Chương 101: Lei Tianqi

With a sharp flick of his wrist, Qingxiaozi unleashed a streak of spiritual light, sweeping the mountain of jade slips scattered across the floor into his storage ring. Only after the clutter was cleared did he and Dan Chenzi finally allow themselves to sink into their chairs, their movements heavy with exhaustion.

"We have yet to find a definitive path for your Foundation Establishment, Reyn," Qingxiaozi admitted, his voice gravelly.

"The peculiarities of the Hidden Spirit Root are deeper than we anticipated. But do not lose heart. We will scour every ancient record, even if it means grinding these old bones to dust, to ensure you break through that bottleneck." Reyn looked up, his gaze lingering on the two masters. Their eyes were bloodshot, and their auras, usually as vast as the ocean, felt frayed and diminished.

To see Golden Core cultivators reduced to such a state of fatigue was a testament to their dedication; they hadn't rested for a single breath in days, obsessively hunting for a way to secure his future. A rare warmth bloomed in Reyn's chest, a flicker of genuine emotion in his cold path of cultivation.

"The Sect Leader and Master should not overextend themselves so recklessly," Reyn said softly.

"Your health is the foundation of the sect. Please, take time to recover." Dan Chenzi waved a dismissive hand, though he accepted a cup of tea with a grateful nod. His eyes brightened as they settled on Reyn, his pride in his disciple overriding his weariness.

"Think nothing of it. Now, tell me, why have you come today? Is there a matter that requires our attention?" Reyn nodded respectfully.

"In a few days, the annual period for disciples to return home and visit their kin begins. I wish to depart today, ahead of the crowds, to avoid the chaos of the main exodus." Dan Chenzi stroked his beard, a look of approval crossing his face.

"A wise move. That old fox Ming Diao is not known for his magnanimity. You crippled Ming Diao Zhanchen during the ceremony, and while the old man can't strike openly, he is prone to petty, venomous schemes. Leaving early will prevent any unnecessary complications." As he spoke, Dan Chenzi reached into his storage bag and produced two translucent jade bottles alongside several earthy-yellow array flags. He pressed them into Reyn's hands.

"Inside these are a hundred Hundred-Flower Pills and a hundred Heavenly Dew Pills. Take them to your family. While they cannot bestow magical power upon mortals, they are potent enough to cleanse the marrow, strengthen the physique, and extend one's lifespan by decades. As for these flags, they belong to the Shutu Xuanhuang Array. Once planted and fueled by spirit stones, the formation will activate.

Even if a Pseudo-Core cultivator at the Great Circle of Foundation Establishment attacks, this barrier will hold for several hours—more than enough time for the two of us to tear through the sky and reach you."

"This disciple thanks Master for his profound benevolence!" Reyn's voice wavered with genuine emotion. He knelt and performed a formal kowtow, his forehead touching the cool stone floor before he carefully stowed the treasures away.

"Haha, look at you, Dan Chenzi, hogging all the gratitude," Qingxiaozi interjected with a playful glint of jealousy. He leaned forward, his expression turning serious.

"In addition to the pills, the sect will dispatch two Foundation Establishment Protector Elders and ten True Inheritance disciples from the Qi Condensation realm to escort you home. They will remain stationed at the Lei Clan for three years before being rotated out. As for who goes, take this Elder's Command Token to the Lingxiantai and select them yourself." Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Reyn's heart stirred. He understood the subtext immediately.

The Xuanxiao Sect wasn't just sending guards; they were planting a flag. It was a warning to the Qingyan Sect: the Lei Clan was under the direct protection of the Golden Core masters. Any move against Reyn's family would be treated as an act of war. This layer of security eased a significant burden from his mind.

"The Sect's kindness is a debt I can never fully repay," Reyn declared, his eyes burning with resolve.

"I will dedicate myself to my cultivation and ensure I do not fail the expectations of the Sect Leader and my Master!"

"Good! Now, make haste. Go home, settle your affairs, and return quickly before any shadows can gather," Qingxiaozi said, dismissing him with a satisfied smile. Reyn performed one last bow before turning to leave the grotto-heaven. As he stepped out, the two disciples guarding the entrance watched him with eyes full of awe and reverence. With a flash of light, Reyn took to the air, vanishing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.

At the Lingxiantai of Zixia Peak, the atmosphere was uncharacteristically electric.

"What is going on today? Nineteen Protector Elders have shown up to give lectures on cultivation difficulties," one disciple whispered, looking around in confusion.

"Usually, we're lucky if two or three show up in a month. Is there some hidden agenda?"

"You're right, Senior Brother. I'm baffled as well," another replied.

"Look at Martial Uncle Hu on the platform. Last month, when he gave a lecture, he looked like he'd rather be eating dirt. He was cold, hurried, and dismissive. Today? He's practically radiating kindness, answering every trivial question with a smile. There's definitely something fishy going on."

"And the True Inheritance disciples! Look at them practicing their techniques over there. They're putting in so much effort it looks like a performance. Do they think the Sect Leader or Dan Chenzi is coming to watch?" On the edge of the Lingxiantai, a group of registered disciples tasked with sweeping the grounds huddled together, whispering fervently.

While they weren't official disciples, their status was still higher than common outer sect workers, granting them the privilege of listening to the insights of Foundation Establishment experts.

"Heh, it seems you lot are still in the dark," a short, stout young cultivator said, puffing out his chest with an air of self-importance.

"Today's monthly lecture is anything but ordinary."

"Oh? It seems Senior Brother Huang has the inside scoop! Please, enlighten us!"

"We almost forgot! Senior Brother Huang is the most well-informed man in the Xuanxiao Sect. Nothing escapes your ears."

"Senior Brother Huang serves under Martial Uncle Ma at the Pointing Spirit Pavilion; his connections are far beyond ours. Please, tell us what's really happening!" Basking in the flattery, Senior Brother Huang smirked and shook his head.

"You've guessed a few scraps of the truth. The Sect Leader and Dan Chenzi aren't coming, but someone just as important is: Martial Uncle Reyn."

"Martial Uncle Reyn? Why would his arrival cause the Elders to act like this?"

"Exactly! And why are the True Inheritance disciples preening like peacocks for him?"

"Senior Brother, please, don't keep us in suspense!"

"Patience! If you keep pestering me, I won't say another word," Huang snapped, feigning annoyance as he made a move to walk away.

"Our apologies, Senior Brother! We're just dying of curiosity!"

"Yes, please, take your time. We'll be quiet!"

"Hmph, that's better," Huang said, settling back into his lecture.

"During Dan Chenzi's Core Formation ceremony, the Sect Leader promised a thousand years of protection to the Lei Clan. As long as the Xuanxiao Sect stands, the Lei lineage will prosper for ten generations. You all heard that, right?" The disciples nodded vigorously, their mouths shut tight.

"Well, to ensure that prosperity, the sect must send disciples to guard the Lei Clan. Normally, no one would want that job. The mortal world is starved of spiritual energy; cultivation there is agonizingly slow. It's a death sentence for one's progress compared to the mountain gates," Huang chuckled, his eyes gleaming with greed.

"But because this is Martial Uncle Reyn's family, the Elders and disciples are breaking their necks to get selected. Think about it! If they serve the Lei Clan, Reyn will owe them a personal favor. And if you earn the gratitude of a Grade 3 Alchemist who also happens to be the Great Elder of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion? You'll have a never-ending supply of spirit pills for the rest of your life!"