Yang Zhen knew he had to give the Shangyuan Sect an explanation, but he hadn't expected Lu Chenghui to ask about it in front of so many people. That was practically no different from not having to explain himself at all.
One could ask casually, and the other could answer just as casually. Whether anyone else believed it was their own business.
Yang Zhen looked around at the curious crowd and answered with a perfectly serious face, "Sect master, Master, that senior really did exist. He just didn't die. He left, saying he was going into seclusion to cultivate and would battle that hairy, scaly four-legged worm for another three hundred years someday!"
The crowd around them looked at Yang Zhen as if to say, "Like hell we believe you." Lu Chenghui smiled wryly and scolded him. "Nothing but nonsense comes out of your mouth. Still, since you comprehended the heaven-tier Ghost Shadow Sword through a lucky chance, cultivate it diligently. Don't attend the Youzhou Grand Assembly in ten days. Wan Quan, the sect master of the Sword Attendant Sect, is narrow-minded. He'll surely try to get the Ghost Shadow Sword's cultivation method out of you. This trip would be too dangerous."
Lu Chenghui gave the unconcerned Yang Zhen a somewhat surprised look, then continued, "Cultivate diligently in the sect during this time and strive to break through the Essence Condensation Stage. Once you've reached Foundation Establishment, you'll at least have the strength to protect yourself!"
Yang Zhen nodded and said solemnly, "Thank you, Sect Master, Master. Um, what I cultivate is the Three Origins Ghost Shadow Sword, not the Ghost Shadow Sword."
The corner of Lu Chenghui's mouth twitched, and he swept his sleeves and left.
How could Yang Zhen not know that Wan Quan was waiting for him at the Youzhou Grand Assembly? That rotten old man was wicked through and through. They couldn't gain the slightest advantage in the Shangyuan Sect, so as long as Yang Zhen remained there, he was safe.
The Youzhou Grand Assembly was vital to disciples of small sects. Not only could they obtain all sorts of scarce resources during the trials, but they could also meet talented cultivators from all over the Youzhou Continent and see the world beyond.
Some geniuses might even catch the eye of those major sects. If they were taken in as disciples, even their former small sects would receive the major sects' protection. From then on, with a backer behind them, they could speak with confidence.
Yang Zhen had little interest in the Youzhou Grand Assembly. He was doing very well as he was. He could upgrade many of the cultivation methods and martial techniques he had practiced before and continue cultivating them. Judging by the current situation, Lu Chenghui would even let him study the Shangyuan Sect's other cultivation methods and martial techniques.
Under such circumstances, let alone during the Youzhou Grand Assembly, Yang Zhen could stay cooped up in the Shangyuan Sect without setting foot outside for another year or two.
Was being a shut-in so hard?
Faced with the pitying looks from his fellow disciples, Yang Zhen only wanted to answer them with a "heh heh."
Over the next ten days, Yang Zhen learned nearly everything the Shangyuan Sect had to teach and finished upgrading it all.
The Spirit-Cleansing Marrow had all been used up, and Yang Zhen's cultivation speed had advanced by leaps and bounds. In just ten days, he had actually broken through to the Essence Condensation Stage Ninth Layer a day before Senior Sister Liu Ruoning.
The Essence Condensation Stage Ninth Layer was practically a natural chasm. Anyone who could cultivate to that level was almost certain to reach Foundation Establishment. It was only a matter of time.
"Junior Brother, Junior Brother, I broke through!"
Liu Ruoning burst into Yang Zhen's room, practically hopping with joy. It was clear she was genuinely happy.
Yang Zhen had just finished bathing and had only wrapped himself in a loose, oversized robe. He was admiring his magnificent physique in a bronze mirror when Liu Ruoning burst in without warning, giving him a fright.
"Y-you... why didn't you close the door?" Liu Ruoning shot Yang Zhen a glare and turned around.
Yang Zhen was secretly amused, but his voice sounded as if he had suffered a towering injustice. "Senior Sister, didn't you come in without even knocking? You just said... you broke through?"
Liu Ruoning turned back around, a little bashful, though she couldn't hide the excitement on her face. "I broke through! All I need is the right opportunity, and I can reach Foundation Establishment!"
"Congratulations!"
"Junior Brother, your aptitude really isn't any worse than mine. It might even be better. You'll surely be able to... You broke through too?"
Liu Ruoning stared at Yang Zhen in disbelief, surprise shining in her lively eyes.
The presence Yang Zhen gave off was also that of the Essence Condensation Stage Ninth Layer, no different from hers. She found it hard to believe.
Comprehension was not something one could force. Yang Zhen might have experienced a sudden enlightenment, but he couldn't keep having them.
And cultivation speed had little to do with sudden enlightenment. Otherwise, Yang Zhen couldn't have remained at the Essence Condensation Stage First Layer for so many years.
Yet in just ten short days, Yang Zhen had not only cultivated to the Essence Condensation Stage Ninth Layer, but also looked ready to reach Foundation Establishment at any moment. It was simply impossible.
Apart from the disciples of those major sects, Liu Ruoning had never seen such a terrifying cultivation speed. Even among those disciples, most had gotten there by piling on medicinal aids.
Yang Zhen admired the wonderfully expressive look on Liu Ruoning's face. It was a sight too lovely to take in, and he felt delighted. No wonder so many men liked to play the pig to eat the tiger. It really felt fantastic.
"Y-you... how did you cultivate?"
Yang Zhen cast a reluctant glance at the body in the bronze mirror and said with a wistful look, "Perhaps this is heaven's will. A man like me is bound to make a name for himself on the Youzhou Continent sooner or later."
Liu Ruoning burst out laughing and gave Yang Zhen a glare, looking both reproachful and bashful. "Sect Master knew long ago that you wouldn't be able to stay cooped up in the Shangyuan Sect, so he sent me to remind you. Duan Langcai has boasted that he'll take your life during the Youzhou Grand Assembly's trials. The assembly is full of dangers, and Duan Langcai is so confident. You must keep a calm heart and cultivate diligently in the Shangyuan Sect. They... they're so brazen precisely because they're certain you won't be able to resist attending the assembly."
Yang Zhen said disdainfully, "Even if I, Yang Zhen, were to die of boredom and jump off the Shangyuan Sect's main peak, I still wouldn't attend that Youzhou Grand Assembly. It's dreadfully dull!"
A day later, Yang Zhen stood on a small hill five kilometers from the Shangyuan Sect. He took a deep breath of fresh air and grinned. "This is the life!"
Not far away, Liu Ruoning wore a worried look. Hearing him, she shot him a glare and bit her lower lip. "Junior Brother, you... you even tricked me! You hid in the carriage when we weren't paying attention. If Sect Master finds out, he'll certainly blame us."
Yang Zhen grinned and said, "Senior Sister, I've learned all the Shangyuan Sect's cultivation methods and martial techniques. Staying there was just too boring, so I might as well come out and see the world. Besides, haven't I 'gone into seclusion to cultivate'? Don't worry, I'm just going to have a look around. Once we get back, I'll 'come out of seclusion.' Who'll know I ever left?"
"You..." Liu Ruoning said crossly, "The Youzhou Grand Assembly is very dangerous!"
Yang Zhen thumped his chest. "I'll protect you!"
"That's not what I meant!" Liu Ruoning glared at Yang Zhen and fell silent, as if sulking.
"This feels wonderful! It's better to be out here after all!"
Yang Zhen took a deep breath and stretched his body. At once, a rapid series of cracks rang out from his bones.
Stay cooped up in the sect without coming out?
As if!
Yang Zhen looked intrigued. Duan Langcai had actually dared to declare that he would take his life during the Youzhou Grand Assembly's trials. He must have gotten his hands on something incredible. Was it a heaven-tier cultivation method or martial technique, or a powerful divine weapon or secret treasure?
Although Lu Chenghui and True Person Changyue treated Yang Zhen well, the Shangyuan Sect was simply too poor. Now that he was out, Yang Zhen needed to hunt down some good things. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to reach Foundation Establishment, and what fun would that be?
"Huh?" Yang Zhen suddenly froze. "Is someone coming over there?"
"Where?" Liu Ruoning hurriedly followed Yang Zhen's gaze, only to see the half-smile on his face. Angry, she gave him a smack.
"Someone really is coming."
(End of chapter)