Lu Yi marveled inwardly. Was this the benefit of breaking through the heavenly limits?


    His master had also broken through three layers of heavenly limits before advancing, which explained why she was hailed as the most talented and outstanding individual in White Cloud Sect.


    It was no wonder that Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang could rise in Green Province and become one of the top geniuses in the Eastern Region''s rankings.


    After all, Green Province was not particularly prominent within the entire Eastern Region.


    Breaking through heavenly limits and comprehending the natural laws of the Dao was the mark of true strength.


    With such a foundation, combined with the Dao Qi he possessed, Lu Yi could hardly imagine how solid his foundation would be after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. The future was undoubtedly bright.


    Lu Yi calmed himself and continued cultivating.


    Four months later, while Lu Yi was cultivating, he heard Jiang Fan''s voice outside the door.


    "Junior Brother Lu Yi, are you there?"


    Lu Yi was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected Senior Brother Jiang Fan to come looking for him.


    When Lu Yi stepped outside, he saw Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong standing at his door. Both of them carried an extraordinary demeanor, and their auras faintly revealed traces of Foundation Establishment cultivation.


    Lu Yi was a little surprised, then smiled and said, "Congratulations to both Junior Brothers for advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage."


    Jiang Fan smiled helplessly and said, "I can''t compare to you, Senior Brother Lu. I heard from Master that you became the personal disciple of the Ling Luo Peak Master. You must have broken through the heavenly limits and reached the eleventh layer of Qi Refining. You''re truly a peerless genius—reaching the Nascent Soul stage would be as easy as reaching into your pocket. I can''t hope to achieve such a level."


    Lu Yi hadn’t expected Jiang Fan to know about this, but he wasn’t surprised. He simply smiled and reassured him, "Junior Brother Jiang Fan, you’ve advanced steadily and methodically. You may very well become a Nascent Soul cultivator—or even stronger—in the future."


    Jiang Fan nodded slightly without arguing. His master had told him the same thing. Throughout history, there were cultivators who, without breaking through heavenly limits, still defied the odds to become immortals.


    Standing beside him, Bai Yulong gave Jiang Fan a resentful look and said, "Senior Brother Lu, don’t listen to this guy’s nonsense. After breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, this guy awakened a Water Spirit Body. Now, he’s the most sought-after figure in Dark Water Peak."


    He let out a sigh and said, "As for me, I’m just an average cultivator—a plain Foundation Establishment disciple."


    Lu Yi looked at Jiang Fan in surprise. No wonder he had felt Jiang Fan’s aura was somewhat unusual—he had become a spirit body as well?


    Although acquired spirit bodies couldn’t compare to innate ones, they were already considered top-tier talents in a place like Green Province.


    Not bad for someone with ''Fan'' in his name, Lu Yi thought with a chuckle.


    He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Jiang Fan. With your talent, you’ll undoubtedly become a formidable cultivator in the future."


    Jiang Fan smiled and said, "Stop teasing me, Senior Brother. We’re here today because we have something to discuss with you."


    Lu Yi was puzzled and asked, "What is it?"


    Bai Yulong fanned himself with a folding fan and said, "Senior Brother Lu, you’ve probably heard about the Blood Spirit Sect, right?"


    "You mean the Blood Spirit Sect disciples causing trouble in White Cloud Sect’s territory?"


    Just as Donggong Mingyue had mentioned, about a month ago, the sect confirmed that a Nascent Soul peak ancestor of the Blood Spirit Sect was nearing the end of his lifespan. The entire Blood Spirit Sect was frantically collecting blood essence to extend his life.


    The Blood Spirit Sect’s domain was filled with cries of resentment. Some Blood Spirit Sect cultivators even willingly shouldered great karmic consequences by sacrificing an entire city through blood rituals, refining all its inhabitants into blood essence.


    This left their domain in turmoil. Many rogue cultivators began fleeing to other regions.


    Ordinary mortals, unaware of cultivation matters, were left defenseless and faced imminent disaster.


    However, the Blood Spirit Sect still had some scruples. After the sacrificial ritual in one city, they ceased such atrocities within their own domain and turned their focus to wreaking havoc in other regions.


    White Cloud Sect and Blood Spirit Sect had always been mortal enemies. Naturally, White Cloud Sect’s territory became their primary target.


    With intentions now completely exposed, more Blood Spirit Sect disciples invaded White Cloud Sect’s territory, prompting the sect to retaliate fiercely. Any Blood Spirit Sect cultivator daring to conduct blood rituals within White Cloud Sect’s domain was hunted down and killed.


    As a result, conflicts between the two sects intensified.


    Jiang Fan nodded and said, "We’ve both broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and need practical experience. Additionally, now that we’ve advanced, we need to gather more resources for cultivation. We plan to take on missions to hunt down Blood Spirit Sect disciples."


    Bai Yulong’s eyes gleamed as he added, "Senior Brother Lu, you haven’t been to the Affairs Hall recently, have you? You wouldn’t believe it—they’ve issued tons of missions to hunt Blood Spirit Sect disciples, and the rewards are incredibly generous! It’s a great opportunity to earn big rewards!"


    Lu Yi suddenly understood why they had come to him.


    Given the escalating conflict between White Cloud Sect and Blood Spirit Sect, it was natural for disciples to get involved.


    It made sense for White Cloud Sect to post many missions targeting Blood Spirit Sect disciples.


    However…


    Lu Yi shook his head slightly and smiled. "Junior Brothers, I’m sorry, but I’m currently focused on cultivating and won’t be leaving the sect anytime soon."


    Hearing Lu Yi’s words, Bai Yulong froze and said in surprise, "Senior Brother Lu, you’re not tempted at all?"


    Lu Yi looked at Bai Yulong innocently and said, "I’m my master’s personal disciple. My cultivation resources are unlimited."


    Bai Yulong: "…"


    Jiang Fan: "…"


    The two of them stared at Lu Yi with resentful eyes, saying nothing.


    Lu Yi felt a little awkward, worried that he had unintentionally hurt their feelings.


    He smiled and said, "The outside world is probably very chaotic and dangerous right now. If you’re heading out, I do have some things that might help you."


    With that, Lu Yi took out two sets of blue robes and several top-grade pills. "These are mid-grade magical artifacts, the Mystic Silk Robes, and these pills are ones I refined during my free time. They include pills for explosive power and healing. Take them with you."


    These mid-grade magical artifacts were rewards Lu Yi earned every month for clearing the eleventh level of the Trial Tower.Stolen story; please report.


    The rewards varied—sometimes pills, sometimes spiritual liquids, and sometimes magical artifacts.


    Over time, Lu Yi accumulated quite a collection of magical artifacts. Since his own were superior, he gave some to his parents and still had leftovers.


    Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong were both stunned by Lu Yi’s generosity.


    They had never expected him to gift them magical artifacts and pills—and mid-grade magical artifacts, no less.


    To put things into perspective, even Lu Gaoyang, who had been in the Foundation Establishment stage for years, only had one mid-grade magical artifact, and he cherished it dearly. This showed just how rare such items were.


    Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong had only recently advanced to Foundation Establishment. Even as inner disciples, mid-grade magical artifacts were still precious to them.


    Both of them were deeply moved by Lu Yi’s kindness.


    “Senior Brother... what are you doing?” Jiang Fan stared at Lu Yi and said, “You’ve helped us a lot. Without you, we wouldn’t have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage so smoothly. How can we take these things from you!”


    Bai Yulong also nodded. “That’s right, Senior Brother. Take these back. We have never done anything for you and would feel ashamed to accept them.”


    Lu Yi smiled. “Back then, when facing that Blood Spirit Sect disciple at the peak of Foundation Establishment, the two Junior Brothers told me to leave first. From that moment, I already considered you both as friends. Now that you are heading out for training, it’s only natural for me to lend a hand. Don’t worry, I still have other magical treasures, so you don’t need to feel burdened.”


    He was wearing a mid-grade treasure artifact...


    If Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong knew, who knows what their expressions would be like.


    Of course, Lu Yi wasn’t going to tell them.


    Seeing Lu Yi’s sincere and serious expression, Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong exchanged a glance.


    Then Jiang Fan took Lu Yi’s items first, looked at him seriously, and said, “Thank you, Senior Brother!”


    Bai Yulong also accepted the items afterward.


    Both of them kept Lu Yi’s kindness in their hearts, silently resolving to help him with all their strength if he ever needed it.


    This kind of gratitude didn’t need to be spoken aloud.


    Lu Yi smiled and said, “This trip might be full of dangers. Junior Brothers, you must be careful.”


    Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong nodded slightly, then smiled and said, “That brute Tie Man also broke through. We plan to bring him along. The three of us together shouldn’t face any big problems. Senior Brother, don’t worry.”


    Hearing this, Lu Yi thought for a moment and took out a pair of gauntlets and some pills. “These are for Junior Brother Tie Man.”


    Jiang Fan: “???”


    Bai Yulong: “???”


    Both of them were filled with questions, staring at Lu Yi with strange expressions.


    “Senior Brother, just how many magical artifacts do you have?” Bai Yulong was dumbfounded.


    Lu Yi scratched his head shyly. “Just a little. Not much.”


    Jiang Fan shook his head helplessly. “Senior Brother, then you focus on your cultivation. We’ll be heading out first.”


    After saying their goodbyes, Lu Yi looked up at the sky outside the sect and rubbed his forehead.


    The conflict between White Cloud Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect was becoming more and more intense. Fortunately, when the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up.


    He was just a small newbie at the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining. Better to focus on cultivation.


    Thus, Lu Yi continued cultivating.


    Later, at the end of the year, Lu Yi took on a sect mission.


    After leaving the sect, Lu Yi realized that the atmosphere outside had completely changed. There was now a heavy air of killing intent.


    As he passed through several cities, he saw many rogue cultivators with solemn expressions, hurrying about.


    He also overheard a lot of news.


    The conflict between the Blood Spirit Sect and the White Cloud Sect had become fierce. Even Golden Core stage cultivators had joined the fray.


    Many Golden Core disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect had fallen within White Cloud Sect’s territory, but White Cloud Sect also suffered losses, with some disciples being refined into blood essence.


    Fortunately, both sides still exercised some restraint. Nascent Soul and Void Refinement stage cultivators had yet to take action.


    With the destructive power of Nascent Soul cultivators, their fights would be like natural disasters to ordinary people.


    The only time a Nascent Soul cultivator took action was in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. Elder Yu’s strength slightly surpassed that of the Blood Spirit Sect’s Nascent Soul cultivator, forcing him to retreat.


    Even without Nascent Soul or Void Refinement cultivators intervening, battles among those below the Golden Core stage still caused many human tragedies.


    In such chaos, naturally, some genius cultivators rose to prominence.


    Lu Yi even heard about Junior Brother Jiang Fan and the others, especially Jiang Fan.


    After becoming a postnatal Water Spirit Body, Jiang Fan’s combat power had significantly increased. Together with Bai Yulong and Tie Man, the three killed many Foundation Establishment cultivators.


    They even managed to escape from the pursuit of a cultivator at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. Considering that all three were only at the first layer, it caused quite a stir.


    Lu Yi found it amusing. It seemed Jiang Fan was making a big name for himself, while Bai Yulong and Tie Man were more like sidekicks, clinging to a strong ally.


    On his journey, Lu Yi saw several deserted villages, completely devoid of people. It was unclear whether they had fled or died.


    Anger filled Lu Yi’s heart. The Blood Spirit Sect’s demon cultivators were truly inhumane.


    Unfortunately, even if he joined the fight, it wouldn’t change much. Blood Spirit Sect disciples refined blood essence in secret, making it difficult to catch them all.


    There were too many disciples entering White Cloud Sect’s territory. Rooting them out wasn’t so easy.


    Lu Yi wasn’t a deity. He was just a small Qi Refining cultivator.


    With his strength, killing Qi Refining stage demon cultivators was effortless.


    Lu Yi casually eliminated all the Blood Spirit Sect demon cultivators he encountered along the way, including two at the Foundation Establishment stage.


    Afterward, Lu Yi returned to the sect and continued cultivating.


    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a year passed.


    Inside his cave dwelling, Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes.


    His gaze shone like stars, with divine light flowing within, appearing as deep as a black hole.


    Gradually, the divine light faded, and Lu Yi exhaled a murky breath, revealing a smile as he murmured to himself, “Finally, I’ve reached the peak of the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining.”


    Reaching the thirteenth level of Qi Refining had taken Lu Yi nearly a year to accumulate to its peak.


    At this moment, Lu Yi could clearly sense the mysterious barrier interwoven with Dao and principles.


    This time, there was no fork in the road for Lu Yi to choose from—there was only one path forward, and that was to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.


    However, Lu Yi did not immediately start the breakthrough.


    He had promised his master that when it was time to break through, he would inform her first, as she had prepared heavenly materials and treasures for his Foundation Establishment.


    Even though Lu Yi already had the best heavenly material for Foundation Establishment—the Grand Dao Qi—he couldn’t possibly tell his master directly that he didn’t need her materials anymore.


    Lu Yi’s body felt weightless as he stood up and took a step forward, arriving directly at the entrance.


    Then, he opened the door of his cave dwelling and stepped onto the peak of Ling Luo Mountain.


    In front of the bamboo house, Lu Yi bowed and said, "Master, disciple Lu Yi requests an audience."


    A few breaths later, the door to the bamboo house silently opened, and the weak-sounding voice of Ling Luo Peak’s master came out. "Come in."


    Lu Yi stepped inside and saw his master lying lazily on a recliner like a salted fish.


    She was dressed in a loose white robe, her snow-white skin exposed, completely indifferent to Lu Yi’s presence—entirely different from their first meeting.


    Lu Yi felt helpless. By now, he was used to his master’s salted-fish-like demeanor.


    Every time he came, his master always looked as if she had just woken up. Lu Yi even suspected whether her cultivation technique required her to sleep frequently.


    Ling Luo Peak’s master scratched her head upon seeing Lu Yi enter and grumbled discontentedly, "Brat, what do you want from me? Isn’t it too early for a lecture? Disturb my sweet dreams again, and I’ll punish you by making you clean my bamboo house!"


    Hearing this, Lu Yi immediately perked up and solemnly said, "Master, please allow your disciple to clean your bamboo house!"


    Lu Yi inwardly thought, I must clean Master’s bamboo house.


    [Task]


    Clean Master’s bamboo house.


    Reward: Golden Core Secret Technique "Transformation Art"


    Accept? Yes/No


    Lu Yi’s heart leaped with joy. What a great reward!


    A Golden Core-level secret technique! Without hesitation, Lu Yi accepted the task.


    Ling Luo Peak’s master: "???"


    She looked up blankly at the excited Lu Yi, doubting whether her disciple had gone mad.


    Ling Luo Peak’s master spoke impatiently, "Alright, tell me what you came here for."


    She took out a jug of Magnolia Wine and took a satisfied sip.


    Lu Yi cleared his throat and smiled, "Disciple has reached the peak of the thirteenth level of Qi Refining and came to report to Master."


    Hearing this, Ling Luo Peak’s master spat out her wine and coughed repeatedly, sitting up abruptly. Her misty eyes widened in shock as she stared at Lu Yi.


    "The peak of the thirteenth level of Qi Refining?! This fast?!"


    After breaking through the heavenly limits of Qi Refining, even Ling Luo Peak’s master could only sense that Lu Yi was still in the Qi Refining stage but couldn’t determine his exact level.


    She hadn’t expected that Lu Yi had already reached the peak of the thirteenth level so quickly—far surpassing her own pace back then.


    Lu Yi nodded slightly. "Yes."


    Ling Luo Peak’s master stood up and circled around Lu Yi a few times before leaning in close to inspect him. The faint scent of wine drifted over, causing Lu Yi to instinctively lean back.


    With a face full of black lines, he said, "Master, what are you doing? You scared me."


    Ling Luo Peak’s master looked puzzled. "You don’t look any different. How did you progress so fast?"


    Lu Yi: "..."


    What do you mean by ‘so fast’? Isn’t it bad for a man to be called fast? Lu Yi silently complained in his heart and helplessly said, "Master, you told me to inform you when I reached the peak of the thirteenth level."


    Ling Luo Peak’s master suddenly realized, "Ah, that’s right."


    She had been too shocked earlier and momentarily forgotten.


    Lu Yi felt exasperated—his master was truly unreliable.


    Ling Luo Peak’s master glanced at Lu Yi again but found nothing unusual. She then flopped back onto her recliner like a salted fish.


    She said, "Since you intend to cultivate the sword path in the future, I went out a while ago and found some heavenly materials for sword-path Foundation Establishment."


    As she spoke, she opened her palm, revealing a small, sword-shaped grass. The grass was vibrant green yet emitted a sharp aura, like a peerless sword.


    Lu Yi was surprised. "Sword Intent Grass?"


    This was an extremely rare heavenly material, as rare as various spiritual liquids.


    Such a treasure, if used for Foundation Establishment, could create an exceptionally strong foundation for the sword path.


    Lu Yi hadn’t expected his master to actually find something like this for him.