Chapter 3: Cultivation Soars, Third‑Rank Refining Qi Realm

Wait until you have clearly seen the line of words that appears on the Enlightenment Monument.

The square, which had been noisy and chaotic, suddenly became utterly quiet, a dead silence that was suffocating.

It was as if even a silver needle dropping to the ground could be heard.

Especially those who had just been mocking Li Mu; now they were startled, eyes wide, with a look of disbelief as if they'd seen a ghost.

It must be clear.

The ten‑day comprehension method just announced by Ziyuan Zhenren, even those who absorb Qi into their bodies, only meet the minimum threshold for an Outer Disciple of the Ziyang Sect!

Those who succeed in five days may directly enter the inner sect!

If within three days one can complete a full Great Circulation of this entry method, absorbing Qi into the body.

That would be a single person attaining the Dao, with chickens and dogs soaring to heaven!

Not only can one himself rise swiftly to glory and obtain the status of a Personal Disciple, but even his parents and close relatives can also enjoy wealth and honor!

But what about Li Mu?

Just a plain‑clothed boy whom everyone present regarded as having gone mad yearning for an immortal destiny!

Don't even talk about a mere three days!

He hasn't even a single day!

Not!

Without even using a single breath, he has already attained the Dao!

Instant enlightenment, immediate success!

Behold the dazzling golden light shining brilliantly on the Enlightenment Monument.

All the boys and girls in the square deeply understood.

Li Mu is about to break a historical record that has stood for thousands of years since the founding of the Ziyang Sect, a record with no precedent!

Moreover, this record not only has no precedent before, but may never be surpassed in the future!

Under the gaze of countless onlookers, Li Mu slowly opened his eyes, and a sharp brilliance burst from his pupils.

【Ding!】

【Congratulations, host, for successfully breaking the minor shackles, rewarded with a Thousandfold Heavenly Dao Blessing once!】

【Ding!】

【Congratulations, host, for successfully breaking the major shackles, rewarded with a Ten‑Thousandfold Heavenly Dao Blessing once!】

"I actually became a third‑rank Refining Qi Realm!"

Li Mu was both shocked and delighted at that moment.

The overwhelming power boiled inside him, and with a simple gesture he could release ten thousand jun of force!

Not only that.

The hidden injuries and old ailments that had lingered inside him for thirteen years vanished completely at this moment.

"Truly worthy of a system product!"

"This Ten‑Thousandfold Heavenly Dao Blessing's qualitative transformation effect is just too god‑defying!"

"To think it could identify the Ziyang Sect's entry method as the 'Eight‑Nine Mysterious Technique'!"

Li Mu thought to himself.

One should know that even the newly recruited Personal Disciples of the Ziyang Sect...

Their cultivation levels, if they could even reach an eighth‑rank Foundation Establishment Realm, would already be considered quite remarkable!

Li Mu's third‑rank Refining Qi Realm cultivation already surpasses that of the vast majority of Personal Disciples of the Ziyang Sect!

This is a third‑rank Refining Qi Realm at the age of thirteen!

Genius?

Monster?

Sorry!

I'm a cheat!

The key is, I now have another such overpowered cheat in my hands!

Who knows what kind of surprise this will bring me!

Just as Li Mu was still immersed in the unprecedented joy of his realm soaring.

He then saw.

In the thick mists before him, they suddenly began to slowly disperse from the center.

Before his eyes appeared a woman of graceful figure and exquisite beauty, wearing a long violet dress whose hem floated like a fairy, devoid of any worldly aura, drifting down before him.

Finally seeing Ziyuan Zhenren's true form, the hundred‑thousand boys and girls in the square all held their breath, stunned into silence.

Their Adam's apples twitched slightly up and down, words forgotten, only that breathtaking silhouette remained in their minds.

For a moment.

On the Enlightenment Monument platform, only the thudding heartbeat remained.

Ziyuan Zhenren seemed accustomed to casting awe‑inspiring, shocking gazes at those around.

She directed all her attention toward the plain‑clothed boy before her.

Staring at the plain‑clothed boy, Ziyuan Zhenren's peach‑blossom eyes were hazy as if veiled by a thin mist, ethereal like smoke.

Yet in her cool, clear voice, an unhidden joy could be heard.

"What talent!"

"Undeniably a heavenly prodigy!"

Thus.

Ziyuan Zhenren, disregarding whether anyone else could understand, spoke on her own.

"Considering the three thousand years of our Ziyang Sect, even the founding patriarch, when he was young, spent more than half a day to embark on the Dao!"

"And this rag‑clad youth named Li Mu, in innate talent, is actually superior even to the founding master of our Ziyang Sect!"

"No!"

"Such innate talent and comprehension truly has no precedent before and none after!"

"The deficiency of wealth, law, companions, and earthly tools, before such unparalleled talent, is not worth mentioning!"

"If my Longtan Peak possesses such a heavenly prodigy, it will shine in the Four Peaks Grand Competition and is likely to take the top prize!"

At this point, Ziyuan Zhenren's eyes burned as she looked at Li Mu.

"Li Mu!"

"Now, I'm taking you back to the Ziyang Sect!"

"Believe me, the sect leader and elders will be extremely delighted when they see you!"

With that, she finished speaking.

Only a bright sword clang—"Clang!"—suddenly rang out.

Zi Yuan's sword at her waist, as if sentient, flew from its scabbard and, in the azure sky, performed a Slash!

"Swish!"

A pale golden sword trail, as if it would tear the entire firmament apart.

Her voice was not loud, yet it carried extremely far, crystal clear, resonating throughout the arena.

"I have already left a sword formation here!"

"In five days you may enter the Outer Peak Inner Gate!"

"After a ten‑day limit!"

"Those who cannot refine the entry‑level heart method to the initial insight of the path will all be expelled from the Cave Realm and returned to the mortal world."

Now Ziyuan Zhenren's whole heart was focused on Li Mu, and everything else fell into the background.

After hastily giving a brief instruction, Zi Yuan placed her hand on Li Mu's shoulder and stepped onto the golden sword trail.

Originally.

Li Mu felt that the sword trail Zi Yuan casually slashed should work much like the escalator he rode in his previous life.

But he never imagined!

When Zi Yuan led Li Mu onto this rainbow bridge, he suddenly felt the world spin, a strong sense of weightlessness surging like a tide.

The next moment!

The scene before his eyes abruptly changed; he was swiftly soaring away from the Enlightenment Monument, now treading the sword trail, riding the wind, soaring through the void!

A fierce wind surged, brushing past his ears.

Li Mu couldn't help but exclaim, "Is this the feeling of sword‑riding to fly like an immortal…"

Initially, Li Mu thought Ziyuan Zhenren would summon a flying sword and stride upon it!

But not!

It turned out she would slash a sword to create a rainbow!

In his excitement.

Li Mu looked down.

He saw the figures in the lower part of the plaza gradually shrinking.

Those boys and girls of varied temperaments and different backgrounds.

In Li Mu's view, they turned into individual black dots, indistinguishable from each other.

Seeing Li Mu's eyes shine with excitement.

Ziyuan Zhenren smiled calmly, "Li Mu, you must remember!"

"Although you possess extraordinary talent, within the Ziyang Sect you are only just beginning!"

"Among the Four Peaks of the Ziyang Sect, disciples within four years of entry are collectively called Outer Peak disciples and must pass the Four Peaks Grand Competition assessment to enter the Inner Peak."

"If within those four years you still cannot pass the assessment to enter the Inner Peak."

"Even if you are honored as an Outer Peak direct transmission, you will still be expelled from the sect."

She paused, then continued, "Besides Longtan Peak, the Ziyang Sect also has Little Heaven Peak, Xuan Yue Feng, and Purple Canopy Peak."

"Together, these four peaks span roughly eighty thousand li north‑south and ninety thousand li east‑west."

"If a mortal were to mistakenly enter the Immortal Gate."

"They would likely be unable to leave for their whole life, lost among towering mountains."

Li Mu was startled by the words, then nodded heavily.

If it were the newly‑arrived Li Mu in the Qian Kun Realm, he would have had no concept of what Zi Yuan spoke of.

But after Li Mu started with a single bowl and struggled to survive thirteen years in the Qian Kun Realm.

He deeply realized how fragile mortal lives are before those great demons and alien races!

Indeed, human lives are cheaper than grass!

Therefore, even without the system‑issued task, Li Mu would try every means to join the Immortal Gate.

Otherwise.

In this chaotic era, one might not even know how one dies.

As for the Four Peaks Grand Competition and Inner Peak assessment mentioned by Zi Yuan?

Li Mu, however, didn't pay much attention!

Damn, that's it!

A moment later, the rainbow descended.

Ziyuan Zhenren led Li Mu to stand at the foot of the mountain.

Li Mu looked up.

In front of him stood a massive archway a hundred meters tall.

Through the archway one could see rows upon rows of tightly set blue stone slabs winding upward, reaching the summit.

At the cloud‑piercing summit, a majestic vermilion palace was hidden among layers of white clouds, faint and awe‑inspiring, making one feel insignificant.

This is the Ziyang Sect's main peak, Tianfeng Ridge!

It is the immortal realm that countless youths of the mortal world have long dreamed of!

Even though Li Mu is a second‑generation person!

Yet standing at the foot of the mountain, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

By entering Longtan Peak, he can truly understand the Qian Kun Realm and step onto a broader stage!

By entering the Ziyang Sect, he can meet all kinds of Heaven's Pride youths and vie with them!

Li Mu followed Zi Yuan step by step to the vermilion palace; before even entering, the harsh clamor from within reached his ears, and Ziyuan Zhenren's handsome willow‑like eyebrows involuntarily furrowed slightly.

Li Mu!

"Next, if Personal Disciples of Xuan Yue Feng come looking."

"Then, regardless of what they say or do, you need not pay attention."

"Senior sister will back you up!"