353: Chapter 353 Sect Master, when will you hand over some new knowledge?

"Look! There is still movement over there!"

Someone pointed toward an inconspicuous corner deep in the valley.

That was where Qingyan was in seclusion.

Unlike the earth-shattering Breakthroughs of Leng Ningshuang and the others, Qingyan's Breakthrough seemed exceptionally... quiet.

There were no towering pillars of light, no biting cold, no scorching flames, and no sharp Sword Qi.

There was only a faint pink glow, slowly spreading from the house where she was in seclusion.

The light was soft and warm, like the sun in spring, and like the whispers of lovers.

Wherever the light passed, some illusory images faintly appeared in the air—flowers blooming and falling, clouds rolling and unfurling, figures leaning on each other, and tears of parting...

These images flashed by in an instant, but they made those who saw them feel a strange ache in their hearts, involuntarily recalling the softest and most unforgettable memories in their own minds.

"This... what Cultivation Technique is this?" someone murmured.

"Such a strange aura... it doesn't seem like Nascent Soul, but rather Golden Core Peak."

"But this phenomenon... why is it so... makes people want to cry?"

The pink light lasted for about a quarter of an hour before it slowly receded.

Finally, the light condensed into an illusory pink lotus flower, which slowly bloomed above Qingyan's house before quietly dissipating.

A figure walked out of the house.

Qingyan.

She was still her usual fragile and pitiable self, wearing a light pink dress, with a fair face and eyes like water.

But unlike before, her temperament had become even more... elusive.

She was clearly standing there, yet she seemed as if she could disappear into the wind at any moment; she was clearly looking at you, yet she made you feel as if her gaze had pierced through you and was looking elsewhere.

"Junior Sister Qingyan! You broke through?"

A Hehuan Sect Disciple shouted in surprise.

Qingyan smiled slightly, her smile carrying a hint of tenderness that made people's hearts ache, and she nodded gently: "Yes, I am at Golden Core Peak now."

Golden Core Peak!

Although it was not as high as the Nascent Soul Realm of Leng Ningshuang and the others, for Qingyan's age, it was already an extremely astonishing achievement!

You must know, she was only at Foundation Establishment Peak before; jumping straight to Golden Core Peak meant she had broken through two Realms in a row!

"Congratulations, Junior Sister Qingyan!"

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

The Hehuan Sect Disciples gathered around to offer their congratulations.

Meanwhile, the Taihu Clan Disciples outside the valley looked at each other, their faces filled with complex expressions.

Three Nascent Souls, one Golden Core Peak... and they all broke through at the same time!

If this were a coincidence, they wouldn't believe it even if they were beaten to death!

The only explanation was that the legendary "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art"—the Cultivation Technique created by Xu Ruyu—really had miraculous effects!

"Is that Cultivation Technique... really that powerful?"

"It can make someone at Golden Core Peak break through three Realms to the third level of Nascent Soul? It can make someone at Foundation Establishment Late Stage jump straight to Nascent Soul? This... this is simply Heaven-Defying!"

"Does our Taihu Clan have such a Cultivation Technique?"

"In your dreams! That is the secret transmission of the Hehuan Sect; how could they possibly give it to you?"

"Sigh... if I had known, I shouldn't have mocked them back then..."

Amidst the discussions, Leng Ningshuang, Zhao Yan, and Ning Caihe also walked out of their places of seclusion one after another.

Leng Ningshuang was dressed in white, a faint chill radiating from her body; wherever she passed, a thin layer of frost would form on the ground.

Her aura was deep and powerful, making her seem like a completely different person than before.

But her face still held that cold and indifferent expression, only there was a hint of imperceptible... excitement in her eyes?

Zhao Yan was shirtless, steam rising from his body, his muscles knotted, looking like a walking volcano.

He grinned and laughed, punching a huge rock nearby; the rock instantly shattered, gravel flying everywhere, and the cut was charred black, as if it had been burned by high temperatures.

"Awesome! Too awesome!" he laughed loudly, "This 'Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art' is simply divine! I feel like I could punch a hole in the sky with one strike right now!"

Ning Caihe remained taciturn, just holding his sword and standing quietly to the side.

But his sword was different from before.

That originally ordinary spirit sword was now emitting a faint spiritual light, with patterns vaguely flowing across the blade, as if it had merged with his aura.

Just by standing there, he made people feel a sharp Sword Intent, as if it could be unsheathed at any moment.

The four gathered together and looked at each other, seeing the same emotions in each other's eyes—gratitude, excitement, and a hint of disbelief.

"The Sect Master... is truly a Divine Being," Zhao Yan exclaimed with emotion.

Leng Ningshuang nodded slightly without speaking, but the look in her eyes said it all.

Just then, a voice came from outside the crowd:

"Congratulations to the four of you on finishing your seclusion, congratulations, congratulations."

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Xu Ruyu in a green shirt, smiling, walking slowly toward them. Behind him followed Yue Ling and the Taihao Clan.

"Sect Master!"

The Hehuan Sect Disciples bowed one after another, their eyes filled with admiration.

When Leng Ningshuang and the others saw him, a complex look flashed in their eyes. Then, Leng Ningshuang stepped forward first and bowed deeply to Xu Ruyu.

"Thank you, Sect Master, for the grace of teaching us the Cultivation Technique."

Zhao Yan, Ning Caihe, and Qingyan followed closely behind and bowed in unison.

Xu Ruyu quickly helped them up and smiled: "This is the result of your own hard work; what does it have to do with me? Get up, get up quickly."

Leng Ningshuang straightened up and looked at him, a rare hint of admiration appearing in her eyes: "Sect Master, I have... offended you many times before. Only today do I realize that the Sect Master's Dao is unfathomable. Leng Ningshuang is convinced and impressed."

Xu Ruyu waved his hand: "Senior Sister Leng is too serious. Everything in the past is over. Now our Hehuan Sect must unite and overcome the difficulties together."

Leng Ningshuang nodded and said nothing more.

Zhao Yan leaned in and grinned: "Sect Master, that 'Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art' of yours is just too awesome! I feel full of energy right now; I could fight ten or eight Golden Core cultivators without even catching my breath! When will you teach us something new again?"

Xu Ruyu smiled: "Greed leads to indigestion. You should first stabilize your Realms and lay a solid foundation. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Ning Caihe rarely spoke, only saying four words: "Thank you, Sect Master." But his usually aloof face also showed a hint of gratitude.

Qingyan blushed and whispered: "Sect Master brother, can Qingyan help you more now?"