Beyond the gates of Qingyun Sect, clouds rolled like an endless ocean and mountain winds roared with icy force.
The rising sun painted the sea of clouds in gold and crimson. Cranes cried in the distance, spiritual light shimmered faintly between heaven and earth—an immortal realm revealed in all its splendor.
Chang Le stood at the edge of the cliff, breathing in the fragrant, spirit-rich air. His entire body felt light and refreshed.
After successfully establishing his Foundation, the change was obvious. His five senses were sharper, his body stronger, and within his dantian, a genuine vortex of Qi slowly revolved, drawing in the wandering Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth.
According to cultivation lore, a Foundation Establishment cultivator could already command a magical artifact for flight—breaking free of the earth and soaring across the nine heavens.
Chang Le imagined the inner-sect elites riding flying swords, robes fluttering like immortals descending from paintings.
His heart burned with anticipation.
He raised two fingers like a sword, poured Qi into his meridians, thrust forward, and shouted:
"Rise!"
…Nothing happened.
Only the mountain wind answered, flapping his oversized robe like a broken sail.
Against the vast cloud sea, his lone figure looked pitifully thin.
"Uh… wrong posture?"
His face reddened. He stole a glance at Ye Yuetang beside him. She stood quietly like a snow-white lotus, skirts flowing as if ready to ride the wind at any moment.
Suppressing his embarrassment, Chang Le gathered himself and tried again—this time using the Sky-Control Method Ye Yuetang had taught him. He poured spiritual power into his legs.
His body swayed slightly.
But his feet felt rooted to the cliff, as if bound by invisible chains. No matter how much Qi he used, he couldn't lift off.
It was as though the world itself forbade him from flying.
"Chi—"
A faint, nearly imperceptible chuckle sounded beside him.
It vanished so quickly it almost seemed imagined.
Chang Le snapped his head around.
Ye Yuetang still faced the clouds, her profile calm and cold.
But he saw it.
For a fleeting instant, the corner of her lips curved upward.
A mischievous glint flashed through her usually tranquil eyes.
She was laughing.
That icy fairy was laughing at him!
Chang Le's face burned.
At the same time, he finally remembered the pill.
Yufeng Dan.
[Primary Effect: Allows the user to control a magical artifact for flight (no spiritual power required)]
[Side Effect: User cannot fly by any other means]
That cursed side effect had bound him to artifact flight!
Without one, he was grounded!
A dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator… who couldn't fly!
Who was he supposed to complain to?
"Cough."
Ye Yuetang cleared her throat lightly, still not turning around.
"In the early Foundation stage, control over spiritual power is unstable. Being unable to fly freely is normal. With more practice, you'll succeed."
Her voice was calm and convincing.
Unfortunately, the lingering amusement in her eyes completely betrayed her.
Chang Le stared at her silently.
"I'd believe a ghost before I believe you."
This was clearly the pill's fault!
No matter how much he practiced, even if he reached Golden Core, he'd still be glued to the ground!
Resigned, Chang Le summoned his only flying treasure.
A bronze glow flashed.
Clang!
A massive bronze furnace lid slammed onto the cliff, cracking the stone beneath it.
Ye Yuetang finally turned.
"…A pill furnace lid?"
"Yes. Only the lid."
Under her gaze, Chang Le's ears turned red.
He stepped carefully onto the cold bronze surface.
It sank slightly—but held firm.
"Immortal Master… I'm ready. Shall we depart?"
The lid hummed softly. Ancient runes flickered to life.
Then it rose.
Fast. Surprisingly fast.
Almost as fast as a normal sword flight.
The only problem?
If he fell, he'd die very professionally.
High above the clouds, bathed in golden dawn—
A peerless fairy rode a flowing sword, robes dancing, black hair drifting like silk.
Beside her, a man crouched stiffly on a giant bronze lid, gripping the edge like his life depended on it.
From afar, it looked like a spirit-possessed turtle desperately trying to ride the wind.
Chang Le could feel Ye Yuetang's shoulders trembling ever so slightly.
Silent laughter stabbed him in the soul.
"System… damn you…"
Three days later, after enduring wind, dust, and sleeping outdoors, Chang Le finally sat beneath an ancient twisted tree, absorbing a low-grade spirit stone.
The spiritual Qi in this desolate region was thin. Compared to Qingyun Sect, it was like breathing through cloth.
Ye Yuetang cultivated effortlessly nearby, spiritual vortices forming naturally around her.
Chang Le sighed.
"From luxury to hardship is hard indeed…"
Once more, he gambled.
Dog-tail grass.
Morning dew.
Damp soil.
"Insert materials."
[Detected: Trash among trash]
[Select pill quantity: 1]
The cauldron spun weakly and produced a dull, ugly pill.
Chang Le checked its properties.
Pill: Unnamed
[Primary Effect: Cultivation ascends to Nascent Soul]
[Side Effect: Violent explosion]
"…What."
Instant Nascent Soul.
Followed by instant death.
A one-time ascension ticket straight to the heavens.
He wrapped it and stuffed it into his chest.
Days later, at a loose cultivator market, the pill slipped from his robes.
A sharp-eyed cultivator stepped on it, picked it up, and pocketed it.
Chang Le rushed over.
"Fellow Daoist, that pill is defective. It's dangerous. Please return it."
The cultivators sneered.
"If it's trash, why are you so nervous?"
"Trying to trick us?"
"What we pick up is ours!"
Chang Le sighed.
"I've warned you."
Five days later, Black Wind Stronghold vanished.
Reduced to a five-li-wide crater.
Chang Le rubbed his nose.
…So that's what "violent" means.