Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

Princess Zi Ji had vast meridians and naturally required a substantial amount of Spirit Qi. The same was true for her Dantian, which was why she had set foot in Holy Light City in search of the Spiritual Milk Jade.

Not only that, her constitution was also very unusual. It wasn't a Different Body, as it lacked the attributes typically found in such physiques. Nor could it be considered a Divine Body, yet a sort of divinity resided within her.

Hard to define.

Chen Pingping observed her carefully several times before confirming that Princess Zi Ji was no ordinary person.

He rummaged through all the cultivation methods in his pocket, assessing which one might suit Princess Zi Ji's constitution, only to find she was not suitable for cultivation at all. A genius, yes, but one with many problems, he thought, feeling increasingly at a loss.

At this moment, someone's remark caught his attention: "It should be an Ancient Great Tomb."

"How can you tell?" someone asked.

"Deep within Luo God Mountain originally lay an ancient battlefield. After years passed, the mighty ones buried here decayed, leaving not even bones behind, and were slowly covered by vitality. It seems this great tomb before us is also a remnant of that era."

"I'm not very concerned about these details. I'm only interested in who spread the news," a third person spoke up.

At these words, the discussion ceased abruptly.

Finally, after a long pause, someone spoke: "Legend has it that the ancient powerhouses didn't cultivate Spirit Qi! It's unclear whether that's true or not."

"Then what did they cultivate?"

"Qi... Besides Spirit Qi, there is another thing called 'Qi' between heaven and earth. Another term for it is Innate Qi." The person spoke earnestly, "At birth, humans still retain a wisp of Innate Qi, which slowly dissipates later. However, the ancient powerhouses could retain it within their bodies, using it as a foundation to step into cultivation when they grew older."

No way?

Upon hearing this, Chen Pingping subconsciously glanced at Princess Zi Ji. Qi? He was somewhat speechless.

Spirit Pills, Spiritual Medicine, cultivation methods, offensive techniques, Divine Skills, and so forth—he had them all, possessing more wealth than most factions.

Supporting one or two junior sisters was entirely without pressure for him.

But then along came the demon cultivator Guang Xiaoyu, and now another unusual junior sister.

Could her unique constitution mean she's only suitable for Qi Refinement?

He was completely ignorant of this path; how could he possibly guide Princess Zi Ji in her cultivation?

Wouldn't the cultivation resources placed in her Dantian be completely wasted then?

Chen Pingping's face was etched with frustration.

"Eh? Fellow Daoist, why do you look so familiar?" someone noticed Chen Pingping and couldn't help but ask.

"I am Chen Pingping."

"Oh?" The person paused, then exclaimed, "Chen Pingping? Holy shit, and Princess Zi Ji..." He glanced at Princess Zi Ji beside him.

At that moment, many others looked over, their expressions as if they had seen a ghost upon recognizing the two of them.

Weren't they at Holy Light City's dojo?

They've come out?

That's Prince Qi's territory!

After such a long journey, hadn't the assassins from Chong Tower done anything?

"How are you still alive?"

"It's inconceivable..."

"Daring to take in Princess Zi Ji, you've really stirred up a hornet's nest! The Great Zhou Dynasty is not as simple as you imagine."

"The people from Martial God Academy and the Holy Lands must hate you to death now, right?"

"Sigh... young man, you're too impulsive. The princess may have extraordinary talent, but there are issues with her constitution! You shouldn't have... sigh..."

As they spoke, they also sighed.

In recent years, young talents from major factions emerged one after another, each more remarkable than the last, with many entering the King Tao realm by the age of twenty.

In contrast, those from smaller factions, minor sects, or even unaffiliated cultivators, though talented, found themselves powerless.

Furthermore, they had too little advantage when competing for cultivation resources.

Chen Pingping's appearance seemed to break a certain pattern. By taking in Princess Zi Ji, it was as if he was challenging both Martial God Academy and the Holy Lands.

This was an act of great courage!

Another onlooker remarked, "That's a sturdy ox you have there... But still, isn't it a bit odd for a cultivator to be traveling with an ox everywhere?"

"One grows attached after raising it for a long time," Chen Pingping smiled.

"And there's even a chicken! Fellow Daoist, you truly have a kind heart."

"Indeed!"

"Eh? What's that creature on your shoulder? A demon beast? I've never seen one like it before!"

This group of people was vastly different from the previous one.

Chen Pingping laughed and said, "It's a type of demon beast, a very low-level one."

The people chatted back and forth, growing more familiar with one another. Among them, a young man in his mid-twenties came over, patted Chen Pingping's shoulder, and said, "Don't listen to their nonsense. As a young person, you should just do whatever you want to do."

The man was tall and slender, with a handsome face. However, his eyes lacked the sharpness a young person should possess, instead filled with weariness and a scattered gaze.

His name was Zhou Boyi, from the Luminous Sword Sect.

If Chen Pingping had known even a little of his past, he would have been astonished. The man before him had once challenged Liu Changqing; although he lost, he had lost honorably.

However, since that time, his determination had shattered, and his cultivation had stagnated at the fifth level of the King Tao realm.

The higher-ups of the Luminous Sword Sect tried everything, but they could not help him recover.

"Indeed," Chen Pingping responded with a smile.

Zhou Boyi said no more, shook his head, and walked away in the opposite direction.

Chen Pingping glanced in his direction and asked those nearby, "Who is he?"

"Oh, he's a genius from the Luminous Sword Sect, but it's such a pity..."

"He once challenged Liu Changqing and lost. His determination shattered as a result, and he never recovered. Sigh... if only he had won against Liu Changqing; that challenge was crucial."

"Correct. It was a bout watched by thousands—a small faction effectively declaring war on a superpower. Sadly, he still lost. Zhou Boyi's defeat was due to a lack of foundation; the Luminous Sword Sect couldn't offer him much."

Years passed. He wandered the mortal world, indifferent to its affairs, never contending or vying for anything. Even when the Luminous Sword Sect's higher-ups earnestly pleaded with him, he remained unmoved, only replying, "I'm sorry."

Zhou Boyi hadn't come here to fight for the Great Opportunity. He had only come because he heard that his junior brother from the Sect had encountered a great misfortune.

Someone sighed, "He can let go of the entire sect, but he just can't let go of his junior brother."

Because his junior brother was someone he had raised himself and had brought back to the Luminous Sword Sect from the outside...

Watching his retreating figure, Chen Pingping also saw a trace of desolation. This is the fate of a loser, he thought. But... so what?

Who decreed that a single failure means a lifetime of failure?

To be shattered and then stand anew—that is what defines a true cultivator.

Those peerless geniuses who advance triumphantly will never understand the true meaning of cultivation.

This isn't jealousy.

Suddenly, Chen Pingping became interested in him and immediately pursued him, calling out, "Brother Zhou, please wait."

Zhou Boyi frowned. "What is it?"

"You just said that young people should do whatever they want. I believe that statement is incorrect," Chen Pingping argued.

"Why?"

"Judging by Brother Zhou's appearance, you seem to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven, also a young man. Yet your gaze is scattered and lifeless, lacking the vitality a young person should possess..."

Zhou Boyi laughed, interrupting him. "I've heard those words many times."

Chen Pingping shook his head. "You've heard them, but you haven't *seen* them."

Zhou Boyi looked at him. "So?"

"A young person should always possess the vitality of youth, regardless of the time, of success or failure, of the outcome..." He pointed behind him at the Ancient Great Tomb. "Do you dare to go?"

"I will not," Zhou Boyi stated.

"You don't dare!" Chen Pingping asserted.

"That kind of provocation doesn't work on me."

"It's not a provocation."

"It is!"

"Such an argument is pointless. We are strangers, and this is our first meeting, yet I feel as if I've encountered a kindred spirit far too late. Therefore, I wish to befriend you. If Brother Zhou is unwilling to grant me this opportunity, then so be it," Chen Pingping said earnestly.

This time, Zhou Boyi did not rebut.