Three Years of Change

After summing up this unexpected encounter, Han Yi did not grow complacent because he had won. Instead, he felt a lingering fear.

Every battle carried danger.

If the rogue cultivator he had encountered this time had been at Qi Refining Late Stage, he would most likely have been finished.

Even if he had not been finished, it would have been difficult to retreat unscathed.

By Han Yi's estimation, he would most likely be able to defeat someone at Qi Refining Layer 6. Of course, that was only an estimate. He had trump cards, but the other party might have them as well. If their trump card happened to counter his, the uncertainty would be even greater.

Against Qi Refining Layer 7, let alone winning, being able to hold his own for a short while would already be quite good.

Unless his Spirit Void Finger or Sword Control Technique broke through to a new level—only then would Han Yi have the confidence to face Qi Refining Layer 7 head-on.

At this thought, Han Yi willed it, and a translucent pale-red panel appeared before his eyes.

Lifespan: 25/99

Realm: Qi Refining Layer 5 (6/100)

Cultivation Method: Fire Pill Profound Art (Proficient 29/100)

Skills:

Alchemy (Comprehensive Mastery 48/100)

Spirit Void Finger (Comprehensive Mastery 90/100)

Sword Control Technique (Comprehensive Mastery 49/100)

Body Lightening Technique (Comprehensive Mastery 19/100)

Looking at the four skills, all of which had reached Comprehensive Mastery, Han Yi wore a satisfied expression.

Over the past three years, it was not as though he had lacked opportunities to acquire other skills. He could have obtained them through official channels, through the market, or even by purchasing them from the female cultivators of Little Spirit Void Peak, whom he had become quite familiar with.

But he had not.

He understood the principle that grasping at too much only led to chewing none of it thoroughly.

Especially Spirit Void Finger and Sword Control Technique—these two combat arts complemented one another. In a true battle between cultivators, where would there be any prolonged tug-of-war? Cultivator battles changed in an instant, with life and death decided in the blink of an eye.

Han Yi's plan was to wait until these two skills broke through to the level beyond Comprehensive Mastery before considering adding other spells.

The Body Lightening Technique had been bestowed by the Peak Master of Little Spirit Void Peak. Han Yi happened to lack a movement technique, so he practiced it as well.

Moreover, over the past three years, he had traveled between several Outer Peak Markets and deliberately trained this movement technique, raising it to Comprehensive Mastery as well.

Unfortunately, once all skills entered Comprehensive Mastery, the speed at which he could grind them rose sharply downward. It was especially time-consuming.

Over three years, the Sword Control Technique and Spirit Void Finger he cared about most had only reached 49/100 and 90/100. The progress was far from ideal.

Additionally, it was not that Han Yi did not want to replace the Fire Pill Profound Art, this basic cultivation method that was tied to his realm advancement.

It was simply that he later learned this profound art was particularly suitable for Fire Spirit Root alchemists to lay their foundations with. It was most appropriate during Qi Refining Early Stage and Qi Refining Middle Stage.

Only after reaching Qi Refining Layer 7 should one switch to a more advanced cultivation method. This proper sequence had been proven by the Mystic Pill Sect through history.

Han Yi did not force the matter and temporarily kept this cultivation method. Over three years, it had also advanced from Familiarity to Proficiency.

After taking stock of his current condition, Han Yi took out the storage pouch he had seized from the rogue cultivator.

He spent half a day erasing the original mark on the storage pouch. When he looked inside, his heart stirred with excitement.

The rogue cultivator's storage pouch contained a hodgepodge of items.

Han Yi took out the things that interested him.

More than three hundred spirit stones, over a hundred jin of spirit sand, assorted bottles and jars, talismans, array disks, and two unused transmission disks.

Although these things were not a huge fortune to Han Yi, whose net worth now exceeded two thousand spirit stones, finding them for free was still exciting.

Han Yi did not examine those bottles and jars, talismans, array disks, and such.

Studying those things consumed too much time.

What Han Yi lacked most was time. Rather than waste effort on that, he might as well grind the Spirit Void Finger a little more and break through to the next level as soon as possible.

Once he had put away his things, he returned to cultivation.

Unwavering cultivation and an unceasing supply of spirit stones—those were the true reasons he had broken through to Qi Refining Layer 5 in just three years.

During this period, he focused on cultivating the Spirit Void Finger.

He truly wanted to see what exactly lay beyond Comprehensive Mastery.

Behind the courtyard, Han Yi had built a new cultivation chamber. He had spent a hefty sum on precious materials, allowing it to withstand the attacks of the Spirit Void Finger. This was where he practiced the Spirit Void Finger each day.

The night passed without incident.

He tidied up, left his quarters, and headed straight for Little Sea View Peak.

Over the past three years, he had traded with the female cultivators of Little Sea View Peak seven or eight times. They could be considered acquaintances by now.

This time, he did not see Chu Jinmo. Yan Ru was the one who received him instead.

After three years of interaction, this voluptuous female cultivator was no longer so icy toward Han Yi. Her expression had softened somewhat.

"Junior Brother Han, you've already reached Qi Refining Layer 5?" Yan Ru had sharp eyes. Sensing that Han Yi's aura had reached the standard of the fifth layer, she could not help but feel surprised.

"Just luck, just luck."

Han Yi answered modestly. The last time he had come up the mountain had been more than half a year ago, when he had still been at the Qi Refining Layer 4 Peak.

Now that he had come again, he had already broken through.

Yan Ru shot him a glance.

"That isn't luck. It's well deserved."

"Before long, you may break through to Qi Refining Layer 6, or even Qi Refining Layer 7, join the Inner Peak, and leave us far behind."

There was a touch of wistfulness in Yan Ru's voice.

Comparing oneself to others was enough to make one die of rage.

She had been stuck at Qi Refining Layer 5 for many years. There was still a long way to go before Qi Refining Layer 6.

"Junior Brother Han, with your cultivation speed, if you intend to seek a Dao companion, plenty of junior sisters on Little Sea View Peak would be interested."

"Why not give it some thought?"

"Or is it that you can't?"

Walking shoulder to shoulder with her, Han Yi nearly stumbled headlong.

He turned to look at Yan Ru, only to see a rare teasing smile at the corner of her lips. He could only wave his hand and smile bitterly.

"Senior Sister Yan, please stop teasing me."

"Your junior brother truly has no plans to consider a Dao companion for the time being."

Han Yi firmly refused.

"Fine, I was joking. Don't take it to heart. Let's go. I hope you brought enough pills today."

Yan Ru tucked away her rare smile, returning to her calm expression as she led him into a room.

Han Yi quickly followed. "I won't disappoint you, Senior Sister Yan."

Half an hour later.

The two emerged from the room again. Han Yi wore a satisfied expression, while Yan Ru's face was full of regret.

Han Yi was pleased because his spirit stones had increased by another substantial sum.

Yan Ru regretted that the pills Han Yi had brought were still somewhat too few. Split among more than twenty senior and junior sisters, each person received very little.

"By the way, Senior Sister Yan, when will Senior Sister Chu return?" Han Yi asked before leaving.

Yan Ru shook her head. "I don't know either. She went down the mountain with Uncle Qi a year ago, and there's been no definite word."

Han Yi nodded and did not press further. This concerned matters within Little Sea View Peak, so it was not his place to ask too much.

"The next transaction may have to be delayed somewhat. Your junior brother has reached a bottleneck in one of his spells and wishes to enter seclusion."

"We likely won't be able to trade again until around half a year from now."

"Please convey my apologies to the other senior sisters of Little Sea View Peak, Senior Sister Yan."

At this, the regret on Yan Ru's face deepened. But this concerned Han Yi himself, and she could not force the matter.

Over these three years, the pills Han Yi had sold to Little Sea View Peak had been eagerly sought after.

Qi Nourishing Pills, Evil Warding Pills, Mind Gathering Pills, and Breakthrough Pills.

These four kinds of pills were all extremely important to mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

Especially Han Yi's pills—they could absolutely be called high quality at a fair price.

Yet the next transaction could only be scheduled for half a year later. How could she not regret it?

After descending Little Sea View Peak, Han Yi first went to Little Firm Rock Peak to look for Zheng Hai. But he could not find him, so he had no choice but to give up and head toward Little Spirit Void Peak instead.