Chapter Seven: Enlightenment

The Tianyuan Sacred Land was filled with the echoing sounds of the Dao and wreathed in immortal mist. This mist was, in fact, materialized spiritual energy, visible to the naked eye, a phenomenon sustained by a massive spirit-gathering formation beneath the sacred land that spanned dozens of miles, creating a realm akin to a celestial paradise.

Atop the various immortal peaks, numerous disciples of the sacred land sat in meditation, rhythmically inhaling and exhaling, drawing upon the pervasive spiritual energy to fuel their cultivation within their countless cave dwellings.

Su Yi, hands clasped behind his back, arrived from the distance, treading upon white clouds. A disciple perched on a nearby mountain spotted him and let out an exclamation.

"It is the Saint Son!"

The disciples looked over, their faces filled with longing and envy. What was a Saint Son? A Saint Son was the future leader of the sacred land! A figure destined to suppress all opposition.

Without slowing his pace, Su Yi descended onto a mountain that stood noticeably taller than the surrounding peaks. This was Taixuan Peak, the immortal mountain reserved exclusively for the Saint Son, where only he and those he permitted could reside. In short, everyone on the mountain belonged to his inner circle.

As Su Yi landed before the entrance of his cave dwelling, the two disciples stationed there immediately bowed in salute.

"Welcome back, Saint Son!"

Su Yi waved his hand. "I have urgent matters to attend to. No one is to see me, save for my master, and no one is to knock on my door."

"Understood!"

Having given his orders, Su Yi entered his dwelling and closed the door. He hurried to his bed, unable to contain his impatience, and opened his system interface. He had just unlocked the "Epiphany" function; it had been inconvenient to check it earlier, which was why he had returned in such haste.

A quick glance revealed that he had three hundred points from his previous mission. These points weren't enough to exchange for anything of significance in the shop, and what was available held little value. It didn't matter; he knew this was a long journey. As for the heaven-defying items in the system, he wouldn't think about those for now. Besides, his primary goal was to test the Epiphany function.

"Activate Epiphany!"

As his thoughts shifted, a spark of spiritual light flashed in his mind, and a wave of profound insights surfaced.

*The Tianyuan Orthodox Canon*, *The Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Sword Art*, *The Heavenly Dome Tyrant Body*, and *The Phantom Lightning Extremity*.

These were the four techniques and arts he had mastered. His master had always taught him that mastery lay in refinement, not diversity, and that he should not consider anything else until he had brought these four to a state of perfection. These four were the top-tier inheritance of the sacred land: one heart cultivation method as the foundation, one primary offensive art, and the others focused on body tempering and movement techniques. It could be said he possessed a perfect balance of offense and utility.

Su Yi focused his attention on *The Tianyuan Orthodox Canon*. This was the supreme mental cultivation method of the Tianyuan Sacred Land, the key to his breakthroughs and the foundation of his power; it was of the utmost importance.

"Epiphany: *Tianyuan Orthodox Canon*."

The moment the thought manifested, Su Yi felt himself enter a marvelous state. It was a realm of profound mystery, intoxicating and indescribably wonderful. The obstacles he had encountered in his past cultivation and the obscure, difficult passages of the *Canon* were all resolved in an instant. Problems arose only to be dissolved immediately, like finding a path through the dark to a village of bright flowers; he was utterly lost in the experience.

He had broken through too quickly in his early stages, and his master had often warned that his foundation was not entirely stable and needed strengthening. Yet, under the influence of these insights, Su Yi felt his heart become incredibly calm. The desire for further breakthroughs vanished, and his aura gradually became more restrained and solid. Even his past mistakes became crystal clear at a glance.

The vast insights poured into his mind like a baptism of wisdom, leaving him enlightened. If he had enough spiritual energy, he could break through to the Nascent Soul stage right now, should he so desire.

But just as he was lost in this state, the sensation abruptly ceased, waking him as if from a dream. He sensed that only a single breath of time had passed in the outside world. Calling up his interface, he saw that his points had been wiped clean.

"So fast?"

Su Yi felt a pang of disappointment. He hadn't expected three hundred and fifty points to be squandered in an instant—it had taken two missions to earn those!

However, while the points were gone, his gains were terrifying. Not only were the issues caused by his rapid breakthroughs resolved, but his foundation was now rock-solid, and he had even fully comprehended the method for forming a Nascent Soul. Many Golden Core cultivators spent their entire lives unable to grasp such insights. Even for him, without this opportunity, he would likely have needed a year or two of bitter cultivation. But now, that was unnecessary!

Coupled with the enhancement of his spiritual root aptitude, he was confident he could step into the Nascent Soul stage with ease after a single period of seclusion. Yet, there was no need to rush; the path of cultivation favored natural progression. Forced seclusion was unnecessary, and he felt no need for it.

*The Tianyuan Orthodox Canon* was a supreme secret, taught only by the Sacred Master himself. To learn it unauthorized was to be considered an enemy of the sacred land; throughout history, it had never leaked outside.

The path of a cultivator required breaking through nine major realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Severing, Soul Formation, Void Refinement, Tribulation Transcendence, and Mahayana. With each major breakthrough, a cultivator’s lifespan doubled. By the Nascent Soul stage, one was already referred to as an "Old Monster." A Nascent Soul cultivator, barring accidents, could live for a thousand years.

Even within the Tianyuan Sacred Land, the Nascent Soul stage was considered the backbone, qualified to serve as deacons or elders of various peaks and territories. As the Saint Son, Su Yi had to form a Nascent Soul of the highest possible quality. Otherwise, he would be unworthy of his position, leaving him vulnerable to those who would see him toppled from his pedestal—not even his master could protect him then.

The world of those in power was equally cruel.

Thus, he was exceptionally cautious regarding his transition to the Nascent Soul stage. He would never attempt it without absolute certainty. Now, with the system’s assistance, his previously anxious heart was much more at ease.

With this in mind, he returned to the mission he hadn't finished reading earlier.

[...The elegant posture and contemptuous words of the Yaochi Holy Maiden linger in your mind, severely affecting your physical and mental health. You decide to strive for self-improvement; since you have the system, you will complete tasks diligently and eventually slap her in the face.]

[Mission Objective: Reach the first level of Qi Refining within the one-month assessment period and pass the assessment to become a menial disciple of the Xianxia Sect, a sect under the jurisdiction of the Tianyuan Sacred Land.]

[Mission Difficulty: Three Stars (Average)]

[Mission Rewards: Points * 100, Premium Qi Recovery Powder * 5, Random Low-Grade Artifact * 1, Storage Space * 300 slots (cannot currently store living creatures)]

Su Yi stared at the dense block of text, feeling a sense of absurdity. He had assumed he would become a menial disciple within his own sacred land, but instead, he was being sent elsewhere? He suspected that if he kept taking these missions, he would eventually die of frustration!

Breaking through to the second level of Qi Refining was one thing, but what kind of ghost sect was this "Xianxia Sect"? He had never even heard of it; it must be some tiny force tucked away in a remote corner. Even though it was under the Tianyuan Sacred Land, it was still a separate sect. If he joined it, would that be considered treason?

A useless disciple, a minor sect, becoming a menial laborer after reaching Qi Refining... This was truly the standard "trash-to-hero" trope!

What he found most difficult was the requirement to go to another sect. If it were within the Tianyuan Sacred Land, he could easily pass it off as the Saint Son having a sudden whim. But to join another sect... He was a Saint Son, and he was going to serve as a menial for a subordinate sect... If this news spread, the entire cultivation world would be in an uproar.

"Look, that’s the Tianyuan Saint Son!"
"Oh my, why is he working as a menial? What’s going on? And in such a tiny sect?"
"You don't understand; everyone has their little quirks, especially those in high positions."
"Likes to be a menial? What kind of quirk is that?"
"Who knows? A masochistic tendency?"

*Ugh!*

At the thought of such a scene, Su Yi felt a chill run down his spine!