Chapter Three: Cultivation

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Yufan returned to his room and continued to cultivate his energy. The young man closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged as he gathered his qi and focused his spirit. A white mist formed on his chest and back, with his breath flowing smoothly within his body. Lei Xiaodian clasped his hands together, channeling true qi inward to achieve the effects of energy cultivation.

As the youth meditated in tranquility, a trace of abnormal energy appeared on his chest and back, emitting an eerie black light… The young man nearly had his consciousness swallowed by this strange energy. He struggled to control his pulse qi to suppress it.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide, feeling an intense pain in his chest. “Huff…” He slowly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. What was this? Such tremendous power—I can barely suppress this bit of abnormal energy even with all my pulse qi.

The little white energy he had painstakingly cultivated gradually dissipated again… Why am I so miserable?

Yufan cursed out loud, “Heaven above, is this some kind of test for me?” The boy’s anger flared as he clenched his fists tightly. At this moment, the strange energy had consumed a great deal of his strength. He bitterly smiled and shook his head. “Forget it. Lei Xiaodian, you’re just not cut out for this. No matter how much you train, it will always be the same.”

Exhausted, he climbed down from the bed and went to tend some flowers near the door to soothe his frustration. He simply watered the plants when he heard someone calling outside: “Yufan, the clan chief requests your presence in the main hall. There’s something to discuss with you!”

The youth thought to himself: What could there be to say? Besides scolding me for being such a failure and bringing shame to the Yun Sect?

He also had a senior brother who treated him well. Though he went out to train and returned only after many years, he was always kind to Yufan. When they were young, he protected him and took him out to the mortal realm to play, which made Yufan very happy.

“Yufan,” he responded casually, “Here.”

“Here… remember to change into a clean robe to make a good impression on the elders,” came the reminder.

Yufan replied, “Alright.” He smiled at the elder outside and said, “I’ve changed. Let’s go, Elder Jian.”

Elder Jian nodded kindly, his gaze filled with a subtle regret as he looked at the determined youth. He thought, “Wasn’t Yufan smarter before? How is it possible he’s still stuck at the seventh stage of the Xuan realm? Such a pity.”

Elder Jian sighed deeply.

Together, they left the bedroom and solemnly entered the main hall of the sect. The hall was vast, capable of holding many people, but scholars were not allowed to enter freely. Facing the assembly of elders, Yufan saw four with stern expressions—they were the strongest in the Yun Realm, all elders at the seventh stage of the Golden Core.

Seated near them were other elders of similar strength, with outstanding scholars standing at their sides. The other guests were from different realms—undoubtedly the distinguished visitors Elder Jian mentioned.

Yufan could feel the tremendous power radiating from these four elders.

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These four elders wore broad smiles, their spirits radiant. Suddenly, Yufan felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if an alien energy had invaded his consciousness, allowing him to perceive the four elders at the Nascent Soul stage.

“Yufan, come back to your senses,” he thought. “So powerful? Such formidable strength? Truly eye-opening!”

Yufan was amazed that these four elders were even stronger than his father, who was only at the ninth stage of the Golden Core.

Beside him stood his childhood friend, dressed in an orange robe. Another youth, handsome and younger-looking by comparison, also wore an orange robe and was more powerful than Yufan.

To become an Orange-Stage cultivator at such a young age meant exceptional talent. This young man’s outstanding looks coupled with remarkable strength quickly drew much attention.

Why did his childhood friend look so serious? It seemed as though she didn't recognize him. Yet, she had grown so beautiful—surpassing even his senior sister in grace. Yufan was captivated by her.

Her small eyes, jet-black hair, snow-white skin, and rosy lips made her breathtakingly beautiful—like a celestial fairy.

He sighed inwardly and glanced at himself, still only at the first stage of the Honored rank in energy cultivation.

His childhood friend gave him a cold look; Yufan, feeling ashamed, looked away.

She knew Yufan all too well. Over time, their childhood companionship had faded, leaving only disgust. Of course, she thought, it was best not to let such a loser affect her mood.

“Father has arrived!” someone announced.

Yufan immediately bowed respectfully to the four elders, as did all the clan elders of Yun Realm.

“Yuer, you’re here!” his father greeted him. “Come, pay respects to these four elders.”

Yufan smiled and respectfully saluted the elders, who regarded him with disdain in their eyes.

His father quickly invited the guests to be seated.

Suddenly, Yufan realized that everyone else from the younger generation of Yun Realm had left after the seats were taken. Only he remained standing in the hall, watching these visitors. Even the two youths were seated.

At that moment, one of the young men noticed Yufan standing awkwardly nearby, his face tinged with anger.

Yufan hesitated briefly and then realized the situation was unfavorable. He was about to turn and leave when his father said, “Xiao Yu, stay and listen.”

Helpless, Yufan found a corner to stand in.

Then one of the elders spoke: “Clan Chief Yun, regarding the matter of the Yun Realm Sacred Qi…”

Yufan pricked up his ears. He knew the so-called “Yun Realm Sacred Qi” was a treasured legacy guarded by their clan for generations, the very source of their cultivation power.

The elder continued, “We hope your realm will hand over the Yun Realm Sacred Qi.”

His father responded resolutely, “Impossible! The Yun Realm Sacred Qi is our realm’s greatest treasure. We will never surrender it to you!”

The two sides faced off stubbornly, neither willing to yield. The tension was so thick it felt suffocating.

Time ticked by slowly, their eyes sharp and unwavering, silently challenging one another.

Those around sensed the tense atmosphere, holding their breath as they watched the deadlock.

Some wore worried expressions, fearing the situation might spiral out of control; others were excited, anticipating a fierce clash.

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In such a critical moment, even the slightest movement or expression could spark a breathtaking confrontation.

Everyone’s nerves were taut, silently praying for a swift resolution.

Elder Yun said, “See them off.” The Yun Realm elders rose as well.

But the four elders had a clear purpose: “Clan Chief Yun, hand over the Sacred Fire of the Yun Realm, or we will destroy your realm.”

Clan Chief Yun retorted, “Such arrogance, coming to our Yun Realm to cause trouble!”

The elders of Yun Realm stood up angrily, shouting, “How dare they!”

The four elders unleashed their unfathomable energy, forcing several Yun Realm elders to cough up blood.

“Do you really think you have the right to negotiate?” Yufan shouted loudly, “Such bullying!”

“Oh… isn’t that the Yun Realm’s pride who’s been training for so long?”

His father instructed him, “You go down first.” Elder Jian pulled him aside as they left.

At this moment, the spacious, brightly lit hall was thick with tension.

Suddenly, one elder, unable to contain his fury, charged at the four elders.

He moved swiftly and gracefully like a swallow, arriving before them in an instant.

Yet, the four elders showed no fear, only a cunning and smug glint in their eyes.

Without hesitation, they unleashed a mysterious, unfathomable technique, counterattacking the charging elder.

In a flash, the entire hall was enveloped by a powerful and eerie current of energy.

This invisible force swept like a storm, leaving onlookers stunned.

The elder who initiated the attack was caught off guard but quickly regained his footing and fought back fiercely.

A fierce, breathtaking battle unfolded between the two sides, neither yielding an inch.

Yufan’s father was severely wounded in the counterattack, his internal energy depleted.

Outside, other cultivators surged into the Yun Realm, causing countless casualties among its people.

The four powerful elders killed Yufan’s father and several clan elders, then dispatched their subordinates to seize the Yun Realm Sacred Fire and hunt them down.

Amid the chaos, Elder Jian led Yufan and his senior sister on a path out of the Yun Realm.

With backpacks on their backs, they marched resolutely through mist-shrouded mountains, heading toward the unknown beyond.

Yet fate seemed to delight in tormenting them.

Just as they stepped beyond the Yun Realm, a group of mysterious enemies appeared silently, launching a fierce pursuit.

These foes were elusive and cunning, striking unpredictably.

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