Chapter 80: Emerging from Seclusion

Tianwu Academy, Epiphany Tower.

As the name suggests, it’s a place for enlightenment, closed-door cultivation, and more—everything a cultivator might need. It’s also the most sprawling building in the entire Tianwu Academy.

At the same time, it’s one of the academy’s signature landmarks.

The tower has seven floors:

The first floor is for disciples just stepping onto the path of cultivation—it’s meant to spark enlightenment and boost one’s perception, laying the foundation for future progress.

The second floor is filled with Sword Qi Realm pressure. It’s used to toughen disciples’ bodies and help stabilize cultivation. Private training rooms line the walls for practice.

The third floor holds Sword Sea Realm pressure, perfect for Sword Sea Realm disciples to train and test themselves. With each higher floor, the pressure increases by one realm.

The fourth floor is shrouded in Sword King Realm pressure. Here, disciples spar with numerous Sword King Realm puppets to hone their combat skills.

The fifth floor radiates Sword Emperor Realm pressure. The spiritual energy here is incredibly dense, making training twice as effective—the flow of time inside moves at double the speed of the outside world.

On the sixth floor, Sword Saint Realm pressure reigns. Spiritual energy is over three times denser than on the fifth floor, and the flow of time is just as generous. Cultivation manuals and weapons are stored here by the dozens.

The seventh floor is the most mysterious. As soon as you step in, you see what looks like a paradise—mist curling all around, stretching as far as the eye can see. On a stone platform at the end sits a single book.

………………

Time flew by like a fleeting shadow.

Ever since Gu Qingyi and the others returned from the Longyang Secret Realm, they’d entered closed-door cultivation in the Epiphany Tower. Before they knew it, half a month had passed.

On this silent night, an intense aura suddenly erupted from one of the training chambers on the fifth floor of the tower, blowing the chamber doors clean off their hinges.

Thick violet smoke billowed out like a waterfall, carrying a terrifying power that surged down toward the lower floors.

Everyone below, immersed in their own enlightenment and cultivation, was shocked awake by the pressure.

They stared up in horror at the churning smoke above, feeling as if they were standing at the edge of a volcano about to erupt, the overwhelming power ready to devour them at any moment.

“Oh my god, am I seeing things? That’s the fifth floor, isn’t it? Isn’t that where the senior brothers and sisters are cultivating?” a young disciple blurted out, fear written on his face.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect the seniors to be so powerful the training rooms can’t even hold their presence anymore.” Another disciple sighed in awe.

“I wonder which senior managed to break through. The pressure is so strong I feel like my very soul is about to get ripped from my body,” another one said, his voice trembling.

Everyone gathered together in a panic, voices buzzing through the crowd.

Normally, they were the cream of the crop. But right now, all they could feel was how small and helpless they were.

Facing such power, they felt like ants that could be stomped out at any time.

“Don’t be scared, this is a good thing!” An older disciple stepped up, beaming. “The seniors have broken through their bottlenecks and grown much stronger—this is great news for our entire sect!”

“But that aura is just overwhelming. What should we do now?” another disciple asked, worry etched in every word.

“For now, we can only leave the Epiphany Tower and return once the seniors stabilize their realms.” The older disciple shook his head, a bit resigned.

One by one, they nodded. They knew there was nothing they could do against such might.

So, they started packing up, preparing to leave the tower.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of them.

It was a man dressed in pale blue, his presence carrying a faint, soothing fragrance that seemed to clear the mind and lift the spirit.

“That’s Gu Qingyi! What’s Senior Brother Gu doing here?” one of the disciples exclaimed in shock, recognizing the newcomer.

…………………

Gu Qingyi was a legend at Tianwu Academy—blessed with remarkable talent, cultivating at an astonishing pace, and hailed as the future star of the academy.

He was rarely seen around campus, usually out training in the wider world. Since returning, he’d stayed holed up in the Epiphany Tower.

His sudden appearance left everyone stunned.

“Senior Brother Qingyi, what brings you here?” the older disciple asked respectfully.

“I just broke through and needed some air, so I came downstairs for a look. Turns out it’s all of you down here,” Gu Qingyi replied, glancing at the crowd with an easy calm.

“Ah, Senior Brother, we were just about to leave the tower. The pressure is just too strong to keep cultivating,” the older disciple admitted with a sigh.

“No need to go. That aura’s from me, but it’s settled now. Also, there’s a friend of mine above, he’s breaking through too. Don’t worry—none of this will hurt you.” Gu Qingyi shook his head with a relaxed smile.

……………………

“Wait, senior’s friend?” the crowd echoed in surprise.

They all knew how strong Gu Qingyi was, but they had no idea he had such a powerful friend.

Gu Qingyi smiled calmly. “Yes, he’s a friend I met while training outside. His name is Ye Lingyun.”

“Ye Lingyun?” they all wracked their brains but drew a blank.

Gu Qingyi said unhurriedly, “Don’t worry, Lingyun is incredibly strong. Once he breaks through, it will only make the academy better for all of us. You can keep cultivating here, I’ll watch over you.”

With Gu Qingyi promising to guard them, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

They all chimed in together: “Thank you, Senior Brother Qingyi!”

Gu Qingyi nodded, then walked off to a quiet corner to wait for Ye Lingyun to finish his breakthrough.

Time ticked by as the crowd waited in anxious anticipation.

Suddenly, a brilliant light shot out from one of the fifth floor chambers, bursting with power and rocketing skyward.

“He did it!” someone shouted, barely able to contain their excitement.

A smile flickered across Gu Qingyi’s lips—he knew Ye Lingyun had reached the Sword Emperor Realm, his strength soaring to new heights.

With Ye Lingyun’s success, the academy had gained a formidable new expert.

A tall, striking figure emerged from the fifth floor, every step brimming with newfound confidence and an almost suffocating presence.

He scanned the crowd, then strode straight toward Gu Qingyi.

Gu Qingyi greeted him with a warm smile. “Congratulations, Brother Lingyun.”

“Thank you.” Ye Lingyun nodded lightly, then turned to address the others.

He gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry for disturbing you all with my breakthrough just now.”

“It’s no problem at all, Brother Lingyun. Congratulations on reaching the first level of the Sword Emperor Realm—what an incredible leap!” they cheered, faces alight with excitement.

“Qingyi, there’s something I need to tell you,” Ye Lingyun said, glancing at Gu Qingyi with sudden seriousness.

Gu Qingyi looked a bit puzzled. “What is it?”

“I’ve decided to leave Tianwu Academy to continue my training in the outside world.” Ye Lingyun took a few steps forward, turning his back to everyone as he calmly made his announcement.

“What?” the crowd gasped in unison.

They knew how strong Ye Lingyun was. If he left, it would be a huge loss for the academy.

Gu Qingyi asked, a bit at a loss, “Why are you leaving, Brother Lingyun?”

“I want to see the wider world and seek out even greater strength. I don’t want to stay in the academy forever,” Ye Lingyun sighed as he explained, his tone breezy but resolute.

Gu Qingyi hesitated, concern showing in his eyes. “But the world out there is dangerous.”

“I understand, but my mind’s made up. I have to see it for myself.” Ye Lingyun shrugged, grinning as he patted Gu Qingyi on the shoulder.

Gu Qingyi fell silent for a moment, then said, “Alright, if you’ve decided, I won’t try to stop you.”

“I’ll come back to visit,” Ye Lingyun promised, pulling Gu Qingyi into a heartfelt embrace.

“Safe travels, Brother Lingyun.” Gu Qingyi reluctantly bid him farewell.

“You too, Qingyi. Take care of yourself.” Ye Lingyun nodded and walked away, his figure slowly disappearing from view, leaving behind a stunned and reluctant crowd.

…………….

Afterwards, Gu Qingyi returned to the fifth floor of the Epiphany Tower.

He stood at the door, waiting quietly for his sister Gu Qingxiao to emerge. No one could say how much time passed.

Suddenly, with a loud rumble, the chamber door swung open.

Gu Qingyi and Gu Qingxiao locked eyes for a moment.

“Wow! Bro, you’re ahead of us again! In just half a month, you’ve jumped from the third to the fifth level of the Sword Emperor Realm—two whole steps!” Gu Qingxiao stared at her brother, first stunned, then swept him up in a joyful hug.

Gu Qingyi returned her smile and reassured her, “Come on now, Xiao’er, you broke through to the second level as well—not bad at all. Let’s head down a floor.”

………………

On the fourth floor of the Epiphany Tower.

“That’s odd. Where’s Sister Nangong? She still hasn’t come out?” Gu Qingxiao frowned, feeling a bit dismissed by her brother, then glanced around.

Nangong Lin looked a little awkward as she quietly said, “Xiao’er, I actually came out a while ago. You just didn’t notice I was behind you.”

“Nevermind that, Sister Nangong. Tell me—what realm did you reach now?” Gu Qingxiao coughed, suddenly a bit flustered.

“Ah… I just made it to the fifth level of the Sword King Realm—not nearly as amazing as you two,” Nangong Lin admitted, caught off guard by the question and stumbling over her words.