Time flowed differently for cultivators.
Days became weeks.
Weeks passed almost unnoticed.
For ordinary mortals, three weeks was a significant amount of time.
For cultivators immersed in cultivation, however, it was merely the blink of an eye.
Ever since the conclusion of the Jade Haven City competition, life had returned to a relatively peaceful rhythm.
At least on the surface.
Lin Sheng spent nearly all his time cultivating.
Lin Xiaolu and Lou Han had temporarily accompanied members of the Wu Family after receiving an invitation from Wu Yuanhua's father.
Meanwhile, Zhao Feng remained occupied with family affairs as his father continued seclusion while attempting to break through to the Purple Palace Realm.
The entire Qian Family was operating under heightened security.
Every day, elders guarded important locations.
Every day, resources flowed toward the Patriarch's faction.
Nobody knew when the breakthrough would occur.
Yet everyone understood that if it succeeded—
The balance within Jade Haven City would change forever.
...
Within a secluded cultivation chamber.
Lin Sheng sat motionless.
Golden spiritual light drifted throughout his Mental Field.
Deep within his consciousness—
The Yellow Origin Diagram rotated silently.
Compared to several weeks ago, the diagram had become increasingly complete.
Golden streams of light intertwined throughout its structure.
The image now resembled a true stellar body.
Not merely a diagram.
Not merely a visualization.
But something alive.
Something capable of absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
The Chip continuously assisted with calculations.
Thousands.
Millions.
Billions of adjustments.
The further Lin Sheng progressed, the more difficult advancement became.
The first portions of the Yellow Origin Diagram had been relatively simple.
The final sections were entirely different.
Every line affected countless others.
Every adjustment could destabilize the entire structure.
Fortunately—
Lin Sheng possessed something no cultivator should have.
The Chip.
Within his previous life, humanity had studied various types of stars extensively.
Even black holes.
While this knowledge wasn't directly applicable to cultivation, it provided an enormous amount of reference material.
The Chip had used that information to create simulation models.
Again and again.
Continuously refining possibilities.
As a result—
The completion percentage had reached eighty percent.
A remarkable achievement.
Even Lin Sheng was surprised by the speed.
Of course—
The remaining twenty percent would likely be far more difficult than the previous eighty combined.
The closer he approached completion, the more profound the diagram became.
Still—
Progress was progress.
Opening his eyes slowly, Lin Sheng exhaled.
A notification appeared within his vision.
---
[Yellow Origin Diagram Completion: 80%]
[Mental Field Radius: Stable]
[Spiritual Absorption Efficiency Increased]
---
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Then his attention shifted elsewhere.
Toward his martial cultivation.
Within his body—
Twelve acupoints had already been opened.
Ten were completely filled with Gang Qi.
Only two remained.
Once those two acupoints were filled, he would naturally enter the Mid Stage of Xuan Gang Realm.
Compared to immortal cultivators, martial artists advanced differently.
Every breakthrough required immense patience.
Opening acupoints wasn't difficult merely because of energy requirements.
It was dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
A single mistake could permanently damage an acupoint.
A torn acupoint could sometimes be healed.
A shattered one rarely could.
Many talented martial artists had ruined their futures through impatience.
This was why higher-level martial artists were relatively rare.
Not because the path lacked potential.
But because every step required caution.
Lin Sheng estimated that reaching Peak Xuan Gang would likely require another seven to nine years under normal circumstances.
Of course—
Opportunities could change everything.
Cultivation was never entirely predictable.
Special herbs existed.
Treasures existed.
Rare opportunities existed.
Yet such things were exceedingly valuable.
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators desired them.
Some could heal damaged acupoints.
Others could accelerate opening them.
Regardless—
None were easily obtained.
As for his external cultivation—
His physique had strengthened once again.
Not dramatically.
Yet noticeably.
Every increase made him more terrifying in close combat.
Especially when combined with his already powerful body.
...
Three days later.
A sudden notification arrived.
The sound-transmission jade hanging at Lin Sheng's waist lit up.
A familiar voice echoed from it.
Official.
Cold.
Emotionless.
"All trainees at the Xuan Gang Realm must immediately return to their respective Training Centers."
"This mission is mandatory."
"Further information will be provided upon arrival."
"The contents remain confidential."
The transmission ended.
Lin Sheng frowned slightly.
Mandatory?
Confidential?
Those two words rarely indicated anything good.
Soon afterward, he learned that every Xuan Gang trainee throughout the region had received identical instructions.
Not requests.
Orders.
Even Zhao Feng seemed surprised.
Unfortunately, his father remained in seclusion.
There would be no opportunity to say goodbye.
Not that there was much time.
The orders demanded immediate compliance.
Lin Sheng quickly packed his belongings.
Lou Han and Lin Xiaolu were already preparing to return as well.
Neither possessed additional information.
Something clearly wasn't normal.
Yet nobody asked questions.
When powerful families issued orders—
You obeyed first.
Then learned why later.
...
Several days later.
A flying carriage traveled through the skies.
Clouds drifted beneath them.
Mountains passed below.
The journey toward Cloud Mist Market proceeded smoothly.
Inside the carriage, Lin Sheng quietly cultivated.
Lou Han slept.
Lin Xiaolu meditated.
An unusually peaceful scene.
Then—
The Chip suddenly issued a notification.
---
[Warning]
[Ambient Spiritual Qi Density Increasing]
[Abnormal Fluctuations Detected]
---
Lin Sheng opened his eyes.
His gaze shifted toward the horizon.
Indeed.
The closer they approached Cloud Mist Market, the richer the spiritual energy became.
Not dramatically.
Yet enough to notice.
Interesting.
The others eventually sensed it as well.
"Spiritual energy feels different."
Lou Han stretched lazily.
Lin Xiaolu nodded.
"It does."
Nobody possessed an explanation.
The carriage continued forward.
Eventually—
Cloud Mist Market appeared.
And immediately everyone noticed something unusual.
The market was crowded.
Far more crowded than normal.
Cultivators entered and exited continuously.
Flying artifacts crossed the skies.
Merchant caravans moved without pause.
The entire place felt busy.
Almost excited.
Lin Sheng stepped from the carriage and observed the surroundings carefully.
The increase wasn't minor.
The number of cultivators had nearly doubled.
Many unfamiliar faces appeared throughout the streets.
Some even wore the robes of distant forces.
Clearly—
Something had happened.
The group entered the market.
Almost immediately, fragments of conversation reached their ears.
"...southern region..."
"...celestial phenomenon..."
"...appeared for only a short time..."
"...treasure..."
"...someone obtained it already..."
"...disappeared overnight..."
Lin Sheng listened silently.
Lou Han scratched his head.
"What are they talking about?"
Lin Xiaolu frowned.
"Some kind of treasure?"
The more they listened, the clearer the situation became.
Several weeks ago—
A celestial phenomenon had briefly appeared somewhere in the southern region of Dragon Yuan Province.
The phenomenon had been visible only briefly before disappearing.
Many people assumed a treasure had appeared.
Others believed an inheritance had been discovered.
Unfortunately—
Nobody actually knew.
The phenomenon vanished too quickly.
The secrecy surrounding the event only increased speculation.
Naturally, cultivators had rushed toward the area.
Many remained there even now.
Waiting.
Watching.
Hoping another anomaly would appear.
Greed was a powerful force.
Especially among cultivators.
The possibility of obtaining a great opportunity was enough to attract thousands.
Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
A celestial phenomenon.
A sudden increase in spiritual energy.
Large numbers of cultivators gathering.
Combined with the mandatory recall of Xuan Gang trainees...
The timing felt suspicious.
Very suspicious.
The Chip continued recording information.
One conversation after another.
One rumor after another.
Most were useless.
Yet a few details stood out.
Apparently several forces had already begun sending experts toward the southern region.
Some merchants were even transporting supplies there.
The scale suggested something far larger than a simple treasure appearance.
Lin Sheng remained thoughtful.
The elders of the Lin Family undoubtedly knew more.
Which meant there was likely a reason for recalling every Xuan Gang trainee.
The question was—
What exactly awaited them?
No answer appeared.
Only growing anticipation.
As they continued toward the Training Center, the streets remained crowded.