No one knew how much cultivation Liu Jiang Fusheng had attained after three years of secluded practice.
However, Dan Ya had reached the peak of the Golden Core stage after three years, precisely at the highest limit for cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage on the newcomer rankings. He was also Wei Li's most relied-upon contender for the championship.
As for Fang Rui, she had finally broken through the Foundation Establishment stage and formed a Golden Core after three years of seclusion. Zi Ying was only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, but she had only joined three years ago. To progress from Qi Refining to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment in just three years was considered astonishing talent. It was possible she had advanced smoothly without encountering any formidable opponents, and she might also secure a spot on the rankings.
Suddenly, on the majestic cloud peaks to the north of Xilong, the sheer cliffs instantly shimmered with brilliance. A high-pitched and impassioned sword cry resonated in the air, instantly drawing countless sword intents from heaven and earth to converge. Beneath the dense spiritual energy of the distant mountains, a seven-colored rainbow bridge gradually appeared. In the clear sky, a line of immortal cranes stepped onto the bridge, carrying clouds as they soared into the azure firmament, creating a scene of peculiar auspicious signs.
Upon sensing the commotion, Gu Junshi turned her head and saw the purple energy swirling from the east. She confidently declared, "He has emerged from seclusion."
Dan Ya also felt it. He hummed in response, then gracefully invited, "Why don't we go together to greet Fusheng shidi upon his emergence from seclusion? I'm sure he'll be very happy to see you."
While his words seemed entirely for Liu Jiang Fusheng's sake, only Dan Ya knew his true intentions.
Without further ado, he brought Gu Junshi with him and flew towards Mount Wumei.
Before they even reached the cave dwelling where Liu Jiang Fusheng had been in seclusion, they saw that the flattened cliff face outside had already attracted many cultivators hovering around.
The leader was Daoist Zhiyang, the lord of Mount Wumei, followed by his direct disciples. Disciples from other peaks had also arrived from near and far, gathered to observe.
Dan Ya, carrying Gu Junshi on a golden bell and tripod, hovered at a height several dozen zhang away from the secluded cave dwelling, neither too close nor too far, positioned perfectly to take in everything.
The time restriction formation outside the cave dwelling had lost its efficacy. The two tightly locked stone doors ground as they retreated into their stone recesses, emitting a grating noise. The cave entrance was wide open, and a figure, unhurried, slowly stepped out amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd.
A gust of wind blew through his hair. The immortal sword approached him faster than the wind, circling around him as if in a joyful reunion. The sword's tail trailed a soft, ethereal light, blurring him in a diffused halo. Within this soft white light, he finally raised his head.
At that moment, everyone felt as if their eyeballs had suffered a powerful impact.
He had grown up.
Three years was enough time to bring about a colossal change in a growing adolescent.
He had grown taller, his build tall and slender.
His previously gentle, unangular face, which was neither male nor female, now had a mature and smooth contour. The red mark on his forehead made his skin, unexposed to sunlight for years, appear as flawless and translucent as white porcelain.
His thick eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings in the wind. His dark, lustrous eyes were as clear as crystal. His captivatingly beautiful face was enveloped in a silvery luminescence, giving an unutterably unreal impression.
Like a dream, like an illusion, on the verge of awakening, easily shattered with a touch.
The disciples who had gathered out of curiosity were momentarily stunned.
Daoist Zhiyang, having experienced more than these youngsters, quickly recovered from the superficial appearance. He had specially tidied the sparse hair on his head and placed it neatly on his crown, donning a brand-new Azure Cloud Daoist robe for this occasion, a testament to his high expectations for Liu Jiang Fusheng.
He squinted his small eyes and carefully probed Liu Jiang Fusheng's aura, quickly determining his current cultivation level.
A disbelieving voice blurted out, "Middle stage Golden Core!?"
Di Yunyi, the senior disciple of Daoist Zhiyang, had recently returned from an outward expedition. This was the first time he had seen his junior disciple, rumored to possess a Heavenly Spiritual Root. His appearance was exquisite and handsome, with a rare pair of clean, pure eyes unblemished by worldly impurities. Such a pure-hearted individual cultivated without distractions, and his growth rate far surpassed that of ordinary people.
"In three years, he has not only refined his spiritual energy to be full and smooth but has also significantly increased his cultivation. This junior disciple is truly worth anticipating, just as Master said." His tone was filled with admiration.
"Right, right," Daoist Zhiyang's eyes sparkled, so proud he almost wagged his tail.
Chang E also cupped his hands in a bow and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Master, on finding such a peerless genius disciple. You can now enjoy the endless praise from others."
This remark struck a chord with Daoist Zhiyang, who couldn't stop smiling.
Given that everyone present were cultivators with sharp senses, they naturally did not miss Daoist Zhiyang's exclamation of "middle stage Golden Core." The crowd was engulfed in shock.
"Heavens! Uncle-Master Fusheng is already a Golden Core cultivator!?"
Both had cultivated for three years, starting from the early stage of Qi Refining. People couldn't help but compare him with Zi Ying, the junior sister from Mount Ni Hua. The one previously praised by everyone now seemed to fall short in comparison.
After all, one had just reached Foundation Establishment, while the other had directly surpassed her by an entire major realm.
Indeed, the cultivation speed of those with Heavenly Spiritual Roots was truly heaven-defying.
Fang Rui had already emerged from seclusion several days ago. However, she did not immediately return to Mount Ni Hua to report to the mountain lord, nor did she leave her secluded cave dwelling. Instead, she remained there, waiting for Liu Jiang Fusheng to finish his seclusion.
With Daoist Zhiyang and other masters present, she, mindful of her status, could not stand at the forefront to greet him. Seeing Liu Jiang Fusheng again after three years, she had not forgotten her past infatuation with him, which had only deepened with the passage of time.
Zi Ying, who served as a point of comparison, also came with the other disciples. She had always heard that there was a senior disciple in the sect who possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root and, like others, had been curious and imagined what kind of person he would be.
Upon seeing him with her own eyes, she finally understood what the scriptures meant by "celestial beauty."
He was it.
She was momentarily lost in thought, then pinched her palm, quickly concealing the flash of excitement in her eyes. She then looked at him with an innocent and longing expression.
Such a man was exceedingly precious and rare. She dared to bet that more than half of the female disciples present had developed feelings for him, but she, Zi Ying, was determined to be different.
Men in this world were all the same. The more you saw, the less rare they became. They would only pursue those who were different and interesting.
Dan Ya, from his high vantage point, was like a chess player, observing the expressions and changes in everyone. Finding it amusing, he played with his fingers and said, "A Yi, did you see? Junior Disciple Fusheng is now the center of attention, and there is no place for you beside him."
He leaned close to her ear and sighed softly.
Gu Junshi paid no attention to his words, her deep, dark eyes fixed on Liu Jiang Fusheng.
She had thought her feelings for him had become commonplace.
But after not seeing him for three years, observing how the once sour and sweet, immature fruit had now matured into a delicious, thin-skinned fruit, she felt a spark of interest and wanted to take a bite to see if it would be sweeter and juicier than before.
The immortal sword had been circling Liu Jiang Fusheng, but as if sensing something, it suddenly bolted forward. The swift light it emitted abruptly shot out.
At that moment, a familiar sword light carrying anger suddenly appeared. A sword hung in the air, emitting a sound like dragons and tigers. It then flew straight up into the sky. This time, it did not hold back but directly erupted with cold radiance, shearing off a lock of Dan Ya's hair.
It was a warning, and also a declaration of defiance.
Dan Ya straightened up, breaking the intimate distance he had deliberately created with Gu Junshi. The corners of his mouth curled into a sly, triumphant arc.