Companion Jade Pendant

Days passed, and Shen Hao's cultivation steadily improved.

He had already broken through to Perfection of Qi Refining Layer One, only a single step away from Qi Refining Second Layer. His sword art had also grown increasingly refined; the three forms—slash, thrust, and sweep—had been practiced to perfection.

That day, Shen Hao finished his work at the Medicine Garden and received a Low-grade Spirit Stone. Rather than returning to his residence immediately, he went to a Dense Forest in the Back Mountain. Few people ever came here, and the spiritual energy was rich, making it an excellent place to cultivate.

He sat cross-legged beneath a large tree, took out the Spirit Stone, and began cultivating. Spiritual energy flowed endlessly through his meridians and into his Sea of Qi. Shen Hao could clearly sense that the spiritual energy within his Sea of Qi had already reached saturation.

"It is time to attempt Qi Refining Second Layer." Shen Hao's heart stirred as he began mobilizing the spiritual energy in his Sea of Qi to strike at the barrier of Qi Refining Second Layer.

The spiritual energy surged like a galloping tide, battering against the barrier in his meridians. The barrier was much sturdier than before. Shen Hao gritted his teeth, gathering every bit of spiritual energy he had and launching an all-out assault.

Once, twice, three times...

He did not know how many times he struck at it, but the barrier in his meridians remained utterly unmoved. Fine beads of sweat seeped from Shen Hao's forehead, and more than half the spiritual energy in his body had been depleted.

"Looks like, with my current spiritual energy density, I am still lacking a bit of fire to break through to Qi Refining Second Layer." Shen Hao sighed and slowly opened his eyes.

He put away the Spirit Stone and rose to his feet, preparing to return to his residence. Just then, he suddenly felt a warm sensation coming from his chest.

Shen Hao froze for a moment, then reached for his chest. A jade pendant hung there. His mother had given it to him, saying it was a family heirloom and telling him to wear it close to his body for protection. He had always worn it against his skin, never paying it any mind.

At that moment, the jade pendant was emitting a faint warmth. A weak yet pure stream of spiritual energy flowed ceaselessly from it into his body.

Shen Hao was startled and hurriedly removed the jade pendant. It was entirely jade-green, about the size of a palm, with several profound patterns carved upon it, resembling ancient runes. Its touch was smooth and warm, and it gave off a faint spiritual glow.

"This jade pendant... is actually a Magic Treasure?" Shen Hao murmured, his face full of shock.

He tried infusing a thread of spiritual energy into the jade pendant. In an instant, it emitted a dazzling green radiance, and the runes upon it became distinctly visible. Spiritual energy even purer than that of a Spirit Stone surged out from the pendant, flowing through his meridians and into his Sea of Qi.

Shen Hao felt his entire body shudder as the spiritual energy in his Sea of Qi instantly became abundant. The spiritual energy he had previously expended was restored in the blink of an eye.

"Wonderful!" Shen Hao was overjoyed.

He hurriedly sat cross-legged again and mobilized the spiritual energy within his Sea of Qi to strike at the barrier of Qi Refining Second Layer once more. This time, strengthened by the jade pendant's spiritual energy, its density was several times greater than before.

Bang!

A muffled sound rang out within his body. The barrier of Qi Refining Second Layer was like paper mache, easily shattered by the spiritual energy. Spiritual energy poured through the opening and into the deeper reaches of his meridians.

A wave of comfort instantly swept through Shen Hao's limbs and bones. Looking inward at his Sea of Qi, he saw that the spiritual energy within had condensed into a clear lake, its density more than ten times greater than before.

"Qi Refining Second Layer—I finally broke through!" Shen Hao opened his eyes, which were filled with delight.

Holding the jade pendant in his hand, his heart brimmed with excitement. He had never imagined that this seemingly ordinary ancestral jade pendant was such a miraculous Magic Treasure. With its aid, his cultivation speed would increase severalfold.

Shen Hao carefully examined the jade pendant and found the runes upon it profound and incomprehensible. He tried sending his Spiritual Sense into it, only to be gently rebuffed by a mild force.

"Looks like, with my current cultivation, I still cannot completely unravel the jade pendant's secrets." Shen Hao murmured.

He put the jade pendant back on against his skin and carefully tucked it away. He knew that this jade pendant was both his fortunate opportunity and his secret. He could not tell anyone about it, or it would bring him a calamity that could cost him his life.

As the sun set in the west, its lingering rays spilled through the Dense Forest, gilding the earth with a layer of golden light. Shen Hao stood, dusted off his clothes, and walked toward his residence. His steps were much lighter than before.

He knew that with the Companion Jade Pendant's aid, his path of cultivation would become far smoother. But he also understood that the path of cultivation was not smooth sailing. He needed to cultivate even more diligently if he wished to gain a firm foothold in this Cultivation World, where danger lurked on every side.