Two and a Half Months, Qi Refining Layer Three

Time flowed by quietly.

In the blink of an eye, two and a half months had passed.

Zhao Huaian awoke from his cultivation state, golden light flashing in his mind as he checked his status.

Name: Zhao Huaian
Lifespan: 15/108
Cultivation: Qi Refining Layer Three (1/100)
Cultivation Technique: Azure Wood Art (Mastered 289/400)
Spells: Fireball Spell (Mastered 36/400), Earth Wall Spell (Mastered 12/400), Entangle Spell (Proficient 65/200)
Skills: Medical Skill (Perfection 332/6400), Flying Needles (Grandmaster 963/3200), Gentle Breeze Footwork (Grandmaster 231/3200)

His gaze swept over the status panel, a heavenly book of sorts.

A smile crept onto Zhao Huaian's lips as he murmured, "After diligently cultivating for two and a half months, my cultivation has finally broken through to Qi Refining Layer Three, and my lifespan has increased to 108 years."

Two and a half months to break through from Qi Refining Layer Two to Qi Refining Layer Three. This speed was incredibly fast, not inferior to those with Three Spiritual Roots who used vast amounts of cultivation resources.

The reason for this rapid progress, besides Zhao Huaian's daily persistent cultivation, was the Azure Wood Art, which had been promoted to Mastered over a month ago.

After the Azure Wood Art reached the Mastered level, Zhao Huaian's spiritual energy absorption speed greatly increased. He gained three proficiency points almost every two days.

With such a cultivation speed, rapidly advancing to Qi Refining Layer Three was a certainty.

Furthermore, during these two and a half months of arduous cultivation, Zhao Huaian not only focused on his primary cultivation but also dedicated some free time each day to practicing the Basic Five Elements Spell.

Utilizing this free time, Zhao Huaian had already elevated the offensive Fireball Spell and the defensive Earth Wall Spell to the Mastered realm.

The auxiliary Entangle Spell had also reached the Proficient level.

With two Mastered level spells and one Proficient level spell—one for offense, one for defense, and one for support—coupled with his Qi Refining Layer Three cultivation, Zhao Huaian now possessed considerable combat power.

While fighting beyond his current layer might be unrealistic, his strength was undoubtedly top-tier within the Qi Refining Layer Three.

"My cultivation has improved, requiring more spiritual energy. Without resources, it will take at least another half a year to continue cultivating and break through to Qi Refining Layer Four."

"Although I've been a 'grinder' in both my past and present lives, blind, arduous cultivation is not advisable; it would only be a waste of precious time."

"Now that I have a certain level of cultivation and strength, it's time to leave seclusion and pursue my path to wealth."

Sensing the abundant spiritual energy within his body, Zhao Huaian's eyes showed contemplation as he pushed the door open and stepped out.

Incense Hall.

It was a few days before the beginning of the month, and the Incense Hall was bustling with people.

Leaving the residential area, Zhao Huaian didn't stop and quickly arrived at the Incense Hall.

"Junior Brother Zhao, over here!"

As soon as he squeezed into the crowded Incense Hall, a booming voice called out from within.

Turning his head, he saw Lin Dongpeng.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Lin!"

Zhao Huaian's face lit up with a smile as he pushed through the crowd and walked forward.

"Junior Brother Zhao, you've broken through to Qi Refining Layer Three?"

Looking at Zhao Huaian's current cultivation, a hint of surprise flashed across his smiling face.

Zhao Huaian nodded calmly, "I pawned an ancestral item at the market two months ago and obtained a batch of spirit stones to purchase cultivation resources."

"So that's how it is..."

Lin Dongpeng suddenly understood.

He had been wondering how Zhao Huaian's cultivation had improved so quickly; it turned out he had supplemented it with cultivation resources.

However, even this speed was remarkable. At least, when he himself broke through to Qi Refining Layer Three, it took him a full four months, and he had used three bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills during that time.

Casting an envious glance at Zhao Huaian, Lin Dongpeng chuckled, "Junior Brother Zhao, you haven't collected your cultivation resources for the past two months yet. I recall that including this month, you're entitled to six low-grade spirit stones."

As he spoke, Lin Dongpeng took out six low-grade spirit stones from the counter and handed them to Zhao Huaian, adding, "Oh right, Junior Brother Zhao, cultivate diligently in the future and strive to reach Qi Refining Mid-stage as soon as possible. Once you reach Qi Refining Mid-stage, your monthly stipend will increase to four low-grade spirit stones, and you can also receive a low-grade magic item from me."

"That goes without saying. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Lin!"

Zhao Huaian smiled and nodded.

He was well aware of this. Lin Dongpeng bringing it up specifically now was undoubtedly an attempt to get closer to him, to foster a better relationship between them.

And Zhao Huaian was more than happy to oblige. After all, Lin Dongpeng currently possessed Qi Refining Layer Seven cultivation and held the position of a disciple in the Incense Hall.

Building a relationship with someone like him would bring considerable benefits to himself at the moment.

As for why Lin Dongpeng would humble himself to get closer to him?

Zhao Huaian wasn't foolish.

Undoubtedly, Lin Dongpeng saw his talent and wanted to befriend him in advance, which would also benefit him once his cultivation fully improved in the future.

Holding the same intention to befriend him, Zhao Huaian deliberately chatted with Lin Dongpeng for a while.

After some idle chat, seeing the Incense Hall getting more crowded and the other disciples on duty extremely busy, Zhao Huaian, being very perceptive, pocketed six low-grade spirit stones and left the Incense Hall.

Leaving the Incense Hall, with six low-grade spirit stones in his possession, Zhao Huaian immediately rushed to the Greenwood Market with impatience.

"He is Zhao Huaian?"

Watching Zhao Huaian's retreating figure as he left the Incense Hall, Lin Zihao emerged from the crowd with a grim expression.

"Yes, Senior Brother Lin. I joined the Greenwood Sect in the same batch as Zhao Huaian, so I remember his appearance quite clearly. There's absolutely no mistake."

A disciple at Qi Refining Layer One nodded respectfully.

"Understood. You may go about your business now."

Lin Zihao nodded and waved to the Qi Refining Layer One disciple.

More than two months ago, just when he thought finding the murderer was hopeless, he unexpectedly overheard a conversation between Lei Yangwen and other disciples from the Mission Hall.

This made him realize instantly that someone must have used his family's Ice Grass to bribe Lei Yangwen and gain qualification to join the Greenwood Sect.

Even if this person wasn't the murderer of his family, they were definitely involved.

Lin Zihao had originally intended to ask Lei Yangwen who it was that gifted him the Ice Grass.

However, his cultivation and status were inferior to Lei Yangwen's. Even after offering some spirit stones, Lei Yangwen did not sell him accurate information.

Helpless, Lin Zihao could only investigate personally, constantly deducing from the list of people who had received internal spots for the outer disciple recruitment from Lei Yangwen.

It took him another two months to gather all the information about their identities and their backgrounds in the mortal world.

Based on the information he gathered, the most suspicious among these people was Zhao Huaian, known as the "Divine Doctor."

After all, the distance between Golden Sand Island and Wind Sand Island wasn't too great. Zhao Huaian was quite famous in the surrounding area, and it wouldn't be difficult for him to recruit a group of desperate individuals with his Medical Skill.

Moreover, Zhao Huaian had only risen to prominence about a year ago. It was impossible for him to have collected any valuable items, so how did he bribe Lei Yangwen?

The answer was obvious: it must have been the Ice Grass from his own family!

Having figured everything out, killing intent surged in Lin Zihao's eyes as he silently began to track Zhao Huaian's retreating figure.