Over the next few days, Shen Hao went to work at the Medicine Garden on the Back Mountain punctually at Mao Hour every day and returned to his quarters at You Hour, after which he immersed himself in cultivating the Qi Cultivation Art.
With the aid of Spirit Stones, coupled with his unrelenting daily efforts, his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. The spiritual qi within his Sea of Qi grew ever denser, and that mass of white mist had already condensed into faint droplets.
One morning, Shen Hao arrived at the Medicine Garden on the Back Mountain as usual. Seeing that he worked diligently and handled matters with care, Steward Li transferred him to the fields of Spirit Awakening Flowers and put him in charge of tending them.
Spirit Awakening Flowers preferred moisture and needed watering every day. They were also extremely demanding about water quality and had to be irrigated with spring water from the Back Mountain. Every day, Shen Hao carried buckets back and forth between the Medicine Garden and the mountain spring. Though it was exhausting, he found joy in it.
He discovered that as he worked, his body grew stronger and stronger, while his senses became increasingly keen to spiritual qi. At times, he could even feel faint ripples of spiritual qi emanating from the leaves of the Spirit Awakening Flowers.
That evening, Shen Hao finished his duties and received a Low-grade Spirit Stone. Rather than returning to his quarters immediately, he sat upon a Green Stone beside the Medicine Garden, took out the Spirit Stone, and began cultivating.
Spiritual qi flowed endlessly through his meridians and poured into his Sea of Qi. Shen Hao could clearly sense that the droplets of spiritual qi within it were growing more numerous, gradually gathering into a small pool.
"Almost there." Shen Hao's heart stirred as he began attempting to break through to the Middle Stage of First Layer of Qi Condensation.
Following the advanced method of the Qi Cultivation Art, he guided the spiritual qi within his Sea of Qi toward the depths of his meridians. Like a surging tide, the spiritual qi crashed against the barriers of his meridians.
The barriers of his meridians were like a thin sheet of paper, trembling slightly beneath the impact of the spiritual qi. Shen Hao gritted his teeth, mobilized every last trace of spiritual qi, and launched an all-out assault.
Bang!
A faint muffled sound rang out within his body. The barrier of his meridians was breached, torn open by a tiny gap. Spiritual qi surged through that opening and into the deeper layers of his meridians.
Shen Hao felt his entire body shudder as a wave of comfort swept through every limb and bone. Looking inward at his Sea of Qi, he saw that the spiritual qi within had condensed into a clear little lake, its concentration more than ten times greater than before.
"Mid Stage Qi Refining Layer One—I finally broke through!" Shen Hao opened his eyes, his gaze brimming with delight.
He could clearly feel that the strength within his body had increased another notch. He tried throwing a punch and felt a fierce gust whistle from his fist.
Just then, Steward Li walked over. Seeing the joy on Shen Hao's face, he smiled and asked, "Little fellow, judging by your expression, did you make a breakthrough?"
Shen Hao hurriedly rose and bowed. "Reporting to Steward Li, this disciple was fortunate enough to break through to Mid Stage Qi Refining Layer One."
Steward Li nodded, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. "Not bad, not bad. In just a few days, you broke through to Mid Stage Qi Refining Layer One. It seems you have put in no small amount of hard work these past days."
He paused, then continued, "The path of immortal cultivation is like rowing a boat against the current: if you do not advance, you fall back. You must not become complacent over such a minor breakthrough. You will need to be even more diligent in the future if you wish to go farther."
"This disciple will remember Steward Li's teachings." Shen Hao replied respectfully.
Steward Li smiled. "All right, it is getting late. Go back and rest early. Remember to come to the Medicine Garden on time tomorrow."
"This disciple obeys."
Shen Hao bade Steward Li farewell and turned toward his quarters. His steps had become much lighter. The lingering glow of the setting sun fell over him, stretching his shadow long, long behind him.
When he returned to Room C, Zhang Shan was already waiting at the door. Seeing Shen Hao return, Zhang Shan hurried over, his face full of excitement. "Senior Brother Shen, I broke through! I broke through to Early Stage Qi Refining Layer One!"
Shen Hao smiled and congratulated him. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhang. This is truly cause for celebration."
Zhang Shan scratched his head and said shyly, "It is all thanks to you, Senior Brother Shen. If you had not taught me every day how to tend Spiritual Medicine and how to cultivate qi efficiently, I fear I would have had to wait several more days before breaking through."
Shen Hao smiled. "This is the result of your own efforts. I merely did my small part."
The two entered the room and discussed their cultivation insights. Zhang Shan's aptitude was slightly better than Shen Hao's; he possessed a mid-grade Dual Spirit Root, and his cultivation speed had never been slow. With Shen Hao's guidance added to the mix, breaking through to Early Stage Qi Refining Layer One had simply been a matter of course.
As night deepened, the two returned to their respective quarters and began cultivating.
Shen Hao sat cross-legged on his bed, feeling the dense spiritual qi within his body, his heart filled with drive. He knew that Mid Stage Qi Refining Layer One was only the beginning. His path of immortal cultivation still stretched long, long ahead.
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