For Lu Li, he had no idea what had happened in the courtyard, nor did he know that he had triggered a vortex of spiritual energy.
“No wonder everyone is so obsessed with cultivation,” Lu Li thought as he used his Divine Sense to observe the Ren and Du Meridians within his body.
The vast, lake-like hollows were slowly being filled, and as long as he wished, the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth entering his body could be molded into various shapes according to his will.
“It’s no wonder they say a flower is a world,” Lu Li mused as he looked at the twenty-four acupoints on his Ren Meridian, which were like seas distributed throughout his body.
He wondered if fish could live inside them.
“I’ll ask Master about it after this training session.”
“As for the Du Meridian, it actually reflects the stars in the sky.”
Lu Li raised his head, gazing at the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth splitting in two—one part rising to the heavens, the other falling to the earth—while he himself floated between them, staring at the magnificent scene.
“I really wonder what kind of power Foundation Establishment holds.”
After an unknown number of hours, the heavenly river poured down and the earthly river overflowed.
Lu Li, satisfied, swept his gaze across the unique scene inside his body, then, with a slight mental command, opened his eyes.
However, what met his eyes left him a bit bewildered.
The originally exquisite and elegant small courtyard was gone, replaced by broken walls and rubble scattered everywhere.
“You’re not mistaken. This is still the Yin Yang Sect,” a clear voice came from above Lu Li’s head.
“You just successfully entered the Qi Refining 13th Layer.”
“I see… Thank you, True Person, for guarding me.” With a glance, Lu Li noticed the young girl in a purple dress, who floated down like a flower landing on the ground.
According to the sect’s rules, blue clothes indicated Qi Refining, blue robes indicated Foundation Establishment, and purple robes indicated a Golden Core True Person.
“It’s nothing. Protecting our next Saintess is only proper.” The purple-clad girl studied Lu Li carefully, sweeping her Divine Sense over her.
“If you can achieve Foundation Establishment within ten years, you may become my disciple.”
“Thank you, True Person.” Lu Li immediately bowed in gratitude, but when he raised his head again, the purple-clad girl had vanished without a trace.
Only his master, Su Wanqiu, stood there with a wry smile, slowly walking toward him.
“Master.”
“Lu Li… the potential you’ve shown has already far surpassed mine.” Su Wanqiu waved her hand, restoring the broken stones and wooden beams of the courtyard to their original state.
“You probably didn’t know this, but this courtyard’s condition was caused by you.”
“Caused by me?” Lu Li looked at the chaotic scene spanning several hundred meters.
“How is that possible?”
“So you truly deserve to be our next Saintess.” As Su Wanqiu and Lu Li strolled, they approached the three people who were currently repairing the house.
However, Jiang Yuebai and Shen Zhaoxue both had pale faces and obvious bitter expressions.
Only Qing Luo walked over with a beaming face.
“Congratulations, Senior Sister Lu, for reaching the Qi Refining 13th Layer.” Qing Luo came before Lu Li and then addressed Su Wanqiu with a hint of coquettishness.
“Master, how did she cultivate so fast?”
“With such an outstanding spiritual root, this is only natural.” Su Wanqiu looked at the disheartened Jiang Yuebai and Shen Zhaoxue.
“You two have an unsteady Dao heart. The success of others is ultimately theirs. What does it have to do with you?”
“I understand the logic, Master.” Jiang Yuebai bowed her head.
“But seeing that my own cultivation can hardly improve, it is hard not to feel some heartache.”
“This is the world of immortal cultivation… However, since you are friends of Lu Li, you may accompany her to the upcoming Saintess Enthronement Ceremony. Perhaps you will find some opportunities.” As Su Wanqiu spoke, a hint of joy appeared on Jiang Yuebai’s face, and she bowed again.
“As for you, I will speak with your master, Murong Shuang.” Su Wanqiu turned to Shen Zhaoxue, who stood respectfully to the side.
“I don’t care about internal disputes, but externally, we are all from the Yin Yang Sect. Treat our guests well and seek chances.”
“Thank you, Martial Aunt.” Shen Zhaoxue also bowed, then like an ordinary miscellaneous service disciple, she went to help with the repairs.
“Alright, Qing Luo, I need to have a talk with your Senior Sister Lu about cultivation and the enthronement ceremony.” Su Wanqiu gently stroked Qing Luo’s hair.
“You must also work hard on your cultivation.”
“I understand, Master, but I don’t have such good talent.” With that, Qing Luo drooped her head and returned alone to the side room, joining the other disciples in assisting.
“Please forgive her, Master. Qing Luo might be in a bad mood lately,” Lu Li said.
“Of course I know. Even I could not help but be shaken when I witnessed your scene just now.” Su Wanqiu pushed open the inner chamber door, then closed it behind her and lightly tapped with both hands, covering the entire room with a green light barrier.
“Lu Li, have your Ren and Du Meridians been opened?”
“Yes, they have.” Lu Li nodded.
“During internal observation, I could see that all twenty-four points on the Ren Meridian and twenty-eight points on the Du Meridian were filled.”
“Then you have indeed entered the Qi Refining 13th Layer, the most critical stage.” Su Wanqiu looked at Lu Li, her eyes showing both satisfaction and some emotion.
“Then next month, you can participate in the Foundation Building Trial with the other two sects and four gates.”
“The so-called Foundation Building Trial is an opportunity for disciples at the 12th or 13th layer to search for suitable herbs.” As Su Wanqiu explained, she pointed at Lu Li’s brow, transmitting a series of images into her mind.
“In the past, each sect acted independently, competing to seize heavenly treasures, which allowed the demonic path to take advantage, causing us heavy casualties.”
“Thus, the Three Sects and Four Gates of the Southern Region were established. The great cultivators of the seven sects jointly marked out an area, planted all kinds of wondrous flowers and herbs, placed rare and exotic beasts, and inscribed a Spirit Gathering Array that could last a thousand years.”
“Later, other regions also joined such trials.”
“In this way, with the participation of many sects from the Central Continent, the secret realm became a place where we could gather materials. Every interval, a different sect would host it. Once a year, high-level Qi Refining disciples would undergo the trial.”
“This time, it’s our turn to host as the Three Sects and Four Gates of the Southern Region, so the secret realm we enter is also one we created.”
“I see…” Lu Li opened his eyes, slowly digesting the images in her mind.
“But Master, would it be very dangerous for me to participate in this trial now?”
“Indeed, it is dangerous. But the trial opens once a year. If you don’t go this time, you’ll have to wait another year.” Su Wanqiu looked at Lu Li’s body again.
“Your spiritual root is already outstanding. What advantage is there in staying at Qi Refining for too long?”
“However, I probably won’t be able to learn any magic techniques in such a short time.” Over the past month, Lu Li had tried to condense techniques but had been unsuccessful, which was why he had come up with all sorts of strange methods to defeat his opponents.
“That is exactly why I want you to go to the trial.” Su Wanqiu took out a thin booklet.
“This time, don’t worry about other wondrous flowers and herbs. Just look for these three.”
“The most important one for you is the Mind-Clearing Tea.” Su Wanqiu pointed at the tea tree on the page.
“It allows a cultivator to concentrate, undisturbed by the outside world, and doubles the effectiveness of practicing techniques.”
“As for the others, they are the two main ingredients for refining the Foundation Building Pill: the Heavenly Fire Fruit and the Earth Vein Flower.” Su Wanqiu turned a page.
“With ten fruits and ten flowers, there’s a fifty percent chance of refining one Foundation Building Pill.”
“Foundation Establishment…” Lu Li looked at the explanations in the booklet and couldn’t help but daydream.
Once one entered Foundation Establishment, their lifespan could increase to over two hundred years.
“But Lu Li, that’s not the main thing for you.” Su Wanqiu lightly clapped her hands, a faint smile on her face.
“As the next Saintess, you need to learn proper etiquette and receive the honored guests from other sects.”
“That is only proper…” Lu Li listened and could only smile wryly.
“But Master, could I possibly do it as a…”
“Not really.”
“Alright.”
“By the way, there’s good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?” Su Wanqiu gently patted Lu Li’s shoulder.
“Our sect knows you were originally male, so this is a sacrifice. After the enthronement, there will be no shortage of rewards.”
“And the bad news, Master?”
“The enthronement ceremony is one month from now, so I estimate that during this time…” Su Wanqiu looked Lu Li up and down.
“You’ll have to live as a woman.”