The Kongshan Sect's outer court disciples numbered over twenty-five thousand in total.
The area where outer court disciples lived and cultivated was a flat plain nestled between Kongyuan Mountain and Linwu Mountain.
This plain was called the outer court by the Kongshan Sect cultivators.
Compared to the ethereal immortal aura of the Three Mountains and Four Peaks, the outer court carried a much heavier mundane atmosphere.
Rather than looking like an immortal cultivation sect, the outer court more closely resembled a small town.
"Jade Vine Grass, three spirit stones per tael, come take a look!"
"Tranquil Mind Powder, Tranquil Mind Powder! Genuine product from Yunyin Peak's Alchemy Hall, ten spirit stones per dose, fair to all!"
"Anyone want second-rank demon beast cores? Price is negotiable!"
On the streets, outer court disciples setting up roadside stalls continuously hawked their wares.
Strengthening tendons and nourishing bones, warming and soothing the mind—these were the effects of Jade Vine Grass.
Time passed so quickly.
Already half a month had gone by since Chen Yan's rebirth.
During these past fifteen days, Chen Yan had been in closed-door cultivation within his residence.
After consuming four Qi Regulation Pills, Chen Yan had finally broken through to the late stage of the Qi Circulation Realm.
This was an achievement that his previous self had failed to attain even after twenty-eight years.
It had to be said that the Qi Regulation Pills Lu Li gave him were several times more potent than those Chen Yan had obtained from the outer court's Treasure Pavilion in his past life.
"Inner sect goods are truly purer."
Chen Yan took another sip of medicinal tea, then smacked his lips lightly.
"Senior Brother Chen?"
A familiar, ethereal voice sounded once again.
A beautiful young girl with a hint of childishness stood nearby, looking toward Chen Yan with a mix of confusion and pleasant surprise.
Cheng Ziying, a junior sister one year younger than Chen Yan. Because her residence was adjacent to Chen Yan's, they had become quite close.
Her talent in cultivation far surpassed Chen Yan's.
In their previous life, three years from now, when Cheng Ziying was seventeen, her cultivation level would already reach the late stage of the Body Forging Realm.
At that time, Chen Yan was still stuck at the middle stage of the Body Forging Realm.
He felt somewhat embarrassed that the junior sister who had always followed him had far surpassed him in cultivation.
Precisely because of this, Chen Yan began avoiding Cheng Ziying, and the relationship between the two gradually grew distant.
When Chen Yan heard that Cheng Ziying had advanced to the Qi Circulation Realm, he felt a sense of acceptance.
There were inherent differences in talent between people.
Why couldn't he accept the fact that he was mediocre?
However, Heaven played a not-very-funny joke on Chen Yan.
Cheng Ziying died.
She perished in that calamity when she was nineteen years old.
Therefore, when Chen Yan saw Junior Sister Cheng standing alive before him, a sudden feeling of melancholy arose in his heart.
He held no special feelings toward Junior Sister Cheng, merely lamenting how fate played with people.
Chen Yan smiled and nodded in Cheng Ziying's direction.
"Senior Brother Chen, where have you been these past fifteen days? I haven't seen you at the training grounds."
Cheng Ziying asked curiously.
The training grounds were where cultivators sparred, dueled, and gathered.
Usually, Body Forging Realm cultivators would gather at the training grounds to draw in qi, forge their bodies, and build their foundations.
"I've been in closed-door cultivation."
Chen Yan replied.
"Closed-door cultivation?"
Cheng Ziying blinked first, then burst out laughing, her expression turning somewhat reproachful:
"If you don't want to say, just say so. What kind of closed-door cultivation can a Body Forging Realm cultivator do?"
Chen Yan remained silent.
After his rebirth, his most urgent desire was to advance to the Martial Spring Realm as quickly as possible.
Given his aptitude, breaking through would definitely require abundant resources.
So, how could he obtain large amounts of cultivation resources?
He remembered the bottle of Qi Regulation Pills Lu Li had gifted him.
Chen Yan got an idea.
Then, Chen Yan spread his right hand flat on the tea table, several wisps of true qi overflowing to circle in his palm.
Cheng Ziying was slightly taken aback, then looked at Chen Yan with full astonishment:
"Qi Circulation Realm? Senior Brother Chen, you... what kind of monster are you? Weren't you still at the early stage of the Body Forging Realm just half a month ago?"
Chen Yan, who had been at the early stage of the Body Forging Realm half a month ago, now actually possessed cultivation at the Qi Circulation Realm!
This kind of cultivation speed absolutely exceeded the range of genius.
And true qi taking form... this indicated that Chen Yan's current cultivation level had reached the late stage of the Qi Circulation Realm.
Fifteen days, from the early stage of the Body Forging Realm to the late stage of the Qi Circulation Realm?
Not just in the Kongshan Sect, but looking throughout the entire history of Chenping Continent, there definitely wouldn't be a second case!
Cheng Ziying felt like her worldview had suffered an unimaginable impact.
"By the way, what did you come to the market for?"
"Ah!"
As if suddenly remembering something, Cheng Ziying slapped her forehead:
"The senior sister in charge of the training hall asked me to help her gather some medicinal herbs, I almost forgot!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Ziying jogged away from the tea shop.
"......"
Chen Yan picked up the remaining half-cup of medicinal tea from the table and drank it all in one gulp.
Then he swept his gaze over the other customers and the shopkeeper in the tea shop.
The tea shop wasn't large; the people inside should have heard the conversation between him and Cheng Ziying just now.
Chen Yan had done this intentionally.
He wanted the news that he was a late stage Qi Circulation Realm cultivator to spread quickly.
Not just an ordinary late stage Qi Circulation Realm cultivator, but a fifteen-year-old late stage Qi Circulation Realm cultivator.
A genius.
Even in the inner sect, those who could break through to the late stage of the Qi Circulation Realm at fifteen were indisputably geniuses.
Once the news spread, would he, regarded as a genius, attract the attention of the powerful figures within the sect?
The answer was definitely yes.
First enter the inner sect, then use the better cultivation resources to break through to the Martial Spring Realm.
This was Chen Yan's plan.
As for whether he would eventually fade into mediocrity afterward, that was a matter for later.
First, find a way to enter the inner sect and cultivate to the Martial Spring Realm—that was the real priority.
As for whether the plan would go smoothly?
Chen Yan didn't know.
...
Night fell.
Chen Yan sat upright on his bed with his eyes lightly closed, warming and nurturing his vitality.
True qi continuously circulated within his body, lingering slightly especially when flowing past his lower abdomen—that was the location of the Martial Spring.
When the Martial Spring could continuously gush forth true qi, supplying all the meridians throughout the body like a babbling spring flow, he would be able to step into the Martial Spring Realm.
Although Chen Yan had now officially become a late stage Qi Circulation Realm cultivator, he knew exactly how large the gap was between him and the Martial Spring Realm.
Because he deeply understood his own natural aptitude.
If he continued holing up in the sect's outer court, he might never break through to the Martial Spring Realm in his entire lifetime.
"......"
Chen Yan frowned.
For some reason, he suddenly felt his head groggy and his body weak.
Not drowsiness, but something else...
With a thud, Chen Yan collapsed onto his bed, his consciousness beginning to gradually blur.
The door to his room was pushed open from outside, then several people's footsteps sounded, finally stopping before Chen Yan's bed.
With his consciousness blurred, he could only vaguely see several black shadows.
"Is it him?"
"Correct."
"Cultivation level?"
"Late stage Qi Circulation Realm."
"Tch, half a month ago, he was still at the early stage of the Body Forging Realm, right?"
"Yes, what should we do?"
"The cause of calamity—make it disappear."
"As you command."
A flash of blade light gleamed, and then Chen Yan's consciousness completely vanished into nothingness.