Chapter 87 Everyone should learn from Lin Yue

She could clearly feel that the previously stagnant Heaven-Burning Sword Intent within her had completely opened up. The barrier of the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining was like a sheet of ice melting under warm water; spiritual power surged through her Meridians. The crimson flame skyfall sword emitted a joyful hum within its casket, and the azure fire aura on the blade was almost ready to break through the constraints of the jiaowei sword casket.

Su Qingyuan raised her hand, and a wisp of refined azure fire sword radiance condensed at her fingertips. It was several times sharper than before, so intense that even the air was scorched and distorted.

She had originally thought she would need to Cultivate bitterly for several more months, yet she had not expected that under Lin Yue's "squeezing," she would break through the Bottleneck so easily.

Lin Yue leaned over, his fingertips grazing her reddened cheeks. The warm aura of his Wanjun Overlord Body brushed against her ear: "The Innate Sword Body is naturally gifted; it was simply missing a 'catalyst.'"

"I was wrong..." Su Qingyuan finally panicked. She pointed at the three doors still lit with lamps and said to Lin Yue, "You must spread your favors evenly; you cannot just focus on me alone. I really cannot hold on anymore..."

Lin Yue pinched Su Qingyuan's nose and said, "Let's see if you dare to challenge your husband again in the future."

Before the words had even faded, the System's notification sounded in his mind: [Detected that partner Su Qingyuan has broken through to the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining! Feedback mechanism activated... Host receives cultivation feedback: Realm stabilized at Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining; Wanjun Overlord Body advanced, physical defense doubled, can briefly mobilize 30% of Foundation Establishment Stage spiritual power; Heaven-Burning Sword Intent fully fused, can condense "Azure Fire Sword Domain," coverage radius of three zhang!]

A surge of majestic spiritual power poured into Lin Yue's Dantian. The previously rushing spiritual power condensed into fine spiritual liquid, and the Foundation Establishment patterns on the walls of his Dantian became increasingly clear. He was just one final step away from breaking through.

...

In the following days, the stone chamber of the Lingyun Cave Dwelling was lit bright every night. The mist from the spirit spring, wrapped in fluctuations of spiritual power, shimmered with colorful halos against the backdrop of the Zhou Tian Star Array.

With Lin Yue's assistance, A He's Azure Vine Mysterious Water Spiritual Root was thoroughly awakened under the nourishment of Dual Cultivation power. Her cultivation also reached the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining. Her "Universal Symbiosis" talent advanced to "Spirit Plant Communion," allowing her to invoke the power of the Spiritual Veins with a wave of her hand, causing the Spirit Medicines across the entire spirit field to instantly unfurl their leaves.

Luo Ningshuang's progress was equally astonishing. Under the dual blessing of Dual Cultivation and the hundred refinements pill furnace, her damaged Meridians were completely repaired, and the pill embryo in her Dantian solidified like a pearl. On the day she broke through to the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining, the Pill Fire at her fingertips turned light purple. She was actually able to refine three furnaces of high-grade Medicinal Pills at once, and her insights into the Dao of Alchemy far surpassed other Cultivators of the same level.

Ling Wei's talent for the Dao of Arrays exploded completely after Dual Cultivation. The Tianyan Spirit Pivot Body was fully activated, and her control over the "Zhou Tian Star Array" increased several times over. She could create independent spaces within the array, switching freely between techniques such as trapping enemies, defense, and gathering Spiritual Qi, operating it with ease.

When the half-month period expired, Spiritual Qi gathered into clouds above the Lingyun Cave Dwelling. Four solid auras of the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining soared into the sky, intertwining with the even more superior spiritual power surrounding Lin Yue, causing even the starlight of the Zhou Tian Star Array to dim slightly.

Lin Yue stood by the spirit spring, feeling the surging power within his body—the Wanjun Overlord Body was nearing Perfection, and his physical strength was comparable to a Cultivator at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. His four major abilities—Heaven-Burning Sword Intent, alchemy control, spirit plant perception, and array resonance—were all integrated. The density of his spiritual power far exceeded that of an ordinary Ninth Level of Qi Refining Cultivator; he was just a sliver of Opportunity away from breaking through to Foundation Establishment and reaching an unprecedented Realm.

On this day, the Sect officially announced the rules for the Qingyuan Attainment trial, and Liu Qingyan gathered the Disciples for an address at the East Peak square.

Lin Yue brought the four women along. As soon as they appeared, the refined auras of the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining on Lin Yue and the four women drew a chorus of gasps.

"Aren't those Lin Yue's four Dao Companions? Half a month ago, they were only at the Late Stage of Qi Refining; how did they suddenly reach the Peak?"

"That's too exaggerated! This speed of progress is even faster than the Inner Sect Disciples!"

"Lin Yue's own aura is also unfathomable; I fear he has also broken through to the Peak, right?"

Liu Qingyan stood on the high platform, her gaze sweeping over the five of them, her eyes filled with approval.

Once the Disciples quieted down, she said in a clear voice: "The Sect has high hopes for this Qingyuan Attainment. You all must understand that the path of cultivation values diligence. Lin Yue is an example—although he has four Dao Companions, he does not indulge in carnal pleasures. He practices and Cultivates diligently with his Dao Companions day and night. In just half a month, not only has his own cultivation advanced rapidly, but he has also led his four Dao Companions to all break through to the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining!"

She raised her hand to signal Lin Yue to step forward, raising her voice a few notches so that all the Disciples in the square could hear clearly: "Such self-discipline and self-improvement, focusing one's heart on the Dao, is exactly what a Disciple of our Qingyun Sect should look like! You must all learn from him and not waste your time!"

After she finished speaking, the Disciples were all filled with shame, lowering their heads in self-reproach. Many secretly glanced at Lin Yue, their eyes filled with admiration.

However, the four women standing behind Lin Yue instantly turned red in the face, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Whenever the word "Cultivate" was mentioned, the image of Lin Yue's "diligent cultivation" in the stone chamber would involuntarily surface in their minds, and thinking of how they had begged for mercy at the end of every "sparring session," their cheeks grew even hotter.

Lin Yue stood before the platform, feeling the embarrassment of the four women behind him, feeling both amused and helpless. He bowed to Liu Qingyan and replied solemnly: "This Disciple will strictly follow Revered Master's teachings and dare not be the slightest bit slack."

Liu Qingyan nodded with satisfaction, not noticing the evasive gazes of the four women, and continued her speech: "The Qingyuan Secret Realm will open in three days, and all the participating teams have considerable strength. Within the trial grounds, killing is not prohibited. You must all be extremely careful and must not be soft-hearted."

As Liu Qingyan's voice fell, a collective gasp sounded in the square. The shame on the Disciples' faces faded, replaced by shock—killing was not prohibited in the trial, which meant this Qingyuan Attainment was far more dangerous than they had imagined.

After the discussion quieted down, Liu Qingyan continued: "For this trial, the Qingyun Sect has a total of twenty team slots, selected through two methods. First, internal competitions within each Peak to select the top four teams; with five Peaks, that totals twenty teams. Second, each Peak's Elder can directly recommend one team, which will receive a slot directly without needing to participate in the competition."

Her gaze fell once again on Lin Yue, her tone carrying clear expectation: "Lin Yue, you and your four Dao Companions have all reached the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining, and your strength far exceeds those of the same level. I intended to give the East Peak's recommended slot directly to you. What do you think?"

Once these words were spoken, the square instantly fell silent, and all the Disciples' gazes focused on Lin Yue.

Obtaining a slot directly meant avoiding the consumption and risks of the internal competition. What a rare Opportunity this was! Envy flashed in the eyes of many Inner Sect Disciples; if it had been them, they would have likely agreed immediately.

Lin Yue, however, bowed slightly, his expression still respectful and his tone sincere: "Revered Master's kindness is deeply appreciated, and this Disciple is eternally grateful. However, this Disciple is a latecomer, having entered the Sect only recently, and my four Dao Companions have also only made progress thanks to the Sect's care. Such a precious recommended slot should rightfully be given to those Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters who have deeper seniority and have contributed more to the Sect; this Disciple dare not usurp it."

He paused, then added: "My Dao Companions and I are willing to participate in the internal competition and vie for the slot based on our own strength. This will both temper our Dao Hearts and live up to the Sect's teachings of 'diligence in the Dao.'"

As his voice fell, there was an uproar in the square.

"What? Lin Yue actually refused the direct slot?"

"He must be crazy! This is a chance to enter the Secret Realm without having to compete!"

"A latecomer? With his strength and character, he is already much stronger than many Inner Sect Senior Brothers!"

...

Among the Disciples' discussions, there were both praise and criticism.

Many people's gazes shifted from initial surprise to deep admiration. Some who had previously harbored doubts about the rapid progress of Lin Yue and the four women were now completely convinced—possessing both strength and humility, not coveting shortcuts; this was the true demeanor of a Cultivator.

However, there were also those who thought this was purely showing off.