Seven Layers (Please Bookmark)

Inside the spirit pool.

Emerald waves rippled. As Fang Qing cast the Water Control Art, streams of water separated into layers, each carrying its own medicinal properties as they were continuously tempered and fused...

"Refining spirit powder truly is different from spirit water... The final pill-forming technique demands far more."

Remembering his previous failure, Fang Qing's gaze darkened as his hands continuously shifted through hand seals. "Emerge!"

Splash!

Spirit-rich spring water evaporated without cease, until a layer of strange medicinal powder finally surfaced.

The powder was pitch-black. Merely catching its scent made one feel invigorated.

"First-Order High Grade Spirit-Concentrating Powder... succeeded!"

Fang Qing put away the packet of Spirit-Concentrating Powder, and at last, a faint smile appeared on his face. "It truly wasn't easy... I heard the Five Dragons Society is still failing over there."

He had the main ingredient and had still failed to refine it.

The Five Dragons Society could not even find the main ingredient. Replacing it with other materials only made failure an everyday occurrence.

Thinking of the vast resources poured into this, even Fang Qing felt a pang of heartache.

"But it is all worth it... Once I possess Spiritual Sense, I can attempt to refine Second-Order pills during Late Qi Refinement and compete for the Hundred Arts of Immortality True Disciple position?"

"Even if I fail to become a True Disciple, I can still try refining Foundation Establishment Pills myself!"

"At present, I can only be considered a passable First-Order High Grade alchemist..."

By Rogue Cultivator standards, anyone capable of refining any First-Order High Grade pill was certainly a First-Order High Grade alchemist.

But Core Formation sects had higher standards. One had to refine at least three different First-Order High Grade pills to earn certification.

Fang Qing knew his own situation best. Only by consuming a vast amount of resources had he barely gained a little experience in refining Spirit-Concentrating Powder.

If he switched to another First-Order High Grade pill, although getting started would not be as difficult as it was for other First-Order Mid Grade alchemists, he would still need to fail seven or eight times before he could truly get the hang of it.

"Fortunately... my proficiency in refining Spirit-Concentrating Powder is already sufficient. My success rate will keep rising from now on."

Fang Qing had that confidence.

Holding the newly refined Spirit-Concentrating Powder, he entered the seclusion chamber.

He sat cross-legged and regulated his breath, calming his mind...

After his condition recovered to its peak, Fang Qing no longer hesitated and swallowed a mouthful of Spirit-Concentrating Powder.

The pill dissolved as soon as it entered his mouth, like a cool stream. Yet it did not enter his stomach, instead rising directly into his mind.

"Mm..."

In an instant, Fang Qing felt his mind become incomparably clear, his thoughts racing at high speed... Many difficult problems accumulated during cultivation and alchemy now seemed on the verge of being solved like bamboo splitting beneath a blade.

Unfortunately, the sensation came quickly and vanished just as quickly.

As the cool current dissipated, something within his Consciousness Sea seemed ready to burst forth. It was also like a land brimming with life, where tender shoots were about to break through the soil...

Time passed without his noticing.

One hour, two hours...

Fang Qing exhaled a long breath and suddenly opened his eyes.

His gaze was gentle, yet like a clear spring concealing an unfathomably deep gleam.

"Just one dose, and I already feel as though I'm about to condense Spiritual Sense?"

Fang Qing touched the space between his brows. "Could it be because I've diligently cultivated the Horse-Head Vajra Protector Divine Art all this time, and my body refinement is now comparable to the peak of First-Order Mid Grade?"

This strange cultivation art cultivated both essence and spirit. He felt that the "spiritual power" he had accumulated had long met the requirements for Spiritual Sense; he only lacked an opportunity.

And now, Spirit-Concentrating Powder was that opportunity!

"Spirit-Concentrating Powder is only beneficial for condensing Spiritual Sense. That does not mean success is guaranteed."

"But as long as I take it a few more times, I will definitely condense Spiritual Sense!"

Fang Qing was fairly satisfied with his cultivation progress.

"With my current Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement cultivation, First-Order Mid Grade body refinement techniques, a large number of talismans, and the Sea-Transforming Pearl... I might have a chance against an ordinary Late Qi Refinement cultivator?"

"There are around five years until the next True Disciple Grand Competition... If I want to contend for it, perhaps I do have a chance? But those competing in combat will surely be veteran Qi Refining Ninth Layer experts, perhaps even Qi Refining Great Perfection. I still cannot be careless... On the other hand, if I condense Spiritual Sense and refine Second-Order pills, I might have some hope of becoming a Hundred Arts of Immortality True Disciple?"

"Wait... wouldn't that mean competing against Five Dragons Child and Gong Susu?"

"The Great Dao lies ahead. None of that matters. The key is to remain steady... I should first see whether there is a source for Second-Order Demon Cores."

Over the past few years, Fang Qing had accumulated quite a fortune. Gathering a set of Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients would not be much of a problem.

But refining them himself would likewise present no small difficulties.

The next day.

Myriad Treasures Island, inside a waterside pavilion.

"Haha... come, fellow brothers and sisters, have a taste. These are Jadeheart Spiritfish caught on this voyage. Their flavor when steamed is simply peerless. Paired with Spirit Rice and Vermilion Fruit Wine brewed from Vermilion Fruits... I hear several elders are especially fond of this combination."

Hua Lian held a pair of jade chopsticks, his face full of warm smiles.

This was a gathering of fellow disciples, and Fang Qing was among them. Looking around, he found quite a few familiar faces at the table: Huo Tianhuo, Ming Lingzhen, Li Yusu, and even Zha Zhu.

This woman had actually reached Late Qi Refinement, leaving even Fang Qing inwardly impressed.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister, on advancing to Late Qi Refinement."

He raised his cup and offered Zha Zhu his congratulations.

"I only recently reached Qi Refinement Sixth Layer Great Perfection. Then I entered seclusion to give it a try, and I unexpectedly broke through."

Zha Zhu smiled faintly. "Junior Brother Fang... didn't you also break through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement during this seclusion?"

Fang Qing had concealed one layer of his cultivation with the Dao-Born Pearl. He now appeared to have only just entered the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement.

Such cultivation speed was already enough to make people take notice.

For example, Li Yusu beside him had only barely reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement. Hearing this, he merely drank.

Hua Lian had likewise cultivated to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement. He drank a cup of Vermilion Fruit Wine and laughed. "Junior Sister Zha's cultivation has advanced so swiftly. In my view, you will be more than capable of competing for a True Disciple position five years from now."

"My cultivation is shallow. I'd better wait another fifteen years."

Zha Zhu did not pursue the subject.

After three rounds of wine, Hua Lian finally got to the matter at hand. "Everyone... my fleet is preparing to set out during this fishing season. I have already rented a Three-Tusk Warship from the sect. Are any of you interested?"

The cultivators exchanged glances, then all smiled and nodded. "Of course."

Over the years, they had made quite a profit following Hua Lian.

Even Zha Zhu agreed after some consideration.

Clearly, having reached Late Qi Refinement, her cultivation progress had slowed, and she needed to earn resources herself.

Moreover, going to sea to fish could also hone one's combat abilities.

"Fellow Daoist Fang... what about you?"

Seeing that most people had agreed, Hua Lian's smile grew broader as he looked toward Fang Qing.

"I still need to enter seclusion and refine pills..."

Fang Qing shook his head. He had always been a lone wolf, and even when going to sea, he remained the same.

"Brother Fang, that is rather too cold and aloof of you."

Hua Lian's smile stiffened. Before he could speak, Yu Taohua beside him immediately spoke up.

Fang Qing remained silent. In truth, Hua Lian's fleet had gained some renown. Fellow cultivators who went to sea with him suffered few casualties and gained plentiful harvests, and the two of them had a decent personal relationship.

To outsiders, Fang Qing's actions indeed carried the air of refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.

But what was face worth to Fang Qing?

Right now, he wanted nothing more than to enter seclusion, refine pills, take Spirit-Concentrating Powder, and strive to condense Spiritual Sense as soon as possible!

"Well... I truly apologize. I'll punish myself with three cups."

Fang Qing lifted his wine cup and drank three in succession.

After the banquet ended and everyone departed, Yu Taohua said indignantly, "Senior Brother Hua Lian, look at Fang Qing. He truly doesn't know what's good for him! When have we ever not returned with our basins full and our bowls overflowing? Now even Senior Sister Zha is tempted to join and is giving us face, yet he alone acts so lofty?"

"Forget it. Each person has his own aspirations."

Hua Lian shook his head. "This Junior Brother Fang was already able to refine Ginseng Green Spirit Water years ago. Even Five Dragons Child praised his alchemy skills without reserve... He must be wealthy enough to look down on the earnings of poor fishermen like us..."

His words carried considerable regret.

Inside the cave abode.

Fang Qing sat cross-legged and swallowed a dose of Spirit-Concentrating Powder.

Splash!

This time, the cool current rushed straight into his mind. His spiritual platform became clear, the space between his brows stirred restlessly, and then a sudden stabbing pain struck, as though a third eye had opened.

"This is... Spiritual Sense?"

Fang Qing closed his eyes, yet he could clearly see several feet around himself. He could even look inward and see the misty Black Water Dharma Power within his qi sea dantian.

With the aid of Spiritual Sense, his thoughts moved at astonishing speed.

"I... seem to have become smarter."

Fang Qing recalled his past, and every experience stood vividly before his eyes, as though he had gained the gift of photographic memory.

Whether the Black Ridge Contemplation Scripture and other cultivation arts, the Five Dragons Alchemy Classic, or even the Plum Blossom Divination that he had previously been completely unable to understand, all now seemed to offer clues that he could study and use to get started.

"Sure enough... after gaining Spiritual Sense, whether cultivating or studying the Hundred Arts of Immortality, it feels as though the gods themselves are lending a hand..."

Joy appeared on Fang Qing's face. Yet he did not go read books. Instead, he sat cross-legged to meditate and swallowed several more drops of Ginseng Green Spirit Water.

At the instant Spiritual Sense was born, inspiration had struck him, and he sensed an opportunity to break through the bottleneck of the seventh layer of the Water Classic Commentary!

Boom!

As Ginseng Green Spirit Water entered his stomach, threads of Dharma Power immediately emerged and merged into his dantian.

Not only that, with a slight movement of Fang Qing's mind, the Dao-Born Pearl spun rapidly. Since his Black Water Dharma Power had reached its limit, the Ji Water Dharma Power Origin Qi he had cultivated instead during this period came pouring down in rolling waves, as though he had swallowed half a breakthrough pill.

Splash!

Surging Dharma Power fluctuations nearly burst his dantian apart.

Fortunately, relying on his Spiritual Sense, Fang Qing was like a skilled fisherman. Though the sea raged with towering waves, he still kept his own boat steadily moving forward.

Crack!

At last...

Who knew how much time had passed? Fang Qing seemed to hear the sound of a silver bottle suddenly shattering, water bursting forth.

Within his body, Black Water Dharma Power surged mightily, violently breaking through its restraints and entering an entirely new world!

"Qi Refinement Seventh Layer, achieved!"

Feeling the fluctuations of his own Dharma Power, Fang Qing's lips curved slightly. "Late Qi Refinement cultivators hold an entirely different status within the sect... I am qualified to compete for True Disciple now."