The search conducted by Yun Tian Sect went on for a full month, just as Xiao Lingyu remembered, yielding nothing. Afterward, everyone, their spirits dampened, packed up and prepared to return to the sect.
Although Xiao Lingyu had no genuine feelings for the missing elder, he had borrowed the elder’s reputation, so he feigned sorrow along with the others over the past few days.
On this particular day, everyone had finished packing and was ready to set off when Wu Anguo suddenly sent a message saying he had to pick someone up and asked them to wait. Xiao Lingyu, carrying his small bundle filled with all sorts of playthings that Wu Yunzi had bought for him during this period, stood idly behind Wu Yunzi. In his mind, Old Ghost wore an expression of amusement. “Soon we’ll be back at Yun Tian Sect. Are you ready?”
Knowing full well what Old Ghost meant, Xiao Lingyu pretended to be oblivious. “Ready for what?”
Old Ghost, fuming at Xiao Lingyu’s feigned ignorance, stamped his foot. “Ready for what, indeed! Of course, I mean seeing your last life’s love. Don’t let yourself be fooled by his act again, just like last time, acting like an idiot.”
Xiao Lingyu had long grown accustomed to Old Ghost occasionally bringing up that person to needle him. After all, the old man was genuinely trying to look out for him—afraid that Xiao Lingyu would be swayed by that person in just a few words. Being tripped by a stone once is an accident; being tripped by the same stone twice is pure foolishness. Xiao Lingyu had no intention of acting foolishly again and planned to ignore that person entirely. In his last life, Xiao Lingyu had died in the Nine Nether Fire Array over his infatuation with that person. This time, blessed with a second chance, there were far more pressing matters demanding his attention.
As Xiao Lingyu casually chatted with Old Ghost in his mind, a surge of energy erupted—he had unexpectedly reached the peak of the Qi stage, and a torrent of spiritual energy swirled wildly within his body, demanding to break through into the Refining stage. This sort of breakthrough could not be suppressed; doing so could result in meridian reversal or even death from the explosion of one’s body. Realizing this, Xiao Lingyu hurriedly bid Old Ghost farewell and sat cross-legged, immersing his mind in his consciousness, striving to guide the unbridled spiritual energy to circulate through his meridians repeatedly.
Old Ghost frowned in worry, scolding, “You brat, always causing trouble! Just the other day, I managed to hide your cultivation at Qi Stage Two, thinking that once you reached Yun Tian Sect and were surrounded by abundant spiritual energy, you’d quietly find a spot to break into the Refining stage. Now you’re doing it openly, how am I supposed to cover for you?” He thought for a moment and gritted his teeth. “No choice… this will have to do.”
Resolute, Old Ghost triggered a faint green glow from the bracelet on Xiao Lingyu’s wrist. A green shadow shot swiftly underground, disappearing almost instantly, invisible to anyone.
By now, Xiao Lingyu’s abnormality had already caught everyone’s attention. Wu Yunzi, sweeping his gaze over his disciple, immediately realized that his little apprentice was breaking through. His shock could not be concealed.
How is this possible? I watch him every day, and his cultivation is clearly Qi Stage Two. How could he suddenly show signs of breakthrough? Although puzzled, Wu Yunzi quickly stepped forward and sat cross-legged beside Xiao Lingyu.
In the world of cultivation, there are five stages: Qi, Refining, Void, Pill, and Embryo. Every breakthrough is extremely dangerous and cannot tolerate the slightest disturbance. Even minor movements could cause spiritual energy to go out of control, resulting in severe injuries, or in extreme cases, death from internal explosion.
Wu Yunzi’s presence made it clear he intended to protect his young disciple, ensuring no one interfered. The surrounding sect disciples immediately took note and followed suit, sitting cross-legged around them. A Pill Stage elder gestured to a disciple nearby to inform the innkeeper to prevent anyone from entering. The other Pill Stage elders looked on with envy at Wu Yunzi. A six-year-old in Refining stage, and the master was showing such care—what a source of pride.
Meanwhile, underground, the green shadow took a humanoid shape and performed a series of hand signs. A newly-formed spiritual vein under a desolate mountain outside Wu City quickly converged under its guidance, directing spiritual energy into Xiao Lingyu’s body. Within the flowing energy, a milky-white diamond-shaped crystal pulsed gently.
Old Ghost’s astonished voice rang in Xiao Lingyu’s mind. “Spirit marrow? You lucky brat!”
As the abundant energy flowed in, Xiao Lingyu felt it clearly. Old Ghost instructed, “I guided a spiritual vein to you. Absorb it quickly. After your breakthrough, just say you accidentally sensed a hidden vein beneath the inn, which caused your cultivation to surge from Qi Stage Two to Refining Stage. Don’t mention anything else, and those elders will figure out the details for you.”
Grateful, Xiao Lingyu acknowledged Old Ghost and focused on absorbing the underground spiritual vein. At some point, the green shadow silently returned to the Ghostly Bracelet, and the glow vanished.
Old Ghost continued carefully enhancing Xiao Lingyu’s perceived cultivation in intervals, making it appear to the outside world as if Xiao Lingyu’s cultivation climbed from Qi Stage Two to Three, Four, then to the Qi Stage peak before breaking into Refining stage.
While doing this, Old Ghost mused, “This vein is unusual. A newly-formed vein shouldn’t contain spirit marrow, yet here it is. Strange. Perhaps over time, the flora and fauna will awaken their spiritual awareness. I pulled this vein for the brat, so the mountain will remain barren for now. I’ll return someday to rectify the imbalance and set up a Spirit-Converging Array to benefit the creatures.”
Xiao Lingyu, unaware of Old Ghost’s thoughts, felt as if immersed in a mysterious state, hearing celestial sounds in his ears. He instinctively followed the melody, chanting repeatedly. His internal energy flowed smoothly through his meridians.
Old Ghost watched, envious. “He’s even grasped a Water Elemental Origin Skill! Such luck!”
Origin Skills are bestowed by the heavens and cannot be taught or recorded. They manifest randomly during breakthroughs and often serve as life-saving abilities. Only a rare few cultivators comprehend an Origin Skill; those who do are considered extremely fortunate.
In his last life, Xiao Lingyu had no Origin Skill despite his high talent. This life, however, he inexplicably grasped one. Old Ghost smirked—no matter how low-profile Xiao Lingyu tried to be, this time it was impossible.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, everyone quietly observed Xiao Lingyu’s breakthrough. Wu Anguo appeared, carrying Xu Xuan along.
“Eh? What’s happening? Is someone breaking through?” Wu Anguo asked, eyes wide in surprise at the Pill Stage elders. “How is this possible? Wasn’t the little one just Qi Stage Two? How could he be breaking through?”
A Pill Stage elder, envious, explained, “I just investigated. There’s a small spiritual vein beneath this inn. The child likely triggered it unintentionally, allowing spiritual energy to surge and propel him to breakthrough. His cultivation is unstable, but given his young age, it will take a year or two to stabilize, which is worth it.”
Wu Anguo nodded excitedly. A six-year-old in Refining stage—Yun Tian Sect would be famous throughout the lands.
The elders fantasized about future glory, while Xu Xuan, following behind Wu Anguo, glared at Xiao Lingyu from afar. Ever since being sent back by the Master, his status at home had dropped. His father blamed him for displeasing the immortal master and no longer showed affection. The concubines, noticing his waning favor, paid him no attention.
His half-brothers began bullying him daily. If he hadn’t deliberately endured mistreatment in front of the Master to get attention, he would still be suffering at home.
All of this happened because Xiao Lingyu didn’t like him. Now, seeing the immortal master praise Xiao Lingyu, Xu Xuan lowered his head, concealing the flash of resentment on his soft, young face. He would not be sent back again. Determined, he vowed to make everyone like him, surpass Xiao Lingyu, and let him taste jealousy for once.
From afar, the young boy’s delicate face flickered with a shadow of hatred as he stared at Xiao Lingyu.