"Because only disciples at the Spiritual Wheel realm can enter the Spirit Domain."
A flash of crimson light streaked across Leng Xingzhi’s eyes, traversing the sky, and the entire vast forest space became heavy.
"Did Senior Brother go in?"
Chu Lingwei didn't feel anything unusual. She wanted to know what the Centennial Grand Competition, which everyone valued so highly, truly meant, and why it required a blood sacrifice.
"Never," Leng Xingzhi offered a gentle smile. "The Spirit Domain's spiritual energy is exceptionally pure. As long as one enters, their spiritual power can be elevated by more than one realm, with the hope of reaching the Sovereign realm."
Chu Lingwei gasped. It was incredibly difficult for human cultivators to reach the Sovereign realm. There were very few Sovereign realm powerhouses in the entire Xuántiān Continent.
"Senior Brother, have all the Sovereign realm seniors of the Xuántiān Continent entered the Spirit Domain before?"
Leng Xingzhi fell silent, pondering for a long time before slowly stating, "No."
The Centennial Grand Competition, the Spirit Domain that opened once every hundred years, was spoken of so magically, yet no one had achieved the Great Dao.
"Because, before they could cultivate to the Sovereign realm, they all perished," Leng Xingzhi stood up, gazing into the distance. His voice drifted far away, startling nearby spiritual beasts into flight.
Chu Lingwei's heart tightened. As expected, benefits didn't come easily.
"Little Junior Sister, do you know why the major sects are willing to sacrifice their disciples?"
"Because they can gain benefits from it."
If a person doesn't act for themselves, heaven and earth will destroy them. Moreover, this was the Xuántiān Continent where everyone yearned to cultivate the Great Dao.
"You are very intelligent," Leng Xingzhi chuckled softly, his expression softening. He reached out and ruffled his little junior sister's hair. "Don't worry, Little Junior Sister. No one dares to lay a hand on a disciple of the Spirit Cultivation Academy, let alone you."
"What benefits will they get?" Chu Lingwei never feared danger; she simply wanted to know the reason.
"When you truly enter the Spirit Domain, you will naturally understand everything," Leng Xingzhi retracted his hand. "You only need to know that you are Leng Xingzhi's Little Junior Sister, and no one will dare to scheme against you."
Seeing that her Senior Brother was unwilling to say more, Chu Lingwei lowered her gaze. It seemed a major event was about to unfold on the Xuántiān Continent.
In the days that followed, Chu Lingwei's life was dedicated to cultivation and practicing combat skills.
Leng Xingzhi would visit daily to assess Chu Lingwei's progress.
In the blink of an eye, two years passed.
Originally, Chu Lingwei was only meant to stay for a year, but her Master sent a letter requesting her to rapidly improve her combat abilities there.
For two full years, Chu Lingwei spent her time cultivating and sparring.
Leng Xingzhi, still clad in white, stood by the lake, quietly admiring the pink-clad girl as she gracefully wielded her sword.
"Little Junior Sister, it's time for us to go back."
Chu Lingwei stopped her movements and flew to Leng Xingzhi's side.
After two years of close interaction, the two had become very familiar with each other.
"Alright."
Leng Xingzhi summoned a flying artifact, and they boarded it, heading out of the vast forest.
Spirit Cultivation Academy.
Wuhui Mountain.
"Disciple pays respects to Master."
Bei Chenfeng sat at the head of the hall, looking at Chu Lingwei, whose spiritual power had significantly increased, and nodded with satisfaction. "It seems your trip to the vast forest has benefited you greatly."
"Yes."
Over the past two years, Chu Lingwei had engaged in constant combat, sparring with spiritual beasts and her Senior Brother. Now, she could freely manipulate the spiritual power within her body and the power of space, achieving the unity of man and spirit.
"The Centennial Grand Competition is just one year away. You can arrange your time as you wish for this year, as long as you don't miss the competition."
Bei Chenfeng’s teaching style for his disciples was laissez-faire. As long as they didn’t stray from the right path, he would occasionally offer guidance, leaving the rest to their own cultivation.
"Yes, Master."
Chu Lingwei left her Master's cave dwelling. Her first action was to visit Chu Ze in the Medicine Valley.
"Weiwei, you're back," Chu Ze was overjoyed to see his daughter return, pulling her aside and bombarding her with questions.
"Father, your spiritual power has recovered?"
Seeing a much younger Chu Ze, Chu Lingwei was filled with surprise and joy. In two years, her father's injuries had completely healed, and his strength had reached the Heavenly Transformation realm of the Three Heavens, with hints of breaking through to the Heaven Opening realm.
"Yes."
Chu Ze waved his right hand, setting up a spiritual energy barrier around them. Within it, streams of spiritual energy danced like lightning. "I feel I will soon break through to the Heaven Opening realm."
"Congratulations, Father."
"Weiwei, now that my spiritual power has recovered, I wish to go out and seek opportunities to break through to the Heaven Opening realm," Chu Ze looked at his daughter with pride. His daughter was a young prodigy, already in the Spiritual Wheel realm at such a tender age, and was a treasured disciple of the Spirit Cultivation Academy. With her here, he was at ease.
Chu Lingwei's head shot up, a flicker of worry crossing her face.
"Don't worry, Weiwei. Your father will return before the Centennial Grand Competition," Chu Ze's gaze was gentle. He reached out and stroked Chu Lingwei's head, his movements tender. "I will watch you ascend the great path of spiritual cultivation step by step."
"Father, travel safely."
Chu Lingwei's heart ached. Although she and Chu Ze hadn't spent much time together, the blood tie etched in their bones bound them tightly, making them worry for each other.
Chu Ze had already recovered six months ago. He had waited until now just to see his daughter.
"Weiwei, in the path of spiritual cultivation, life and death are commonplace. Maintain your original intention and persevere."
Chu Lingwei, with reddened eyes, nodded vigorously, watching her father depart.
After seeing her father off, Chu Lingwei returned to her cave dwelling. Gazing at the familiar scenery, she let out a relieved smile.
In spiritual cultivation, as one’s realm increases, so does their lifespan.
The Sensing realm has a lifespan like ordinary people, about a hundred years. The Spiritual Movement realm, two hundred years. The Spiritual Wheel realm, three hundred years. Upon entering the Heavenly realm, lifespans extend to eight hundred, even a thousand years.
The Sovereign realm can live for up to three thousand years.
The path of spiritual cultivation is long, and separations are even more common.
Only by achieving the Great Dao can one act as they please.
Chu Lingwei's gaze became resolute. She was determined to reach the end of this great path of spiritual cultivation.
...
"Xingzhi, did you gain anything from this trip?"
Bei Chenfeng's expression turned stern, his eyes growing increasingly cold.
The gentle demeanor on Leng Xingzhi’s face was gone. He clenched his right hand slightly before quickly releasing it, his thin lips parting. "No."
A flicker of confusion appeared in Bei Chenfeng’s eyes. After pondering for a long time, a sigh escaped his lips.
"Forget it."
He then added.
"Weiwei is my direct disciple, Bei Chenfeng. No one is allowed to harm her in the slightest."
Bei Chenfeng's words sounded like comfort, yet also like a warning.
"Yes. Leng Xingzhi will certainly protect her path of spiritual cultivation and ensure its smoothness."
Leng Xingzhi's posture became even more upright, his eyes flashing with rainbow-like crimson light.
Watching his eldest disciple leave, Bei Chenfeng fell into a rare moment of confusion, murmuring, "Did I make a mistake?"
"Spirit, ever-changing, each with its own destiny, already predetermined. Why change it?"
Li Chen's voice was as clear and cold as his name suggested. He stood among the clouds, looking down upon the myriad changes.
Bei Chenfeng smiled slightly and extended his right hand towards Li Chen, "The item?"