Chapter 107: Late-Stage Qi Refining
Half a year later. Green Leaf Peak, residence Xuan-17.
A routine outer sect disciple’s cave dwelling, not far from Song Yan’s residence.
Shao Sichen sat in his cave dwelling with a troubled expression, a letter lying on his desk.
He held a brush, sighing repeatedly.
Finally, mustering his courage, he began to write.
“Master, greetings.”
“Since returning from North Watch Mountain half a year ago, Song Yan’s cultivation has advanced rapidly, approaching the late stage of Qi Refining.”
“Approximately nine days ago, he broke through to the seventh layer of Qi Refining, entering the late stage.”
“Moreover, he seems to have obtained some sword cultivator’s inheritance from unknown sources. His spirit is high, and it is very likely he will participate in the Changping garrison.”
“Changping is overrun with demons, ghosts, and unorthodox cultivators. I worry that his rapid advancement may lead him astray. If he falls to the demonic path, I alone cannot control him.”
“If it is necessary for me to accompany and monitor him, please send your order.”
“Recently, I have observed his temperament to be no different from his days at Stone Bridge Town. His inner demons remain, but there are no signs of straying.”
“To speak honestly, his demonic aura is overwhelming, yet for some reason… his conduct, aside from being somewhat ruthless in combat, is unaffected in temperament.”
“Truly peculiar.”
“However…”
Shao Sichen paused his brush, then forced himself to continue writing.
“On New Year’s Eve, during casual conversation, I carelessly lied about my hometown.”
“I did not expect Song Yan to be assigned to North Watch Mountain half a year ago… I fear he may have noticed.”
“There is nothing else to report.”
“I respectfully wish you well.”
The letter was filled with accounts of his accomplishments, with only a passing mention of a minor flaw.
On the windowsill sat a white carrier pigeon.
Shao Sichen carefully rolled up the letter and placed it into a small, slender bamboo tube.
He traced a streak of spiritual light across the surface with his fingertip, and runes illuminated upon it.
He then placed the bamboo tube under the carrier pigeon’s claws.
Shao Sichen gently stroked the pigeon’s feathers. “Traveling such a long distance truly must be hard on you.”
“We’re brothers in suffering. Let’s keep enduring.”
He lifted the pigeon and released it into the air.
“When will the day of my return come…”
…
On the other side of Green Leaf Peak, residence Xuan-39.
Song Yan sat cross-legged in his cave dwelling, using the residual power of his pills to continuously consolidate his cultivation.
After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes.
“The Mingjue Pill… truly wondrous.”
He slowly stood up and removed his clothing.
Black filth was piled across multiple areas of his body.
When a cultivator advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining, there was a process of cleansing the meridians and marrow, which expelled accumulated waste and pill toxins from the body, slightly improving one’s spiritual roots.
He cast a simple Water Curtain technique to wash away the filth, then leisurely stepped into the warm pool.
“Ah…”
Days of bitter cultivation, finally culminating in a breakthrough.
Though somewhat mentally exhausted, his mood was cheerful and his bearing entirely renewed.
His spiritual energy was hidden yet potent, giving off a faint sense of oppression.
Nine days prior, Song Yan had refined his spiritual energy, which had reached its bottleneck, to an extraordinary level of purity before proceeding with his breakthrough.
With the powerful effects of the Mingjue Pill and his sufficiently solid spiritual energy, the breakthrough was already feasible.
But to prevent any accidents, he had also consumed two consecutive Essence Condensing Pills.
After the breakthrough, the spiritual energy in his sea of qi continued to grow rapidly.
He then spent another eight or nine days refining the residual medicinal power while consolidating his cultivation.
After the breakthrough, Song Yan found that his divine sense had also greatly improved.
From its previous radius of twenty zhang, it had expanded to over thirty-five zhang.
This was already equivalent to the standard of an ordinary cultivator at the ninth layer of Qi Refining.
Releasing his divine sense, the flow of water, the vegetation, and the light throughout the entire cave dwelling were all within his grasp.
However…
Where was Xiao He?
Suddenly.
A cool sensation pressed against the back of his neck.
“Hm?”
Song Yan opened his eyes abruptly to find Xiao He’s head right before her. Seeing him open his eyes, the snake flicked its tongue.
“Xiao He… why can’t I sense your presence?”
Xiao He chuckled. “You’re allowed to cultivate, but I’m not?”
Song Yan let out a soft sound of surprise.
The snake’s eyes gleamed with a faint blue-gold light, and only then did Song Yan detect Xiao He’s aura. Though still faint, it was unmistakably that of a genuine first-stage early-phase beast.
“Where did you learn this cultivation method?”
Song Yan was somewhat astonished. “Did you… remember it on your own as you grew up?”
He had heard many rumors about the demon race before.
It was said that the cultivation methods of demon descendants were passed down through their bloodlines.
They remembered them on their own as they matured.
He did not understand the principle behind it, but he felt envious.
Xiao He froze, then quickly nodded. “Ah, yes.”
Song Yan was naturally happy that Xiao He had begun cultivating.
“Impressive!”
“Of course.”
Xiao He swam about in the water, pleased with the praise.
After a moment, Song Yan stood up and dressed.
He slowly composed himself. The exhilaration and joy from the breakthrough could not last.
He had only reached the late stage of Qi Refining. Even in the cultivation world of Chu State, he remained at the very bottom.
He needed to remain vigilant against arrogance.
After resting for only half a day, Song Yan left the cave dwelling.
Advancing to the inner sect could not wait.
Walking through the sect, he occasionally passed fellow disciples who hurried by with worried expressions.
Approximately three months had passed since the Changping garrison mission began.
Many disciples had already departed for Changping.
However, Song Yan had inquired beforehand, and each sect still had many slots available.
The reason was simple. Changping was barren of spiritual energy, overrun with demonic and unorthodox cultivators.
It was known as the “Ghost Mountain.”
Moreover, the mission was extremely dangerous, so naturally few disciples volunteered to participate.
Aside from the necessary presiding elders and inner sect Foundation Establishment disciples, those who went to Changping were mostly individuals who had confidence in their own strength.
Or those who had been stuck at a bottleneck for years with no progress.
Now that he had broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining, with a sect elder presiding, he could generally protect himself in most situations.
As for the rest, that would be left to fate.
Inner sect, Zuowang Peak.
Outside the General Affairs Hall.
“Senior brother, I am Song Yan. I recently broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining, and today I wish to undergo the Heart Tempering Path to advance into the inner sect.”
The hall guard disciple looked at the young face with some curiosity and nodded. “Please.”
Inside the hall, various matters were guided by dedicated auxiliary disciples in an orderly fashion.
Next came the Heart Tempering Path.
The Heart Tempering Path was an illusory formation trial set up by the sect master and several elders.
On one hand, it served to prevent those with malicious intent from infiltrating the inner sect and causing catastrophe.
On the other hand, it allowed proactive disciples the opportunity to face their true hearts.
It was both a trial and an encouragement.
The Heart Tempering Path only required the cultivator to possess dedication to the path of cultivation and harbor no ill will toward the sect in order to pass smoothly.
Under normal circumstances, very few people failed.
Those who failed due to an unstable mindset or insufficient pursuit of the immortal path could choose another day to try again.
But if one failed due to the latter reason…
Then there would likely be no second chance.
Before the Heart Tempering Path.
The presiding senior brother had made all the preparations for Song Yan. With a gentle gesture, he indicated that Song Yan could begin whenever he was ready.
Song Yan took a deep breath and cast aside the distracting thoughts from his mind.
After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes.
He stepped forward with determination, entering the Heart Tempering Path.
Spiritual energy billowed like mist, and the surrounding scenery shifted and changed.
Green mountains and a thatched cottage.
The scent of herbs filled the air.
A white-haired old man crouched in the herb garden, tending to a seedling.
Mud splattered the hem of his plain robe.
It was identical to his memory in every detail.
“…”