Spiritual Crane Collides with an Unlucky Fellow

Although her master treated Zhu Yao very well, he was sometimes highly stubborn; once he made a decision, it could not be changed. For instance, five years ago, he had said she wasn't allowed to go down the mountain, and indeed, she hadn't been allowed down for five years. No matter how she tried to trick him—from faking tears to pouring her heart out and explaining logic—he never relented. He had also done something to ensure that very few disciples visited Yulin Peak over the past five years, and any urgent matters were communicated solely through letters.

Even that brat Wang Cizhi had seemingly forgotten his only fellow transmigrator. Over the past five years, apart from occasionally sending a few paper cranes with messages, he had never climbed the mountain to visit her. That kid truly had no conscience. The next time she met him, she would definitely give his buttocks a good spanking.

Zhu Yao sighed melancholy as she looked at the full moon. The surroundings suddenly grew incredibly quiet, leaving only the sound of her steady breathing. In the sky, a few of those stupid spiritual cranes that always called her for dinner were flying back and forth. One of them seemed rather plump, flying as if it were drunk, and appeared to collide with something in mid-air.

Ah, ah, ah! It's falling!

Zhu Yao quickly stood up, opened the door, and ran toward where the crane had fallen. It looked like the thing that fell was actually a person! A spiritual crane had collided with a person! It had been ages since Zhu Yao had seen an outsider. She ran as fast as she could, wondering which unlucky fellow had collided with a crane while flying a sword.

Running all the way to the mountainside, Zhu Yao finally saw the unlucky fellow sprawled on the ground. He wore the white uniform of the sect, his hands covering his head as he dodged left and right. Beside him, a spiritual crane was flapping its wings, occasionally pecking at his head.

"Ouch, stop, stop, stop! Don't peck anymore! If you keep pecking, I'm going to fight back!"

The youth seemed to have sprained his ankle, desperately trying to protect his head.

"Stupid crane, stop!"

The moment Zhu Yao spoke, the crane that was frantically attacking paused and flew toward her. It let out a few cries, flapping its wings as if telling her it had caught an intruder and asking for a reward.

Zhu Yao stroked the crane's neck to calm it down before turning to look at the youth. A spiritual crane was only a first-grade spiritual beast with very little intelligence, which even a Qi Condensation disciple could easily deal with. Yet he had only dodged without attacking back, showing he had no ill intent in coming to Yulin Peak.

"Wife!"

The youth called out joyfully upon seeing her approach. Hearing this unique form of address, Zhu Yao instantly recognized him. Who else could it be but that brat Wang Cizhi?

Wang Cizhi happily reached out to grab her hand, but the crane beside her shrieked, blocking him and preparing to peck him again.

"Alright, stupid crane."

Zhu Yao patted the crane. "He's an acquaintance. There's nothing for you to do here, go play elsewhere."

The crane looked at her, then at him, before finally flapping its wings and flying away.

"Kid?"

If he hadn't called her "wife," she really wouldn't have believed that this handsome youth was the "bear cub" from back then.

Wang Cizhi scratched his head in embarrassment, complaining:

"I've told you so many times. I have a name, call me Wang Cizhi."

Zhu Yao burst into laughter, scanning him from head to toe.

"Yes, yes, yes, the kid has grown up into a handsome youth."

Having not met for five years, the kid who used to only reach her chest was now a full head taller than her. His previously round, baby-faced features had sharpened, looking as if they had been chiseled. The child of yesteryear had grown into a handsome young man.

Praised by her, Wang Cizhi's face flushed. He coughed, and as if remembering something, he respectfully bowed to her:

"Greetings, Great Martial Aunt."

"Good boy!"

Out of habit, Zhu Yao reached out to pat his head, but realized he was now taller than her, making the gesture rather awkward. She withdrew her hand.

"You little rascal, you haven't visited me once in five years. What brings you here today?"

"I... I wanted to visit you too."

Wang Cizhi explained frantically.

"It's just that five years ago, Great-Grandmartial Uncle set up a formation on Yulin Peak. Without his permission, no one can enter. I... I was just wandering around today and somehow managed to get in."

So there was a barrier. No wonder the number of disciples visiting Yulin Peak over the years could be counted on one hand, and most were sent by the Sect Master to find her master. Clearly, her master was intentionally keeping her confined. Zhu Yao bit her lip, feeling she should have a chat with her master about the beauty of life.

"Great Martial Aunt... have you been well these past years?"

Wang Cizhi asked. In his spare time, he often flew around Yulin Peak, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but he had never succeeded.

"Just call me Sister!"

Zhu Yao pulled him down to sit on a large boulder. Although she was older, being called "Martial Aunt" made her feel as if her youth was gone forever. Since she was the one who had guided him into cultivation, calling her "Sister" was perfectly reasonable.

Wang Cizhi smiled, obediently calling out:

"Sister Zhu Yao."

"Good boy!"

Zhu Yao couldn't help but pat his head again. His hair had already been messed up by the crane, and her patting turned it into a veritable bird's nest.

"Tell me, what is your current cultivation? How is life? Has anyone bullied you? If anyone dares to bully you, just tell me, and I'll deal with them for you."

He shook his head, replying obediently:

"Master and Senior Brothers treat me very well. My cultivation has also progressed. I am currently at the Great Circle of Qi Condensation."

"Not bad, kid!"

In his last letter, he had mentioned being at the tenth level of Qi Condensation. Now, only a few months later, he had reached the Great Circle. The next step was Foundation Establishment.

Wang Cizhi's face flushed again, looking even more embarrassed. Zhu Yao found it miraculous that the fearless "bear cub" of yesteryear had become so shy after five years.

"When do you plan to attempt Foundation Establishment?"

Advancing to a major realm was always a great risk. One had to use their entire cultivation base to break through; success meant soaring to the heavens, while failure meant a drop in cultivation or even damage to one's spiritual roots, ruining future prospects. Furthermore, the higher the cultivation, the more difficult it became.

Wang Cizhi's expression turned serious.

"I plan to wait a few more years until my realm stabilizes before making the attempt."

Zhu Yao nodded. This was the correct approach. Objectively speaking, the success rate of advancing from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment was relatively high, but with external help to build a solid foundation, the success rate would exceed fifty percent.

Suddenly remembering something, she turned to ask:

"Do you plan to use a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Yes!"

Wang Cizhi nodded.

"Two years ago, Master prepared a Foundation Establishment Pill for me. But I want to earn it through my own strength. Therefore, I will participate in the Qi Condensation group in the upcoming assembly. The reward for the top three spots is a Foundation Establishment Pill."

Hearing this, Zhu Yao's brows furrowed deeply.

"Sister Zhu Yao, what's wrong? Is that not good?"

Wang Cizhi thought she was worried about his safety, so he quickly explained:

"Don't worry, the sect assembly is just a selection of representatives from the eight major sects, and the fights stop once a point is made. With my cultivation, I am confident in securing a spot in the top ten."