Chapter 3: The Audacious Newcomer

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

After a moment, Lu Yi could feel that he had gained a deeper understanding of the White Cloud Qi Refining Art. He tried to perform his technique and was pleasantly surprised, ‘The flow of spiritual energy was smoother than before, the time it took to complete a circulation cycle was reduced by nearly one-third, and the efficiency of absorbing spiritual energy had also improved. Overall, my cultivation efficiency had likely increased by almost fifty percent! This increase was significant!’

Lu Yi had originally estimated that it would take him around seven to eight months to break through to the Level 7 Qi Refiner stage. But now, perhaps it could be accomplished in just five to six months.

Not only that, with smoother qi circulation, Lu Yi’s use of techniques would also be faster, and his combat strength would likewise be enhanced. It could be said that the improvement in just the Qi Refiner’s technique had brought about significant enhancements in various aspects for Lu Yi!

Therefore, Lu Yi issued himself another task. Practice the White Cloud Qi Refining Art ten times again and continue his cultivation. After all, he needed to practice anyway, and not accepting a task always felt like he was missing out.

…

And so, time passed. Every day, Lu Yi assigned tasks to himself. In the morning, he practiced the White Cloud Sword; in the afternoon, the White Cloud Stance; and at night, the White Cloud Qi Refining Art.

With each task completed, the levels of Lu Yi’s three techniques rapidly improved.

In the blink of an eye, two weeks passed, and it was the beginning of a new month.

In the morning, Lu Yi, Lu Gaoyang, and Wang Siqi sat together for breakfast. Lu Gaoyang thought of something and looked at Lu Yi, saying, “Yi, today is the day when the elders give lectures. Don’t forget the time.”

Lu Yi took a big bite of a meat bun, nodded, and replied, “I know.”

At the beginning of each month, the outer sect elders would give lectures on fundamental cultivation and address any difficulties encountered by the outer sect disciples.

Even though they were outer sect elders, some of them were at the Golden Core stage. Any bit of cultivation experience they shared was immensely valuable to the Qi Refiner disciples.

On the first day of each month, unless there were special circumstances, the outer sect disciples would attend the lectures. Lu Yi was certainly no exception.

With a Golden Core powerhouse offering free lectures, no one would miss out on such an opportunity.

Although Lu Yi now had his cultivation progressing rapidly thanks to his Golden Finger, he did not become arrogant or overconfident. He was just an ordinary Qi Refiner junior disciple, and there were even senior disciples above him. Besides, that senior was at the Golden Core stage.

Lu Yi believed that regardless of what he did, he should avoid being arrogant and overconfident. Otherwise, he would be the one getting hurt.

Finishing breakfast quickly, Lu Yi said, “Mom, Dad, I’m heading to White Sun Peak.”

Wang Siqi watched as Lu Yi rushed out and hurriedly added, “Be careful and watch where you are heading.”

“I got it!” Lu Yi replied with a smile and then dashed out of the courtyard.

White Cloud Sect was located in the White Cloud Mountain Range, spanning an area of hundreds of square kilometers, mostly consisting of high peaks.

The outer sect was located at the outermost part of the sect and comprised over a hundred peaks. The lectures given by the outer sect elders took place on White Sun Peak, one of these peaks.

The mountain peak where Lu Yi lived was called White Spirit Peak, not too far from White Sun Peak, separated by six other peaks.

Checking the time, Lu Yi realized he had plenty of time before the lecture. He strolled along the mountain path toward White Sun Peak.

As he walked, Lu Yi saw other outer sect disciples as well—some walking alone and others in groups of two or three. Living on the same mountain, most of them had crossed paths before, and now, as they met, they exchanged nods and smiles.

Lu Yi was busy with his cultivation and did not socialize much. He did not have any particularly close friends, but he did not mind. In the world of cultivation, while social connections were important, one’s strength was even more crucial. Currently, Lu Yi was in a phase of rapid progress and should focus on his cultivation. Otherwise, when he grew older, he might regret not putting in enough effort.

Such as the old saying, a youth who fails to toil will not thrive in old age.

Of course, Lu Yi did not have any particularly bad relationships with others either. After all, his parents were attendants of the sect, which gave him some face within the outer sect. People generally treated him with respect.

Considering Lu Yi’s relatively high level of talent, even within the outer sect, most people regarded him favorably. It was rare for anyone to provoke him without reason.

Besides Lu Yi; even for disciples with lower cultivation talents, others would mostly ignore them. Hardly anyone would intentionally target someone weaker unless there were conflicts of interest. It simply was not worth it.

It was because no benefit would one gain from targeting someone weaker. One would only waste cultivation time. Moreover, if that person obtained some opportunity and made a breakthrough, they would seek revenge later and it would only mean trouble.

Even though it might seem impossible, there were many ancient sect ruins and the legacies of powerful cultivators on the Dawn Continent. There were plenty of valuable treasures around. Naturally, there was a chance a person would stumble upon an incredible opportunity.

Lu Yi believed in a saying, the cultivation world was not all about fights, but also about understanding social intricacies. Cultivation was no different in this regard. Unless there were real conflicts of interest, people generally coexisted peacefully.

As Lu Yi got closer to White Sun Peak, he saw more and more outer sect disciples.

The outer sect had over a hundred thousand disciples, and around the beginning of each month, nearly a hundred thousand would gather at White Sun Peak. From above, it looked like a swarm of ants migrating.

As Lu Yi approached White Sun Peak, the atmosphere among the outer sect disciples grew more solemn.

The lecture area on White Sun Peak was located at the summit. While the platform was not small, it only had space for about a thousand disciples. The rest had to stand below the platform, on the mountain path, or in the middle part of the mountain. Those positions were available for everyone.

The teachings and guidance given by the elders after the lecture were also for the disciples on the platform, which only added to the motivation to get up there. Because of that, everyone would want to be on the platform. Also, it all depended on strength too. It was the survival of the fittest.

Lu Yi used to listen to the lecture halfway up the mountain. This time, he planned to go to the platform to take a look. He wanted to see the difference between the scenery up there and the scenery halfway up the mountain.

Lu Yi smiled and walked towards the top of White Sun Peak. As he walked, he saw the disciples at Level 1 and Level 2 Qi Refiner stage were the first to stop. It was not that they did not want to go up, but they did not dare to. There were limited seats and if they went up and occupied the seats of those disciples with strong cultivation, they would be in trouble.

Ordinary disciples were still very self-aware. Soon, the Level 3 and Level 4 Qi Refiner disciples also stopped. By the time Lu Yi reached the middle of the mountain, there were significantly fewer people. Those Level 5 Qi Refiner disciples had stopped, even those disciples at Level 6 Qi Refiner disciples.

Continuing further up, the positions were reserved for disciples at the Level 7 Qi Refiner stage and above.

However, Lu Yi did not stop. He continued moving upward. The nearby disciples looked at him in astonishment and then exchanged amused glances.

They were thinking someone dared to challenge the authority of the more powerful disciples. It had been a while since they had seen such a spirited youngster.

The expressions of the Level 7 Qi Refiner disciples grew more peculiar as they watched Lu Yi. That was because, even though disciples at the Level 7 Qi Refiner stage had stopped, Lu Yi had not.

Lu Yi was now nearing the summit, a place where only particularly powerful Level 7 and Level 8 Qi Refiner disciples could stand.

The available space was limited, and the others thought Lu Yi, a youngster, still dared to go up there.

“What the heck? Where did this audacious newcomer come from? Isn’t he afraid of death?”

“He must not be afraid of getting beaten up. I’d call him stubborn!”

“Wanna bet on how long this kid will stay up there?”

Discussions buzzed around.

And then, at that moment, a tall and robust outer sect disciple stood in front of Lu Yi, smiling as he said, “Junior brother, did you make a mistake about your position? Maybe you should head down?”

‘It had begun!’ The surrounding disciples thought. They brightened up as they happily settled in to enjoy the spectacle.