First Layer Grand Perfection, Goodbye Lin Jingyu

For the next few days, Su Changqing, who had joined the Qingyun Sect's Little Bamboo Peak, entered seclusion in the Quiet Heart Cave for his daily cultivation. With his heaven-defying comprehension, his cultivation of the Wuji Xuanqing Dao progressed at an astonishing pace, with breakthroughs and insights occurring frequently.

On the seventh day.

Su Changqing sat cross-legged in the Quiet Heart Cave, meditating and cultivating. Suddenly, he felt a stir within his body.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to surge towards Su Changqing, and the vital energy within him also started to leap with joy. His dantian felt a subtle sense of expansion.

Su Changqing carefully sensed this change and quickly circulated the Wuji Xuanqing Dao, guiding the influx of spiritual energy to flow orderly through his meridians. Following the path of his meridians, it then entered his five organs and six viscera, nourishing and regulating the qi within his body.

After successfully circulating through sixteen heavenly cycles, Su Changqing finally opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

"First layer Grand Perfection, achieved!"

Su Changqing felt the extraordinary changes within him, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

In this world, the path of cultivation had seven major realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Tribulation Crossing, and Immortal Ascension. Within each realm, there were levels from one to nine, with advancement following a sequential order. The difference between realms was as vast as the heavens and earth.

At his current level, the first layer of the Wuji Xuanqing Dao, Su Changqing's cultivation was equivalent to the third layer of Qi Refining.

His master, Shui Yue, had already cultivated the Taiji Xuanqing Dao to the sixth layer of Taiqing, placing her cultivation at the peak of the sixth stage of Spirit Transformation, an extremely profound level in this world.

As for the peak lords and heads of the Qingyun Sect, the head of Dragon Head Peak, Dao Xuan Zhenren, was at the eighth stage of Spirit Transformation. The head of Great Bamboo Peak, Tian Buyi, and several other heads were also at the sixth or seventh stage of Spirit Transformation.

The highest cultivation in the entire sect belonged to the Sect Master, Dao Xuan Zhenren, who was at the peak of the ninth stage of Spirit Transformation. He was only waiting to break through the bottleneck to enter the legendary Tribulation Crossing realm.

"Once one enters the Dao, the sea is deep; the road ahead is vast and requires diligent effort."

Su Changqing sighed softly, but his heart was filled with confidence.

Just then, a voice called out from outside the cave.

"Is junior brother in his residence?"

It was the voice of senior sister Wen Min.

"Greetings, senior sister!"

Su Changqing put on his clothes, got up, and walked out, bowing respectfully to greet her.

"Junior brother, it's good that you're here. The sect is holding a grand assembly, and all disciples must attend at the mountain gate plaza. Master sent me to bring you there."

Senior sister Wen Min explained with a slight smile.

At the same time, she sensed the extraordinary aura emanating from Su Changqing. She thought to herself, How is it that in just a few days, my junior brother's aura has changed so much?

"Oh, then I'll trouble senior sister to take me there."

Su Changqing also felt Wen Min's gaze and quickly responded, diverting her attention.

Wen Min didn't think much of it. She took out her flying sword and, with Su Changqing, leaped onto it, heading towards the mountain gate plaza.

On the flying sword, Wen Min wore a friendly smile and asked with concern, "Junior brother, you've been on Little Bamboo Peak for a few days now. Are you accustomed to life on the peak? If there's anything that makes you unhappy, feel free to tell me or Master."

"Senior sister, all the senior sisters treat me very well, and Master also looks after me often. To have this, junior brother is already extremely content."

Su Changqing replied with a smile.

This was also his sincere feeling. Although Little Bamboo Peak was populated entirely by female cultivators, as a boy living there, he felt no lack of affection. On the contrary, all the senior sisters treated him very well, and seeing that he was still growing, they would occasionally bring him delicious food.

Not to mention that Master Shui Yue had given him her secluded cultivation cave for him to cultivate in peace.

"That's good. Master and I were worried you might not be used to living here."

Senior sister Wen Min rubbed Su Changqing's head, relieved. Then she asked with concern, "How is your cultivation of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao? Have you had any insights? If you encounter anything you don't understand, you can come to the hall and ask us."

"Senior sister, junior brother has recently gained some insights into the Dao scripture during his cultivation. My cultivation speed is quite good. If I encounter anything I don't understand, I will ask you, senior sister. I hope senior sister won't find me too slow-witted then."

Su Changqing merely said it was going well, using it as an excuse to brush off the question.

With the enhancement of his heaven-defying comprehension, his cultivation path had been smooth so far, and there was nothing he truly needed to ask for clarification on.

"What are you saying? Would senior sister ever find junior brother slow-witted?"

Wen Min chuckled and lightly tapped Su Changqing's forehead with her finger. Knowing it was a joke, she wasn't angry.

However, she did recall a name that had been frequently mentioned in the sect recently.

"By the way, junior brother, you've been cultivating in the Quiet Heart Cave and haven't paid much attention to sect news. That Lin Jingyu, who joined the sect with you, has been making quite a name for himself lately."

"What happened to him?"

Su Changqing asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Recently, it's been rumored that Lin Jingyu is an exceptionally talented prodigy. In just seven days of cultivation, he has already achieved Qi Introduction and will soon be able to master the first layer of the Great Accomplishment Xuanqing Dao, entering the first layer of Qi Refining!"

"This kind of talent and cultivation speed is already rare among geniuses in the sect, only slightly inferior to senior brother Xiao Yicai and senior brother Qi Hao in their past. If he can achieve mastery in three more days, he'll be on par with junior sister Lu!"

Senior sister Wen Min exclaimed repeatedly.

"I see. Back in the main hall, the Sect Master and the peak masters praised him highly. I didn't expect him to be so formidable once he embarked on the path of cultivation."

Su Changqing nodded with a smile, echoing Wen Min's praise.

"However, junior brother, don't be discouraged. Never let others' achievements influence you to become greedy or reckless. Just focus on yourself and follow your heart."

"The path of cultivation values gradual progress and a solid foundation. As long as you don't give up and endure hardship, you will surely achieve the Great Dao one day."

Senior sister Wen Min repeatedly admonished him.

Su Changqing obediently nodded in agreement, which pleased Wen Min greatly. Setting aside everything else, her junior disciple had an excellent disposition, and perhaps one day he could truly achieve his Great Dao.

The flying swords arrived above the mountain gate square and gradually descended.

By this time, the mountain gate square was already crowded with people. A thousand disciples from the entire sect had gathered here, all of them chattering amongst themselves, creating a lively scene.

"Junior Disciple Lin, I heard you can already guide Qi into your body. You'll be able to perfect the first level in a few days, is that true?"

"Could it be false? Look at the spiritual energy flowing towards Junior Disciple Lin beside him; isn't this a sign of guiding Qi into the body?"

"If that's the case, can Junior Disciple Lin truly reach perfection in a few days? This cultivation speed is almost the same as Senior Disciple Qi Hao back then, perhaps he can even surpass Senior Disciple Qi Hao."

With just a glance, Su Changqing spotted Lin Jingyu in the crowd. He was surrounded by a group of disciples, laughing and talking heartily, clearly taking the lead.

"You can't say it like that. Senior Disciple Qi Hao should be my role model. I don't hope to surpass Senior Disciple Qi Hao, I only wish to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him."

Lin Jingyu appeared full of youthful spirit, conversing with them one by one. The carefree heart of the child running through the countryside in Caomiao Village was no longer present.