Unrivaled Comprehension: From Mortal to Immortal King

Lin Jiufeng gazed at Bai Yunfei, who was covered in blood, and said, "Go wash up first. We'll talk later."

Bai Yunfei nodded. He was utterly exhausted. The journey had been relentless—injuries, both internal and external, weighed heavily on him, and the pressure had been immense. But now, back at Yuhua Sect, seeing Lin Jiufeng again, the tension in his heart finally eased.

Lin Jiufeng watched Bai Yunfei leave before heading to the tea room. He prepared the tea, waiting for Bai Yunfei to return.

A while later, Bai Yunfei, now dressed in a cloud-white Daoist robe, entered the room with an imposing presence. Without hesitation, he threw himself onto the bed in the tea room, resting his hands behind his head. With a sigh of relief, he said, "Nothing compares to being with Senior Brother. Nowhere else feels as comfortable as this."

In Lin Jiufeng's presence, Bai Yunfei felt inexplicably at ease. No matter how immense the pressure outside, he knew that if he truly couldn't bear it, his Senior Brother would be there to support him.

"How has your time outside been this past year?" Lin Jiufeng poured Bai Yunfei a cup of tea and asked gently.

Bai Yunfei thought for a moment, propping his head up with one hand. "The cultivation world is far from peaceful. The Supreme Dao Sect has grown too dominant, acting arrogantly and clashing with various factions. Yet, because of their immense strength, others can only endure their tyranny.

"Besides that, the Demonic Sect has produced several genius Dao Ancestors recently, claiming invincibility within their rank. Their resurgence has restored the sect's former glory, putting them on par with the Supreme Dao Sect.

"The Buddhist sects have also made moves. Rumors say a new Arhat has descended, perhaps even a reincarnated Buddha. Though they remain low-key, their power cannot be underestimated.

"Overseas forces have expanded in recent years as well. The Yuanqi Sect from the grasslands and the Buddhist sects beyond the frontier have also produced exceptional talents. Even among the unaffiliated cultivators, several formidable figures have emerged—some of whom I dare not claim I can defeat."

Bai Yunfei recounted the situation in detail.

"Why does it feel like geniuses are emerging all at once?" Lin Jiufeng mused.

"It's probably related to the world's spiritual energy," Bai Yunfei speculated.

Lin Jiufeng raised an eyebrow. He recalled the spiritual energy that had surged when he recently activated the Rain Sigil.

Bai Yunfei nodded. "I've spoken with many people, and they all feel that the world's spiritual energy is gradually increasing. The change isn't obvious to the naked eye, but those who observe over long periods can sense it."

"Now that you mention it, the spiritual energy in this era is indeed much richer than when we first joined Yuhua Sect a century ago," Lin Jiufeng reflected. He remembered his early cultivation days, when spiritual energy was so scarce that it felt like trying to farm in barren soil.

Recalling how a single Rain Sigil had recently summoned so much fresh spiritual energy, he had to admit Bai Yunfei's observation was correct—the world's spiritual energy was rising.

The sudden emergence of so many prodigies across different factions seemed to herald the dawn of a grand cultivation era.

"Senior Brother, now that you've broken through the Eighth Restriction, should we consider revitalizing Yuhua Sect?" Bai Yunfei suddenly asked.

At present, Yuhua Sect had only a handful of people, barely keeping its lineage intact. If they wanted to restore its former glory, they would need to recruit new disciples and nurture the next generation.

Lin Jiufeng looked at Bai Yunfei calmly and said, "You are the sect's leader. This is something for you to decide. But if you take in disciples, you must be responsible for teaching them. Right now, Yuhua Sect has no one who can train new recruits."

Lin Jiufeng had no interest in taking on students.

Training Wen Xinyun and the others had already been enough. He would rather spend his energy comprehending more Daoist techniques than teaching novices.

"Then let's hold off for now. With the world's spiritual energy increasing, I want to focus on breaking through the Ninth Restriction as soon as possible. That way, not everything will fall on Senior Brother's shoulders," Bai Yunfei decided.

Lin Jiufeng nodded. "The Supreme Dao Sect lost eight Dao Ancestors recently. They will surely retaliate. We should prepare to face their wrath first. If we can withstand their counterattack, the world will naturally recognize Yuhua Sect's revival without us needing to spread the word."

"With Senior Brother here, as long as their Ninth Restriction Grand Elder doesn't emerge, who can threaten us?" Bai Yunfei said proudly.

"But what if their Ninth Restriction Grand Elder breaks through the Tenth Restriction?" Lin Jiufeng asked calmly.

Bai Yunfei froze. He quickly sat up and looked at Lin Jiufeng seriously. "That… shouldn't be possible, right?"

"You yourself said that the world's spiritual energy is increasing, and prodigies are appearing like mushrooms after the rain. Why wouldn't a Ninth Restriction expert have the chance to ascend further?" Lin Jiufeng replied evenly.

Bai Yunfei frowned. "Then Senior Brother must break through quickly. If a Supreme Dao Sect elder reaches the Tenth Restriction, it will be a disaster. I've read many ancient texts, and the difference between the Ninth and Tenth Restriction is like heaven and earth—this isn't something we can take lightly."

"I will do my best. But you all must work hard as well," Lin Jiufeng said.

"Our cultivation speed can't compare to yours, Senior Brother. You grasp enlightenment in a single instant and ascend like an immortal. We're only progressing thanks to your guidance. Without your teachings, I wouldn't have even reached the Eighth Restriction by now," Bai Yunfei lamented.

Had Lin Jiufeng not passed him the Yuhua Ascension Sutra, he would still be struggling.

As for breaking through the Ninth Restriction, Bai Yunfei estimated that it would take him at least a hundred years.

A hundred years was far too long.

Lin Jiufeng chuckled and said, "Perhaps you won't have to wait that long."

Bai Yunfei looked at Lin Jiufeng suspiciously. He had no idea where his Senior Brother's confidence came from.

Lin Jiufeng didn't explain. Instead, he gazed out the window at the sky and murmured, "It should rain tomorrow."

Bai Yunfei was completely confused. What did tomorrow's rain have to do with him breaking through the Ninth Restriction?

"Enough. Go and recover first. You'll understand tomorrow," Lin Jiufeng said, waving Bai Yunfei away.

Still filled with questions, Bai Yunfei left and returned to the Golden Summit Hall to heal.

In the tea room, the fragrance of tea lingered. Lin Jiufeng took a sip and muttered softly, "I wonder how much spiritual energy the Rain Sigil will summon tomorrow."

The next day, just as expected, it rained.

Thunder rumbled. The wind howled. The mountains and forests were drenched by the downpour.

At Yuhua Sect's scripture library, Lin Jiufeng did not ascend to the rooftop to cultivate with Baihu. Instead, he stood at the entrance, watching the rain.

Baihu sat quietly beside him.

Raindrops pattered against the eaves, forming a misty curtain of water.

"What are you looking at?" Baihu asked, puzzled by Lin Jiufeng's fascination with the rain.

Lin Jiufeng smiled faintly. "Spiritual energy will soon descend with the rain. Absorb as much as you can."

Baihu looked at him skeptically.

Lin Jiufeng said nothing. He simply raised a hand and traced a sigil in the air.

A moment later, a glowing Rain Sigil flew into the downpour and vanished.

Boom!

Instantly, torrents of spiritual energy surged through Yuhua Sect, increasing by hundreds—no, thousands—of times.

Baihu's eyes widened in shock.

Lin Jiufeng smiled.

It had begun.