Chen Changqing felt the surging power within him, his face beaming with a satisfied smile.
"With the AFK Cultivation System, life is great! Entering the Inner Sect just over eight months ago, my cultivation has already broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage."
"Next, I need to condense and solidify the liquid true qi within my body."
"Once all the liquid true qi has been fully condensed and solidified, I'll be able to step into the Core Formation realm in one stroke!"
Chen Changqing was filled with anticipation.
"System, continue AFK cultivation!"
As Chen Changqing conveyed his thoughts, the two Little Golden Men before him resumed their AFK cultivation.
One continued practicing the Shu Mountain Mental Method, breathing in and out as the cycle flowed without end.
The other Little Golden Man continued practicing the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique.
"It's been so long, yet the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique's cultivation progress has only reached 10%. The more powerful a cultivation method or divine ability is, the longer it takes to reach perfection, even through AFK cultivation."
Chen Changqing muttered to himself with a sigh.
One had to know that the Shu Mountain Sword Technique and Shu Mountain Movement Technique had both already been cultivated to perfection.
Yet the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique's progress was still only at 10%.
"I wonder whether I can kill a Core Formation cultivator if I use the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique now?"
Chen Changqing secretly guessed.
One had to know that before entering the Inner Sect, he had used the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique during the Outer Sect Disciple Competition to defeat Shi Tian, a body cultivator at Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
Moreover, Shi Tian possessed the special Stone Spirit Physique.
Yet even so, he had still been no match for Chen Changqing's Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique.
At that time, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique's cultivation progress had only been 3%.
Now that its progress had risen to 10%, its power was naturally no longer what it had once been.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Changqing gathered his thoughts and leisurely went into the courtyard to bask in the sun.
With the AFK Cultivation System, there was no way he would cultivate personally.
That day, Chen Changqing pushed open the courtyard gate, preparing to go out and find a place to bask in the sun as usual.
But the moment he stepped outside, he saw a figure approaching from not far away.
Chen Changqing was no stranger to the visitor. Who else could it be but Qingyang?
"Senior Brother Qingyang?"
Chen Changqing was slightly surprised to see Qingyang paying him a visit.
Ever since entering the Inner Sect, this was the first time he had seen Qingyang.
Soon, Qingyang walked over and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Junior Brother Chen, long time no see!"
Chen Changqing smiled faintly.
"Senior Brother Qingyang, how did you know I was in Azure Firmament Valley?"
Qingyang did not hide it and replied.
"I asked Elder Qian at the Registration Office."
Chen Changqing nodded, then asked again.
"Senior Brother, what business brings you here to seek me out?"
Hearing Chen Changqing's question, Qingyang froze slightly, pursed his lips, and said.
"I merely came to see how your cultivation has been progressing!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Qingyang's expression changed drastically, his face filled with disbelief. "This? Foundation Establishment Late Stage? Junior Brother Chen, you... your cultivation has broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage?"
Qingyang had not noticed earlier, but upon examining him now, he discovered that Chen Changqing's cultivation had actually advanced to Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
He found it hard to believe.
One had to know that when they had entered the Inner Sect, Chen Changqing had only just broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm.
Who would have thought that after only several months, his cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage?
Chen Changqing smiled faintly and replied.
"Just a lucky breakthrough."
Upon hearing that, Qingyang could not help swallowing. He did not believe in Chen Changqing's so-called lucky breakthrough.
"Junior Brother Chen's cultivation talent is far too terrifying."
"How long has it even been?"
"He's already caught up to me!"
Qingyang muttered inwardly. Then, staring at Chen Changqing in shock, he said.
"Junior Brother, your cultivation speed is truly frightening."
"Even those peerless prodigies and monstrous geniuses of the Inner Sect may not be able to compare with you!"
Chen Changqing paid little heed to Qingyang's praise and changed the subject.
"Senior Brother Qingyang."
"You suddenly came to my door at this time. Surely it wasn't merely to inspect my cultivation, was it?"
Seeing that he could not hide it any longer, Qingyang stopped beating around the bush and spoke frankly.
"Please forgive my presumption, Junior Brother Chen."
"To be honest, I have already touched the threshold of Core Formation. But if I wish to break through, I still need the aid of a Breakthrough Pill."
"However... I am still missing the final medicinal ingredient needed to refine the Breakthrough Pill: a Condensing Essence Herb."
"This herb grows in Hundred Herbs Valley, a thousand li from Mount Shu."
"Hundred Herbs Valley contains many mysterious spirit herbs, but it is also fraught with danger, with demon beasts running rampant."
After Qingyang explained it like that, Chen Changqing understood. Smiling, he said.
"So Senior Brother Qingyang came to find me because you want me to accompany you on a trip to Hundred Herbs Valley?"
"That's right!"
Qingyang nodded.
The reason he had come to ask Chen Changqing for help was because he needed a powerful assistant.
But he did not quite trust the other people of the Inner Sect.
Besides, those people would not rise early without profit. If he wanted them to act, the reward he would have to pay would be far from insignificant.
After weighing the matter carefully, Qingyang thought of Chen Changqing.
And now that he had seen Chen Changqing had already broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Qingyang became even more certain.
Others might not know, but he knew very well.
When Chen Changqing had only been at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he had been able to defeat Shi Tian, who was even stronger than Qingyang.
Now that Chen Changqing had broken through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, his strength was naturally even greater.
Seeing Chen Changqing hesitate slightly, Qingyang hurriedly said.
"Junior Brother, please rest assured."
"I will not ask you to act for nothing."
As he spoke, Qingyang flicked his hand, and a small Storage Bag appeared.
"There are one hundred spirit stones inside. Consider them your reward for helping me this time, Junior Brother."
Chen Changqing smiled faintly at the sight.
"What are you saying, Senior Brother? We come from the same lineage, so why speak of compensation?"
"I've been stifled staying in the mountains anyway. Going out for a walk would be good."
To Chen Changqing, a mere hundred spirit stones were nothing worth caring about.
Besides, they would be of no use to him even if they were given to him.
With AFK cultivation, why would he need spirit stones to assist his cultivation?
Seeing Chen Changqing agree so readily, Qingyang was overjoyed. He said impatiently.
"Excellent."
"Then let's go register to leave the mountain now!"
Chen Changqing nodded lightly, then went with Qingyang to the Registration Office.
The Mount Shu Sect's rules were strict. Inner Sect disciples had to register at the Registration Office and explain their reasons before leaving the mountain.
Before long, Chen Changqing and Qingyang completed the registration and successfully left the Mount Shu Inner Sect.
After leaving the Inner Sect, the two immediately flew away on their swords.
One day later, Chen Changqing and Qingyang arrived at a mortal city. They intended to rest briefly before continuing on to Hundred Herbs Valley.
Although they had both already reached the stage where they could abstain from food,
they still chose to enter a restaurant.
After ordering some wine and dishes, Chen Changqing and Qingyang prepared to pick up their chopsticks and savor the long-missed bustle of mortal life.
Just then, a young man walked in from outside the restaurant.
The young man wore splendid brocade robes and carried himself with an arrogant, overbearing air.
With the young man's arrival, the atmosphere throughout the restaurant suddenly became tense. Many people revealed fearful expressions upon seeing him.
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