Breaking Through to Sixth Rank

With that said.

Wei Qing flashed back to the bed and took out the Qi Gathering Pills rewarded by the Heavenly Realm Division.

He poured a white pill from the bottle and tilted his head back to swallow it.

As the pill entered his abdomen, it instantly transformed into a scorching torrent of spiritual energy, surging wildly through his meridians.

At the same time, the spiritual energy in the surrounding air continuously converged towards him.

"System, learn Returning Origin Art."

[Command accepted!]

The next moment.

A small golden figure condensed from pale golden light particles appeared in his mind. Within the figure, a clear meridian map was outlined.

A golden-yellow cultivation route continuously flowed along his meridians.

Wei Qing's consciousness followed the cultivation route, transforming into an invisible hand that guided the fierce spiritual energy to merge into his own meridians.

When the first wisp of spiritual energy merged into the Ziqian point between Wei Qing's eyebrows, a terrifying suction force erupted, continuously devouring the subsequent torrent of spiritual energy.

A moment later.

As the torrent of spiritual energy was completely devoured, a sense of hunger spread from the Ziqian point and its connected acupoints.

Wei Qing did not hesitate. He poured out another Qi Gathering Pill and swallowed it. The pill entered his abdomen, transforming into a torrent of spiritual energy, providing him with the much-needed replenishment.

However.

Even so, the terrifying suction force originating from within his body only slightly weakened.

"I refuse to believe this is impossible."

Over the next two hours.

Wei Qing consumed a total of eleven Qi Gathering Pills before the hunger gradually disappeared.

Along with it, the qi energy that Wei Qing had cultivated for many years also vanished.

At this moment, within his dantian, a drop of golden true essence had quietly taken shape.

As the true essence condensed, Wei Qing felt his blood essence churning, and his strength surged like bamboo shoots in spring.

Seventh-rank intermediate... Seventh-rank advanced... Seventh-rank peak...

Concurrently, the spiritual power cluster in his mind "popped," transforming into countless light particles that rapidly merged with his spiritual power.

Only after breaking through to the Sixth-rank beginner did the upward trend in his cultivation gradually slow down.

Wei Qing's lips curled up, and with a thought, his status panel appeared:

[Host: Wei Qing]
[Age: 16]
[Realm: Sixth-rank martial artist (Beginner)]
[Spirit: 739]
[Strength: 703]
[Physique: 689]
[Cultivation Technique: Returning Origin Art (Minor Accomplishment)]
[Martial Skills: Flowing Cloud Slash (Mastery) - Profound Meaning: Lotus Flower; Nanke's Dream (Minor Accomplishment); Ephemeral Art (Minor Accomplishment)]

By the time Wei Qing withdrew from his cultivation state, the sky outside had already turned completely dark.

He got off the bed.

Wei Qing lit the oil lamp in the inner hall, dispelling much of the darkness.

Just as he was about to arrange the actions for Zhu Huan and the others, a light yet slightly hurried sound of footsteps broke the silence of the room.

Jun Wushang's figure appeared at the doorway.

He was accompanied by Zhang Zhidong, Zhang Xue, and a middle-aged woman dressed in simple green robes.

Her steps were steady, and her eyebrows revealed a gentle yet profound demeanor.

Wei Qing immediately guessed the woman's identity: Shen Yan, the Yellow Grade Garrison Commander of Jizhou Prefecture.

Garrison Commanders of the Heavenly Realm Division only needed to complete their assigned demon-slaying tasks annually. The rest of the time, they were free to arrange their own activities, such as returning home or cultivating at the Heavenly Realm Division.

As Wei Qing observed Shen Yan, Shen Yan was also observing Wei Qing.

Due to the Breath Concealing Pill, Wei Qing's external realm appeared to be one major realm lower than his true realm.

Even so, Shen Yan was still shocked.

A Seventh-rank martial artist at the age of 16. Such talent would undoubtedly place him within the top three on the Great Zhou's Heavenly Pride Rankings.

"Qingzi, I want to participate in tonight's operation as well."

When Jun Wushang went to apologize to the Zhang family, he learned about tonight's operation during their conversation and immediately rushed to the yamen without delay.

Zhang Xue followed them out, unconvinced.

Shen Yan, worried about her daughter, came along as well.

"And me, I want to join too."

"Miss Zhang, this operation is an internal matter for the Heavenly Realm Division. Your status is not appropriate."

Wei Qing refused Zhang Xue's request without a second thought.

Jun Wushang muttered, "I told you, Qingzi would never agree, but you still came."

"Mind your own business."

Zhang Xue retorted unhappily, then looked pleadingly at her mother, Shen Yan.

"Wei Qing, let Xue'er go."

As a mother, she understood her daughter's temperament all too well.

If she stopped her now, she might sneak off.

Instead of that, it was better to let her come along so she could keep an eye on her.

"Alright, Wushang, take care of Miss Zhang." Wei Qing's lips curved into a meaningful smile.

"Uh..."

Jun Wushang couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

"Who needs her to take care of me? I can handle myself."

Seeing Jun Wushang's dazed expression, Zhang Xue said angrily.

At home, when her mother Shen Yan learned that the two had fought, she had revealed the fact that Jun Wushang had been letting her win.

This had caused a subtle shift in her perception of Jun Wushang.

A different kind of feeling quietly bloomed in her heart.

Seeing Jun Wushang dazed, for some reason, an inexplicable anger surged within her, and the angry words blurted out.

Wei Qing chuckled inwardly: There's hope!

Then, he got up and walked to the door. Zhu Huan was already waiting outside with his men.

"Sir."

Wei Qing asked, "How is it?"

"Everything is arranged. When Lord Chen from Jizhou Prefecture's Heavenly Realm Division arrived, he saw you were cultivating and took his men to the assembly point ahead of time."

"Depart."

"Yes."

Zhu Huan respectfully took the order.

Zhang Xue shot Jun Wushang a glare, then followed.

Jun Wushang scratched his head. "What's going on... Hey, wait for me."

Not long after Wei Qing and his group departed.

The City God Temple on the west side of the city welcomed a group of men in black.

"Patriarch, everything is ready. Those 'blood food' have all been safely delivered and are currently being held securely in the backyard," the leader of the men in black reported in a low voice to Yan Qingshan.

"Hmm, wait a moment longer..."

Before he finished speaking, a mysterious figure appeared like a ghost.

"Master, the blood food has been arranged in the backyard."

"Very good, take me to see them."

The mysterious person responded briefly, and then the group stepped into the moonlight, entering the area shrouded in shadow in the backyard.

At the same time, a hundred meters away, Cai Yang from Jizhou Prefecture's Heavenly Realm Division asked, "Brother Chen, should we rush in now?"

The other two also looked at Chen Feng, awaiting instructions.

Chen Feng responded calmly, "Do not act rashly. This is a joint operation. We will make a decision after Wei Qing and his men arrive."

"Yes."

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint rustling sound suddenly came from behind them.

Swish, swish, swish...

The three reacted swiftly, their long sabers almost simultaneously drawn from their sheaths.

Chen Feng, with quick hands, raised his hand and stopped the three: "It's one of our own."