Fifty years!
Two weeks later.
The Wuji Sacred Sect's mountain gate remains unchanged.
Qi Yun appeared on a familiar path within the sect, travel-worn but unable to conceal the divine light in his eyes.
It's been almost a year since we last met.
When he descended the mountain, he was only at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, which was the lowest level in the Inner Mansion.
When he returned, he was already Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivator with all his acupoints open and his aura profound.
Such a speed of cultivation would be enough to astound anyone if word got out.
Even those so-called True Person immortals are probably far inferior.
Upon returning to the Holy Sect, Qi Yun did not rush back to his own cave abode or go to the mission hall to hand over his duties. Instead, he went straight to the quiet and secluded Green Mountain Daoist Temple.
The temple remains quiet and secluded, with ancient trees standing tall and strong, and only a few incense sticks burning.
The old True Person remained the same, sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard, seemingly forever confined to that small space, quietly observing the clouds drift and disperse.
The old True Person showed little surprise at Qi Yun's return, as if it were just a junior member of the family going on a long trip.
He raised his eyelids slightly, his cloudy gaze sweeping over Qi Yun, then nodded slightly and pointed to the stone bench opposite him.
"You're back? Have a seat."
Qi Yun respectfully and sat down as instructed.
A set of rough pottery teaware sat on the stone table, and spring water simmered on a small red clay stove, making a bubbling sound.
The old True Person personally lifted the kettle, scalded the cups, placed the tea leaves, poured the water from a high position, and steeped it from a low position, his movements slow and natural.
Finally, a cup of clear, emerald-green, steaming spirit tea was pushed in front of Qi Yun.
"It seems you've had quite a haul this time down the mountain." The old True Person's voice was calm, revealing no emotion.
In just one year, he broke through two realms, going from the Qi Refining Sixth Layer to the eighth level.
Such a speed of progress is something that even ordinary Inner Mansion cultivators, let alone those direct descendants carefully nurtured by True Person masters and possessing countless resources, might not be able to match.
But the old True Person knew perfectly well what was going on.
On the path of spiritual cultivation, there is never any cultivation that comes out of thin air.
To achieve such astonishing success, this seemingly calm young man must have experienced unimaginable dangers amidst the turbulent times in the Northwest.
He has walked the line between life and death countless times, and even truly put himself in a life-or-death situation before surviving.
That's how I gained this level of cultivation.
Qi Yun accepted the teacup with both hands, feeling the warmth emanating from his palms, and said humbly, "I have gained some things, but my safe return is largely thanks to the True Person's secret care."
"Oh?" The old True Person took a sip of tea from his cup, raised his eyes, and gave a half-smile.
"Then you've misunderstood."
I live deep within the sect and am usually too lazy to even leave these green hills, so I don't have the ability to look after you."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yun lowered his head and blew on the steam rising from the tea, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"True Person joking, aren't you?"
He raised his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, and looked directly at the old True Person.
"Although I sometimes consider myself extraordinary, I still have some self-awareness."
The Teapot Valley Yin Ruins have been open for more than half a year.
Among those who entered during that time, there were at least one or two hundred fellow disciples of the Holy Sect.
He paused, his tone calm yet resolute. "Why did the crucial task of seizing the core of the Earth Temple, which concerns the sect's grand plan, fall squarely on the shoulders of a Qi Refining Seventh Layer disciple with no reputation?"
If this is all a coincidence, then this coincidence is far too much of a coincidence.
The old True Person paused slightly in his teacup, remaining silent for a moment.
He gazed into Qi Yun's clear, slightly bright eyes.
There was no questioning, no dissatisfaction.
There is only a calm and composed feeling that comes from understanding the truth.
After a long while, the ambiguous smile on the old True Person's face slowly faded, turning into a faint smile that carried a hint of helplessness and also contained a hidden appreciation.
"You little rascal—" He shook his head and downed his tea in one gulp, "Still so cunning, can't tolerate even the slightest bit of folly."
He put down his teacup, his gaze becoming distant, and frankly admitted, "That's right, regarding the matter of the Teapot Valley Yin Ruins, it was indeed I who informed Qianxin and asked him to leave this task to you."
His tone turned serious. "But this is not just a favor, it is also a test."
The core of the Earth Temple is no small matter; it cannot be accomplished by anyone but those with exceptional character, skills, and fortuitous opportunity.
If you fail to complete this task, you will either die in that Earth Temple.
That proves you Non-Self the person I need, and I will only choose someone else.
The words were simple, yet they revealed the cruel truth of the path of cultivation.
Fortuitous opportunity often come with risks, and those who seize fortuitous opportunity are always the prepared and capable of surviving.
The old True Person gave Qi Yun a chance to rise to the top in one step.
But it also pushed him to the edge of a cliff.
Survive and return with a full load.
If you fail, you vanish like dust, forgotten by all.
Qi Yun was not surprised by the old True Person's frankness. Instead, he nodded slightly, his expression calm. "This disciple understands."
The old True Person may have given him a dangerous test, but wasn't it also a form of recognition and investment?
On the path of spiritual practice, risks and opportunities always coexist.
If you don't have the courage to take on the challenge, how can you even talk about climbing to a higher peak?
"Hmm," the old True Person said, his eyes filled with even more satisfaction as he saw that the old man's expression remained unchanged. "You have grown a lot since you came down the mountain, both in terms of cultivation and temperament."
For the next period of time, I'll take some time to reflect and recharge within the sect.
Qi Refining Ninth Layer, the Divine Soul Realm, is the most crucial and also the most dangerous step in the Qi Refining Stage.
The Three Hun Souls unite, condensing the Divine Soul.
If there is even the slightest mistake, at best the Divine Soul will be damaged and the Dao Path will be interrupted; at worst the soul will be scattered and all the cultivation will turn to smoke and clouds.
This stage requires neither haste nor chaos.
We must be extremely cautious.
He paused, then gave a promise that any Qi Refining disciple would dream of, "If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation within the sect, or if you have any questions about the Divine Soul Realm, you can come here to find me at any time."
Although I have gone astray, I still have some basic insights.
This is undoubtedly an immense Creation of luck, enough to make countless Inner Mansion envious.
This also means that when Qi Yun broke through the Qi Refining Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.
This will save you from many detours and avoid countless potential risks.
With this weighty promise from the old True Person, Qi Yun's Central Plains, stemming from his knowledge of the perils of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, subsided slightly. He bowed respectfully once more, saying, "Thank you True Person!"
The two chatted over tea for a while about their experiences on the way down the mountain and trivial matters of the sect, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
A moment later, Qi Yun stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and took his leave.
He turned and walked toward the ancient threshold of the Daoist temple.
Sunlight streamed in from outside the door, casting a long shadow behind him.
Just as he was about to step out the door, the old True Person's calm yet subtly aged voice slowly came from behind him. "Qi Yun."
Qi Yun's steps came to an abrupt halt.
The old True Person's voice remained steady, yet carried a heavy undertone. "My time is running out."
"At most fifty years."
Within fifty years, I will need to Liberation by Violence and enter the cycle of reincarnation to be reborn.
These words, like a soft clap of thunder, exploded in Qi Yun's heart.
He turned around abruptly and looked at the old True Person who was still sitting on the stone bench, his figure somewhat blurred in the light and shadow.
Fifty years—for ordinary people, that's half a lifetime, or even a lifetime.
But for high-level cultivators, especially those facing their lifespan, it's just a fleeting moment.
The old True Person was clearly telling him that his protection and guidance were not indefinite.
Qi Yun's gaze quickly regained its firmness after the initial shock.
He faced the old True Person, straightened his robes, and solemnly and deeply bowed, his voice clear and powerful. "Rest assured, True Person!"
This disciple will certainly do my utmost and will never fail to live up to the True Person's expectations!
Looking into Qi Yun's eyes, one could see that it was not blind impulsiveness, but a resolute fighting spirit that arose after careful consideration.
The old True Person nodded slowly, a faint smile of satisfaction appearing on his face.
"Your maturity and composure far surpass those of your peers. I believe you can grasp the right balance." His tone was gentle, carrying a hint of admonition, but also a touch of encouragement.
"Remember, fifty years is a time limit I've given myself, not a shackle for you."
There's no need to get agitated or disrupt your own practice rhythm because of this.
Focus on your spiritual practice, solidify your foundation, and take each step carefully; this is the right way.
These words were both a source of pressure and a relief.
He told Qi Yun about the urgency of the situation, but also reminded him not to act rashly because of the pressure.
Qi Yun kept these words firmly in mind, bowed again, and then truly turned around, stepping out of the Green Mountain Daoist Temple and into the bright and real sunlight outside the door.
His back was more upright than when he arrived, and it carried a greater, invisible weight.
The next fifty years will be a crucial race on his path of spiritual practice.