As soon as the Immortal Comprehension Fruit entered her mouth, Yun Man felt her mind instantly clear. Whatever had previously remained obscure now began to brighten.
She controlled the Spiritual Qi throughout her body to circulate according to predetermined Meridians, as though guided by a grand avenue, entirely incapable of taking a wrong turn.
Qin Xiao and Lin Shimeng stepped back to the side, watching Yun Man's breakthrough with keen curiosity.
Qin Xiao naturally understood little of it; this was only the second time he had witnessed a breakthrough, including Gong Yuankui's previously.
Lin Shimeng observed Yun Man intently, comparing the process with her own comprehension to note any subtle differences.
The Spiritual Qi within Yun Man surged frantically, accelerating by the breath. The Middle Grade Spirit Stones arranged around her were rapidly drained of their power, for the ambient Spiritual Qi of the courtyard alone proved insufficient, necessitating the aid of the stones.
Until at last, reaching a certain peak, the Spiritual Qi burst outward in a sharp shockwave, and Yun Man slowly opened her eyes.
While ordinary breakthroughs demanded painstaking accumulation of Spiritual Qi, the refinement of purity, and grueling introspection, Yun Man bypassed these complex steps entirely. The Spirit Stones provided an endless supply of Qi, its purity required no tempering, and the Immortal Comprehension Fruit directly heightened her perception-allowing her breakthrough to complete with astonishing speed.
"Master, I have succeeded! I am at the late Nascent Soul stage. This fruit is truly miraculous; it directly enhances comprehension, making every obstacle in the breakthrough vanish completely."
Yun Man sensed the profound shifts within her body and spoke with a bright smile.
"What? It truly worked?"
Lin Shimeng stared in utter astonishment. She had broken through just like that?
"Not bad at all. You are truly worthy of being my senior disciple. But tell me, did the fruit's enhancement truly reach three-tenths?"
Qin Xiao offered a word of praise before eagerly inquiring about the actual effect.
"Master, the enhancement is at least three-tenths. I originally had only six-tenths confidence, but after consuming it, there was no resistance whatsoever. Everything proceeded so perfectly that it felt closer to four-tenths."
Extremely pleased with the result, Yun Man eagerly shared her experience.
"Master, I wish to try as well."
Impelled by a sudden surge of eagerness, Lin Shimeng made up her mind. Though she presently possessed only four-tenths confidence, Yun Man had already broken through; if she failed to pursue her now, she would never close the gap.
"Do you also possess six-tenths confidence?"
Qin Xiao asked with a raised brow.
"I do not have six-tenths; I have only four. But I must try, or I shall never catch up to her. Do not worry, Master-if the signs are unfavorable, I will not force it."
Lin Shimeng spoke with unyielding resolve.
"Such an endeavor carries risks. Are you certain?"
Qin Xiao was hardly begrudging the fruit, but four-tenths plus three-tenths amounted to seven-tenths at best. Should she fail and suffer backlash, the loss would outweigh any gain.
"Junior Sister, you should first consume the Saint Origin Spirit Fruit. Refining it will grant you another full tenth of confidence, and only then should you ask Master."
Yun Man bore no jealousy and harbored no fear of being overtaken, offering the suggestion purely out of practical concern.
1
The Saint Origin Spirit Fruit strengthened the Primordial Spirit, offering undeniable benefits for a breakthrough-easily adding another tenth of certainty.
"Ah, you are right, Master! I shall return to refine the Saint Origin Spirit Fruit first. You must remember to let me attempt it tomorrow."
Reminded by Yun Man, Lin Shimeng recalled the other treasure she had yet to touch.
When it came to foundations, Lin Shimeng had enjoyed the finest resources since childhood, and with the Sect Leader as her father, her base was by no means inferior to Yun Man's. Having cultivated for far longer, she possessed every reason to believe she could catch up.
Two uneventful days passed. After retiring to her chambers to refine the Saint Origin Spirit Fruit, Lin Shimeng had not emerged once, evidently determined to make exhaustive preparations before making her attempt.
Today was the appointed day to depart for Tianyuan City-the day of the Deathmatch.
"Master, I am ready."
Just as Qin Xiao wondered when Lin Shimeng would finally step out, the door opened, and she appeared.
"What is your level of confidence now?"
Qin Xiao asked with interest.
"Five and a half tenths, Master. These past two days I have squandered countless resources without a second thought. If the breakthrough succeeds, you must compensate me for my losses."
Lin Shimeng had pulled out all stops to raise her success rate, casting aside any lingering thrift.
"Very well. Provided you break through successfully, your master will grant you both a reward."
Qin Xiao readily agreed; so long as cultivation advanced, resources were merely minor details.
Shortly after, Lin Shimeng received her own Immortal Comprehension Fruit from Qin Xiao. Following Yun Man's precedent, she surrounded herself with numerous Middle Grade Spirit Stones and even produced a flask of Spirit Liquid as a safeguard.
All preparations complete, she began her breakthrough.
Time ticked away moment by moment. Lin Shimeng's process extended longer than Yun Man's, and for a time, no definitive sign appeared.
"Yun Man, will Shimeng encounter any trouble?"
Qin Xiao asked with a trace of uneventfulness in his voice.
"Rest assured, Master. Her signs remain entirely normal; it should not be much longer."
Yun Man kept her attention fixed on her junior sister, prepared to intervene at the slightest hint of danger.
Another quarter of an hour elapsed before the Spiritual Qi gathered around Lin Shimeng expanded and abruptly erupted-signaling a successful breakthrough.
"Master, I succeeded! I am also at the late Nascent Soul stage. I have finally caught up!"
Lin Shimeng cheered in delight, having finally closed the distance between herself and Yun Man.
"Do not celebrate too soon. Even with identical cultivation levels, you are still no match for me."
Seeing Lin Shimeng's triumphant demeanor, Yun Man poured a cool cup of reality over her.
"Hmph, that remains to be seen. Sparring is one thing, but in a true Deathmatch, I should not fear you either."
Naturally, Lin Shimeng refused to take the slight lying down.
"Qin Xiao, I shall personally escort you to this Deathmatch to ensure nothing untoward occurs on the road."
Amidst their bantering, Lin Tiancheng arrived.
"Father, look! I have reached the late Nascent Soul stage!"
Spotting her father, Lin Shimeng immediately stepped forward to display her achievement.
"Oh? Indeed you have. How did you manage to reach the late Nascent Soul stage so abruptly?"
Startled by the sight, Lin Tiancheng appraised his daughter in disbelief. Scarcely two days had passed since he last saw her, yet she had already stepped into the late stage?
"And Yun Man as well? What on earth transpired over the last two days?"
Turning his gaze to Yun Man, Lin Tiancheng discovered she too had attained the same realm. The speed was truly terrifying-ordinary cultivators required decades to advance a single step in the Nascent Soul realm, yet mere days had sufficed here.
"Since the Sect Leader has arrived, we ought to set forth for Tianyuan City."
Opting not to elaborate, Qin Xiao prepared to depart.
"Let us move. The Great Elder and his faction have already set out ahead of us; we must not linger."
Knowing Qin Xiao harbored his own secrets, Lin Tiancheng wisely chose not to press for details.
Shortly after, the four arrived at Tianyuan City. As a major stronghold, the city naturally boasted its own grand arena.
Whether through deliberate leaks or mere coincidence, the spectator stands of the Tianyuan City arena were packed to capacity today, drawing crowds eager to witness the spectacle.
"Xiao'er, are you unharmed?"
As soon as they entered their faction's preparation pavilion, Ye Qiuyue was already waiting.
"Master's Wife, I have troubled you to make this trip."
Catching sight of Ye Qiuyue, Qin Xiao finally let out a long breath of relief. With a Body Integration stage expert present, he no longer needed to fear the Great Elder losing his mind.
"Once this battle concludes, follow me back to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion. A decaying sect such as this is not worth remaining in."
Ye Qiuyue stated her intentions quite openly, paying no heed to Lin Tiancheng standing nearby.
"Master's Wife, that is precisely my intention, which is why I asked for your presence. Once the match ends, we shall leave together."
Qin Xiao readily affirmed her words.
"Very well. It has been some time-Master's Wife has missed you."
Ye Qiuyue nodded with a faint smile.
"Enough idle chatter. Let the match begin at once."
Aware of why Qin Xiao had summoned Ye Qiuyue-merely to guard against an assassination attempt from the old man-Yao Tiansheng stepped forward with a cold sneer. Unfortunately for the boy, even a Body Integration expert would not save him; he intended for Qin Xiao to die by fair combat upon the arena stage.
Hearing the Great Elder's urging, Qin Xiao ceased his exchange and stepped toward the platform.
"Then let it begin."