It took Lin Ya five full days to fully refine the Bu Tian Dan.
During those five days, Qing Yun stayed by his side, carefully channeling wood-element spiritual power to protect and nourish him. With Qing Yun's assistance, Lin Ya was able to absorb the pill's power without experiencing the slightest pain.
When the last trace of medicinal force was finally refined, Lin Ya opened his eyes and looked at Qing Yun with sincere gratitude.
"Brother Qing Yun, you've worked hard," Lin Ya said, slightly embarrassed.
What had he done to deserve this kind of treatment?
Qing Yun gave a mild smile. "It was nothing, truly."
Even as he said that, he casually rubbed his shoulder, quietly hinting at the effort he had put in. Lin Ya caught the gesture and sighed inwardly. He had always known Yun Jin's alchemy talent was exceptional, but to think it was this outrageous…?
A ninth-grade powerhouse had shown up in person to ask for her as a disciple. And from the way he acted, it was as if he were afraid she might say no. If word of this got out, who would even believe it?
"Brother Lin, try circulating your spiritual power," Qing Yun suggested.
Lin Ya nodded and began channeling his qi.
His dantian had been fully restored. And because the Bu Tian Dan was of perfect grade, the surplus medicinal force didn't just repair it, but even pushed his cultivation back to peak condition. The remaining power was still nourishing his meridians.
That was the strength of a perfect-grade pill—its potency was more than ten times that of a standard Bu Tian Dan.
Lin Ya continued circulating qi, feeling ecstatic. Then, all of a sudden, he sensed a stir in the bottleneck between mid and late-stage Unity. After years of setbacks, his soul had long since reached the late Unity level.
And now, under the catalyst of this perfect-grade pill, even his spiritual power seemed ready to advance. He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to attempt a breakthrough.
Then a gentle stream of spiritual energy flowed into him, and Qing Yun's voice followed. "Brother Lin, go ahead and give it a try."
With Qing Yun guiding the way, Lin Ya naturally entered a state of pushing past his limits.
Qing Yun's spiritual power was vast and gentle. Whenever Lin Ya encountered any resistance, it would surge in and help him break through instantly.
Within just one hour, Lin Ya had ascended to late-stage Unity under Qing Yun's guidance.
Yue Zhao watched nearby, stunned.
So this was the power of a top-tier cultivator.
Even though Qing Yun's greatest strength lay in alchemy, his cultivation realm was clearly extraordinary. Throughout the entire process, not a single bead of sweat appeared on Qing Yun's brow. He looked completely at ease.
But just as Lin Ya opened his eyes, having completed his advancement, Yue Zhao clearly saw Qing Yun force a sheen of sweat out from his own forehead.
Yue Zhao: "…"
Lin Ya looked at Qing Yun's sweat-drenched face with renewed gratitude and guilt. "Brother Qing Yun, I've troubled you again."
"No trouble at all," Qing Yun waved a hand. "What matters is that you broke through."
Lin Ya was so moved, he nearly offered his life on the spot.
Yue Zhao: "…"
As much as he hated to admit it, Yue Zhao suddenly recalled something Qing Yun had once said.
Sword cultivators, all brute force, no brains…
He looked at Lin Ya and let out a silent sigh. "Master, must you be such a perfect example?"
"Brother Lin, since you've already broken through, there's no need to keep those two uninvited guests outside. Why don't I go send them off for you?" Qing Yun offered with a smile.
Lin Ya was a little dazed. "Would that be appropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? They're just here to cause trouble anyway…" Qing Yun spoke righteously.
From the corner of the room, a tiny flying insect chirped, "Senior Qing Yun, that's malicious competition!"
It was Shen Yanye's voice.
Qing Yun shot a glare at the insect.
"Tch, damn Beastmaster."
He had been focused entirely on Lin Ya and hadn't even sensed the insect's presence. The little thing had hidden itself well enough to slip past his detection.
Lin Ya looked awkward but quickly said, "Seniors, please come in."
He lifted the barrier around the cave.
Shen Yanye and Cang Li entered at once.
As soon as he saw Lin Ya, Shen Yanye gave a radiant smile. "Brother Lin, I sense your qi surging powerfully, though it seems a little unstable. Xiao Bai, go on."
With a flick of his fingers, a white jade insect flew forward. It landed lightly on Lin Ya's forehead. Before he could react, the insect had already begun organizing and harmonizing the flow of spiritual power in his body.
Moments later, Lin Ya could feel the last remnants of the Bu Tian Dan being completely absorbed. His meridians had even grown stronger as a result. He hadn't even had time to express his thanks.
Suddenly, Cang Li moved without a word. A sharp sword intent burst from his body. Before Lin Ya could respond, he was dragged into a sword dao domain. He had no chance to resist. The sword energy washed over him and forced him to endure the tempering.
By the time the domain dissipated, Lin Ya's sword technique had advanced to a higher level.
Lin Ya: "…"
He was utterly speechless.
Who was he, Lin Ya, to deserve this?
He carefully asked, "Brother Shen, Brother Cang, are you two… also here to take disciples?"
Shen Yanye beamed. "Your disciple, Yun Jin, shows great talent as a Beastmaster. I intend to take her as my one and only disciple."
Cang Li answered calmly, "I've come on behalf of my master. Yun Jin must come with us to the Kunlun Sword Sect. My master is considering accepting her as his final disciple."
"Your master is…?" Lin Ya asked instinctively.
Cang Li had been waiting for this. He gave a small smile. "Oh, just the Sect Master of the Kunlun Sword Sect."
Lin Ya went blank.
So now… even Sect Master could be followed by the words just the?
"Sect Master? So what?" Qing Yun snorted. "Ji Wusi has asked me for pills before."
"Ninth-grade alchemists aren't unique to you, Senior Qing Yun," Cang Li said evenly. "But there is only one living Sword Immortal."
Shen Yanye grew anxious. That made his credentials sound a bit lacking.
He couldn't help but interject, "None of that matters! What if Yun girl just likes spending time with spirit beasts? Interests and passions are what really count!"
The three of them broke into bickering again.
Lin Ya looked quietly at Yue Zhao.
Yue Zhao gave a weary nod.
"Yes. These three titans had all come to fight over Junior Sister."
And this kind of scene? He had already seen it too many times.
Just as the argument reached its peak—
Suddenly.
Above the Tianxing Sect, a crisp bell began to ring.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Five times total before it finally stopped.
Lin Ya narrowed his eyes. A sharp gleam flickered deep within his gaze.
Within Tianxing Sect, there was a treasured artifact known as the Tianxing Bell.
Just how powerful was it? The sect itself was named after it.
Whenever something major happened within the sect, the Sect Master would ring the Tianxing Bell.
And during the Sect Assembly, the bell would ring continuously for three days.
On the first two days, five chimes each. On the final day, six.
Now that the bell had rung—
It meant the Sect Assembly was about to begin.
Zhao Wuji was likely already itching to get started.
But what he didn't know—
Was that Lin Ya had fully recovered, and then some.
This time, Tianjian Peak would not lose!