Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer

Days passed, and Shen Hao's life grew increasingly regimented, winding tight as a spring and running with orderly precision.

Every morning, just as the sky began to lighten, he would rise on time and practice Flowing Cloud Steps for an hour in the open space within his dwelling, honing the footwork to perfection, striving for flawless precision in every move and smooth, unimpeded flow of Spiritual Energy. With each passing day of practice, his mastery over Flowing Cloud Steps grew more adept, his movements more ethereal.

Afterward, he would sit cross-legged on the Jade Bed, cultivating the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art, drawing in the dense Spiritual Energy of the inner sect. The inner sect's Spiritual Energy was already more than three times richer than the outer sect's, and with the refinement of the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art and the purifying boost of the Companion Jade Pendant, his cultivation speed was astonishing, far surpassing that of cultivators at the same level.

In the afternoon, he would cultivate the Meridian Tempering Art, tempering his Meridians. Meridians were the channels for Spiritual Energy flow; only when they were tough and broad enough could they accommodate more Spiritual Energy and support higher cultivation. Each session of Meridian Tempering Art brought piercing pain, but Shen Hao gritted his teeth and persisted, never once entertaining the thought of giving up.

In the evening, he would cultivate the Spirit Devouring Art, activating the Spirit Devouring Vortex to devour the Spiritual Energy from the spirit stones in his storage pouch. The Spiritual Energy within spirit stones was denser and purer than the free-floating energy between heaven and earth; devouring it rapidly boosted his cultivation. With the Companion Jade Pendant's enhancement, his speed of devouring spirit stones was several times faster than an ordinary person's.

Under this relentless daily cultivation, his cultivation base shot up like a rocket. The Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi grew ever denser, and the barrier to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer drew closer and closer.

That day, Shen Hao was cultivating the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art. He sat cross-legged on the Jade Bed, eyes half-closed, breathing long and steady. The inner sect's Spiritual Energy flowed like a gentle stream, ceaselessly pouring into his body, refined by the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art and purified by the Companion Jade Pendant, transforming into even purer Spiritual Energy that converged into his Sea of Qi.

Suddenly, he sensed that the Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi had reached saturation. The lake of Spiritual Energy had shifted from a faint blue to a deep, rich azure, its surface shimmering with spiritual light, the energy so dense it nearly turned liquid.

"Time to break through to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer!" Shen Hao's heart stirred, a glint of sharp light flashing in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, ceased his breathing exercises, and began to mobilize all the Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi. Under his control, the dense azure Spiritual Energy coalesced into a surging tide, slamming fiercely against the barrier of Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

The barrier of Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer was far more solid than that of Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, like an iron wall. On the first impact, the barrier didn't budge, not even leaving a trace. The recoil sent a faint sting through Shen Hao's Meridians.

Shen Hao wasn't discouraged. He knew that breaking through a realm was never something achieved in one go. He mobilized his Spiritual Energy again, condensing it into an even stronger tide, and launched a second assault.

Once, twice, three times...

He lost count of how many times he struck. Sweat beaded on Shen Hao's forehead, his Meridians ached with a dull soreness, and most of his internal Spiritual Energy was spent. Yet he still didn't give up, gritting his teeth and charging again and again at that unyielding barrier.

Finally, through his relentless effort, a fine crack appeared in the barrier of Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

Joy surged in Shen Hao's heart, a flicker of excitement flashing in his eyes. He quickly increased his Spiritual Energy output while urging the Companion Jade Pendant. The pendant instantly radiated a dense green light, purifying all the remaining Spiritual Energy within him into an even purer force, channeling it into the tide.

Wave after wave, like a surging river, battered against the crack. The crack grew wider and deeper, from the thickness of a hair to that of a finger.

"Break for me!" Shen Hao roared inwardly, pouring the last wisp of Spiritual Energy from his body into the tide.

A crisp crack sounded, as if something had shattered. The barrier of Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer burst apart.

Dense Spiritual Energy, like a flood from a breached dam, rushed into the deeper reaches of his Meridians, nourishing every limb and bone. The lake of Spiritual Energy in his Sea of Qi expanded as well, more than doubling in area, while its concentration increased severalfold.

"Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer—finally broken through!"

Shen Hao slowly opened his eyes, a gleam of sharp light in his gaze. He clenched his fists and could clearly feel that the power within him had grown more profound, his control over Spiritual Energy more effortless. A powerful aura emanated from his body, bringing him an unprecedented sense of ease.

He looked inward at his Sea of Qi, where the Spiritual Energy had condensed into a deep azure lake, its surface shimmering with spiritual light, the energy so dense it nearly liquefied. This was the hallmark of Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer!

"Excellent!" Shen Hao murmured to himself, a thrilled smile spreading across his face. Breaking through to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer meant his strength had climbed another step. Among the inner sect disciples of Qingyun Peak, he could now be considered a top-tier existence.

He stood up and stretched, feeling his whole body relaxed and brimming with power. Spiritual Energy flowed freely through his Meridians without the slightest obstruction. The fatigue and soreness from his earlier cultivation had vanished without a trace.

He walked to the Stone Table, took out a jade bottle from his storage pouch, poured out a Body Tempering Pill, and swallowed it. The Pill entered his stomach and transformed into a warm current, flowing through his Meridians and spreading throughout his body, nourishing his flesh. After breaking through a realm, the body also needed tempering to withstand the denser Spiritual Energy.

He knew that breaking through to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer was only the beginning. His path of immortal cultivation was still very, very long. Within the inner sect, experts were as numerous as clouds; disciples at Qi Refining Fifth Layer and Sixth Layer were plentiful. He had to cultivate even harder to stand out and go further in this inner sect teeming with the strong.