Blue Steam Mountain.
Yang Wei stood alongside Lingyu and Sun Yuying.
It was clear that Sun Yuying had jumped from the Spirit Gathering Realm to the Core Formation Realm, which was a massive leap. Having acquired spirit Qi, a form of Qi different from spiritual Qi, and Golden Star Cells, she now had the potential to reach even greater heights in cultivation, possibly reaching the 4th-path cultivation in just a few thousand years.
Yang Wei couldn't help but groan, feeling a bit left behind. "Well, this just seems a little unfair. Yuying's already at the 1st level of the Golden Core Realm, and I'm still stuck at the 6th level of Spirit Gathering Realm." He clenched his fist in determination. "Alright! I, Yang Wei, shall form a Golden Core in the blink of an eye!"
Sun Yuying chuckled. "Well, for now, you'll just have to deal with having a lower cultivation base."
Lingyu pondered for a moment before speaking up. "Well, I wouldn't say lower."
Both Yang Wei and Sun Yuying looked at Lingyu, curious.
"Huh?"
With confidence, the living sword array nodded. "Yes, considering how powerful his spirit root is, and the fact that he has Stellar Essence Meridians, if he can acquire Golden Star Cells, he'll have limitless potential."
Sun Yuying's eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately turned her attention to Yang Wei, looking utterly shocked. "W-, wait, when did you acquire those?!" There was a clear competitive spark in her expression—furrowed eyebrows, flushed cheeks from frustration, and slightly pursed cherry lips.
In silence, Yang Wei looked to the side for a moment.
Hmm, she's right. I totally forgot I need to create a golden core, and for that, I'd need golden star cells first and extract some of their essence along with my stellar essence meridians to mold it. This could be a problem... I won't even bother asking the matriarchs if they can spare me some, I doubt they have it.
If Senior Tortoise could only give me stellar essence meridians without golden star cells, that says a lot about their rarity...
Growing increasingly frustrated with Yang Wei's apparent disregard, Sun Yuying frantically snapped her fingers in his face to demand his attention. "Wei, don't you dare ignore me! Tell me how you managed to get stellar essence meridians. We cultivated together, and we both used the Grand Oak Tree, so there's no way you don't have harmony earth veins like me!"
Yang Wei responded flatly, "Oh, well, a giant tortoise gave it to me!"
It sounded too absurd to be true, but when Lingyu heard his answer, a glimmer of recognition flashed in her eyes for a moment, as if she knew something about it. Nonetheless, she remained silent, offering only a warm smile.
"That's a lie!" Sun Yuying stamped her foot in frustration.
Lingyu teleported right next to Sun Yuying and carried her off Yang Wei's arms, "Don't worry, I'll take care of her from here." She lifted Sun Yuying up in a bridal carry.
Yang Wei nodded, "Alright, just make sure she's—"
Lingyu then told him, "I know, she'll be well taken care of. She's my sister after all."
Yang Wei smiled, "I guess you are."
Yang Wei was just about to leave when Lingyu called out, "Umh, Respected Yang!"
Yang Wei turned back to her, "Just call me Wei, it's fine."
Lingyu nodded gently and then bowed her head slightly, "I just wanted to say thank you. You're too humble not to have asked for anything in return after saving me from that neverending darkness. I... I could immediately sense a powerful aura emanating from you, the same one that led me to my freedom."
Yang Wei smiled, "Of course, how could I see such a beautiful woman in distress and not lend a hand, it goes against my principles." Turning to leave, he added, "Please, take care of Sun Yuying."
"I will!" Lingyu responded with reverence for the man she saw as someone who held great wisdom.
Now alone, Yang Wei rubbed his chin and let out a slight groan, as if he were pondering something deeply.
What neverending darkness? I don't remember saving anyone in such a place... Ahem, I'll take credit nonetheless. It seems like the righteous thing to do. Discover exclusive content at empire
...
Yang Wei walked for a few more minutes, and soon, he was standing face-to-face with a familiar face.
Mu Zhong.
"Zhong? What're you doing here?" Yang Wei asked.
Mu Zhong sighed, "I... wanted to show you something."
"Okay?"