Chapter 49: Training Ends, Has Li Lifang Built His Foundation?

Time flowed like a quiet river, washing away the seasons. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

It was now Xiao Yifeng’s eighth year at Wuya Hall. He had turned eighteen, and his appearance and physique had fully matured. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, growing increasingly handsome and graceful—like a jade tree standing firm in the wind.

Backed by the resources of the VIP Pavilion and his own determination, Xiao Yifeng’s cultivation had surged. He advanced like splitting bamboo, smashing through barriers until he reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation. He had now hit a natural bottleneck.

His relentless pace alarmed Su Qianyi and Lin Ziyun. They worried he was sacrificing stability for speed, building a tower on sand. They repeatedly urged him to suppress his cultivation to ensure his foundation was solid.

But Xiao Yifeng turned a deaf ear. He knew his own body better than anyone. His foundation wasn’t just solid; it was unbreakable, as stable as Mount Tai itself.

Today marked the end of the 3-year training period.

The disciples gathered once more in the great square where they had first entered the sect. Xiao Yifeng, familiar with the route, easily found his squad.

“Senior Brother Xiao! You’re here!” Ling Sisi greeted him warmly, her eyes lighting up.

Xiao Yifeng smiled, returning the greetings. He chatted cheerfully with Ling Sisi and the others. Over the past two years, he wasn’t the only one who had changed; Ling Sisi had blossomed into a stunning young woman, her beauty growing fresher and more spirited by the day.

The team had made good progress. Aside from Captain Tang Pei, who was stuck at the Grand Perfection of Qi Condensation, everyone else had advanced. Ping Shi, living up to his status as a True Disciple, had reached the peak of the Eighth Layer, just a thin membrane away from the Ninth.

Tang Pei and Lin Mi treated Xiao Yifeng with extreme enthusiasm. The events of the past three years—Su Miaoqing’s fiery defense of him and Liu Hanyan’s mysterious gift—had convinced them that Xiao Yifeng was the hidden descendant of some terrifying big shot. They did their best to curry favor.

Xiao Yifeng accepted their friendship, though he remained cool toward Zhu Ming. He had seen the man’s opportunistic nature too clearly to trust him. Zhu Ming, however, had thick skin and didn’t seem to mind the cold shoulder.

The square buzzed with excitement and melancholy. Disciples chatted loudly, while some female disciples wiped away tears. After today, they would return to their respective halls. The intimate camaraderie of the past three years would be hard to maintain.

“Senior Brother Xiao, time really flies,” Ling Sisi sighed, her eyes reddening. “We’ve been together for three years, and now we have to separate. I can’t bear it.”

She was a sentimental soul, prone to emotion.

Xiao Yifeng smiled gently. “We will meet again. It’s not like we’re parting forever in life or death. What is there to be sad about?”

“Exactly!” Lin Mi teased, poking Ling Sisi’s arm. “If you miss your Brother Xiao, just go to Wuya Hall to find him. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see you!”

“Sister Lin! You’re making fun of me again!” Ling Sisi stomped her foot, feigning anger. “Be careful, or I’ll stop talking to you!”

“Don’t be like that,” Lin Mi laughed, dodging a pinch. “I may not be as handsome as your Brother Xiao, but I’ve been with you for years too. Don’t be so heartless, Sister Ling.”

Lin Mi continued to tease relentlessly until Ling Sisi’s face turned crimson. She turned her head away with a huff. “I’m ignoring you!”

“Hahaha, right! Don’t forget about me, your Captain!” Tang Pei joined in the laughter. Since realizing Xiao Yifeng was untouchable, he had dropped his schemes and became genuinely pleasant to be around.

“I hate you all! Even the Captain is bullying me!” Ling Sisi pouted.

Tang Pei’s expression grew serious as he turned to Xiao Yifeng. “Junior Brother Xiao, I heard some news recently. Li Lifang has successfully established his Foundation.”

He paused, a hint of envy in his voice. “He was released from confinement two years ago and rejoined the training in a different squad. Rumor has it he broke through half a year ago. He should be here today. You need to be careful.”

Tang Pei couldn’t help but feel bitter. He had been stuck at the Grand Perfection for years, even failing a breakthrough attempt once. Hearing that a scoundrel like Li Lifang had succeeded was a hard pill to swallow.

Xiao Yifeng paused, then smiled faintly. “He’ll be here? That’s actually… quite good. Thank you for the warning, Captain.”

Xiao Yifeng was genuinely pleased. Not because he missed Li Lifang, but because he had a specific plan in mind—and Li Lifang’s presence was the key to executing it.

A moment later, the noisy crowd fell silent. Thousands of disciples turned in unison, standing at attention as they looked toward the high platform.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Over a dozen colorful rainbows streaked across the sky, descending onto the platform. The auras dissipated to reveal the formidable figures of the Wentian Sect’s leadership. The nine Hall Masters took their seats.

Usually, Su Qianyi wouldn’t bother attending these ceremonies, as Wuya Hall rarely had disciples worth noting. But this year, with Xiao Yifeng’s presence, he was forced to show his face.

He wasn’t alone. Lin Ziyun stood beside him, and behind them was Su Miaoqing, her large, bright eyes scanning the crowd below, looking for a certain someone.

Xuan Yi, standing behind the Sect Leader, spotted Su Miaoqing immediately. He walked over with a warm smile, striking up a conversation.

Although their first meeting had been rocky, Xuan Yi had been smitten. Over the past three years, he had visited Wuya Hall constantly, bringing gifts and charm. He was handsome, tactful, and witty. Su Miaoqing’s hostility had gradually thawed.

It seemed fate was persistent. In his past life, they had become Dao Companions. In this life, the attraction remained.

Lin Ziyun watched the two young people chatting with a neutral expression, letting nature take its course. Su Qianyi, however, glared at Xuan Yi with the natural hostility of a father protecting his daughter from a wolf.

Xiao Yifeng watched from below, feeling no jealousy. Xuan Yi was talented, powerful, and decent. He was worthy of his Senior Sister.

His gaze shifted. Liu Hanyan stood on the platform, unveiled. Her cold, transcendent beauty drew the eyes of every male disciple in the square.

“Disciples respectfully welcome the Sect Leader and the Hall Masters!”

The roar of thousands of voices shook the air as the disciples bowed in unison.

“Rise,” Guangling Zhenren said, his voice calm but carrying effortlessly to every ear. He looked every inch the immortal sage, with his flowing beard and serene demeanor.

“Today marks the end of your three-year training. From this day forward, you are no longer novices. You are the pillars of the Wentian Sect. You have earned the right to descend the mountain, travel the world, and spread our prestige.”

He gestured to the side. “Now, let Guangwei Zhenren of Qiankun Hall explain the code of conduct for the secular world.”

A gaunt, severe-looking man stood up. This was Guangwei Zhenren, the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall.

“I am Guangwei,” he rasped. “When you descend the mountain, you represent the sect. Do not bully the weak. Do not collude with heretical paths. Do not disgrace our name…”

He droned on, listing rules and punishments. The disciples below struggled to stay awake but dared not show it. Guangwei was famous for his iron-faced impartiality. Falling into his hands meant losing a layer of skin and having your bones scraped.

Finally, the speech ended. The disciples exhaled in relief.

Next came the awards ceremony.

The top performing disciples received prizes. First place earned a Low-Grade Spirit Weapon. Second through tenth place received Top-Grade Spirit Weapons. It was a display of the Wentian Sect’s immense wealth.

In this realm, artifacts were graded strictly: Spirit Weapons, Magical Artifacts, Immortal Artifacts, and Divine Artifacts. Most Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators would kill for a Top-Grade Spirit Weapon.

Of course, for “second-generation immortals” like Su Miaoqing, this was pocket change. She wielded a Low-Grade Immortal Artifact like a toy. Even the gifts Xuan Yi had given Xiao Yifeng were Middle-Grade Spirit Weapons.

Xiao Yifeng’s team had mediocre results, so they received nothing. They could only watch with envy as others went up to claim their prizes.

Xiao Yifeng didn’t mind. In this life, playing the role of the “Princess’s Study Companion” had its perks. He had already acquired plenty of treasures.