"—a useless curiosity that no one had chosen for thousands of years.
As it happened, Li Xue possessed five spirit roots. Normally, those at the Qi Condensation stage could only use magic artifacts and were unable to wield magic treasures. However, after Daoist Yuqing’s careful refinement, he sealed many of its functions, making it perfectly suitable for Li Xue to use as a magic artifact.
Deeply moved, Li Xue immediately took Li Lin out of their cave dwelling and headed to Zhengyang Peak to thank Daoist Yuqing in person.
Zhengyang Palace on Zhengyang Peak was the cultivation residence for the Sect Leader’s lineage. Fengming Residence was the private dwelling of Sect Leader Jingyuan and was one of the most important locations on the peak. After Li Xue and Li Lin paid their respects to Daoist Yuqing, they arrived at Fengming Residence, which was situated in a vast valley. The front consisted of a grand hall, while the rear contained cultivation caves, spirit beast pens, spirit herb gardens, a martial arts field, and more. There were many cultivation caves where the Sect Leader’s disciples and servants practiced. The layout was similar to other peaks, though this place was even more shrouded in spiritual mist.
Perfected One Jingyuan was leading Li Xue and Li Lin to the back to find young Cheng Shan when suddenly, the door to a small cave dwelling next to the Sect Leader’s main cave opened. A female disciple at the seventh level of Qi Condensation walked out. She was petite and exquisite, with a pure and delicate beauty.
"Yi'er, you've finished your seclusion!" Jingyuan walked over happily, taking the girl’s small hand and inspecting her. "Not bad, you've broken through to the seventh level. Come, let me introduce you!"
