Unexpected Twists and the Return Date

Windcool Mountain truly deserved to be a branch academy of Ten-Step Academy. Although its spiritual energy was far less concentrated than that of Small Bamboo Peak, it was still a place that even first-rate sects would fight over.

Thus, Li Yan and the others did not need spirit stones to aid their daily breathing exercises here. The areas where Gold Core cultivators like Wei Zhongran lived had spiritual energy far richer than that around Li Yan's cave dwelling.

Li Yan waited for more than two hours. When Wei Zhongran finally returned with weariness on his face, he merely waved at Li Yan before taking the lead into the cave dwelling.

Li Yan straightened his robes and rose, following after him with an unchanged expression and not the slightest hint of impatience.

After entering the cave dwelling, Wei Zhongran dropped into the seat of honor and rubbed his forehead with his fingers.

Days of fierce battle, followed by nearly a full day spent devising subsequent plans and arranging all the affairs of Windcool Mountain, had left even a cultivator feeling somewhat drained.

Once Li Yan entered, Wei Zhongran casually waved a hand, signaling him to sit.

"I summoned you here today mainly because you performed exceptionally well in this mission. Those above have decided to grant you a reward."

As he spoke, Wei Zhongran did not hesitate. With a flick of his sleeve, he tossed a Storage Pouch to Li Yan.

Li Yan was somewhat surprised that his master had mentioned a reward so directly, but when he thought of the tricks he had pulled beneath the nose of a Nascent Soul demon general, he felt that he had earned it.

It was only that, when he had accepted the mission, he had been scared out of his wits and had