CHAPTER 63: 63. ZHAO YI’S SURPRISE [EXTRA CHAPTER FOR SECT LEADER YI NIAN ZHI JIAN BY ERIC]

In Cangwu City.

Wen Ping walked leisurely through the night market with a good mood; now he only needed to take Zhao Yi back to the Immortal Sect.

As long as they reached there, the task would be completed.

Zhao Yi followed closely behind, apparently preoccupied. Especially since he suddenly gained freedom, and someone valued him; his heart was a mixture of emotions. Even in his former glorious days, no one had cared for him like this.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Yi asked, "Are you really the Sect Leader of the Immortal Sect?"

Wen Ping smiled without speaking.

After nightfall, Wen Ping returned to the foot of Yunlan Mountain.

While walking on the thousand-layer stone steps, Zhao Yi finally believed that Wen Ping was indeed the Sect Leader of the Immortal Sect, and it was true that Wen Ping spent a Thousand Gold to have him join the Immortal Sect.

Unfortunately, the journey was bleak; the rumors of the Immortal Sect’s decline were indeed true.

If it hadn’t declined, the former Immortal Sect could have rivaled the Flying Dragon Association, greatly increasing his chances of seeking revenge.

Just before reaching the summit, Wen Ping suddenly turned around and said to Zhao Yi, "Zhao Yi, pay the entrance fee."

"Entrance fee?"

"Give me all the money you have."

"Sect Leader Wen, you’ve already spent a Thousand Gold to redeem me, this..."

Wen Ping’s expression suddenly became serious. He stood firm and said in a robust voice, "This is the rule of the Immortal Sect. If you don’t pay the entrance fee, you can’t join the Immortal Sect. Afterwards, the recovery of your meridians and revenge will not be my concern."

Having said that, Wen Ping wished to add:

The entrance fee worth a Thousand Gold has been exempted, what more do you want?

However, Zhao Yi’s attention wasn’t on the entrance fee but rather another part, "Sect Leader, did you just say meridian recovery?"

The excitement and hope on Zhao Yi’s face ignited like dry firewood at Wen Ping’s words.

Excitement is the wood, hope is the fire, burning brighter and brighter in the night.

His gaze at Wen Ping was filled with excitement.

Once upon a time, he fantasized about his meridian recovery. Then he could continue cultivating, even willing to spend a lifetime reaching the Profound Realm. Hardship, exhaustion, he feared none but having no means to avenge his parents and sister.

But the recovery of meridians required scarce and priceless items.

He once saw an item reportedly capable of meridian recovery and consolidation, sold at the high price of fifty thousand Gold.

Fifty thousand Gold—half of the Zhao Family could be sold and still not amount to that.

Wen Ping nodded and responded, "Just meridian recovery, it’s nothing major."

"The entrance fee, I’ll pay, I’ll pay."

Zhao Yi hurriedly began searching himself.

In his bosom, one.

In his sleeve, one.

In his high boots, one.

...

Finally, he found another in his pants leg.

Altogether, twenty-two Gold Coins were hidden in various parts of his body.

After collecting these 22 Gold Coins, Wen Ping took Zhao Yi to the Immortal Sect and arrived at the kitchen.

Huai Ye was preparing a late-night snack, and upon seeing Wen Ping’s arrival, she immediately greeted him, "Sect Leader, you’re back."

"Mm."

"Is this the new junior disciple?"

Wen Ping nodded and said, "Yes, his name is Zhao Yi. Please guide him a bit and first prepare some food for him."

Huai Ye directly brought the cooked food from the kitchen, "Let’s eat Yang Lele’s late-night snack."

Zhao Yi exclaimed after taking a bite, "It’s really delicious."

After Wen Ping smiled, he said to Huai Ye, "Huai Ye, later take him to the dormitory area and introduce him to fellow disciples."

"Mm."

Huai Ye nodded excitedly, savoring the sight of Zhao Yi enjoying the food.

For some reason, she felt a sense of excitement when a newcomer arrived, just like a senior sister seeing a new junior brother.

After eating his fill, Huai Ye took Zhao Yi to the dormitory area. On the wooden bridge, Huai Ye said, "Junior Brother, you’re here for the first day; I’ll cover the dormitory area for you."

Zhao Yi was somewhat puzzled by what Huai Ye meant. He planned to ask, but saw Huai Ye throw a hundred Gold Ticket into a metal box.

"100 Gold, that’s enough for two nights."

"Senior Sister, does living in the Immortal Sect cost 50 Gold per night?" Zhao Yi looked at Huai Ye with some surprise.

"Mm."

Huai Ye nodded and then led Zhao Yi into the dormitory area. As soon as they entered, Yang Lele ran over and said to Huai Ye, "Huai Ye, my late-night snack... Hey, who’s this?"

"He’s the new disciple of the Immortal Sect, Zhao Yi," Huai Ye said with a smile.

Zhao Yi quickly bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother."

Yang Lele secretly delighted himself, then posed as the senior brother, saying, "Hehe, truly polite. You can call me Senior Brother Yang from now on. I’m the senior brother here, currently 15 years old, my realm’s not high, only at the Body Refining Sixth Layer."

"15 years old, only Body Refining Sixth Layer..."

When Zhao Yi heard this, he was stunned, dumbfounded staring at Yang Lele, then glanced around.

Is this the fallen Immortal Sect?

Being at the Body Refining Fifth Layer at age 15 was already considered genius; to be at the Body Refining Sixth Layer was beyond genius!

The Immortal Sect actually had such talents!

Just as he was in disbelief, Zhao Qing quietly walked over to Yang Lele’s side and said softly, "Junior Brother Zhao, I’m Zhao Qing, a month younger than him, also at the Body Refining Sixth Layer. However, this 15-year-old Body Refining Sixth Layer Yang Lele couldn’t handle ten moves from me."

"What’s this about?"

"I’m letting you show off."

While the two argued, Zhao Yi was speechless in his astonishment; being at the Body Refining Sixth Layer at age 15 was already shocking to him.

Yet now, there’s a 15-year-old at the Body Refining Sixth Layer who even crushes those at the same level.

This...

How can he stay here?

When he was 15, he thought he was unique under heaven at the Body Refining Fifth Layer; now it seems, he was quite average.

Soon after, Zhao Yi was warmly welcomed into the dormitory area by the group, feeling somewhat awkward amidst their enthusiastic hospitality.

He was a waste amidst the pile of geniuses, the awkwardness was overwhelming.

...

Night gradually deepened.

After the midnight hour passed, as Zhao Yi was about to fall asleep in the dormitory area, there came a knock at the door.

Wen Ping’s voice followed soon after.

"Open the door."

"Sect Leader, you’re still up this late?"

Zhao Yi quickly got dressed and welcomed Wen Ping into the room.

Wen Ping found a long bench, sat down, glanced at Zhao Yi standing before him, and asked, "Remember, there are no weaklings in the Immortal Sect; you have great talent. I hope you focus all your energy on cultivation."

"Sect Leader!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi’s face lit up with a greater smile, and any trace of sleep vanished instantly.

Wen Ping took out the Life Cigar, lit it with a matchstrike, took a puff himself, then handed it over.

"Follow my lead, finish smoking it. Inhale slowly, exhale slowly. By tomorrow morning, your meridians will be completely restored."

"Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Zhao Yi gratefully took the Life Cigar, and with a plop, fell to his knees. Wen Ping helped him up, and Zhao Yi began taking his first puff!

One inhale.

One exhale.

Repeatedly.

By the tenth time, Zhao Yi’s joyful tears began to tremble with excitement, naturally due to his excitement.

He felt something entering his body, transforming his meridians, the originally isolated dantian suddenly sensed a trace of Qi. Though it lasted just a moment, it signified the recovery of his meridians!

A year had passed, a year he’d dreamed of this.

It’s finally become reality!