Three Arts Simultaneous Cultivation

In the days that followed, Shen Hao began a life of Three Arts Simultaneous Cultivation.

Every day at Mao Hour, he went to the Medicine Garden to complete his tasks and earn Spirit Stones; at You Hour, he returned to his dwelling. First, he would circulate the Meridian Tempering Art, using Spiritual Energy to scour his meridians, forging their resilience and width. Once his meridians had adapted, he would then circulate the Spirit Devouring Art, activating the Spirit Devouring Vortex while simultaneously driving the Companion Jade Pendant to devour the Spiritual Energy within the Spirit Stones.

Cultivating the Meridian Tempering Art was excruciating. Each time Spiritual Energy scoured his meridians, it felt like countless needles stabbing into him. But Shen Hao gritted his teeth and persisted, day after day, never once stopping.

As his meridians were gradually tempered, he could clearly sense that his capacity for Spiritual Energy was growing larger. The Spirit Devouring Vortex and Companion Jade Pendant also operated more smoothly, and naturally, his cultivation speed increased as well.

That day, after Shen Hao finished scouring the meridians in his arms with the Meridian Tempering Art, he took out a Low-grade Spirit Stone as usual and pressed it against the Companion Jade Pendant.

A green light flared, and the Spirit Devouring Vortex began to spin. The Spiritual Energy within the Spirit Stone surged into his body like a bursting dam. After being purified by the pendant, it transformed into a gentle stream, flowing along the widened meridians and converging into his Sea of Qi.

This time, the flow of Spiritual Energy encountered no obstruction. The lake of Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi rose at a visible rate, and a faint spiritual light even rippled across its surface.

"Oh?" Shen Hao's heart stirred. He looked inward at his Sea of Qi and sensed that the Spiritual Energy density had reached the critical threshold of Late Qi Refining Third Layer.

Without a moment's hesitation, he stopped devouring the Spirit Stone and focused all his attention on breaking through the barrier.

All the Spiritual Energy within his Sea of Qi was mobilized, condensing into a surging tide that slammed fiercely against the barrier of Late Qi Refining Third Layer.

Boom!

A dull sound exploded within his body. His meridians trembled slightly, but there was none of the usual swelling pain—this was the benefit of tempered meridians.

A fine crack appeared on the barrier. Joy surged in Shen Hao's heart, and he quickly increased his Spiritual Energy output. Wave after wave of the tide crashed against the crack.

The crack grew larger and larger until it finally shattered with a roar.

Rich Spiritual Energy, like a bursting flood, poured into the deeper layers of his meridians. The lake of Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi expanded as well, and its density multiplied several times over.

"Late Qi Refining Third Layer—finally broken through!"

Shen Hao slowly opened his eyes, a glint of sharp light flashing within them. He clenched his fist and could clearly feel that the power within his body had grown more profound, and his control over the Flying Sword had become more effortless.

He glanced out the window. The sky was already faintly brightening. There were only ten days left until the Inner Sect Preliminary Assessment.

"Ten days is enough to stabilize my cultivation at Late Qi Refining Third Layer, and even to push toward Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer." Shen Hao murmured to himself, a confident smile spreading across his face.

He stood up and stretched, feeling a pleasant ease throughout his body, brimming with power.

He walked to the table, picked up the Purple Sun Basic Sword Codex, and began to study it carefully.

With his cultivation improved, his understanding of the Sword Art deepened as well. He knew that the second item of the Inner Sect Preliminary Assessment was the Sword Art Assessment, and the third was the Combat Competition. Only by mastering the Purple Sun Basic Sword Codex to its utmost could he achieve good results in the assessment.

Shen Hao took his Flying Sword and walked to the open space in front of his house.

The morning sunlight fell upon him, warm and pleasant. He assumed a stance and, following the records in the Sword Codex, practiced the three sword techniques—Chop, Thrust, and Lift—one move at a time.

The Flying Sword in his hand seemed to come alive. Each chop carried a gust of fierce wind; each thrust was as fast as lightning; each lift was unpredictable and ever-changing.

Sword Light flashed, cutting through the dawn. Shen Hao's figure constantly leaped and dodged across the open space. Sweat trickled down his cheeks, dripping onto the ground and leaving small, dark patches of moisture.

He knew the competition in the Inner Sect Preliminary Assessment would be fierce, but he was ready.

Ten days later, he would display his strength on the Training Ground and charge toward his goal of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple.