When a cultivator enters enlightenment, their perception of time differs from the external world.

To those in the cave realm, only half a quarter-hour had passed since Yang Lingrui first touched the Enlightenment Stone.

But for Yang Lingrui within the yellow earth road, he’d spent an entire month refining the Treasure Pearl of Yellow Wind.

The melon-sized pearl had shrunk to thumbnail dimensions through his efforts.

Three more days saw him fully absorb the diminished pearl.

His cultivation level now stood at peak Ninth Level.

This sudden enlightenment propelled him to match the trio from the selection ceremony’s top ranks – Zi He, Chu Hao, and Xia Lihang.

Beyond cultivation progress, refining the pearl helped him assimilate the Yellow Wind Taoist tradition’s Inheritance from his sea of consciousness.

This Inheritance contained three elements:

A Spiritual Communication Technique titled “The Stealing Winds Scripture”,

A Spirit Communication technique named “The Yellow Wind Covers the Sky Formula”,

And an unfamiliar mental technique called “Book of Rising Winds”.

Yang Lingrui had cultivated the first two to the ninth level of Gathering Qi.

Now when he summoned power, his palm no longer produced ashen gales but vicious yellow winds brimming with corrosive destruction!

_Swish—_

He directed this yellow wind at a roadside boulder.

The stone showed no surface damage after the wind’s caress.

Yang Lingrui then flicked a pebble at the seemingly intact rock.

_Ping._

_Crack-crack… CRUMBLE!_

The boulder fractured instantly, disintegrating into gravel within seconds.

“Superb technique!”

Yang Lingrui marveled.

He estimated his combat strength had tripled at minimum.

“Surely surpassing Feng Lingyue now. But how do I compare to Zi He’s group?” he pondered.

The “Book of Rising Winds” proved far more challenging.

Even with the pearl’s refinement and insights from “Discussion on the Practice of Various Techniques” and “Method for Cultivating Calmness of Mind and Soul”, he’d barely scratched its surface.

This passive technique only activated during cultivation, currently offering two effects:

Heightened breakthrough success rates,

And deeper synergy between caster and techniques.

Previously, his gale technique felt like wielding conventional weapons – swords or spears made of air.

When controlling the yellow wind, it had previously felt like wielding swords or axes, always requiring external force. Now the yellow wind flowed as naturally as his own breath, responding instantly to his thoughts. Though this didn’t strengthen the technique’s power, it created crucial advantages in battle. Between equally matched cultivators, victory often hinged on such subtle differences.

“I only sought the Enlightenment Stone for breakthrough,” Yang Lingrui murmured, shaking his head wryly. “Yet again, the Immortal Master’s power saved me. How many times has it been now?” Without the spirit pearl’s protection during his first journey down the yellow earth road, he’d have lost both the Yellow Wind Taoist tradition’s inheritance and his own Dao heart.

“This Enlightenment Stone’s remarkable. After reaching Condensing Essence, I must obtain one for the Immortal Master.” As this thought formed, the surroundings dissolved like melting snow.

Yang Lingrui blinked awake in the painting realm. His fingers brushed cheekbone where human skin fragments lay scattered. A resigned chuckle escaped him. All that concealment, wasted.

Let them look then.

He turned calmly to face the crowd, offering a measured bow.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist!” Zi He emerged first, returning the gesture. The greeting rippled through observing cultivators until a chorus surrounded him.

Returning to Xu Jianan’s side, Yang Lingrui found the man gaping like a landed fish. “Brother Xu? Seen a ghost?”

“Ah! Forgive me!” Xu Jianan flushed. “But truly, Brother Yang! Henceforth when Tiger-Chasing speaks of ‘talent and beauty’, your name shall lead!”

Yang Lingrui waved dismissively. “A late-stage Gathering Qi cultivator hardly merits such praise.”

The remaining youths’ Enlightenment Stone attempts paled after his display. When Wei Kangping finally recalled the stone, the chorus of “Thank you, Mountain Master!” held lingering excitement.

Maintaining the painting realm demanded vast Earth Treasures – an investment in the academy’s future. Though these youths couldn’t repay the debt now, someday they’d stand at the dynasty’s pinnacle. Then, this enlightenment would prove priceless.

“Friend Yang, a moment?”

“Wait your turn!”

Emerging from the painting realm, Yang Lingrui found himself mobbed. He memorized names, faces, cultivation levels – information for Yang Lingqing. Several female cultivators lingered suggestively, but his “urgent secluded cultivation” excuse dispersed them.

Peace finally came at his cave… until knuckles rapped stone door through multiple restrictions.

“Who approaches?”

“Shen Yue of the academy, visiting Fellow Daoist Lingrui.”

Meanwhile, atop He Shenglai’s solitary peak:

“What wind brings Your Highness?” He Shenglai bowed to black-clad Murong Qiuhan.

Her springwater eyes sparkled. “A most… intriguing breeze.”

He Shenglai’s smile stiffened. “Abandon this fancy, Princess. That one serves my future purposes.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep