Chapter Thirty-Five: Clues Shrouded in Dust

The Crimson Slip reached the barrier between the sixth and seventh level half a month later than anticipated.

There was nothing to be done about it. Though Crimson Slip had truly lived up to the hardship of ascetic cultivation during this period, her spiritual sense, once spread, covered nearly ten yards around her—almost attaining the perfection described by Jian Hui for the Qi Condensation stage. Yet she still could not produce enough true essence to fill that bottomless pit. If it weren’t for practicing the Ten Thousand Currents Returning to the Source, relying solely on the sluggish Water Condensation Technique, who knows how many years or months it would have taken to reach this point.

But trouble followed. The obstacles she faced in advancing from the sixth to the seventh layer were far greater than those of others. Crimson Slip already sensed that every step of her progress from now on would be more arduous than for ordinary cultivators.

Her spiritual sense, different from others, was a secret she dared not divulge. With no clue how to break through the barrier, she could only turn to Jian Hui for guidance.

Over the past months, Jian Hui rarely left his quarters, and Crimson Slip hadn’t seen him often. She knew only that he had informed Yan Changqing of his intention to enter seclusion for some time after the Azure Cloud Festival, perhaps to regain his spirits.

Jian Hui disliked crowds, and his residence was tucked away in a remote corner of Snowpile Cliff. Though the spiritual energy there was ordinary, the scenery was excellent. Jian Hui had claimed a courtyard, planted many flowering trees, but after setbacks in cultivation, lost interest in tending them; the flowers were long choked out by weeds, making the place look like a neglected garden at first glance.

The window was half open; someone was inside.

Crimson Slip was not visiting for the first time. She called out to Senior Brother Jian from a distance, and Jian Hui emerged from the house.

Crimson Slip sized up Jian Hui, noting his neatly combed hair and clean attire. He looked much more spirited than before. Not wanting to delay his cultivation, she got straight to the point: “Senior Brother, I’ve encountered difficulties in my training and came to ask if you have any good solutions.”

Jian Hui knew this little junior sister was determined to reach the seventh layer of Qi Condensation before the Azure Cloud Festival so she could enter the sect’s secret realm. Hearing her speak, he realized she’d hit the barrier between the sixth and seventh layer—a notorious bottleneck. He was momentarily taken aback, hesitated, then led her inside.

Crimson Slip barely reached Jian Hui’s chest in height. As he looked at her, it was as if he saw his younger self—equally competitive, equally diligent, willing to take risks for strength. He sighed inwardly, “The energy of this little girl is enviable.”

He smiled gently at Crimson Slip, sat beside her, and said, “When I spoke of the sect’s secret realm before, it was merely to give you something to strive for. Who would have thought you’d truly reach this stage before the Azure Cloud Festival?”

Crimson Slip’s mood was excellent, smiling brightly. She’d just realized she’d made a brilliant move without intending it: Jian Hui was renowned for his rapid cultivation back in the day; surely he had secrets to breaking through, even if unconventional. She’d already secretly practiced martial arts—what else couldn’t be borrowed?

So she didn’t beat around the bush, directly pleading, “Senior Brother, the obstacle I’m facing is far greater than others. Left to myself, it might take a year or two to solve, but only half a month remains before the Azure Cloud Festival. Please teach me! Will you?”

Jian Hui was silent for a long moment, then gave a bitter smile. “It’s not so simple. Breaking through the barrier depends on your own insight. Sometimes, the smarter you are, the harder it is to cross this step. But you needn’t worry, Junior Sister. The difficulty you feel is likely because your spiritual sense is very strong. Remember what I told you? You’re only fourteen—if you take your time, once you break through, your future achievements will far surpass others.”

Seeing the eager expression on Crimson Slip’s face gradually replaced by confusion, Jian Hui realized her abnormal spiritual sense must have compelled her to seek his help. He decided to give her some guidance, so she wouldn’t leave empty-handed.

Crimson Slip was still troubled, saying, “But I don’t even know what the next step is.”

Jian Hui smiled. “I’m not certain how you’ll break through, but I can explain the principle. After reaching the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, your spiritual sense gradually fills your sea of consciousness. When it can no longer grow, your true essence cultivation also stalls—that’s the barrier you’re facing. Since your spiritual sense is unusual, I’m even less sure what will work for you. Try this: release your spiritual sense completely. How far can you reach?”

Crimson Slip followed his instruction, releasing her spiritual sense. She knew her own limits; closing her eyes, the flowers, trees, and even the distant mountains and rivers appeared vividly in her mind, as if seen firsthand.

Her range was about ten yards in all directions—a fact she knew was highly abnormal. She couldn’t tell Jian Hui the whole truth, so she replied, “About the whole courtyard, I suppose.”

Jian Hui nodded. “That’s five or six yards—quite excessive for your cultivation level. Try compressing your spiritual sense, focusing on a single object nearby. Can you perceive it in detail?”

This was a new experience, but Crimson Slip’s comprehension was exceptional; Jian Hui’s brief guidance had already yielded results.

The tables, chairs, benches, Jian Hui himself, even the empty wall behind—all became increasingly clear in her mind’s eye. As her spiritual root spun, her spiritual sense concentrated on a single point, and that point drew closer and closer until she could see even the finest details.

Crimson Slip was ecstatic. “The divine ability to perceive the smallest detail—it’s so easy to achieve!”

She manipulated her spiritual sense playfully. Without opening her eyes, she could “see” Jian Hui sitting beside her, stifling a laugh. Mischievously, she said, “Senior Brother Jian, be careful! I can see exactly how many legs the ants on your floor have. If you have anything scary in here, that would be terrible!”

No sooner had she spoken than her spiritual sense brushed against an object. She didn’t react at first, but hearing Jian Hui’s indifferent laugh, her heart suddenly tightened. Focusing, she swept her spiritual sense back, targeting the dusty little item.

The furnishings in Jian Hui’s room were carefully chosen: a pinewood table and two stools carved directly from tree trunks, not only pale in color but giving off a pleasant pine scent. In the corner, a stone couch, with a massive black-gray beast hide laid out before it—origin unknown, but clearly aged, though the fur remained glossy and smooth. The bedding on the couch was neat, showing Jian Hui’s love of cleanliness; though the courtyard looked messy, his living space was orderly. Crimson Slip’s joke about ants was just playful banter.

But in the narrow crevice between the inside of the stone couch and the wall, wedged neither high nor low, was a piece of jewelry—a slender necklace adorned with several snow-white pearls. It was not necessarily valuable, but clearly belonged to a woman. How had it ended up there?

More importantly, Crimson Slip found the necklace vaguely familiar. Where had she seen it before…