Chapter 15: Luo Wuren's Retreat

Although Ye Yunlan was merely an ordinary disciple of the Moon Cold Peak—not even among the core disciples—she entered the Dao Yan Sect at the same time as Luo Wuren. Their talents were comparable. The only difference was that Ye Yunlan had resolutely chosen Moon Cold Peak back then, which led the elders of the other peaks to reject her.

In truth, Ye Yunlan’s cultivation had reached the third level of the Zhou Tian Realm, and her innate talent was actually slightly superior to Luo Wuren’s. If the two were to face off, Luo Wuren would not be confident in securing a stable victory.

“Hmph!” After much consideration, Luo Wuren snorted coldly and declared, “Fine! I refuse to believe you can protect him for a lifetime!” Then he turned to Lu Changfeng and said with cold indifference, “Lu Changfeng, if you have the ability, never leave Moon Cold Peak for your entire life!”

With that, he left with disciples from the Heavenly Sword Peak. Although they left with reluctance, they understood that the senior sister of Moon Cold Peak would not easily concede. After all, this was a matter of pride for Moon Cold Peak.

Ye Yunlan sheathed her long sword and turned to look at Lu Changfeng. In Lu Changfeng’s eyes, she wore simple white robes that made her appear extraordinarily pure, and her rosy face inspired a sense of calm.

“Sigh...” She sighed softly and said, “Why did you provoke Luo Yun from Heavenly Sword Peak?”

Lu Changfeng made a slight movement and responded calmly, “Thank you, senior sister.”

He was unfazed by Luo Wuren’s provocation, but since Ye Yunlan had stepped in to help, he wanted to maintain appearances.

Ye Yunlan nodded lightly. Although she had initially been wary of Lu Changfeng, she did not take it to heart. After all, as the senior sister of Moon Cold Peak, it was natural for her to protect the disciples of her own peak.

“My intervention was mainly to preserve the dignity of Moon Cold Peak!” she explained. “If a direct disciple of Moon Cold Peak is bullied by Heavenly Sword Peak’s disciples, then what face does our peak have to come down from the mountain?”

Lu Changfeng nodded slightly, understanding perfectly. He and this so-called senior sister had no real connection, and her actions were not for his sake.

Ye Yunlan continued, “In the cultivation world, the strong rule. Even though your status is that of a direct disciple, you must swiftly improve your cultivation level. Otherwise, if you lose a fight, it won’t just be you who is disgraced.”

“Understood?” she finished before turning and leaving.

As Lu Changfeng lowered his head in contemplation, Zhou Xuantong suddenly appeared from nowhere, his face full of eagerness. “Senior brother, please don’t blame me! Senior sister is actually a good person, but your arrival... caused some trouble...” Before he could finish, Lu Changfeng looked up at him, expression calm.

Seeing this, Zhou Xuantong fell silent and nodded slightly, understanding the unspoken meaning. Before Lu Changfeng came to Moon Cold Peak, Ye Yunlan was the most likely candidate to become a direct disciple—her lifelong goal. But now that he had arrived, her chances had diminished greatly.

Though none of this was Lu Changfeng’s fault, Ye Yunlan would still not treat him kindly.

With no conversation flowing between the two, Zhou Xuantong pressed his lips and quickly said, “Senior brother, you should be careful! Although Luo Wuren appears aloof, like Luo Yun, he is a person who never lets grievances go lightly. This matter definitely won’t end easily.”

Lu Changfeng waved his hand dismissively. He was not concerned, as Luo Wuren’s cultivation was only at the second level of the Zhou Tian Realm—something he did not take seriously.

The topic ended there. Lu Changfeng sat cross-legged inside the cave dwelling and began cultivating to improve his own power, while Zhou Xuantong shamelessly sat cross-legged at the entrance. He had not forgotten his promise to Lu Changfeng—to reach the fourth level of the Tong Mai Realm within a month.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, a surge of intense spiritual energy rippled throughout the cave. Zhou Xuantong frowned and slowly opened his eyes. He had sensed the shift in spiritual energy within the cave.

While cultivating, he noticed that the spiritual energy around him had thinned considerably.

“What is this?” he wondered. “Is it the momentum of a breakthrough?”

He instinctively glanced deep into the cave at Lu Changfeng, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

“Only a few days have passed?” he murmured. “Senior brother is about to advance a level so quickly?”

At that moment, the spiritual energy seemed to condense into a mist that flowed gently into Lu Changfeng’s body.

Boom!

The entire cave resounded with the roar of spiritual energy. A fierce wind howled, swirling in all directions.

Lu Changfeng, who had been closing his eyes, now opened them, his gaze shining with a radiant light.

“Hu!” He exhaled deeply and whispered, “Tong Mai Second Level.”

With his innate talent already surpassing the heavens, combined with the nurturing of the Dao Ancestor’s Divine Furnace, his breakthrough was a natural progression.

The spiritual energy here was so dense that there was no need to worry about its scarcity.

“As expected,” he thought, sensing the spiritual energy flowing through his meridians. “My body’s foundation is solid, allowing me to cultivate even faster than in my previous life.”

“Plus, the Divine Furnace of the Dao Ancestor refines the spiritual energy I absorb, making it incredibly pure.”

“The purity of my spiritual energy even exceeds that of an ordinary Tong Mai Eighth Level cultivator.”

Though others saw only a Tong Mai Second Level practitioner, the concentration of spiritual energy within Lu Changfeng was no less than that of someone at the eighth level.

“Congratulations, senior brother!” Zhou Xuantong hurried over, bowing respectfully with a smile. “You’re amazing! To improve your cultivation in less than a week—truly worthy of the ‘Nine-Star Constellation’ prodigy!”

Lu Changfeng’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded slightly. Such speed was considered miraculous by outsiders, but for him, it was simply the natural result.

Rising to his feet, Lu Changfeng headed outside the cave.

Zhou Xuantong quickly stood and smiled, “Senior brother, where are you going? Do you want me to lead the way?”

Lu Changfeng shook his head lightly and said calmly, “You just keep cultivating.”

With that, he left the room.

Watching Lu Changfeng depart, Zhou Xuantong clenched his fists tightly, a surge of urgency stirring in his heart.

He had promised to reach the fourth level of Tong Mai Realm within a month, and now a quarter of that time had passed. The pressure was mounting, and he had to work harder.

Otherwise, in less than a month, Lu Changfeng would surpass him.

Whether he could still follow him then was uncertain.

With these thoughts, he took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and resumed his cultivation.