Half a year later.

Green Leaf Peak, Number Xuan-17.

A typical Outer Sect Cultivator’s Immortal Cave, not very far from Song Yan’s Immortal Cave.

Shao Sichao sat in his Immortal Cave with a troubled expression, a letter placed on the table.

He held a brush, sighing repeatedly.

Finally, he mustered his courage and began to write.

"Master, I hope this letter finds you well."

"Since returning from Bei Ya Mountain half a year ago, Song Yan’s cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds, nearing the Late Stage of Qi Refining."

"Approximately nine days ago, he broke through to the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level, advancing to the Late Stage Realm."

"Furthermore, he somehow obtained some Sword Cultivator Legacy, and his spirit is currently high, making it highly possible that he will participate in the Changping garrison."

"Changping is a place teeming with Demon Beasts and evil Cultivators. This Disciple is worried that his progress is too rapid; should he fall to a Heart Demon, this Disciple alone would be unable to control him."

"If I am needed to accompany him for supervision, please issue a decree, Master."

"Recently, this Disciple has observed his Heart-Nature, and it is no different from how it was in Shiliang Town back then. His Heart Demon remains, yet there is no sign of him straying onto the wrong path."

"To be honest, currently his demonic thoughts are monstrous, but for some reason... his conduct, apart from being ruthless when acting, shows no change in his Heart-Nature."

"Truly strange."

"It’s just..."

Shao Sichao’s brush paused, but he still bit the bullet and continued writing.

"On New Year’s Eve, during a casual conversation, this Disciple casually lied about a village."

"Unexpectedly, half a year ago, Song Yan was assigned to Bei Ya Mountain... This matter, I fear, he may have discovered."

"Nothing else."

"Respectfully wishing you well."

The entire letter detailed the effectiveness of various matters, with minor flaws brushed over.

On the windowsill, a white homing pigeon had landed.

Shao Sichao gently rolled up the letter and placed it into a small, slender bamboo tube.

A flash of Spiritual Qi at his fingertips, and runes lit up on it.

He then handed the bamboo tube containing the letter to the white homing pigeon’s claw.

Shao Sichao gently stroked the homing pigeon’s feathers: "Traveling thousands of miles, you truly suffer."

"We are fellow sufferers, let’s continue to endure."

He lifted the homing pigeon and released it into the sky.

"Alas..."

"When will the return date be..."

...On the other side of Green Leaf Peak, Xuan-39.

Song Yan sat cross-legged in his Immortal Cave, continuously consolidating his cultivation with the remaining power of the Medicinal Pills.

After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Ming Jue Pill... truly wondrous."

He slowly stood up and removed his clothes.

All over his body, there were many accumulations of black filth.

When a Cultivator advances to the Late Stage of Qi Refining, there is a process of cleansing the marrow and tendons, which can expel accumulated impurities and pill toxins from the body, slightly improving one’s root bone.

He cast a simple Water Screen Spell to wash away the filth, then leisurely stepped into the warm pool.

"Phew..."

Long days of arduous Cultivation, a Breakthrough in one morning.

Although he felt some mental fatigue, his mood was cheerful and pleasant, and his entire demeanor was refreshed.

His Spiritual Qi, though hidden, exuded a faint pressure.

Nine days ago, Song Yan had refined his Spiritual Qi, which had reached a Bottleneck, to an exceptionally pure state before attempting the Breakthrough.

With the powerful medicinal effects of the Ming Jue Pill, coupled with his already solid Spiritual Qi, it was actually enough to achieve a Breakthrough.

But to prevent any mishaps, he still took two Spirit Gathering Pills consecutively.

After the Breakthrough, the Spiritual Qi in his Qi Sea continued to grow rapidly.

He then spent another eight or nine days refining the medicinal power and consolidating his cultivation.

After the Breakthrough, Song Yan discovered that his Divine Sense had also greatly improved.

From its original radius of twenty zhang, it had expanded to over thirty-five zhang in radius.

This was already equivalent to the Level 9 Qi Refining standard of an ordinary Cultivator.

With his Divine Sense released, the flowing water, plants, and light within the entire Immortal Cave were all under his control.

It’s just... why couldn’t he see Xiao He?

Suddenly.

A cold touch pressed against his neck.

"Eh?"

Song Yan suddenly opened his eyes, only to see Snake Babe’s head already in front of him. Seeing him open his eyes, it flicked its tongue.

"Xiao He... why couldn’t I sense your presence?"

Xiao He chuckled: "You’re allowed to Cultivate... but I’m not?"

He let out a soft "Eh."

A pair of snake eyes glowed with a faint bluish-golden light, and only then did Song Yan sense Xiao He’s aura.

Although still very weak, it was indeed a genuine First-Order Early Stage Demon Beast.

"Where did you get this Cultivation method?"

Song Yan was a bit surprised: "Could it be... you just remembered it yourself when you grew up?"

He had heard many rumors about the Yao Race before.

Legend has it that the Cultivation methods of those Yao Race descendants are inherited through their Bloodline.

They would just remember it themselves when they grew up.

He didn’t understand the logic behind this, only feeling envious.

Xiao He was stunned, then quickly nodded: "Ah, right."

Xiao He began to Cultivate, and he was naturally happy in his heart.

"Amazing!"

"Of course."

Xiao He, flattered, swam around in the water with a smug look.

A moment later, Song Yan stood up and put on his clothes.

He slowly composed himself; the powerful feeling and joy after the Breakthrough could not last.

Now, merely reaching the Late Stage of Qi Refining, even in the Chu Kingdom’s Cultivation World, he was still at the lowest level.

He still needed to guard against arrogance and impetuosity.

After only half a day of rest, Song Yan left his Immortal Cave.

Advancing to the Inner Sect, there was no time to lose.

Walking through the Sect, fellow Disciples came and went, often looking hurried and worried.

About three months had passed since the Changping garrison mission began.

Many Disciples had already rushed to Changping.

However, Song Yan had inquired beforehand, and there were still many slots available for various Sects. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The reason was simple: Changping was a place with barren Spiritual Qi, teeming with Yao Cultivators and evil Cultivators.

It was known as "Ghost Mountain."

Furthermore, this mission was extremely dangerous, so naturally, not many Disciples would voluntarily sign up to participate.

Apart from the necessary Elders stationed there and Inner Sect Foundation Establishment Disciples, most of those who went to Changping were people who were quite confident in their own strength.

Or those who had been stuck at a Bottleneck for many years without any progress.

Now that he had broken through to the Late Stage of Qi Refining and had the Sect’s Elders stationed there, he could mostly ensure his own safety.

As for the rest, that would depend on fate.

Inner Sect, Zuowang Peak.

Outside the General Affairs Hall.

"Senior Brother, I am Disciple Song Yan. I broke through to the Late Stage of Qi Refining a few days ago, and today I wish to participate in the Heart Refining Road to enter the Inner Sect."

The Disciple guarding the hall looked curiously at the young face and nodded: "Please."

Inside the hall, various tasks were guided by dedicated miscellaneous Disciples, proceeding in an orderly manner.

Next, it was time to participate in the Heart Refining Road.

The Heart Refining Road was an illusion array created by the Sect Master and several Elders together.

On one hand, it was to prevent those with ulterior motives from infiltrating the Inner Sect and causing great disaster.

On the other hand, it was also to give proactive Disciples an opportunity to face their true Heart-Nature.

It was both a test and an encouragement.

The Heart Refining Road only required a Cultivator to have a strong devotion to the Dao of Cultivation and no ill will towards the Sect to pass smoothly.

Under normal circumstances, very few people would fail.

If one’s mental state was unstable and their desire to pursue the Immortal Dao was too low, leading to failure, they could choose another date to participate again.

But if one failed due to the latter reason... then there should be no second chance.

Before the Heart Refining Road.

The attendant Senior Brother had made all the preparations for Song Yan, and with a slight gesture of his hand, indicated that Song Yan could start at any time.

He took a deep breath, casting aside distracting thoughts.

A moment later, he slowly opened his eyes.

He stepped firmly, entering the Heart Refining Road.

Spiritual Qi was like mist, and the surrounding scenery changed dramatically.

Green mountains and a thatched hut.

The scent of medicine permeated the air.

A white-haired old man squatted in the medicinal garden, tending to a medicinal seedling.

His cloth robes were stained with mud.

Exactly as he remembered.

"..."