Volume One, Chapter Three: The Pinnacle of Enlightenment!

As the system's voice faded, a torrent of pure spiritual energy surged into Lin Yang's limbs and bones like a rising tide, rapidly strengthening his cultivation.

His dantian continuously absorbed the influx, expanding with every passing moment. Aided by this massive surge, his cultivation rose with the speed of a rocket:

Foundation Establishment Stage!
Core Formation Stage!
Golden Core Stage!
...
Peak Enlightenment Stage!

The spiritual energy within Lin Yang surged like a roaring river, relentless and vast. The sheer pressure radiating from his breakthrough caused the trees and foliage atop Crimson Sun Peak to sway violently in the turbulent winds.

"BOOM!!!"

Deep within the rear mountains of the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect, a bell tolled, its sound echoing across the entire Central Province. The sonic waves rippled through the sect, reaching every corner.

Cultivators throughout the Central Province looked toward the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect with expressions of shock. After all, the Great Wilderness Bell had rung twice in recent times.

Meanwhile, on the Ascension Platform, Zhang Xianfeng stared in astonishment toward the direction of the tolling bell. This sound, which had shaken the entire province, was indeed the Great Wilderness Bell.

The bell only tolled under two circumstances: either a prodigy of peerless talent, unseen in a millennium, had emerged in the Central Province, or a powerful expert within the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect had broken through to the Enlightenment realm. Only these two events could trigger the bell.

Zhang Xianfeng’s breath hitched. Compared to the rise of an outside prodigy, he prayed that an expert within his own sect had reached the Enlightenment stage.

"Could it be that one of our reclusive seniors has made a breakthrough?!"

...

Lin Yang felt the surge in his cultivation, and suddenly, mysterious insights flooded his mind.

"Are these... insights into the Dao of Immortal Fire?!"

Lin Yang flipped his palm, and a crimson flame instantly ignited. As his thoughts shifted, the immortal fire in his hand morphed into various shapes.

"Rise!"

With a low command, the fire shot upward, transforming into a crimson dragon. The temperature intensified as if it were about to scorch the entire Crimson Sun Peak into a hellscape. Realizing the power was far too great, Lin Yang quickly retracted the flame, and the heat began to subside.

Reflecting on the immortal fire, he sighed. The system had not only granted him double the cultivation of Lin Hongye but also double the insights into the Dao of Immortal Fire. Moreover, from now on, any cultivation or insight gained by Lin Hongye would yield double the rewards for him.

However, the problem was that he only had one disciple, Lin Hongye. If he were to recruit hundreds or thousands, wouldn't his cultivation reach the Emperor realm in mere minutes?

Lin Yang only dared to dream of such a prospect, as the system’s minimum requirement for recruitment was Emperor-level aptitude. A disciple with such potential was a rarity in ten thousand years; encountering one like Lin Hongye was already a stroke of immense fortune.

After indulging in these thoughts, Lin Yang faced a dilemma. His cultivation was now exceptionally high, but how could he hide it from others? Breaking through from the third layer of Qi Refining to the peak of the Enlightenment stage in a single day was faster than even a rocket.

Fortunately, the system’s notification sounded again:

[Detected that the host has successfully recruited the first disciple. Issuing novice rewards.]
[Rewards: Turtle Breathing Technique! Emperor-grade Crystallization Pill! Phoenix Immortal Grass!]
[Turtle Breathing Technique: Conceals one's aura. No matter the level of the cultivator, they will never be able to see through your true cultivation unless you wish them to.]

"The system is quite thoughtful; it delivered a pillow just as I started to doze off," Lin Yang chuckled. With the Turtle Breathing Technique, he no longer had to fear anyone discovering his cultivation. Even an Emperor-realm expert would have to ask him politely if they wanted to know.

With a thought, the Emperor-grade Crystallization Pill appeared in his palm. A five-colored halo shimmered on its surface, and the aura of the Emperor-grade item was so potent that just smelling it made Lin Yang feel his foundation strengthening.

"System, what is the use of this Emperor-grade Crystallization Pill?"

[Ding! It is used by Core Formation cultivators breaking through to the Golden Core stage. It can perfect one's foundation and repair the soul.]

Looking at the pill, Lin Yang knew it wasn't for him; it was for his new disciple, Lin Hongye.

"Fine, I'll find a chance to give it to her."

He returned the pill to the system space and took out the Phoenix Immortal Grass. Just by the name, Lin Yang knew it was related to Lin Hongye’s Phoenix Immortal Body. Usually, such immortal herbs were used to craft pills, but Lin Yang knew absolutely nothing about alchemy.

Suddenly, he noticed that the Phoenix Immortal Grass looked quite like the wild grass he saw every day.

"How about... I try stir-frying it?"

...

After tidying up her cave dwelling, Lin Hongye sighed at its somewhat crude appearance.

"Well, it will do for now."

She turned and left the dwelling. Meanwhile, at the Internal Affairs Hall, Wang Zide walked inside. The Elder of the Internal Affairs Hall stood up respectfully upon seeing him.

"Welcome, Peak Master Wang."

Wang Zide nodded. Seeing that no one else was around, he pulled the Elder aside.

"Elder Li, if Lin Hongye comes to claim the resources for the entrance tournament, hold them back for now."

The Elder raised an eyebrow and refused, "That won't do, Elder Wang. She is our sect's top prodigy; the Sect Master is surely paying close attention. If he finds out I withheld her resources, will I still be able to keep my position?"

Seeing the Elder's resistance, Wang Zide clicked his tongue impatiently. "Nonsense, this is the Sect Master's order."

"Ah?!"

Wang Zide explained the bet made on the Ascension Platform, and the Elder nodded in realization.

"So that's how it is. I understand. If she comes to collect, I will withhold the items."

Wang Zide nodded in satisfaction. "Good, that's more like it."

...

Not long after, Lin Hongye arrived at the Internal Affairs Hall, where other disciples were waiting in line to collect their resources. When it was her turn, she stated her name. The Elder nodded and handed her a bag of spirit stones along with three sets of inner disciple robes.

"These are your resources. Please take them."

Lin Hongye looked at the meager haul and frowned. "May I ask, Elder, as the first-place winner of the tournament, where is my reward of Spirit Fire Grass?"

The Elder smiled thinly and replied, "We are currently out of stock. Please wait a while."

"How long?"

"A month."

Lin Hongye’s face darkened; it was clear they were targeting her. Having no choice, she took her resources and left in frustration.

Upon returning to Crimson Sun Peak, she suddenly caught the scent of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.