Chapter 21: Half a Step to Foundation Establishment, Disciples Astonished

Ling Xi held Luo Chen’s hand, furrowing her brow thoughtfully as she looked up.

White hair fluttered in the wind, her delicate lips curved into a smile that hadn’t faded in the slightest. Her amber eyes sparkled with clarity, radiating confidence tinged with a hint of arrogance between her brows.

She was breathtakingly beautiful in every way.

Yet to Ling Xi, she was merely someone who looked good.

Luo Chen seemed to notice her unusual expression; he turned his head slightly, the smile at the corner of his mouth unwavering. “What’s the matter? We’ll talk about it when we get home.”

“Home?” That word felt so unfamiliar.

This was material for the Hui Feng story!

If the other party was willing to present themselves as a kind master and filial disciple in front of others, Ling Xi was happy to lean on a strong backing for some shade. Business relationships still needed careful cultivation.

“Alright!”

Ling Xi narrowed her eyes, a smile playing at her lips. She withdrew her gaze from Luo Chen and instead watched the clouds in the sky.

A scorching current stirred restlessly in her dantian. The spiritual energy in the air surged wildly toward her, enveloping her in a vortex of energy.

The surrounding spirit trees swayed from side to side, petals swirling in the gust, continuously channeling spiritual energy into Ling Xi.

She sat cross-legged on the ground, letting go of her focus and guiding the energy according to the method Luo Chen had taught her.

The spiritual energy followed her cultivation method, flowing through her meridians and finally gathering in the dantian.

The faint purple glow gradually deepened, spreading across other areas, the purple aura flowing steadily.

Ling Xi’s realm climbed higher: Qi Refining stage three, stage four... finally settling at Qi Refining stage eight.

She could have pushed further, but Ling Xi held herself back firmly. Rising too quickly would cause the spiritual energy to be unstable and the foundation weak.

The gathering of dark clouds paused, the crackling thunder and lightning ceased, and sunlight streamed through the cloud gaps, bathing the world in warm light.

Ling Xi raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, squinting slightly, a helpless expression on her delicate face.

Suddenly, her body soared into the air, sleeves billowing around her, spiritual light flashing about her form, a streak of golden light flickering on her forehead.

An uproar of astonishment erupted both on stage and in the audience.

“She not only advanced straight to Qi Refining stage eight but also had a sudden enlightenment! Can a mortal body truly achieve this?”

“Hey, don’t you pay attention in class? Mortals without awakened spirit roots can’t cultivate immortality. She’s not an ordinary mortal—she just doesn’t want to be too conspicuous.”

“The last time I saw someone have such an enlightenment was junior sister Lin Rou from Ningjing Peak! Only those with exceptional aptitude favored by heaven can experience sudden enlightenment!”

“I wonder what Master Gu thinks about this!”

...

Sudden enlightenment was something some people experienced with just a thought, while others spent their entire lives never encountering it—a matter akin to cultivation itself.

Ling Xi could no longer hold back. Sweat poured down her forehead, stray hairs stuck to her cheeks, and at last, she advanced one more stage, reaching Qi Refining stage nine—Qi Refining Perfected, half a step to Foundation Establishment.

A real blow to everyone! A mortal instantly becoming half a step into Foundation Establishment.

The disciples below covered their heads and screamed, some even rushing madly toward the sword training ground to practice furiously.

Dongfang Cheng sighed, deciding he would battle his sword skills to the death tonight. Born with a sword bone, he couldn’t lose to someone with a mixed spiritual root.

Standing beside Lu Buwei, Qian Chongxue’s eyes curved happily, her face full of satisfaction as she cast a grateful glance at Ling Xi.

Finally, the junior brothers and sisters felt pressure and were willing to train seriously!

Under repeated questioning from Sui An, Ling Xi quietly glanced at the clouds above.

“Actually, it’s not like I really enlightened anything.”

Wen Jue rolled his eyes. “Stop pretending to be humble.”

Ling Xi cleared her throat and began to sing loudly, startling passersby: “Blue sky, white clouds, hey—”

Wen Jue grabbed her mouth, but Luo Chen pushed him away with a glare.

Luo Chen said coldly, “What’s wrong with sharing your enlightenment experience? Can’t you share yours too?”

If the person before him weren’t his master, Wen Jue would have retorted fiercely. But since it was his master, he could only blush, lower his head, and pretend to be deaf.

Her off-key voice accompanied by giggles echoed through the entire Dingkun Sect, causing birds and beasts to scatter, rushing to spread the news.

Due to Elder Hong’s incident, the tense atmosphere had somewhat eased, and Ling Xi withdrew her hand from her mouth, no longer offering her voice.

The trial ended with Danbo Peak taking the lead. Lu Buwei then announced to the disciples that this secret realm trial was the first round of the grand selection competition.

To select teams for the grand competition, the first round of the selection was never announced in advance to the disciples—a tradition of Dingkun Sect intended to catch them off guard and see their true abilities without external aid.

Amidst cheers, Luo Chen led Ling Xi down from the high platform at a relaxed pace. Wherever they went, the crowd automatically parted to make way.

Having witnessed Luo Chen’s skill of stopping people with mere melon seed shells, the admiration in the eyes of the disciples was like an endless river, flowing without cease.

“Master Luo, are you still taking disciples? I have a superior Fire Spirit Root.”

A bold inner sect disciple knelt on one knee, clasping his sword respectfully, begging to be accepted.

A smile spread at the corner of Luo Chen’s mouth as he looked at Ling Xi. “One troublemaker is enough. I can’t handle any more.”

The disciple pleaded earnestly, “I won’t cause any trouble, please accept me.”

The young man’s face was sincere, his eyes burning with determination. He lowered his hands to the ground and kowtowed loudly.

“Hm. Good foundation. Train hard, and you will have a bright future. But your fate lies elsewhere, not with me.”

Luo Chen narrowed his eyes, waved his sleeve, and a fragrant breeze swept past, stopping the disciple from kowtowing. Another fragrant gust followed, pulling him up uncontrollably.

The disciple looked surprised, cheeks flushed, watching the group leave before turning and heading to the sword training ground.

It was fine to refuse him for now; once he became brilliant enough, he would surely earn Master Luo’s favor.

Not far away, Luo Chen led Ling Xi at the front. Wen Jue kept mocking Ningjing Peak’s airs, Bing Cang looked down at his shoe tips thoughtfully, while Sui An cuddled a fox, stroking its fur.

Luo Chen glanced back at those behind him, sighed softly, then turned to Ling Xi and flicked her forehead with a finger. “What are you thinking about? I don’t care about your little spoils.”

Snapped out of her thoughts about selling her loot, Ling Xi looked up and smiled brightly. “Master, whatever is mine is yours.”

Luo Chen teasingly said, “That third-grade, eighth-rank snow lotus looks good. Perfect for brewing tea.”

Ling Xi twitched her mouth, instinctively glancing at Wen Jue, pulling a smile more painful than tears. “Of course... no problem.”

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, patted her head, and said, “Keep it for yourself. You did well this time. Let me reward you. How about some corn and pork rib soup?!”

At his words, the others showed pale expressions. Sui An even excitedly pulled out a clump of fur, causing the little fox to howl and shake drool from its mouth.

Before the three could pull out their jade slips to communicate, Ling Xi’s lips curved gently upward. She pointed at Wen Jue. “Master, senior brother said in the secret realm that he wants you to taste his cooking.”

Before Wen Jue could deny thrice, Ling Xi tugged Luo Chen’s sleeve. He bent down, and Ling Xi cupped her hand to his ear, whispering something. Luo Chen’s eyes brightened with a hint of regret.