dì èr tiān ， dāng zhào shī jiě zài dù lái tàn wàng lǐ fán de shí hòu 。 què yǒu xiē è rán de fā xiàn ， duì fāng jìng rán yǐ jīng jiāng 《 tài yuán yī qì shù 》 xiū liàn dà chéng ， zhǐ dài zuì hòu de shuǐ mó gōng fu ， jiù néng jiāng qí xiū zhì yuán mǎn le 。
第二天，当赵师姐再度来探望李凡的时候。却有些愕然的发现，对方竟然已经将《太元一气术》修炼大成，只待最后的水磨功夫，就能将其修至圆满了。
The next day, when Senior Sister Zhao came to visit Li Fan again, she was somewhat taken aback to find that he had already mastered the *Supreme Primordial One Breath Art* and was just waiting for the final polishing to reach perfection.
wèi lǐ fán gǎn dào gāo xìng de tóng shí ， tā de xīn zhōng què bù zhī wèi hé yǒu xiē shī luò 。
为李凡感到高兴的同时，她的心中却不知为何有些失落。
While feeling happy for Li Fan, a sense of loss stirred in her heart. "Senior Sister, let's spar!" Li Fan suddenly said.
「 shī jiě ， wǒ men lái qiē cuō qiē cuō ba ！」 jiù zài zhè shí ， lǐ fán hū de chū shēng dào 。
「师姐，我们来切磋切磋吧！」就在这时，李凡忽的出声道。
"Ah?" Senior Sister Zhao was momentarily stunned.
「 a ？」 zhào shī jiě bù jīn yǒu xiē lèng zhù 。
「啊？」赵师姐不禁有些愣住。
"What is your cultivation level now, Senior Sister?" Li Fan asked again.
「 shī jiě nǐ rú jīn shì shén me xiū wèi ？」 lǐ fán yòu wèn dào 。
「师姐你如今是什么修为？」李凡又问道。
"Late Foundation Establishment," she hesitated before answering truthfully. "What’s the matter?"
「 zhù jī hòu qī ， zěn me le ？」 tā yóu yù le xià ， hái shì rú shí shuō dào 。
「筑基后期，怎么了？」她犹豫了下，还是如实说道。
Li Fan did not seem surprised by her rapid progress in cultivation; instead, he clapped and praised: "It seems Brother Zhang said it correctly yesterday. Your cultivation talent is truly rare."
lǐ fán sī háo méi yǒu duì tā xiū wèi jìn jìng zhī kuài ， gǎn dào zhèn jīng 。 ér shì gǔ zhǎng ér zàn dào ：「 kàn lái zhāng shī xiōng dāng rì shuō de bù cuò ， shī jiě nǐ de xiū xíng tiān fù dàng zhēn shì shì suǒ hǎn jiàn 。」
李凡丝毫没有对她修为进境之快，感到震惊。而是鼓掌而赞道：「看来张师兄当日说的不错，师姐你的修行天赋当真是世所罕见。」
Hearing his praise, she couldn't help but blush slightly.
tīng jiàn lǐ fán de shèng zàn ， tā bù jīn qiào liǎn wēi wēi yī hóng 。
听见李凡的盛赞，她不禁俏脸微微一红。
But then Li Fan said, "However, you can’t bully the weak. During our sparring, you can only use your late Qi Refinement strength!"
què hū yòu tīng lǐ fán dào ：「 bù guò nǐ kě bù néng yǐ dà qī xiǎo 。 wǒ men qiē cuō de shí hòu ， nǐ zuì duō zhǐ néng shǐ chū liàn qì hòu qī de shí lì ！」
却忽又听李凡道：「不过你可不能以大欺小。我们切磋的时候，你最多只能使出炼气后期的实力！」
"Senior Sister, be careful!" Before she could react, Li Fan pounced on her.
「 shī jiě ， xiǎo xīn le ！」
「师姐，小心了！」
Caught off guard, Senior Sister Zhao was a bit flustered. However, since her cultivation level was higher than Li Fan's by one realm, her control over the spirit energy and combat response speed were far beyond his reach.
tā hái méi huí guò shén ， lǐ fán biàn pū le shàng lái 。
她还没回过神，李凡便扑了上来。
After just ten or so rounds, Li Fan was forced to retreat in defeat.
cù bù jí fáng zhī xià ， zhào shī jiě wèi miǎn yǒu xiē shǒu máng jiǎo luàn 。 bù guò bì jìng xiū wèi gāo guò lǐ fán yí gè dà jìng jiè ， tā de wú lùn shì duì líng qì zhǎng kòng de jīng miào chéng dù ， hái shì duì zhàn de fǎn yìng sù dù ， dōu bú shì lǐ fán néng bǐ de 。
猝不及防之下，赵师姐未免有些手忙脚乱。不过毕竟修为高过李凡一个大境界，她的无论是对灵气掌控的精妙程度，还是对战的反应速度，都不是李凡能比的。
Coughing lightly as he got up from the ground, Li Fan praised, "Senior Sister, you're really strong!"
zhǐ shí duō gè huí hé hòu ， lǐ fán biàn láng bèi luò bài 。
只十多个回合后，李凡便狼狈落败。
"Are you alright?" She looked worried and a bit regretful. Quickly, she checked on Li Fan's injuries.
cóng dì shàng pá qǐ ， qīng qīng ké sòu le shēng ， lǐ fán chēng zàn dào ：「 shī jiě nǐ zhēn lì hài ！」
从地上爬起，轻轻咳嗽了声，李凡称赞道：「师姐你真厉害！」
After a thorough examination, she finally relaxed. "Let’s spar again!" After resting, Li Fan solemnly said, and they began sparring once more.
「 nǐ méi shì ba ？」 tā liǎn shàng mǎn shì dān yōu ， hái yǒu diǎn ào huǐ 。 lián máng shàng qián chá kàn lǐ fán de shāng shì 。
「你没事吧？」她脸上满是担忧，还有点懊悔。连忙上前查看李凡的伤势。
With Senior Sister Zhao as his dedicated sparring partner, Li Fan's combat skills soared to new heights.
yī fān zǐ xì chá tàn zhī hòu ， fāng cái sōng le kǒu qì 。
一番仔细查探之后，方才松了口气。
She taught him techniques like *Sky-Breaking Blade* and *Instant Wind Flash*, greatly enhancing his combat capabilities.
「 zài lái ！」 xiū qì wán bì ， lǐ fán chén shēng dào ， yòu hé zhào shī jiě duì liàn qǐ lái 。
「再来！」休憩完毕，李凡沉声道，又和赵师姐对练起来。
Unfortunately, good times were short-lived. Senior Sister Zhao spent her days accompanying Li Fan on the outer peak of Qingning for cultivation, eventually being discovered by her master, Zhang Wanshuang.
jiù zhè yàng ， zài zhào shī jiě zhè ge tiē xīn péi liàn de bāng zhù xià ， lǐ fán de shí zhàn shuǐ píng kě wèi shì tū fēi měng jìn 。
就这样，在赵师姐这个贴心陪练的帮助下，李凡的实战水平可谓是突飞勐进。
After a scolding, she was confined to her quarters.
shī jiě yòu chuán shòu le tā yī xiē zhū rú 【 pò kōng rèn 】、【 shùn fēng shǎn 】 zhī lèi de shù fǎ ， gèng shì dà dà jiā qiáng le tā de zuò zhàn néng lì 。
师姐又传授了他一些诸如【破空刃】、【瞬风闪】之类的术法，更是大大加强了他的作战能力。
Fortunately, after pleading, she managed to get one last meeting with Li Fan.
kě xī hǎo jǐng bù cháng ， zhào shī jiě zhōng rì qián wǎng wài mén qīng níng fēng péi lǐ fán xiū xíng ， zhōng shì bèi tā de shī fù zhāng wàng shuāng fā xiàn 。
可惜好景不长，赵师姐终日前往外门清宁峰陪李凡修行，终是被她的师父张望霜发现。
Seeing the beautiful woman weeping and heartbroken before him, Li Fan felt a pang of regret. He embraced her, running his hand gently over her back, soothingly saying, "Senior Sister, don’t be sad. Since your master forbids you from coming often, I will enter the inner peak to find you."
xùn chì zhī hòu ， què shì jiāng tā jìn le zú 。
训斥之后，却是将她禁了足。
"I won't abandon you no matter what," Li Fan vowed. "Senior Sister, train well and wait for me!"
hǎo zài tā kǔ kǔ āi qiú ， cái dé dào le zài jiàn lǐ fán yí miàn de jī huì 。
好在她苦苦哀求，才得到了再见李凡一面的机会。
Senior Sister Zhao looked at Li Fan with a dazed expression, her heart fluttering.
kàn zhuó yǎn qián de měi rén xuàn rán yù qì ， shāng xīn bù yǐ de mú yàng ， lǐ fán yě shì gǎn dào yǒu xiē yí hàn 。
看着眼前的美人泫然欲泣，伤心不已的模样，李凡也是感到有些遗憾。
Li Fan then kissed her passionately, not letting go for a long time.
shàng qián jiāng tā bào zài huái zhōng ， shǒu qīng qīng zài tā bèi shàng huá guò ， ān wèi dào ：「 shī jiě bù yòng shāng xīn 。 jì rán nǐ shī zūn bù xǔ nǐ yǐ hòu jīng cháng lái wài mén ， nà me wǒ jìn nèi mén zhǎo nǐ biàn shì 。」
上前将她抱在怀中，手轻轻在她背上划过，安慰道：「师姐不用伤心。既然你师尊不许你以后经常来外门，那么我进内门找你便是。」
As the deadline set by his master approached, Li Fan reluctantly released her.
「 wú lùn rú hé ， wǒ dōu bú huì pāo qì nǐ de 。」 lǐ fán xìn shì dàn dàn dào 。「 shī jiě nǐ hǎo hǎo xiū xíng ， děng wǒ dào lái ！」
「无论如何，我都不会抛弃你的。」李凡信誓旦旦道。「师姐你好好修行，等我到来！」
She lay in his arms, pouring out some sweet nothings before leaving with reluctance.
zhào shī jiě kàn zhe lǐ fán ， yǎn shén mí lí ， xīn rú xiǎo lù luàn tiào 。
赵师姐看着李凡，眼神迷离，心如小鹿乱跳。
In the small room, Li Fan quickly recovered from his emotional state.
yú shì lǐ fán shēn qíng de wěn le shàng qù ， jiǔ jiǔ méi yǒu fēn kāi 。
于是李凡深情的吻了上去，久久没有分开。
Securing the door and using the talisman Senior Sister Zhao had given him as a guardian, he began attempting Foundation Establishment.
zhí dào shī zūn gěi de shí xiàn kuài dào le ， lǐ fán cái jiāng zhēng zhá bù duàn de zhào shī jiě fàng kāi 。
直到师尊给的时限快到了，李凡才将挣扎不断的赵师姐放开。
Unfortunately, his cultivation talent was far from impressive. After three attempts, all failed.
tā tǎng zài lǐ fán de huái zhōng ， yòu shì sù shuō le yī xiē qíng huà hòu ， cái yī yī bù shě de lí kāi 。
她躺在李凡的怀中，又是诉说了一些情话后，才依依不舍的离开。
If he continued this way, it might harm his foundation. Reluctantly, Li Fan swallowed the *Foundation Establishment Pill* given by Senior Sister Zhao.
xiǎo wū nèi ， lǐ fán cóng yì luàn qíng mí zhōng hěn kuài huī fù guò lái 。
小屋内，李凡从意乱情迷中很快恢复过来。
With external assistance, he finally succeeded in Foundation Establishment and became an official disciple of the Great Dao Sect.
jiāng fáng mén fēng suǒ ， yòu yòng shī jiě zèng sòng de fǎ qì zuò wéi hù wèi hòu ， kāi shǐ le cháng shì qǐ le zhù jī 。
将房门封锁，又用师姐赠送的法器作为护卫后，开始了尝试起了筑基。
However, relying on external aid for Foundation Establishment meant a limited future. His cultivation talent was unremarkable; unlike Senior Sister Zhao, he wasn't noticed by senior sect members.
kě xī cǐ shēn de xiū xíng tiān fù ， shí zài bù jìn rú rén yì 。
可惜此身的修行天赋，实在不尽如人意。
He was merely accepted as the fifth-generation disciple, younger than Senior Sister Zhao by one generation.
zú zú sān cì ， dōu yǐ shī bài gào zhōng 。
足足三次，都以失败告终。
Seeing Li Fan, she was delighted and didn’t mind much. She only asked him to continue calling her Senior Sister when no one else was around.
ruò shì zài zhè xià qù ， kǒng huì shāng jí zì shēn gēn jī 。 bù dé yǐ zhī xià ， lǐ fán wú nài tūn fú xià zhào shī jiě gěi de 【 zhù jī dān 】。
若是再这下去，恐会伤及自身根基。不得已之下，李凡无奈吞服下赵师姐给的【筑基丹】。
With both of them now in the inner peak, their interactions became easier.
zhè cì ， jiè zhù wài lì ， tā cái zuì zhōng zhù jī chéng gōng 。
这次，借助外力，他才最终筑基成功。
Even though Senior Sister Zhao had already advanced to Golden Core realm, it did not hinder Li Fan from visiting whenever he needed help.
yú shì ， tā zhōng yú dé yǐ zhèng shì chéng wéi dà dào zōng de dì zǐ 。
于是，他终于得以正式成为大道宗的弟子。
Despite his weaker cultivation, Li Fan always maintained proper etiquette. He greeted everyone with a courteous smile and listened humbly even when mocked or ridiculed.
kě xī píng jiè wài wù zhù jī ， jīn hòu qián tú bì rán yǒu xiàn 。 tā de xiū xíng zī zhì yě zhe shí píng píng wú qí ， méi néng xiàng zhào shī jiě nà bān ， bèi zōng mén qián bèi kàn zhòng 。
可惜凭借外物筑基，今后前途必然有限。他的修行资质也着实平平无奇，没能像赵师姐那般，被宗门前辈看中。
Over time, this made those who pointed fingers feel somewhat uncomfortable.
zhǐ shì àn zhào liú chéng ， bèi yuán yīng xiū shì zhuāng yǔn xuān shōu wèi dì zǐ 。
只是按照流程，被元婴修士庄允轩收为弟子。
Moreover, Senior Sister Zhao's master, Zhang Wanshuang, did not comment on their relationship, so gradually, people began to accept Li Fan’s presence.
zuò wéi dà dào zōng dì wǔ dài dì zǐ ， bǐ qǐ zhào shī jiě hái yào xiǎo shàng nà me yī bèi 。
作为大道宗第五代弟子，比起赵师姐还要小上那么一辈。
Seeing how Li Fan had handled the situation without a fuss, Senior Sister Zhao was filled with joy and her gaze towards him became even more tender.
bù guò tā zài jiàn dào lǐ fán hòu ， hěn shì gāo
不过她在见到李凡后，很是高
Three years passed quickly.
xīng 。 bìng méi yǒu jì jiào shén me ， zhǐ shì ràng lǐ fán zài wú rén de shí hòu yī rán hǎn tā shī jiě jiù hǎo 。
兴。并没有计较什么，只是让李凡在无人的时候依然喊他师姐就好。
Senior Sister Zhao's cultivation soared as she broke through to late Golden Core. She was now preparing for婴变 (becoming an infant in spirit).
tóng chū nèi mén ， lái wǎng fāng biàn le xǔ duō 。
同出内门，来往方便了许多。
With Senior Sister Zhao’s help, Li Fan had everything he needed—techniques and medicinal pills—and his cultivation progress was steady.
jí biàn zhào shī jiě cǐ shí yǐ rán tū pò dào le jīn dān jìng jiè ， kě réng rán bù fáng ài lǐ fán yǒu shì méi yǒu jiù zhǎo shàng mén qù 。
即便赵师姐此时已然突破到了金丹境界，可仍然不妨碍李凡有事没有就找上门去。
Foundation Establishment completed, he was about to enter the Golden Core realm.
suī rán xiū xíng ruò le yì diǎn ， kě lǐ fán cóng lái bù shī lǐ shù 。 wú lùn yù dào shéi dōu shì bīn bīn yǒu lǐ ， xiào liǎn xiāng yíng 。
虽然修行弱了一点，可李凡从来不失礼数。无论遇到谁都是彬彬有礼，笑脸相迎。
The saying went: "Swallow a golden pill into your belly, my fate is in my own hands." The difference between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core was immense. Crossing that threshold meant changing one's destiny.
nǎ pà yù dào xī luò hé cháo xiào ， tā yě shì tǎn rán shòu zhī ， xū xīn diǎn tóu chēng shì 。
哪怕遇到奚落和嘲笑，他也是坦然受之，虚心点头称是。
Knowing his limited talent, Li Fan decided to seal himself away for two months to consolidate his foundation and seek an opportunity.
yī lái èr qù ， dǎo shì ràng nà xiē zhǐ zhǐ diǎn diǎn de rén yǒu xiē bù hǎo yì sī le 。
一来二去，倒是让那些指指点点的人有些不好意思了。
Two months later, sensing the right moment, he prepared to enter the Golden Core realm.
kuàng qiě zhào shī jiě de shī zūn zhāng wàng shuāng yě méi duì èr rén de jiāo wǎng fā biǎo yì jiàn ， yú shì màn màn de ， dà jiā yě jiù mò xǔ le lǐ fán de cún zài 。
况且赵师姐的师尊张望霜也没对二人的交往发表意见，于是慢慢的，大家也就默许了李凡的存在。
A message, however, forced him to break his seclusion early. His junior disciple Jiang Ningjun secretly messaged him that Senior Brother Qin Shou from the Lianshan lineage had been aggressively pursuing Senior Sister Zhao.
zhào shī jiě jiàn lǐ fán bù dòng shēng sè jiù huà jiě le ràng tā gǎn dào wéi nán de jú miàn ， xīn zhōng yě shì jīng xǐ wàn fēn 。
赵师姐见李凡不动声色就化解了让她感到为难的局面，心中也是惊喜万分。
Young and already an Immortal Core cultivator, Qin Shou was also on good terms with Zhang Wanshuang, who was happy to see them become partners.
yú shì xīn zhōng nà diǎn dān yōu yě xiāo mǐ wú zōng ， kàn xiàng lǐ fán de mù guāng yuè fā wēn róu le 。
于是心中那点担忧也消弭无踪，看向李凡的目光越发温柔了。
Qin Shou’s appearance was charming, making him seem like a perfect match for Senior Sister Zhao.
shí guāng liú shì ， yī huǎng sān nián guò qù 。
时光流逝，一晃三年过去。
In the few months Li Fan was away, the Moonlight lineage had already shown more affection and support than he did. Only his junior disciple Jiang Ningjun maintained the best relationship with him and couldn’t stand Qin Shou's insincere demeanor.
zhào shī jiě xīn zhōng méi le qiān guà zhī shì ， jìng jiè tū fēi měng jìn 。 yǐ jīng chéng gōng tū pò dào le jīn dān hòu qī ， kāi shǐ wèi jié yīng zuò zhǔn bèi le 。
赵师姐心中没了牵挂之事，境界突飞勐进。已经成功突破到了金丹后期，开始为结婴做准备了。
This led to Jiang Ningjun warning Li Fan about the situation just in time.
ér lǐ fán yǒu lái zì shī jiě de bāng zhù ， gōng fǎ 、 dān yào shén me dōu bù quē ， xiū xíng sù dù yě shì bù màn 。
而李凡有来自师姐的帮助，功法、丹药什么都不缺，修行速度也是不慢。
Upon hearing this news, Li Fan decided to postpone entering the Golden Core realm for now.
zhù jī yuán mǎn ， jí jiāng jié dān 。
筑基圆满，即将结丹。
Golden Core was something that could be achieved at any time.
suǒ wèi yī lì jīn dān tūn rù fù 、 wǒ mìng yóu wǒ bù yóu tiān 。 jīn dān hé zhù jī jìng zhī jiān de chā jù ， shí zài tài dà 。 yí dàn yuè guò ， kě wèi shì nì tiān gǎi mìng ， zì cǐ rén shēng dà bù tóng 。
所谓一粒金丹吞入腹、我命由我不由天。金丹和筑基境之间的差距，实在太大。一旦越过，可谓是逆天改命，自此人生大不同。
But if Senior Sister Zhao were taken away, it would truly be lost!
lǐ fán zì zhī zì shēn zī zhì yǒu xiàn ， jié dān huò xǔ bú huì nà me shùn lì 。 wèi le wàn quán qǐ jiàn ， tā zhǔ dòng bì guān ， gǒng gù jìng jiè ， xún qiú qì jī 。
李凡自知自身资质有限，结丹或许不会那么顺利。为了万全起见，他主动闭关，巩固境界，寻求契机。
Even though he had great confidence in her, unpredictable things happened in life. He knew his success depended on her help.
liǎng gè yuè hòu ， děng tā xīn shēng gǎn yìng ， jué de shí jī yǐ dào 、 zhǔn bèi jié dān zhī shí 。
两个月后，等他心生感应，觉得时机已到、准备结丹之时。
"Whoever dares to snatch my soft food is blocking my path!"
yī dào xùn xī ， què shì ràng tā bù dé bù tí qián chū guān 。
一道讯息，却是让他不得不提前出关。
"I don’t care who you are; we’ll fight until the end!" A hint of coldness flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
The next day, when Senior Sister Zhao came to visit Li Fan again, she was somewhat taken aback to find that he had already mastered the *Supreme Primordial One Breath Art* and was just waiting for the final polishing to reach perfection.
While feeling happy for Li Fan, a sense of loss stirred in her heart. "Senior Sister, let's spar!" Li Fan suddenly said.
"Ah?" Senior Sister Zhao was momentarily stunned.
"What is your cultivation level now, Senior Sister?" Li Fan asked again.
"Late Foundation Establishment," she hesitated before answering truthfully. "What’s the matter?"
Li Fan did not seem surprised by her rapid progress in cultivation; instead, he clapped and praised: "It seems Brother Zhang said it correctly yesterday. Your cultivation talent is truly rare."
Hearing his praise, she couldn't help but blush slightly.
But then Li Fan said, "However, you can’t bully the weak. During our sparring, you can only use your late Qi Refinement strength!"
"Senior Sister, be careful!" Before she could react, Li Fan pounced on her.
Caught off guard, Senior Sister Zhao was a bit flustered. However, since her cultivation level was higher than Li Fan's by one realm, her control over the spirit energy and combat response speed were far beyond his reach.
After just ten or so rounds, Li Fan was forced to retreat in defeat.
Coughing lightly as he got up from the ground, Li Fan praised, "Senior Sister, you're really strong!"
"Are you alright?" She looked worried and a bit regretful. Quickly, she checked on Li Fan's injuries.
After a thorough examination, she finally relaxed. "Let’s spar again!" After resting, Li Fan solemnly said, and they began sparring once more.
With Senior Sister Zhao as his dedicated sparring partner, Li Fan's combat skills soared to new heights.
She taught him techniques like *Sky-Breaking Blade* and *Instant Wind Flash*, greatly enhancing his combat capabilities.
Unfortunately, good times were short-lived. Senior Sister Zhao spent her days accompanying Li Fan on the outer peak of Qingning for cultivation, eventually being discovered by her master, Zhang Wanshuang.
After a scolding, she was confined to her quarters.
Fortunately, after pleading, she managed to get one last meeting with Li Fan.
Seeing the beautiful woman weeping and heartbroken before him, Li Fan felt a pang of regret. He embraced her, running his hand gently over her back, soothingly saying, "Senior Sister, don’t be sad. Since your master forbids you from coming often, I will enter the inner peak to find you."
"I won't abandon you no matter what," Li Fan vowed. "Senior Sister, train well and wait for me!"
Senior Sister Zhao looked at Li Fan with a dazed expression, her heart fluttering.
Li Fan then kissed her passionately, not letting go for a long time.
As the deadline set by his master approached, Li Fan reluctantly released her.
She lay in his arms, pouring out some sweet nothings before leaving with reluctance.
In the small room, Li Fan quickly recovered from his emotional state.
Securing the door and using the talisman Senior Sister Zhao had given him as a guardian, he began attempting Foundation Establishment.
Unfortunately, his cultivation talent was far from impressive. After three attempts, all failed.
If he continued this way, it might harm his foundation. Reluctantly, Li Fan swallowed the *Foundation Establishment Pill* given by Senior Sister Zhao.
With external assistance, he finally succeeded in Foundation Establishment and became an official disciple of the Great Dao Sect.
However, relying on external aid for Foundation Establishment meant a limited future. His cultivation talent was unremarkable; unlike Senior Sister Zhao, he wasn't noticed by senior sect members.
He was merely accepted as the fifth-generation disciple, younger than Senior Sister Zhao by one generation.
Seeing Li Fan, she was delighted and didn’t mind much. She only asked him to continue calling her Senior Sister when no one else was around.
With both of them now in the inner peak, their interactions became easier.
Even though Senior Sister Zhao had already advanced to Golden Core realm, it did not hinder Li Fan from visiting whenever he needed help.
Despite his weaker cultivation, Li Fan always maintained proper etiquette. He greeted everyone with a courteous smile and listened humbly even when mocked or ridiculed.
Over time, this made those who pointed fingers feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Moreover, Senior Sister Zhao's master, Zhang Wanshuang, did not comment on their relationship, so gradually, people began to accept Li Fan’s presence.
Seeing how Li Fan had handled the situation without a fuss, Senior Sister Zhao was filled with joy and her gaze towards him became even more tender.
Three years passed quickly.
Senior Sister Zhao's cultivation soared as she broke through to late Golden Core. She was now preparing for婴变 (becoming an infant in spirit).
With Senior Sister Zhao’s help, Li Fan had everything he needed—techniques and medicinal pills—and his cultivation progress was steady.
Foundation Establishment completed, he was about to enter the Golden Core realm.
The saying went: "Swallow a golden pill into your belly, my fate is in my own hands." The difference between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core was immense. Crossing that threshold meant changing one's destiny.
Knowing his limited talent, Li Fan decided to seal himself away for two months to consolidate his foundation and seek an opportunity.
Two months later, sensing the right moment, he prepared to enter the Golden Core realm.
A message, however, forced him to break his seclusion early. His junior disciple Jiang Ningjun secretly messaged him that Senior Brother Qin Shou from the Lianshan lineage had been aggressively pursuing Senior Sister Zhao.
Young and already an Immortal Core cultivator, Qin Shou was also on good terms with Zhang Wanshuang, who was happy to see them become partners.
Qin Shou’s appearance was charming, making him seem like a perfect match for Senior Sister Zhao.
In the few months Li Fan was away, the Moonlight lineage had already shown more affection and support than he did. Only his junior disciple Jiang Ningjun maintained the best relationship with him and couldn’t stand Qin Shou's insincere demeanor.
This led to Jiang Ningjun warning Li Fan about the situation just in time.
Upon hearing this news, Li Fan decided to postpone entering the Golden Core realm for now.
Golden Core was something that could be achieved at any time.
But if Senior Sister Zhao were taken away, it would truly be lost!
Even though he had great confidence in her, unpredictable things happened in life. He knew his success depended on her help.
"Whoever dares to snatch my soft food is blocking my path!"
"I don’t care who you are; we’ll fight until the end!" A hint of coldness flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.