Ascended Without Me: Cultivating with a Genius Son | Chapter 54 | Emerging from Seclusion | Novela.app

Three months later, to Li Xue’s great surprise, Yu Ming was the first to emerge from seclusion. He had successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage on his very first attempt. For someone with a four-root aptitude to reach Foundation Establishment at the age of twenty-three was considered quite impressive in the cultivation world. Consequently, he received significant attention from the sect, and was granted his choice of any peak to reside in. Yuan Peak was the primary cultivation grounds for the male outer disciples of the Cloud Might Sect. Yu Ming’s cave dwelling was located on its rear peak; once an outer disciple reached the tenth level of Qi Condensation, they were permitted to choose a private cave dwelling to facilitate their secluded cultivation. Upon receiving Yu Ming’s transmission talisman, Li Xue rushed over immediately. After offering her congratulations, she asked, “Xiao Ming, which peak do you plan to choose? Why not come to Dongyang Peak? I know your alchemy skills are quite good; you and Xiao Lin could benefit from exchanging insights.” Li Xue had long been aware of Yu Ming’s talent in alchemy. “Senior Brother Jingyuan has only one disciple, Xiao Lin. Currently, the Hall of Profound Radiance only sees people from the Hall of Affairs once a month for chores. It is quiet and peaceful, and you can take your pick of cave dwellings. Moreover, you would have the opportunity to study alchemy under Senior Brother Jingyuan!” A sharp glint flickered in Yu Ming’s eyes. He knew his own circumstances best; his greatest wish was to find a quiet, secluded place to establish his cave dwelling. However, the chance to study alchemy under True Person Jingyuan was a rare opportunity that one could only hope for. He felt a stir of interest. “Xiao Ming, congratulations on your Foundation Establishment!” Yi Yi’s voice rang out from outside the cave. “Yi Yi, thank you. Please, come in!” Yu Ming quickly rose to welcome her into the dwelling. “Oh, Sister Li, you got here fast!” Yi Yi noted as she saw Li Xue and took a seat beside her. “Haha, I live close by, so I arrived a bit earlier,” Li Xue replied. Yu Ming solemnly performed a deep bow to Yi Yi. “Yi Yi, the reason I was able to advance so smoothly was largely thanks to your Lesser Divine Pill. If there is ever anything you need from me in the future, just say the word. I will do my utmost to assist you.” Yi Yi quickly rose to return the gesture. “Xiao Ming, you are being far too polite. We have faced life and death together during our trials; there is no need for such formality. That pill was nothing to me. I am just glad it could be of help.” Yu Ming and Li Xue exchanged a look, their hearts filled with gratitude. “Xiao Ming, where do you plan to establish your cave dwelling? Come to Zhengyang Peak!” Yi Yi added. At this, both Li Xue and Yu Ming laughed. Li Xue teased, “Xiao Ming, it seems you are quite the popular choice now!” Yu Ming had been somewhat hesitant about choosing Dongyang Peak a moment ago, but hearing Yi Yi suggest Zhengyang Peak made him decide instantly. Zhengyang Peak was the seat of the Sect Leader’s lineage and the core of the Cloud Might Sect; it was also the most strictly monitored place. Going there would be nothing but asking for trouble. With this in mind, Yu Ming said: “Yi Yi, thank you, but I have already decided on Dongyang Peak. I promised Li Lin I would before I went into seclusion.” Yi Yi was slightly disappointed, but she soon understood. Most disciples at Zhengyang Peak belonged to the Yun family’s main lineage, and many were arrogant and overbearing. Most outer disciples avoided choosing it after reaching Foundation Establishment. Li Xue was delighted. She said to Yi Yi, “Dongyang Peak and Zhengyang Peak aren't that far apart. Yi Yi, you must come visit Dongyang Palace often in the future!” Yi Yi nodded in agreement. Two months later, Yun Mingxuan also emerged from seclusion, but unfortunately, he had failed to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage. Their close friends were all deeply worried about his condition, but Yun Mingxuan himself did not seem to mind much. Instead, he comforted them: “I was mainly hindered by a heart demon. My background is a bit complicated. Having gone through this, I have finally let it go. It won’t appear again during my next attempt at Foundation Establishment, or even when I form my Core. I should actually be happy about this!” Li Xue later heard about Yun Mingxuan’s past from Yu Ming. It turned out that Yun Mingxuan came from a secular branch of the Yun family. Because he was not of the lineal descent, he had been marginalized and even deprived of the right to test his spiritual roots. It was only by a stroke of luck that he encountered a disciple conducting tests, who discovered his dual-root aptitude and brought him back to the Cloud Might Sect. During a breakthrough like Foundation Establishment, which requires overcoming heart demons, such past traumas naturally took their toll. Heart demons are incredibly significant to cultivators; this is why Heart Demon Oaths are taken so seriously in the cultivation world. Suddenly, Li Xue thought of Li Lin and grew worried. They also came from the secular world, and Li Lin had never seen his father since he was a child. In a child’s heart, the role of a father is vital. Would he be unable to overcome his heart demon when the time came? However, heart demons are not something outsiders can help with. Li Xue could only fret in silence.