"Young Master Mu, let me check for you to see if there is anything amiss," Doctor Sun suggested.
"Iâm fine," Han Yan shook her head. Although she wasnât an expert in medicine, her Divine Sense allowed for inner sight, making her more aware of any issues than Doctor Sun.
Apart from her Qi being more pure and solid than ever, Han Yan didnât feel anything unusual at all.
As for this change, Han Yan need not think much to knowâit was surely the credit of the Divine Martial Heaven Breaking Technique. On the surface, her cultivation had no apparent change and was still at Fifth Rank Sword Master, but only Han Yan herself knew that her Qiâs purity and solidity far surpassed the norm, not losing even to masters of Seventh Rank or Eighth Rank.
"How can there be nothing wrong? I clearly sensed a peculiar power surrounding you earlier, entirely different from the usual Heaven and Earth Power we cultivate. Itâs best to let me check," insisted Doctor Sun, unaware of the specifics.
Yu Qingwan didnât have cultivation and was unfamiliar with these matters, so she said nothing.
"Itâs truly fine; you need not worry, Mr. Sun," said Han Yan courteously.
The strange power Doctor Sun mentioned was likely the Nine Heavens Star Power that she stirred while operating her cultivation technique. The Yan Familyâs Sky Star Technique could directly absorb the Nine Heavens Star Power. However, due to limitations from Heaven and Earth Rules and body constitution, refinement was difficult. Han Yan had long integrated the Sky Star Technique into the Heavenly Heart Technique, thus possessing this ability.
Yet, as her cultivation increased and she underwent meridian clearing and marrow washing twice, her advancement requirements became higher than those of other cultivators. The little Nine Heavens Star Power she absorbed was akin to a drop in the ocean. Even a yearâs cultivation couldnât compare to one night inside the space passage of the Star Plate, fully stocked with elixirs. Han Yan didnât let it bother her much, though it shocked Doctor Sun a bit.
Seeing Han Yanâs calm demeanor, Doctor Sun didnât persist.
"Where are Zirong and the others? Why arenât they here?" Han Yan looked around, puzzled, seeing only Yu Qingwan and Doctor Sun.
"Zirong, Huayue, and Jiang Yuzhe are all at the threshold of a breakthrough. They feared disturbing you, so they went to Master Quâs residence with Brother Ye also protecting them," answered Yu Qingwan.
"Theyâre about to break through!" Han Yanâs face lit up with joy.
She remembered they hadnât been Great Swordsmen for long, yet they were already about to achieve the Sword Master Realm, which greatly surprised her. Surely, experience was the best shortcut for cultivation; the bloody battles at Flying Peak and Soul-breaking Valley offered them a breakthrough opportunity simultaneously.
"Indeed, I hadnât anticipated it. When I chatted with them earlier, they said they hadnât been in the Realm of Great Swordsmen for long, so I didnât expect them to advance to Sword Master so soon. I was forty-five when I reached Sword Master, and the younger generation is truly impressive," Doctor Sun said enviously.
Doctor Sunâs late advancement to Sword Master was partly due to his dedication to medicine, but being a renowned physician in the Capital also meant his cultivation resources were far richer. His achievement at forty-five wasnât particularly remarkable, as envying Huayue and the others, who were barely twenty and about to advance to Sword Masters, was only natural.
"Letâs go and see." To witness her friendsâ breakthroughs would be gratifying, so Han Yan immediately headed to Master Quâs residence.
Soon, Han Yan and the others arrived outside the bamboo house.
From afar, Huayue, Zirong, and Jiang Yuzhe were seen sitting by the clear stream, whereas Ye Lanfeng and Qu Shanling stood guard beside them.
"Lan..." Han Yan was about to speak but reconsidered and swallowed her words.
Despite the minimal risk for Huayue, Zirong, and the others, it was best not to disturb them.
Even though Han Yan refrained from speaking, Ye Lanfeng and Qu Shanling, alert as ever, sensed the presence, turning their faces toward her.
Only then did Han Yan notice their faces were full of worry.
"Could there be a problem?" A foreboding premonition arose in Han Yanâs heart.
"Nothing happened, right?" Ye Lanfeng stepped forward, speaking softly to Han Yan with care in his eyes.
Qu Shanling also regarded Han Yan, her safety bringing delight to their faces.
"Itâs nothing, just the Star Map gave me sudden insight," Han Yan replied.
"I thought soâthe Star Map is indeed peculiar," Ye Lanfeng nodded.
He had anticipated Han Yanâs sudden understanding, as Divine Sense entered the void, knowing such insights are valuable opportunities for a cultivator. He was happy for Han Yan but couldnât entirely shake his concern. Zirong and the others reached a breakthrough simultaneously, making the situation strange. Thus, he was compelled to come protect them.
"Whatâs happening with them?" Han Yan asked worriedly, glancing at Huayue and the others, unable to elaborate on the Star Map matter further.
"Their situation isnât quite right," Ye Lanfeng said, his expression serious. "They only recently reached Great Swordsmen, havenât used any strange flowers and herbs, spirit pills, or miracle medicines, logically shouldnât break through so quickly. Yet, after you entered the void, they showed sudden signs of breakthrough simultaneously."
Listening to this, Han Yan also felt something amiss. For cultivators, while breakthrough opportunities are crucial, a solid foundation is equally vital. Saturation leads to breakthroughs. However, the foundation depends on persistence and effort; opportunities often rely on fate. Effort without fate can be futile; hence the weight placed on opportunities.
Ultimately, a solid foundation is fundamental. Huayue and the others recently reached Great Swordsmen, hadnât consumed any pills, despite battles prompting insight, break-through shouldnât happen so fast.
Suddenly, Han Yan recalled another incident. After obtaining Mu Tianlieâs Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, her own power surged rapidly, Huayue, Zirong, and the others simultaneously advanced several levels overnight.
This time, the situation felt remarkably similar.
Could their advancements relate to her? Such speculation was incredible even to Han Yan.
But aside from this, Han Yan couldnât think of another reason, even coincidence seemed insufficient.
"How are they now?" Han Yan asked Ye Lanfeng, finally setting aside the shocking and unbelievable speculation.