Enlightenment

Steward Mu nodded, "Naturally, it's excellent. Your assessments are concluded, and you may return."

The two walked off the stage together, as if by unspoken agreement.

Seeing this, the other Outer Sect Disciples burst into laughter. "The two fools actually have something in common."

"That's why they're called fools. People strive for higher places, and water flows to lower ones. If they don't even understand this, what's the point of cultivating!"

Unlike the mockery from the Outer Sect Disciples, the Inner Sect Disciples remained silent, but their gazes towards the pair flickered with coldness.

Refusing their recruitment meant they weren't taken seriously!

A cruel smile flashed in Huangfu Yao's eyes. If Xu Chunniang had become Wei Dawu's retainer, she might have been more hesitant. But since she was seeking her own demise, no one could be blamed!

Unaware of everything happening behind them, Xu Chunniang and Su Chen walked away from the crowd. She took the initiative to greet him, "Hello, my name is Xu Chunniang."

Su Chen nodded slightly, "I am Su Chen."

They exchanged a knowing smile, neither asking why the other hadn't accepted the recruitment.

"I actually knew about you a long time ago," Xu Chunniang said after a moment's thought. "I heard from the senior brother guarding the north gate that there was a new disciple named Su Chen who went alone to the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range for training. I didn't expect to meet you in person so soon."

"What's that got to do with anything? Didn't you go for training alone too?" Su Chen blinked. "But I knew you even earlier. It wasn't from the north gate senior brother; you were quite memorable during the small examination two years ago."

Xu Chunniang felt a bit embarrassed. The small examination two years ago was a complete humiliation. She had almost been late and was publicly targeted by Zhang Donglai.

She awkwardly changed the subject, "The Hundred Demonic Mountain Range is quite good. I can go there a few more times when my cultivation is higher."

Su Chen showed his agreement. "Just standing there and people come to offer resources. It's indeed a good place."

Xu Chunniang's eyes showed confusion. People offered resources just for standing there? How had she never encountered such good fortune?

However, she soon realized that the "resources" he was referring to were from those who tried to rob him.

Xu Chunniang couldn't help but feel a complex expression. Was this guy really that fierce? But thinking about how she had also made a profit by fighting back, she had little to say.

It seemed she and this guy weren't that different.

After chatting for a while, they parted ways at a fork in the road. However, they agreed to go to the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range together if they had the chance in the future.

But Xu Chunniang knew this was just a polite remark. Su Chen was like her, preferring to train alone. After all, the path of cultivation was lonely, and there were no such things as teammates.

Upon returning to her residence, Xu Chunniang put aside other matters and began to sense her own cultivation. Indeed, there were signs of a breakthrough. Without hesitation, she focused on meditating. However, no matter how much Spiritual Qi Xu Chunniang absorbed, her cultivation within her body did not increase by even a sliver.

What a strange thing. It clearly showed signs of a sudden breakthrough, but why was the result like this?

Xu Chunniang frowned and began to recall the scene when her cultivation had loosened.

At that time, her mood was passionate, and she was determined to prove herself, wanting to see the outside world through her own efforts.

Even an ant dares to shake a tree, and a mantis can block a chariot!

No matter how difficult the road ahead, she would continue to walk it as always! Even if it meant death and the dissipation of her Dao, she would advance without hesitation and never retreat!

As her emotions grew more fervent, Xu Chunniang's heart became calmer, entering a state that was profoundly mysterious and difficult to describe. In this state, Spiritual Qi from all directions surged towards her. Soon, her cultivation technique automatically circulated, frantically absorbing the surrounding Spiritual Qi, and her cultivation began to soar at a speed far exceeding normal.

Under the scouring of the massive Spiritual Qi, Xu Chunniang's cultivation directly broke through the early stage of Qi Condensation Layer Four, reaching the middle stage, then the late stage, and finally, she broke through Qi Condensation Layer Four, reaching Qi Condensation Layer Five!

This was not the end. The massive Spiritual Qi was absorbed into her body, causing her cultivation to climb again!

It wasn't until Xu Chunniang's cultivation was stabilized in the middle stage of Qi Condensation Layer Five, just a hair's breadth away from the late stage, that the Spiritual Qi finally dissipated completely, and she withdrew from that mysterious state.

"This is... Enlightenment!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Xu Chunniang's eyes. Theoretically, everyone who embarked on the path of cultivation had a chance for enlightenment, and enlightenment could allow one to improve their state of mind and cultivation in a short period. However, enlightenment was extremely rare. At least in the Outer Sect, no one had ever heard of anyone achieving enlightenment.

Xu Chunniang felt her Spiritual Qi, which was almost eight times more than before. Moreover, the cultivation increased by enlightenment was very stable, even more solid than before.

If she had cultivated on her own, it would have taken at least three to four years to reach this level.

Xu Chunniang's emotions slowly calmed down. "But why did I achieve enlightenment? Is it because my Dao heart became clearer?"

She thought about it and could only come up with this possibility. If that was the case, then her choice was the right one.

Not going with the flow, accepting her own weakness, and sticking to her original intention.

Xu Chunniang's cultivation was already slightly higher than that of the Outer Sect Disciples of the same period, and now the gap had widened even further.

However, she did not slacken due to the improvement in her cultivation. Instead, her conviction became even firmer.

Before, Xu Chunniang's goal was merely to participate in the Outer Sect disciple competition, win a Foundation Establishment Pill, and successfully achieve Foundation Establishment to enter the Inner Sect.

But now, Foundation Establishment was no longer her endpoint, but her first small goal!

Xu Chunniang took a deep breath. She believed that as long as she worked hard enough and continuously surpassed herself, the entire world would open up to her!

After her cultivation improved, Xu Chunniang began to refine the Soft Armor again. With one surge of effort, she refined all the remaining layers of formations, occupying the central hub.

The Soft Armor was filled with Wind Spiritual Power. Almost the moment she refined it, Xu Chunniang felt a sense of lightness. This was the auxiliary function of the Soft Armor, which could increase the user's speed.

Her figure moved slightly, and with a gentle push, she leaped out of the cave and began to run through the forest.

Although the distance covered by the Spirit Void Steps was not further, Xu Chunniang's speed was more than double what it was before. Only her afterimages could be seen.

Xu Chunniang's eyes showed satisfaction. It was indeed a Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact with six layers of formations.

After her cultivation broke through to Qi Condensation Layer Five, Xu Chunniang had a considerable amount of Spiritual Qi within her body, but the consumption of the Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact was also astonishing.

Half an hour later, Xu Chunniang stopped. At this moment, she had half of her Spiritual Qi remaining. If she continued to control the Soft Armor, she could last for a full hour.

"This Soft Armor doesn't have a name yet. Since it's made from Wind Cloud Tiger Hide, let's call it Windcloud Armor."

I will be discussing the shelving of the book with the editor next week, and it will be shelved on a chosen date. Many fellow cultivators have asked about the CP. I will answer it here: there is no male protagonist. It's a great female cultivator story, focused solely on cultivation. Thanks to fellow cultivator linxinyu88 for the reward and monthly ticket!