Chapter 16: Breakthrough
Huang Junru hadn’t come alone.
She was simply the strongest and therefore arrived first.
In the afternoon, the rest of the Huang family cultivators arrived at Rain Terrace Blessed Land. Xia Yanming hadn’t known about Huang Junru’s arrival and only learned of Holy Master Yue Ying’s departure when he went to pay his respects.
However, he was aware of the arrival of the other Huang family members and received them warmly.
The Huang family cultivators were all women, which Mingyan found unusual…
Were there no men in the Huang family?
Later, Xia Yanming and the other elders ascended the mountain to discuss the aftermath. In the evening, seemingly having reached an agreement, Huang Feiyan sought out Mingyan, who was waiting in his room.
“Mingyan.” Huang Feiyan knocked. Her divine sense told her he was inside, but she didn’t enter without permission. Respect was shown in such small gestures.
“Come in, Celestial Sister,” Mingyan replied.
Huang Feiyan entered, saw him sitting on the bed, and smiled, sitting beside him. “Everything has been settled. My mother went to the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land and spoke with Holy Master Yue Ying. They’ve agreed to protect Rain Terrace Blessed Land and provide a new location for you to rebuild. The Huang family has also brought many cultivation resources. If you want details, you can ask your Sect Leader and the elders. Your Sect Leader and Master have also agreed to let you return to the Huang family with us. Rest tonight, and we’ll depart tomorrow.”
Mingyan nodded. “Celestial Sister, how long will it take to reach the Huang family?”
“Using the intercontinental teleportation gate, we’ll leave tomorrow and arrive the day after. However, alchemy is a complex process and might take some time. So, you might have to stay at the Huang family for a while.”
Mingyan was surprised. “Intercontinental teleportation gate?”
“Yes. The intercontinental teleportation gates were built by the various families and Sacred Lands of the Eastern Continent for the convenience of cultivators. Otherwise, it would take four or five years to travel there with our cultivation level.” Huang Feiyan nodded. “Even for cultivators like my mother and Holy Master Yue Ying, it would take nearly a month to travel from Rain Terrace Blessed Land to the Huang family without using a teleportation gate.”
The difference between four or five years and one day was immense…
“If it weren’t for Celestial Sister, I wouldn’t have known about these things for a long time,” Mingyan sighed.
“With your talent, you’ll reach our level someday.” Huang Feiyan chuckled. “Don’t underestimate yourself. My mother said your cultivation talent might be even greater than mine. You simply started late.”
“Celestial Sister, is your mother’s cultivation the same as Holy Master Yue Ying’s?”
Huang Feiyan nodded. “They’re both at the Human Gateway Realm.”
Human Gateway Realm… The final minor realm of the Saint Realm, just above Rotating Core. Was the difference between Human Gateway and Rotating Core really that significant? Huang Junru had killed the Rotating Core cultivator as easily as slaughtering a chicken… It seemed she could crush him effortlessly…
Was the gap between realms… truly that vast?
“If you don’t mind me asking, Celestial Sister, how long did it take your mother to reach her current cultivation level?”
“Over three hundred years. My mother and Holy Master Yue Ying both reached the Human Gateway Realm relatively early, but they’ve been stuck there for a long time.” Huang Feiyan didn’t hide this. This meant they were at least over three hundred years old? Stuck for a long time, perhaps even six, seven, or eight hundred years old… Although their voices sounded cold, they didn’t sound like elderly women…
But cultivators… especially those at the Human Gateway Realm, should have long lifespans, right…?
“By the way, there’s one more thing. The Huang family is a bit… unique. Even though you’re an important guest, you’ll have to stay in the guest area.” Huang Feiyan looked apologetic. “Men aren’t allowed in the inner courtyard. I hope you understand.”
Mingyan nodded. “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“Good.” Huang Feiyan was relieved. “Please keep my mother and the rest of my family’s visit discreet. Pretend we never came to Rain Terrace Blessed Land. Although the Yun family might already know about Yun Ling’s death, they shouldn’t be able to trace it back here. Even if they do, with the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land’s protection, Rain Terrace Blessed Land won’t be in trouble. But there’s no need to mention it. The Huang family has many guests. Please don’t let it slip, or word might reach the Yun family. We’ll bear the consequences.”
Mingyan nodded. “You worry too much, Celestial Sister. I’m not stupid. I won’t say anything.”
“Of course, I know you’re not, but I still needed to remind you.” Huang Feiyan smiled. “Alright, I won’t disturb your rest any longer…”
She stood up to leave, then paused, looking back at him. “I want to thank you again, Mingyan. You not only saved me, but you also gave me hope for my aunt’s recovery. My mother and I discussed it. We’ll help you find the person who saved you. Also… Sect Leader Xia wants you to cultivate in a better place… After this is over, I’ll ask my mother to write a recommendation letter for you to various Sacred Lands. If you have a preferred destination, you can tell me. I’ll never forget your kindness. If you encounter any trouble, contact the Huang family, or me directly… Hehe, I believe after all this, we can consider ourselves friends, right?”
Friends? Mingyan was surprised. “If Celestial Sister considers me a friend, then we’re friends.”
“Since we’re friends, don’t call me Celestial Sister. I’m only two years older than you. You can call me by my name, or like Qingying, just Feiyan.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling. “You’re my first male friend.”
Mingyan blushed slightly. “As long as Celestial Sister doesn’t mind me.”
“Hmm? Still calling me Celestial Sister?” Huang Feiyan tilted her head, looking at him with amusement.
“Um… Huang Feiyan…? Feiyan?”
Huang Feiyan nodded, satisfied. “Alright, rest well. We’ll depart tomorrow.”
She then left his room.
Friends… Mingyan felt a strange sensation. Befriending such a celestial being? It was certainly a boost to his ego, but he quickly snapped out of it. Even if he was friends with Huang Feiyan, it didn’t mean much. If he couldn’t catch up to her, couldn’t reach her level and integrate into her circle, their friendship would be superficial. Even if she respected him and valued their friendship because he saved her, he wouldn’t allow himself to be inferior.
Besides, he still hadn’t found her… His eyes hardened with resolve. He sensed the surrounding spiritual energy. Although thinner than before, he was already on the verge of a breakthrough. He didn’t need to wait until late autumn. Closing his eyes, he focused inward.
The Spring Opening Realm, the first stage of cultivation, was about building a solid foundation. Although he had been ready for a breakthrough for a while, he had waited, not only for the right opportunity but also to refine his existing springs to perfection. Now, they were ready. He just needed to open new springs and connect them to the existing ones.
Springs could be connected freely as long as it didn’t harm the body, but better connections, known as spirit channels, allowed for faster and smoother energy flow.
Within the body, spiritual energy was like a person. Initially, there were no paths between the springs. As energy flowed repeatedly, paths formed, becoming spirit channels. Wider and shorter channels were more efficient, allowing for faster energy circulation and greater power. However, one couldn’t blindly pursue short channels. Working within the human body was delicate. A mistake could damage the meridians, causing injury or even disability. Therefore, some cultivators prioritized stability, creating longer, thinner channels that bypassed sensitive areas, resulting in slower energy flow and slightly weaker power.
Due to differences in physique, sensitive areas varied between individuals, so there wasn’t a universal optimal path.
Mingyan’s constitution was special. He possessed natural spirit channels, eliminating the need for him to create them. He only needed to open the springs to break through. His natural channels were short and wide, indicating exceptional combat prowess at his level.
However, Rain Terrace Blessed Land’s “Rain Terrace Scripture” didn’t contain many techniques, focusing mainly on spring opening and spirit channel formation. This was why Mingyan, despite his superior physique, couldn’t fully utilize his potential.
Since he didn’t need to worry about spirit channels, his breakthroughs were always faster than others.
Huang Junru had sensed his natural spirit channels, recognizing his unique qualities.
Without further delay, Mingyan began.
Opening a spring wasn’t easy. Like threading a needle, it required precision. Acupoints were delicate and couldn’t be opened carelessly, or they would collapse. The process also caused intense pain. Maintaining focus and control while enduring this pain was challenging.
But Mingyan was experienced, and since he didn’t need to create spirit channels, he quickly opened the new “Great Brook” springs in both legs and connected them to his existing springs.
He had officially reached the Great Brook Realm.
Mingyan circulated his spiritual energy, feeling the increased flow from the six springs in his legs: Spring Gushing, Gathering Stream, and Great Brook. He opened his eyes, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled. He was stronger…
“Mingyan?”
Huang Feiyan’s voice called from outside. “Are you ready? We’ll be leaving in fifteen minutes.”
“Yes, Celestial Sister. Let me take a bath first. I’ll be right out.” Mingyan sniffed himself. He smelled slightly foul. Cultivators expelled impurities during breakthroughs.
“Alright, I’ll wait for you,” Huang Feiyan replied.
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