A month later.
Thunder Pool.
The island-protecting formation rippled faintly, shutting out all the disturbances of the outside world.
Several white-feathered waterbirds skimmed across the lake, their wingtips breaking the still surface and stirring up a string of scattered glimmers.
Ji Yuan followed behind Partridge Whistle, stepping out of the void and landing on Heart-of-the-Lake Island.
Bai Zhan was squatting by the shore, fishing. Hearing the movement, he looked up with his usual gentle smile. "Master, Junior Brother, you finally—"
Halfway through his words, he caught sight of Ji Yuan's expression, and his smile faltered slightly.
Ji Yuan did not look terrible, but he certainly did not look well.
A thin layer of gloom seemed to weigh upon his brow, and the exhaustion in his eyes could not be concealed.
Partridge Whistle had taken him across nearly half of Kunxi on this journey. He had traveled dusty and weary, yet the fatigue upon him was clearly not caused by the road alone.
Bai Zhan glanced at Partridge Whistle. Partridge Whistle lightly shook his head, signaling him not to ask further.
Ji Yuan nodded to Bai Zhan, his voice calm. "Fourth Senior Brother, I'll return to seclusion first."
With that, he headed toward his own courtyard.
"Stop."
Partridge Whistle's voice came from behind him.
Ji Yuan paused and turned around.
Stroking his beard, Partridge Whistle asked, "Are you preparing to break through to Spirit Transformation?"
Ji Yuan was silent for a breath, then nodded. "Yes."
Partridge Whistle said nothing more. With a flip of his hand, something appeared in his palm.
It was a Spirit Stone.
Yet though it was called a Spirit Stone, it was utterly unlike any ordinary Spirit Stone.
The entire Spirit Stone was a deep, almost bewitching violet. Purple light flowed slowly within the crystal, as though