Success. Fifteen years. A full fifteen years since he first stepped onto the path of cultivation. He had finally matured from an ignorant youth into a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. Only Lei Dong himself knew the hardships and difficulties endured along this journey. Only he could truly savor the mix of joy and sorrow along the way.

Perhaps due to the long seclusion from sunlight, his face was somewhat pale. Yet, his eyes were deep and black, as if they carried the ancient vicissitudes polished by countless ages. Cultivating immortality is a solitary endeavor. The further one progresses, the more time is invariably spent in isolated seclusion. If one's spirit is not sufficiently firm, it is easy to collapse internally, leading to qi deviation and madness.

For over four long years, Lei Dong sustained his life entirely on (Pigu Pills), devoting every waking moment to cultivation. The prolonged misery and solitude, while tormenting his heart, simultaneously honed his will.

At this moment, though he appeared lean, his entire being was brimming with explosive potential. Once the Heaven and Earth Bridge was connected, a mortal physique gradually transformed into a Innate Body; the immortal foundation was laid. Naturally, he was extraordinary, possessing a profound difference from his previous Qi Refining stage.

The two or three Foundation Establishment disciples among the onlookers were struck dumb upon seeing Lei Dong. Lei Dong was quite renowned within the Myriad Ghost Cave, especially following the battle against the Li family of Wu State, where he fought the Yin Sha Twin Heroes—both Foundation Establishment stage level three cultivators—and ultimately managed to destroy them.

When it was first rumored that Lei Dong, at the tenth layer of Qi Refining, had gathered substantial medicinal pills and mid-grade spirit stones to enter a life-or-death seclusion to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, the onlookers were secretly pessimistic. Perhaps he had gathered sufficient resources, but the gulf between the tenth layer of Qi Refining and the first layer of Foundation Establishment was simply too vast. Furthermore, cultivation is not merely about resources. Entering a long seclusion is a comprehensive test of one's temperament, perseverance, and more. The longer the seclusion, the more susceptible one becomes to a breakdown.

Throughout history, countless cultivators had succumbed to the torment of their minds during prolonged seclusion, driven mad by qi deviation. Many chose to begin their long retreats with short durations, gradually increasing the time to temper their resolve and habituate themselves to solitude.

It was for this reason that upon witnessing Lei Dong emerge from seclusion, having truly established his immortal foundation, they were naturally astonished.

The only person entirely confident in Lei Dong was Ding Wanyan. Lei Dong was unaware that during the year he spent in seclusion in the Small Yin Sha Cave, Ding Wanyan had cultivated the Yin Sha ** almost constantly near him. When Ding Wanyan occasionally faltered and felt unable to persist, catching sight of Lei Dong's resolute face, seated firmly on the ground, she would quietly draw strength and continue to endure, cultivating the Yin Sha ** day after day. Thus, she understood better than anyone the immense effort and suffering her junior brother was willing to endure for the sake of strength. In a sense, Ding Wanyan's own diligence stemmed from Lei Dong's earnest dedication to cultivation.

Lei Dong’s gaze swept over the personal disciples still in the Qi Refining stage. He paused only briefly upon the two Foundation Establishment cultivators before settling his eyes on Ding Wanyan standing behind the crowd. As their eyes met, a mutual understanding passed between them without the need for a single word.

This period of seclusion had not only brought immense progress and breakthroughs in his cultivation base. For Lei Dong, it was also a complete tempering and baptism of the soul. Only within that endless expanse of time, in the darkness...

Only by washing away all superficiality and impatience with solitude could one slowly glimpse their true heart, only then could the essential self be refined. And only then could he begin to truly appreciate the kindness of his Senior Sister, and slightly comprehend the depths of her inner world.

Finally, Lei Dong’s gaze settled upon Lei Qing'er, whom Ding Wanyan held by the hand. After years apart, the little