Unknowingly, it had already been a year since leaving Autumn Wind City.
The four who had set out from Autumn Wind City to join the Seven Stars Sword Sect had grown to varying degrees.
Lin Xuan had reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
Li Siyi had now reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
It was evident that Lin Xuan had begun to make significant progress, with his cultivation speed visibly accelerating.
Similarly, Little Yu had recently broken through to the early stage of Foundation Establishment. She was the latest among the four to start cultivating, yet her speed was astonishing.
Only Su Luo remained at the peak of Qi Refinement on the surface.
But it wasn’t a big deal. Being at the peak of Qi Refinement was already something to be proud of in Autumn Wind City.
This return home wasn’t just about visiting family; there was another reason.
The city lord of Autumn Wind City had invited the four of them back to the city for a promotional event.
It was something like an “Autumn Wind City Outstanding Youth Experience Sharing” event.
Being able to join the Seven Stars Sword Sect was already considered a great honor in Autumn Wind City.
Now, after studying there for a year, the entire city was envious.
Such a great opportunity—how could the city lord not seize it?
To inspire the younger generation in the city, Su Luo, Lin Xuan, Li Siyi, and Little Yu were specially invited back to share their experiences.
Su Luo and Li Siyi had no objections; it was a chance to go home as well.
Little Yu’s home was probably gone. She had lived in a remote area, and her dilapidated house had likely collapsed by now.
But if Su Luo was going back, Little Yu would follow.
As for Lin Xuan, he had no issues either. The city lord had treated him well before, so it was just a small favor.
And so, one day, the four of them boarded a particularly luxurious flying vessel to return to Autumn Wind City.
The expenses were covered by the city lord.
On the flying vessel, Li Siyi stretched lazily and said to Su Luo,
“It’s great to be going home. I haven’t been back in a year—I really miss it.”
“Yeah,” Su Luo replied casually. Though, to be honest, the upcoming events didn’t seem too favorable. I hope you can still smile by the end of it.
No, you won’t be smiling.
“What’s wrong? You seem down.”
“It’s nothing. Let’s just go home.”
At the mention of Autumn Wind City, Li Siyi recalled the past. Everything had changed since she got that diary.
“It’s been a year since we’ve been through all this together.”
Su Luo: “...”
“What’s the matter? You seem dissatisfied.”
Even though I’ve gained a lot thanks to the diary, sometimes I have to play along with your script.
“How should I put it? You’ve become so... outrageous.”
“Have I? I don’t think so. If anything, you’re the one who’s changed a lot.”
You have the nerve to say that? If it weren’t for the diary, I’d still be in the dark about many things.
“No, I’m still the same as before.”
Little Yu remained silent, not particularly fond of Li Siyi.
Li Siyi knew Little Yu didn’t like her, likely since the time she had to act alongside Su Luo.
In Little Yu’s eyes, Li Siyi had deeply hurt Su Luo.
But the truth was, Su Luo didn’t care about that incident at all.
Still, Li Siyi didn’t plan on making Little Yu like her. As long as she didn’t get in the way, it was fine.
Suddenly, Li Siyi had an idea.
“Little Yu, where will you stay in Autumn Wind City? I heard you don’t have a place. Why not come to my house? It’s quite spacious.”
Li Siyi was worried Little Yu might go to Su Luo’s place.
Now that Little Yu was a disciple of the sect master, she certainly had a place to stay—the city lord had already arranged it.
But Li Siyi was afraid Little Yu might sneak off to Su Luo’s house. It would be better to invite her to her own place so they could all visit Su Luo together, without any sneaking around.
“No,” Little Yu replied immediately.
Then she turned to Su Luo and asked, “Can I stay at your place?”
“Sure,” Su Luo said.
It wasn’t like she hadn’t been there before. Su Luo didn’t mind—his house was big enough, and one more person wouldn’t make a difference.
Li Siyi panicked. “Speaking of which, I’ve been at the Seven Stars Sword Sect for a year, and I’m only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. My father will definitely be angry, saying I haven’t worked hard enough. Maybe I should hide at your place for a while?”
Su Luo: “...”
Little Yu: “...”
Do you think we’re clueless? Your father probably already has sixty tables set up to celebrate your return.
In the end, Li Siyi’s suggestion was rejected.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan, who had been quietly cultivating nearby, couldn’t shake the feeling that Su Luo, who always seemed carefree, had far surpassed him—especially since even their master had acknowledged Su Luo’s hidden strength.
Lin Xuan thought that Su Luo hadn’t taken him seriously before because he was too weak.
So now, he was focusing on rapidly improving his cultivation. Perhaps then, Su Luo would treat him as a true rival.
...
The flying vessel was quite fast, and soon they arrived at Autumn Wind City. Looking at the familiar city, each of them had their own thoughts.
However, it was already nighttime, so the city lord arranged for them to stay outside the city for the night and make their grand entrance the next morning.
The spectacle had to be perfect.
The next day, the streets were packed.
The entire city lined the roads, eager to witness the return of the prodigies from the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
The atmosphere was electric, with everyone waiting in anticipation.
When the time came, the city lord guided the flying vessel, flying it close to the ground as it slowly moved through the city.
Su Luo and the others stood at the most prominent spot on the vessel, receiving the enthusiastic welcome of the entire city.
“A year has passed, and the four of them look even more spirited and handsome.”
“He looked at me! He looked at me!”
“I’m so envious. Truly envious.”
The entire city cheered, waving at Lin Xuan and the others.
The city lord introduced them one by one.
“This is Lin Xuan. At the Seven Stars Sword Sect, he has defeated countless fellow disciples. He is also a hero of Autumn Wind City, with a cultivation level at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.”
At these words, the crowd erupted.
“Lin Xuan!”
“Lin Xuan!”
The city lord continued.
“This is Li Siyi. You all know her well—she has been a prodigy of Autumn Wind City since childhood. At the Seven Stars Sword Sect, she has continued to achieve great things, with a cultivation level at the late stage of Foundation Establishment!”
Once again, the entire city shouted her name in unison: “Li Siyi!”
After the cheers subsided, the city lord went on.
“This is Little Yu, a disciple of the Seven Stars Sword Sect’s sect master, with a cultivation level at the early stage of Foundation Establishment!”
Though not many knew her, the crowd cheered anyway.
Then it was Su Luo’s turn.
“This one is also no stranger to you all—Su Luo, with a cultivation level at the peak of Qi Refinement!”
And then... silence. The cheers died down.
Whispers broke out.
“Huh? Only at the peak of Qi Refinement? I remember he was already at the late stage when he left.”
“I thought breaking through to Foundation Establishment would be easy after joining the Seven Stars Sword Sect.”
“Don’t say that. Let’s cheer—we have to save face.”
The once-boisterous cheers turned half-hearted.
Su Luo got annoyed and shouted, “Listen up! I, Su Luo, am at the peak of Qi Refinement!”
But it had no effect. The whispers only grew louder.
“We heard you, but why are you so confident?”
“The other three are all at Foundation Establishment, and you’re still at Qi Refinement. Don’t you feel embarrassed?”
“Even though we’re not at the peak of Qi Refinement, compared to you, I feel like I’m stronger.”
Without comparison, being at the peak of Qi Refinement at such a young age was already impressive in Autumn Wind City.
But without comparison, there’s no harm. With comparison, someone’s bound to look like a fool.
Su Luo was getting angry, but it was all an act.
This kind of behavior was something he only did when following the script.