Chapter 2833

The time had come to reap the rewards.

"Very well. I shall make the preparations. We depart in two months," Shen Zhang said.

"There is no need for elaborate preparation. I recall that in two months, it will be the two-hundredth birthday of the matriarch of the Luo family. It seems Heaven itself is aiding you, providing such a fine opportunity," Yun Xi smiled lightly. "While they are focused on the birthday banquet, it is the perfect time to close the net."

Yun Xi had arranged everything over the past two years, waiting for this exact moment. Now that the time had arrived, closing the net was the natural next step.

A smile appeared on Shen Zhang’s face as well. "Understood. I will go and arrange it."

"Go ahead, go ahead." Yun Xi waved his hand. The preliminary arrangements were nearly complete; now he simply waited to close the net. Since Shen Zhang’s people were handling the operation, Yun Xi did not need to intervene personally. Thus, he decided to take a walk.

Over the past few days, many people on this street had come to recognize Yun Xi.

Yun Xi greeted people as he walked, then entered a teahouse. He went upstairs to the second floor, found a private seat by the window, and sat down. He sipped his tea while watching the crowd below. This was a habit Yun Xi had cultivated over the past two years. He had discovered that observing the myriad forms of human life was highly beneficial for his state of mind and comprehension.

As he watched, Yun Xi smiled, for he saw a familiar face.

"Brother Wang." It was none other than Wang Lanxuan.

Hearing someone call out, Wang Lanxuan looked up and saw Yun Xi’s head at the window of the teahouse’s second floor. He smiled too.

She walked in, saw Yun Xi, and playfully punched her on the shoulder. "It seems you have fared well these past two years."

Wang Lanxuan had now reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, on the verge of breaking through to the Golden Core stage. He only needed the right timing. However, he still could not see through Yun Xi’s cultivation level, which indicated that Yun Xi had already formed his Golden Core.

Yun Xi laughed. "I have been mixing it up here these past two years, observing the myriad forms of life and contemplating existence."

Wang Lanxuan said, "For my part, I spent these two years in a village, watching people live their daily lives. After nearly two years, I determined that continuing to watch would offer me no further benefit, so I left." He looked around. "Have you heard any news of Lie Xuan?"

"Not yet," Yun Xi replied. "But we both know Brother Lie’s capabilities. His cultivation is likely not far behind. Moreover, we agreed to meet at Luojia Mountain, so I am not in a hurry."

Yun Xi then added to Wang Lanxuan, "You are fortunate to have come now. I plan to depart for Luojia Mountain in two months."

"Why?" Wang Lanxuan knew that Yun Xi’s words implied he had matters to attend to.

Yun Xi briefly recounted his activities over the past two years, primarily his assistance to the Shen family, including his plans. "The situation is now under control. These next two months are for closing the net. Two months from now coincides with the two-hundredth birthday of the Luo family matriarch. Naturally, we must go to offer our congratulations."

What "congratulations"? It was clearly an excuse to cause trouble. However, Wang Lanxuan was no saint, so he said directly, "It feels like you have made quite a stir with this matter."

"If you had handled it, it would likely have been even more spectacular," Yun Xi said. He understood Wang Lanxuan well; Wang Lanxuan’s strategic mind was no inferior to his own.

Wang Lanxuan said, "The Shen family is indeed fortunate to have encountered you."

Yun Xi smiled faintly. "I incurred a karmic debt. Since I can repay it, I should do so early to settle the matter, lest it bring misfortune to myself in the future."

Wang Lanxuan, now a cultivator, naturally understood the importance of karma during this period. He nodded. "Do you need my help?"

"It is nearly sufficient for now. In truth, I do not interfere much in the closing of the net. I only supervise. If an accident occurs, I will intervene. Otherwise, I let the Shen family handle it themselves. After all, it is their family affair. As an outsider, I can offer advice, but I cannot interfere excessively."

Yun Xi saw things too clearly. Therefore, when handling such matters, his thoughts were particularly clear.

She owed a karmic debt, so she could help with the planning. However, she could not be the central decision-maker, as she was not a member of the Shen family.

After Yun Xi and Wang Lanxuan reunited, Wang Lanxuan simply followed Yun Xi to the Shen family residence.

Shen Zhang knew that Wang Lanxuan was one of the people Yun Xi was seeking, so he was naturally very enthusiastic. Most importantly, he realized that just as he could not see through Yun Xi’s cultivation level before, he could not see through Wang Lanxuan’s either. Thus, he would certainly not offend Wang Lanxuan.

Moreover, he would not only avoid offending Wang Lanxuan but would treat him with great kindness. At least within the Shen family, his treatment was equal to Yun Xi’s.

One day, Yun Xi and Wang Lanxuan played chess together.

"Wang Zhi, the net is now half closed. Are you not worried that the Luo family will discover it?" Wang Lanxuan asked.

Yun Xi looked at the chessboard. "If they discover it, so be it. At worst, we will directly destroy the Luo family. With our skills, do we fear a mere Luo family?" Only then did he place a piece.

"By the way, have you noticed? I feel that the cultivation in this Qilin Realm is somewhat strange," Wang Lanxuan said.

The cultivation in the Qilin Realm was obviously higher than in the Vermilion Bird Realm, yet they seemed unaware of Foundation Establishment, knowing only of Confucian Qi. This was peculiar.

Yun Xi said calmly, "Neither of us is an ordinary person. We should understand that there are three thousand paths, and three thousand worlds. Our world is obviously one of the three thousand worlds. Thus, it is quite simple that no one here knows of Foundation Establishment, yet they know of Confucian Qi."

Wang Lanxuan pondered for a moment, looking at the chessboard. "What do you think causes this world to be unaware of Foundation Establishment, knowing only Confucian Qi?"

"What is there to guess? It is nothing more than inertia or habit," Yun Xi said casually.

Wang Lanxuan was stunned, his hand pausing. He looked up at Yun Xi. "You mean inertia and habit?"

"Yes." Yun Xi nodded slightly. "Living creates a habit. Just as we once were at home, accustomed to staying with our family, cultivation is the same. Over time, an inertia forms. Because no one told them how the path of cultivation should be walked, in their hearts, the path they walk is correct. It is what the ancestors left behind, hence their current mindset."

Yun Xi looked up at Wang Lanxuan. "As cultivators, we must mostly break through these original concepts. The simplest explanation is that the world does not believe in immortals, yet we insist on becoming like immortals. Only the destiny we create ourselves is true destiny."

"Create one’s own destiny." Wang Lanxuan pondered slightly. "To create one’s own destiny, to control one’s own destiny—this is the true self of a cultivator." Wang Lanxuan’s heart moved. The bottleneck of Foundation Establishment broke, and he began to form his Golden Core.

Seeing this, Yun Xi quickly grabbed Wang Lanxuan and instantly transported him outside the city. Who knew? If the Golden Core tribulation lightning struck here, the entire Posuo City would suffer.

Arriving at an empty space and confirming no one was around, Yun Xi began to guard him from the side.

At this moment, Wang Lanxuan entered a state that was neither profound nor obscure. What was his Dao? Destiny was in his own hands. Cultivation broke through the self, controlling the self. Thus, Wang Lanxuan’s Dao was the Dao of Time.

Wang Lanxuan’s heart trembled. He found his Dao. A milky-white Golden Core appeared in his dantian. His body felt light, and he naturally sensed the connection between himself and Heaven and Earth.

She opened her eyes. Yun Xi stood beside her, complaining, "So dirty."

Wang Lanxuan smiled and used a cleaning technique to restore his appearance. "Wang Zhi, thank you."

Yun Xi waved his hand slightly. "No need to thank me. Next time you break through, tell me in advance. Fortunately, I was here this time. Otherwise, wouldn’t Posuo City have been implicated?"

Wang Lanxuan nodded with a smile. "I understand. This was my first breakthrough. I didn’t expect the tribulation lightning to be so powerful."

"Anyway, for cultivators like us, as long as we break through in the future, we will be struck by lightning," Yun Xi said, unbothered.

Wang Lanxuan smiled. "Wang Zhi, my Dao is the Dao of Time."

Hearing this, Yun Xi raised his eyebrows slightly. "Then your comprehension will likely be much harder than anyone else’s. We must search carefully for suitable techniques."

Techniques related to time were not easy to find.

Wang Lanxuan said, "At my current cultivation level, it is not a problem. I have only comprehended the Dao of Time."

Yun Xi nodded slightly. "We will search slowly. Even if we cannot find a technique of time, we will find the mystery of time."

Although mysteries of time were rare, Yun Xi never believed it was impossible to find them.

Yun Xi brought Wang Lanxuan back to Posuo City. The city did not know that just moments ago, this beautiful city had nearly been destroyed. However, seeing the bustling crowds in Posuo City, Yun Xi and Wang Lanxuan shared an indescribable realization.

Indeed, humans are meant to live in communities.

Soon, the day to depart for Luojia Mountain arrived.

Yun Xi and Wang Lanxuan went to the Shen family this time as friends of Shen Zhang. Publicly, it was said that Yun Xi and Wang Lanxuan had met Shen Zhang while traveling for experience, found him congenial, and were thus invited to the Shen family.

Of course, the main reason for this narrative was that Yun Xi and Wang Lanxuan looked too young.

More importantly, the two had concealed the majesty of Golden Core ancestors. Otherwise, who would dare to walk alongside them?

"From Posuo City to Luojia Mountain, we will mainly travel by water, because Luojia Mountain is on an island in the sea. That island is called Luojia Mountain, hence the name," Shen Zhang explained after inviting Yun Xi and Wang Lanxuan onto the boat.

Wang Lanxuan said, "I have heard of this. Moreover, I heard that the scenery of Luojia Mountain is a unique wonder in the entire Qilin Realm."

"Yes." A smile appeared on Shen Zhang’s face, likely because he was returning home and could see his relatives. "The scenery of Luojia Mountain is indeed very beautiful, especially when watching the sunrise at dawn. That feeling is truly like a rebirth. Watching the sunrise makes one’s heart feel particularly relaxed and full of hope for life."