Cloud Dwelling Hall.

"This is a storage ring. Your True Disciple robe and jade pendant are inside," Li Zhoujun said, handing a storage ring to Su Nan.

Su Nan looked at the ring in her hand, her face immediately turning bitter. "Master, I don't have any cultivation or Divine Sense. I can't take anything out of it!"

"Don't worry. As my disciple, I can guarantee that your first cultivation session will break through to the first level of Qi Refining and awaken your Divine Sense," Li Zhoujun said confidently.

With that, Li Zhoujun extended his index finger and touched Su Nan's forehead, transmitting the Xuanming Heart Scripture into her mind.

Su Nan felt a moment of confusion, and then the Xuanming Heart Scripture appeared in her mind.

"This technique is undoubtedly the top-tier technique in the world today, perfectly complementing your Saint-Grade Ice Spiritual Root," Li Zhoujun said with a smile.

"Thank you, Master!" Su Nan said excitedly to Li Zhoujun.

Li Zhoujun waved his hand dismissively. "Why are you being so formal with me? As the saying goes, 'Once a teacher, always a father.' I'm practically your father now, so no need for such formalities."

Su Nan: "..."

At the same time, Li Zhoujun took out a Supreme Qi Condensation Pill, a reward from the system, and handed it to Su Nan. "Take this pill when you cultivate according to the technique. Together with the supplements you took yesterday, it should be enough to break through to the first level of Qi Refining."

"Thank you, Master!" Su Nan said as she accepted the pill from Li Zhoujun, then curiously asked, "Master, what if I don't break through to the first level of Qi Refining today?"

"If you don't break through to the first level of Qi Refining..." Li Zhoujun stroked his chin. "Then it means the supplements weren't enough. I'll prepare more for you."

Upon hearing this, Su Nan's face changed color. "Don't worry, Master. I will definitely break through to the first level of Qi Refining today!"

"Good, good. As expected of my disciple, you have great ambition," Li Zhoujun said, nodding in satisfaction.

Su Nan was on the verge of tears. What ambition? It's all because of you, Master! Eating those supplements makes me dizzy every time. Who can handle that?!

"Alright, start your first cultivation session here. I'll protect you," Li Zhoujun said, pointing to a nearby meditation cushion with a smile.

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"Okay." Su Nan nodded, then sat cross-legged on the cushion, took the Supreme Qi Condensation Pill, and began cultivating according to the Xuanming Heart Scripture.

In less than half a stick of incense's time, the Spiritual Qi around Su Nan, initially invisible to the naked eye, gathered and swirled around her, making her appear like a celestial being descended to the mortal world.

Seeing this, Li Zhoujun nodded. "This little girl truly has a Saint-Grade Ice Spiritual Root. The commotion she's causing suggests that once she senses Qi, she might surpass just the first level of Qi Refining."

***

Finally, after two hours, Su Nan slowly opened her eyes, and the swirling Spiritual Qi around her dissipated.

What a wonderful feeling!

With her eyes open, Su Nan could clearly feel a warm energy gathering in her dantian. This must be the spiritual power that cultivators condense within themselves, right?

Moreover, Su Nan noticed that compared to two hours ago, her body felt much lighter, and her strength had increased significantly.

"Not bad. On your first cultivation session, you've already reached the third level of Qi Refining," Li Zhoujun said slowly.

"It's all thanks to your teaching, Master!" Su Nan replied with a sweet smile.

Li Zhoujun looked at the little girl, patted her head affectionately, and said with a doting smile, "Alright, stabilize your cultivation here. I have some matters to attend to."

The matter Li Zhoujun referred to was a task issued by the system: to find Liu Yan, the Fire Maple Mountain Lord, and have a chat, perhaps even a duel.

"Okay, Master. Go ahead," Su Nan said obediently.

"Mm." Li Zhoujun nodded, and his figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.

When he reappeared, he was already at the foot of Fire Maple Mountain.

***

Upon arrival, Li Zhoujun immediately noticed the scorching temperature, even at the mountain's base.

He glanced around Fire Maple Mountain, seeing nothing but fiery red maple leaves.

Meanwhile, the Inner Sect Disciples on duty at the mountain gate, essentially gatekeepers, also noticed Li Zhoujun.

"Who is that senior?"

"I don't know, but to appear here out of thin air, he must at least be in the Elemental Infant Realm."

"Are you blind? Didn't you see the Mountain Lord Jade Token on his waist?"

"What? The Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord? That useless guy?"

"You fool, always cooped up playing cards. Now you're clueless. Just the day before yesterday, the Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord defeated Murong Xue, whom even our Mountain Lord couldn't beat."

"What? Impossible! You're lying to me, right?"

"No one's lying. The Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord is indeed a superpower. We were all fooled by his disguise before."

"Well then, what are we standing around for? Let's go greet the Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord!"

The gatekeeping disciples quickly approached Li Zhoujun and bowed. "We greet the Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord!"

"At ease," Li Zhoujun said with a smile.

The disciples' earlier conversation had reached Li Zhoujun's ears word for word.

However, as a Mountain Lord, Li Zhoujun wouldn't bother with these gatekeeping disciples.

"Could you please inform your Mountain Lord that the Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord is here to visit?" Li Zhoujun asked with a smile.

"I'll report it right away," one of the gatekeeping disciples said respectfully to Li Zhoujun.

"Thank you," Li Zhoujun replied with a smile.

He then stood smiling by the mountain gate, making the other gatekeeping disciples sweat nervously.

Fire Maple Mountain.

Fire Maple Hall.

At this moment, Liu Yan was teaching his newly accepted True Disciple, Ye Yu, about cultivation.

Suddenly, the voice of the gatekeeping disciple came from outside the hall: "Mountain Lord, the Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord is here to visit!"

Liu Yan's expression changed immediately upon hearing this.

That sly Li is really here to settle accounts with me!

Thinking back to when Murong Xue had defeated him effortlessly, and how Murong Xue had lost to Li Zhoujun, Liu Yan felt a bit panicked.

Doesn't that mean I can't beat Li Zhoujun either?

With this thought, Liu Yan quickly instructed the gatekeeping disciple outside the hall, "Go tell the Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord that I am currently..."

"Ah, Liu Mountain Lord, the sun was too harsh down there, so I came up myself. You won't blame me, will you?"

Suddenly, Li Zhoujun's voice interrupted Liu Yan.

Then, dressed in a simple green robe, Li Zhoujun entered Fire Maple Hall with a gentle and amiable smile on his face.

Seeing Li Zhoujun's smiling face, Liu Yan's mind blanked out, thinking, "Damn it, that sly Li is here. I'm done for..."

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan