"I don't really feel any urgency, just that I should probably start taking my cultivation more seriously," Lin Xiao sighed.
"But how did Yigao break through to Nascent Soul so quickly? I had to stay in seclusion for nearly a year before I made my breakthrough!"
The system responded:
[Host, don't be disheartened. When you broke through, it was through conventional methods. However, Sun Yigao achieved his breakthrough through sudden enlightenment, which sped up the process considerably.]
"Enlightenment?" Lin Xiao looked over at Sun Yigao in surprise.
"Is it the same type of enlightenment that Fuzi experienced before?" he asked internally.
[Exactly.]
So that's why.
It seemed that Sun Yigao had also experienced sudden enlightenment.
Time passed slowly.
As the lightning tribulation struck, it was absorbed and weakened by the Mountain Protection Array, then converted into gentle currents that entered through Sun Yigao's crown.
It was so harmless that it didn't even singe a single strand of his hair.
Sitting there, his robes fluttering in the wind, Sun Yigao looked serene and otherworldly, surrounded by swirling spiritual energy.
At some point, all the spiritual energy that approached him quietly transformed into yuan energy.
After a long while, the flood of spiritual energy rushing into Sun Yigao suddenly halted.
Then, with Sun Yigao at the center, waves of yuan energy silently rippled out in all directions!
The disciples of Lingxian Sect felt the dense yuan energy washing over them. Though it differed from the spiritual energy they cultivated, it resonated with their internal cultivation techniques, stirring their energy.
As if responding to the call of their cultivation methods, the disciples all sat down and began meditating without hesitation.
Lin Xiao was no exception.
Having resolved to cultivate diligently, he wouldn't miss such an opportune moment.
If anyone were to witness the scene at Lingxian Sect right now, they'd marvel at how hardworking and disciplined its members were!
Time passed by, second by second.
When the tribulation clouds finally dissipated, the sunlight that had been hidden behind them spilled down in beams, bathing the sect in a soft glow. Slowly, the disciples awoke from their meditation.
[Ding—Congratulations to sect disciple Sun Yigao for achieving self-enlightenment, resulting in the creation of the branch technique Benevolent Heart Branch from the Primordial Mind Sutra, and for receiving the blessings of the world's spiritual energy. Successful Nascent Soul formation achieved. The reward has been placed in the private vault. Please check and allocate appropriately.]
[Ding—Congratulations to sect disciple Sun Yigao for realizing his Dao and receiving the title of 'Lingqing.']
Before Lin Xiao even opened his eyes, the system notifications rang in his mind.
So it really was enlightenment!
And on top of that, Sun Yigao had been blessed with spiritual energy from the heavens!
It was this combination that had allowed him to leap from mid-Golden Core stage straight into Nascent Soul.
If he had cultivated through regular means, it would have taken him much longer to reach this point.
Lin Xiao was deeply pleased—Lingxian Sect had gained another Nascent Soul cultivator.
This further bolstered the sect's overall strength.
In the world of mortals, this was an impressive feat.
After all, in the mortal realm, a sect with just one Nascent Soul cultivator could already hold its own. Many sects didn't even have one, only Golden Core cultivators.
Not only that, but Sun Yigao had also realized his Dao and earned a title!
What had Senior Liao said about this?
Once a cultivator gained their Dao title, it was like having a guiding light on their path. Future bottlenecks would become easier to understand and overcome!
Lingqing.
Daoist Lingqing, Revered Lingqing, or even Celestial Lord Lingqing.
Lin Xiao silently repeated the name in his mind. It was a wonderful title.
[The title sounds impressive, doesn't it? Wouldn't you like to have one of your own?] the system teased.
"Yes, yes, I'll focus more on cultivation and insights. Stop nagging, System," Lin Xiao replied, slightly amused.
Satisfied with his answer, the system quieted down. Lin Xiao, content, turned his attention to the reward the system had mentioned earlier.
When Fuzi had broken through, the system had gifted him the "Chef's Three-Piece Set." Fuzi had mentioned how useful the set was and that it would automatically upgrade as his cultivation progressed.
Lin Xiao wondered what treasures the system had prepared for Sun Yigao this time.
When he checked the private vault, he found that the system had given Sun Yigao a set of three items as well.
A pen, a book, and a jade seal.
The pen was a bamboo brush, with a shaft made from vibrant green bamboo, straight and strong.
The book looked ordinary at first glance, but after using the system's appraisal function, Lin Xiao discovered that it was a blank book—a book with no words! Only Sun Yigao himself would know how to use it.
As for the jade seal, it was as white as fresh snow, pure and translucent, with the words "Lingqing" carved on it.
Though Sun Yigao had successfully broken through, he still needed time to stabilize his cultivation, so he remained seated in meditation in front of the Heart Mirror.
With the yuan energy dispersing, many of the disciples who had awakened from their cultivation were delighted to hear that Sun Yigao had successfully formed his Nascent Soul. They returned to their duties, cheerful and content.
Only Lin Xiao and Sun Yigao's close friends and fellow villagers remained nearby, waiting for him to awaken so they could congratulate him.
They figured that Sun Yigao would feel a bit lonely if he opened his eyes and saw no one around after such a significant event.
They didn't want their friend to wake up to such a cold and empty scene!
So, when Sun Yigao finally opened his eyes after stabilizing his cultivation, he found himself surrounded by a circle of familiar faces.
From little Jiang Chengtian, aged eight, to the oldest member Mo Que, a mix of men and women crowded around him, all offering their congratulations:
"Congrats, Yigao!"
"Wow, brother! You reached Nascent Soul already!"
"You're making the rest of us look bad!"
"Big Brother Yigao, can you tell me how you broke through?"
"Yeah, tell us!"
Sun Yigao listened to them chatter, finding their excitement endearing.
He smiled and said, "Thank you all for welcoming me out of seclusion."
Even if it was an impromptu, outdoor seclusion.
"I have a personal bit of good news to share. I've realized my Dao title," he announced.
"What? You managed to get a Dao title already?" Liu Yunan was shocked.
"What is it?" Jiang Youfu asked eagerly.
The others joined in: "Yeah, Yigao, tell us your title!"
"My Dao title is 'Lingqing,'" Sun Yigao said.
Lin Ying sighed, "That sounds so beautiful! I want a title as nice as that!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
From now on, others would refer to Sun Yigao as "Revered Lingqing." Just imagining it sounded grand!
But Lin Xiao asked, "By the way, Yigao, did you also create a new technique, like Fuzi did?"
Sun Yigao nodded, summoning a radiant seven-colored orb from his dantian.
"This is the new branch technique I developed: Benevolent Heart Branch."
As the colorful light faded, it revealed a glowing manuscript of the new technique.
"Wow, he really did create a new technique! And it manifested from his own body!"
"That's incredible!"
"This calls for a celebration!"
"Come on, everyone! Let's head to the Spirit Food Hall. I'll cook a feast for everyone!" Fuzi said with a grand wave, and the group joyfully escorted Sun Yigao to the Spirit Food Hall to celebrate his achievement.