Chapter 161: Nan Xiaoxiang’s Letter
Life settled into a peaceful rhythm.
After spending half a week recovering from his injuries, Chen Yin resumed his usual routine of cultivation and shameless activities with Xiang’er.
With the upgraded System Shop, he could now freely consume higher-level pills, enough to reach the next realm.
Master, however, had become elusive, disappearing for days at a time without telling him where she was going.
Whenever Chen Yin asked, she would just retort, “Mind your own business, little boy.”
He didn’t bother pressing her. With her strength and connections, she could practically do whatever she wanted in the cultivation world.
…Six months passed.
During those six months, Chen Yin broke through to the Boundless Realm and then, with the help of pills, reached the peak of Supreme Clarity.
He was now just a step away from the Grand Clarity Realm. Even he was surprised by his rapid progress.
But the Grand Clarity Realm wasn’t so easily attained.
According to Master, it was a threshold. Only by reaching this realm could one truly transcend mortality and embark on the path of immortality.
They would become nascent immortals.
Because of this, this step was far more difficult than any of the previous realms.
In the cultivation world, there were countless sects with Supreme Clarity Realm elders, guest elders, and sect masters.
But only those with Grand Clarity Realm experts could be considered major sects.
And the gap between Grand Clarity and ascension was even greater. Chen Yin had only heard of it in legends.
Although he had forcefully boosted his spiritual energy to the peak of Supreme Clarity with pills, he still couldn’t figure out how to take that final step.
During these six months, he would often visit Shen Shuanglian at the Mist Spirit Sect.
She was also working hard, managing the sect’s affairs, rebuilding its strength, and diligently cultivating, hoping to reach the Grand Clarity Realm and restore the Mist Spirit Sect’s former glory.
But Shen Shuanglian wasn’t one to complain. No matter how tired she was, she would never mention it unless Chen Yin asked.
She would silently handle everything, waiting for his praise.
So, to reward his obedient and hardworking Senior Sister, Chen Yin would visit her every few days, a fact that was now well-known throughout the Mist Spirit Sect.
The younger disciples no longer held any resentment towards him. Out of respect for Shen Shuanglian, they would greet him politely:
“Senior Brother Chen.”
Chen Yin enjoyed this newfound respect. In his previous life, he had been looked down upon as a waste with a useless spiritual root. He had never experienced such deference.
…Although it was only because of his woman.
But being able to live off his wife’s success was also a skill.
During these six months, he had also maintained contact with those in Yanxia Province.
Luo Luo would write him long letters every month, sharing her daily life and experiences.
They were like a young girl’s diary, the letters piling up into a thick stack.
Qingying, although not one for words, would occasionally send him brief messages through Luo Luo.
As for Nan Xiaoxiang, after a few formal greetings, they had no further contact.
He heard that Ye Huang’s daughter, Ye Ling’er, was almost fully recovered. As long as she continued taking the medicine, she could live a normal life.
But the poison of the Life Returning Herb hadn’t been completely cured. If she stopped taking the medicine, the consequences would be dire.
Luo Luo said that at first, Ling’er had been withdrawn and pitiful, spending all day huddled in a corner of her room, her knees drawn up to her chest, her eyes dull and lifeless.
Like a doll with no soul.
Now, thanks to Luo Luo’s cheerful and energetic companionship, she was able to take care of herself.
Eating, washing, sleeping, taking her medicine. Besides her quiet demeanor, she was like any other normal girl.
As for Ye Huang…
He had disappeared after going to the Wu Xuan Cave in the Southern Region. There had been no news from him for months.
Although the Southern Region was far from Yanxia Province, it shouldn’t have taken him six months to make a round trip.
His silence suggested that his trip to the Wu Xuan Cave hadn’t been successful.
Chen Yin had considered going to the Southern Region to check on him, but the Ten Thousand Mountains were a dangerous place, almost as perilous as the Heavenly Path Perilous Domain. A round trip would take a considerable amount of time.
And Master had ordered him to reach the Grand Clarity Realm within a year. He couldn’t afford to waste time.
Besides, Ye Huang was a Supreme Clarity Realm swordsman himself. He was just seeking medicine, not causing trouble. Even the Wu Xuan Cave wouldn’t have any reason to harm him.
So, Chen Yin wasn’t too worried. He assumed Ye Huang was still negotiating with the Wu Xuan Cave, or perhaps he was already on his way back.
He should focus on his own cultivation.
Early in the morning, Chen Yin sat cross-legged in his cultivation cave, meditating.
His blue spiritual energy had formed a vast ocean within his dantian. His meridians were overflowing with a warm and potent energy, a sensation that filled him with a sense of power and vitality.
He looked at his overflowing dantian and sighed.
…It wasn’t working.
Reaching the Grand Clarity Realm was more difficult than he had imagined.
His rapid progress from Cloud Ascending to the peak of Supreme Clarity within a year was already unbelievable, a feat that would shock the entire cultivation world.
But he wasn’t discouraged. He knew that transcending mortality and becoming an immortal wasn’t easy.
It required not only sufficient cultivation and resources but also breakthroughs in one’s understanding of the Dao and mental state.
Although Chen Yin was confident in his mastery of the sword, he still hadn’t figured out how to apply his understanding of the sword to the broader concept of the Dao.
As he pondered this, Xiang’er’s voice came from outside the cave. “Senior Brother! Breakfast is ready~!”
Lately, she had been taking the initiative to cook for him more often.
Under his guidance, her cooking skills had improved significantly. Her dishes were now delicious and flavorful.
And Chen Yin could finally enjoy being pampered, sitting back and waiting for his meals.
Today’s breakfast was preserved egg and lean meat congee, savory and flavorful. Chen Yin ate a large bowl, accompanied by crispy fried dough sticks.
Xiang’er sat beside him, watching him eat with a happy smile.
“How was your cultivation today?”
“…Not good at all.” Chen Yin sighed. “You know how difficult it is to break through from Supreme Clarity to Grand Clarity, Xiang’er.”
“I’m standing right at the doorstep, but I can’t seem to take that final step. I’m getting frustrated.”
Xiang’er giggled. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. You’ve already reached the peak of Supreme Clarity in less than a year. That’s amazing.”
“There’s no need to rush to Grand Clarity. Just take your time, and you’ll break through eventually.”
If only it were that easy. Chen Yin sighed.
Xiang’er was different.
She had told him later that cultivators of the “Quenching Nether Mantra” didn’t experience bottlenecks.
As long as their cultivation was sufficient, they would naturally break through, even to the Grand Clarity Realm.
No wonder the demonic path considered it a supreme treasure. A cultivation technique without bottlenecks was incredibly powerful.
However, the “Quenching Nether Mantra” required a specific physique to cultivate, so this cheat was only available to Xiang’er.
Now that she was also nearing the Grand Clarity Realm, Chen Yin sighed again.
“It seems I’m destined to be a kept man forever, with no chance of turning the tables.”
“So what if you are?”
Xiang’er said nonchalantly, “I can support you for the rest of your life.”
“…But what if I want to keep other women too?” Chen Yin asked cautiously.
“Then I’ll castrate you first, then keep you for the rest of your life.” Xiang’er smiled sweetly, her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Chen Yin quickly crossed his legs and shuddered.
That was harsh.
Although she didn’t say it out loud, her jealous tone made him ask, “Did you receive another letter from me?”
“Hmph.”
Xiang’er snorted and tossed a letter at him.
“Another one from your ‘friends’ in Yanxia Province. It arrived this morning. Read it yourself.”
Chen Yin caught the letter and said awkwardly, “Th-they’re not really my ‘friends’…”
Xiang’er pouted, her eyes fixed on him.
Knowing that the more he said, the angrier she would get, Chen Yin wisely kept quiet.
“Hmph. I’m going to cultivate.”
With that, she turned and left, her green dress swirling around her.
…Judging by her expression, he would have to work hard tonight to appease her.
Chen Yin sighed.
He opened the letter. It was Luo Luo’s neat but slightly childish handwriting.
“Young Master! Ling’er and I went to eat steamed buns today! Ling’er didn’t say anything, but she ate a whole steamer full!”
Reading Luo Luo’s account of her day, Chen Yin could almost see the energetic little fox grinning at him, her fangs showing.
She was really trying her best to be a good older sister and take care of Ye Ling’er.
He finished reading the letter. At the end, Luo Luo had written with a sweet and affectionate tone:
“Young Master, Luo Luo misses you. When are you coming to visit?”
Chen Yin’s heart softened. He should go to Yanxia Province and visit them.
But his mission to reach the Grand Clarity Realm…
As he pondered this, he noticed another letter inside the envelope.
Huh? Who was this from? It couldn’t be Qingying.
That tsundere wouldn’t write him a letter.
He opened the letter and narrowed his eyes slightly.
…It was from Nan Xiaoxiang.
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