55: The three-year period has expired...

“Tang Yishuang… here to visit.”

A female voice rang out from outside the door, and Li Qi and Shu Zhiyou were startled, looking at each other in surprise.

Tang Yishuang was also one of the True Essence Realm Disciples within the School, and she had actually come to find them on her own initiative.

Li Qi stepped forward to open the door and saw a graceful woman, who was probably in her twenties, in the prime of her youth.

“Senior Sister Tang?”

Li Qi tentatively addressed her, and she looked at Li Qi with a surprised expression: “You are Li Qi? You are much younger than I imagined…”

Li Qi chuckled and welcomed the woman inside.

When Shu Zhiyou saw the visitor, he also stood up and greeted her: “Greetings, Senior Sister.”

Tang Yishuang smiled and nodded, then looked at Li Qi: “Junior Brother Li, Senior Sister has disturbed you abruptly, please forgive me.”

Li Qi moved a chair over and let her sit down: “No disturbance at all, may I ask why Senior Sister has come this time…”

Tang Yishuang smiled charmingly: “It’s nothing else, I just heard that Junior Brother successfully had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm, so I specially came to congratulate you.”

“Senior Sister has nothing else to give, only a Quenching Essence Pill that is presentable. I hope Junior Brother will not dislike it.”

As she spoke, Tang Yishuang took out a wooden box and placed it on the table.

In fact, it wasn't just Tang Yishuang; Shu Zhiyou also brought a congratulatory gift. Li Qi did not refuse and accepted them all.

“Junior Brother, you have had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm at such a young age, and I heard that Junior Brother has been practicing martial arts for a very short time… it truly makes Senior Sister feel ashamed.”

“Senior Sister, you flatter me.”

This was Li Qi’s first time meeting Tang Yishuang. He had originally thought she would be an arrogant and difficult person to get along with, but the reality was that she was unexpectedly easy to get along with.

“Junior Brother, the Disciple Grand Competition is in one month. At that time, Junior Brother will surely display his prowess.”

“Then I shall borrow Senior Sister’s auspicious words.”

“I have disturbed Junior Brother for a long time, it’s time to leave. Then, we shall meet again on the arena in one month.”

After Tang Yishuang left, other Disciples from the School came to visit one after another.

Although Li Qi was a Peak True Qi Realm powerhouse before, there were quite a few Peak True Qi Realm Disciples in the School. When Li Qi had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm… the nature of things became completely different.

A True Essence Realm Martial Artist was like a pillar of support in the Pine Crane Longevity Sect, the core combat power of the School, and closer to the School's core circle. A presence of this Rank, let alone becoming a chief Disciple, even becoming a School Elder in the future… was not impossible.

If one didn't build a good relationship with such a person in time, what else were they thinking about?

If they didn't show their face and pay a visit now, if they had something to ask for in the future… people might not recognize them.

The School Disciples came to visit and offer congratulations one after another. Not only Tang Yishuang, but even Huangfu Ji came.

Looking at the current chief Disciple, Li Qi was also a little surprised. Originally, Li Qi thought Huangfu Ji would be a sharp and spirited man, but the real Huangfu Ji appeared somewhat dull and silent, and his words were simple and straightforward.

“Junior Brother has had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm. Huangfu Ji specially came to congratulate you.”

After delivering his congratulatory gift, Huangfu Ji also left.

After the courtyard became quiet again, Li Qi shook his head somewhat helplessly. He didn't expect that there would be unexpected benefits after his Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm; the congratulatory gifts sent by the School Disciples were not few.

What surprised Li Qi the most was that the atmosphere of the Pine Crane Longevity Sect was surprisingly good!

When Huangfu Ji and Tang Yishuang came to visit, he thought there would be a verbal dispute because he threatened their identity and status.

However, the reality was far from it. Everyone he met was quite easy to get along with, and no unpleasant things happened.

“This Pine Crane Longevity Sect… is not bad.”

Li Qi smiled faintly.

He was originally a lone Martial Artist from the Jianghu, and after leaving Chuan, he wanted to find a place to settle down. Then he unexpectedly came to the Pine Crane Longevity Sect, and this place… was exactly the safe haven he needed.

With a sigh in his heart, Li Qi sorted and counted the congratulatory gifts sent by the School Disciples and put them all away.

Drawing his dragon pattern sword, Li Qi stood with his eyes closed, beginning to perform the sword Moves of the Pine Crane Longevity Skill - Return to Origin Chapter, familiarizing himself with his new Realm and power.

The sword light danced, stirring up the wind and clouds, and leaves fell from the big tree nearby…

The leaves were affected by the sharp sword light and instantly turned into powder!

As Li Qi’s sword light danced, the slight unfamiliarity in his Moves quickly disappeared.

Becoming smooth and natural…

……

One month later.

Pine Crane Longevity Sect Martial Arts Training Ground.

An arena and stands had already been built here, and the Disciples of the School had all gathered here.

At this moment, it was bustling with noise and excitement.

“Time flies so fast, three years have passed again.”

“Haha, it’s time for the chief Disciple competition again! We just love this lively atmosphere!”

“Who do you favor this time?”

“Who else but Senior Brother Huangfu Ji! He won the chief Disciple seat last time… it will definitely be him this time too.”

“You don’t understand this, do you? There’s a new True Essence Realm Disciple this time, Li Qi. His martial Dao talent is higher than Senior Brother Huangfu Ji’s, I favor him more!”

“Senior Brother Li is very powerful, but after all, he has been practicing martial arts for a short time, and his experience is still lacking. I still favor Senior Brother Huangfu more.”

“Hehehe… there’s something you don’t know yet, right?”

“What is it?”

“Just now, Senior Brother Jin Wenyang came out of seclusion, and he also successfully had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm. This time, there are more people capable of competing for the chief Disciple position.”

“Senior Brother Jin also had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm?!”

“Of course, I wouldn’t lie to you!”

Just as everyone was talking excitedly, a cold snort came from nearby.

“Hmph, short-sighted. Whether it’s Huangfu Ji or Jin Wenyang and others… I can defeat them all by myself!”

Everyone was startled and looked towards the sound, finding a very young Disciple from the School.

Everyone did not dare to be presumptuous and tentatively asked: “This Junior Brother, have you also had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm?”

The young Disciple snorted coldly, with a proud expression: “No.”

“The three-year period is up, do not bully a young man for being poor. Even if I haven’t had a Breakthrough to the True Essence Realm yet, I can still…”

Before he could finish boasting, the young Disciple was interrupted.

“Noisy! You, a fellow who isn’t even True Essence, dare to come here and brag?”

“Hurry up and get out!”

Everyone laughed.

While the School Disciples were making a ruckus, several Elders also arrived.

The Sect Head was already in seclusion, one Elder was permanently guarding the Scripture Depository and would never go out unless necessary, and there was also Xu Nianyun who was not in the School. Only two Elders could come here to preside over the Disciple Grand Competition.

Wang Huan and Puyang Changqing.

After the two Elders arrived, everyone fell silent, all looking at them intently.

“The Disciple Grand Competition of my Pine Crane Longevity Sect is held once every three years. The winner will be the chief Disciple!”

“Fellow Disciples competing, stop when appropriate. If anyone dares to strike with lethal intent… then don’t blame this old man for being impolite.”

After Wang Huan explained the rules of the competition, this Disciple Grand Competition officially began…