Time slipped quietly by.
In the blink of an eye, two and a half months had passed.
Zhao Huaian awoke from his cultivation, golden light flashing across the Attribute Heavenly Book in his mind.
Name: Zhao Huaian
Lifespan: 15/108
Cultivation: Qi Refining Layer Three (1/100)
Cultivation Art: Azure Wood Art (Proficient 289/400)
Spells: Fireball Spell (Proficient 36/400), Earth Wall Spell (Proficient 12/400), Entangle Spell (Skilled 65/200)
Skills: Medical Skill (Perfect 332/6400), Flying Needles (Grandmaster 963/3200), Gentle Breeze Footwork (Grandmaster 231/3200)
His gaze swept over the Attribute Heavenly Book.
Zhao Huaian's lips curled into a smile. He murmured, "After two and a half months of painstaking cultivation, I've finally broken through to Qi Refining Layer Three. My lifespan has also increased to 108 years."
Breaking through from Qi Refining Layer Two to Qi Refining Layer Three in just two and a half months was an astonishing pace, no slower than that of Three Spiritual Roots cultivators who had access to abundant cultivation resources.
His rapid progress was due not only to Zhao Huaian's daily diligence but also to his Azure Wood Art, which had reached Proficient Level more than a month ago.
Once the Azure Wood Art reached Proficient Level, Zhao Huaian's rate of absorbing Spiritual Energy increased significantly. He could now gain three points of proficiency every two days.
At that rate, reaching Qi Refining Layer Three in short order had been all but inevitable.
Moreover, during those two and a half months of hard cultivation, Zhao Huaian had set aside time each day to practice the Basic Five Elements Spell.
Using those spare moments, he had brought the offensive Fireball Spell and defensive Earth Wall Spell up to Proficient Level.
He had also raised the support spell, Entangle Spell, to Skilled Level.
With two spells at Proficient Level and one at Skilled Level—one for attack, one for defense, and one for support—combined with his Qi Refining Layer Three cultivation, Zhao Huaian now possessed formidable combat strength.
While it was probably unrealistic to fight above his level, he was among the strongest at Qi Refining Layer Three.
"My cultivation has improved, but I need more Spiritual Energy now. Without resources, it'll take at least half a year to reach Qi Refining Layer Four."
"I've always been a hardcore grinder, in both my past and present lives, but mindlessly cultivating isn't the way. It'll only waste precious time."
"Now that I've gained some cultivation and strength, it's time to leave seclusion and pursue my path to fortune."
Feeling the ample Spiritual Energy within him, Zhao Huaian pondered for a moment, then opened the door and stepped outside.
Incense Hall.
It was a few days before the start of the month, and the Incense Hall was bustling with activity.
After leaving the Residential Area, Zhao Huaian headed straight for the Incense Hall without stopping.
"Junior Brother Zhao, over here!"
As soon as he squeezed into the packed hall, a booming voice called out from within.
He turned and saw Lin Dongpeng.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Lin!"
Zhao Huaian smiled and pushed through the crowd toward him.
"Junior Brother Zhao, have you broken through to Qi Refining Layer Three?"
Looking at Zhao Huaian's cultivation, Lin Dongpeng's broad smile faltered with surprise.
Zhao Huaian nodded calmly. "Two months ago, I pawned an heirloom at the Market and traded it for Spirit Stones to buy cultivation resources."
"I see..."
Lin Dongpeng understood.
He'd wondered how Zhao Huaian's cultivation had improved so quickly. It turned out he'd used cultivation resources to help him along.
Even so, it was a remarkable pace. Lin Dongpeng himself had taken a full four months to reach Qi Refining Layer Three, and he'd used three bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills along the way.
Giving Zhao Huaian an envious glance, Lin Dongpeng smiled. "Junior Brother Zhao, you haven't collected your cultivation resources for the past two months. I remember that, including this month, you're owed a total of six Low-grade Spirit Stones."
As he spoke, Lin Dongpeng took six Low-grade Spirit Stones from the counter and handed them to Zhao Huaian. "By the way, Junior Brother Zhao, keep up your cultivation and try to reach Qi Refining Mid-stage as soon as you can.
"Once you reach Qi Refining Mid-stage, your monthly stipend will rise to four Low-grade Spirit Stones, and you'll also be able to collect a low-grade Dharma Artifact from me."
"Of course. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Lin!"
Zhao Huaian smiled and nodded.
He already knew that.
Lin Dongpeng had gone out of his way to bring it up, no doubt hoping to build a closer relationship with him.
And Zhao Huaian was more than happy to oblige.
After all, Lin Dongpeng had reached Qi Refining Layer Seven and was also a disciple of the Incense Hall.
Building a connection with someone like that would be quite beneficial to him.
As for why Lin Dongpeng would go out of his way to get close to him, Zhao Huaian wasn't stupid.
Lin Dongpeng had clearly taken an interest in his talent and wanted to make his acquaintance early. Once Zhao Huaian's cultivation improved further, Lin Dongpeng stood to benefit as well.
With the same wish to establish a connection, Zhao Huaian chatted with Lin Dongpeng for a while.
As the Incense Hall grew more crowded and the other disciples on duty became overwhelmed with work, Zhao Huaian took the hint, tucked away his six Low-grade Spirit Stones, and left.
Once outside, with six Low-grade Spirit Stones in hand, Zhao Huaian hurried eagerly toward Greenwood Market.
"So that's Zhao Huaian?"
Watching Zhao Huaian's departing figure, Lin Zihao emerged from the crowd with a dark expression.
"Yes, Senior Brother Lin. Zhao Huaian and I joined Greenwood Sect in the same batch. I remember his face very clearly. There's no mistake."
A Qi Refining Layer One disciple nodded respectfully.
"Very well, I understand. Go about your business."
Lin Zihao nodded and waved the Qi Refining Layer One disciple away.
More than two months ago, just as he'd begun to think there was no hope of finding the killer, he'd unexpectedly overheard Lei Yangwen talking with other disciples from the Mission Hall.
That had made him realize that someone must have presented Lei Yangwen with his family's Ice Grass in exchange for a chance to join Greenwood Sect.
Even if that person wasn't the one who had wiped out the Lin Family, they were certainly involved.
Lin Zihao had wanted to ask Lei Yangwen who had given him the Ice Grass.
But his cultivation and status were both inferior to Lei Yangwen's. Even after offering him some Spirit Stones, Lei Yangwen had refused to sell him any definite information.
With no other choice, Lin Zihao had made inquiries himself, gradually narrowing down which of the new Outer Sect disciples had secured a reserved place from Lei Yangwen.
It had taken another two months to learn the identities of these people and gather information about their lives among ordinary mortals.
From what he'd found, the most suspicious person was Zhao Huaian, known as a miracle doctor.
After all, Golden Sand Island wasn't far from Wind Sand Island. Zhao Huaian was well-known in the surrounding area, and with his Medical Skill, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to recruit a band of desperadoes.
Moreover, Zhao Huaian had only risen to prominence about a year ago. There was no way he could have gathered any valuable treasures. So how had he bribed Lei Yangwen?
The answer was obvious: he must have used the Ice Grass from the Lin Family!
With the whole picture clear, murderous intent surged in Lin Zihao's eyes as he silently followed Zhao Huaian.
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