Chapter 139 The Birth of the Spiritual Plant

Another four weeks passed quietly.

Li Yan's daily routine remained unchanged.

Hunting, body cultivation, alchemy, craftsmanship, swordsmanship, and soul cultivation advanced together, each supporting the others without disrupting the balance he had established.

On this particular night, the surroundings were exceptionally quiet.

Moonlight filtered gently through the emerald leaves surrounding Yao Fuhuo's secluded treehouse, while the distant cries of nocturnal Magical Beasts echoed faintly across the ancient valley.

Inside the treehouse, Li Yan sat cross-legged upon the wooden floor.

The Qi Gathering Array around him radiated a soft glow as it continuously gathered Heaven and Earth Energy from the surrounding valley.

His breathing remained slow and steady.

Closing his eyes, Li Yan quietly circulated the Soul Cultivation technique.

The surrounding Heaven and Earth Energy was gradually filtered, separating strands of Spiritual Energy from the countless other energies contained within the atmosphere.

Those strands entered through his forehead before naturally converging toward the Soul Core within his upper dantian.

After passing through the Soul Core and being refined into Pure Spiritual Energy, it flowed steadily into his Spiritual Consciousness.

Within his Spiritual Sea, everything remained tranquil. Its surface resembled an endless lake beneath a windless sky. At the center of the sea floated the translucent seal imprisoning Yan Tian's soul.

Meanwhile, Yan Tian himself remained seated peacefully within the seal, completely immersed in meditation.

Over the past several months, he had devoted most of his free time to studying Array Mastery.

When Yan Tian expressed interest in learning the subject, Li Yan quietly began copying the relevant books from the Shadow Knowledge Pavilion using his Spiritual Sense, so that Yan Tian could study them at his own pace.

Li Yan had never interfered with his choices. Instead, he simply continued providing him with every array-related text he could obtain.

Back in the treehouse, the Soul Cultivation technique continued to circulate steadily.

Minutes passed.

Another strand of refined Pure Spiritual Energy quietly entered his Spiritual Consciousness, then merged into the Spiritual Sea.

The moment it did, a subtle ripple spread across the tranquil water.

Then another.

The dense mist surrounding the Spiritual Sea gradually began retreating. The lake expanded steadily in every direction.

One hundred and thirty meters.

One hundred and fifty.

One hundred and seventy.

The expansion continued until it finally stabilized.

Two hundred meters in radius.

At the very center of the Spiritual Sea, something else quietly emerged.

Solid ground.

A small island slowly rose above the tranquil water, measuring roughly ten square meters in size. The soil pulsed faintly with Spiritual Energy, radiating an indescribable vitality.

Several breaths later, another change followed. At the center of the island, a tiny seed appeared.

Li Yan continued to stabilize his breakthrough in the treehouse, not knowing what was happening within his Spiritual Consciousness.

Thin cracks gradually spread across the seed's shell before it quietly separated.

Fragments of the shell dissolved into countless particles of Spiritual Light instead of falling away.

The light slowly gathered once more.

Moments later, a tiny emerald sprout emerged.

A single slender stem.

Two delicate leaves.

Although only a few inches tall, the newborn Spiritual Plant gently swayed despite the complete absence of wind.

The instant it appeared, the entire Spiritual Sea trembled softly.

Invisible ripples spread throughout the vast lake before gradually calming once again.

At almost the same moment, Li Yan sensed an extraordinary transformation within himself.

He extended his Spiritual Sense. Its range expanded rapidly.

One hundred and thirty meters.

One hundred and fifty.

One hundred and seventy.

Finally, two hundred meters.

Everything within that radius entered his perception with astonishing clarity. The rustling of distant leaves. The circulation of Spiritual Energy through the surrounding ancient trees.

Even the subtle flow of energy within his own body.

For the first time, he could perceive Spiritual Energy itself with remarkable clarity and instinctively guide it with far greater precision than before.

Only then did Li Yan slowly open his eyes. A faint smile appeared upon his calm face.

"The breakthrough is complete."

His Soul Cultivation had finally entered the Spiritual Refinement Realm (Beginner Stage).

Unlike breakthroughs in Qi or Body Cultivation, the improvement brought by Soul Cultivation was not measured through overwhelming strength.

Instead, it manifested through perception.

Precision. Control.

After stabilizing his cultivation for several more moments, Li Yan's consciousness entered his Spiritual Consciousness.

The familiar tranquil lake greeted him once again. His gaze immediately settled upon the newly formed island. Then, it shifted toward the tiny emerald plant growing quietly at its center.

Li Yan walked toward the island before stopping beside it.

Looking closely, he noticed the delicate roots extending into the spiritual soil beneath, continuously drawing nourishment from the surrounding Spiritual Sea.

Although still only a newborn sprout, it already radiated a mysterious vitality far beyond its tiny appearance.

His Spiritual Consciousness itself felt noticeably more stable.

More importantly, the little Spiritual Plant continuously released an almost imperceptible stream of pure Spiritual Energy back into the Spiritual Sea, nourishing it without interruption.

Li Yan quietly recalled the knowledge Yao Fuhuo had transmitted to him.

According to that knowledge, the birth of the Spiritual Plant represented the true beginning of refining one's soul.

Only through continuous cultivation would it gradually mature, evolving into increasingly profound forms in tandem with the cultivator's Spiritual Consciousness.

"It truly resembles…"

"The beginning of life."

His voice was soft, almost contemplative.

After observing the tiny plant for several moments longer, Li Yan finally turned away. His figure soon arrived before the towering entrance of the Sword Tower.

The ancient structure stood silently beneath the endless sky of his Spiritual Consciousness, as imposing as ever.

Without hesitation, Li Yan stepped through the massive entrance.

His Soul Cultivation had reached a new realm.

Now, it was time to continue advancing upon the Sword Path.

*****

As Li Yan faithfully followed the cultivation cycle he had established for himself, another three and a half months slipped quietly by.

Before anyone realized it…

The Shadow Haven Sect's Annual Competition had arrived once again.

Although no major events had disturbed those months, his unwavering discipline had gradually yielded tangible progress.

His Qi Cultivation had advanced to the Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-7).

His Body Cultivation had reached the Flesh Tempering Realm (Stage-5).

His Soul Cultivation remained firmly stabilized at the Spiritual Refinement Realm (Beginner Stage). The tiny Spiritual Plant within his Spiritual Consciousness had grown increasingly vibrant, continuously nourishing his Spiritual Sea while further strengthening both his Spiritual Consciousness and Spiritual Sense.

The burden imposed by his Training Rings had likewise increased considerably.

Through months of gradual adaptation and increased Body Cultivation, he eventually activated additional stars until his body fully adapted to the burden of eight thousand jin.

What had once seemed an unimaginable weight had quietly become part of his everyday life, tempering every movement.

His attainments in the auxiliary professions had also continued advancing.

His alchemy had progressed to the point where he could reliably refine Tier-4 Peak-Level pills. Meanwhile, in craftsmanship, he had already mastered 51 of the 63 Tier-3 artifact blueprints with consistent quality.

His greatest improvement, however, had occurred within the Sword Tower.

Months of uninterrupted study, countless Insight Echoes, and relentless battles against the Sword Tower's projections had finally pushed his comprehension of the Sword Path beyond Earth-Level Intent.

His Sword Intent had entered the Sky-Level Intent (Beginner Stage).

****

The Annual Competition officially began.

As the first rays of morning sunlight illuminated the Shadow Haven Sect, thousands of disciples had already gathered around the enormous competition arena. Conversations echoed throughout the grand stadium as participants completed their final preparations before the competition began.

Unlike the previous two years, however, one familiar figure was nowhere to be found among the participants.

Instead…

Li Yan sat quietly within the empty spectator seats reserved for Azure-Rank disciples. His expression remained as calm as ever while his gaze rested upon the disciples below.

Before long, Elder Chen Zhi rose from the elders' sitting area and flew calmly toward the center of the arena.

His eyes swept across the gathering before naturally settling upon Li Yan.

A faint smile appeared on his face. "Li Yan."

"Aren't you participating this year?"

The lively arena gradually fell silent.

Countless disciples turned toward Li Yan. Many of them had been wondering the same question.

Li Yan slowly stood up, respectfully cupping his fists. "Greetings, Elder Chen."

"I have no intention of participating this year."

Confused murmurs immediately spread throughout the crowd.

Although Li Yan had won last year's championship, he remained an Azure-Rank disciple.

According to the Sect's rules…

He was still fully qualified to compete.

Chen Zhi smiled knowingly. "And why is that?"

Li Yan calmly looked toward the arena. "My objective in participating last year was to reach the Hidden Level of the Azure Rank Pagoda and obtain access to the Ancient Techniques Hall."

"I have already achieved that objective."

After a brief pause, he continued. "The opportunity should now belong to those who have yet to reach it."

His gaze quietly swept across the gathering disciples. "If I enter the competition again…"

"They will simply be competing for second place." His voice remained calm.

There was no arrogance.

No pride.

He merely stated what everyone present already understood. For several breaths, complete silence filled the arena.

Gradually, numerous disciples smiled helplessly. No one could refute his words.

The Li Yan of today was no longer the disciple who had astonished the Sect during the previous two Annual Competitions.

After another year of cultivation, the gap separating him from ordinary Azure-Rank disciples had become even greater.

Even many Brown-Rank disciples had privately challenged him to friendly sparring matches during the past year.

None had succeeded in defeating him.

Chen Zhi nodded with clear approval. "You've made the right decision."

Li Yan inclined his head slightly. "However, I have one announcement."

Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Not only he, but even Ji Hong and the surrounding elders shifted their attention toward Li Yan.

The Black-Rank and Purple-Rank disciples seated within the spectator area likewise turned toward him.

Li Yan looked calmly across the gathered disciples. "I know the Sect has prepared generous rewards for the competition, as always."

"But I wish to contribute as well."

The arena immediately fell silent once again.

Li Yan continued. "Any disciple who successfully reaches the Hidden Level of any of the four Pagodas will receive an additional reward from me."

Surprised whispers immediately spread throughout the stadium.

Before the excitement could settle, Li Yan spoke once more. "In addition, the top ten disciples of each rank of the competition will also receive rewards."

"The higher the final ranking…"

"The greater the reward."

The discussions throughout the arena instantly became even more animated.

The Sect's rewards were already considered exceptionally generous.

Now…

Li Yan intended to provide additional rewards from his own resources.

Unable to suppress his curiosity, one disciple called out. "Senior Brother Li…"

"What kind of rewards?"

Li Yan smiled faintly. "You'll know after earning them."

Laughter immediately spread throughout the arena. Rather than diminishing everyone's curiosity, his answer only heightened it further.

After the laughter gradually subsided, Li Yan looked across the gathering one final time. "My rewards are not based solely upon talent. They are for those willing to challenge their own limits."

"Whether that challenge lies within the Pagodas…"

"Or within the arena itself…"

"If you give everything you have, your efforts deserve recognition."

Silence quietly descended once more. Many disciples unconsciously straightened their backs. Some looked toward the towering Pagodas standing in the distance.

Others quietly clenched their fists.

High above the arena, several elders exchanged approving glances.

Shen Tao chuckled softly. "Our Sect truly has produced an exceptional disciple."

Qiu Xuan nodded in agreement. "His talent alone would have been remarkable. But his willingness to encourage the next generation…"

"That is even rarer."

Ji Hong remained silent. Only a faint smile rested upon his face as he quietly watched Li Yan standing calmly.

****

After Li Yan's announcement, the Pagoda Trial officially began. Unlike the previous year, however, the atmosphere had changed completely.

Every disciple charged toward the four Pagodas with unprecedented determination.

The rewards prepared by the Sect had always been generous.

Now, with Li Yan personally offering additional rewards to those who challenged their limits, the competitive spirit throughout the Shadow Haven Sect had been completely ignited.

One after another, disciples disappeared into the towering Pagodas.

The leaderboards immediately began changing.