Chapter Fifty: I Take Action Myself

A good man like Senior Brother Luo naturally deserves such a reputation!

When Li Yang returned to Ziyang Mountain after completing his task, he immediately heard news about Luo Tian. Yet, compared with the bombshell that he himself had reached the sixth cycle of the Qi Condensation Realm in just over two months, the fact that Luo Tian had helped more than twenty outer disciples break through their bottlenecks in a single afternoon was enough to leave mouths agape in disbelief.

Of course, one who can so precisely and aptly guide others in their cultivation surely wouldn’t slow in his own progress—that would be against all reason. So, while everyone marveled at Luo Tian’s rapid advancement, they quickly found this explanation fitting.

Even so, it was hard to believe.

Some of the outer disciples who hadn’t managed to break through during their stay at Luo Tian’s special residence still wore deeply satisfied expressions, departing with obvious reluctance, as if they were loath to leave at all.

Each consultation cost three hundred contribution points, which made Li Yang feel all the more fortunate—he had only spent a hundred to receive Luo Tian’s guidance, giving Senior Brother Luo an auspicious start to his new undertaking. But truth be told, even three hundred contribution points was a bargain. Senior Brother Luo surely knew the true worth of his guidance, yet still only took a token fee—a true model among senior brothers, a paragon of the sect.

It was said that Senior Brother Luo even planned to participate in the Eastern Division competition. As someone who would never forget a favor, Li Yang swore to cheer him on and bolster his prestige!

“Say, Li Yang, that Luo Tian fellow—”

“Senior Brother Luo!” Li Yang shot his roommate a stern glance, correcting him with utmost seriousness.

This was the common living quarters on Ziyang Mountain, a large house shared by six, with two to a room. The one who’d just spoken was Zheng Yifeng, Li Yang’s roommate.

“All right, all right, Senior Brother Luo!” Knowing Li Yang’s mind was as straightforward as his words, Zheng Yifeng didn’t argue, but changed his address with feigned deference and a shake of his head. “Is this Senior Brother Luo really as miraculous as the rumors say?”

“They aren’t rumors. It’s true!” Li Yang, though not the brightest, was steadfast in his convictions. Sensing his roommate’s skepticism, he grew defensive. “Without Senior Brother Luo, I wouldn’t have made my breakthrough. He really is that incredible! Go or don’t, as you like!”

With that, Li Yang ignored him entirely, turning over and promptly falling asleep, even snoring within moments.

Zheng Yifeng shook his head slightly. Even if it’s true, there’s no need to defend him so fiercely. It’s just a transaction. Still, maybe I’ll go see for myself tomorrow.

In the empty courtyard, there were no chirping insects, no rustling leaves, and certainly none of the easy leisure that stone tables and benches might provide. Only massive stone locks and other heavy objects remained—tools for training, it seemed.

Shen Jinliang hunched his shoulders, barely daring to breathe. His cousin had been silent for several minutes now, clearly displeased.

“In just over two months, from a newly initiated outer disciple to a cultivator at the peak of the sixth cycle of Qi Condensation…” Shen Lingfeng finally spoke after a long silence, his voice slow and cold as he turned around. Even in the night, the icy indifference on his face was plain to Shen Jinliang’s eyes.

“It’s truly hard to believe!”

Shen Jinliang did not reply. His cousin was speaking to himself; to interrupt now would only earn a scolding.

“What kind of opportunity do you think he had?” Shen Lingfeng sighed, his tone laced with an unfathomable meaning.

“I don’t know either,” Shen Jinliang replied cautiously, bracing himself. “But it must be some kind of rare medicinal herb that boosts cultivation, or perhaps an object containing great energy.”

“Hmm, you’re not wrong.” Shen Lingfeng snorted coldly. “But isn’t that obvious?”

If you know, why ask? Shen Jinliang secretly grumbled, but he wouldn’t dare say such a thing aloud.

Even within the Shen family, there were factions. With a grandfather serving as an elder in the sect, Shen Lingfei was truly a figure of note. Shen Lingfeng’s father was an inner disciple, powerful and respected, and his standing in the family was significant. As for Shen Jinliang, his father was but an ordinary inner disciple, and he himself was of little importance in the family. If he didn’t latch onto a stronger branch, his life would hardly differ from that of a common disciple.

“Luo Tian, Luo Tian…” Shen Lingfeng mused, then asked abruptly, “Do you think he’ll enter the Eastern Division competition?”

“I’ve heard he might, apparently he let it slip today.” Shen Jinliang carefully organized his thoughts, fearing a careless word might set his cousin off again. “But I think it’s likely. After all, two months ago he was a sixteen-year-old fourth cycle cultivator, which is respectable but not exceptional within the sect.”

“Continue,” Shen Lingfeng prompted with a slight nod, as if finding sense in these words.

Encouraged, Shen Jinliang’s voice grew firmer. “Now, though, he’s a sixteen-year-old cultivator at the sixth cycle of Qi Condensation. He’s not just outstanding among ordinary disciples; even among the four great families, he’d be considered an exceptional youth.”

“And so?” Shen Lingfeng prodded impatiently when Shen Jinliang paused.

Realizing his cousin’s irritation, Shen Jinliang quickly continued. “So, if he shows his face at the competition, some family might take a liking to him and recruit him. There’s no way he’d dominate the contest, nor does he expect to—he just wants to make a name for himself. Besides, his recent display of talent in guiding others’ cultivation is probably deliberate!”

“Hmph, what a petty man! Isn’t it the duty of every sect disciple to guide their peers? To charge contribution points—shameless!” Shen Jinliang concluded with a sneer, echoing his cousin’s disdain for Luo Tian, conveniently ignoring the fact that inner disciples often charged for passing on their experience to outer disciples.

“Whether or not the Shen family tries to win him over, I won’t let Luo Tian off easily this time!” Shen Lingfeng exhaled sharply, distaste clear on his face. “Shen Lingbo may be a fool, but our family cannot be slighted! Lucky for me this boy’s progressed so fast—otherwise, sect rules would prevent me from acting.”

A deep violet radiance shimmered across Shen Lingfeng’s body, making him stand out all the more in the darkness.

Shen Jinliang shivered involuntarily, suddenly feeling cold, but his face was filled only with worship. “Brother Feng, you mean—?”

“I’ll deal with him myself,” Shen Lingfeng replied coolly, his tone devoid of emotion but radiating a chilling aura.

Even among late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, there were vast differences. Those who had not forged a strong physical foundation could only cultivate ordinary spiritual energy. But when one’s body reached a certain degree of strength, when bone and flesh had been tempered to perfection, one could begin to absorb spiritual energy that best suited one’s innate attributes, becoming even more powerful.