Three Years

"Sister Murong, why would I lie to you? Don't let Brother Shi's usual wooden appearance fool you. He cares about you quite a lot; he's just tongue-tied and not good at expressing himself. If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself when he comes back."

Brother Shi, this is as far as I can help you. Li Yan thought to herself.

Shi Yue had only asked Li Yan to deliver something to Murong Xiaoxiao. He hadn't told her to say any of that. She'd made it all up herself, of course, with the aim of bringing Shi Yue and Murong Xiaoxiao together.

"Shi Junior Brother was so thoughtful. When he comes back, I'll be sure to thank him properly," Murong Xiaoxiao said with a nod and a radiant smile.

"Mm. Once Brother Shi has taken care of what he needs to do, he should be back."

"Yan'er, before Shi Junior Brother returns, stay with me for now. That way, we can look after each other."

"Of course. Sorry to trouble you, Sister Murong." Li Yan grinned and readily agreed.

Cultivators knew no years. Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

Tianmiao Secret Realm, Mysterious Chamber.

Inside Green Bamboo Pavilion, Shi Yue sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes shut. A layer of black light shimmered over his body.

Before long, Shi Yue opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing within them.

"Whew, I've finally mastered the sixth layer of True Spirit Nine Transformations." Shi Yue let out a soft breath and spoke to himself.

He had been cultivating in Green Bamboo Pavilion for three years. With the help of the Spirit Gathering Array inside the pavilion and the Three Talents Spirit Gathering Array, he had advanced from Foundation Establishment Late Stage to Foundation