He had merely slept for one night.
Yet the AFK rewards Chen Changqing extracted had directly raised him from Early Qi Nourishing to Mid Qi Nourishing.
This cultivation speed—
How was it merely heaven-defying?
"System, continue AFK Cultivation!!"
Chen Changqing issued the command.
Very quickly, the system responded:
[Ding!] [AFK Cultivation activated.] [AFK time: 1 second (flickering, continuously increasing).]
Chen Changqing lounged lazily on the crude wooden bed.
With this AFK Immortal Cultivation System, would he not soar straight into the clouds from now on, with immortality within reach?
"Phew!"
As he thought about it, he could not help but let out a long breath.
"This makes things much easier."
"Perhaps at the upcoming Outer Disciple Grand Competition, I might also get the chance to show what I can do."
Originally, Chen Changqing had held little hope for the Outer Disciple Grand Competition.
But now that he had this AFK system, new thoughts arose in his heart.
Time slipped quietly away.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
During this time, Chen Changqing had continuously cultivated through AFK Cultivation, without rushing to claim the AFK rewards.
"Dong..."
At the fourth quarter of the Hour of the Rooster, the melodious bell of Shushan Outer Sect rang out, announcing the end of the day.
As usual, Chen Changqing shut the Mountain Gate.
Then he hurried back to his little courtyard.
After closing the doors and windows, he quickly sat cross-legged on the wooden bed and communicated with the system.
"System."
"Extract the AFK rewards!"
The system's response soon rang out:
[Ding!] [Detected that the host has been AFK Cultivating for seventy-eight hours. Would you like to claim the AFK rewards?]
"Claim!"
Chen Changqing was beside himself with excitement.
Immediately afterward, streams of pure spiritual energy began to stir within the Little Golden Figure seated cross-legged before him, surging into Chen Changqing's body.
Chen Changqing's body was like a vortex, swiftly swallowing all that spiritual energy whole.
A warm current instantly spread throughout his entire body.
Chen Changqing clearly felt the surging spiritual energy within his meridians.
Then, as he circulated a heavenly cycle, he discovered that the speed at which his spiritual energy flowed was nearly twice as fast as before, while the vortex within his dantian had become even more solid.
His cultivation had directly broken through from Mid Qi Nourishing to the Late Qi Nurturing Stage!
"Awesome!"
Chen Changqing could not help pumping his fist.
The thrill of this cultivation breakthrough excited him even more than leveling up in games in his previous life.
"Three days of AFK Cultivation took me straight to the Late Qi Nurturing Stage."
"I'm only one step away from the Body Tempering Realm!"
Chen Changqing sighed in wonder.
If I keep cultivating like this, won't my strength shoot up like bamboo after spring rain?
"System, continue AFK Cultivation!"
Afterward, he had the system continue AFK Cultivation and casually opened his attribute panel for a look:
[Name: Chen Changqing.] [Age: Eighteen.] [Identity: Shushan Outer Sect "Gate-Closing" Disciple.] [Cultivation: Late Qi Nourishing Realm.] [Technique: Basic Body Nourishing Technique.] [Divine Abilities: None.] [Treasures: None.] [AFK Point: Cliffside Wooden House!]
Looking at the techniques, Divine Abilities, and treasures that were still all blank, Chen Changqing could only smile bitterly.
Suddenly, he thought of something.
"My cultivation has broken through to the Late Qi Nurturing Stage."
"I can go to the Technique Hall and receive a Body Refining cultivation method."
According to the rules of the Mount Shu Sect, disciples could only receive the next stage of techniques after breaking through to the Late Qi Nurturing Stage.
"The sky is about to grow dark."
"I'd better go to the Technique Hall tomorrow!"
Having made up his mind, Chen Changqing calmed his thoughts and began regulating his breath, consolidating the realm he had just broken through to.
The following morning.
Chen Changqing got up early, straightened out the standard azure robe of an Outer Disciple, and hung his Identity Token in a conspicuous place at his waist.
"I hope I can find a Body Refining technique that suits me!"
With that, Chen Changqing did not dawdle. Filled with anticipation, he headed toward the mountain peak where the Technique Hall was located.
Shushan in the morning mist was like an immortal realm.
Looking toward the main peak in the distance, it resembled a sharp azure sword thrust directly into the clouds. Under the morning sun, its summit gleamed with a faint golden radiance.
Halfway up another mountain peak, a sea of clouds churned, occasionally revealing corners of flying eaves and bracketed roofs. That was clearly the hall of the Technique Hall.
Along the way, clear springs and cascading waterfalls abounded, their waters murmuring.
Spirit birds and exotic beasts could be seen everywhere, while houses built according to the mountain terrain lay scattered in neat order amid the swirling clouds and mist.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, Chen Changqing heard the sound of something tearing through the air.
Following the sound, he saw a streak of sword light cleave across the sky.
"I wonder which elder or core disciple of the sect is flying on a sword?"
Chen Changqing murmured, his eyes full of longing.
After gathering his thoughts, he had no time to continue admiring the scenery and hurried onward toward the Technique Hall.
He climbed the bluestone steps one level at a time, with ancient pines and verdant cypresses on either side, weathered by a thousand years of wind and frost.
Spirit vines wound around their trunks, blooming with unknown immortal flowers that gave off a delicate fragrance refreshing to the heart and mind.
Occasionally, several spirit herbs glimmering with faint light could be spotted in the cracks between the stone steps.
Thus, Chen Changqing's figure wove through the mountain forests and mist.
Before long, he arrived halfway up a mountain peak.
After crossing several stone bridges, a grand and imposing hall appeared before his eyes.
This was where the Technique Hall stood.
"Stop!"
The moment he arrived at the Technique Hall, a sharp shout rang out.
Then a stern-faced middle-aged cultivator stepped forward and blocked Chen Changqing's path.
"Greetings, Elder Guarding the Pavilion!"
Chen Changqing bowed deeply to the middle-aged cultivator, quickly took out his Identity Token, and said respectfully:
"This disciple is Chen Changqing."
"I am at the Late Qi Nurturing Stage, and I have come to the Technique Hall today to receive a foundational technique."
The middle-aged cultivator accepted the token and inspected it carefully. He then swept Chen Changqing from head to toe with his Spiritual Sense. Only after confirming that Chen Changqing had reached the Late Qi Nurturing Stage did he nod.
"Go in!"
"Remember, you may only choose from the first floor. You have one hour."
With that, the Elder Guarding the Pavilion swiftly formed hand seals and directly opened the Technique Hall's restriction.
Chen Changqing saw ripples spread through the space before his eyes.
Then, without delay, he stepped into the Technique Hall.
Upon entering the Technique Hall, Chen Changqing was immediately stunned by the sight before him.
As far as the eye could see, thousands upon thousands of bookshelves filled his vision. Each shelf was neatly lined with all manner of Jade Slips, bamboo scrolls, and ancient books.
"This is Shushan's foundation!"
After looking around, Chen Changqing could not help sighing in admiration.
After recovering from his shock, he quickly made his way to the technique section.
"Although the system can endlessly provide me with cultivation, techniques are equally important."
"A skyscraper rises from level ground. I must lay a solid foundation."
After giving it some thought, Chen Changqing began selecting.
Iron Clothes Strength: Requires relentless cultivation through heat and cold alike. Progress is slow, but its defensive power is astonishing.
Spirit Snake Soft Body Technique: Focuses on nimble movement techniques and clashes with the fierce, forceful path of sword cultivators.
Chen Changqing carefully compared the choices.
Suddenly, a technique called Primordial Chaos Stance Technique caught Chen Changqing's attention.
"Stand like a pine; form and intent united; primordial chaos as one."
Looking at the vermilion annotation on the technique, Chen Changqing was inexplicably moved. He immediately made his decision. "This one!!"
Before you continue