Chapter 5: The Fourth Day: A Breakthrough and a Reckoning

It was the fourth day of the treasure hunt.

The spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the valley’s center would occasionally intensify. Though quite a distance away, Lian Yueying felt the tremor and rose, walking to the cave entrance to gaze into the distance. It was, in fact, during that very surge that she had successfully cultivated to the sixth level of Qi Condensation.

Even for a Qi Condensation cultivator, a recent breakthrough demanded a period of adjustment. Lian Yueying circulated her Sea Convergence Art, then drew several True Talismans and wove them into her hair, only then managing to calm the turbulent spiritual energy within her.

‘[The scene of the three sects’ elite Qi Condensation disciples vying for heavenly treasures must be quite grand.]’

Despite her thoughts, Lian Yueying suppressed her curiosity, settling back into the cave to continue her cultivation, hoping to make further progress that day. Yet, no sooner had she sat down than an exceptionally powerful spiritual energy fluctuation erupted from the valley’s center.

‘[Spiritual energy fluctuations? This isn’t from the Earth-Spring of Spiritual Qi. I can feel it from this far away, so it must be at the Foundation Establishment stage. But with three sects jointly overseeing this, only Qi Condensation cultivators are allowed into the valley for the treasure hunt.]’

Once more, Lian Yueying stood and moved to the cave entrance. Though she could not discern what transpired in the valley’s heart, she distinctly perceived that immense spiritual energy wantonly unleashing itself.

‘[The Great Senior Brother of our Hall is indeed at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation. Could it be that…]’

The Mountain-Bearing Sect was divided into three halls: Peak, Bamboo, and Lake. Three hall masters each governed a division, serving as the masters for their respective disciples. Lian Yueying, finding the lakeside cultivation grounds of the Lake Hall perfectly suited for her Sea Convergence Art, had therefore pledged herself to its lineage.

Speaking of the Lake Hall, the first image that sprang to Lian Yueying’s mind was her master, elusive as a divine dragon showing only its head.

Though this master was capable of resolving all doubts, locating her on an ordinary day proved exceedingly difficult. This forced Lian Yueying, who often fretted over the vastness of the cultivation world, to learn self-study. She spent her days either cultivating or immersed in the scripture pavilion, a routine that led many fellow hall disciples to entirely forget her existence.

Lian Yueying’s thoughts gradually drifted, only to be yanked back to reality by the spiritual energy fluctuations from the valley’s heart.

‘[Regardless, the valley’s center is not a place I should venture. However, if someone truly has broken through to Foundation Establishment, it might portend a significant upheaval.]’

The unknown always held the greatest terror, and for Lian Yueying, who had already suffered two setbacks, no hiding place felt truly secure. Knowing that her sixth level of Qi Condensation was still insufficient, she painstakingly arranged more defensive formations at both cave entrances and within the cavern itself before finally sitting down to meditate.

****

Meanwhile, in the valley’s center.

The clear lake, reflecting the azure sky, now rippled ceaselessly. From its depths, a surging spiritual energy erupted, causing white foam to churn continuously at the lake’s core, as if on the brink of an imminent explosion at every passing moment.

Surrounding the lake was an unbroken sea of trees, and three factions of cultivators arrayed along its banks.

However, the Blazing Fire Sect was no longer acting recklessly, the Azure Forest Sect had shed its insidious demeanor, and even the Mountain-Bearing Sect, traditionally the elder brother, no longer advocated for peace.

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