You promised yourself to be a caged bird, but you became the supreme young master?

Time flies.

In the midst of complete immersion in meditation, it was almost evening in the blink of an eye.

The setting sun, like blood, illuminated the horizon.

Standing on the training ground, Lu Heng, who had just finished his fourth training session of the day, slowly let out a long breath.

The intense physical exertion of the Twelve Body Refinement Techniques left him feeling weak and sore all over.

If it weren't for the daily nourishment from a low-grade spiritual food, an ordinary person's body would most likely be unable to withstand such high-intensity cultivation.

If it weren't for the combination of his memories from two lifetimes and the constant sense of crisis he was facing, he probably wouldn't have been able to hold on.

[Technique: Basic Body Refinement Method (Beginner Level 16/100)]

Even now, each time he practices, he can only increase his proficiency by a little bit.

But at the same time, he clearly felt that the increased proficiency he gained with each practice session was subtly optimizing his cultivation technique.

Subtle, yet remarkable!

………………

Looking up at the horizon, the setting sun casts its last rays, and weary birds fold their wings and fly by, leaving behind a few fading, yellowish shadows that are then shattered by the evening breeze into the deepening twilight.

Lu Heng remained calm and focused, even as there were still dozens of teenagers in the training ground.

Without pondering for long, Lu Heng quickly came to his senses.

"Now I understand why there's this saying about the time of 'twilight' in a certain island nation."

The sunset really does make you feel emo.

Shaking his head, Lu Heng was somewhat speechless.

There's an interesting saying about people's emo feelings about sunsets in a past life...

This is a memory derived from genes.

In ancient times, if you woke up to find it was already evening and you were all alone, it meant you couldn't return to your tribe, and it was highly likely that the battle was about to end.

But soon, a hand patted his shoulder familiarly, completely dispelling his emo thoughts, and Lu Heng turned his head away.

As expected, it was Lu Jinnian again, and Lu Fengqing was standing next to him as usual.

However, compared to Lu Jinnian, he had far less interaction with Lu Fengqing.

"Aheng, are you done with your training? Let's go back together," Lu Jinnian asked.

Just like how close friends from a past life would go to the bathroom together after class.

In this world, some things are naturally no exception.

These two boys, the same age, are worlds apart: one is still living in an ivory tower, while the other is undergoing a crucial January Foundation Establishment trial as a member of a separate family.

"I plan to go to the library to exchange books."

Want to come along?

Holding up the copy of "Travels in the Great Qi" in his hand, Lu Heng inquired.

But Lu Jinnian shook his head dejectedly.

"Let's forget about it."

I don't really like reading.

And if I really brought a book home at a time like this, my mother would definitely give me a scolding.

Lu Heng immediately understood that Lu Jinnian's parents must be cultivators.

"Don't wait for me, I probably won't be back that soon." As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Heng was surprised to see Lu Jinnian leaning close to him.

The guy crept closer furtively and asked in a low, direct voice, full of curiosity.

"You frequent the library, is it because of Lu Qingyan?"

"Who is Lu Qingyan?" Lu Heng tilted his head and asked with some confusion.

"No way? You don't even know who Lu Qingyan is? You're way too abstinent!"

Lu Jinnian was genuinely shocked this time, and expressed it in an exaggerated manner.

He naturally knew that Lu Heng's personality was quite outrageous.

But to everyone's surprise, it was so absurd that they didn't even know something that should be common knowledge.

"She's the only girl on that [Awakening Ritual] who caused a change in the Awakening Crystal."

Of the three geniuses, she is the only woman.

"He reached the Foundation Establishment stage in just two days!"

There was no intention to elaborate further; Lu Jinnian simply used the most easily understood language to express his meaning.

Lu Heng immediately understood.

The image of Lu Qingyan instantly flashed into my mind.

She is a girl with a beautiful appearance and a cool temperament.

He simply didn't know the name, but he still had some impression of the person.

After all, the other party was one of only three geniuses among hundreds of teenagers.

Although he didn't listen attentively, Lu Heng still knew the names of the remaining two geniuses.

Lu Linghua, Lu Xuchuan.

The former, dressed in fine clothes, likely has a cultivator as an elder, while the latter, dressed in coarse linen, is probably from an ordinary branch family.

It's worth mentioning that...

Three days after the Qi and Blood Guidance, the aloof girl, Lu Qingyan, was no longer seen on the training ground.

If nothing unexpected happens, she completed the initial stage of the Body Refining Secret Realm in just two days.

Having filled the 100 points of proficiency required for the "Basic Body Refinement Method," I have reached the beginner level.

Although Lu Heng had anticipated this, and had even heard other young men in fine clothes mention that geniuses could reach the Foundation Establishment stage in just three days.

But even after just two days, he still couldn't help but lament that the gap between people was bigger than that between dogs.

Lu Linghua and Lu Xuchuan disappeared from the martial arts arena on the fourth day after the Qi and Blood Guidance, which was yesterday.

This fully illustrates that there are differences even among geniuses.

Some geniuses are almost prodigies, while others barely touch the threshold of genius.

In the initial stages, a single day's difference can be like an insurmountable chasm, representing a vast difference in talent.

This is still a difference in talent at the genius level.

Just thinking about how many days it would take him to reach the Foundation Establishment stage under normal circumstances, without low-grade spiritual food...

Lu Heng fell silent for a moment.

Based on my observations over the past few days, and my conversations with Lu Jinnian.

He had gained some understanding of the talent displayed in the initial stage.

A genius, or a person with superior talent, can reach the foundational stage in a maximum of three days.

However, three days at most does not mean it can only be three days. Lu Qingyan, who only took two days to enter the Foundation Establishment stage, is a real example.

With above-average talent, one can reach the Foundation Establishment stage in a maximum of seven days.

With average talent, one can reach the Foundation Establishment stage in a maximum of fifteen days.

As for those with below-average talent, who are considered the minimum requirement for entering the Foundation Establishment stage, under normal circumstances, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they can usually enter the Foundation Establishment stage in a maximum of thirty days.

Although this includes a portion of low-grade spiritual food, it is realized that without a portion of low-grade spiritual food...

I have absolutely no chance of completing the initial stage of Foundation Establishment within a month.

Realizing that he was at the bottom even among those with below-average talent, Lu Heng still felt somewhat conflicted, even though he had been mentally prepared.

"What does my going to the library have to do with Lu Qingyan?"

"Could it be that I might run into Lu Qingyan in the library?" Lu Heng asked casually, lost in thought.

"That's right. A friend of mine told me that after Lu Qingyan entered the Foundation Establishment stage, she would go to the library from time to time in addition to her daily cultivation."

"It seems you really don't know." Recalling his earlier malicious speculation, Lu Jinnian replied sheepishly.