C16 Sealing

As Fu Chengyang's eyes flickered open, a message materialized in his mind, revealing an opportunity that awaited him in ten days.

The latest turn of events: In ten days, he would vanquish Outer Sect disciples and uncover a precious, incomplete formula on one of them, capable of strengthening his foundation.

Chengyang's eyes sparkled with anticipation. This outcome was not unexpected, considering his cultivation had surged dramatically, rendering the Outer Sect's techniques and power virtually insignificant.

Indeed, reaching the Golden Core stage marked a clear boundary from the majority of the Outer Sect members. It was a significant milestone that set the two groups apart.

That is to say, once one attained the Golden Core stage, passing the Sky Staircase's test and entering the Inner Sect would be minor hurdles.

Chengyang had already stepped into the realm of Golden Core power, but his body struggled to cope with the rapid advancement in cultivation. Continuing to train without caution risked more loss than gain.

It was as if his body had incurred a deficit, and his spiritual energy needed to first repair this loss before he could progress further.

Now, he needed to find a way to compensate for this shortfall. He had planned to use an Outer Sect mission to search for medicinal formulas in the vicinity.

Unexpectedly, he stumbled upon the formula effortlessly. Why would that person possess a formula that stabilized Golden Core Qi? This was indeed a mystery worth contemplating.

Propping his chin in his hand, Fu Chengyang gazed out the window, lost in thought. Reflecting on his recent stroke of fortune, he let out a sigh of wonder.

"I never imagined the boost from such immense luck would be so significant..."

This person... he absolutely needed to cultivate a good relationship with her. After all, compared to the previously encountered hot-tempered girl, her fortune paled in comparison to Lu Xingyao's.

Why focus on someone capable of ascending the ninety-nine steps of the Sky Staircase and ignore another with seemingly ulterior motives?

Yet, Lu Xingyao's mysterious words during her visit today lingered in his mind. What could her intentions be?

Reflecting on this, Fu Chengyang instinctively raised his hand to pinpoint Lu Xingyao's location. He had been monitoring her condition since the moment he rescued her.

Although she was faring poorly, her spirit appeared resilient. As a maid who usually attended to Yu Yaolu, she showed no visible external injuries, likely due to her presentable appearance.

Lu Xingyao possessed an exceptional temperament, having emerged from Yu Yaolu's shadow long ago, which explained her accomplishments.

Sensing something off, Fu Chengyang tried to deduce Lu Xingyao's whereabouts and was shocked to find he couldn't detect any trace of her.

His thoughts swiftly shifted, and he came to a realization.

Could it be that her life hadn't altered, and the accidental intrusion into the stairway was happening today?

The thought jolted him momentarily, but he soon regained his composure. If all went as usual, several watchful eyes would be on the Stairway to Heaven, so Lu Xingyao's situation shouldn't be too concerning.

Still, to be safe, he decided to step outside and glance over at the stairway.

Sure enough, the area was now under strict guard, accessible only with permission from an elder or someone of higher authority. To the uninformed, it might seem like preparations for a contest in ten days, but Fu Chengyang knew the true situation. He casually found a spot nearby, pulled out some wild fruits he had picked along the way, and began to eat, waiting patiently.

A few meters away, several Inner Sect disciples observed him with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Within the Inner Sect, there was a specific protocol for attire, helping disciples to stand out from those in the Outer Sect, even though the sect didn't enforce a strict dress code.

Additionally, the green tokens they wore commanded respect, prompting most to give way upon sight. Yet here was this young man, nonchalantly seated at the edge of the restricted zone, taking a leisurely break under a tree.

After a silent exchange of looks, one tall disciple made his way over to Fu Chengyang.

"This isn't a place for you!"

Fu Chengyang barely lifted an eyelid and remained seated, unimpressed by the group before him. They had only recently reached the Golden Core stage, with shaky foundations at best. He recognized a few from their time in the Outer Sect, where they had taken on missions.

It appeared they had moved up to the Inner Sect after a prior competition and had no intention of pursuing further cultivation. Instead, they seemed content to coast along, living off their extended lifespans—after all, while mortals lived for fifty to sixty years, cultivators enjoyed a relatively longer life.

But the path of cultivation is endless, and human life is finite. Unless one truly grasps the Great Dao and ascends to immortality, all cultivation is but a fleeting chance sought by the masses.

Better to reach a certain level of cultivation and use the extra years to do what one truly desires.

"Doesn't the Swiftbreaker Sect have a rule that allows Outer Sect members to go wherever they wish, aside from the Inner Sect's designated areas? Plus, with the competition in ten days, the top ten will gain access to the Sky Stairway. I'm just here to take an early look—no harm in that, right?"

Those with higher cultivation levels can easily discern the specific cultivation levels of those beneath them. After a brief glance at Fu Chengyang, the group erupted into unapologetic laughter.

"Such arrogance," they scoffed. "To my knowledge, the highest level among the Outer Sect is merely the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even if you win a spot in the top ten, if you can't climb those ten steps, you'll still be nothing more than a servant in the Outer Sect."

Fu Chengyang didn't recognize the speaker, but with a slight squint, he effortlessly pierced through the man's destiny.

Name: Feng Xiaonan

Stage: Initial Golden Core

Life Matrix: Lone (Green)

Destiny: First Broken Golden Core (Gray)

...

Lone: A solitary life matrix, where one lives and dies alone, but in comprehending the Dao, one may find a hidden opportunity.

First Broken Golden Core: A body unstable, forged by the power of medicine.

Fu Chengyang now understood it all—this was yet another ordinary person who wouldn't last beyond three episodes.

Having lost interest in these Inner Sect disciples, he tuned out, while Feng Xiaonan remained oblivious, mistaking Fu Chengyang's silence for a challenge to the Inner Sect's authority.

"If you don't leave now, I won't hold back!"

"Wait, Senior Brother, the Swiftbreaker Sect has strict rules against personal duels within its grounds." The fellow student intervened swiftly, reminding him of the sect's regulations.

At that moment, Fu Chengyang lifted his gaze, his sharp eyes holding a mocking glint. He elongated his tone, his voice dripping with provocation as he began to speak.