Li Xun was completely stunned. Honestly, he'd probably spaced out more today than in the past seven years combined. Mouth half-open, it took him a good while before he managed to stammer out, "Wait... I'm here already?"
"We're at Zuowang peak — the meeting point of the six realms. Nine is the number of extremes, so the total distance is 540,000 li. You've already crossed the peak's half by 4,900 more— of course you're here."
Li Xun dropped to all fours, still dazed, ears ringing with her words. He wanted to say something, crack a line maybe — but all that came out of his mouth was a garbled, "Heh… heh…"
Then, suddenly, he started laughing. A low, choked laugh bubbling up from his throat — rough and hoarse, almost like a rattle. But the laugh didn't last. In the next breath, he slammed his fists into the ground and howled, crying like his heart had cracked open.
By now, he'd forgotten all about Immortal Qingyin standing nearby. Forgotten who he was, why he was here, what dreams or goals he used to have. Right now, Li Xun only wanted one thing: to let it all out. To finally break. To pour out the loneliness, the pain, and the constant gnawing despair that had never left him for the last seven years.
And the more he cried, the more a strange kind of joy crept into his chest. Like each tear washed a little more of the burden away. When he cried ten parts, his whole heart felt light. But from the outside, the joy looked like anything but — just bitter, messy sobs that wouldn't stop, tears spilling like a flood.
His mind played back everything from the past seven years in fast-forward — desperate struggles at the edge of life and death, flickers of hope shattered by crushing despair, endless silence, creeping madness… all of it mixing into a bitter brew he'd been drinking alone until now.
Qingyin didn't stop him. In fact, she looked almost curious, watching him break down like a spectator at a play. Her eyes flickered with light and shadow — it was hard to tell what she was thinking.
He cried for nearly half an hour. And only someone like Qingyin could just stand there, perfectly composed, and wait it out like it was nothing.
By the time he was finally spent, Li Xun started to feel embarrassed. Scrambling to wipe his tears and snot, he dropped to the ground, forehead touching stone, and pleaded, "Disciple lost control for a moment… behaved disgracefully in front of Immortal Qingyin. Please forgive my outburst!"
Qingyin glanced at him, for once showing a clear expression — a faint smile that looked half like pity, half like teasing. "You know," she said, "you're actually more likable when you're crying."
Li Xun's heart jumped. He suddenly remembered what Qingxu had once scolded him about, and cold sweat broke out all over his body. He stayed on the ground, lips trembling, unable to say a single word.
In some ways… Qingyin was scarier than Qingxu.
At least with Qingxu, he could guess what the guy liked or hated. But with Qingyin, his brain just couldn't keep up. He felt like an idiot. And the way she talked — always with layers and hidden meanings — made it even harder to follow.
Thankfully, she didn't seem interested in pushing him further. Instead, she casually changed the subject. "So, what? You're done climbing?"
Li Xun muttered in his heart, What kinda damn fool would keep climbing up! But of course, he didn't dare say that out loud. He figured arguing would just make things worse, so he kept quiet, face caught between awkwardness and fear.
Qingyin read him like a book. She sighed. "I suppose I'm to blame. If I hadn't shown up and thrown off your state of mind… given another five years, maybe you really could've reached the peak like your grand-master did and carved out your own legend."
"But now, your edge is gone. Your courage wavers. Forcing yourself further would only hurt you."
Li Xun was overjoyed to hear this, deeply grateful for her understanding. His expression finally softened into something sincere. Words weren't enough, so he just kept bowing in thanks.
But Qingyin didn't respond. Her gaze drifted off into the mist as if the dense fog couldn't block her sight — or maybe she was just thinking about something far away.
Taking advantage of the moment, Li Xun snuck a look at her. That flawless, porcelain-like face; the elegant, serene features; the quiet grace she carried — he knew it was rude to stare, but he couldn't help himself.
Several heartbeats passed before Qingyin looked back at him.
"Well then," she said softly. "What I owe you… I'll return today."
She raised her hand — he couldn't even tell how — and a streak of azure light tore through the mist, shooting up into the sky and vanishing in an instant.
Li Xun was about to mutter something when the light flashed—then his words just died in his throat.
Qingyin's voice was as calm as ever. "That was a sword talisman to send word back to the sect. I've already reported your arrival to the Sect Master. In three or four hours, an elder will come to formally induct you into the sect per our rules. From then on, the road of cultivation… you'll have to walk it yourself."
Li Xun didn't even need to fake anything — pure joy and gratitude burst out of him like a dam breaking, and of course, he immediately started bowing his head again like a kowtowing machine.
Qingyin clearly had enough of watching him do that. She frowned slightly and motioned for him to get up. "You've got some time left before the elder gets here. No need to just sit around. You've only practiced the basic inner energy circulation method, yet managed to refine it to this level — that's already impressive. But if you keep doing the same thing, you'll just stagnate. I'll teach you the next set of incantations, along with a few practical techniques. How about it?"
How about it? Of course it's perfect! Li Xun cheered inside. He nearly dropped into another kowtow but managed to stop himself just in time — after spending this much time around Qingyin, he'd finally picked up on a few things that annoyed her. So this time, he just gave a respectful bow instead.
Li Xun genuinely thought Qingyin made a great teacher — way better than that third-generation disciple who taught him the basics. Though, really, comparing the two was kind of ridiculous. The difference between them was like night and day — not even in the same universe.
Over the next two hours, Qingyin helped him memorize the first major section of the Three Transformations, Two Realms — one of the core teachings of the Mingxin Sword Sect. It was the first transformation: Qi Transformation.
Unlike the simple basics he'd learned before, Qi Transformation was something else entirely. It built off the foundational inner energy method, but went much deeper — more intricate, more refined.
It wasn't just about circulating energy. It was about nurturing, tempering, purifying, transforming, and finally elevating that energy — turning the raw stuff that just kept you healthy into something that could truly evolve.
More importantly, going through these steps helped the cultivator gradually understand every subtle part of their body, fusing it with their mind and spirit, until thought, energy, and form all moved as one.
What Qingyin didn't know — at least not at first — was that Li Xun had already walked most of this path during those seven years on the mountain. Bit by bit, without even realizing it, he had nailed down nearly all the essentials. In some areas, he'd even gone beyond.
Because nothing teaches like life and death. And nothing sharpens insight like desperation.
He had talent, sure. But more importantly, he had grit. For seven years, under constant pressure just to stay alive, he trained nonstop — practicing, analyzing, surviving on a knife's edge.
Seven years of that was worth thirty years of quiet cultivation.
Qingyin figured it out soon enough.
When Li Xun started asking questions about Qi Transformation, most of them weren't about the surface-level details. They were deep — structural, abstract, touching on the way everything interconnected. Ironically, the more basic, practical parts barely interested him.
A few of the questions he brought up were so refined, they actually made Qingyin pause to think before she answered.
That got her attention.
She began watching him more closely as she explained, quietly observing how he reacted.
Just as she expected — every time she solved one of his doubts, a spark lit up in his eyes, and the qi in his body surged with renewed clarity. It was like each answer she gave unlocked a blocked meridian in his system.
Toward the end, it was as if all those energy nodes in his body were popping open one after another, like firecrackers going off. His qi responded to his will, flowing smoothly through all the meridians, rising and falling with his breath, totally in sync.
In just a short time, Li Xun's cultivation made another leap forward.
Watching the change, a small smile finally appeared at the corner of Qingyin's lips.
Li Xun had no idea that every bit of his progress was being seen. He was too caught up in the excitement. If he weren't trying to act composed, he'd probably be bouncing around in sheer joy.
Because Qingyin's explanations weren't just helpful — they were transformative. Every answer unraveled a blockage, pierced through another layer of fog, and gave him real, tangible progress.
And when enough of that built up… it was like a dam bursting. Like a flood tearing through his body, connecting every meridian until his entire inner world opened up.
Even "connected" didn't do it justice. It was like an endless ocean had suddenly appeared inside him, roaring with surging qi that filled every corner of his being.
At the same time, somewhere deep in his mind — in that shadowy, hidden place — he instinctively started linking these new insights with the mysteries of the NetherYin Qi he'd studied in secret. Drawing connections, making breakthroughs…
And finding even more than he'd expected.
These past few days must be my lucky streak — everything's going too smoothly! Li Xun could barely hold back the urge to break into song, practically vibrating with excitement as Qingyin wrapped up the last bit of her teaching.
By now, dusk had settled across the sky, yet Qingyin still radiated an ethereal brilliance that made the surrounding flowers and trees look dull and lifeless by comparison. Li Xun stared at the scene, something stirring faintly in his heart.
He cleared his throat softly and called out, a little tentative, "Immortal Master Qingyin…"
She turned her gaze from the horizon to his face. Li Xun felt his cheeks flush under her eyes, and for a second, his mind just… blanked.
Luckily, he snapped out of it quickly. He reached into his robes and pulled out a round stone he used for illumination. With a quick rub, it began to glow. Holding it out, he asked, "Master, I found this strange stone down the mountain. I've no idea what it is, but I was hoping you might enlighten me?"
Qingyin only glanced at it before her eyes widened in slight surprise. "A Sitting Forgetfulness Stone!"
" A Sitting Forgetfulness Stone?" Li Xun echoed, a little confused. He remembered the strange character carved into it and realized the name fit oddly well. When he noticed Qingyin's gaze lingering on the stone, he quickly held it up with both hands and offered it respectfully.
She picked it up with two fingers, holding it delicately up to the fading light. After just a few breaths, she gave a firm nod. "It really is a Sitting Forgetfulness Stone — a naturally formed treasure of the mountain."
Li Xun saw the faint look of fondness on her face and silently praised his own luck. Without missing a beat, he said, "I've already received so much from Master — guidance, teachings, and now the chance to be part of the sect. I truly have no way to repay you. If this stone pleases you, please accept it — it would ease my heart to gift it to you."
Qingyin glanced at him, then smiled. "Do you even know what this stone does?"
Li Xun answered honestly, "I don't."
"Three lives forgotten in one sitting; one sits and forgets three lives. That's the saying. This stone is said to help one perceive the threads of past, present, and future — and then let them go, transcending them to touch the Dao itself. For those nearing breakthrough, trying to ascend, having this in hand can make all the difference… So—" she paused, voice soft and a little teasing, "—you still willing to give it to me?"
Li Xun chuckled sincerely. "Master jests. I'm well aware of my limits — even if I form a Dao Embryo and achieve immortality, that's still who-knows-how-many centuries away. No way I'd need it now. Giving it to you is just right."
Qingyin's smile deepened — light, real, and more genuine than all the faint smirks she'd worn earlier. "Truth be told, I don't particularly care to use this thing myself. But I am curious about its rumored ability to 'see through three lives.' Would you be willing to help me test it out?"
Li Xun blinked. "Help? How?"
"Like this," she said calmly.
Before he could react, her hand flipped over — and in an instant, the Sitting Forgetfulness Stone burst with blinding light. The glow was so intense that Li Xun had to squint and instinctively turned his face away.
And then — a sudden chill pressed against his forehead.
Qingyin had placed the Sitting Forgetfulness Stone directly on his Niwan Palace, the spiritual center at his brow. That icy touch didn't last even a fraction of a second before it turned into a sharp cold current that pierced straight into his mind.
Li Xun didn't even have time to grunt in protest — the world tilted, and everything went black.
He passed out instantly.