“Isn’t it?”
With a snap of his fingers, the boy’s once-empty Qi Sea ignited a faint Spirit Flame, and an unusual spiritual breath surged forth, growing ever stronger.
The moment the Reversion Pill was born, Yun Liu swallowed it whole.
At the same time, he took an action that surprised Ao Tian—he voluntarily dispersed his residual cultivation and reset the countdown hourglass to zero.
With that, the medicinal effect was fully unleashed, and a massive amount of spiritual energy poured into his body, successfully reconstructing his Qi Sea.
What should have been an empty void where the Dantian resides instead became a swirling vortex of spiritual energy rebuilt atop ruins—more powerful than ever, intensifying rapidly.
Deep within his Spirit Aperture, the Yun Manor began to take shape, radiating with dazzling brilliance.
What made this phenomenon extraordinary was that unless Yun Liu deliberately revealed it, no outsider could detect a thing.
Yun Liu was already at the peak of Qi Refinement, his foundation exceptionally solid—only missing a Foundation Establishment Pill to break through the bottleneck.
But the exaggerated spiritual energy effect brought by the Reversion Pill was even better.
Not only did it repair and fortify his Qi Sea, doubling its capacity, but with the pill’s power, he crossed that threshold in one leap, achieving perfect Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
Although both were Heaven-grade spirit medicines, the difference between a Third-Grade Reversion Pill and a Second-Grade Foundation Pill was enormous.
One stage, two stages, three stages…
Qin Cha’s pupils suddenly shrank.
Yun Liu’s spiritual breath surged wildly, yet even after crossing Foundation Establishment, it didn’t stop.
The abundant and exceptionally pure spiritual energy brought by the third-grade medicine filled his Qi Sea to the brim, flowing into his innate spiritual foundation and strengthening the Jade Manor bit by bit.
Only after reaching the fourth stage did it gradually stabilize and secure its foothold.
“Oh my god!”
To jump from zero Qi Refinement straight to mid-level Foundation Establishment—how terrifying was that?
Qin Cha threw her arms around Yun Liu, beaming with joy.
Although she didn’t understand exactly what happened, she was genuinely happy for her junior brother.
“It’s an anomaly, and I personally stopped it.”
“Why? Isn’t this a great thing?”
The boy in white smiled but said nothing.
Only one person outside needed to know about this—that was Miss You. Quietly profiting in silence was the way to go.
Ao Tian crouched like a brooding chick on the boy’s shoulder, mumbling as if dreaming, “What kind of Dao are you cultivating? Does the Sword Scripture of Celestial Phenomena have this kind of ‘from death comes new life’ technique? Why didn’t I know?”
“Heaven moves strongly; a gentleman should strive unceasingly.”
Yun Liu didn’t answer but had learned this from the most special Qi Luck Maiden in the Magic Nine Provinces.
That person was the real monster—punching Xiao Xinran, kicking Ji Shiyu, attaining Saintly body, even capable of arm wrestling with Aunt Master.
Qin Xing pondered, then playfully scolded, “All fixed… then why did you hide it and make me sit here playing around?”
Yun Liu spread his hands in mock grievance.
“I just wanted to get closer to Sister Qin for a while. You wouldn’t refuse me just because I’m no longer useless, right?”
“Of course not…”
The Senior Sister blushed, shaking her head, “Never again!”
Returning to the Sea of Clouds Peaks Forest, the two didn’t rush up the mountain.
Instead, they first went back to Mist City, heading straight to the Shanhai Pavilion.
Compared to the young and handsome little master before, Yun Liu was now leaner and radiated a completely different aura.
With a flash between his fingers, a massive, foul-smelling snake’s head appeared in the hall, smashing over tables and chairs.
Enthusiastic pen pal Miss You hurried downstairs, covering her mouth in shock.
“Brother Yun, what’s this?”
“Delivering a bounty, and also came to see you.”
The Miss Board Girl was stunned for a moment, then jumped up to give the boy a kiss, extremely happy.
Shanhai Pavilion had eyes and ears everywhere, gathering intelligence across the Nine Provinces and was naturally aware of the mysterious demon-subjugation efforts in Canglang Gorge.
Recently, a Heaven-grade Mystic Treasure had appeared nearby, a fleeting and astonishing phenomenon.
This seemed directly related to the two Shenhua Sect disciples.
You came just like that, bringing such a huge gift, going out of your way to bring back a counter-city bounty commission from the western borders of the dynasty.
Those were all your accomplishments!
Miss You blinked, sizing up Yun Liu, immediately noticing something unusual.
The Qi Refining Ninth Stage disciple from Celestial Phenomena Peak not only had his Qi Sea repaired and unobstructed but had successfully established Foundation Establishment, with spiritual breath reaching mid-level.
“Your body… has recovered!?”
Miss You was stunned.
This courteous and generous Mr. Yun not only healed but advanced so quickly, truly astonishing!
The Demon Sect’s Bloodthirsty Banner evil arts were notorious for damaging cultivation; only the Reversion Pill could treat such wounds.
Given Yun Liu’s status as a Second-Grade Heavenly Dao Alchemy Master and the recent purchase of numerous expensive spirit materials, that appearing Mystic Treasure was likely a Heaven-grade Reversion Pill!
A Second-Grade alchemist had now jumped to Third-Grade Heavenly Dao—how little time had passed?
The Miss Board Girl couldn’t help but reevaluate Yun Liu’s value…
“Mm, thanks to your help.”
Yun Liu smiled mysteriously, letting the board girl guess.
Here was enough; too much would be overexplaining.
Just casting the line and waiting for the fish to bite.
The boy in white put away the bounty money and waved goodbye to the curious yet reluctant young Miss You, ending things there.
As he left, Yun Liu noticed an unexpected figure—a slightly plump middle-aged man and his attendants entering the pavilion.
Mist City’s city lord Xiao Wang was stunned on the spot.
Recognizing the boy brought a flicker of surprise, and he reached out to embrace him, but then seemed to remember something and lowered his head in shame.
“Little Yun… why didn’t you let me know you were coming back?”
“Just passing through, heading back to the Sea of Clouds. I won’t disturb Uncle.”
Yun Liu smiled politely but distantly, brushing past him like a stranger.
Xiao Wang raised his hand as if to speak but stopped.
Several cultivators accompanying him were dumbfounded.
“He… he…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Foundation Establishment cultivation… how is that possible? Wasn’t he useless?”
Xiao Wang’s expression instantly shifted into something indescribable.
He turned back, but Yun Liu had vanished without a trace—only two trails of sword qi, one blue and one white, soared upward toward the cloud-capped peak.
The twin streaks of light flew swiftly through the forested peaks; soon the mountain gate at the cloud summit was within sight.
“That’s Sister Xiao’s father?”
“Yes.”
“Oh~”
Qin Cha’s eyes shifted, displeased with how the young master was treated after his injury.
It seemed the local tyrant’s vision wasn’t so sharp—letting Brother Yun escape now must be regretful beyond words.
Poor Sister Xiao; now that regret was too late.
Belated apologies were cheaper than dust.
The Chief of Celestial Phenomena Peak was no longer the same as before.
Foundation Establishment cultivation, now a Third-Grade Heavenly Dao Alchemist, was a prodigy unique throughout the Nine Provinces.
This descent had been fruitful.
The happiest was definitely Qin Yao, the elder sister; the distance between them quietly narrowed, their relationship rapidly progressing.
The boy in white skillfully controlled his Spirit Sword, waving it with ease.
The benefit of a strong soul was gradually revealing itself.
He raised the sword talisman; the Cloudsea Formation slowly descended, opening a path for the two.
However, the formation’s spiritual energy barrier was weak—like it had been damaged and only just repaired.
Once inside the mountain, the two felt a chill.
So cold it evoked nostalgic memories.
Xixu Peak was covered in snow, draped in a silver-white cloak.
“Snow already? What month is it?”
The temperature plunged sharply, causing Qin Yao to break out in goosebumps.
She hurriedly circulated her Qi Sea to form a protective barrier.
Yun Liu and Qin Xing landed on the stone steps of the mountain gate, dismounted from their swords, and proceeded on foot.
It was an unspoken rule of the Shenhua Sect—a sign of respect for the legacy of past sect leaders.
With the Spirit Sword sheathed, the boy’s spiritual breath vanished into thin air, his Qi Sea returning to emptiness.
The Jade Manor’s Qi Sea thus fell silent, appearing no different from when he had left, just somewhat more haggard.
The law of heaven was to conceal one’s treasure until the time came.
If not for action, one could never judge his true strength.
At the gate, an old man sweeping snow sighed heavily.
He turned to see someone finally return, rushing over to grab Yun Liu’s hand, tears of joy flowing.
“Good to have you back, good to have you back!”
Good kid.
Clear Mist Peak had reported a return in three to five days, but someone had abducted the chief senior disciple, and he’d been gone for over half a month.
Lan Seat hadn’t dared to close her eyes, afraid in her dreams that Aunt Master would come wielding her sword, crushing the proud courage she cherished.
It wasn’t that Glen lied—she promised three to five days, yet after more than ten, there was no sign of him.
Even dates needed limits!
Yan Bingling couldn’t believe it anymore.
She had been standing guard at the house for over ten days, like an ice sculpture, unmoving even in posture.
Her heart was cold and bitter.
The higher the place, the colder it got.
The temperature in the Sea of Clouds had dropped below freezing, causing the Spirit Gathering Array to fail.
The snow grew heavier and heavier.
Inner disciples who just stepped out of their dorms sunk ankle-deep and got buried alive in the snow.
Countless cultivators flying on their swords collided with hail.
Transportation between the Four Academies and Fangjie Mountain Road became a nightmare.
In recent days, outer disciples with weak cultivation couldn’t even move their swords.
Wailing filled the land.
If it continued much longer, the Five Peaks disciples would freeze solid, and the Sea of Clouds might turn into a demonic prison or netherworld.
Yun Liu was still puzzled—what could trouble the sect master so deeply?
Then he looked up.
His eyes lit up, and understanding dawned.
On the stairway stood a woman in white.
Her back was tall and straight; her profile sharp.
Her eyes were tightly closed; her eyelashes trembled.
Her silver hair gleamed more brilliantly than the snow under the sunlight, otherworldly and untouched by mortal dust.