Chu Dongmei was feeding fishes in the pond outside. Elder Ma and Pan Ju were nowhere to be seen, probably left the vicinity.

"Senior Sister, Pavilion Master is calling for you." Zhu Furong politely called Chu Dongmei.

With a slight nod, Chu Dongmei followed Zhu Furong inside.

...

"Go practice in your room, I will be there to guide you in a short while." Fan Xin ordered Chu Dongmei, making her leave Zhu Furong and Fan Xin alone in the hall.

Fan Xin stood up from her luohan bed. "There are 12 meridians in a human body, all of which should be opened in order to properly channel Qi." "After the Body Preparation rank, people usually seek help from high rank Cultivators to help them open their meridian channels. This process is carried out in 4 parts, opening 3 meridians and soaking them in Qi for a year each."

She yawned while covering her mouth with her hand. "You just turned 11 a few days ago, means it's time to carry out the 3rd part and open 3 more meridians right?" She asked.

"Let me help you." She suggested.

"Er..." With a slight hesitant look Zhu Furong scratched his head.

"Don't tell me you don't need any help in opening your meridians." Fan Xin asked with shock.

"I have never heard of any Cultivation art or technique which doesn't require any external help to open meridians. Such a thing doesn't even exist in the Upper Realm." She made a doubtful expression.

"Ah, no no. Of course, even though my family's Body Cultivation techniques are unique, we still need external help to open our meridian channels." Zhu Furong denied hard, shaking his hands in front.

"Phew! You really scared me there for a second. I thought you really got some extraordinary technique, it would be extremely dangerous if words of such technique were to be spread." She breathed out slightly in relief.

Fan Xin twisted her mouth. "Humph! If there is nothing like that then what are you hesitating for? Come here and let me help you with it. It's not like I have a lot of free time, my disciple still needs my guidance. Be quick!" She ordered.

"Ahem! Even though my-my family doesn't have such groundbreaking technique, they do-do have pills to help in opening one's meridians." Zhu Furong spoke with hesitation.

"What?" Fan Xin couldn't help but be shocked.

She stared at Zhu Furong with a burning gaze. "Is it the 'Flowing Qi' pill?" She asked with eyes filled with envy.

Looking at Fan Xin, Zhu Furong couldn't help but feel scared. 'I just tried to make some excuse but didn't expect her to know about that pill. Oof. What a headache.' Zhu Furong felt regretful.

"Er... Yes, it's the Flowing Qi pill." Zhu Furong could only accept it, even though he doesn't have such a pill on him right now, but he did plan to concoct it in the future.

Though the Flowing Qi pill is mainly used for opening meridians for newbies, it also has a hidden effect. It ever so slightly widens the meridian channels. Though it's a slight change it is still a welcome change. That slightly wide meridian will help a lot when one reaches higher rank in Cultivation. The Flowing Qi pill is a must use pill in Upper Realms for this hidden effect.

Fan Xin dashed to Zhu Furong, catching him off-guard. She held Zhu Furong's shoulders tightly, shaking him violently. "Where is it? Hand it over." He yelled excitedly.

"Aaaaah, it's broken! My shoulder, it's broken." Zhu Furong yelled in pain in response.

"Ah!" Fan Xin instantly let go, and took a step back.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she blushed, embarrassed of her actions.

"Sorry about that, I got too excited." She apologized.

Zhu Furong did a few shoulder exercises while making an expression filled with pain. Though it doesn't hurt that much because of his unique physique, he still has to show that he is in immense pain. If it was some other 11 year old, their bones would have been crushed for sure.

Worried, Fan Xin tried to heal Zhu Furong by passing her Essence Qi into Zhu Furong's shoulders. "Your family's Body Cultivation technique is quite good. If it was someone else, their bones would have been crushed by my force." She spoke, worriedly and apologetically.

"Glad you know." Zhu Furong murmured meekly.

"What?" Fan Xin puckered her brows angrily.

"Er... Nothing." Zhu Furong scratched his nose with his finger.

"Humph! Cheeky brat." Fan Xin sneered.

"Well... What I was asking is... Do you have any extra Flowing Qi pills?" Fan Xin asked in a humble tone.

"Ah, just one will do. I am asking it for my disciple. If you don't mind..." She felt embarrassed asking for something from a junior, and a disciple of the sect at that.

'How embarrassing, for the master of a pavilion to beg a kid for a pill. I can't even show my face out there if a word gets out. But for my disciple, it cannot be helped. I have to put my pride aside for now.' Fan Xin consoled herself in her mind.

She looked at Zhu Furong with begging eyes, filled with expectations.

"Ah, what to do? I don't think I can make rank 3 pills right now." Zhu Furong felt helpless, and asked Zhu Xingzuo for a solution.

"Well, since she needs it for her disciple, she needs it for its hidden effect. You can just promise her to hand it over later, can't you? Just make some excuse that you need to go back to your family to get the pill or something." Zhu Xingzuo suggested.

"Er... Forgive me Pavilion Master, but I only have two pills on me, both of which are for my own use. How about this? When I am allowed to step out of the sect, I will visit my family and get a few fills for you." Zhu Furong asked.

"Ah, of course you won't have any extra pill, I was too greedy to ask for one. It's a rank 3 pill and can only be concocted by rank 3 Pill Refiners. I was stupid to ask for such a treasure in Lower Realm." With a sad expression she said. "It's ok, I will wait. Also, I don't need many pills, only one will do. I know my own capabilities, it's useless to me."

"What are you saying, Pavilion Master? You are so young and already a Revolving Core rank Cultivator, it won't take you long to ascend to the Upper Realm, why would the pill be wasted on you?" Zhu Furong asked, confused.

"Sigh! You won't get it. Even though I was called a genius, I know that my talent is not that great when compared to the people of Upper Realm. Even if I ascended, I could only stay in some lower position there. Just... Just like my predecessors." She made an embarrassed look. "To be honest, I don't have the courage to re-start from the bottom. You know how hard it is for women out there. It's already a miracle for me and my sister to climb up to this height in the Lower Realm. We are satisfied with what we have."

"Ah what am I talking about with an eleven year old kid. So embarrassing." She murmured while blushing with her face down.

She raised her head and looked at Zhu Furong, she smiled gently. "Though my dreams can't come true, I hope my disciple doesn't suffer out there. She is quite a special child." "Having her climb up to the peak of Martial Arts is my only dream right now." "Hope you will help me a little bit this time." Fan Xin slightly bowed.

"Ah! What are you doing, Pavilion Master, please raise your head. You are being too polite." Zhu Furong fumbled.

He made a serious face. "Well, please give me some time. I promise, I will get you a Flowing Qi pill. So please be patient." Zhu Furong assured.

"Thanks." Fan Xin humbly greeted Zhu Furong.

"So... Can I go back now?" Zhu Furong asked.

"Here, take this." Fan Xin threw a token towards Zhu Furong.

Zhu Furong caught the token and observed.

The token is made up of plum wood, with the name 'Xin' carved beautifully in an elegant manner. A flower tassel is attached to the token. The token also has two arrays infused in it. Strengthening Array, so it doesn't break easily and Preservation Array, so it doesn't decay.

"This is my personal token. It denotes my authority. My presence. I allow you to use it whenever you want. But I hope you won't take advantage of it." Fan Xin started walking towards the room where Chu Dongmei went.

"Is this a protection against Elder Ma?" Zhu Furong asked.

"Well... If necessary." Fan Xin turned and smiled.

"Disciple will take his leave." Zhu Furong cupped his hands and bowed. Turned back and left.

Fan Xin too went to do her own work.

After a few days, Fan Xin received the news of Zhu Furong reaching the third level of Meridians Opening stage. Though the Elders showed doubt as none of them helped Zhu Furong in opening his meridians, it was made clear by Fan Xin that she helped him when he visited her last time and she will guide him with his fourth level enhancement too.

Though the Elders showed dissatisfaction, no one complained.

Almost three years passed by...

Zhu Furong is now about to reach the Foundation Establishment rank, just a step away, and his friend Tian Su is now at the peak Foundation Establishment rank. Both are doing great.

...

Knock! Knock!

In the afternoon when Zhu Furong was practicing alchemy in his room he heard someone knocking at his door.

He quickly got up and put the furnace inside his Space Ring and threw the ring inside Nine Layers Pagoda. He silently opened the window, then with the help of Zhu Xingzuo's Qi, replaced the room with fresh air, eliminating any scent of herbs.

He adjusted his attire then walked to the door. With a slight creek  he opened the door.

Outside his room, stood a middle aged man in brown coloured hanfu, caressing his beard. The man looked at Zhu Furong emotionally. He smiled gently. Care showing in his eyes.

"Elder Wu." Zhu Furong cupped his hands and bowed in respect.

"No need for greetings nephew, let's go in." Elder Wu gestured with his hand.

"Ah!" Zhu Furong was shocked, hearing Wu Hao call him nephew. But he quickly collected himself and with a smile welcomed Wu Hao inside his room.

Zhu Furong pulled the tea table to his bed, where Elder Wu had taken a seat and poured him some hot tea. Zhu Furong sat on the floor opposite Elder Wu with his own tea cup.

"How is it going in the Sunlight Sect?" Elder Wu asked Zhu Furong while sipping tea.

"Everything is fine Elder, there's no trouble." Zhu Furong humbly answered.

"Just call me Uncle when we are alone. No need for such formalities." Wu Hao spoke with a gentle smile.

"Y-Yes." Zhu Furong slightly bowed his head.

"Why didn't you tell me you are Zhu Da's nephew? Where is the letter he gave you?" Elder Wu suddenly asked.

"Er..." Zhu Furong took out the letter from his fake Spatial Bag and handed it over.

Wu Hao opened the letter and read the contents.

"Humph! Rascal. Are you asking for help with admission or are you bragging about your nephew?" Elder Wu sneered with happiness.

He folded the letter and put it inside his Space Ring.

He drank the cup of tea then poured himself a fresh one.

He looked at Zhu Furong. "Remove the disguise for a moment, let me see what my best friend's nephew looks like. That bastard Zhu Da filled the letter with praises of you." Elder Wu asked zealously.

Slowly and carefully, Zhu Furong took half of the disguise from his face. It was some sticky, skin like material. Good enough to fool anyone's vision, but not Divine Sense. In this lower realm, with the scarcity of Divine Sense users, this type of disguise is enough. This disguise method is used by many professionals and is immune to weathering and is harmless to skin.

"That's enough. You can cover it back. It's quite hard to apply this disguise so no need to remove it all. I only wanted to see your real face so I don't make any mistakes in the future recognizing you. Come here, let me help you." Elder Wu called Zhu Furong to him then helped him apply the disguise back.

'This kid is really beautiful, if not for this ugly disguise, the girls in the sect would have gone mad for him. Thank god this kid is not some playboy else the sect would have faced its doom by his hands.' Elder Wu prayed in his mind.

"So why didn't you pass me the letter before? If I hadn't heard from Zhu Da this time, I fear, you would have never told me about your real identity." Elder Wu questioned with a serious look.

Zhu Furong walked back to his place and sat down in lotus posture. "Forgive me Elder-"

Elder Wu glared at Zhu Furong.

Zhu Furong scratched his cheek. "Un-Uncle."

Elder Wu nodded with satisfaction.

"I didn't want to take any advantage from you and enter the sect with my own efforts. Also... It would have created some discrepancies with other disciples if I got favor from a Sect Elder. I don't want to cause any troubles and... Well, I wanted to stay low-key." Zhu Furong replied apologetically.

"Hmm... It's quite admirable that you didn't decide to take the back door. I see you in a better light. But..." Elder Wu squinted at Zhu Furong. "How are you staying low-key?" Elder Wu asked with a mocking smile.

Zhu Furong blushed. "I tried my best but troubles keep finding me." He made an excuse.

"I see..." Elder Wu nodded his head.

In a mocking tone he spoke. "A ten year old at second level of Opening Meridians stage keeping up with the scores of Qi Condensation stage during the sect trials is staying low-key. Gaining favor from one of the Pavilion Masters and getting her help with opening meridians is staying low-key. Engaging in duels with the students of Elder Ma Li is staying low-key. I heard, a few days ago, Elder Ma Wei's direct disciple Hao Bo, warned you to step out of the sect? Is that also staying low-key?" Elder Wu couldn't help but wonder what the lad thinks being low-key is.

"Er..." Zhu Furong choked on words. Doesn't know how to refute.

"Well, I just aimed for an average score during the sect trials, I just forgot to consider my age. Other than that, things just happened." Zhu Furong showed a helpless look.

"Humph! After creating all this trouble yourself you are saying it just happened. Are the people all free to make troubles with a 13 year old kid? Ah wait, you will be 14 in a few days. Humph!" Elder Wu scolded.

Zhu Furong hung his head down like an obedient child.

Elder Wu took the chance to scold Zhu Furong a bit more. After being satisfied, he gulped a few cups of tea in one go. Zhu Furong helped fill the tea cups.

"Why didn't you take Elder Ma Li as your master? Even though his character is questionable, his kills are praiseworthy. You could have taken advantage of the chance you have been given." Elder Wu frowned.

"I can't." Zhu Furong meekly replied.

"You can't or you don't want to?" Elder Wu questioned. "I heard your made up story. Only idiots will believe in that story. I wonder why Pavilion Master is going along with your excuses." Elder Wu made an amazed look.

Zhu Furong looked ashamed.

"Well leaving these things aside. Your Uncle Zhu Da passed me a message." Elder Wu took out a letter and passed it to Zhu Furong.

Zhu Furong took the letter and started reading the contents.

Elder Wu summarized the content. "Your Elder Sister has turned eighteen this year. And according to the traditions, a Coming of Age ceremony will be held after a week. Your Uncle Zhu Da is asking you to come back. Even though you haven't reached the Foundation Establishment rank, with my help-"

"Please tell Fourth Uncle that I can't go back right now." Zhu Furong cut in between.

"What? Why? What happened?" Elder Wu frowned. "You have been out of your home for four long years, don't you miss your family?"

"I do, but..." Zhu Furong looked worried.

"No buts, go back, it's an order." Elder Wu spoke vigorously.

"Please forgive me Uncle, but I really can't go back right now." Zhu Furong made a helpless look.

"What is the reason? Tell me, let's see if I can help." Elder Wu asked patiently.

"That... I can't tell. Please forgive me." Zhu Furong denied any assistance. He showed a determined look that he won't change his decision.

"Sigh! Kids these days don't know what they are thinking." Elder Wu looked worried.

"Okay I will tell your Uncle Zhu Da that you can't go back right now due to being at a critical stage in Cultivation. But I still hope you will reconsider or at least show them your face once you get the chance after breaking through to Foundation Establishment rank." Saying this Elder Wu stood up.

"Look for me if you need any help. At least I can make sure you stay safe inside the sect. As for the outside... I will tell my personal disciple to look after you, you can seek his assistance when needed. He will help you with future troubles too. Take care." Elder Wu left with these words.

Zhu Furong bowed in respect then closed the door and sat down on the bed.

"Ah, I miss them." Zhu Furong murmured.

"Sigh! It cannot be helped. Even though I can help you suppress the Demon Qi now, but, with time it's getting hard to completely suppress it on my own. We need to increase your strength. After a few days you will be able to step out of the sect to go out. Let's look for the required materials and break through to the next stage in Body Transformation." Zhu Xingzuo consoled.

"Hah! That's the only path left. I am scared to lose myself in front of my loved ones. I am scared I may hurt them in some way." Zhu Furong showed worry and helplessness.

He took out the Alchemy Furnace and started concocting pills to increase his proficiency.

...

Few days later it was announced that Zhu Furong has entered the Foundation Establishment rank and is ready to take Sect Tasks and step out of the sect.

On the other side in Dafan City, Zhu Ling was again attacked by assassins the day before the Coming of Age ceremony. But a young knight emerged out of nowhere, leading to the eradication of all the assassins and leading to a bloodbath of half of the Nighthawk Assassins Organization. Many officials of the Ming Dynasty also died that night.

The valor of this young man was so blinding that all the troublemakers in the capital of the Ming Dynasty were scared shitless. They cowered in fear. They all swore an oath to turn into a new leaf.

This valiant hero is none other than Ming Zen. An eighteen year old Cultivator at mid Revolving Core rank! An achievement unprecedented in the history of Cultivation!

The appearance of such a genius means only one thing. The world is about to go through a massive change...