Chapter 343: A Worthy Teacher and Friend, Helpful for Gaining Fame

"That is more or less how it went."

On the rooftop of the villa, Wang Sheng looked at the four cultivators closest to him. He had just revealed the strange circumstances of his breakthrough to them.

He even removed his defensive garments, revealing the presence of his Nascent Soul at his central dantian to his master and senior sister. This gave the two more comprehension and confidence.

"Transforming the Golden Core into a Nascent Soul instead of shattering it?" Qing Yanzi muttered a few times and pondered deeply. Finally, he reached a conclusion.

"Before you broke through, you had already perfected your Heavenly Abode and fused your Primordial Soul with your Dao. That's probably why you didn't have to break your Golden Core. It also explains why you didn't cause any particularly violent phenomena even after you absorbed so much primal qi."

Wang Sheng only understood half of what his master had said. Nevertheless, he nodded in agreement.

"Skipping the shattering of the Golden Core to directly form a Nascent Soul?" Xi Lian murmured from the side. "It can't be that simple. Little Fei Yu, did you perhaps consume some extraordinary treasure in the Earth Qi Immortal Spring? Maybe a spiritual root that's a hundred thousand years old?"

Wang Sheng could only smile calmly and shake his head gently.

Mu Wanxuan tapped swiftly across the virtual keyboard, making large words appear in the air.

From today onward, I will work hard in seclusion!

She was now clearly determined to preserve her dignity as the eldest disciple. She had already resolved to enter seclusion and strive to catch up to her junior brother.

Wang Sheng could not help but smile. He immediately said, "Master, I still have many insights within me. I have to go back into seclusion."

Qing Yanzi warmly answered, "Alright. As long as you have broken through smoothly, I can rest easy. Your cultivation has already surpassed mine, so I can no longer guide you much. Remember this: don't be arrogant or impatient, and never rush blindly for quick gains. In cultivation, nothing is ever trivial. Never be reckless."

"Yes, Master," Wang Sheng replied solemnly.

He then turned and saw Xiaomiao yawning incessantly by the side. Having hardly rested during this period, she now looked completely exhausted.

Qing Yanzi sighed. "Now that all matters here are settled, I must return to my endless errands. Ah, these days of running about, who knows when they will end?"

Xi Lian laughed playfully. "In life, little guy, one must learn to let go and refuse."

Qing Yanzi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I humbly accept your guidance, Senior."

Since his second disciple had already stirred his heart, he decisively departed.

Wang Sheng was the first and, so far, only cultivator in the Hua Republic to reach the Nascent Soul Realm. For the first time, a cultivator from modern times had surpassed the Grand Celestial Master's cultivation. Before, they had only been equals.

Qing Yanzi's admonition to avoid arrogance and impatience was only to keep Wang Sheng from losing himself. A bit of modesty was always a good thing.

After his master left, Wang Sheng called Wang Xiaomiao over. He had intended to lecture her until he detected her cultivation realm.

Spirit Convergence Realm?

Her spiritual consciousness had taken form, though it wasn't enough to control objects yet. True essence circulated through her meridians in rising and falling cycles. She had certainly reached the early stage of the Spirit Convergence Realm.

How long has it been? I've only been in seclusion for a short while, yet my sister has already gone from nothing to the Spirit Convergence Realm?

Wang Sheng couldn't help but feel that he had nothing to be arrogant about. If he were tied to a cluster of slowly ascending balloons, then Xiaomiao was strapped to a missile that was soaring skyward.

"Xiaomiao."

"

Mm?

"

"Don't be arrogant, and don't be impatient."

Wang Xiaomiao blinked in puzzlement. "Oh."

Wang Sheng could only raise his head and sigh deeply. He then called for his senior sister to join him in seclusion.

Xiaomiao's astonishingly fast breakthrough had, in truth, been due to the intervention of her master. With a single touch of immortal power, she had been propelled ahead. It not only guaranteed her passage into the Illusory Core Realm but also rapidly pushed her cultivation.

Such effects naturally had their limits. Once the power was spent, the first bottleneck Xiaomiao would encounter in her cultivation would be several times more difficult than it would be for others. Where there was gain, there would also be loss. Not even a Celestial Immortal could defy that principle.

***

A few minutes later, in Mu Wanxuan's room.

The martial siblings sat opposite each other on round cushions, which had been set half a meter apart near the balcony.

Wang Sheng had removed his Flowing Cloud Robe and changed to loose casual clothes. Mu Wanxuan was only in her undergarments, with a soft gauze skirt draped lightly over them. Her elegant curves were faintly on display.

Cultivation required comfort. Since they were at home and right in front of their most trusted person, they found no need for restraint.

With insights constantly welling up in his mind, Wang Sheng did not linger on the sight before him. After sending a quick message to a group chat, he smiled at his senior sister and soon closed his eyes, concentrating deeply.

Mu Wanxuan pressed her lips together and curved them into a tranquil smile. Her long lashes drooped as she, too, closed her eyes, immersing herself in comprehension.

They emanated Dao Rhythm from time to time. Instead of disrupting each other, their Dao Rhythms offered subtle inspiration and added to their insights.

Perhaps this, too, was a form of dual cultivation. Wang Sheng's ultimate goal, however, was the kind of dual cultivation that had nothing to do with the Dao.

***

After leaving the villa, Qing Yanzi notified the Heavenly Abode Realm experts that Wang Sheng had broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm. He also shared his disciple's insights with them and asked them not to spread the news too widely. If the cultivation world praised his disciple too much, Wang Sheng's Dao Heart could be shaken.

Qing Yanzi simply wanted the best for his disciple.

Unbeknownst to him, several people were already working hard to spread the news.

The message Wang Sheng had sent quickly triggered a storm of replies.

Wang Sheng:

You guys can stop worrying. I've successfully broken through. Anyway, I'll go back to seclusion now.

Shi Qianzhang: You've already broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm, Brother Sheng? Where is your Nascent Soul? Can you send a picture? You're amazing, Brother Sheng! (in a high-pitched voice)

Liu Yunzhi: Congratulations on becoming the leading cultivator of our age, Fei Yu. You're truly a model for us all!

Huai Jing: Amitabha. Has Fei Yu returned to seclusion?

Mou Yue: Congratulations on ascending to the Nascent Soul Realm, Daoist Master Wang Sheng! We should all learn from you! Everyone, treat him as your role model!

After a few messages that didn't get a reply from Wang Sheng, the four started a group call and began chatting.

One praised Wang Sheng, while another said that from now on, the cultivation world had to heed his words.

Liu Yunzhi laughed.

—While we're all excited because he's broken through, Fei Yu remains as calm as always.

The others chuckled awkwardly. Afterward, Mou Yue smiled.

—We're just genuinely happy for Daoist Master Wang.

Shi Qianzhang muttered his reply.

—Should we organize some publicity? Many people misunderstand Brother Sheng, calling him the spokesperson of heavenly tribulations. They make it seem as though he were only given his cultivation progress, but Brother Sheng is a sword cultivator! People have to understand that his heavenly tribulation is nothing compared to the power of his longsword.

In response, Huai Jing chuckled.

—That's actually a good idea. Can we leave this to you, Miss Mou Yue?

Mou Yue was quick to answer.

—I'll contact my friend who manages the Righteous-Qi Alliance website and have her put out a banner immediately.

Li Yunzhi also pitched in.

—We all have to contribute. I will post a congratulatory message on my personal microblog.

Huai Jing laughed.

—You're practically a top celebrity in the cultivation world now. The moment you post something, half the female cultivators will know about it.

Shi Qianzhang chuckled, joining Huai Jing.

—I'll post about it as well. I've got a whole eighty-six followers. Impressive, isn't it? Are you guys jealous?

Already finished with her post, Mou Yue smiled and began teasing him.

—Not at all, Daoist Master Shi. You have always been very low-key.

Liu Yunzhi simply snorted in amusement. Meanwhile, Huai Jing shared how he'd contribute.

—Then I shall stir up the virtual community. I will change the name of one of my accounts, which ranks in the top three. Which do you think is better, 'Creator of the First Nascent Soul' or 'Nascent Soul Realm Sword Cultivator Fei Yu'?

—The latter.

—The latter, of course.

Shi Qianzhang posed a question.

—Won't your account get banned?

Huai Jing smirked, remaining composed. He was, after all, the one who had gotten Xi Lian's account banned.

—Not at all. I know the community managers quite well.

The four quickly got to work. Liu Yunzhi prepared a formal announcement, Huai Jing changed the username he used for a game, and Mou Yue spread the news in official groups.

Meanwhile, Qing Yanzi explained Wang Sheng's unusual breakthrough to the top figures of the cultivation world. He then asked the Grand Celestial Master, Qing Long, and the others to keep it secret for now.

Afterward, he called his wife.

"Do not spread the news for now," Qing Yanzi instructed.

Chi Ling just laughed coldly and sent him several screenshots.

Wang Sheng's breakthrough had already exploded all across the web. Now, everyone was talking about the representative of heavenly tribulations becoming the Hua Republic's first-ever cultivator to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

At a loss for words, Qing Yanzi's mouth twitched. After a while, he finally said, "Forget it. The news has already spread."

—Hiding it makes no difference. Has Little Sheng gone back into seclusion?

"There will always be a period of insight after a breakthrough. He'll need to spend at least three to four more months in seclusion."

—Alright. We only know the whereabouts of half of the Blood-Dissolving Divine Swords right now. If he came to me for information now, I would be quite embarrassed.

Qing Yanzi pondered for a moment. "Ah-Ling, I also need a period of cultivation. Constantly running about will only delay my own breakthrough."

Chi Ling's tone softened and became tinged with warmth.

—What's the matter? Feeling challenged by your disciple? Come back and cultivate in seclusion here, then. External pressures have weakened anyway, and internal affairs are lighter now. I can take this chance to rest, too.

Qing Yanzi raised a hand to his forehead.

Seclusion at my wife's side? That would not be seclusion at all! It would be a completely different kind of endless engagement!

"Very well. I'll be back in two hours!" he replied as decisively as ever.