Stepping out of the house, Fang Chen was met by the rich fragrance of osmanthus blossoms. Beyond the courtyard gate lay an open stretch about a hundred feet wide. Near the cliff's edge stood a huge osmanthus tree. Though it had few leaves, its branches were covered in clusters of snow-white flowers.
Fang Chen walked to the cliff and looked down. An endless Cloud Sea spread beneath him, with enormous Spirit Boats gliding slowly above it, leaving straight trails in their wake.
"How beautiful!"
The sight captivated Fang Chen, but his mood was wretched. He had thought becoming an Inner Disciple would let him soar into the heavens in a single leap. Instead, he had learned that his Life Wheel was damaged.
Ever since obtaining the Floating Immortal Sword, he had believed the heavens had treated him well. At that moment, though, he wanted to curse eighteen generations of heaven's ancestors.
Three years. True Person Liuli had just told him that even under the best circumstances, he had only three years to live.
Fortunately, he was not without hope. True Person Liuli had also said that if he could complete Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, he might repair his Life Wheel. However slim the chance, he would fight for it with everything he had.
"I will complete Destined Foundation Establishment!"
Determination filled Fang Chen's eyes. He turned away from the Cloud Sea and looked down at the five things True Person Liuli had given him: a jade slip, a gourd, a black skull, a copy of Cultivation Guidelines for Inner Disciples of the Glazed Sword Sect, and an Identity Token.
He tucked the jade slip, Identity Token, and skull into his robe, then wiped the dust from the black gourd and the scroll with his sleeve. Once the dust was gone,