Mortal: Li Feiyu, who came from the realm of a supreme being

Li Feiyu and Han Yunshu usually communicate through the Wanli Talisman. Although there are often times when they don't reply to each other's messages for days, months, or even years, their emotional foundation is quite stable and solid.

After all, in addition to text-based communication, they also have the ability to physically deliver items.

The materials required for the puppet summoning array are simple; they only need to place the item to be transferred into the puppet. The only troublesome part is that it requires the activation of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which takes about ten months to condense for each instance.

Fortunately, they didn't need to frequently exchange items; they only occasionally exchanged supplies.

Several months later, Yan Ruyan had mastered the secret technique, and the two began formal seclusion, relying on the artificial super spiritual land and the dual cultivation secret method to break through to the Core Formation stage.

The spirit stones on Li Feiyu's body can only maintain the Super Spirit Gathering Array for about seven or eight years. They have already spent nearly three years on it and must complete the Core Formation within five years. Otherwise, the spiritual energy environment will suddenly deteriorate, and they will need even more time to cultivate.

Therefore, they used the remaining two Dust-Subduing Pills as well.

……

Three and a half years after the Kui Xing Island incident, Yuan Yao and Yan Li successfully completed their cultivation and emerged from seclusion.

"Senior sister, we did it!"

Yuan Yao's voice trembled slightly; this was the first time in many years she had lost her composure like this. The spiritual energy within her body flowed slowly like a stream, a world of difference compared to the sluggishness and blockage she experienced before Foundation Establishment. She raised her hand, a ball of spiritual light condensing at her fingertips. Looking at the true essence that was several times purer than before, her eyes even stung with tears.

Yanli didn't speak, but quietly felt the new world within her body. After a long while, she finally exhaled a long breath, a smile appearing on her lips: "Yes, I succeeded."

The two looked at each other and suddenly burst into laughter.

They laughed and laughed, but then fell silent.

"Two Foundation Establishment Pills..." Yuan Yao said softly, "Senior Sister, with our aptitude, if we were outside..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Yanli understood what she meant.

If they were outside, what would it take for a female cultivator of mediocre talent like them to gather two Foundation Establishment Pills? They would risk their lives in dangerous places, facing near-death experiences; they would attach themselves to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, using their beauty to please him, but what they would receive in return might not be genuine cultivation, but rather being treated as playthings to be ordered around; or worse, they might be bought by someone under the guise of being a dual cultivation furnace, and from then on, their lives would be worse than death.

They've seen people like that before.

"So we're lucky," Yanli said casually, but a glint of light flickered in her eyes. "We met a strange person."

"Weirdo..." Yuan Yao repeated the word, her lips curving into a smile.

He really is an oddball.

They were not exceptionally talented, nor did they possess extraordinary spiritual roots or illustrious family backgrounds. In the cultivation world, beautiful female cultivators like them were as numerous as carp crossing a river, most of them lost in the vast sea of ​​people, either silently exhausting their lifespan in some corner, becoming playthings of some high-level cultivator, or turning into a handful of dust in some battle.

And now, they have established their foundation.

A lifespan of two hundred years signifies a broader future and more possibilities.

"Young Master Li..." Yuan Yao suddenly uttered these three words softly, her tone devoid of resentment, only containing a hint of complexity.

Yanli glanced at her: "Do you regret it?"

"I don't regret it," Yuan Yao answered quickly, then added, "I just sometimes wonder where I would be now if I hadn't chosen this path."

"He might have died directly in the Kuixing Island incident, or he might have been transferred to another city to work as a tour guide..." Yanli laughed, "or he might have already died in some corner of the world."

Yuan Yao nodded: "So there's nothing to think about."

Yeah, there's nothing to think about.

In life, there are rarely perfect opportunities. To gain opportunity, one must pay a price; to achieve stability, one must accept ordinariness. They chose to attach themselves to Li Feiyu, thus gaining the opportunity to establish their foundation—this was already incredibly lucky.

Currently, Li Feiyu and Yan Ruyan are both in seclusion, and there are no strong internal restrictions on the island. If the two of them want to run away, now is the best opportunity.

However, the two women never thought about this. They were clear about their likes and dislikes, and valued loyalty and righteousness. Right now, all they were thinking about was how to repay Li Feiyu. They had no idea that they could just run away after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage and have a carefree life.

Five years later, one day, dark clouds suddenly loomed over the deserted island. Yanli and Yuanyao, who were cultivating in their cave, sensed the change in spiritual energy and flew out of the cave on their magical artifacts.

In an instant, the clouds and mist changed dramatically, and thunder and lightning swept across the sky.

The spiritual energy within a hundred miles all rushed towards the cave, forming a huge, scorching vortex of spiritual energy.

"They've formed their cores! Young Master Li and Senior Yan have formed their cores!" Yanli exclaimed in surprise.

Yuan Yao stared blankly at the unusual celestial phenomenon, speechless for a moment.

But the next moment, two streaks of light flew out of the cave, instantly taking away all the formations and spirit stones. Then they rushed towards the two of them, and in the blink of an eye, one of them and the other disappeared into the horizon.

Before long, many cultivators arrived around the deserted island.

They were all drawn here by the celestial changes, each with their own purpose, but they soon discovered that the place was deserted.

……

Li Feiyu's antique flying artifact, the paper kite, came in handy once again, and the four of them rode on it, heading towards Sangxing Island.

"So the Core Formation commotion is this big. Luckily, I ran fast," Li Feiyu laughed.

Yan Ruyan couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth, her face showing a relaxed and happy expression, looking incredibly beautiful.

Yuan Yao looked at Li Feiyu and Yan Ruyan, whose Core Formation auras had not yet been fully concealed, and her eyes were filled with undisguised shock. She knew all too well how difficult it was for cultivators to form their Core, yet the two of them had actually crossed this insurmountable barrier together.

"Congratulations, young master! Congratulations, senior Yan!" Yanli was the first to react, and excitedly bowed to offer her congratulations.

Yuan Yao immediately curtsied, her voice soft yet unable to conceal her genuine joy: "Congratulations, young master, on forming your Golden Core with senior. The path to the Great Dao is now within reach."

Li Feiyu stood at the front of the kite, facing the sea breeze. His blue robe fluttered in the wind, and his aura was harmonious and natural, possessing a depth and weight that was now more profound and weighty than when he was in the Foundation Establishment stage. He turned to look at the two women and said gently, "You've both reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Not bad."

This simple praise warmed Yuan Yao's heart.

She could sense that this wasn't just polite talk; Li Feiyu had genuinely noticed their progress.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Yanli asked, "Young Master, how does it feel to form your Core?"

Li Feiyu smiled, looked at the horizon where the sea met the sky, and said lightly, "It's alright, it's quite novel. Apart from the obvious change in lifespan, in other aspects... I just have more magic power, and that's it."

"Huh?" The two women were a little confused; it seemed different from what they had imagined.

However, in Li Feiyu's actual experience, it wasn't that shocking. In the mortal world's system, breaking through realms is relatively easy, so the changes aren't significant; it's similar to the feeling of going from the Nine Apertures to the Ancestral Aperture.

If we're talking about the difference between before and after promotion, then the feeling of enlightenment and the attainment of the Dharma body through enlightenment is much more exciting.

Yan Ruyan added with a smile, her voice carrying the ease and a hint of pride of successfully forming her Golden Core: "The most important thing is one's state of mind. Only after forming the Golden Core do you feel that you are no longer a helpless drifter in this world, and finally have some confidence to stand on your own two feet."

Yuan Yao listened intently, a look of longing in her eyes. A lifespan of five or six hundred years was unimaginable to her, who had just established her foundation and possessed a lifespan of two hundred years. It meant so many possibilities, so much ease and composure.

Li Feiyu looked at them, then changed the subject: "Now that you have established your foundation, you will need more resources for cultivation in the future, and your cultivation techniques will also need to be adjusted accordingly. After you have settled in, I will deduce the subsequent cultivation techniques for you."

"Thank you, young master!" Yanli and Yuanyao thanked him in unison, their gratitude even greater. They knew that deducing the cultivation technique was no easy task, and Li Feiyu's willingness to go to such lengths for them was a kindness that far exceeded what ordinary "concubines" could receive.

Yuan Yao hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Young Master, where shall we go next?"

"Tianxing City, please." With that, Li Feiyu took out a blue jade-like stone-like plaque. "This contains Wang Chan's remaining one soul and three spirits. However, after thirty years, this remnant soul is extremely weak and can only last for another fifty years at most. Now that you have formed your core, as long as you are well-prepared, the backlash from the Life and Death Curse will not have much of an impact on you."

Speaking of which, one of the materials used for this sign is the same "Qingyuanzhi" plant from back then.

"What does this mean?" Yan Ruyan asked, puzzled.

"As agreed, you have successfully completed your auxiliary cultivation task. Do you really intend to be my concubine for the rest of your life, a dignified cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root and Core Formation?" Li Feiyu chuckled.

Yan Ruyan fell silent. Being a concubine wasn't exactly a desirable position. Aside from desperate female cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, most higher-level cultivators who became concubines did so only after much compromise. Whether from a practical or emotional perspective, the word was difficult to utter.

"Are you trying to get rid of me? Or is it that Madam doesn't want to accept me?" After a long while, Yan Ruyan finally asked.

Hmm? Li Feiyu was slightly surprised; this reaction was somewhat unexpected.

"I have already explained the subsequent cultivation methods to you, and there is no question of cutting off your path. It's not that I don't want you, but rationally speaking, as a Core Formation cultivator, you are fully capable of pursuing what you want on your own. There is no reason why you need me." Li Feiyu thought for a moment and then explained, "Yun Shu followed me on the path of cultivation when she was twelve years old, and we can be said to have depended on each other for survival. Ru Yin suffered from a terminal illness, and it was Yun Shu and I who expended our own essence to prolong her life and enable her to reach Foundation Establishment. Therefore, we regard each other as family, and there is no such thing as a concubine. In essence, I don't need a concubine either. Do you understand what I mean?"

Yan Ruyan's expression darkened. She asked, "So, is our relationship purely transactional? Without a shred of affection?"

Li Feiyu's act of handing over Wang Chan's remnant soul was clearly an act of release, because the relationship was unequal from the beginning. Yan Ruyan was coerced into becoming a mentor and was forcibly brought to the Chaotic Star Sea by him.

Although Yan Ruyan chose the dual cultivation method due to various practical factors during the journey, Li Feiyu kept his promise and gave her a reward.

Hearing Yan Ruyan's tone and seeing her pitiful face, Li Feiyu was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Could this girl really have fallen in love? But her past record is a bit serious, so Li Feiyu couldn't believe it. Therefore, he felt that it would be best if both parties got what they wanted, so that neither of them would owe the other anything.

He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, asking earnestly, "You gave three reasons back then, and the path to enlightenment was only one of them. And you, having reached the Core Formation stage, are more than capable of standing on your own. As for the last one, where is the 'path'... I sincerely believe that the answer cannot be found by binding myself to it."

Yan Ruyan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "If Fellow Daoist Li insists on this, I am not such a shameless woman."

Li Feiyu frowned slightly. He sensed something was off. Sometimes love and hate can really be a matter of a moment.

Having lived two lives, he used his full intellect and carefully considered his words: "Alas, Ruyan, you needn't be like this. Your first twenty years were all about your family, and the next thirty were all about me. Such a perspective inevitably leads to a narrow view. On the path of cultivation, one must broaden one's horizons. It's not that I don't believe in your feelings, but I don't want your so-called feelings to stem from such limited perspectives. I, Li Feiyu, am not some prodigy, but I do possess unparalleled pride. Perhaps..."

Without further hesitation, he said in an unquestionable tone, "How about we set a timeframe of one hundred years? Use this time to witness the prosperity and turmoil of the cultivation world. I believe that after one hundred years, you will surely find the Great Dao that belongs to you. If you still have the heart after one hundred years, then you will be my family, Li Feiyu's family."

The tears in Yan Ruyan's eyes quickly faded, replaced by a calm and profound look. She took a soft breath, and a faint yet clear smile curved her lips.

"The century-long promise... Ru Yan has agreed."

Her voice was clear and crisp, no longer as soft as before, but carrying the composure unique to a Core Formation cultivator.

"Young Master is right. For the past fifty years, Ru Yan has only had eyes for Yan Family Fortress and for you. The next hundred years will be dedicated to finding the Way and witnessing the world. After a hundred years, I will return with the 'answer' I have found for you to judge."

She paused slightly, looked at Li Feiyu with clear eyes, and added, "At that time, I hope that you will not let Ruyan feel that this hundred-year wait... has been in vain."

After speaking, she curtsied, her posture respectful yet composed: "Ruyan, farewell. Take care, young master."

"Wait, why don't we bring them along too? They can help me look after them, and this too." Li Feiyu said, handing over a storage bag.

Inside were the Li brothers' magical treasures: a gourd, a horizontal flute, and a Yin Fire Flag. Besides these three treasures, there were also some supplies and several thousand spirit stones, enough for Yan Ruyan to get through the awkward period of not having her own natal magical treasure.

Then, he took out a jade slip and engraved the "Timely Rain and Spring Breeze Technique" that he had created years ago into it, so that Yuan Yao and Yanli could cultivate it.

Since both of them have wood spirit roots and their cultivation techniques have already reached the Nascent Soul stage, it's not a bad idea for them to practice them.

I'll create some exercises for them when I have time later.

"I suggest you settle down in Tianxing City first and rent a cave dwelling. It will be easier to find you later." After saying that, Li Feiyu abandoned the paper kite magic weapon and transformed into a beam of light, leaving.

Although Yuan Yao and Yan Li haven't had a physical relationship yet, Li Feiyu isn't worried about anything because of their personalities.

However, he suddenly felt that it would be inconvenient to bring his family along for the follow-up actions, since the risks of developing the Extreme Yin Island were quite high.