Su Yun changed into a clean, pristine disciple's robe and strode out of Cloud Abode.
With a thought, he deliberately loosened Breath Concealment Art just a little.
He suppressed most of his true aura, revealing only the fluctuations of the second level of Qi Refining.
He had left it at this level on purpose.
He couldn't make it too high, or people would grow suspicious.
He couldn't make it too low, or it wouldn't be shocking enough.
The second level of Qi Refining was just right.
It was enough to amaze everyone, yet still within the reasonable range for a Heavenly Spirit Root.
He made his way down the mountain, straight to the main hall on the central peak.
The mountain path was bustling with inner sect disciples coming and going.
Some practiced swordsmanship, some hurried along, and others sat in meditation, regulating their breathing.
When the white-robed youth came walking down the stone steps.
The disciples along the path instinctively stepped aside and clasped their hands in greeting.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Su."
Su Yun's expression was calm. He gave a slight nod and kept walking.
But the instant he passed them.
Several inner sect disciples with keen senses suddenly froze.
Their eyes went wide.
The second level of Qi Refining...?
Someone couldn't help stopping, their gaze fixed on Su Yun's retreating figure.
They gasped softly, keeping their voices low.
"Am I sensing this wrong? Senior Brother Su is at the second level of Qi Refining?"
"You've got to be kidding! He's been in the sect for a week at most!"
"A week! He went from an ordinary mortal straight to the second level of Qi Refining?"
In an instant.
The whole mountain path fell silent for half a second.
Then a flurry of hushed discussion erupted.
"Holy crap! That's absurd!"
"It took me eight whole days just to draw qi into my body! Reaching the second level took me three months!"
"As expected of a Heavenly Spirit Root! That cultivation speed is downright unreasonable!"
"The books say a Heavenly Spirit Root can reach one level every five days. I thought they were exaggerating, but now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I'm convinced."
"Good heavens, he's like a walking cheat. What a monster."
Countless gazes focused on Su Yun.
Shock, envy, disbelief.
Everyone's mind was reeling.
Su Yun had sharp ears and heard every bit of discussion along the way.
His expression didn't change. He remained calm as he continued forward at an even pace.
But inside, he was secretly laughing.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
At this rate, before half a day had passed,
the entire Azure Cloud Sect would know about his monstrous talent.
That little flex was perfectly timed.
The corners of Su Yun's mouth lifted slightly. Ordinary people would never understand the joy of being a cheat.
He kept walking straight ahead.
The closer he got to Azure Cloud Hall, the more gazes gathered on him.
Dozens of inner sect disciples stopped their cultivation in the plaza before the hall.
One by one, they turned, their eyes all falling on that white-robed figure.
Everyone looked solemn, shock written in their eyes.
One week, from mortal to the second level of Qi Refining.
It had never happened in the Azure Cloud Sect's thousand-year history.
He had completely shattered the sect's record for fastest cultivation.
Quite a few older disciples shook their heads with wry smiles.
They had always thought their talents were decent.
But compared to Su Yun, they were worse than dirt.
There was always someone better—and it was enough to drive you mad.
"I've seen something remarkable today."
"To see a monster like this with my own eyes in this lifetime—I can't complain."
Everyone sighed to themselves.
Su Yun ignored every gaze and walked straight into the hall.
Inside the hall.
Several attendant disciples stood quietly in two lines, waiting for orders.
Chu Fan stood in the middle of the hall, sorting through documents on the sect's recent missions.
He caught sight of a white-robed figure at the doorway from the corner of his eye and looked up without thinking.
Seeing Su Yun, he put on a polite smile and quickly walked over.
"Senior Brother Su, what brings you to the hall today? Are you here to see the Sect Master?"
As soon as he finished speaking.
Chu Fan's gaze happened to sweep over Su Yun.
The fluctuations of spiritual power reached his senses.
Chu Fan abruptly came to a stop.
His eyes widened, his pupils contracting violently.
The smile froze on his face. His mouth fell slightly open, and he stood there dumbstruck.
I...
The second level of Qi Refining?
He blurted out a curse without thinking.
"Holy crap!"
The words had barely left his mouth when he came to his senses and hurriedly covered it.
"Sorry, Senior Brother. This disciple spoke out of turn."
Inside, a storm was already raging.
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!
He really is at the second level of Qi Refining!
A week!
A week ago, Su Yun had been an ordinary mortal with not the slightest cultivation.
And after one week, he was already at the second level?
Chu Fan's scalp prickled. He was utterly stunned.
Others reached the second level in a week.
Back then, it had taken him half a month just to grind his way through the first!
A Heavenly Spirit Root was just absurd. This was ridiculous!
Su Yun took in Chu Fan's expression without letting anything show on his face, though he was laughing inside.
This little bit of cultivation scared him this badly?
If he knew my true cultivation had already reached the fifth level of Qi Refining,
he'd probably faint on the spot.
Su Yun spoke calmly.
"It's all right."
"Is Master here? I came to report on my recent cultivation."
Chu Fan finally managed to steady himself and swallowed.
"The Sect Master is in the Inner Hall, handling sect affairs. Please follow me, Senior Brother."
Chu Fan led the way, his steps a little unsteady.
The Inner Hall was quiet, with sandalwood incense curling through the air.
Li Mofan wore a plain white Daoist robe and sat behind a jade desk, reviewing documents.
Chu Fan knocked lightly on the door and reported in a low voice.
"Sect Master, Senior Brother Su requests an audience."
"Let him in."
Li Mofan answered casually without looking up.
Su Yun pushed the door open, entered, and bowed.
"Your disciple Su Yun pays his respects to Master."
Li Mofan's keen divine sense swept over Su Yun without thinking.
The next instant.
He abruptly rose to his feet.
His figure flashed, swift as a blade, leaving behind a white streak.
In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Su Yun.
His deep eyes fixed on Su Yun.
His gaze swept over him again and again, filled with surprise and delight.
All his refined composure vanished, replaced by uncontrollable elation.
His voice was full of disbelief.
"Disciple... you've already reached the second level of Qi Refining?"
Su Yun nodded honestly.
"Reporting to Master, this disciple was fortunate enough to break through. I'm now at the second level of Qi Refining."
"Hahaha!"
Li Mofan burst into laughter.
He had lived for several centuries, and his heart had long been as still as an ancient well.
But at this moment, he couldn't suppress his excitement.
Joy, elation, relief.
All kinds of emotions surged together.
He shouted wildly in his heart.
What kind of monstrous disciple have I taken in?
Seven days!
Just seven days!
A young man who had never practiced cultivation before, a completely blank slate.
He had forced his way from an ordinary mortal to the second level of Qi Refining.
By Li Mofan's original estimate,
even with Su Yun's exceptional talent, he had no foundation in cultivation.
In seven days,
if he could safely draw qi into his body and reach the first level of Qi Refining, that would already be an incredible limit.
He had even planned to let Su Yun slowly adapt to spiritual energy for the first half of the month.
Who could have imagined it?
He had skipped ahead and broken through outright!
Li Mofan's eyes burned as he stared at Su Yun.
In all his hundreds of years, he had never seen—or even heard of—such terrifying cultivation speed.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Li Mofan was bursting with excitement.
My life has been worth it!
With a disciple like this, the Azure Cloud Sect is destined to rise!
When those old fellows from the major sects across Spirit Province hear about this, they'll be green with envy!
At that moment.
Su Yun's standing in Li Mofan's heart soared.
He went from a talented disciple to the future of the sect, a priceless treasure to be protected.
Even if it meant pouring all the sect's resources into him, Li Mofan would raise Su Yun to greatness.
Li Mofan reined in his excitement and patted Su Yun on the shoulder, his voice full of satisfaction.
"Good disciple, you've made your master so proud."
"Breaking through to the second level in seven days is unprecedented."
"If those old fogeys from the four great sects of Spirit Province knew I'd taken you as my disciple, they'd be so jealous they'd spit blood."
"From now on, if you have any confusion, bottlenecks, or problems in your cultivation, come to me anytime."
"Your master will personally answer your questions, as often as you like and whenever you like."
Su Yun bowed his head in salute.
"Thank you, Master."
He raised his eyes, a sweet, slightly bashful smile on his face, and shamelessly spoke up.
"Master, my cultivation consumes a great deal of resources."
"I've used up all my pills and spirit stones."
"Could I ask for some more cultivation resources?"
Li Mofan was in a great mood and didn't hesitate for a moment.
He swept his hand grandly through the air.
"Hahaha, that's a small matter."
A flash of light glinted at his fingertip.
An elegant storage pouch appeared out of thin air and landed in Su Yun's hand.
"There are a hundred mid-grade spirit stones inside."
Su Yun's eyes went wide, and he nearly drooled.
Mid-grade spirit stones!
One mid-grade stone was worth a hundred low-grade ones.
A hundred of them meant a full ten thousand low-grade spirit stones!
Good heavens!
This was the benefit of having the head of a great sect backing you.
Resources were handed out freely, and every gift was lavish.
There was no need to worry about spirit stones at all.
Li Mofan said calmly, "These spirit stones are exceptionally pure."
"Use them sparingly, and they'll be enough to let you cultivate in peace until you reach the ninth level of Qi Refining."
Su Yun clutched the storage pouch tightly. "Thank you for the gift, Master!"