Feng Yang looked at the ten mu of High-grade Spirit Bamboo before him, his joy overflowing beyond words, his smile so wide he could not close his mouth.
He had no idea how Shen Yi had accomplished it, nor did he wish to ask. Everyone had their own secrets. Shen Yi must have encountered some fortuitous opportunity in the Yunluo Mountain Range this time.
"Not bad. Body Forging Peak—in less than a year, you've progressed by leaps and bounds. You're a good prospect."
As Feng Yang examined Shen Yi's cultivation, he could not help drawing a sharp breath inward. Body Forging Peak was practically top-tier combat strength among Immortal Academy disciples of the same generation. In another month or two, Shen Yi would surely break through into the Qi Condensation Realm.
"Thank you for your praise, Dean. I was merely lucky."
As he spoke, Shen Yi took out the Jade Bottle he had prepared long ago and handed it to Feng Yang.
"This student was fortunate enough to obtain this Essence of Flora. I consumed half of it, but have yet to fully refine it. I now offer the remaining half to the Immortal Academy, for the Dean to dispose of as he sees fit."
Essence of Flora!
Even Feng Yang could not remain composed upon hearing those words. He hurriedly accepted the Jade Bottle and opened it. Inside was a green orb the size of a bean, radiating powerful vitality.
"To resist temptation and keep himself calm and restrained." Sensing the immense vitality filling Shen Yi's body, Feng Yang concluded that Shen Yi was telling the truth. It was indeed the enormous spiritual power of the Essence of Flora. His assessment of Shen Yi rose another notch, and he quietly made up his mind.
Next, Shen Yi gave Feng Yang a detailed account of how he had encountered Wang Minghui ambushing a fellow disciple on the outskirts of the Yunluo Mountain Range, and how Shen Yi had killed him.
"Qingxuan Sect!"
Feng Yang's brows knitted tightly after hearing this. The Qingxuan Sect itself was nothing to fear, but the Azure Cloud Sect behind it was a top-tier force throughout Huafeng Prefecture. Moreover, disciples from both sides had died, and the one who had died on their side was the Great Elder's own son. One careless handling of this matter could trigger a conflict between the two factions.
"Set this matter aside for now. One day, we will certainly demand justice! No third person must learn that you killed Wang Minghui!"
Feng Yang sternly warned Shen Yi. Clearly, he had already made his choice. Protecting Shen Yi's growth was the foremost priority; as for grudges, they could be set aside for now. A gentleman's revenge was never too late, even after ten years.
Hearing this, Shen Yi understood Feng Yang's meaning and said no more. After asking for Senior Brother Long Tao's address, he departed.
"Given time, this boy will surely achieve great things."
Woniu Village.
A small village under Ninghai Town's jurisdiction.
Shen Yi arrived at Long Tao's residence, originally intending to push open the door and tell them of his death.
Yet when he saw the honest, simple middle-aged couple in the courtyard, their every word brimming with expectations for their son, he no longer knew how to speak—how to make them accept the reality of losing their child.
Shen Yi placed the Spirit Stones provided by the Immortal Academy as compensation into Long Tao's Storage Bag. After pausing for a moment, he added many of his own Spirit Stones, hung the Storage Bag on the wooden gate, then turned and left.
Compared with cruel reality, an illusory hope was perhaps the most perfect answer Shen Yi could give them for now.
"In one month, the Immortal Academy will conduct its Annual Assessment. Students at Body Forging seventh layer and above may participate in the Immortal Academy Grand Competition. The top five may enter the Spirit Sealing Grotto-Heaven three months from now! Students below Body Forging third layer will be assigned to the Immortal Academy's External Affairs Hall to mine Spirit Stones."
As soon as the announcement was issued, the entire Ninghai Immortal Academy erupted into an uproar. Yet while some rejoiced, others grieved.
"Alas, with my Body Forging second-layer cultivation, I'm destined for the External Affairs Hall."
"Body Forging sixth layer. I have one month—I must break through to Body Forging seventh layer and fight for that Grotto-Heaven Qualification."
"Forget it. With that tiny bit of cultivation of yours, you won't even last one exchange before my Young Master."
Everyone reacted differently, but deep down, they all felt the cruelty of the cultivation world.
"Did you hear? Of the top ten Class A disciples among our peers, aside from Shen Yi, all the others broke through to the Qi Condensation Realm on their own. That
Jiang Miaoyi is said to have already broken through to the Qi Refining fifth layer."
"I heard Yuwen Yue also broke through to the Qi Refining fourth layer."
"Hmph! They're all opponents not worth mentioning. My Young Master is the truly exceptional genius. This time, the Grotto-Heaven Qualification is sure to fall into his hands as easily as plucking something from his pocket."
"Um, may I ask who your Young Master is?"
"Li Yue!"
Shen Yi walked through the Immortal Academy, hearing quite a bit of news along the way. He was rather curious about Jiang Miaoyi and Yuwen Yue.
"Come to think of it, I've been at Ninghai Immortal Academy for a full year, yet I don't even know my peers. I've never even met many of them."
Shen Yi lowered his head and mocked himself.
"Hey, isn't that Shen Yi? Look at him walking with his head down and saying nothing. He clearly has no confidence in this Grand Competition."
"I'd guess he's still around Body Forging fifth or sixth layer. What does he have to contend with those geniuses? Looking at it now, he really did stumble into outrageous luck back then."
"He may have turned the Immortal Academy upside down, but Shen Yi does have some ability. Still, his good days are about to come to an end."
Shen Yi's face darkened with black lines. He truly wanted to go over and show them his strength right now, but then he thought of revealing it on the day of the Grand Competition and seeing their jaws drop. Wouldn't that feel even better?
Ignoring their mockery and ridicule, Shen Yi arrived at the Scripture Repository.
"Senior, I wish to select an Offensive Cultivation Technique."
Shen Yi gave a respectful salute, then entered the first floor.
At Body Forging Peak, with the nourishment of the Essence of Flora, the first level of his "Indestructible Scripture," Undying Skin, was already nearing major accomplishment. Even ordinary Qi Refining cultivators could not seriously injure him. Today, Shen Yi had come to find an Offensive Cultivation Technique.
"Great Heavenly Net Finger," a Yellow-grade Mid-tier technique. Once cultivated to major accomplishment, it formed a net of heaven and earth that trapped enemies within; one finger strike could annihilate them! Price: 3,500 Spirit Stones.
"Hidden Wind Sword Art," a Yellow-grade High-tier technique. Its sword forms concealed the wind, killing without a trace. Once cultivated to major accomplishment, a single sword swing could unleash several fierce gusts, sending sand flying and stones rolling, unstoppable by anything! Price: 4,000 Spirit Stones.
"Godfall Halberd Art," a Yellow-grade Low-tier technique. Its halberd forms were incomparably domineering, capable of splitting stone and severing metal. Those without powerful physiques could not wield it. Once cultivated to major accomplishment, it could destroy heaven and earth, slaughter gods and execute immortals! Price: 7,000 Spirit Stones.
Shen Yi's eyelids twitched. A Yellow-grade Low-tier technique was being boasted of in such an outlandish manner, and its price was actually so high. Still, its requirements suited him best.
"Should I buy it or not?"
Shen Yi deliberated for a long while before finally gritting his teeth and buying it. Feng Yang secretly transmitted his voice to him: better to act than merely be tempted. Feng Yang could give him a twenty percent discount and even throw in a Precious Halberd.
"For this final month, I'll enter Secluded Cultivation."
Shen Yi looked at the Storage Bag filled to the brim with medicinal herbs. They were enough to support him for a month.
"Breaking through to the Qi Condensation Realm, bringing Undying Skin to major accomplishment, and cultivating the halberd art—those are the primary goals of this Secluded Cultivation."
Shen Yi looked at the long halberd lying on the ground and felt somewhat helpless, with a faint sense of indignation. Feng Yang had indeed deceived him. That long halberd was clearly only a Low-grade Magic Tool; how could it possibly be called a Precious Halberd?
Casting aside distracting thoughts, Shen Yi began his Secluded Cultivation.
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