The Xuanyin Mountain Range in the Southern Tang Kingdom holds the ultimate dream of cultivators. The Dianxuan Sect, thanks to its exclusive spiritual vein, has become a gateway to immortality that countless people scramble to enter. Yet Lin Yi, with his five-spirit-root aptitude, is an exception—he gained entry by saving a sect elder, but after six years, he remains stuck at the first level of Qi Refining, reduced to a down-and-out cultivator peddling goods in the market.
One day, fellow disciple Senior Brother Luo asks him to sell items from a storage bag. Among them, a weightless stone bracelet catches Lin Yi’s eye. No spiritual energy response, no blip on the market’s detector—Luo even says to keep it if it doesn’t sell. Little do they know this seemingly worthless bracelet was found on an altar in an abandoned cave. As Lin Yi scrambles to scrape together eighty low-grade spirit stones, he has no idea this scorned bracelet is about to rewrite his cultivation fate entirely.

"Elder Chen, calm down," a Mengxuan elder interceded, smiling. "Elder You didn't mean it. Let's not quarrel here." 


Elder You of Xuanfeng Cave glowered but held his tongue. With two Mid-Foundation Establishment elders from Dianxuan, he stood no chance in a fight. 


Chen冷哼, letting it go. Unity mattered more in this peril. 


"The pit's dangers are unknown," the Xuanling elder said,眉头紧锁. "Who'd volunteer to go first?" 


Silence. The elders, having clawed their way to Foundation Establishment, cherished their lives too much. But retreat meant failure—how to face their sects after so many deaths? 


Then a steady voice rang out: "Elders, let this disciple go." 


All eyes turned to Peng Qingyun, his gaze steady. 


"Well said!" Elder You exclaimed, relief flooding him. "Peng nephew honors Xuanfeng! Succeed, and I'll plead for a great reward from the sect leader!" 


Peng smiled faintly, unconcerned with rewards. He'd faced death too many times to fear it now. 


Lin Yi watched him, a pang of guilt striking. He'd hesitated—fear of death clinging to him. Yet Peng, a man he'd come to respect in the Yunmeng Marsh, didn't flinch. 


"Elders, I'll go too," Lin Yi said suddenly, stepping forward. 


Zhao nodded. "Be careful. Retreat if it's too dangerous—no shame in it." 


Warmth touched Lin Yi's heart. These elders had shielded him repeatedly. "I will. Please stay safe, Elders." 


Peng glanced at him, surprised, then smiled. "With you beside me, Lin兄 (Brother Lin), this will be easier." 


In four months, their dynamic had shifted. Once, Peng had protected Lin Yi. Now, they stood as equals. 


Xiao Liang stepped up next, pride driving him. "I'll go." How could he let a former outer sect disciple outshine him? 


Then Zhang Ziyan of Xuanling and Yan Shizong of Mengxuan volunteered, their resolve unshakable. 


The five—once companions in the Yunmeng Marsh—stood together again. None knew Lin Yi was "Xu Lin," the insufferable Second Level they'd once scorned. 


Without fanfare, they descended the stone staircase, vanishing into the pit's darkness.


Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Reunion