NOVEL WEB Chapter 326: Breakthrough
Months passed in a flash.
Though the Dao Seeking School and the Black Turtle Sect remained distinct organizations, they ruled in harmony under the Red Pole banner. In the aftermath of their resounding victory over the Obsidian Court, both factions were formally inducted into the structure of the Intergalactic Council.
High-ranking envoys from the Council spent several months educating Red Pole's leaders on how the intergalactic system operated—how resources were distributed, and why the hundred strongest civilizations received the lion's share of wealth, knowledge, and cultivation opportunities.
With Obsidian Court's defeat, their vast territory, along with all subordinate planets and sects, was annexed as vassals of Red Pole. The effects of this shift were immediate. Vast quantities of spiritual resources, high-grade cultivation manuals, and ancient relics that once flowed into Obsidian Court were now redirected into Red Pole's domain.
Over the next few years, Red Pole's overall cultivation level would rise at an astonishing pace, positioning them as a major power in the galaxy.
However, with power came responsibilities—and enemies.
As a new member of the Council's top one hundred, Red Pole inherited not only prestige but also the enmity of the Four Demon Venerables, ancient powers whose minions extended across the universe like invisible hands. Struggles for territory, ambushes, and political schemes would now be part of their everyday reality.
But none of that mattered to Feng Fan.
Having done his part, he disappeared from the public eye. Without so much as a farewell, he sealed himself away in the depths of the White Crow Sect.
"I won't take a single step outside until I break through to the Immortal Realm," he declared, and none dared question his action.
Well, he wasn't exactly alone.
A pair of warm arms wrapped around his waist from behind, and a soft, familiar weight pressed against his back. Her breath, hot and shallow, tickled the nape of his neck. Feng Fan sighed—not from discomfort, but resignation.
A red-haired girl clung to him, her cheeks flushed as crimson as her flowing hair. Her skin radiated heat like fire, and her chest, full and firm, molded itself to his bare back without the slightest sense of shame.
"Fanfan," she murmured, voice a mixture of complaint and affection, "who said you were allowed to leave me behind? I still haven't forgiven you for sneaking away without a single word."
Feng Fan smiled wryly, the corners of his lips twitching as he leaned back slightly into her embrace. "Qinqin… if I hadn't gone, Red Pole would've lost. I didn't have a choice."
"Hmph. Who said you couldn't go?" she huffed, tightening her grip around his waist, refusing to let go. "I'm mad because you didn't take me with you!"
"That…" Feng Fan paused, struggling to find words that wouldn't wound her pride. He couldn't exactly tell her she would've been a liability on a battlefield with so many strong cultivators.
It wasn't that she was weak. Her strength was nearly on par with his own. But even he had been powerless against the monsters who took part in the challenge… at least, if you didn't count his mastery over Array Dao.
In the end, he opted for peace. "Why don't we just forget about all that? I promise I won't leave you behind again… okay?"
"R-Really?" Xue Qiang's voice softened, her crimson eyes lighting up with joy. Before he could respond, she leaned in and bit his ear lightly, just enough to draw a single drop of blood.
"Ouch!" Feng Fan winced, pulling slightly away. "What the hell was that for?"
She licked her lips with a smug smile. "Just marking what's mine. You promised. No more running off without me."
Feng Fan was speechless for a moment. 'Are you a dog?' he thought instinctively, though he wisely kept it to himself. Instead, he reached back, gently brushing her cheek with his fingers.
"I love you, Qinqin," he muttered affectionately.
She beamed. "I love you, Fanfan."
Their faces drew closer, their breaths mingling, and just as their lips were almost about to touch, a series of urgent knocks echoed through Feng Fan's door.
"Brother Feng, hurry! Important news from the Dao Seeking School!"
Feng Fan's face paled instantly, a sinking feeling filling his chest. His first thought was that trouble was knocking on his door again. 'Dammit, can't I just cultivate in peace for once?'
"Leave! There's no one here!" Feng Fan snapped, his voice sharp with irritation. Unless it was Xue Qiang, Huang Xue, or Su Xiaoli, he had no intention of speaking to anyone until he broke through to the limits of the Mortal realm.
The voice outside hesitated for a moment, clearly taken aback, but pressed on, "Brother Feng, this message is from Long Liu herself. She's about to break through to the Immortal Ascension realm... and she's invited you to witness her breakthrough. According to her, it should be happening tomorrow."
At those words, Feng Fan's irritation vanished, replaced by a surge of excitement. He immediately pulled away from Xue Qiang, his eyes widening. With a single leap, he rushed to the door, throwing it open with urgency.
"What?! Why didn't you say so sooner? Let's go!" he exclaimed, his voice full of excitement.
Dong Tao, who had been waiting outside, couldn't help but smile bitterly as Feng Fan barreled past him. Xue Qiang and Dong Tao followed quickly behind, all three of them leaving the White Crow Sect once again. This was a monumental moment for any cultivator, and Feng Fan was eager to witness it firsthand. He could hardly contain his excitement, eager to see what a breakthrough to the Immortal Ascension realm would look like.
—
Within the grounds of the Dao Seeking School, Long Liu sat cross-legged in mid-air, radiating an air of calm and focus. Her eyes were closed, and around her, a massive surge of spiritual qi swirled. The energy pulsed in waves, responding to her every breath.
She wasn't alone, however. Dozens of influential figures from all corners of Red Pole had gathered to witness this monumental moment. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the most respected cultivators, elders, and high-ranking officials stood silently around her,
No sane cultivator would pass up the opportunity to witness such a historic moment.