When Cheng Yan and the others heard this, they were all **shocked**.

*She was able to enter deep meditation while the city was under siege by a beast tide?*

Shu He was even more surprised. Turning to Cheng Yan, he asked, "Has Junior Sister Qin Shu always been this hardworking?"

Before Cheng Yan could respond, **Wen Chi lifted his chin with a proud expression**.

"Of course. Otherwise, with her average aptitude, how could she progress so quickly?"

Cheng Yan, for once, agreed and nodded. "Indeed, Junior Sister has always been diligent."

The moment Cheng Yan finished speaking, **Wen Chi was already climbing the staircase** leading to the rooftop.

The others quickly followed.

However, when they reached the rooftop and **saw Qin Shu**, they were **once again stunned speechless**.

She sat there, eyes closed, **completely fused with the surrounding world, as if she had become one with nature itself.**

There was **no spiritual energy fluctuation** around her. Even her **breathing and pulse were imperceptible**.

The concept of the **Great Dao being simple**—the idea that true enlightenment comes from stripping away complexity—was now **vividly displayed before them.**

Shu He forced a **wry smile**, filled with both admiration and bitterness. Turning to He Xin, he asked, **"Junior Sister, you call this meditation?"**

He Xin, not understanding the deeper meaning in his tone, tilted her head in confusion and asked, **"Isn't it?"**

Wen Chi unfolded his fan with a *swish* and waved it lazily, **a proud smile on his face**.

"Of course not. She has entered **enlightenment.**" He clicked his tongue and added, "Tsk tsk, my junior sister truly is a **once-in-a-generation genius.**"

Hearing Wen Chi's praise, **He Xin immediately puffed up her chest with pride.**

Even **Senior Brother Wen Chi** said so—her sister must be truly amazing!

If her sister was this incredible, **how could she not feel proud?**

Cheng Yan, observing He Xin's small movements, calmly asked, **"When did she enter enlightenment? What was she looking at?"**

He Xin carefully recalled the moment before answering.

Facing **three pairs of intensely curious eyes**, she **nodded firmly** and said, **"It happened right after she saw Senior Brother Cheng Yan wield his sword."**

**Shu He: "???"**

*I saw that too. So why didn't I gain enlightenment?!*

Shu He coughed and hesitantly asked, **"Forgive me for asking, but... is Junior Sister Qin Shu from the Sword Sect?"**

As soon as the words left his mouth, **Wen Chi shot him a knowing look**, his expression saying *'Oh, how naïve you are.'*

Shu He frowned. "What do you mean?"

The next moment, **He Xin's innocent yet slightly boastful voice rang out**—

"**My Shu Shu is a future master alchemist!** Why would she be from the Sword Sect?"

**Shu He's gaze darted between Qin Shu and Cheng Yan, his disbelief growing.**

*This... this...!*

**Was he supposed to just accept this?!**

Two **alchemy disciples** were showing **more sword talent than he, an actual sword cultivator?!**

For the first time, **Shu He felt an inexplicable sense of existential crisis.**

Cheng Yan, noticing that Shu He's **Dao heart seemed unstable**, called out in a steady voice—

"Shu He."

His tone carried a trace of **Buddhist clarity**, a technique meant to steady one's mind.

To others, it sounded like **a normal name call**, but to **Shu He**, it was **like a bell ringing directly in his soul.**

Shu He came to his senses just as Cheng Yan continued—

"Every cultivator's opportunities are different. **There is no true superiority—only different paths.**"

It was **just a casual remark**, but Shu He instantly realized **how dangerously close he had been to shaking his own Dao heart.**

Feeling ashamed, he bowed deeply to Cheng Yan.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance."

Wen Chi chuckled. "Alright, let's not disturb our junior sister's enlightenment. **Senior Brother Cheng Yan, you can stay here and guard her.**"

**Cheng Yan: "?"**

"You certainly know how to give orders," Cheng Yan muttered, brows furrowing.

Wen Chi's **fox-like eyes gleamed with amusement**. "Well, if Senior Brother doesn't want to, I don't mind taking over."

Cheng Yan waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. You all go downstairs."

Wen Chi **led He Xin and Shu He down the stairs**, and soon, some junior disciples brought them tea.

Wen Chi took **one sip, wrinkled his brow**, and placed the cup aside, uninterested.

He Xin, however, **gulped hers down enthusiastically** before turning to Wen Chi.

"Senior Brother, how long will Shu Shu be in enlightenment?"

Wen Chi leaned back in his chair, tapping his fan against his palm.

"Hard to say. It depends on her comprehension. If she's truly talented, **half a year to a year wouldn't be unusual.**"

Of course, **Qin Shu was still young and lacked experience**, so this enlightenment **probably wouldn't take that long.**

He Xin's **jaw dropped in shock**.

Wen Chi closed his fan and got up.

"Are there any available rooms? I'll go rest for a while. When that little rascal wakes up, let me know."

Yet **none of them expected**—

**They would end up waiting for half a year.**

---

In that time, **He Xin successfully broke through to the second level of Qi Refinement.**

Although her cultivation was still **low**, it was finally **enough to qualify her for the new disciple trial.**

Cheng Yan remained **on the rooftop, silently guarding Qin Shu.**

Wen Chi **stayed inside his room**, barely showing himself.

He Xin was **bored out of her mind**—so she often **chatted with Shu He**.

"This year's new disciple trial will be led by Senior Brother Cheng Yan," Shu He explained. "Each participant will receive a protective talisman that will automatically transport them out if they're in danger."

He Xin, filled with both **curiosity and excitement**, leaned closer.

"Senior Brother, what's inside the trial's secret realm? Is it dangerous?"

Shu He smiled patiently. "The realm contains **spirit herbs and demonic beasts**. Some beasts can be tamed as companions, while others are rare sources of materials. There are also **some precious treasures hidden inside.**

"That said, the beasts in the trial have been **carefully selected** by the sect to **both train and reward disciples.**

"Of course, **there is some danger**, but that's just the nature of cultivation.

"Compared to other realms, this one is **relatively safe**. You'll understand more once you've experienced it yourself."

Hearing this, **He Xin's excitement skyrocketed**.

She wished **she could enter the trial right away.**

"I hope Shu Shu wakes up soon. It would be a shame if she missed this chance!" He Xin sighed.

But Shu He simply chuckled.

"If she can continue her enlightenment, the benefits might even surpass the trial."

*"As our senior brother said, every cultivator has their own fate. Who's to say missing the trial isn't actually a blessing?"*

---

Just a few days later, however—

**Cheng Yan, who had been sitting in meditation, was the first to open his eyes.**

He turned to the little girl **who had been sitting still for six months**.

Then—

He saw her **fingers twitch**, then her **shoulders shift slightly**.

She was waking up.

His lips curled into a faint smile.

But before he could say anything—

**"ACHOO!!!"**

A **thunderous sneeze** erupted from Qin Shu.

The noise startled **everyone downstairs**, sending them **rushing up to the rooftop.**

Qin Shu tried to stand up, but **her legs wobbled**. She gasped and **winced in pain**.

In a flash, **Cheng Yan was by her side**, steadying her by the shoulders.

Qin Shu **looked up at his face**, her expression **a mix of awkwardness and regret.**

She forced a stiff, ugly smile.

"Senior Brother," she greeted weakly.

Cheng Yan quickly scanned her **with his spiritual energy**.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Shu awkwardly **bent over and rubbed her legs**, chuckling sheepishly.

"Nothing serious... I just sat too long..."

She sighed dramatically.

"**My legs are numb.**"