C11 Eldest Senior Brother Lee Zhenfeng

Polaris Peak.

The sun bathed a cave on Polaris Peak in warm light, where a young figure was deep in secluded cultivation.

This individual was none other than the direct disciple of the Sect Master, known as the eldest senior brother of Polaris, Lee Zhenfeng.

Wakan coursed slowly through his body, while the Spirit Sword he had planted before him radiated a sharp brilliance, humming with energy.

A fierce aura wove around him, enveloping him completely.

Zhenfeng channeled his wakan, seemingly on the verge of challenging a certain boundary.

Yet, as he cultivated, there was no discernible change in the wakan within him.

Despite his efforts, it appeared he could not breach that elusive threshold.

"Sigh, am I still unable to achieve the perfection of the Soul Nurturing stage?"

Zhenfeng's eyes, previously shut tight, flickered open, revealing a hint of vexation as he exhaled softly.

He had been at the pinnacle of the Soul Nurturing stage for quite some time. He had ventured down the mountain, witnessed much of the mortal world, and endured many trials, but to no avail. The absence of any sign of breakthrough left him feeling somewhat perplexed.

While Zhenfeng's prowess was acknowledged as the strongest among his peers,

it was clear that this did not satiate his ambition. His aspirations extended far beyond.

He was not merely vying with his contemporaries in Polaris but with the elite disciples from other Holy Lands, those esteemed prodigies.

An early breakthrough would enable him to outpace and outdistance the direct disciples of rival forces.

Particularly since he had learned that several Holy Land prodigies had already reached the perfection of the Soul Nurturing stage and were gearing up for the ascent to God-Man.

This revelation only added to Zhenfeng's inner turmoil.

"Your heart is in turmoil."

As Zhenfeng was lost in his sighs, a resonant voice broke the silence.

At the sound, Zhenfeng's spirits lifted. He quickly rose to his feet and turned towards the newcomer.

"Disciple pays respects to the Master."

Approaching Zhenfeng was a figure whose wakan flowed powerfully, like a mighty river, vast and unceasing.

"Why have you come?" Lee Zhenfeng was visibly excited to see his master.

Throughout the years, his master had always provided guidance whenever he faced difficulties.

His eight years of cultivation, culminating in reaching the peak of Soul Nurturing and becoming the eldest senior brother of the Polaris Holy Land, were deeply connected to his master's influence.

"In the journey of cultivation, it's not just about strength, but also about the Dao Heart. You've accumulated enough strength, but what you're missing is the opportunity to understand the Dao Heart," Zi Ya said, stepping closer to Lee Zhenfeng. "You must look within and ask yourself why you cultivate and what Dao you seek."

"Why do I cultivate, and what Dao do I seek?" Lee Zhenfeng pondered deeply, his brow furrowed.

It was as if he was on the verge of grasping something profound, yet it remained elusive.

But clarity was beginning to dawn in his mind.

"Because you slew the young master of the Sky Fiends Sect, a demon has sneaked into the Holy Land, aiming to strike at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Your Master Zi Yuan will soon retreat to overcome a bottleneck, and you shall stand in for him to guard the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Ensure its safety, and consider this as atonement for your rash actions," Zi Ya said calmly to his disciple. "The Imperial Ancestral Temple is a place of tranquility, perfect for you to contemplate the opportunity you're missing and to understand your Dao Heart."

"Your disciple obeys," Lee Zhenfeng responded without hesitation, bowing respectfully to Master Zi Ya before stepping out of the cave and heading towards the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

A single thought began to crystallize in his mind: what opportunity was he truly lacking?

With this new insight, Lee Zhenfeng now knew where to seek the chance that would allow him to advance.

At dawn, with the sun rising in the east, Ye Chen rose early as he always did, ready to start his daily tasks.

Cleaning the Imperial Ancestral Temple was his daily duty.

Today, to his surprise, Ye Chen encountered Zi Yuan at the entrance of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

"Elder, what brings you here?" he asked, somewhat puzzled.

Since his early days as an acolyte, it had been rare for Ye Chen to see Zi Yuan at the Imperial Ancestral Temple this early.

"Ye Chen, up and working so early, I see. Your dedication is truly remarkable," Zi Yuan remarked with a smile. Although his visits to the Imperial Ancestral Temple were infrequent, he was well aware that Ye Chen arrived every morning to clean without fail.

Ye Chen's steadfastness allowed Zi Yuan the peace of mind to devote more time to his cultivation.

"It's my duty as a disciple," Ye Chen replied, without a hint of pride, nodding respectfully to Zi Yuan.

"Good," Zi Yuan said, taking a sip from a bottle of spirit wine, his expression content. "You go ahead and clean. Today, your eldest senior brother, Lee Zhenfeng, will be here. I'll introduce you to him later."

Eldest senior brother?

Ye Chen paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, before he quickly grasped the situation.

The Sect Master had indeed mentioned this yesterday. Zi Yuan would soon enter seclusion to tackle a cultivation bottleneck, and had appointed the talented eldest senior brother, Lee Zhenfeng, to oversee the Imperial Ancestral Temple in his stead.

Rumor had it that the eldest senior brother was a formidable cultivator, already an expert in the late period of the Soul Nurturing Stage, and even more powerful than Ye Chen himself. Known for his decisiveness, he had recently made a bold move by slaying the young master of the Sky Fiends.

Ye Chen had a hunch that the demon he had defeated might have been affiliated with the Sky Fiends, seeking vengeance for the eldest senior brother's actions.

But these were mere speculations on Ye Chen's part. The actual truth was unknown to him and, frankly, irrelevant. He was, however, quite curious to meet this decisive and renowned eldest senior brother from the Polaris and witness his aura firsthand.

"Understood, I'll get to cleaning now," Ye Chen said, giving a slight nod. He didn't dwell on the matter, and after paying his respects to Zi Yuan, he proceeded into the Imperial Ancestral Temple to replenish the oil in the eternal lamp, tidy the ancestral tablets, and clean the mausoleum.

"What a fine young man, it's just unfortunate that his talents don't match his spirit," Zi Yuan mused quietly as he watched Ye Chen diligently at work. "In a world where martial prowess is paramount, lack of talent inevitably relegates one to a life of mediocrity."

Zi Yuan was extremely pleased with Ye Chen, recognizing the young man's diligence and effort. Yet, in this world, innate talent often trumps hard work. Without natural aptitude, one might spend their entire life striving without breaking through a single realm in the path of cultivation.

"Still, there's a silver lining. Lacking talent, you can serve here and live out your days in comfort. Within the Polaris Holy Land, you're assured a century of safety. That's a tranquil existence many mortals aspire to," Zi Yuan mused, his voice tinged with a mix of reflection and resignation. With years of experience in the martial way, he was all too aware of the world's inherent brutality.

Of his generation of disciples, hundreds had started out, but now only a handful remained. The majority had perished in the relentless conflicts with other sects and malevolent forces. Few had the luxury of a serene old age.

After tidying up the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Ye Chen stepped outside and struck up a casual conversation with Zi Yuan at the entrance.

"Look who's arrived—your eldest senior brother is here," Zi Yuan announced, suddenly looking up towards the front of the temple.

Following his gaze, Ye Chen looked up as well.

Before long, a figure emerged on the temple mountain.

Eldest Senior Brother Lee Zhenfeng?

Ye Chen was taken aback upon recognizing the individual before him.