33: Li Yi's success led to Murong Xue becoming a sect leader.

Seeing his lifespan savings reach twenty-four thousand, Jiang Yan was overjoyed.

Because he finally had the confidence to raise his Realm!

He had now found the patterns for Cultivating Cultivation Techniques, Spells, and Martial Skills.

To upgrade the introductory Qi Refining Technique to the Basic Chapter, he had to at least reach mastery first.

To reach mastery, he would have to spend at least two thousand years of lifespan.

And to advance to the Basic Chapter, it would take at least five thousand years of lifespan.

Of course, he had also found the Qi Refining Technique Basic Chapter on the bookshelf, but that book contained many bugs.

He had also asked Li Yi about the Basic Chapter, and the answer Li Yi gave made him give up on the option of overwriting the Introductory Chapter.

The Basic Chapter could be Cultivated, but at most to the Nascent Soul Realm; beyond that, even Li Yi didn't know.

So he planned to save up more lifespan to test whether bugs still existed when advancing from the Introductory Chapter to the Basic Chapter.

After all, he still trusted the panel, because every time he encountered a flawed Cultivation Technique or Spell, the panel would inform him by labeling it as incomplete.

'I'll test it when I go back tonight. If I can truly obtain a complete Basic Chapter, then I can forge a different path!'

Having made his decision, Jiang Yan closed the panel and walked toward the Rock-Earth Green Wolf area Restriction.

On the other side, Li Yi was currently conducting his final test.

He now had eighty percent confidence in widening his Meridians, but the price for this was a bit too intense.

Swallowing a Heart-Protecting Pill, Li Yi circulated his Cultivation Technique, constantly using Spiritual Qi to stimulate his Meridians in reverse.

As his Meridians gradually widened, Li Yi suddenly snapped his eyes open, and immediately after, over two hundred silver needles instantly floated up.

"Pierce!"

Li Yi grit his teeth, waiting for his final hope.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...

The dense cluster of silver needles plunged into the Acupoints on Li Yi's body like shooting stars.

The heart-wrenching agony drove him into a frenzy.

His pupils kept rolling back, saliva constantly leaked from his mouth, and his limbs twitched uncontrollably; he was barely holding onto his sanity.

"Aaaahhh..."

Cries like someone having an epileptic fit echoed continuously within the Immortal Cave.

Madness and reason constantly intertwined and overlapped, nearly causing his spirit to collapse.

Boom!

The moment the Meridians were successfully widened and set, Li Yi's body surged with Qi, and the silver needles inside him were all forced out.

Those silver needles were like bullets, ricocheting wildly inside the Immortal Cave.

"Ah...!"

Boom!

The impact of his screaming sound waves destroyed all the furnishings in the Immortal Cave.

In an instant, Li Yi slowly opened his eyes; they were as calm as water, without a single ripple.

A moment later, Li Yi let out a hysterical shout: "I succeeded!"

He was extremely excited because he had forged a different path—one similar to Jiang Yan's, yet distinct.

He wasn't sure where this path led, but he believed its end was definitely not the Nascent Soul Realm; perhaps he might even be able to touch that higher level.

"Tomorrow, I must tell this good news to my good Disciple!"

"Now, let's try absorbing Spiritual Qi!"

Li Yi muttered to himself, then closed his eyes and began to Cultivate.

As soon as he began absorbing the surrounding Spiritual Qi, the unprecedented sensation of the surge made him ecstatic.

If absorbing Spiritual Qi before was like a small stream, then absorbing Spiritual Qi now was like a rushing great river.

Li Yi believed that by relying on that semi-mature Dao-Plate Flower, he could definitely return to the Core Formation Realm within three years, and this time his Golden Core might far surpass his previous one!

Originally, his plan was to rely on a fully mature Dao-Plate Flower to slowly return to the Core Formation Realm, but now that wasn't necessary at all. The widening of his Meridians had taught him a lot and helped him find the right direction.

"Brat, your Revered Master must thank you for appearing!"

Li Yi was telling the truth; if it weren't for Jiang Yan's unique Meridians providing him with a new perspective, he wouldn't have been able to be so reckless.

However, the price of this madness was quite terrifying.

If it were anyone else, they would likely have perished before even seven days of such torment.

Only someone like Li Yi would dare to be so insane, as he had stockpiled various Medicinal Pills and protective Magic Treasures.

Otherwise, with the way he tortured himself, he would have died long ago.

Spirit Sword Peak, Sword Heart Courtyard.

Murong Xue opened her door and slowly walked out.

At this moment, her eyebrows were like sword edges slanting into her temples, and faint traces of Sword Qi could be seen flowing at the tips of her brows, as if her entire being were condensed from Sword Qi.

Her skin was like jade, yet more translucent than jade; like ice, yet warmer than ice.

When the crowd of Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters saw her, they were all stunned by her beauty and cold aura.

"Greetings, Eldest Senior Sister!"

"Salutations, Eldest Senior Sister!"

Murong Xue nodded slightly and walked past the group of Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, heading toward the Sword Pavilion.

The moment Murong Xue stepped into the Sword Pavilion, all the gates leading to the upper floors opened.

"Disciple pays respects to Revered Master.", Murong Xue said respectfully.

Xiao Mubai nodded slightly and asked, "Have your injuries recovered?"

"In response to Revered Master, my injuries have fully recovered, and I have comprehended the True Thunder Sword Intent.", Murong Xue replied.

"Very good. It seems you have gained a blessing in disguise.", Xiao Mubai was very satisfied.

In Xiao Mubai's view, although her seven-turn Golden Core had become a six-turn one, being able to comprehend her own unique Sword Intent made the loss of one turn insignificant.

"This Disciple has come specifically to thank the Grand Elder. I hope Revered Master will allow me to seek an audience.", Murong Xue said respectfully.

Xiao Mubai waved his hand: "Go ahead, he is already waiting for you upstairs."

Murong Xue bowed and then walked toward the top floor.

"Disciple Murong Xue pays respects to the Grand Elder.", Murong Xue bowed deeply.

"Mm..." The raspy-voiced Grand Elder Chen Yaofeng slowly walked out and looked at Murong Xue with satisfaction, "Sword Heart Clarity, not bad, a fine piece of unpolished jade."

"Thank you for the praise, Grand Elder.", Murong Xue bowed in gratitude.

"Rise and speak.", Chen Yaofeng waved his hand, and a gentle breeze lifted Murong Xue up.

Chen Yaofeng looked very old, but his spirit was excellent. Like an ordinary old man, he calmly observed his Junior.

"Have you considered it properly?", Chen Yaofeng asked.

"It was only thanks to the Grand Elder's three swords that this Disciple was able to successfully condense a Golden Core and step into the Core Formation Realm. As for that matter, I hope the Grand Elder will allow me three years to consider it.", Murong Xue responded respectfully.

Chen Yaofeng nodded slightly upon hearing this and waved his hand: "Very well. After all, that matter is not honorable, and the conditions over there are indeed excessive. If you can obtain that Legacy in the Secret Realm three years from now, what would it matter even if this old man fights to the death?"

"Disciple thanks the Grand Elder.", Murong Xue bowed.

"That little fellow, how is he doing now? Does he still hate us for not taking action back then?", Chen Yaofeng asked.

Hearing the inquiry about Li Yi, Murong Xue's expression faltered for a moment, then she spoke truthfully: "Senior Brother Li has likely let it go long ago. He is currently with his Revered Master Yu Tianlong, guarding Spirit Beast Peak. A few days ago, I heard that Senior Brother Li took in a Disciple."

Hearing this, Chen Yaofeng nodded slightly. He was truly afraid that Li Yi hadn't chosen to let go; after all, they really hadn't stepped in back then, which had shown that Genius nothing but despair.

But Li Yi was also quite lucky to be able to escape from the hands of four Nascent Soul Realm experts.

It was just a pity that his Aptitude and Origin were damaged, causing his Golden Core to shatter and his Realm to fall back to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"As long as he doesn't blame us. From now on, you shall serve as the Qingyun Sect wanderer.", Chen Yaofeng said.

"Yes, Disciple obeys.", Murong Xue respectfully accepted.

A Sect wanderer is the face of a Sect in the outside world. Every generation has one wanderer; they have absolute authority outside and represent the will of the Sect.

For example, if a Dynasty is plagued by evil spirits, the wanderer has the right to dispatch people to handle it, or if the Sect needs certain resources, the wanderer can demand them from that Dynasty.

"Alright, go back and Cultivate well. You may leave.", Chen Yaofeng waved his hand.

"Yes, Disciple takes her leave.", Murong Xue bowed and then slowly exited the top floor.

Returning to the floor below, Xiao Mubai asked, "Did you agree?"

Murong Xue knew what her Revered Master was asking and shook her head: "I asked for a three-year agreement. If I fail, I am willing to become a tool for a political marriage."

Xiao Mubai looked at the scenery of the Outer Sect and sighed.

To be honest, if he had the ability, he would certainly stand up for his Disciple, but unfortunately, his strength was only at the fourth level of the Core Formation Realm.

Forget about breaking into their gates; he couldn't even get past the other party's Inner Sect Elders.

Seeing her Revered Master's melancholy expression, Murong Xue said, "The Grand Elder has appointed me as the acting wanderer."

Upon hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Xiao Mubai's face: "Good, our Qingyun Sect hasn't had a wanderer for decades."

"To be precise, it's been fifty-one years.", Murong Xue said.

Hearing this, Xiao Mubai shook his head with a bitter smile; he understood the meaning behind Murong Xue's words.

She was implying that without Li Yi, the Qingyun Sect had truly been nothing all these years.