Chapter 39: Lin Tiancheng . . .
Having successfully refined the last transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pill, Ye Yuan sighed in relief, marking the conclusion of days filled with arduous refining that nearly exhausted his essence energy. The intensive labor, however, bore fruit as his cultivation realm stabilized, leaving him on the cusp of breaking through to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm. Only awaiting the accumulation of sufficient essence energy, Ye Yuan stood at the threshold of a significant advancement.
Appreciating the hard-earned achievement, Ye Yuan directed his maidservant, Lu-er, to stand guard, announcing his intention to commence the breakthrough. With only a modest quantity of the final batch of pills, Ye Yuan ingested a Qi Returning Pill and meditated to restore his peak condition. Drawing on the potent Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art, he initiated the breakthrough process by consuming five transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills, a feat that would be perilous for ordinary cultivators.
The unrivaled power of the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art, however, ensured a seamless integration of the essence energy, allowing Ye Yuan to absorb the pills without encountering the usual violent reactions. Unfazed, Ye Yuan continued his consumption, ceaselessly swallowing transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills until reaching the pinnacle of the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm.
Despite attaining a breakthrough that would typically take months or even a year in just two hours, Ye Yuan remained dissatisfied. Reflecting on the lingering goal of returning to the Divine Realm, he recognized the need for even greater strength. Contemplating a potential rematch with Fei Qingping, he envisioned the ability to vanquish his opponent effortlessly using only the First Layer Wave.
As the night of cultivation gave way to the morning sun, Ye Yuan, now at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm, experienced a resurgence of energy, rendering fatigue an afterthought. With Lu-er, now a cultivator herself, equally unaffected by a night of meditation, master and servant set out for the Illusionary Spirit Tower, where Huyan Yong awaited their arrival.
Greeting Huyan Yong upon reaching the tower, Ye Yuan introduced Lu-er, eliciting a calm nod from the teacher. Intrigued by Ye Yuan's rapid progression, Huyan Yong scrutinized him with divine sense, expressing mild astonishment at the unexpected advancement to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm overnight.
In response to Huyan Yong's inquiry, Ye Yuan attributed his rapid growth to luck, dismissing the notion that his cultivation realm was forcibly elevated by his father. Acknowledging Ye Yuan's prowess, Huyan Yong commented on the unexpected leap to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm.
As the test participants assembled, Ye Yuan's presence stirred conversation among the onlookers, with his recent feats in mind. Recognizing him as the victor over Fei Qingping and the orchestrator of a mass Essence Qi Pill scam, the crowd acknowledged Ye Yuan's formidable reputation.
Awaiting the commencement of the test alongside Lu-er and others, Ye Yuan's participation garnered attention and discussions among the spectators. Some debated the suitability of a Third Level Essence Qi Realm cultivator attempting the Black rank test, while others compared his abilities to renowned figures within the academy, notably Senior Apprentice Brother Long.
With the anticipation building, the impending test promised to reveal more layers of Ye Yuan's extraordinary abilities, elevating the atmosphere at the Illusionary Spirit Tower.
"How would you account for his accomplishment of the great circle stage Instant Flash?"
" . . . . . ."
"Hmm? Observe."
"Observe what? Making a scene."
"Ye Yuan seems to have . . . undergone a breakthrough . . ."
"A breakthrough in what? H-he . . . he has already reached the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm! Heavens! Is this individual still human? How many days has it been since he ascended to the Third Level Essence Qi Realm?"
" . . . . . ."
Upon discovering Ye Yuan's breakthrough, the expressions of these two individuals resembled encountering a supernatural phenomenon.
Simultaneously, others in the vicinity also discerned Ye Yuan's advancement to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm, and their gazes toward him became peculiar.
"Haha. Why is everyone staring at me? I know I'm exceedingly handsome, but I don't swing that way. So, please refrain from looking at me with that expression, alright? Breaking through to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm is not a monumental achievement. All you Senior Apprentice Brothers possess higher cultivation realms than me, so can everyone cease being so astonished?" Ye Yuan nonchalantly brushed off the attention, unaffected by the collective speechlessness around him.
The spectators were left dumbfounded. Was this individual here merely to boast?
Achieving the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm marked the initial threshold on the Martial Path. Who among them did not approach it with utmost caution, investing substantial time in preparation before making the breakthrough? Yet, Ye Yuan seemed to trivialize the feat, assuming an air of nonchalance. It was almost as if he were inviting trouble.
"What's the big deal about reaching the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm? Why the surprise? Regardless of his antics, isn't it just the Black Rank? Even if he attains the Black Rank, he's still nothing but trash."
The conversation was interrupted by a haughty voice emanating condescension.
"That's Senior Apprentice Brother Lin Tiancheng. He's currently a student in the Earth Rank, likely to advance to the Heaven Rank! I didn't expect him to participate in this advancement test. It seems he's confident about advancing to the Heaven Rank this time," someone quickly identified the voice's source.
With an air of arrogance, Lin Tiancheng strolled forward, hands behind his back, exuding an overbearing aura. Addressing Ye Yuan, he inquired, "Are you Ye Yuan?"
Unperturbed by Lin Tiancheng's pressure, Ye Yuan responded calmly, "I don't know if the Ye Yuan you're referring to is me, but I am indeed called Ye Yuan."
"Humph! Such smooth talk! All I've heard in recent days is endless chatter about you. Today, I want to see if you're truly as remarkable as they claim," Lin Tiancheng remarked with a disdainful expression.
"Is that so? I'm actually that famous now? Surprising that even Senior Apprentice Brother Lin hears my name everywhere. However, I believe it's my first time hearing of Senior Apprentice Brother Lin today. I wonder if . . . Senior Apprentice Brother Lin can achieve Heaven Rank today. This Junior Apprentice Brother wishes that Senior Apprentice Brother Lin won't encounter any mishaps."
While Ye Yuan maintained an exaggerated demeanor, his words left onlookers feeling a sense of unease.
This individual appeared to be subtly wishing Lin Tiancheng ill fortune...