Roots Firm, Leaves Lush—An Appointment at the Auction

"Cultivation is the root; alchemy is the leaf. If the root rots, then no matter how beautifully the leaves grow, they're doomed in the end."

This quiet murmur exploded through Li Chengjie's mind like a thunderclap, instantly scattering all his hesitation.

The thought of replicating Zhao Yiming's experience as a high-grade alchemist was forcibly suppressed. A more fundamental, more urgent choice now lay before him.

Han Li!

Ninth Level of Qi Refining!

Mysterious Flame Art!

The "insights into breakthroughs" and "explorations and supplements for the incomplete portions of the cultivation art" contained in his experience were precisely what Li Chengjie needed most right now!

Raising his Cultivation level was the foundation for confronting every crisis and achieving his long-term goals.

Without sufficient strength, even if he could refine high-grade pills, he would merely be a man carrying jade and inviting trouble, drawing even more covetous gazes.

"Confirm replication of Han Li!" Li Chengjie practically gritted out the final command in his mind.

The 2,800 Replication Points that had once again filled his Storage Bag vanished in an instant. In their place, a torrent of information far weightier than the alchemy experience—and far closer to his own essence—came crashing in!

This was not the intricacy of pill formulas, nor was it skill in controlling flames. It was knowledge of the Mysterious Flame Art itself!

It was Han Li's decades of painstaking exploration of this cultivation art: how to circulate a full cycle more efficiently; how to overcome the sluggishness of Spiritual Energy caused by the art's incompleteness; how to find an opening before every minor bottleneck; especially how to tear through, with clever force rather than brute impact, the crucial thin membrane separating the peak of Qi Refining Level 6 from Level 7... There were even some bold deductions and ideas for supplementing the Mysterious Flame Art that Han Li had formulated from his own experience and knowledge, in light of having no path forward in the latter stages of the art!

This experience was like sweet rain after a long drought, instantly nourishing Li Chengjie's parched understanding.

Many parts of his previous cultivation that had felt awkward and incomprehensible suddenly became crystal clear! No wonder Han Li had managed to reach the Ninth Level of Qi Refining—Old Li was nowhere near his equal.

That bottleneck which had held Li Chengjie back for months, solid as Panshi, now seemed to reveal distinct grain lines and fragile points under the illumination of Han Li's experience!

"So that's how it is... When the Mysterious Flame Art circulates to this point, one must use divine sense for minute adjustments, guiding the fire energy inward rather than charging ahead blindly..."

"The key to breaking through to Level 7 lies in precise control over the 'fire seed' within the Dantian Qi Sea at that instant of compression and eruption..."

"The incompleteness of the cultivation art causes a minute deviation when Spiritual Energy Circulation reaches the 'Fengfu Acupoint.' Over time, this becomes the root of the bottleneck. It must be corrected by..."

Li Chengjie immersed himself in this sea of information. The Mysterious Flame Art within him unconsciously adjusted its circulation in response, and the Spiritual Energy that had been somewhat restless and sluggish gradually became tame and fluid.

Although the 99/100 proficiency barrier had not yet been breached, he could now clearly see the road ahead and knew how to cross it, step by step!

Breaking through to Qi Refining Level 7 was no longer an unattainable Extravagant Hope for him—it was merely a matter of time!

Li Chengjie slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath of turbid air. The sharp gleam in his eyes receded, replaced by an unprecedented steadiness and confidence.

Though his Spirit Stones were nearly exhausted and his Replication Count had once more entered cooldown, he felt that his "roots" had been tamped firm, and the road ahead was bright.

The panel data updated accordingly:

Name: Li Chengjie

Cultivation level: Qi Refining Level 6 (Peak) (Bottleneck loosened)

Cultivation Art: Mysterious Flame Art (Proficient 99/100) (Understanding deepened)

Alchemy: First-rank Mid-grade (Mastery 85/100)

Available Replication Points: 0

Available Replication Count: 0

Replication Point Recharge: One Low-grade Spirit Stone = one Replication Point.

Though his Cultivation level and cultivation art proficiency had not immediately increased, the sensations of "bottleneck loosened" and "understanding deepened" gave him an incomparable sense of security.

Just as Li Chengjie was sensing the changes within himself and planning how to use his new insights to break through as quickly as possible, a familiar graceful figure appeared outside his small house.

"Alchemist Li, are you inside?" Lin Zixue's clear voice called out.

Li Chengjie gathered his thoughts, rose, and opened the door. "Senior Sister Zixue, please come in."

Lin Zixue stepped into the small house. Her gaze swept curiously over the room, still plain yet kept in immaculate order, before finally settling on Li Chengjie. She paused slightly.

She felt that Li Chengjie seemed somewhat different today, though she could not say exactly how. His eyes merely appeared calmer and deeper, while the aura around him seemed a little more harmonious.

"Alchemist Li, it seems your cultivation has improved somewhat these past days?" Lin Zixue asked with a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I've gained a little." Li Chengjie answered modestly, without elaborating. He changed the subject. "Did Senior Sister come today because you have some instructions for me?"

Lin Zixue waved her hand with a smile. "Instructions would be too much. There's something I wanted to ask whether Alchemist Li might be interested in."

"Please speak, Senior Sister."

"Three days from now, the Treasure Pavilion in Falling Cloud City will be holding a quarterly auction," Lin Zixue said. "The Treasure Pavilion has deep backing, and every auction sees quite a few good things make their way out. Pills, Dharma Artifacts, Talismans, cultivation manuals—perhaps even rare spirit materials. I plan to go take a look. I thought that Alchemist Li is widely knowledgeable and has a precise eye for the value of all kinds of items, so I wonder whether you would be willing to go with me and offer me some counsel?"

What Lin Zixue said was, in truth, somewhat against her heart.

She had recruited Li Chengjie into the Alchemy Pavilion primarily because she admired the solid fundamentals he had displayed in Qingshi Market, as well as his struggle to rise in adversity, mixed with a measure of sympathy.

As for being "widely knowledgeable"?

How much knowledge could a Rogue Cultivator from a remote little market, with no background whatsoever, possibly possess?

She said it partly out of courtesy. But she had also noticed that since joining the Alchemy Pavilion, Li Chengjie had done nothing but complete his duties before shutting himself away in this small courtyard, barely interacting with anyone. She feared he might be stifling himself sick, and thought to use the auction as an opportunity to take him out for a walk, broaden his horizons, and fulfill the good intentions of the one who had recommended him.

Li Chengjie remained impassive on the surface, but his thoughts raced as he inwardly smiled bitterly.

Can I afford not to keep my head down?

I was a reborn man, after all. With a heaven-defying cheat like a mysterious panel, I should have been the chosen one of fate, the destined protagonist who crushed everything in his path!

But look at me now?

I had to play the grandson at the very bottom of Flowing Cloud Pill Pavilion, doing the most exhausting, least promising chores every day, even having to cultivate in secret... Wasn't all of this thanks to that damned Wang Zhen?!

Whenever he thought of Wang Zhen's smug, bullying face, and how he targeted him at every turn and used his authority to suppress him, Evil Fire surged up in Li Chengjie's chest.

If not for his misgivings over the other man's status as Elder Jin's personal disciple and his Qi Refining Level 7 cultivation level, he would have long since... Sigh, his strength was inferior, so he could only endure.

This grudge was settled! Wang Zhen, just you wait! Once I break through to Qi Refining Level 7, raise my pill-making skill to high-grade, earn enough Spirit Stones, and copy even more powerful experience... there will come a day when I settle the score with you!

Li Chengjie hardened his heart, yet his face remained as humble and mild as ever.

Li Chengjie's thoughts raced, and he instantly understood Lin Zixue's true intentions.

Her talk of "broad knowledge" and "helping offer advice" was merely an excuse this kind-hearted senior sister had come up with. Her real purpose was likely to see that he kept himself too shut away and take him out to see the world and clear his mind.

That kindness let Li Chengjie feel a rare trace of warmth within this cold pill pavilion.

"It is my greatest honor to receive Senior Sister's invitation." Li Chengjie suppressed the distracting thoughts in his heart and cupped his hands in reply, his tone carrying just the right amount of gratitude and a hint of flattered surprise. "Treasure Pavilion's auction is renowned far and wide. To have the chance to broaden my horizons there is naturally something I could only wish for. It is only..."

Li Chengjie shifted the topic, with a touch of apology and self-mockery. "Senior Sister thinks too highly of me in asking for my counsel. With the little knowledge I possess, having come from some poor backwater, I fear I am unfit for the task. If I misjudge something when the time comes, would I not delay Senior Sister's affairs? So long as Senior Sister does not find me a burden, that will be enough."

Li Chengjie deliberately mentioned that he had "come from some poor backwater" and possessed only "little knowledge." It was both the truth and a natural move—responding to Lin Zixue's politeness while further cementing his persona as low-key, humble, and somewhat lacking in confidence, thus avoiding unnecessary attention.

Seeing that he had not become carried away by her invitation, but instead remained so clear-headed and self-aware—perhaps even underestimating himself too much—Lin Zixue felt even more favorable toward him and pitied him somewhat. Smiling, she said, "Alchemist Li is too modest. Alchemists are most sensitive to the aura and medicinal properties of spiritual materials. That is a talent, and has nothing to do with where one comes from. Even if you do not know an item's origin, you would still be better than us laymen at judging its approximate value. Besides..."

Lin Zixue's tone relaxed, carrying a young girl's charming innocence. "We're only going to watch the excitement. It's not as though we necessarily have to buy anything. Just relax and treat it as accompanying me on a trip, so I won't have to compare those auction lists all by myself until I'm bored stiff."

Lin Zixue had put it cleverly, downplaying the matter of "offering advice" and emphasizing companionship instead. It both spared Li Chengjie's pride and left him unable to refuse again.

"Since that is the case, then I shall shamelessly impose upon you." Li Chengjie accepted the offer, feeling relieved as well.

(With all you fellow Daoists urging me for updates, I'll definitely write ten thousand words a day.)