Chapter 194

Chapter 194: The First Full-Level Cultivator

A month before departure, Gao Hui visited the Yang Family again.

Throughout the year, he had delivered frontline battle reports to them every half-month during the dynasty’s full mobilization. After a year of fierce fighting, Tiger-Chasing seized the initiative across the entire eastern line.

All previously disputed border territories had been retaken, and former neutral battle zones now served as Tiger-Chasing Frontline positions.

However, Tiger-Chasing’s advance reached its limit since the Eastern Wilderness Seventh Prince’s forces still had sect support despite not committing their main army.

Border troops were now fortifying defenses while awaiting the arrival of Yang Lingrui’s group – the dynasty’s true elites – before launching a full counterattack against the Eastern Wilderness Seventh Prince’s territory.

Beyond battle updates, Gao Hui carried another crucial message.

"Lord He wrote that he’ll come to Song Mountain in ten days to collect Lingrui and… inspect the ancient willow."

He handed over the letter as he spoke.

Yang Lingqing accepted it. Though brief, the letter maintained its characteristic forceful tone.

It essentially warned that if the Yang Family failed to properly maintain the He Family’s gifted ancient willow, He Shenglai would reclaim it.

The He Family’s foundation lay in spiritual plant cultivation, making them fiercely protective of such assets.

For the Yang Family, this ancient willow functioned as their financial backbone.

Annual sales of its spiritual materials generated thousands of spiritual crystals – their primary income source. Losing it would drastically reduce all Yang cultivators’ resources.

Yang Lingqing had never neglected the willow’s care despite other challenges. Beyond applying the two prescribed nurturing techniques, she regularly traded family merits for growth-enhancing spiritual materials from the Dynasty Treasury.

The ancient willow now towered over its original height when delivered. Three other spiritual plants also thrived under this care, approaching late-stage Gathering Qi quality and nearing their own transformations.

"Rest assured, Mayor Gao – the Yang Family remains fully committed."

Yang Lingqing stored the letter as she spoke.

"Good."

Gao Hui nodded. "And Lingrui? Any developments?"

He knew Yang Lingrui had entered secluded cultivation immediately after returning to Sanglu Valley, leaving no opportunity for farewells.

Gao Hui understood the urgency – with rising casualty rates on the eastern line, every bit of extra strength improved survival chances.

Yang Lingrui’s situation differed from Yang Lingshu’s. Though both enjoyed powerful backing, Yang Lingshu held status as Wanhuamen’s direct disciple – Elder Mo Xian’s second protégé.

Yang Lingrui, bluntly speaking, simply served as He Shenglai’s favored weapon. This blade had yet to reveal its true edge publicly, but the Eastern Expedition would become its proving ground.

Gao Hui already envisioned Yang Lingrui’s fearsome reputation soon echoing across the Eastern Expedition battlefields.

"Not long ago, Xie Chuan delivered a written message from Elder Yu mentioning unusual activity at the valley’s base."

Yang Lingqing considered briefly before responding, "I’d intended to visit soon. Since Mayor Gao is here today, let’s go together."

"Thank you, Master. That would be ideal."

With Yang Lingshu stationed at Song Mountain this year, Yang Lingqing no longer needed constant presence there, allowing her more frequent travels.

She summoned Liu Zihao, and the trio proceeded to Sanglu Valley where Xie Chuan guided them downward.

Upon arrival, all three immediately noticed tendrils of yellow wind seeping through cracks in the cave’s stone door.

"Keep your distance – that wind consumes flesh," cautioned Old Yu.

The Yang Family members halted at the periphery while Gao Hui, protected by his Eighth Level spiritual power barrier, advanced cautiously to stand beside the elder.

The menacing aura from the cave made Gao Hui’s pulse quicken. "Old Yu," he observed, furrowing his brow, "Lingrui’s breakthrough energy feels abnormally intense. The actual breakthrough may cause substantial disturbances."

Old Yu nodded before addressing Formation Master Liu. "How fares the valley’s concealment formation?"

"All remains secure, Elder Yu," Liu Zihao replied with a bow. "The formations will mask any breakthrough forces below Twelfth Level."

When the cave’s rumblings ceased on the third day, the observers’ tension heightened rather than eased. The true trial was beginning.

"Activate the formations," Yang Lingqing ordered.

Liu Zihao’s command token flared as twin formations enveloped the cave – Perfected Gathering Qi grade barriers sufficient for ordinary Tenth Level breakthroughs.

But Yang Lingrui defied ordinary standards. His assault on the Tenth Level immediately boiled the cave’s spiritual energy. Within moments, the power surge hit eleventh-level Gathering Qi as semi-corporeal yellow wind phantoms writhed against the barriers.

Thirty minutes later, the shaking formation token made Liu Zihao cry out: "The formations near their limit!"

"Steady together!" Yang Lingqing commanded. Five cultivators channeled energy until Xie Chuan nearly collapsed from strain. Only then did the winds retreat.

When the stone door finally groaned open, five figures bowed instinctively to the emerging youth – not from duty, but genuine respect.

Old Yu’s voice shook with emotion: "Master! After twenty-five years, our Yang Family has a full-level cultivator!"

Meeting Lingrui’s gaze, the elder’s silent message found understanding.

"Condensing Essence remains unconquered," the youth reminded quietly. "No room for complacency. We proceed with care…"