A gentle breeze blew, accompanied by the constant chirping of cicadas and the songs of birds. Ye Fan and Xuan Zhenxi's cave-residence was located at the spot with the strongest spiritual energy of the Xuan Sect. Here lay a second-rank Spirit Gathering Array, which could accelerate the absorption of spiritual energy for the two of them. This was the greatest resource that the younger generation of the Xuan Sect could obtain. Both sat cross-legged, slowly regulating their breathing, feeling the spiritual energy gradually flow into their meridians and into their dantian, a subtle pleasure accompanying each intake.
Inside the cave-residence, the two sat cross-legged, breathing long and even. With each breath, tiny streams of spiritual energy entered their bodies, circulating through their meridians and ultimately converging in their dantians, bringing a gentle and fulfilling warmth.
Within Ye Fan, the meridians stretched and contracted like delicate roots, drawing in the sparse surrounding spiritual energy. The energy entered his dantian, but before it could consolidate, most of it quietly dissipated, leaving only a faint warmth behind.
"Too slow…"
He attempted to switch to practicing the Body Tempering Technique. Martial techniques were divided into five major types, ruling over Heaven, Earth, and the mysterious forces, ranked in five grades. The Body Tempering Technique he practiced was an advanced Yellow-Rank method. Even within the Xuan Sect, it was considered quite respectable.
Body tempering itself was arduous. His advanced Yellow-Rank Body Tempering Technique required refining flesh and blood with fire-element spiritual energy. Every breakthrough of the technique came with the agony of burning flesh and bones, which was why few in the Xuan Sect were willing to cultivate it, preferring instead techniques like the Xuan Flame Fist or the Blazing Slash that Xuan Zhenxi practiced.
But Ye Fan had no choice.
His aptitude was average, and most sect techniques didn't suit him. Only this almost self-torturing path offered even a sliver of hope.
As he practiced, a subtle heat rose from deep within his meridians, like fire ants gnawing at his bones, a faint burning pain. He gritted his teeth, forcing down the pain.
Yet the Body Tempering Technique wasn't without benefit. According to its description, each level increased his vitality, expanded his meridians, and strengthened his bones and muscles. At full mastery, it even allowed a temporary enhancement of fire-element abilities comparable to a low-grade Xuan Artifact technique. According to Xuan Changxi, this could be a great help in Ye Fan's future battles and foundation-building!
Two hours later, he slightly opened his alert eyes and glanced at Xuan Zhenxi. The speed at which he absorbed spiritual energy was astonishing; one could even see subtle spatial fluctuations around his dantian caused by the frantic draw of energy. Ye Fan couldn't help but feel envious, but he forced himself to stay hopeful. Even if it was a comforting lie, it was enough.
He rose and turned his attention to his spiritual plants. Knowing his average aptitude, Ye Fan understood that without a great opportunity in life, the only way to improve his cultivation might be through pills refined from these plants.
"A solid pill, using two Red Fire Fruits as the main ingredients, one Five-Star Herb as an auxiliary, and two Strengthening Bone Herbs as the medicine guide… The first two are ready. I'll get the rest after the Xuan Spirit Sect selection competition… hmm?"
As Ye Fan studied the formula given by Xuan Changxi that morning, he suddenly felt an intense fire-element spiritual energy rush from behind. Turning, he saw Xuan Zhenxi surrounded by deep red light, his aura surging.
Sweat appeared on Xuan Zhenxi's forehead as he furrowed his brows. With a few simple hand seals, he steadied his mind. After several breaths, the visible fire-element energy gradually shrank and condensed, absorbed entirely into his meridians, flowing into his dantian.
With a loud rumble, all the spiritual energy around Xuan Zhenxi's dantian was absorbed. Ye Fan felt it—Xuan Zhenxi had broken through.
"Qi Condensation, Level Six! Hahaha!" Xuan Zhenxi emerged from his breakthrough, laughing joyfully as he shared his excitement with Ye Fan.
"Congratulations," Ye Fan said with a smile.
"I need to report to Father quickly, or he'll scold me for being arrogant and neglecting cultivation because of my aptitude."
With that, Xuan Zhenxi ran off in a flash.
Ye Fan watched his brother's back, feeling happy. Though his strength highlighted Ye Fan's own weakness, he didn't mind. Whenever Ye Fan was bullied or insulted, Xuan Zhenxi always stood up for him. They weren't blood-related, but their bond was stronger than most brothers.
Unknowingly, evening arrived. The breeze scattered autumn leaves from the trees like a celestial shower—beautiful beyond words.
Ye Fan lay on a grassy slope, a small blade of grass in his mouth. The warm sunset light bathed his face, and he enjoyed the gentle wind, staring at the sky as if pondering something.
From a young age, he had been precocious: speaking at one month, walking at three, and composing acclaimed poems by age three, earning wide applause.
Yet the path of a genius was never smooth. At the twelve-year-old opening-meridian ceremony, he participated as a member of a foreign clan. The crowd, seeing his average Xuan Spirit Root, naturally despised him, thinking he was merely precocious and, in reality, useless.
He had endured many scornful looks, but with Xuan Zhenxi, the number-one peer prodigy, present, few dared act against him. The elders, respecting Xuan Zhenxi's status just below the sect leader, also dared not offend him.
But Ye Fan refused to submit. He would not live his life being looked down upon, relying on the protection of Xuan Zhenxi and Xuan Changxi. He wanted to prove through his own strength that he was not useless; even with average aptitude, he could carve out his own path.
Thinking this, Ye Fan's eyes reddened, and his determination to enter the Xuan Spirit Sect deepened.
"Tomorrow's selection… I will win!"
"Why so gloomy, my dear little brother?"
Xuan Zhenxi's sudden appearance startled Ye Fan.
"You're here! Did Father praise you?" Ye Fan asked with a half-smile.
"Praise me? Of course not. When I walked in, he asked why I was wandering around. When I told him I broke through to Qi Condensation Level Six, he went silent—but still scolded me not to get conceited," Xuan Zhenxi said proudly, lifting his nose.
"By the way, why are you here alone? Missing your brother? Without water it's called a desert, without your brother it's called loneliness," Xuan Zhenxi teased.
"Don't mess with me, my lonely brother. It's nothing—I was just wondering… if we weren't here, would Father feel lonely?"
"Of course not… without us, he'd be much more peaceful!"
Xuan Zhenxi paused, showing a side unlike his usual carefree self, and smiled.
"Really…"
Ye Fan knew it was a kind lie. He also knew that once he entered the Xuan Spirit Sect, the chance to return to the Xuan Sect would be rare.
"Time really flies…"
(To be continued)