Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 173: Return to the Sect

"Master, you truly have... remarkable skills."

Zhong Lin gave Yin Daoyan a thumbs up. Initially, he thought acquiring this Vermilion Fruit would require some effort, but he didn’t expect his Master to exchange a single Elixir for it merely with words. Although the Soul Cleansing Pill is precious, it pales in comparison to the Vermilion Fruit.

Moreover, Zhong Lin realized that his Master wasn’t the type stuck in old ways. With his words, he forced Xu Kelin to personally hand over the fruit willingly, and in the end, not only was Xu Kelin not angry, but he was actually thankful.

Yin Daoyan, pleased, said, "The Jianghu has never been just about fights and killings; there’s also human nature and worldly wisdom. Today, as your Master, I borrowed your momentum to play the fox borrowing the might of the tiger."

As he spoke, he glanced down at the five Vermilion Fruits in his hand. The five fruits were merely the size of lychees, emanating a faint fragrance. Just the scent made one’s body feel comfortable, and even the flow of inner breath became slightly faster.

"Such good stuff! The Vermilion Fruit blooms once every thirty years, fruits after thirty years, and takes another thirty years to mature. It takes a whole century to harvest. Consuming it directly can greatly increase one’s inner breath. Coupling it with other medicinal herbs can refine an Essence Boosting Pill, maximizing its potency. With the help of these five fruits, your Master can certainly open the governor and conception vessels and attain the First Grade Pure Essence Realm."

Yin Daoyan was filled with excitement; he was extremely satisfied with this trip to the Black Wind Forest. Not only did he pluck two Heavenly Essence Fruits, but he also unexpectedly obtained these five Vermilion Fruits. Once fully absorbed, the martial arts cultivation of both Master and disciple would greatly rise.

Zhong Lin’s face also beamed with joy. Master Yin Daoyan had a huge gain, and his own gain was even greater.

The master and disciple didn’t linger any longer and continued on their journey. In just two days, they emerged from the Black Wind Forest and then quickly returned to the Hundred Herbs Hall in Tianyang City by fast horse.

The two of them, upon returning, paid no mind to mundane matters and each began secluded cultivation.

In a secret room, Zhong Lin fully activated the "Five Elements Mixed Essence Skill," absorbing the power within Spirit Stones. The True Qi in his Dantian began to grow at a visible speed.

After refining the Vermilion Fruit into Essence Boosting Pills, Yin Daoyan also began his cultivation. Leveraging the potency of the Essence Boosting Pills and the cultivation insights of the "Silkworm Silk Strength" given by Zhong Lin, his martial arts cultivation progressed rapidly.

A month later, both emerged from seclusion.

"Congratulations, Master! Reaching the First Grade Pure Essence, a lifespan of three hundred years!"

Zhong Lin could feel the sudden enhanced aura around Yin Daoyan and congratulated him loudly.

Gu Yourong also wore a joyful expression and congratulated, "Congratulations, Master Yin, on your achievement in martial arts."

Martial Arts Ninth Grade, reaching the First Grade is the utmost limit, mastering True Qi grants a three hundred-year lifespan.

In this world, where the average lifespan is only forty, three hundred years could let one oversee the rise and fall of dynasties; calling it a terrestrial immortal wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Yin Daoyan’s face was also beaming with joy, his wrinkles forming a chrysanthemum shape from smiling.

Having been stuck at the Meridian Passage Realm for decades, this breakthrough stirred his spirit.

Yin Daoyan turned his gaze to Zhong Lin, sensing the vast ocean-like aura within him. His pride felt muted, and his mouth twitched a few times.

This disciple of mine is truly a genius.

Though the master need not be superior to the disciple, and the disciple need not be inferior to the master, being overtaken by his own disciple ignited some urgency within Yin Daoyan. This was part of the reason for his recent secluded cultivation.

"Zhong Lin, have you reached First Grade Perfection?"

Zhong Lin smiled and said, "Master, you have keen eyes."

"Is there anything different about reaching First Grade Perfection?"

Yin Daoyan curiously asked. Now that he had developed True Qi, he was naturally full of anticipation for the subsequent cultivation.

Zhong Lin pondered for a moment and said, "There’s not much that’s different; the True Qi is abundant, and one seems to possess infinite Divine Power with every move. If there’s the biggest difference... the disciple feels like there’s a membrane around him."

"A membrane?"

"Yes, a membrane, wrapping me tightly, firmly restricting within. It feels frustrating as I can’t find a way to break through," Zhong Lin explained.

An idea flashed in Yin Daoyan’s mind: "Could this membrane you’re talking about be the boundary between First Grade and the Grandmaster Realm? Breaking through could achieve the Grandmaster Realm in one leap?"

"The disciple doesn’t know," Zhong Lin shook his head.

"It seems we need to return to the Sect soon. Yourong, go prepare for departure tomorrow."

"Master Yin, you just came out of seclusion; isn’t it too soon? Perhaps rest a couple of days?" Gu Yourong expressed concern.

"There’s no need. Zhong Lin’s breakthrough plan is too important to be careless. Moreover, I must use the Sect’s Medicine King Tripod to refine the Breakthrough Pill, and many herbs can only be found within the Sect."

Yin Daoyan’s expression was serious. The Breakthrough Pill had been his obsession for years. Now that the main ingredients were gathered, he naturally wanted to refine it as soon as possible. And since his disciple was also well prepared, it was imperative to hurry.

"Thank you, Master."

Zhong Lin genuinely expressed his gratitude.

"Our master-disciple relationship is like father and son; there is no need for thanks. Don’t act like a bashful girl."

"Yes."

Zhong Lin also suppressed his thanks in his heart, filled with gratitude for this Master.

The next day, three fast horses galloped toward the Sword Cauldron Sect once again.

In fact, with their cultivation, using Qinggong would be faster than riding, but recovery afterwards was very troublesome, especially since they were also accompanied by Gu Yourong.

Without stopping all the way, they finally returned to the Sword Cauldron Sect after half a month.

"Let’s go! First, pay respects to the Sect Master."

Although Yin Daoyan’s face was tired, his excitement was clearly visible.

"Understood."

...

Whoosh!

Sect Master Yu Jinglei suddenly stood up, looking at the two people before him in shock.

"Elder Yin, this matter is not to be joked about?"

"Sect Master, such a major event, how could this old man dare to speak frivolously? Zhong Lin."

Yin Daoyan wore a smile, glancing at Zhong Li.

Zhong Lin understood and saluted, "Sect Master, please excuse me."

As he spoke, he reached out and delivered a palm strike towards Yu Jinglei in the void, without Yu Jinglei making any attempt to evade.

Zhong Lin’s palm appeared simple and unassuming, yet as he struck, Zhou Shen’s aura rippled like a celestial being descending.

The entire grand hall felt an immense pressure surging forth, endless Qi-Blood steaming, akin to a great sun radiating infinite light and heat within the hall.

Yu Jinglei’s eyes brightened, lifting his right hand as well, and delivered a palm in the void.

Instantly, a mighty force erupted around him, vast and overbearing, so Yang and firm, it was as if it tangibly enveloped the entire grand hall.

Booming! Boom! Boom!

The earth and sky trembled, causing the entire grand hall’s structure to groan under the strain.

"Hahaha, excellent, First Grade Pure Essence, True Qi perfection. Zhong Lin, you truly shock others. I never expected our Sword Cauldron Sect, after welcoming Shi Yunyi, to have another prodigy like you appear. Truly, the heavens favor our Sword Cauldron Sect!"

Yu Jinglei’s face was filled with uncontrollable joy. With a wave of his right hand, an intangible force settled over the grand hall, instantly calming the previously turbulent atmosphere.