One month passed in the blink of an eye.

On the night before departure, Elder Yu stationed several Yang family cultivators at various guard points around the Restricted Grounds.

Liang Yi and Zhao Qi patrolled the cliffs, Yang Linghu watched the northern woods, and Elder Yu, Yang Lingqing, and Yang Lingrui guarded the area around the ancestral hall.

The Immortal Venerable had transmitted a thought during the day, stating that tonight was the critical moment for completing the talisman technique. There could not be the slightest disturbance.

Within the ancestral hall, dharma light continuously surged. Its flickering illumination stirred the surrounding Spiritual Qi, kicking up ripples of energy.

In the latter half of the night, sensing the Spiritual Qi violently surging toward the hall, everyone's expressions immediately grew tense.

This was the most critical step; success or failure rested on this single moment.

"May the Immortal Venerable's divine powers be boundless."

"May the Immortal Venerable's divine powers be boundless."

The group silently recited the phrase in their hearts, praying that Chen Yang would successfully complete his talisman technique.

Inside the ancestral hall, Chen Yang felt as though he were facing a formidable enemy for the first time since crossing over to this world.

From drawing to refining this Mountain-Splitting Talisman, he had striven for perfection, achieving a process that could be called flawless.

Yet now, during the final step of completion, he sensed the familiar omen of collapse.

“Alas... it still falls short. If I had one more month, a fine-grade product should have been possible.”

Chen Yang pushed through and maintained the process for a long time. Seeing that hope was slim, he planned to settle for the next best thing and downgrade it to an inferior-grade talisman.

Ding--

Right at that moment, a power both familiar and unfamiliar surged from within his heart.

Chen Yang heard a crisp chime in his mind. Before he could react, the power followed his will and silently fell upon the Mountain-Splitting Talisman he was refining.

In the next moment, the momentum on the verge of collapse instantly stabilized.

Chen Yang immediately realized that this was the Power of Prayer, given to him by the mortals who burned incense and worshipped at the foot of the mountain during the great sacrifice!

He had previously tried to draw upon this power from within his body, but he had never succeeded.

He originally thought this power would only be used when advancing to Condensed Origin. He never expected it to activate on its own during this critical moment of refining a talisman.

Although he didn't understand the principles behind this power, the opportunity was rare and could not be wasted!

Chen Yang concentrated his mind once again, imprinting streams of spiritual power onto the talisman paper.

With the blessing of this Power of Prayer, the talisman paper seemed to grow a bit sturdier, and the entire refinement process proceeded smoothly.

Hum--

Half an hour later, a white light bloomed above the ancestral hall. A snow-white talisman leaped out, dancing through the air before drifting down to land in Yang Lingrui's palm.

Elder Yu and the others rushed over. Feeling the thick Spiritual Qi that had not yet fully dissipated from the golden talisman's surface, they could not suppress their excitement.

"Fine-grade! This is a fine-grade Mountain-Splitting Talisman!"

"The Immortal Venerable's talisman technique has succeeded!"

A fine-grade Mountain-Splitting Talisman, if used against an unprepared target, possessed enough power to threaten a cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Gathering!

This was something the Yang family cultivators had never even dared to imagine before.

With this treasure in hand, Yang Lingrui now had confidence for his journey, and the rest of the Yang family could feel much more at ease.

"Blessed by the Immortal Venerable's divine powers, Lingrui is endlessly grateful!" Yang Lingrui bowed.

When the morning sun first rose, Gao Hui arrived at the foot of Pine Mountain.

This was his first time participating in the Golden Scale Dharma Assembly since taking office, and he felt a measure of anticipation.

If he could find an opportunity to perform well at the Dharma Assembly, or strike up a congenial conversation with a young master or lady from a noble family, perhaps his promotion might be secured.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard a commotion not far away.

Following the sound, he saw the four members of the Yang family descending the mountain.

Gao Hui was just about to raise his hands in greeting when he suddenly noticed something wrong with one person's condition.

When the four approached, Gao Hui got a clear look at Yang Lingrui, and his eyes filled with shock.

"Lingrui, what... what happened to you?!"

At this moment, Yang Lingrui's face was deathly pale. Cold sweat beaded his forehead, his lips were blue, and his aura was unstable.

This was clearly the result of a severe problem during cultivation.

When Gao Hui probed slightly with his senses, his heart jolted even more. Yang Lingrui had already broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Gathering, reaching the fourth level!

"Mayor... Mayor Gao, my apologies for the wait," Yang Lingrui said, forcing a weak smile.

"Ah, there is no need to apologize."

Gao Hui quickly waved his hand, then turned to ask Yang Lingqing, "Patriarch Yang, what exactly happened?"

Yang Lingqing's eyes dimmed. "Lingrui was overly concerned with the importance of the Dharma Assembly," she said with deep self-reproach. "He was worried his realm was insufficient and would cost the Yang family face. Because of this, he borrowed the power of the Strange Stone and Pills to forcibly break through."

"This..."

Gao Hui was momentarily speechless.

Elder Yu shook his head and sighed. "I am also to blame. I failed to persuade the child otherwise. I thought it would be fine if the breakthrough went smoothly, but I never expected such a result."

"Elder Yu, Sister Qing, it is fine. This was my own choice, you don't need to blame yourselves," Yang Lingrui said weakly.

"Alas... Lingrui, why did you have to do this!"

Looking at Yang Lingrui in such a state, Gao Hui couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

With his natural talent, he only needed to cultivate steadily step by step. Reaching the fourth level of Qi Gathering would have been effortless.

Yet, Gao Hui could also understand his sense of urgency.

A child bearing the hope of an entire family's prosperity-the weight on his shoulders was unimaginable.

Facing the upcoming Golden Scale Dharma Assembly, it was only human nature for Yang Lingrui to want to raise his realm and win some face for his family.

Just as Elder Yu had said, if everything had gone smoothly, it would have been perfect. Unfortunately...

Forget it. Since things have already come to this, saying anything more is useless. I only hope that Lingrui's cultivation foundation hasn't been permanently damaged.

Thinking this, Gao Hui looked up at the Yang family members and said solemnly, "Everyone, rest assured! I will definitely take good care of Lingrui on this journey!"

"Then we will trouble Mayor Gao to look after him. Lingqing thanks you on behalf of the Yang family," Yang Lingqing said.

As the morning sun rose higher and golden light spilled through the pine forests, Gao Hui and Yang Lingrui's figures disappeared into the distance.

After the two departed, the expressions of Yang Lingqing and the other two returned to normal.

"You really can't tell usually, but Lingrui's acting skills are actually this impressive," Yang Linghu marveled. "Just a few branch Qi Channels were disordered and blocked, yet he made it look as if he had suffered a grievous wound. If I didn't know the inside story, even I would have been fooled."

Elder Yu chuckled upon hearing this. "You two weren't around when the Wangchao Cultivators came to purchase goods. His performance that day was even more brilliant than today's."

As the two spoke, Yang Lingqing's gaze remained fixed in the direction of Wangyue City.

Since taking over as the head of the family, whenever someone traveled far, she never showed it on her face, but she couldn't help but feel a lingering worry in her heart.

She would even mentally prepare herself in advance, anticipating the worst-case scenarios and plotting out how she should respond.

“May the Immortal Venerable bless him. May the ancestors bless him. May Lingrui be safe.”

She prayed silently in her heart.

"Eh? Lingqing, what are you thinking about?" Seeing her stay silent, Yang Linghu poked his head over and asked.

Smack!

"Ouch! It hurts, it hurts..."

The result, naturally, was a mud ball flicked squarely onto his forehead.

"Heh, you've caused enough of a ruckus at home these past few days."

Watching him clutch his head and howl comically, Yang Lingqing rolled her eyes. "Focus on your cultivation and break through to the third level as soon as possible. The distant northern mine has been idle for far too long. It is about time we restart operations."