Qi Refining Layer Five

The days that followed were exceedingly ordinary. Every day, Zhao Huaian immersed himself in cultivation and talisman drawing, deaf to all matters beyond his window.

Time flew by like a shuttle, and in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

"Qi Refining Layer Five (1/100)"

Within the room, Spiritual Energy surged through Zhao Huaian's body. As an Emerald Green glow flickered past, the aura around him instantly swelled.

At that instant, a gust of wind swept through. With his cultivation proficiency fulfilled, Zhao Huaian broke through to Qi Refining Layer Five without encountering the slightest bottleneck.

Having broken through, Zhao Huaian slowly opened his eyes. A smile appeared on his lips as he turned his gaze toward the Attribute Heavenly Book in his mind.

Name: Zhao Huaian

Lifespan: 16/118

Cultivation: Qi Refining Layer Five (1/100)

Cultivation Art: Azure Wood Art (Great Accomplishment 369/1600)

Spells: Fireball Spell (Grandmaster 235/3200), Earth Wall Spell (Grandmaster 122/3200), Entangle Spell (Grandmaster 15/3200)

Tier One Spirit Talisman Master (100/100): Water Arrow Talisman (Perfected), Protective Talisman (Mastered 53/400), Light Body Talisman (Proficient 132/200), Concealment Talisman (Proficient 131/200), Freezing Talisman (Beginner 32/100)

Skills: Medical Skill (Perfected 989/6400), Flying Needles (Grandmaster 2350/3200), Gentle Breeze Footwork (Grandmaster 632/3200)

Over the past half year, through Zhao Huaian's diligent efforts, the panel on the Attribute Heavenly Book had undergone earth-shaking changes.

Not only had Zhao Huaian raised his cultivation to Qi Refining Layer Five during these six months, but he had also elevated each of the three spells he cultivated to the Grandmaster level.

Furthermore, his Tier One Spirit Talisman Master proficiency had reached one hundred, while his Water Arrow Talisman proficiency had risen to the Perfected realm.

And after raising the Water Arrow Talisman to Perfected, Zhao Huaian had learned the other four kinds of spirit talismans popular on the market.

However, although his Tier One Spirit Talisman Master proficiency had already reached one hundred, Zhao Huaian had not learned the Drawing Method for any Tier Two spirit talismans. Thus, he could not yet be considered a Tier Two Spirit Talisman Master.

"Not bad. This breakthrough came much earlier than I expected."

Looking at his Qi Refining Layer Five cultivation and the greatly transformed attribute panel, Zhao Huaian smiled in satisfaction.

Over these six months, he had maintained roughly five or six hours of cultivation every day.

Moreover, relying on his superb talisman-making skill, his Water Arrow Talismans had already become unmatched throughout Greenwood Market.

With such a great reputation, Zhao Huaian made a fortune every time he sold Water Arrow Talismans.

With enough Spirit Stones, Zhao Huaian naturally did not stint on himself. Over these past six months, he had hardly ever interrupted the Cultivation Resources he needed.

Otherwise, even with the Attribute Heavenly Book aiding him, there was simply no way he could have crossed from Qi Refining Layer Three through Qi Refining Layer Four and reached Qi Refining Layer Five in only half a year.

At the end of the day, in this vast world of cultivation, aside from competing in talent, what mattered most was competing in background and resources.

With sufficient resources, even a pig could be piled up into a powerful cultivation level.

Zhao Huaian deeply agreed with that point.

After all, over these past six months, he had already experienced the joy of possessing an abundance of Cultivation Resources.

"Right now, I'm still just a minor Spirit Talisman Master, and the Spirit Stones I earn are limited. I absolutely must not grow complacent. I need to work hard to improve myself and earn more Spirit Stones. Only then can I use higher-grade Cultivation Resources and Elixir Pills."

Zhao Huaian admonished himself.

After saying that, his gaze involuntarily shifted to the gray-black little pouch at his waist.

With a pat of his hand, as Spiritual Energy flowed from his palm, a blank piece of Talisman Paper instantly flew out of the gray-black pouch.

Storage Bag!

This gray-black little pouch was a Storage Bag.

The space inside was not particularly large, only about ten cubic meters—roughly the size of a massive box measuring two meters in height, width, and length.

Zhao Huaian had spent more than fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones to purchase this Storage Bag in Greenwood Market.

After all, he often went to Greenwood Market to sell spirit talismans. Sometimes, when he made too many, carrying them was extremely troublesome, and he had nowhere to store the Spirit Stones he earned from selling them.

At times like this, the usefulness of a Storage Bag spoke for itself.

Though its space was not large, it was more than enough for the current Zhao Huaian.

Caressing the Storage Bag and looking at the several hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones inside, Zhao Huaian could not help but grin.

Over the past half year, not only had he purchased a large amount of Cultivation Resources, he had also saved up several hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones.

The poor draw talismans; the rich refine pills.

As long as he accumulated several thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones in the future, he would have enough confidence and capital to try the pill-refining art he had once dreamed of.

After all, the importance of Elixir Pills went without saying. At the same rank, an alchemist held a status far above that of a Spirit Talisman Master.

Besides, once he learned the art of alchemy, whether for cultivation or for sale, both his cultivation and income would rise tremendously.

As Zhao Huaian happily imagined his future, just as he was about to pick up his brush and draw talismans, a crisp knock sounded from outside the door.

"Brother Zhao, are you in? It's Liu Bohu!"

Liu Bohu's voice rang out from outside.

Hearing the voice, Zhao Huaian raised a brow, took out a Concealment Talisman from his Storage Bag and stuck it onto himself, concealing his cultivation at Qi Refining Layer Four.

To be safe, before he possessed sufficient strength, Zhao Huaian had no intention of revealing his identity as a Spirit Talisman Master.

On the surface, he was still an utterly ordinary Outer Disciple. Naturally, his cultivation could not be too outstanding, but neither could it lag behind. Displaying the cultivation of Qi Refining Layer Four was most appropriate.

Having concealed his cultivation, Zhao Huaian rose and opened the door.

"So it's Brother Liu. I wonder what important matter brings Brother Liu here this time?"

Looking at Liu Bohu, whose cultivation had already reached Qi Refining Layer Four, Zhao Huaian said with a smile.

"Brother Zhao truly is extraordinary. Without anyone's support, you still managed to break through to Qi Refining Layer Four."

Liu Bohu likewise noticed Zhao Huaian's cultivation, and a trace of envy and admiration flashed through his eyes.

Although he too had broken through to Qi Refining Layer Four half a month ago, it was all thanks to the support of a Clan Brother within his family.

Otherwise, without the medicinal pills and guidance provided by that Clan Brother, it would have taken him quite some time longer to break through to Qi Refining Layer Four.

Liu Bohu knew of Zhao Huaian's talent and diligence, so he felt no jealousy—only admiration and envy in his eyes.

Looking at Zhao Huaian admiringly, Liu Bohu remembered the important reason for his visit and hurriedly continued, "Right, I came to find Brother Zhao because I wanted to invite you to join my Clan Brother's Task Team. After all, we've already been in the Greenwood Sect for a year, and every month we must complete one mission."

"This... let me look around first. Your Clan Brother and the others are powerful, so the missions they take on are bound to be riskier. I'd like to see whether there are any low-risk missions."

Zhao Huaian declined tactfully.

He possessed the secret of the Attribute Heavenly Book, so it was naturally unsuitable for him to cooperate with others over the long term and carry out missions together.

Seeing Zhao Huaian's tactful refusal, Liu Bohu could only nod. With a sigh, he said, "All right, then. Since Brother Zhao has his own plans, I won't try to persuade you further. But more than half this month has already passed. Brother Zhao should still go to the Mission Hall and check the missions as soon as possible, lest you fail to complete one in time and be punished by the sect."

"Of course!"

Zhao Huaian nodded, deep in thought.

Only now did he remember that, starting this month, he had to complete a mission every month. His days would no longer be as carefree as before.

After thinking it over, once Liu Bohu had gone far away, Zhao Huaian returned to his room to make some preparations, then quickly headed for the Mission Hall.