Fifth Layer of Qi Refining

After Meng Haoran opened the "Storage Bag," he found that it wasn't filled with Spirit Stones.

There were only about a hundred Spirit Stones, and a small white porcelain bottle.

Meng Haoran didn't focus too much on the Spirit Stones. Instead, he picked up the white porcelain bottle and asked somewhat puzzled, "Clan Uncle Luohai, what is this?"

"A First-Tier pill, the Spirit Gathering Pill," Meng Luohai replied.

"It's actually a Spirit Gathering Pill!"

Meng Haoran was overjoyed.

Although the "Spirit Gathering Pill" was a First-Tier pill and far from being a Foundation Establishment level Cultivation Resource, it was extremely effective in boosting the cultivation of a mid-to-low-level Qi Refining Realm Cultivator like Meng Haoran!

Pills were divided into nine tiers, corresponding to the realms of Cultivators.

Cultivators of the same tier could only try to consume pills of the same tier. Only then could the pills display their maximum effect.

Consuming high-tier pills across tiers was not impossible, but it required immense mental focus, heaven and earth spiritual energy, and a great deal of energy to digest.

Meng Haoran looked up at Meng Luohai and smiled, "Clan Uncle Luohai, although I have some merit, this was all for the greater good of our Meng Family. This Spirit Gathering Pill is too precious for me."

"A sharp blade is given to a hero. Of course, the Spirit Gathering Pill is for clansmen like you who have greatly contributed to the Meng Family!"

Meng Luohai waved his hand, forcefully pushing the "Spirit Gathering Pill" in front of Meng Haoran, and said with a smile, "Haoran, you must accept this Spirit Gathering Pill no matter what. No refusals!"

Hearing Meng Luohai's words, Meng Haoran found it difficult to refuse further.

"Then Haoran thanks Clan Uncle Luohai in advance!"

Seeing Meng Haoran accept the "Storage Bag" containing the "Spirit Gathering Pill," Meng Luohai finally felt relieved.

Although the "Spirit Gathering Pill" was particularly important for mid-to-low-level Qi Refining Realm Cultivators like Meng Haoran, Meng Haoran had performed a great service for the Meng Family today!

Without Meng Haoran's suggestion, Meng Luohai would likely not have been able to research the "Spirit Taming Talisman" yet.

With the Lin Family's "Five Elements Defensive Talisman" released, it was clearly aimed at the Meng Family's talisman market.

If the "Spirit Taming Talisman" had not been researched by Meng Luohai, the Lin Family's "Five Elements Defensive Talisman" would have lasted for at least over a month in the Qingyang County Town talisman market. During this month, it would have slowly devoured the Meng Family's market share.

Even if Meng Luohai had completed the research on the "Spirit Taming Talisman" by then, it would have been too late to counter the Lin Family's "Five Elements Defensive Talisman."

To regain the Meng Family's original talisman market share, it would take at least a full three months.

After three months, the Meng Family's development progress would once again fall far behind the Lin Family!

The competition between cultivation families was often revealed in the smallest details!

A slight lag, no matter how small, could lead to permanent backwardness.

Therefore, Meng Luohai's unilateral decision to give Meng Haoran a "Spirit Gathering Pill" was, in his opinion, perfectly justified!

Meng Luohai looked at Meng Haoran, stood up, and said with a smile, "Haoran, while I'm still in the hall, you can take this Spirit Gathering Pill directly. I'll guard you in the next room!"

Meng Haoran's heart stirred upon hearing this.

He had been diligently improving his cultivation for the past half month, and he faintly felt that his realm was close to the peak of the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

"Okay! Thank you, Clan Uncle Luohai!"

With that, Meng Luohai got up and left, leaving Meng Haoran alone in the room.

Closing the door, Meng Haoran placed the small porcelain bottle containing the "Spirit Gathering Pill" on the wooden table, along with the Spirit Stones he had accumulated during this period.

After doing this, Meng Haoran quietly glanced towards the next room. With a flip of his wrist, the mysterious "Heavenly Cauldron" suddenly appeared, filled with "Cauldron Liquid" overflowing with Spirit Energy.

"Everything is ready except for the final push!"

Meng Haoran formed hand seals, and with a low shout, he said, "Forging Yin Refining Yang Method! Activate!"

As he spoke, all the meridians in Meng Haoran's body began to tremble, and all the Spirit Stones on the wooden table floated around him.

Threads of extremely pure heaven and earth spiritual energy emanated from each Spirit Stone.

Through Meng Haoran's cultivation method, the "Forging Yin Refining Yang Method," they directly entered his body.

At this moment, Meng Haoran suddenly opened his eyes. The "Spirit Gathering Pill" from the small porcelain bottle immediately floated out and flew directly into his mouth.

Meng Haoran's mind stirred, and the "Cauldron Liquid" from the "Heavenly Cauldron" also flew out instantly.

Like a "water dragon sucking a pillar," it was directly poured into Meng Haoran's mouth.

Rumble!

A roaring sound continuously echoed within Meng Haoran's body, and his exposed skin turned flushed.

Meng Luohai, hearing the commotion from Meng Haoran's side in the adjacent room, chuckled softly, "This Haoran kid has exceptional cultivation talent. To reach the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining at the age of twenty is truly extraordinary. If he's given enough time to grow, his future achievements might surpass Brother Liuhai!"

Thinking of this, Meng Luohai sighed slightly and said with a hint of melancholy, "But if this Haoran kid grows too quickly, and our Meng Family's development can't keep up with him, wouldn't that be dragging him down?"

Glancing towards Meng Haoran's room, Meng Luohai pondered for a moment before saying softly, "It seems it's time to talk to Clan Leader Jingshan about Haoran's matters!"

In the adjacent room, time passed unknown. Meng Haoran's skin gradually returned to normal, and the roaring sound within his body gradually subsided.

As Meng Haoran's skin returned to normal and the roaring sound in his body ceased, his eyes slowly opened, emitting two beams of sharp light.

Meng Haoran took a deep breath first, then slowly exhaled. He clenched his fists and chuckled softly, "Fifth Layer of Qi Refining!"

Meng Haoran was inwardly delighted. He had originally thought that after consuming the "Spirit Gathering Pill," "Cauldron Liquid," and a large number of Spirit Stones, he would at most be able to elevate his cultivation to the peak of the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

He hadn't expected to break through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

This surprised him.

Within Xinghua Meng Pavilion, as Meng Haoran rejoiced in his cultivation breakthrough, night slowly descended upon Xinghua Village on the other side.

In Xinghua Village, besides the Meng Family and Lin Family, the Chen Family also existed.

As the Lin Family and Chen Family were later arrivals, their residences were very close to each other.

Knock, knock, knock!

In the Chen Family's backyard, Chen Jinmeng was organizing his family's account books when he suddenly heard someone knocking at the door.

He turned and opened the door, seeing a familiar face before him. He asked with slight surprise, "Brother Qingbai? What brings you here at this hour?"

Because the Meng Family had been declining year by year, the Lin Family and Chen Family often collaborated to target the Meng Family. Therefore, other members of the Chen Family didn't find it strange to see Lin Qingbai entering and exiting the Chen Family's residence.

Lin Qingbai wore a mournful expression and said, "Brother Jinmeng, you must save me!"