Cultivation Realm Breakthrough, Astonishing Random Multiplier

Han Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Sisi was an Outer Sect Disciple of Spirit Beast Peak, already at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. He had bought Wangcai from her at a low price, so they had some connection.

After learning of Hu Yifan's watchful attention yesterday, he had sensed that something bad was bound to happen. He had therefore found a way to establish ties with Liu Sisi. Unexpectedly, Hu Yifan and Liu Sisi's groups had arrived one after another that morning, coincidentally resolving his predicament.

"Give me a few more days, and my cultivation will reach the third layer!"

What Han Yuan needed was this period of respite. Once his cultivation rose, those prying eyes would naturally turn away.

He glanced at the stalks in the rice field and thought it over. There was no rush to deal with them now. Once his cultivation reached the Qi Refining Third Layer, his efficiency would be much higher. He turned and returned to his room, continuing to cultivate and refine the Pill Toxin.

Once the sun had risen high, he headed straight to External Affairs Peak to work.

It was not until dusk that he hurried back to his own courtyard.

After feeding Wangcai, he continued cultivating without wasting a moment.

Today, the Pill Toxin was refined even faster. In less than half an hour, the Pill Toxin in his body had been completely cleared away.

He eagerly took out a Spirit Gathering Pill and tossed it back into his mouth.

Random Buff Multiplier: 3

Spirit Gathering Pill Effect *300%

Spirit Gathering Pill Toxin -30%

Another triple buff!

Han Yuan was already quite satisfied. Just two hours later, he had completely absorbed the Spirit Gathering Pill's medicinal power. The spiritual energy within him rose again, already surpassing the halfway mark of the second layer!

"Damn, did I really catch up to Hu Yifan's progress just like that?" Han Yuan was rather astonished. When they had fought that morning, his Spiritual Sense had clearly detected Hu Yifan's spiritual energy intensity. Hu Yifan's spiritual energy was probably only about one-tenth stronger than his own. The difference was not great!

Han Yuan's lips curled upward. The Golden Finger's effect was utterly astonishing. Three pills were effectively equivalent to ten pills, so naturally his progress was advancing at a breakneck pace.

"Keep working!"

Han Yuan did not rest. He continued refining the Pill Toxin inside his body. His spiritual energy circulated again and again, while the countless thoughts in his mind were cleared away one by one. He immersed himself in a lucid, empty state of cultivation.

At dawn, a ray of sunlight streamed into the room through the window. He seemed to catch the fragrance of grass and trees in his nose. His Spiritual Sense unconsciously spread outward, breathing in unison with an Apricot Tree in the courtyard. As Han Yuan emptied his mind and delved deep into cultivation, he inexplicably resonated with that Old Apricot Tree.

The circulation speed of the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art suddenly doubled!

Yet Han Yuan, immersed in deep cultivation, was not affected in the slightest. Instead, he became even more at ease, effortlessly adapting to the doubled Meridian Circulation.

Only after quite some time did Han Yuan open his eyes in astonishment, his gaze burning as he stared at the Old Apricot Tree outside the window.

"Was that enlightenment? Or Oneness with Heaven and Man?"

Genuine delight appeared on Han Yuan's face. His cultivation art proficiency had actually broken through!

The Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art had risen from the Entry Level to Minor Accomplishment!

At the Minor Accomplishment Realm, the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art doubled cultivation speed and tripled spiritual energy recovery speed. It also provided roughly a thirty-percent boost to the training speed and power of Wood Attribute spells!

Thanks to this breakthrough in his cultivation art, the Pill Toxin inside his body had actually been completely purged!

It was truly double happiness arriving at the door!

Suddenly, a rapidly spinning die flashed before his eyes.

Han Yuan stared ahead in shock.

Random Buff Multiplier: 3

Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art Minor Accomplishment Realm Effect *300%

Han Yuan's eyes widened. "That works too? This, this, this is incredible!"

Han Yuan eagerly sat down cross-legged and began circulating his cultivation art.

The moment he started cultivating, his Spiritual Sense clearly observed that the speed at which his spiritual energy circulated had increased fourfold compared to before the breakthrough!

This was already comparable to the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art at the Major Accomplishment Realm!

Han Yuan had heard a saying: Qi Refining late-stage cultivators might not necessarily cultivate their arts to the Major Accomplishment Realm, but those who cultivated their arts to the Major Accomplishment Realm were all Qi Refining late-stage cultivators. This showed just how valuable a Major Accomplishment Realm cultivation art was.

"Doesn't that mean my spiritual energy recovery speed will be seven times what it was before, while my spell power will be doubled?"

His Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art had always excelled at recovery. Now, his endurance in battle would reach an astonishing level. At the very least, within the early Qi Refining stage, he would be a king among men.

The increase in spell power would also make up for the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art's weakness in attack power. It was simply perfect.

"This feels incredible!" Han Yuan could not stop the corners of his mouth from rising.

This breakthrough was nothing short of shedding his mortal body and exchanging his bones. His cultivation speed was now roughly on par with the High-grade Spiritual Root geniuses of the same batch!

He refused to believe those people had already comprehended cultivation arts at the Major Accomplishment Realm.

"Don't get carried away. Keep cultivating!"

Han Yuan reined in his smile, his face returning to calm as he flipped his hand and took out another Spirit Gathering Pill.

With the Pill Toxin cleared, he could take another pill!

He tossed it into the air and caught it in his mouth.

Random Buff Multiplier: 7

Spirit Gathering Pill Effect *700%

Spirit Gathering Pill Toxin -70%

Han Yuan's eyes widened. This random multiplier was unexpectedly high!

Medicinal power twice as immense as the previous three times erupted violently inside his body.

But this time, after his cultivation art's breakthrough, his speed of refining the medicinal power had instead increased.

In less than an hour, he had completely absorbed all the medicinal power!

The amount of spiritual energy he gained increased by another twenty to thirty percent!

His cultivation had already reached roughly eighty percent of the Qi Refining Second Layer. The Qi Refining Third Layer was no longer far away!

Bro, who could understand this sky-piercing joy?!

Glancing at the sky, he saw that it was already late.

He immediately tidied himself up and hurried toward External Affairs Peak.

External Affairs Peak was also known as "Labor Peak," a place Outer Sect Disciples often visited. He made his way to Courtyard D-17 with practiced familiarity and habitually went to a corner. More than ten people had already arrived there.

He swept his gaze over the crowd and happened to meet Hu Yifan's eyes.

Hu Yifan actually smiled at this moment and nodded toward Han Yuan, as though greeting him.

Han Yuan raised an eyebrow. What was this fellow plotting now?

At this time, Hu Yifan walked over to another Outer Sect Disciple and spoke quietly. "Senior Brother Qin Feng, I heard that Han Yuan has latched onto Senior Sister Liu from Spirit Beast Peak. It would be best not to clash with him in the future."

Hearing this, Qin Feng gave Hu Yifan a strange look. Was this brat trying to poison his mind? How did Hu Yifan know that he liked Senior Sister Liu? Hmph, what a petty little man!

As for Han Yuan, he was merely an insignificant nobody. Connections or no connections, Qin Feng did not care in the slightest. For cultivators, cultivation was what mattered most. Han Yuan was not even worthy of his notice, much less qualified to be his opponent.

Before long, twenty Outer Sect Disciples had gathered in the courtyard. Not one was absent from work, and no one was late.

"Ahem, ahem!"

A familiar cough rang out.

A middle-aged man with half-black, half-white hair walked in from outside, sweeping an indifferent gaze over the crowd.

"Disciples pay respects to Steward You!" everyone said in unison as they bowed.

"Mm. No need for such formality," You Muxiong said flatly.

Han Yuan raised his head and curiously examined You Muxiong's hands. To his surprise, You Muxiong did not seem to be holding a task sheet today.

You Muxiong said solemnly, "Today, I have something to tell you!"

Everyone listened attentively.

"You have all been in the sect for nearly two full years. According to the rules of previous years, if you fail to break through to the Qi Refining Third Layer by the end of your third year, you will be demoted to Menial Disciples. Therefore, you must cultivate diligently next year."

A trace of gravity flashed through many people's eyes.

You Muxiong continued, "Furthermore, for your batch of disciples, anyone who reaches the Qi Refining Third Layer before the end of the second year will receive a reward from the sect. The higher your cultivation and ranking, the greater your reward. The top ten may receive Inner Sect Disciple treatment in advance, while the top three may even become disciples under an elder..."

He paused and looked at the twenty people of Courtyard D-17. Seeing that there was no need to say more, he continued, "Among you, only Qin Feng is close to the Qi Refining Third Layer. If you work hard, you have a good chance of breaking through. Of course, the others are not without hope either. Spending Spirit Stones on pills can also raise your cultivation in the short term. It does not matter if you do not have time to clear the Pill Toxin; at worst, you can slowly clear it after the assessment ends. Mm, the cultivation assessment will be seven days from now. Work hard on your own over these next few days. The tasks for these days are temporarily canceled. You may all disperse!"

After delivering the news, You Muxiong left on his own.

The news came so suddenly that Han Yuan was rather surprised.

Most of the disciples present were also shocked, though two or three remained calm. They had clearly already known the news. Qin Feng was one of them. His cultivation was already extremely close to the Qi Refining Third Layer. He could break through merely through cultivation, and with one Spirit Gathering Pill, he would certainly succeed. Thus, his expression remained extremely composed.

He left calmly. Halfway there, he happened to see Han Yuan with his head lowered, looking as though he were "hanging his head in dejection."

Remembering Hu Yifan's words, he could not help speaking in a low voice. "Han Yuan, right? Let me remind you: Senior Sister Liu is not someone you can try to establish ties with. Know your place!"

With that, Qin Feng strode away, paying no attention whatsoever to Han Yuan's reaction.

Han Yuan looked at Qin Feng's retreating back but did not take him seriously. He was busy rejoicing that he would not have to "go to work" for the next few days. This gave him even more time to cultivate.

Before he could leave the courtyard—

He found quite a few people surrounding him.

Hu Yifan stood to the side, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Han Yuan looked at the people encircling him, his brows knitting faintly. "What do you mean, everyone?"

"Ahem, I heard Junior Brother Han had a bountiful harvest planting Blood Spirit Rice. I'm not far from the Qi Refining Third Layer now and urgently need Spirit Stones to buy pills, but I'm a little short on funds. Could Junior Brother Han lend me twenty Spirit Stones? Once I break through to the Qi Refining Third Layer and receive the reward, I'll repay you immediately!"

"That's right, Junior Brother Han. You're still far from the Qi Refining Third Layer, so those Spirit Stones are just sitting idle in your hands. Lend us some to tide us over, and we'll repay you double later!"

Han Yuan answered very decisively, "Sorry, I don't have any Spirit Stones left either. My apologies, everyone. I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first!"

With wind beneath his feet, Han Yuan slipped straight through the gaps between them without a trace of hesitation!

"Han Yuan, how can you have no sense of brotherhood at all? We're all from Courtyard D-17. We see one another every day—can't you give us even this little face?" said the cultivator named Zhao Donglai, his tone dissatisfied.

"Yeah, yeah! I'm only borrowing ten Spirit Stones. You won't even agree to that?" someone said indignantly.

"Hmph, so what if he knows how to grow a little spirit rice? Look how smug he is. He doesn't even know what trash his aptitude is! A Mid-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root, but only one Wood Spiritual Root is mid-grade. Maybe he'll be stuck at the Qi Refining Mid-Stage for ten years or eight."

Hu Yifan spoke up then. "Junior Brother Han has a solitary temperament and does not understand human relations. Everyone, do not blame him too much. Think of other ways. Perhaps you may still have a chance to break through to the Qi Refining Third Layer."

The others said nothing more, but their expressions remained deeply dissatisfied with Han Yuan.

Hu Yifan smiled inwardly. These people were all among the most promising in Courtyard D-17 to break through to the Qi Refining Third Layer. Now that they collectively disliked Han Yuan, Han Yuan would have a hard time in the future.