58: Chapter 58: Answers to Questions about Entering the Sect?! Half-Step Foundation Establishment Completed!

[ Age 32, November 3rd. ]

[ Yunlai Inn. ]

[ You had Ji Mengxue clear out the Number One Heaven-Grade private room three days in advance. ]

[ When Ji Mengxue asked about the background, you spat out two words: "Nascent Soul." ]

[ She didn't ask further and personally went to the storeroom to retrieve the century-old spirit brew kept at the bottom of the chest. ]

[ Noon. ]

[ A streak of crimson light landed in the north of Yunzhou City. ]

[ The light dissipated, revealing a middle-aged man wearing dark red Daoist robes. ]

[ He had a thin face, three wisps of short beard, and a calm gaze. ]

[ The bluestone slabs within a ten-zhang radius beneath his feet were covered in cracks due to the leakage of his spiritual pressure. ]

[ The city gate guards trembled in their legs under the Nascent Soul pressure. ]

[ Huo Quji carried the blood-burning spear and went up to meet him: "Master." ]

[ Perfected Chiyang swept a glance at him, his gaze resting on the long spear: "You've been out for half a year, covered in injuries, but you've obtained a good spear." ]

[ Huo Quji grinned: "It was a gift from Sister-in-law." ]

[ —— ]

[ Number One Heaven-Grade private room. ]

[ After three rounds of drinks. ]

[ Perfected Chiyang sized you up, and you offered a junior's salute, neither humble nor pushy. ]

[ Huo Quji began to recount the events in Yunzhou, speaking of the desperate battle at Qingshi Ridge, the encirclement by nine people, and how you carried him back to the city. ]

[ After listening, Perfected Chiyang set down his wine bowl. ]

[ He looked at Huo Quji: "In these six months, you've learned faster than you did in the sect." ]

[ The Perfected One turned his head, his gaze falling on you: "Shopkeeper Shen, it is thanks to your care that Quji was able to return alive. I have noted this favor." ]

[ You replied politely: "Brother Huo blocked a strike from a third-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator for me; I have yet to repay this debt." ]

[ Perfected Chiyang nodded: "The spear your wife gave him is of no low grade; she is meticulous." ]

[ Huo Quji, unable to hold his liquor, slumped on the table, and snoring gradually began. ]

[ In the private room, only you and the Nascent Soul expert remained. ]

[ You filled the wine bowl and pushed it over: "Senior, this junior has something to ask for advice on." ]

[ "Speak." ]

[ "What is the age limit for Tianxuan Sect recruiting outer sect disciples?" ]

[ Perfected Chiyang's hand, holding the bowl, paused in mid-air. ]

[ He looked at you: "Under twenty-five for the outer sect, under twenty for the inner sect. You are past the limit." ]

[ You did not retreat: "If one has exceptional talent in any aspect, will the sect make an exception?" ]

[ "Quji has a Fire-attribute Heavenly Spiritual Root; that is talent." Perfected Chiyang spoke bluntly. "If it's not a spiritual root, then alchemy, artifact refining, formations, or sword dao—if any one of these reaches the peak of the same stage, it also counts." ]

[ You raised your bowl to toast: "This junior understands." ]

[ Perfected Chiyang clinked his bowl with yours: "You are not young, and your aptitude is average; according to the rules, you cannot enter. But since Quji recognizes you as his big brother, if you truly possess notable skills in the future, come to the Tianxuan Sect to find me." ]

[ You stood up and cupped your fists. ]

[ Evening. ]

[ Huo Quji slung the long spear on his back and bid you farewell at the entrance of the Liu Family residence. ]

[ Liu Qingqing walked out holding Shen Tian: "Be careful on the road, don't get into any more fights." ]

[ Huo Quji laughed loudly and transformed into a streak of light with Perfected Chiyang, disappearing. ]

Shen Ji tapped on the table.

The threshold for entering the sect is now clear: peak talent of the same stage.

He must draw relevant golden traits in future annual traits.

He shifted his gaze back to the light screen.

[ Age 32, year-end. ]

[ Raising children, cultivating, managing business. ]

[ Shen Tian learned to roll over, Shen Yue learned to grab people. ]

[ Liu Qingqing guards the children all day, her temper has become much more reserved. ]

[ Age 33, birthday. ]

[ The roulette wheel spins. ]

[ White light shines. ]

[ You obtained the trait: Iron Stomach (White) — — Pill absorption rate increased by 5%. ]

[ You put Iron Stomach into the warehouse and continued to keep a low profile. ]

[ Age 33, April. ]

[ Hu Wansan delivered the account books; after the Liu Family fully took over Wanbao Pavilion, the quarterly net profit doubled. ]

[ Age 33, September 7th. ]

[ Liu Qingqing gave birth to another son. ]

[ A baby boy, his cries spread throughout the courtyard. ]

[ After checking, the Great Elder's voice trembled: "Another middle-grade Water Spiritual Root?" ]

[ The trait "Blessed with Many Children" triggered. ]

[ Third son Shen Yun is born, aptitude feedback activated. ]

[ Luck +30, current Luck 241. ]

[ Spiritual power surged frantically in the meridians. ]

[ The barrier of the peak of the eighth layer of Qi Refining shattered instantly. ]

[ You opened your eyes, spiritual power circulating like water. ]

[ Ninth layer of Qi Refining, half-step Foundation Establishment. ]

[ Age 33, December 27th. ]

[ Nanshan Medicine Valley. ]

[ You were gathering spirit herbs deep in the dense forest when the roar of beasts approached from afar. ]

[ Three second-order Red-Maned Leopards were besieging a woman in white. ]

[ That is Qin Yao. ]

[ She leaned against a giant rock, her left arm stained with blood, her right hand clutching half a broken sword. ]

[ The three demon beasts lunged simultaneously. ]

[ Your shuangluo sword unsheathed. ]

[ The first strike, ice-blue sword qi slashed horizontally, severing the leopard heads at the neck. ]

[ The second strike, the sword blade whirled, piercing the throat of the second leopard. ]

[ The last leopard tried to escape; you flicked your fingertips, and the shuangluo sword flew out of your hand, pinning it dead a hundred paces away. ]

[ Qin Yao slid down, exhausted, and looked up at you, her lips trembling: "Shopkeeper Shen." ]

[ You sheathed your sword and walked closer: "You've been following me for three days, why?" ]

[ She was silent for a long time, clutching the broken sword: "I want to beg you to kill someone, the enemy who wiped out my entire family." ]

[ Her eyes revealed a familiar calmness. ]

[ You handed over golden trauma medicine: "Treat your wounds first." ]

[ You walked deep into the cave, where three translucent fruit trees were growing. ]

[ That is the Heavenly Spirit Fruit, a holy item for breaking through to Foundation Establishment, with an extremely high market price. ]

[ You picked all the fruits and put them into a jade box. ]

[ When exiting the cave, you threw one to Qin Yao: "The grace of saving a life, let this settle it." ]

[ Qin Yao held the Heavenly Spirit Fruit, her hands trembling: "This is too precious." ]

[ "Settled means settled." You walked down the mountain without looking back, "As for your matter, I will consider it and reply later." ]

Shen Ji looked at Qin Yao's name, thoughtful.

The light screen jumped again.

[ Age 33, December 29th. ]

[ You returned to the study, and an anonymous letter was on the table. ]

[ The letter paper was spread open, containing only eight words. ]

[ The Qin Family tragedy, the Zhao Family is the mastermind. ]