Breaking Through Four Realms, Houtian Realm Sixth Layer

At dawn, Shen Qing and the others returned to Baiyun County.

The Imperial Guards were all yawning, as they were only cultivators at the Body Tempering Realm.

Shen Qing gave them a day off to catch up on sleep.

He himself returned to the General's Office and had Lin Zikai find someone to heat a tub of bathwater, so he could enjoy a nice bath.

Lin Zikai even thoughtfully brought him a pot of fine wine and a few plates of snacks.

Shen Qing savored the good life.

"Sir, sir, someone from Luoshui City has arrived."

Lin Zikai's excited voice suddenly came from outside the door.

Leaning back, Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes.

Three to four days, it had finally arrived.

The merit he had earned last time was not small.

He had apprehended a traitorous Commander, recovered silver, and interrogated a White Dragon Cult stronghold.

Especially the White Dragon Cult stronghold, the Great Wu Dynasty had always had zero tolerance for the White Dragon Cult.

Tasks related to the White Dragon Cult also offered generous rewards.

Therefore, Shen Qing was looking forward to it, wondering what reward the higher-ups would give him.

Of course, if it was too poor, Shen Qing wouldn't blame himself for cursing.

Shen Qing put on his clothes and walked out of the room. The courtyard was quiet, with all the Imperial Guards standing on either side, silent.

In the center of the courtyard stood a middle-aged Centurion wearing a silver Flying Fish Robe.

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow; the reward was being escorted by a Centurion, so the reward must be substantial.

The middle-aged Centurion's eyes lit up when he saw Shen Qing emerge from the room. He cupped his hands.

"I am Zhang Shan, a Centurion from the Northern Pacification Bureau of Luoshui City."

"I presume you are Commander Shen Qing."

"As expected, you are a man of talent. To reach the position of Commander at such a young age, your future is bright."

Zhang Shan did not put on airs as a Centurion. Although he didn't know Shen Qing's background, Shen Qing's age was evident.

Moreover, he had performed a great service, and it was rumored within the Luoshui Town Pacification Department that the higher-ups were very satisfied with Shen Qing.

With great merit on one hand and the favor of his superiors on the other, Shen Qing's future promotion was a certainty.

Rather than putting on useless airs now, it was better to adopt a humble attitude and build a good relationship.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Shan waved his hand, and an Imperial Guard behind him stepped forward, carrying a red sandalwood box with a golden edge.

"I believe Commander Shen has been waiting for this reward for quite some time."

The Imperial Guard carefully opened the wooden box, and a refreshing aroma filled the air, with faint red light flickering within.

Inside the wooden box was a crimson fruit, about the size of a baby's fist, crystal clear.

Shen Qing's eyes narrowed as he recognized the fruit: "Crimson Jade Fruit?"

"Commander Shen has sharp eyes."

There were countless natural treasures in the world, and many were suitable for the Houtian Realm. However, the most suitable was this Crimson Jade Fruit.

The Crimson Jade Fruit grew on Crimson Jade Island, located in the southernmost part of the Great Wu Dynasty.

Crimson Jade Island was named after this fruit. The entire dynasty only cultivated the Crimson Jade Fruit in this one location. Its annual output was limited, and coupled with its effectiveness, the supply was always tight. However, the Imperial Guards were given priority.

Its effect was to assist in opening the meridians in the Houtian Realm, with considerable efficacy.

However, what made it truly precious was another effect: after consuming the Crimson Jade Fruit, one could widen their meridians and increase their toughness.

Zhang Shan laughed heartily: "To be honest, this reward is truly enviable."

"But treasures belong to heroes, and this Crimson Jade Fruit should go to Commander Shen."

Shen Qing waved his hand, and Lin Zikai immediately stepped forward to take the wooden box.

"Centurion Zhang, you must be tired from your journey. Would you like to have a meal before you leave?"

Centurion Zhang waved his hand.

"I have important matters to attend to and must return to Luoshui City to report.

"Furthermore, Commander Shen has just received a precious fruit, and I would not want to disturb you."

"If Commander Shen visits Luoshui City in the future, I will certainly host a grand banquet."

"Certainly."

With that, Zhang Shan cupped his hands and then led his men out of the General's Office.

After Zhang Shan had left, Shen Qing took the Crimson Jade Fruit back to his room, instructing Lin Zikai not to let anyone disturb him.

He was currently at the Houtian Realm Second Layer.

He had already opened up eight acupoints.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he took out the Crimson Jade Fruit and swallowed it in three gulps. Then, he circulated the Overbearing Meridian Opening Art with all his might.

The Crimson Jade Fruit was quickly digested, and a pure, vast, and gentle energy surged into his limbs and bones.

Shen Qing rapidly opened his meridians and connected acupoints.

Like flowing water, Shen Qing broke through eight acupoints and successfully advanced his realm to the Houtian Realm Third Layer.

Moreover, Shen Qing's progress became even more abnormal, with the speed of connecting acupoints not decreasing but increasing.

There was no other reason.

The effect of the red trait "Clear Mind" was that the more clear-minded one became, the stronger the effect of Dao Heart Enlightenment.

And Shen Qing's current state was that the faster he broke through, the clearer his mind became.

And the clearer his mind became, the faster his realm broke through.

It was like stepping on his own left foot with his right.

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he opened another meridian, connected eight acupoints, and his realm broke through to the Houtian Realm Fourth Layer.

In the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he reached the Houtian Realm Fifth Layer.

Half an hour later, he was at the Houtian Realm Sixth Layer.

Only then did the last trace of medicinal power from the Crimson Jade Fruit completely disappear.

Shen Qing had maximized the effect of the Crimson Jade Fruit in widening his meridians, with each meridian being widened by a full forty percent.

Slowly opening his eyes, Shen Qing felt a terrifying surge of power.

He raised a finger and gently pointed, and a wisp of overbearing internal energy appeared at his fingertip.

This was the unique internal energy projection unique to the Houtian Realm Third Layer, which varied depending on the cultivation technique.

And the truly overbearing aspect of the Overbearing Meridian Opening Art was revealed at this moment.

The Overbearing Internal Energy cultivated by the Overbearing Meridian Opening Art was incredibly potent, dealing maximum damage and capable of forcefully shattering the opponent's internal energy.

The incredibly overbearing internal energy provided immense destructive power, the forty percent widened meridians provided speed for internal energy circulation, and the Dao Heart Enlightenment state provided control over the internal energy.

Shen Qing felt that he was terrifyingly strong now.

He should have insisted on having Zhang Shan stay for a meal. He could have tested his strength after breaking through.

Shen Qing got up, stretched his muscles, and walked out of the room.

In the courtyard, Lin Zikai and the others were bored playing chess.

Firstly, they were guarding the door for Shen Qing, and secondly, the Imperial Guards in small towns were not that busy. Minor cases did not require their involvement, and local yamen would handle them.

Only major cases would trouble the Imperial Guards, but such cases were not an everyday occurrence.

Lin Zikai noticed Shen Qing and quickly stood up. "My Lord, have you finished refining the Crimson Jade Fruit?"

Shen Qing nodded and waved his hand. "Go call Black Dog and the others. Let's meet at the Emerald Pine Pavilion."

"I saw it when we entered the city just now; the Emerald Pine Pavilion has new dishes."

Since he had a cheat, he naturally couldn't mistreat his stomach.

A bland, ascetic cultivation?

No, he didn't do things that were difficult and unpleasant.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.