A flicker of surprise passed through his mind, but after a moment's thought, he understood.
A faint crimson glow emanated from Xiao Yu's body, and his fair skin took on a rosy flush. Violent power surged through him like a raging storm swirling around him.
"What incredible power!" Nie Li was forced back several steps, staring at Xiao Yu's turbulent aura as he murmured, "The Myriad Dragon Resonance Art is an extraordinarily profound technique. I wonder where the Netherworld Sovereign obtained it."
Once Xiao Yu broke through to the Heavenly Fate realm and condensed his Fate Souls, his cultivation would be truly astonishing.
At this moment, Xiao Yu was immersed in cultivation. Within his Soul Sea, the first Fate Soul began to coalesce.
Then a second. A third. It wasn't until three had condensed that the process finally stopped.
Three Fate Souls condensed simultaneously — Xiao Yu's heart was filled with shock. He had never imagined his breakthrough could happen so quickly.
After that initial surge of violent energy, the aura quickly subsided, becoming calm as still water. Xiao Yu slowly opened his eyes, and strange, brilliant light flickered through his gaze.
The Myriad Dragon Resonance Art could perfectly conceal one's cultivation, making it undetectable to others. No trace of energy fluctuation could be felt from Xiao Yu's body anymore. He looked down and realized his clothes were in disarray — his robe had slipped down to his chest, leaving both shoulders half-bared. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
He straightened his clothing and looked up at Nie Li, saying earnestly, "Nie Li, thank you. If it weren't for you, I might never have broken through to the Heavenly Fate realm! If you have any requests, just say the word — I'll do everything in my power!"
Xiao Yu was completely serious. He had been stuck at the Heavenly Fate bottleneck for so long that even his mentor had nearly lost patience with him. Without Nie Li's help, he had no idea how much longer his cultivation would have remained stalled.
Nie Li extended his right hand and said, "Now that you're cured, pay up. Breaking you through to the Heavenly Fate realm is worth at least a few spirit stones — otherwise tonight's work was all for nothing!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yu looked up at Nie Li and said, "I have ten spirit stones left in total. You can have them all."
"Come on — you're the son of a deacon. How are you this broke? Forget it, it wouldn't feel right taking everything you have left. I'll take five, and we'll call it even. You brought me to the Divine Feather Sect, I healed your injuries — we're square." Nie Li waved his hand, pocketed five spirit stones, and smiled. "Two needles, five spirit stones — tonight wasn't a waste after all!"
Xiao Yu gazed at Nie Li with complicated emotions. What Nie Li had done wasn't just "two needles" — he had helped him break through to the Heavenly Fate realm. Xiao Yu didn't even know how to repay that. By putting it so casually, was Nie Li just trying to make sure he didn't feel indebted?
Was all Nie Li wanted was for them to be even? Xiao Yu sighed softly to himself.
"Hey, Xiao Yu, why are you staring at me like that? It's giving me the creeps." Nie Li waved his hand with an exaggerated look of discomfort. "I'm not interested in men!"
At those words, Xiao Yu's face darkened. Why was it that, even after Nie Li had just helped him, he still felt an overwhelming urge to punch him square in the jaw?
Xiao Yu stood up in a huff and walked toward the door. Pausing briefly at the threshold, he said softly, "Regardless... thank you." With that, he stepped outside and closed the door behind him.
Nie Li watched the door shut, then flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling as he muttered, "He's thanking me? Now I feel like five spirit stones wasn't enough — I should've taken all ten!"
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, crisp bird songs drifted through the forest like a beautiful melody.
Morning mist hung in the air, and fresh, clean scent filled every corner of the woods.
Many students of the Heavenly Spirit Institute had risen early to cultivate. Nie Li and
Following the map Xiao Yu had given them that morning, Nie Li and Lu Piao found a courtyard estate. A powerful figure in a gray robe stood at the entrance and blocked their way. "Your nameplates!"
Nie Li and Lu Piao produced their nameplates.