As the green light vanished, Zhao Huaian felt strength fill his body, and his blood and qi grow more vigorous.
He knew that he had officially stepped onto the path of cultivation and become a first-layer Qi Refining cultivator.
With cultivation under his belt, Zhao Huaian was incredibly excited.
He clumsily circulated Spiritual Energy, playing with it in his palm like a delighted child.
"I wonder if my cultivation can increase the way my proficiency does?"
After playing around for a while, Zhao Huaian murmured to himself, then looked at the Heavenly Tome with eager anticipation.
Name: Zhao Huaian Lifespan: 15/98 Cultivation: Qi Refining Layer One (1/100) Cultivation Art: Azure Wood Art (Beginner 15/100) Skills: Medical Skill (Grandmaster 2933/3200), Flying Needles (Grandmaster 128/3200), Gentle Breeze Footwork (Great Accomplishment 1398/1600)
"It can! There's a proficiency value after Qi Refining Layer One. Looks like my cultivation can increase just like my proficiency!"
Looking at the updated information in the Heavenly Tome, Zhao Huaian couldn't help pumping his fist in excitement.
After three days of cultivation, he had not only successfully become a first-layer Qi Refining cultivator, but had also raised his Azure Wood Art proficiency by fifteen points.
"I wonder how cultivation proficiency increases? It must have a lot to do with absorbing Spiritual Energy."
Looking at his first-layer Qi Refining cultivation, Zhao Huaian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
After continuously circulating the Azure Wood Art for three days, he had finally figured out how long it took him to complete one full cycle.
At his current pace, completing one full cycle of the Azure Wood Art took him a little over an hour.
On average, each full cycle increased his Azure Wood Art proficiency by one point.
Excluding time spent resting, Zhao Huaian estimated that with his diligent work ethic, he could raise his Azure Wood Art proficiency by four to six points a day.
At that rate, he was confident he could raise the Azure Wood Art to the Proficient level in about twenty days.
By then, he expected the Proficient-level Azure Wood Art to absorb Spiritual Energy much faster.
The thought filled Zhao Huaian with excitement. He swallowed a Grain Abstinence Pill, sat cross-legged on his bed once more, and began cultivating.
Time passed. The sun rose in the east, and the day soon slipped away. It was now the following morning.
Qi Refining Layer One (3/100)
Looking at the cultivation proficiency in the Heavenly Tome, Zhao Huaian rubbed his chin and murmured, "Just as I thought. Cultivation proficiency is closely tied to how much Spiritual Energy I absorb. It's just a shame the progress is a little slow..."
"But this is good enough. I've only just started cultivating, and I can raise my proficiency by about two points a day. At this rate, I'll become a second-layer Qi Refining cultivator in two months at most."
"And as the Azure Wood Art improves, I'll absorb more Spiritual Energy. I might even break through before two months are up."
As Zhao Huaian considered this, a smile soon spread across his face.
Without any cultivation resources, breaking through to Qi Refining Layer Two within two months was already quite fast for someone with Three Spiritual Roots.
After all, back when they were aboard the Spirit Boat, Lei Yangwen would sometimes tell them about cultivation when he had nothing else to do.
According to Lei Yangwen, one's spiritual root aptitude determined the speed of cultivation. For someone with Four Spiritual Roots or Five Spiritual Roots, after reaching Qi Refining Layer One, breaking through to Qi Refining Layer Two by simply absorbing Spiritual Energy and using no resources took around four to seven months.
Those with Three Spiritual Roots needed much less time, but even they still needed around two to three months.
Under those circumstances, breaking through to Qi Refining Layer Two within two months, without any resources, was already quite fast.
What's more, as his Azure Wood Art proficiency rose, his cultivation speed would grow faster and faster. His rate of advancement was sure to increase significantly as well.
Having reached this conclusion, Zhao Huaian cultivated with even greater effort.
Still, he was only a first-layer Qi Refining cultivator. No matter how diligent he was, he couldn't cultivate at full intensity every moment of the day.
As the saying went, haste made waste.
So Zhao Huaian generally cultivated for about six shichen a day, doing so in the morning when his mind was at its sharpest.
Alongside those six necessary hours of daily cultivation, Zhao Huaian also didn't forget the Medical Skill he had once relied on to make a living.
He was eager to see what Medical Skill at the Perfection level would do.
Of course, cultivation was his priority now, with Medical Skill taking second place.
To ensure he got enough rest and stayed sharp, Zhao Huaian set aside only one or two shichen each day to study Medical Skill.
Though his progress was slow, he had proficiency to track, so he could see it improve bit by bit. With a goal in sight, there was no need to rush.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Zhao Huaian cultivated diligently every day, making the most of all six hours he spent cultivating at full intensity.
Twenty days later, the Attribute Heavenly Book began to shimmer faintly. The characters after Azure Wood Art stirred and twisted, changing shape.
Azure Wood Art (Proficient 1/200)
Zhao Huaian woke from his cultivation and opened his eyes. Seeing the change in the Attribute Heavenly Book, he couldn't help smiling.
"After twenty days, the Azure Wood Art has reached the Proficient level. I expect I'll absorb Spiritual Energy a little faster than before."
After considering it, Zhao Huaian took a deep breath, full of anticipation, then sat cross-legged on his bed and began circulating the Proficient-level Azure Wood Art.
One day later.
"Just as I thought. The Proficient-level Azure Wood Art absorbs Spiritual Energy much faster."
"Now, if I cultivate at full intensity for six hours, I can accumulate three points of cultivation proficiency in a day."
"If the Azure Wood Art improves further, I'll absorb Spiritual Energy even faster. As long as I work hard enough, the Great Dao will be within reach."
Feeling the speed at which the Proficient-level Azure Wood Art absorbed Spiritual Energy, Zhao Huaian grinned with excitement, his heart full of ambition.
Time flowed like water, slipping away in a flash.
The snow had completely melted, and early spring had arrived.
Rain fell incessantly outside. The fragrance of fresh grass carried on the wind lifted the spirits.
Another twenty days passed.
A faint, emerald-green aura flickered through Zhao Huaian's body.
"Qi Refining Layer Two!"
Having broken through, Zhao Huaian slowly opened his eyes, a smile on his face. He focused his attention on the Heavenly Tome in his mind.
Name: Zhao Huaian Lifespan: 15/103 Cultivation: Qi Refining Layer Two (1/100) Cultivation Art: Azure Wood Art (Proficient 106/200) Skills: Medical Skill (Grandmaster 3195/3200), Flying Needles (Grandmaster 596/3200), Gentle Breeze Footwork (Great Accomplishment 1398/1600)
"Forty-two days have passed since I reached Qi Refining Layer One. Thanks to my hard work, I've finally broken through to Qi Refining Layer Two."
"Besides breaking through, my lifespan has increased by five years. That's a welcome surprise!"
"And after studying Medical Skill in my spare time every day, I'm now only five points away from reaching Perfection. I've gained a great deal!"
Looking at the Attribute Heavenly Book in his mind, Zhao Huaian grinned. "Next, I'll strike while the iron is hot and devote myself to studying Medical Skill. I want to see what changes come with Medical Skill at the Perfection level."
Zhao Huaian could hardly wait to see Medical Skill at the Perfection level.
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