The next day, before dawn had fully broken, a faint light already shone within Azure No. 4 Courtyard.
Yang Jing rose from his bed, brimming with vigor, without a trace of weariness in his eyes.
After returning the previous night, he had not continued his grueling cultivation as usual. Instead, he had washed and gone to bed early, giving both his body and mind ample rest.
Now that he was awake, he felt blood and qi surging throughout his body. Internal qi circulated steadily within his dantian, and every inch of his meridians felt relaxed and open. He had brought himself into peak condition.
He filled a copper basin with mountain spring well water and washed his face. The icy touch sharpened his awareness further. Then he changed into clean training clothes and sat beside the stone table to wait.
Before long, a servant disciple from the Dining Hall arrived with a food box containing breakfast: two large plates of choice exotic beast meat in sauce, two plates of refreshing side dishes, and a meat pie, all packed with nourishing energy.
Yang Jing quickly finished his meal, neatly arranged his bowl and chopsticks, then rose and secured the courtyard gate with its copper lock. With light steps, he headed toward the training rooms halfway up the peak.
The excitement and anticipation in his heart burned ever brighter, like flames he could no longer contain.
He was now only one step away from the peak of the qi-devouring realm. With his condition so excellent today, this was the perfect opportunity to break into the qi-nourishing realm in one spirited push.
The plants along the path swayed gently in the morning breeze, their dewdrops refracting the faint light of dawn.
But Yang Jing had no attention to spare for the scenery. His