Chen Changqing felt the surging power within his body, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"Having the AFK Cultivation System really is great!"
"After entering the Inner Sect for just over eight months, my cultivation has already broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage."
"Next, I need to condense and solidify the liquid true qi within my body."
"Once all the liquid true qi has been completely condensed and solidified, I'll be able to enter the Core Formation Realm in one fell swoop!"
Chen Changqing was filled with anticipation.
"System, continue AFK Cultivation!"
As Chen Changqing sent out the thought, the two Little Golden Figures before him continued their AFK Cultivation.
One continued practicing the Shushan Heart Method, breathing in and exhaling, its cycle unending.
The other Little Golden Figure continued practicing the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique.
"After all this time, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique's cultivation progress has only reached 10%."
"The more powerful a cultivation method or Divine Ability is, the longer it takes to reach completion, even with AFK Cultivation."
Chen Changqing muttered to himself with a sigh.
After all, the Shushan Sword Technique and Shushan Body Technique had already been cultivated to completion.
Yet the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique's progress was only at 10%.
"I wonder whether I could kill a Core Formation cultivator if I used the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique now?"
Chen Changqing secretly speculated.
Before entering the Inner Sect, he had used the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique during the Outer Disciple Grand Competition to defeat Shi Tian, a Body Cultivator at Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
Moreover, Shi Tian possessed the Special Physique known as the Stone Spirit Physique.
Yet even so, he had still been unable to withstand Chen Changqing's Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique.
At that time, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique's cultivation progress had only been 3%.
Now that its progress had risen to 10%, its power was naturally no longer what it had once been.
After giving it some thought, Chen Changqing steadied his mind and leisurely went out into the courtyard to bask in the sun.
With the AFK Cultivation System, there was no need for him to cultivate personally.
On this day, Chen Changqing pushed open the courtyard gate, preparing to head out as usual and find somewhere to bask in the sun.
But the moment he stepped outside, he saw a figure approaching from not far away.
Chen Changqing was no stranger to the visitor. Who else could it be but Qing Yang?
"Senior Brother Qing Yang?"
Seeing Qing Yang pay him a visit, Chen Changqing was slightly surprised.
Since entering the Inner Sect, this was the first time he had seen Qing Yang.
Qing Yang soon walked up and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Junior Brother Chen, long time no see!"
Chen Changqing smiled faintly.
"Senior Brother Qing Yang, how did you know I was in Qingxiao Valley?"
Qing Yang did not hide it and replied.
"I found out from Elder Qian at the registration office."
Chen Changqing nodded, then asked.
"Senior Brother, you came all this way to find me. What is it about?"
Hearing Chen Changqing's question, Qing Yang paused slightly, pursed his lips, and said.
"I merely came to see how Junior Brother's cultivation has been progressing!"
The moment his words fell, Qing Yang's expression changed drastically, his face full of disbelief.
"This?"
"Foundation Establishment Late Stage?"
"Junior Brother Chen, you... your cultivation has broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage?"
Qing Yang had not noticed earlier, but after probing, he discovered that Chen Changqing's cultivation had actually advanced to Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
He found it hard to believe.
When they had first entered the Inner Sect, Chen Changqing had only just broken through into the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Who could have imagined that after only several months, his cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage?
Chen Changqing smiled faintly and answered.
"I merely got lucky and broke through."
At that, Qing Yang could not stop himself from swallowing. He did not believe Chen Changqing's claim of mere luck.
"Junior Brother Chen's cultivation talent is far too terrifying."
"How long has it even been?"
"He has already caught up with me!"
Qing Yang muttered inwardly, then looked at Chen Changqing with a shocked expression.
"Junior Brother's cultivation speed is truly terrifying."
"Even those Prodigy Monsters of the Inner Sect likely cannot compare!"
Chen Changqing did not pay much attention to Qing Yang's praise and changed the subject.
"Senior Brother Qing Yang."
"You suddenly came to my door at this time. You didn't just come to look at my cultivation, did you?"
Seeing that he could not hide it, Qing Yang stopped beating around the bush and spoke frankly.
"Please forgive me for making Junior Brother laugh."
"To be honest, I have already touched the threshold of Core Formation, but if I wish to break through, I still need the aid of a Breakthrough Pill."
"However... I am still missing the final medicinal ingredient needed to refine the Breakthrough Pill: a stalk of Condensing Origin Grass."
"This grass grows in Hundred Herbs Valley, a thousand li from Shushan."
"Many mysterious spirit herbs grow within Hundred Herbs Valley, but danger also lurks at every turn, with demonic beasts running rampant."
After Qing Yang explained it like this, Chen Changqing finally understood and smiled.
"So Senior Brother Qing Yang came to find me this time because you want me to accompany you on a trip to Hundred Herbs Valley?"
"That's right!"
Qing Yang nodded.
The reason he had come to ask Chen Changqing for help was because he needed a powerful assistant.
Yet he did not fully trust the other people in the Inner Sect.
Besides, those people would not rise early without profit. If he wanted them to act, the reward he would have to pay would be anything but small.
After weighing things carefully, Qing Yang thought of Chen Changqing.
Now that he had seen Chen Changqing had already broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Qing Yang became even more certain.
Others did not know, but he knew very well.
When Chen Changqing had been at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he had been able to defeat Shi Tian, who had been stronger than Qing Yang himself.
Now that Chen Changqing's cultivation had broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, his strength was naturally even greater.
Seeing Chen Changqing hesitate slightly, Qing Yang hurriedly said.
"Junior Brother, please rest assured."
"I will not have you act for nothing."
As he spoke, Qing Yang waved his hand, revealing a small Storage Pouch.
"There are one hundred Spirit Stones inside. Consider them Junior Brother's reward for helping me this time."
Seeing this, Chen Changqing smiled faintly.
"What are you saying, Senior Brother? We come from the same lineage, so why speak of compensation?"
"I've been cooped up in the mountains for too long anyway. Going out for a walk would be good."
To Chen Changqing, a mere hundred Spirit Stones meant nothing.
Besides, these things were of no use to him even if they were given to him.
With AFK Cultivation, why would he need Spirit Stones to assist his cultivation?
Seeing Chen Changqing agree so readily, Qing Yang was overjoyed and said impatiently.
"Wonderful."
"Then let's go register to leave the mountain right now!"
Chen Changqing nodded lightly, then went with Qing Yang to the registration office.
The Mount Shu Sect's rules were strict. Inner Disciples had to register at the registration office and explain their circumstances before leaving the mountain.
Very soon, Chen Changqing and Qing Yang completed the registration and were able to leave the Shushan Inner Sect without issue.
After leaving the Inner Sect, the two immediately departed by Sword Flight.
One day later, Chen Changqing and Qing Yang arrived at a mortal city. They planned to rest briefly before continuing on to Hundred Herbs Valley.
Although both of them had already reached the point of abstaining from food,
they still chose to enter a restaurant.
After ordering some wine and dishes, Chen Changqing and Qing Yang prepared to pick up their chopsticks and experience once more the long-missed bustle and warmth of the mortal world.
Just then, a young man entered from outside the restaurant.
The young man was dressed in splendid brocade robes and wore an arrogant, overbearing expression.
With the young man's arrival, the atmosphere throughout the restaurant abruptly turned tense. Many people revealed fearful looks the moment they saw him.
Before you continue