After Zhao Feng left, Lin Sheng remained seated beneath the spirit tree for some time.
The tea had already grown cold.
The conversation regarding Jade Haven City replayed repeatedly within his mind.
The Qian Family.
The Zheng Family.
The Wu Family.
The Mid Grade Rank-3 Spiritual Vein beneath the city.
The Purple Jade Pearl.
And most importantly—
The unknown genius capable of defeating Wu Yuanhua in a single exchange.
Lin Sheng never had the habit of believing information solely because it came from a friend.
Especially in matters involving cultivation resources.
Before making any decision, he intended to verify everything himself.
Over the following days, he quietly gathered information through various channels within Cloud Mist Market.
Some information came from merchants.
Some came from rogue cultivators.
Others came from cultivators who had traveled between provinces.
Most of the stories were exaggerated.
But after filtering away the nonsense, a clearer picture gradually emerged.
Everything Zhao Feng had said about Jade Haven City was largely accurate.
The city truly existed under the joint control of three Rank-3 Families.
The Mid Grade Rank-3 Spiritual Vein was real.
The Purple Jade Pearl was also real.
And the competition scheduled several months later was no secret among the higher circles.
Naturally, Lin Sheng focused most of his attention on one person.
Wu Yuanhua.
The more information he uncovered, the more serious his expression became.
Wu Yuanhua wasn't some ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
She was an inner disciple of the Qingmu Sword Sect.
A Golden Core force.
Furthermore, she had already condensed the seed of Sword Intent which is the "Sword Path" of Immortal Cultivation, different from martial Intent.
Several years ago she had defeated multiple Mid Foundation Establishment cultivators despite only being at the Early Foundation Establishment Realm.
Among the younger generation of nearby provinces, her reputation wasn't small.
Many people believed she possessed the qualifications to challenge the Purple Palace Realm in the future.
Yet such a person had reportedly lost in a single exchange.
Not after a prolonged battle.
Not after exhausting her spiritual qi.
One exchange.
One defeat.
Lin Sheng sat quietly after reading the final report.
His fingers lightly tapped against the table.
If the information was true, then Zhao Feng hadn't exaggerated.
The hidden representative of the Zheng Family was genuinely dangerous.
Perhaps possessing some special inheritance.
Perhaps possessing a powerful physique.
Or perhaps simply stronger than everyone expected.
Whatever the case, the competition suddenly became far more interesting.
Unfortunately, before Lin Sheng could continue thinking about Jade Haven City, another matter attracted the attention of the entire Cloud Mist Market.
Lin Shou's breakthrough.
---
Deep within one of the specially prepared breakthrough chambers of the Training Center.
Lin Shou sat cross-legged.
His True Essence circulated through his body like a flowing river.
Every meridian vibrated.
Every acupoint glowed faintly.
The pressure continued rising.
His cultivation had already reached the limit of the Meridian Opening Realm.
Only a single step remained.
Xuan Gang.
Yet despite his calm exterior, his mind wasn't entirely peaceful.
As his cultivation reached the critical point, memories began surfacing.
A familiar figure appeared within his thoughts.
A young woman.
His former fiancée.
The woman who had once occupied a significant place within his heart.
For a brief moment, old emotions surfaced.
Regret.
Unwillingness.
Bitterness.
The feelings that had once nearly consumed him.
The illusion became increasingly vivid.
As if trying to drag him backward.
As if asking him whether all of his efforts had truly been worthwhile.
Lin Shou remained silent.
Several breaths later, he slowly opened his eyes.
The emotions that once troubled him no longer carried the same weight.
Years ago, perhaps such memories could still affect him.
Now—
They couldn't.
His gaze fell upon the Red Solar Orb suspended within his dantian.
The treasure that had changed his fate.
The opportunity that had allowed him to step onto the path of martial arts.
Compared to the vastness of that path, the obsession of his youth suddenly seemed insignificant.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Then he closed his eyes once more.
The illusion shattered.
The final obstacle vanished.
His thoughts became clear.
He had already chosen.
Not a woman.
Not worldly success.
Not fame.
The peak of martial arts.
That was enough.
Boom!
The breakthrough began.
True Essence transformed.
The surrounding spiritual qi surged violently.
Hours later—
A pillar of golden-red Gang Qi burst into the sky.
The entire Cloud Mist Market trembled.
Countless cultivators looked upward.
Five zhang.
Six zhang.
Seven zhang.
Eight zhang.
Nine zhang.
The Gang Qi continued climbing.
Finally—
It stopped at 9.7 zhang.
The entire market erupted.
Even many Foundation Establishment cultivators were visibly shocked.
Such a foundation was extraordinarily rare.
Soon afterward, countless visitors arrived bearing gifts and congratulations.
When Lin Shou finally emerged from seclusion, his aura had completely transformed.
A genuine Xuan Gang expert.
Among the crowd, Lin Sheng also arrived.
Looking at Lin Shou's Gang Qi, he nodded slightly.
"Congratulations."
Lin Shou grinned. The two exchanged a few words before Lin Sheng reminded him:
"Absorb as much spiritual qi as possible while the transformation remains active."
"The first few weeks are important."
Lin Shou immediately became serious. He naturally understood.
After all, advice from someone who had already walked the path was valuable.
---
The excitement surrounding Lin Shou's breakthrough lasted several days.
Then another breakthrough occurred.
Zhao Feng.
Unlike Lin Shou's breakthrough, Zhao Feng's was far less dramatic. Yet when his Gang Qi manifested, it still exceeded eight zhang.
An excellent foundation.
Not long afterward—
Lin Xiaolu also entered the Xuan Gang Realm.
Her breakthrough was exceptionally smooth.
Almost effortless.
Even several elders remarked that her icy temperament was perfectly suited for martial cultivation of her type of True Scripture.
Within a short period of time, three members of the same batch had entered Xuan Gang.
The market was already discussing them everywhere.
Then everyone's attention shifted toward the final member of the group.
Lou Han.
Unfortunately, Lou Han wasn't eager to break through.
Unlike the others, his situation was special.
Hidden within his body was some unknown existence that continuously drained his Qi and Blood.
Every so often, his body would weaken significantly.
His appetite was enormous precisely because he constantly needed additional nourishment to replenish what had been consumed.
Fortunately, the condition wasn't entirely harmful.
Each cycle of depletion seemed to temper something within him. After every period of weakness, his comprehension improved slightly.
A tiny improvement each time.
Individually insignificant.
Accumulated over years, however—
The results became astonishing. Many techniques that took others months to understand came naturally to him.
Many concepts that trapped others for years could be comprehended much faster.
It was a strange exchange.
Qi and Blood for understanding.
Because of this, Lou Han had delayed his breakthrough repeatedly.
He feared the mysterious force inside his body might erupt during the process.
If that happened, the consequences could be disastrous.
Thankfully—
Nothing happened.
His breakthrough succeeded smoothly.
When his Gang Qi appeared, it too surpassed eight zhang.
At that moment, the entire group had officially entered the Xuan Gang Realm.
Lin Sheng.
Lin Shou.
Zhao Feng.
Lin Xiaolu.
Lou Han.
Five Xuan Gang experts from the same Training Center batch.
The news spread rapidly throughout Cloud Mist Market.
Many older cultivators found it difficult to believe.
One genius wasn't unusual.
Five in a single batch?
That was rare.
Very rare.
---
Several days later, the group gathered together once more.
The atmosphere was lively.
Everyone had finally completed their breakthroughs.
Naturally, a celebration was unavoidable.
Lou Han immediately rubbed his hands together.
His eyes practically glowed.
"So..."
"When's the banquet?"
Everyone laughed.
Zhao Feng immediately rolled his eyes.
"Can you think about anything besides food?"
Lou Han looked offended.
"My condition literally requires food."
"That's just your excuse."
"It's a valid excuse."
"You're a glutton."
"I'm a cultivator."
"A gluttonous cultivator."
The argument instantly began.
Soon the discussion shifted toward which spirit beast tasted best.
Then which restaurant cooked it better.
Then whether roasted meat was superior to grilled meat.
Lin Xiaolu eventually joined the debate.
Even Lin Shou occasionally added comments.
Only Lin Sheng remained silent.
After letting the chaos continue for a while, he finally spoke.
"The banquet will happen."
Instantly everyone quieted.
"But not immediately."
"After that, Zhao Feng and I will probably be occupied for a while."
Zhao Feng immediately brightened.
The smile on his face nearly reached his ears.
He had honestly worried Lin Sheng would reject the proposal.
Now he finally relaxed.
Lin Shou narrowed his eyes.
"Occupied with what?"
Lou Han immediately leaned forward.
"Can we come?"
Lin Sheng calmly drank his tea.
"You can ask Zhao Feng."
The room instantly became quiet.
Every gaze shifted toward Zhao Feng.
"..."
Zhao Feng suddenly regretted being there.
---
As Lin Sheng left the gathering later that evening, fragments of conversation entered his ears from all directions.
The entire market was discussing the same topic.
Five Xuan Gang experts.
One batch.
Extraordinary foundations.
Promising futures.
Many older martial artists couldn't help sighing.
Others felt envy.
Others simply marveled at the Training Center's current generation.
Lin Sheng paid little attention to the discussions.
Reputation was reputation.
Strength was strength.
The two were rarely the same thing.
Returning to his immortal abode, he activated the formations preventing any spying with divine sense.
Before going to the competition, he plans on preparing some minor trump cards just in case