Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer

With only one month left until the Inner Sect Grand Competition, the atmosphere of cultivation on Qingyun Peak grew ever more intense. Nearly every disciple was racing against time to temper their cultivation, hoping to advance another step before the competition. Shen Hao was no exception. His life remained as regular as clockwork: every morning, he trained in Flowing Cloud Steps; in the morning, he cultivated the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art; in the afternoon, he honed his sword techniques; and at night, he activated the Spirit Devouring Vortex to devour Spirit Stones and raise his cultivation.

With the dual support of the Spirit Devouring Vortex and the Companion Jade Pendant, his cultivation speed far surpassed that of cultivators at the same level. In just half a month, his cultivation steadily rose from the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer to its peak. The lake of Spiritual Power within his Sea of Qi had already been filled with deep-blue Spiritual Power, so dense it was nearly liquefying, faintly showing signs of a breakthrough.

That day, as the sun set in the west, its afterglow streamed through the window lattice and fell upon the Jade Bed, coating the room in a golden halo. Shen Hao sat cross-legged atop the Jade Bed, his expression solemn. He took out the last Mid-grade Spirit Stone from his Storage Pouch. It was his only remaining Mid-grade Spirit Stone, and also the key to his attempt at breaking through to the Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

He pressed the Mid-grade Spirit Stone against the Companion Jade Pendant. A cool sensation passed through his fingers, and faint spiritual light instantly flickered across the stone's surface. Shen Hao took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes, activating the second level of the Spirit Devouring Art. In an instant, the Companion Jade Pendant erupted with dazzling azure light, and the Spirit Devouring Vortex spun madly, like a bottomless abyss, frantically devouring the Spiritual Power within the Mid-grade Spirit Stone. Pure Spiritual Power flowed endlessly through his meridians into his Sea of Qi. The water level of the Spiritual Power lake within it kept rising, its color growing ever richer, until deep-blue spiritual radiance nearly shone through his skin.

In less than half an incense stick's time, the lustrous Mid-grade Spirit Stone had dimmed completely and turned into a pile of powder. By then, the Spiritual Power in Shen Hao's Sea of Qi had reached saturation. Dense Spiritual Power surged wildly, as though it might burst through its restraints at any moment.

"Now!" Shen Hao shouted inwardly, mobilizing all the Spiritual Power in his Sea of Qi. Guided by the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art, it condensed into a roaring tidal wave and slammed viciously against the barrier of the Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer. That barrier was far sturdier than the one at the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer, like a wall of bronze and iron, utterly unbreakable.

"Bang!" A muffled explosion rang out within Shen Hao's body. The wave of Spiritual Power crashed fiercely against the barrier, yet failed to shake it in the slightest. The rebounding force sent a faint stabbing pain through his meridians. His brows drew together slightly, but he was not discouraged in the least. Breaking through a realm had never been something achieved in one stroke. He had long grown accustomed to such circumstances.

He swiftly adjusted his breathing and circulated the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art, drawing in the dense Spiritual Power of the Inner Sect to replenish the Spiritual Power he had just expended. The Inner Sect's Spiritual Power was inherently rich and pure, and with the subtlety of the Qi Cultivation Art, in merely half an hour, the Spiritual Power in Shen Hao's body had fully recovered, even becoming more condensed than before.

Shen Hao mobilized his Spiritual Power once more, condensing it into an even more powerful tidal wave as he launched his second assault. "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" Repeated impacts resounded within his body. Every collision made the barrier tremble faintly, while Shen Hao's meridians grew tougher through each successive rebound.

Once, twice, three times... Who knew how long had passed? Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened, and moonlight poured through the lattice onto Shen Hao, coating him in a silvery glow. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, his clothes long soaked through, and waves of soreness swelled through his meridians. Yet his gaze only grew firmer, without the slightest thought of giving up.

At last, when he launched his ninety-ninth assault, a fine crack finally appeared in that seemingly indestructible barrier. "Now!" A sharp glint flashed through Shen Hao's eyes. He mobilized even the last thread of Spiritual Power in his body, condensing it into a single point like the tip of a sharp blade, then violently struck the crack.

"Crack!" A crisp shattering sound rang out inside his body. The barrier of the Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer collapsed with a roar. Dense Spiritual Power, like floodwaters bursting through a broken dam, instantly surged into the deeper reaches of his Sea of Qi. The Spiritual Power lake within it expanded by a full circle, and its color changed from deep blue to an even richer indigo, radiating an aura several times more powerful than before.

"Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer—I finally broke through!" Shen Hao slowly opened his eyes, unable to hide the excitement flashing within them. He clenched his fist, and a force more abundant and condensed than ever before surged from his palm, making him want to throw back his head and let out a long howl.

After breaking through to the Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer, his Spiritual Power became purer, and his control over it grew stronger as well. Whether it was the power of his sword techniques or the nimbleness of his footwork, both could now produce greater effects. He rose to his feet and walked to the open ground outside. With the third level of Flowing Cloud Steps, "Flowing Cloud Shadow Transformation," beneath his feet, his figure darted across the clearing like drifting clouds, afterimages trailing one after another, his speed several degrees faster than before his breakthrough. The Flying Sword in his hand trembled faintly. After indigo Spiritual Power was infused into it, the blade gleamed with cold light, and every strike carried a fierce gust of wind, as if it could tear the air apart.

Shen Hao sheathed his sword and stood tall, feeling the surging power within his body as a confident smile appeared on his face. For the Inner Sect Grand Competition one month from now, he had made every possible preparation. No matter who his opponent was, he was confident that he could fight to the very end.