There was no point in overthinking things. Knowing that Yan Beihong was fine, Miao Yi was relieved.
After replying to Yan Beihong's letter, Miao Yi went back to cultivating in seclusion, hoping that the others wouldn't overtake him by too much …
Before the annual tribute, the Manor Heads of Thousand Lake Manor, Mulberry Cloud Manor, and Raincloud Manor took a leave of absence to avoid meeting the three Advisors. In the end, not only did Hall Master Shen Huaixin fail to meet them, he even reprimanded them. 'How many years has it been? Are the three of you going to never come to Suppressing Tenth Hall again? What would the other Manor Heads who escorted the annual tribute think?
They had no choice. Shen Huaixin's words weren't without reason. If they kept hiding, they would become the subject of ridicule.
The three of them arranged a time to meet up and head to Suppressing Tenth Hall together.
As he thought about Yan Beihong, Miao Yi suddenly turned around and waved to his subordinates, saying, "The six of you, scout ahead."
Zhao Fei and Sikong Wuwei exchanged glances. Knowing that Miao Yi had something to say, they slowed down their mounts.
When the six of them were out of sight, Sikong Wuwei asked, "Little Brother, do you have something to say?"
Miao Yi smiled and said, "Nothing much. I just wanted to ask. You two have been Blue Lotus Ninth Grade cultivators for so many years. Back in the Sea of Constellations, I heard that you two were close to breaking through to the Red Lotus realm. Why haven't there been any reactions after so many years?"
Upon hearing this, the two of them looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly. Zhao Fei smiled bitterly and said, "To tell you the truth, Brother, Sikong and I have had a lot of conversations about this. This matter has been bothering us for many years. We often feel that a breakthrough is right in front of us, and we even feel that it's only a step away from us. We've even prepared the Fretless Fruits required for a breakthrough, but we just can't break through!"
Sikong Wuwei sighed and said, "This feeling is really unbearable. It's like being trapped in a small room for an extended period of time, unable to get out. Lying in front of the window, you can already feel the vast world outside through a thin layer of paper, but you just can't pierce through the paper. It's just that thin layer of film that's blocking you from seeing it. Sometimes, that feeling of not being able to break through can drive you crazy. "
Zhao Fei nodded and said, "It is indeed torturous. Sometimes, the refining speed of the Orbs of Will will suddenly increase by several folds. It's a pleasant surprise. Everyone thought that a breakthrough was right in front of them, but every time a bucket of cold water was poured on them, they realized that it was just a dream. They were still at the same spot, unable to break through the membrane that sealed them in the room. That feeling can make you wish you were dead. "
Miao Yi asked curiously, "In other words, you're still refining the Orbs of Will and absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but your cultivation isn't growing?"
The two nodded. "That's right!"
"That's strange." Miao Yi clicked his tongue in surprise. His cultivation hadn't reached that level yet, so he couldn't understand what they were talking about.
Zhao Fei sighed. "This thing can't be rushed. Perhaps the time hasn't come yet. Since we can't force it, let's just let nature take its course!"
Miao Yi could only say a few words of comfort. He didn't know what would happen when he reached that stage …
After arriving at Suppressing Tenth Hall … The procedure was simple: greet the Hall Master and present the annual tribute. When they reappeared in the Assembly Hall and gathered with the various Manor Heads, the three of them stood at the back, keeping a low profile.
Seeing that the three of them had finally shown up, many of the people in the hall were looking forward to another passionate scene.
Unfortunately, the three Advisors disappointed them. They only said a few words, and didn't target Miao Yi's group any further.
The three of them answered any questions asked, and kept their mouths shut when they didn't. They would occasionally glance at Xu Jinsong's severed arm, and noticed that it seemed to have grown quite a bit.
Seated high up on his throne, Hall Master Shen Huaixin swept his gaze across the two sides. He was also a little disappointed.
Xu Jinsong's group weren't fools. The last time the two sides fought in Suppressing Tenth Hall, the Hall Master had clearly arrived in time, yet he didn't stop them. Only when the two sides had completely fallen out did he stop them. Forget the three of them, even Miao Yi's group could guess Shen Huaixin's intentions.
Since they weren't confident that they could kill Miao Yi's group, the three Advisors were prepared to bear with it for now. There was no need for them to keep giving Shen Huaixin something to use against them. It wouldn't be a good thing if Traversing Water Palace found out about their incompetence. It would affect their future, and it would be a huge problem if someone kept bringing up such matters when they were at a critical juncture of their ascension. This was probably what Shen Huaixin was hoping for.
From another perspective, Miao Yi's group had managed to severely injure Xu Jinsong in the last battle, and the deterrent effect it brought was quite obvious. To put it nicely, they had earned the respect of their opponents. They wouldn't dare to underestimate them, and wouldn't act recklessly if they weren't confident that they could kill them. Even if it was already too late!
The trip went smoothly, and Miao Yi's group safely returned to their respective territories. After making some arrangements, they went back to cultivating in seclusion.
There was one thing that Miao Yi's group was glad about: there was no war within Traversing Water Palace's territory. If there were no conflicts, it would be a great place to cultivate in peace, especially for people like them who had access to sufficient cultivation resources.
In the blink of an eye, another ten years had passed. Miao Yi had finally stepped into the Blue Lotus Fifth Grade as he wished.
His refining speed of Orbs of Will had also increased from six orbs a day to seven. In order to break through to Blue Lotus Sixth Grade, he would need to spend around forty-one thousand orbs. He estimated that it would take him another sixteen years or more to break through.
Qian'Er and Xue'Er hadn't wasted their time over the years either. Their cultivations had already reached White Lotus Fifth Grade. On the other hand, Yan Xiu's cultivation progress was worrying. He was still at White Lotus Eighth Grade. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Qian'Er and Xue'Er caught up to him.
It wasn't easy to have such a loyal follower in the cultivation realm. Miao Yi was already considering helping Yan Xiu obtain a better cultivation art. He even went to ask Wen Fang about it. Unfortunately, the Chamber of Commerce sold many things, but cultivation arts weren't one of them. It was possible that they could be found on the black market in Flowing Clouds Dune Sea, but there were simply too many scams. One wouldn't be able to tell if there was a problem with it unless they tried to cultivate it. By the time they realized there was a problem, it would already be too late.
Miao Yi had no choice but to come up with another plan!
On a certain night fifteen years later, a streak of red light streaked across the starry night sky and landed directly in the courtyard of Raincloud Manor's official residence. Zhao Fei had a refreshed expression on his face as he floated through the air gracefully, a faint smile on his face.
Soon, Miao Yi came out of seclusion upon hearing the news. He cupped his fists and said, "Congratulations! Congratulations, Brother Zhao! You've finally achieved your goal and crossed the hurdle between heaven and man! "
Zhao Fei waved his hand in embarrassment and said, "I've been stuck at Blue Lotus Ninth Grade for almost three hundred years. I'm so stupid. I've only just broken through and I'm already here to brag to you. I'm so ashamed!"
Miao Yi immediately teased, "Then did Brother Zhao go to Sikong to brag to him?"
"I went to him first, and then I came to you. Sikong circled around me countless times, scratching his head anxiously. He was so envious of me that he kept asking me how I broke through. Unfortunately, I couldn't explain it myself. I just broke through the moment I mentioned it! "
Zhao Fei finished his story in a lively manner. He exchanged glances with Miao Yi, then suddenly burst into laughter. They didn't even need to see to know what Sikong Wuwei was feeling.
For the usually calm Zhao Fei to be able to laugh like this, it was clear that the joy he was feeling was indescribable. That was why he came to share his joy with his good friend as soon as he broke through.
"I've finally taken this step. From now on, I'll be able to roam the world as I please. This is a joyous occasion. Who knows how many people in the cultivation realm have never been able to surpass me? Let's celebrate! "Miao Yi turned around and waved his hand, saying," Qian'Er, Xue'Er, prepare a banquet at Watercloud Pavilion! "
"Understood!" The two girls happily went up to congratulate Zhao Fei.
They knew that the stronger their master's friend was, the stronger their master's backer would be, and the safer he would be.
Zhao Fei immediately took out two Second Grade Transcendent Artifacts as a reward.
"Let's go!" Equally overjoyed, Miao Yi grabbed Zhao Fei's wrist and dragged him up to Watercloud Pavilion.
Zhao Fei's breakthrough to the Red Lotus realm was simply too important to him and Sikong Wuwei. They had been living in fear for so many years, watching Xu Jinsong's severed arm grow longer and longer, worrying that something bad would happen at any moment. Now that Zhao Fei had broken through to the Red Lotus realm, he was the biggest threat to the three Advisors!
Inside Watercloud Pavilion, the two of them raised their cups to the moon and drank to their hearts' content. The two girls stood behind one of them, pouring their cups for them.
Miao Yi couldn't help but sigh at the mention of Zhao Fei's breakthrough. Back when they were on their way to Suppressing Tenth Hall, Miao Yi had said that it would be difficult to break through. He never thought that it would actually be this difficult. Just a single step away had taken him over twenty years to accomplish.
Zhao Fei smiled bitterly. However, he felt more relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. From today onwards, a wider world was placed in front of him!
After the two of them calmed down, Miao Yi put down his cup and asked, "Brother Zhao, what are your plans from now on?"
Back to business. Zhao Fei calmed himself down and slowly put down his cup, saying in a deep voice, "Now that I've broken through to the Red Lotus realm, even though the three Advisors' cultivations are slightly higher than mine, they're nothing more than a joke in my eyes. Those three aren't good at fighting. When it comes to a fight, I don't know who's going to be the one to fear. There's nothing to fear! The only one in Suppressing Tenth Hall who can threaten us is Shen Huaixin. He's an unfathomable person, but I'm not coveting his position as Hall Master. I still have a large amount of cultivation resources on hand, so I'd love nothing more than to cultivate in peace. However, if one doesn't plan for the future, they're bound to face immediate problems. Little Brother, do you still remember that pagoda in his possession? "
Miao Yi nodded. "That is indeed a problem. If you get into a conflict with the three Advisors and he decides to help you suppress them, you'll definitely be no match for him with just that Third Grade Transcendent Artifact in his possession."
Zhao Fei sighed. "If I want to protect myself, then I need to be strong enough that others won't dare to provoke me. I'm going to look for Wen Fang later. I'm going to buy a suitable Third Grade Transcendent Artifact no matter the cost. Otherwise, I won't be able to establish myself if I don't have some confidence!"
"Speaking of transcendent artifacts, I might be able to get you one that suits you …" Miao Yi mused.
"Little Brother, if you have a good background, that would naturally be even better!"
"Wait here patiently. I'll be right back." Miao Yi turned around and called for Qian 'Er and Xue' Er to leave with him.
Naturally, he was going to look for Yao Ruoxian. With such a good artifact refiner around, how could he let it go to waste?
When he saw Yao Ruoxian and heard that he was going to refine an artifact for someone else, Yao Ruoxian immediately refused. However, he couldn't resist Qian 'Er and Xue' Er's pleading.
Yao Ruoxian's agreement was one thing, but he had his own conditions. First of all, Zhao Fei had to pay for the materials himself. Not to mention, he had to be paid twice as much as the average artifact refiner. Most importantly, and one that Yao Ruoxian had especially emphasized, was that after Zhao Fei obtained the transcendent artifact, if anyone were to ask about its origins, he couldn't reveal that it came from Raincloud Manor. In other words, he couldn't reveal his whereabouts. Who knew what Yao Ruoxian was afraid of?
If he couldn't fulfill these conditions, Yao Ruoxian wouldn't agree. It wouldn't matter even if Qian 'Er and Xue' Er begged him.
Later, Miao Yi told Zhao Fei about these conditions and told him to consider them himself. Zhao Fei was curious as to who this person was. However, Miao Yi told him not to ask, so he didn't.
Since Miao Yi's suggestion was feasible, it wouldn't be a problem for him to pay a higher price. Zhao Fei immediately agreed and told Wen Fang to send the materials over as soon as possible.
Perhaps the three of them were really lucky, but right after Zhao Fei left, another streak of light descended upon Raincloud Manor's official residence the next day.
The newcomer was none other than the Manor Head of Mulberry Cloud Manor, Sikong Wuwei. As soon as he saw Miao Yi, he threw his head back and laughed heartily with his hands on his hips.
"How did you manage to break through as well?" Miao Yi walked up to Sikong Wuwei and circled around him in surprise. Just yesterday, he and Zhao Fei were still laughing at Sikong Wuwei's anxiousness.
Sikong Wuwei's smile froze on his face. He rolled his eyes and snapped, "Why can't I break through? What do you mean by that? Are you unhappy that I broke through? "
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