World Setting

Ding! Disciple Ye Xiaoqin obtained the Emperor-tier cultivation method "Desolate Ancient Sacred Body Art", Sect Points +100.

Ding! Disciple Ye Xiaoqin broke through to the first level of Qi Condensation, Sect Points +50.

Ding! Disciple Ye Xiaoqin broke through to the second level of Qi Condensation, Sect Points +50.

...

Ding! Disciple Ye Xiaoqin broke through to the eighth level of Qi Condensation, Sect Points +50.

A series of notification sounds exploded in Lin Yan's mind like firecrackers.

Under the old locust tree, Lin Yan lay on a rocking chair, his legs crossed, the corners of his mouth turning up wildly.

"Another Emperor-tier cultivation method, Sys is really awesome!"

"But why did he only reach the eighth level of Qi Condensation? That little girl broke straight through to Foundation Establishment last time!"

Ding! The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body Art does not cultivate spiritual power, comprehend divine abilities, or refine magical treasures. It relies purely on the physical body to prove the Dao, using vitality and blood to break all techniques. The further one progresses, the greater its power. Disadvantage: The breakthrough speed in the early stages is slightly slow!

I see.

Lin Yan nodded.

Not long after.

Creak—

The door of the Technique Transmission Pavilion opened.

Ye Xiaoqin walked out with a brisk step, his face carrying an irrepressible excitement.

He trotted all the way to Lin Yan, fell to his knees with a thud, crossed his hands, and pressed his forehead against the bluestone slab.

"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this method! Master's great kindness, this disciple will never forget!"

Ding! Disciple Ye Xiaoqin's favorability has significantly increased. Loyalty +5%. Current loyalty: 85%.

The corners of Lin Yan's mouth curled up slightly.

"Rise."

Ye Xiaoqin stood up, took two steps back, and stood to the side with his hands down.

Lin Yan glanced at him and smiled. "How do you feel?"

Ye Xiaoqin clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, his eyes full of light.

"Master, I feel... my whole body is full of strength. It's like there's a mountain inside me that could erupt at any moment."

Lin Yan nodded.

"Cultivate well. When you break through to Foundation Establishment, Master will hold a celebration for you."

"Yes!"

Ye Xiaoqin responded, then returned to his room and began cultivating without stopping.

Lin Yan looked at the closed door and suddenly felt a bit of heartache. This was just an eight or nine-year-old child!

In his past life, kids this age would either be playing cards or shining shoes.

"It seems the matter of the spirit vein must be put on the agenda as soon as possible."

With his disciple working so hard, he, as the master, also had to put in some effort.

He needed to set up the Cultivation Pavilion as early as possible so the little loli and the little shota wouldn't have to work so hard every day.

...

"My Lord, this old servant has returned!"

As soon as the words fell, Zhao Feng's figure appeared at the courtyard gate.

He had already changed into clean clothes, and his hair was neatly tied. Although his face still bore a few unhealed scars, his overall spirit and energy were completely different from a few hours ago.

As soon as he entered, he fell to his knees with a thud, his knees hitting the bluestone slab with a muffled sound.

"This old servant kowtows to thank My Lord for the grace of a new life! If not for My Lord, this old servant would still be a beggar at the city gates, suffering endless humiliation!"

"When this old servant was waiting to die at the city gates, I never dreamed that one day I would be able to stand up again, take revenge, and live like a human being."

"My Lord's kindness to this old servant is higher than the mountains and deeper than the sea! From now on, this old servant's life belongs to My Lord!"

"This old servant has never admired anyone in my life, but I submit to you, My Lord! Even if you ask this old servant to die right now, I absolutely will not frown!"

"My Lord, this old servant is clumsy with words and doesn't know how to say pretty things..."

Listening to him, the corners of Lin Yan's mouth couldn't help but curl up.

This Old Zhao, his bootlicking skills were even higher than his cultivation.

"Alright, alright, get up."

Only then did Zhao Feng stand up, standing to the side with his hands down.

Lin Yan glanced at him, in a good mood.

"Zhao Feng, I want to ask you a few things."

"Please ask, My Lord. This old servant will tell you everything I know!"

Lin Yan leaned back in the rocking chair, his fingers gently tapping the armrest as he considered his words.

"Hmm... tell me about the cultivation realms of this era."

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Feng's body suddenly trembled, and his expression instantly changed.

He abruptly raised his head, glanced at Lin Yan, and quickly lowered it again.

His heart pounded fiercely in his chest a few times.

Era... this era...

Why did My Lord say "this era"?

Could it be...

He didn't dare to think further.

There were some things he shouldn't know. Nor could he ask about them.

Zhao Feng took a deep breath, suppressed all his churning thoughts, and spoke respectfully.

"Reporting to My Lord, the cultivation realms from lowest to highest are: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Formation, Titled Almighty, and Saint."

"That's it?" Lin Yan asked.

Zhao Feng looked troubled.

"Reporting to My Lord, above Saint... this old servant is also unclear. That kind of level is not something this old servant can come into contact with."

Lin Yan nodded and didn't press further.

He silently repeated those realms in his heart.

After Golden Core is Nascent Soul, and above Nascent Soul is Soul Formation.

Then, inferring from the points required for divination, the one who stole Ye Xiaoqin's spirit body required one hundred thousand points, which most likely corresponded to a Soul Formation faction.

As for Liu Ruyan...

One hundred million points...

Wouldn't the ones involved be above Saint?

Making enemies with the combat power ceiling right from the start, huh?

Good, good, good!

Lin Yan's expression remained unchanged as he continued to ask.

"Do you know what spirit bodies are all about?"

Zhao Feng hurriedly answered, "Reporting to My Lord, cultivation physiques are divided into mortal bodies and spirit bodies."

"The vast majority of people have mortal bodies. Mortal bodies can also cultivate, but they can at most break through to the Golden Core realm."

"Unless they encounter tremendous opportunities and great fortune, they will be stuck at the peak of the Golden Core realm for their entire lives."

"Only a very small number of geniuses possess a spirit body physique. Spirit bodies cultivate quickly and have fewer bottlenecks. As long as they don't perish prematurely, they can at least cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm."

Speaking of this, he paused and carefully added, "As far as this old servant knows, above the spirit body, there is a legendary physique called the sacred body. It's said... one can cultivate all the way to the Saint realm."

Lin Yan nodded calmly.

Mortal body, spirit body, sacred body.

Liu Ruyan originally had the Lunar Sacred Body, so it made sense that a Saint faction was involved.

But what was a Dao body?

He didn't ask. He figured Zhao Feng wouldn't know either.

"Tell me more about the factions around Azure Cloud City."

Speaking of this, Zhao Feng perked up. Having been an outer sect elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect for thirty years, he knew the surrounding factions like the back of his hand.

"Reporting to My Lord, there are only two major factions around Azure Cloud City: the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Earthly Saber Sect."

"The sect masters of both sects are in the mid-Golden Core realm, and each has four or five early-Golden Core elders. It's said that both families have a peak-Golden Core Grand Ancestor, but they are in seclusion year-round and do not easily come out."

"What about above Golden Core?" Lin Yan asked.

Zhao Feng swallowed hard.

"Azure Cloud City belongs to Cangwu County. Cangwu County has a top-tier faction, the Biluo Sect, which is said to be overseen by a Nascent Soul Ancestor."

"However, the Biluo Sect generally doesn't interfere with matters below them. As long as tributes are paid on time every year, they can't be bothered to care."

After listening, Lin Yan finally had a general understanding of this world.

Cangwu County, Biluo Sect, Nascent Soul.

Further up was Soul Formation, Titled Almighty, and Saint.

"Do not tell anyone about our conversation today."

Zhao Feng fell to his knees with another thud, raised his right hand, and his expression was as serious as if he were taking an oath.

"This old servant swears to the heavens! If even half a word of what the Master asked and what I answered today were to leak out, may the heavens strike me down with lightning and condemn me to a terrible death!"

Lin Yan waved his hand dismissively.

"Enough, get up. From now on, your duty is to guard the main gate at the foot of the mountain. Just bring some food and supplies up the mountain every few days, and that will be all."

Zhao Feng rose to his feet, responding with a deep, resolute voice.

"Your servant obeys!"