Li Dingzhou's Breakthrough, Thirty Spirit Stones!

"Hahaha, I did it!"

"Mid Qi Condensation—I made it!"

Just then, hearty, vigorous laughter rang out from Father Li Dingzhou in the Main Courtyard's rear yard, brimming with boldness.

"Old Dad broke through." Li Qingyuan's face lit up with joy as he hurried outside.

In the courtyard, Li Dingzhou strode like a dragon and tiger, his hands forming the Qi Guiding Art. A longsword artifact circled his body, its sword light like lightning as it darted back and forth.

At the sight, Li Qingyuan immediately congratulated him. "Congratulations, Father, on stepping into Mid Qi Condensation and cultivating Spiritual Sense."

At Qi Condensation Fourth Layer, the soul transformed and became Spiritual Sense.

Spiritual Sense could guide magic tools and be deployed alongside one's spiritual energy, allowing one to initially achieve Sword Flight, kill enemies from afar, and perform Short-distance Sword Flight.

In the eyes of Cloud Mist Town's mortals, only cultivators capable of Sword Flight were true Immortal Masters.

Qi Condensation Third Layer cultivators could only barely control magic tools and fight others from several zhang away.

Upon reaching Mid Qi Condensation and cultivating Spiritual Sense, one could wield magic tools faster, strike harder, and attack from farther away. Against Qi Condensation Third Layer, it was simply a crushing advantage.

Li Dingzhou laughed aloud. "The surprise doesn't end there."

"Your father's Martial Cultivation has broken through as well."

"Yuan'er, watch closely!"

Boom!

Li Dingzhou's qi and blood boiled all over his body. He formed palms with both hands, his qi and blood blending into true qi. He threw a punch at a Rockery Boulder over a zhang tall in the courtyard.

With a bang, the solid boulder—one zhang tall and three chi thick—exploded in an instant, rocks flying and splashing everywhere.

Li Qingyuan's eyes widened. "So strong."

With this level of destructive power, in a Wuxia World, he would count as a Peak Master, wouldn't he?

Li Qingyuan asked curiously, "Father, have you reached the Innate Master realm among martial masters and cultivated Innate True Qi?"

"Indeed." Li Dingzhou was in high spirits. "After refining the Lesser Spirit Nurturing Pill, I truly broke through the Nine Blood Transformation Stages. My qi and blood underwent a qualitative change, and I became an Innate Martial Master."

Li Qingyuan said, "It seems you spent Several Years cultivating bitterly at Qi Condensation Third Layer Perfection, building up a solid foundation. With the Lesser Spirit Nurturing Pill as the catalyst, your accumulated strength finally burst forth, allowing both breakthroughs at once."

"In mortal kingdoms, Innate Martial Masters can use true qi to refine magic tools and achieve Hundred-step Flying Sword, killing enemies a hundred meters away. They are comparable to Body Refining Fourth Layer cultivators."

Li Dingzhou smiled. "That's right. Your father is now at Qi Condensation Fourth Layer and has cultivated Spiritual Sense."

"Innate True Qi, Body Refining Fourth Layer."

Li Dingzhou said in high spirits, "With my current combat strength, looking across the clan, I should be among the Top of Qi Condensation Fourth Layer."

"Even against a Qi Condensation Fifth Layer opponent, I could still put up a fight."

Hearing this, Li Qingyuan quickly said, "Father, the outcome of battles between cultivators also depends on magic tools, talismans, formations, pills, spirit pets, and all sorts of other factors."

"Our Li Immortal Clan's foundation is far too weak. Don't recklessly provoke Qi Condensation Fifth Layer or Qi Condensation Sixth Layer cultivators."

"After all, the only magic tool you have is this Flying Star Sword, and it is merely a Low-grade First-tier Magic Tool."

Li Dingzhou: "..."

He glared. "You brat, now you're lecturing your father?"

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Li Dingzhou said irritably. "If I were a reckless man, I wouldn't have lived until today."

Li Dingzhou put away his magic tool and removed a money pouch from his waist. "There are fifteen Spirit Stones here, the family assets your father has accumulated over the years."

"I originally intended to buy a Lesser Spirit Nurturing Pill and attempt a breakthrough to Qi Condensation Fourth Layer."

At this point, a proud smile appeared on Li Dingzhou's face. "Who would have thought that your father would also experience the benefits of a father rising by his son's merit?"

"Because of your spiritual root aptitude, the Clan Leader specially rewarded me with a Lesser Spirit Nurturing Pill."

Li Qingyuan refused. "Father, you have already stepped into Qi Condensation Fourth Layer and advanced to Mid Qi Condensation. It is time to consider buying a Tier 1 Mid-grade Magic Tool."

Li Dingzhou sighed faintly. "A Tier 1 Mid-grade Magic Tool costs over a hundred Spirit Stones."

"Do you think our family can afford one?"

Li Qingyuan could only sigh helplessly as well.

When all was said and done, they were simply too poor.

Li Dingzhou said, "Yuan'er, your spiritual roots are exceptional. You are the clan's future, and you need Spirit Stones more than your father does."

"Thank you, Father." Li Qingyuan accepted the Spirit Stones.

Inside the pouch, more than a dozen Spirit Stones rubbed together like more than a dozen mahjong tiles, producing crisp, pleasing sounds.

This pouch was only an ordinary money pouch.

For the Li family, something like a Storage Bag was a luxury item. They could not afford one.

Li Dingzhou said, "Yuan'er, once you cultivate your first wisp of spiritual energy and enter Qi Condensation, you can refine Spirit Stones to increase your cultivation speed."

"With these dozen or so Spirit Stones, along with the resources provided by the clan each month, you may be able to reach Qi Condensation First Layer Perfection within a year."

Qi Condensation First Layer Perfection in one year—such a cultivation speed was something Li Dingzhou had never even dared to imagine.

Yet for his son, it seemed not difficult at all.

Li Qingyuan smiled. "Father, I have already entered Qi Condensation."

"Look!"

Li Qingyuan activated the Great Spring Technique, and a wisp of spiritual energy emanated from his palm.

"Spiritual power?" Li Dingzhou froze, then was overjoyed. "Haha, you've already cultivated spiritual energy and entered Qi Condensation?"

"Good, good, good."

"When did this happen?"

Li Qingyuan replied, "This afternoon, not long ago."

"Grandpa Clan Leader and Great Elder Grandfather already know."

"Oh, right." Li Qingyuan seemed to recall something and added, "Father, Grandpa Clan Leader said that tomorrow morning, the clan's Qi Condensation Fourth Layer and above cultivators will hold a Family Meeting."

Hearing this, the corners of Li Dingzhou's lips lifted. "Good, I understand."

After being stalled at Qi Condensation Third Layer Perfection for Several Years, he had just broken through and now had a chance to show off before others, to see the shocked looks in the clan members' eyes.

Tsk, tsk. Just thinking about it made him all the more eager.

"Father, I'm going to cultivate." Having obtained fifteen Spirit Stones, Li Qingyuan was already impatient beyond measure.

Inside the room, Li Qingyuan took out the fifteen Spirit Stones and silently said, "Collect!"

The next second, the fifteen Spirit Stones entered the Mysterious Feminine Space, where they were duplicated and doubled, instantly turning from fifteen Spirit Stones into Thirty Spirit Stones.

"I'm rich, I'm rich—Thirty Spirit Stones."

Li Qingyuan took out the Spirit Stones and Spirit Rice, placing them separately into a money pouch and a rice sack.

Spirit Stones: Thirty.

Spirit Rice: twenty jin.

Li Qingyuan pondered. "It seems I need to find a reason to live separately from my parents."

"Otherwise, the Cultivation Resources that appear out of thin air—especially the Spirit Rice—would be too conspicuous and difficult to explain."

It was not that he could not trust his parents. He was simply afraid that if the secret leaked, even his parents and the clan would suffer disaster.

A common man was innocent, but possessing a jade became his crime.

The Mysterious Feminine Space had to remain secret.

Other than himself, he could not tell anyone.

Early the next morning, the Li Immortal Clan held a Family Meeting.

In the meeting hall, Clan Leader Li Guangao, the Great Elder, the Second Elder, and five Qi Condensation Fourth Layer cultivators arrived one after another.

Li Dingzhou was refreshed by joyful events. He strode into the hall and cupped his fists. "Dingzhou greets the Clan Leader, Great Elder, and Second Elder."

"Dingzhou, why are you here?" a middle-aged man said. "Eldest Uncle has gathered us for a Family Meeting. According to the Clan Rule, you need to avoid it."

"If you have something to say, wait until after the meeting."

The Eldest Uncle he referred to was naturally Clan Leader Li Guangao.

Li Dingzhou chuckled upon hearing this. "Cousin Ding'an, I came to attend the Family Meeting."

Buzz!

Spiritual energy spread around Li Dingzhou. The magic tool at his waist flew out, his Spiritual Sense controlling the sword.

Li Ding'an said in shock, "Dingzhou, you... you reached Qi Condensation Fourth Layer?"

The other four Qi Condensation Fourth Layer cultivators were also greatly shocked.

A moment later, everyone came to their senses and cupped their fists in congratulations. "Cousin Dingzhou, congratulations on advancing to Mid Qi Condensation."

Li Ding'an smiled. "Good, good, good. Cousin Dingzhou has stepped into Qi Condensation Fourth Layer. Our Li Immortal Clan has gained another Mid Qi Condensation cultivator."

The Clan Leader and the two elders looked at each other, smiles appearing on their faces.

Clan Leader Li Guangao coughed lightly. "Take your seats."

"The meeting begins."

Everyone took their seats, and the meeting began.

Li Guangao let out a long sigh and said helplessly, "Everyone, yesterday afternoon, someone from the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, the Liu Family, came."

"The Liu Family has issued an order: beginning this year, the Tribute Resources will increase by another ten percent."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed.