Four years had already passed. Although Tianyi was already a youth in his teenage years but due to his high cultivation and his sickly appearance, he appeared no older than thirteen or fourteen.

He was still at the Early Core Formation realm and hadn’t undergone the minor wind tribulation where his cores would be polished and ground by the tribulation wind to become truly perfect spheres.

When a Core Formation Realm cultivators' core was first formed, although they looked perfectly spherical, it was actually full of deformations. There were some mixed-color grade cores that didn't look spherical at all. After undergoing the wind tribulation, the Spiritual Core would become perfect spheres and increase the cultivator's strength.

But in Tianyi’s case, should he undergo the minor wind tribulation, nevermind the problem of whether he was able to endure it due to his chaotic qi. But if he successfully passed, the amount of chaotic qi would increase again and cause his body to explode gloriously. If he couldn't fix this problem of his, he would be stuck at the early Core Formation Realm, not daring to undergo the three minor Core Formation tribulations.

“Cough, cough.” Tianyi covered his mouth with a handkerchief as he felt himself go into a coughing fit. When he removed the handkerchief, red splotches of blood covered the white cloth. But the red splotches soon disappeared, leaving only white. Tianyi stored the handkerchief in his spatial.

“Young Master.” By his side, an elderly woman with speckled gray hair and wrinkled face couldn’t help but say in worry. Although she had the visage of an aged woman, her skin was as white and tender as a newborn infant.

Tianyi waved his hand. “It’s fine, it’s not like this is the first time I’ve coughed blood in all these years...or even the first time today.”

The elderly woman stayed silent.

The two were walking to the gardens of Jade Peak Palace. Ever since Tianyi’s Core Formation Heavenly Tribulation, he lived here in the palace with his mother. Not just him, but the elder behind him, an aging Unity Realm Venerable, and his junior sister.

“Senior Brother Tianyi, Granny Meng.” Daoyi greeted the two when she saw them.

“Junior Sister, I heard you opened one of your Eight Extraordinary Meridians.” Tianyi congratulated. “Junior Sister is not far away from the Foundation Establishment Realm. To celebrate, here’s a little gift from me.”

Without waiting for Daoyi to respond, Tianyi took out a giant war hammer, the hammer itself larger than Tianyi’s torso, and placed it into Daoyi’s hand that habitually reached out.

As soon as Tianyi let go, the war hammer dropped onto the ground with a large crashing sound. It was a good thing that even the tiles of Jade Peak Palace were treasures that Immortals had trouble destroying. Otherwise, a large crack would have been created from the impact.

“Senior Brother!” Daoyi cried out helplessly as she looked at the cumbersome weapon in her hand that she could hardly lift.

“Senior Brother, this… you already gave me a halberd before and a three-pointed, double-edged spear before that.” There was a helplessness in Daoyi’s voice. “I don’t think I’m suited for any of these weapons.”

“Nonsense,” Tianyi said. “It doesn’t hurt to have them or even practice them. In fact, you can even just bring them out and brandish them. Junior Sister, with your beauty and your special circumstance, adding deterrence is a necessity.”

Indeed, unlike four years ago, with the aid of her rising cultivation, Daoyi’s exquisite features were further enhanced. Especially now that she had started using light makeup, causing her appearance to bloom like a flower. What’s more, compared to the other female cultivators of similar age and realms, she was rather petite in terms of height, causing Tianyi to feel worried over her. Not that Tianyi was taller than her.

Daoyi could only silently accept her senior brother’s goodwill. However, she always had a feeling that Tianyi wanted her to specialize in these types of brutish and savage weapons. Just thinking about herself violently swinging around the halberd or war hammer was already enough to make Daoyi cringe inside. The disparity of her slender arms swinging the handle of a weapon even thicker than she was... was just too beautiful. So beautiful that she couldn't bear to think of it any longer.

Tianyi smiled. What weapon should I give Daoyi next? Maybe a scythe? Hmmm, I need another reason, maybe when she opens her next meridian?”

“Junior Sister Daoyi, are you having any trouble recently? You can ask me. Recently, I’ve been brushing up on my foundations, and I’ve researched numerous cultivation manuals. Perhaps I can give some guidance.” Tianyi said. And indeed, in the past four years, who knows how many times he had researched numerous manuals and arts pertaining to his situation.

With the aid of his mother and various elders, he was capable of circulating his qi and fighting without self-destructing now.

“Just in general, I feel as if the Eight Extraordinary Meridians just don't exist within me. Intangible and ethereal, like they are out of my reach.” Daoyi said. She had spent over a year opening even a single one of her Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Furthermore, the more meridians she opened, the harder it would be for her to open the next one. She now had a deeper understanding of why Xia Yushan was so shocked at Tianyi opening up all Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

“That’s normal. I also felt that way back then.” Tianyi said as he recalled those days when he was frustrated at not being able to sense the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. “Junior Sister, have you heard of the phrase “the person who knows you best is your enemy”?”

Daoyi nodded her head. “Yes, it means that your enemy knows you better than even yourself.”

“Yes, however, why would your enemy know more about you than yourself? Isn’t it illogical?” Daoyi nodded at Tianyi’s words. “I won’t speak much about this situation, but isn’t simply because we don’t know ourselves well enough? It’s very hard for yourself to notice traits that you yourself don’t even know exist, but it is different for an outsider. But the body is different.”

Daoyi perked her ears up. She felt that Tianyi was reaching the main point.

“As the owner of our body, we should know them better than anyone else. And the best way to do so is to seal off all your outward senses. Your sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. Under such a situation, you will discover more than you even knew about your body. However,” Tianyi paused. “Saying it is easy, but once you experience it. Whether you are able to calm yourself once you lose all your senses is another matter.”

Daoyi stayed silent as she pondered over the suggestion. Sealing off all your senses would be even worse than being locked up in a monotone room with no human interaction. She knew that humans in such an environment would have their spirit impacted, and if a long enough time passes, they may even go insane.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Naturally, it must be under the supervision of my mother. With her experience, she will be able to monitor your situation.” Tianyi added.

“I understand. Senior Brother, did you undergo the same thing?” Daoyi asked, and Tianyi instantly gained a faraway look in his eyes.

“Hehe, it was worse for me,” Tianyi said. Daoyi stopped herself from asking, even though she really wanted to know, but the dead fish eyes of Tianyi really scared her.

“But Senior Brother is still amazing! I understand it even more now that I’ve reached this stage.” Daoyi wholeheartedly complimented.

Tianyi felt himself stand straighter at the praise. Who doesn’t like praise, especially if it was someone close to you? “Say, Junior Sister, are there any artifacts you want me to forge. Recently I’ve been getting into artificing. I’ve even run out of ideas on what to forge.”

Daoyi thought about it for a moment before asking. “Can Senior Brother forge boots or shoes?”

Normally you ask for weapons or shields, right? Who asks for clothes?

Although Tianyi thought this, he didn’t show it. “Of course, Junior Sister. I dabbled in it for a bit, but my skills should be sufficient to forge an Artifact at the Foundation Establishment Realm.”

Daoyi smiled as she described what she wanted to Tianyi. He felt his lips twitch at Daoyi’s description. Daoyi is describing platform shoes, isn’t she? And she wants three inched ones too.

After agreeing to Daoyi’s request, Tianyi left with Elder Meng after speaking a few more words.

“Elder Meng, how many of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians do you think Junior Sister will be capable of opening?” Tianyi asked.

“Hard to say.” Elder Meng said. “But in this old one’s eyes, disciple Jiang is suited more towards soul cultivation, and the number of her meridians won’t be as important in the future.”

“Oh?” Tianyi said in surprise. Soul cultivation was by far the most difficult and esoteric cultivation method because it involved the soul. Those who cultivate the soul have a massive advantage against those of the same rank and can directly attack the opponent’s soul, the root of a cultivator's life. Unfortunately, only when a soul cultivator reaches the Nascent Soul Realm can their power be truly unleashed. And the other unfortunate fact was that using soul cultivation to cross the Immortal Ascension Heavenly Tribulation is far more demanding than any other cultivation system.

Tianyi would rather Daoyi choose a spiritual cultivation method and ascend to Immortality than choose a soul cultivation method and fall on her Immortal Ascension Heavenly tribulation.

When he returned to his forging room in the palace, it was littered with various trinkets and half-finished products: a giant golem that was at least fifteen meters tall, an unwieldy executioner's blade, western-style swords, a shield that could transform into a bow, and even armor. But Tianyi never did finish forging Daoyi’s boots because he soon received a summon from the sect master.

At Jiuzhong Peak, where the Sect Master resided, Tianyi saw various disciples from the Core Formation Realm to the Nascent Soul Realm and various Unity Realm Venerables.

“Senior Brother Xia.” Tianyi found Xia Yushan and made his way towards him.

“Junior Brother, your complexion looks much better.” Xia Yushan said.

Tianyi looked around and recognized a few of the disciples standing around Xia Yushan.

Wei Daying was a dual cultivator of both the spiritual and martial systems and in the Core Formation Realm and Acupoint Opening Realm like him.

Heng Huesheng was a disciple at the Nascent Soul Realm like Xia Yushan and can be considered his good friend.

Ji Shuye, also in the Nascent Soul Realm, but Tianyi’s eyes lingered on her a bit longer because she was female. Ummm, indeed. The male-to-female ratio in the sect is way too unbalanced. Seeing Senior Sister Ji is like a breath of fresh air.

But there was a person who Tianyi didn't recognize and didn’t wear the Buzhou Immortal Sect uniform. Xia Yushan, who saw this, immediately introduced Tianyi to this unknown man.

“Junior Brother Xi, this is the strongest Core Formation disciple from the Monolith Sword Sect, He Yongli. Although he is only at the peak of the Core Formation Realm, he can cross realms and fight Nascent Soul Realm Grandmaster.”

“Greetings, fellow Daoist He.” Tianyi smiled and greeted the Monolith Sword Sect disciple. The feeling that He Yongli gave him was one of steadiness to the point of dullness.

Tianyi didn’t find it strange that He Yongli could cross realms; first, he was the disciple of a first-rate sect, and second weapon cultivators such as sword cultivators were known to be able to punch above their weight. I just don’t know if he had forged a lifebound weapon yet.

“Greetings, fellow Daoist Xi.” He Yongli said. “This is the first time I met the famous son of the Sword Empress. To think you really were at the Core Formation Realm, it seems not all rumors are lies.”

Tianyi felt his lips twitch. Why does it seem like He Yongli was provoking him?

“Haha, a Core Formation Master at the young age of twelve. Junior Brother, not speaking of other sects, even many of us didn’t believe it at first.” Xia Yushan interjected, helping smooth the atmosphere and confirm Tianyi's suspicions.

“You live up to your fame as the child of an Immortal Emperor. I hope during the Three Heavens Connection Meeting, we will have a chance to fight.”

Throughout the rest of the conversation, He Yongli explicitly and implicitly hinted at sparring; the sooner, the better. But thankfully, with Tianyi's fellow disciples there, Tianyi didn't let He Yongli accomplish his goal.

Are you kidding me? I have to save my energy for the Three Heaven’s Connection Meeting and then the ruin of the Immortal Court afterward. I don’t want to waste energy and make myself puke blood just so you can have a chance to fight me!

Not long after, Sect Master Xia gathered all the disciples and elders and gave them information as well as directions for the Three Heavens Connection Meeting. Tianyi even spied a few Immortal Realm elders standing next to the Sect Master Xia.

"Tianyi, are you sure you are able to participate in the Three Heavens Connection Meeting?"

Tianyi heard a voice in his head and instantly recognized Sect Master Xia’s voice.

"Yes, as long as I don’t push myself too hard, most Core Formation Masters should be no problem. If I were to really go all out, I could even exchange a few moves with Nascent Soul Grandmasters."

Hearing this, Sect Master Xia was satisfied.

Suddenly there was an indescribable pressure emanating from the sky. Everyone looked up to see a fissure appear in the sky, and out came two Immortals. Tianyi recognized them instantly. One was his mother, and the other was Grand Elder Zhang, Immortal Empress Voidink.

“Grand Elders, to what do I owe the occasion to?” Sect Master Xia asked as he greeted the two Grand Elders.

Mengfei didn’t speak as the duo landed near the Sect Master. Instead, it was Grand Elder Zhang who spoke up first. “I haven’t been out in a while. It just so happened that I wanted to go out and take a look. I’ll be joining the journey to the Three Heavens Connection Meeting. I hope Sect Master won’t mind?”

Mind? How could he mind? Although Grand Elder Zhang had rarely shown herself to the world these past few centuries to the point, many younger cultivators forgot about her, but she once had her name spread throughout the world to the point no one didn’t know her. As for why such an esteemed Grand Elder would suddenly want to join in on a small matter as the Three Heavens Connection Meeting, Grand Elder Xi standing next to the Grand Elder Zhang was very thought-provoking.

Grand Elder Zhang boarded the immortal boat, followed by the other Immortals from the Buzhou Immortal Sect and the subordinate sects, then the Unity Realm cultivators, the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, and finally the Core Formation Realm cultivators.

Tianyi compared the immortal boat in front of him to his mother’s. If his mother’s immortal boat was a yacht, then this immortal boat was a bonafide cruise ship! When Tianyi began walking towards the immortal boat, the people around him stiffened, and Tianyi turned around to his mother walking towards him.

“You're…” Mengfei started to speak but stopped. “When you go, be sure to eat well...sleep well… be safe...and...come back safe.”

Mengfei spoke as if she was reciting from a book, taking every few moments to recall the words she memorized before speaking of them. Tianyi helplessly smiled.

“Okay, I understand, mother.”

Mengfei nodded and then looked at Elder Meng, who had been silently standing behind Tianyi.

“Take care of Yi’er for me, Elder Meng.”

“Of course, Grand Elder.”

It was only at this point when Elder Meng spoke that many people sensed her existence. It was as if she had become a transparent person to the surrounding people causing them to overlook her, even the other Unity Realm Venerables.

After exchanging farewells, Tianyi and Elder Meng boarded the immortal boat and left for the Three Heaven Connection Meeting. Tianyi's eyes shone with hope in anticipation of acquiring the solution to his current issue.