Three Days Have Passed, Sixth Level of Meridian Opening

"Spiritual energy!"

"It really is spiritual energy!"

Xu Ye was immensely excited. This time was different from before.

He had truly felt the existence of spiritual energy.

That meant he really could cultivate.

Heaven rewarded diligence—it had not deceived him!

Xu Ye was thrilled. He had already understood this method of cultivation.

No matter what he did, as long as he circulated the cultivation technique once, he would gain a little improvement.

In other words, he only needed to cultivate the Qi Refining Formula ten times in total to break through the shackles of mortality and step into the true world of cultivation.

"Still, I have to say, that old hag Su is truly cheap. This Qi Refining Formula probably doesn't even qualify for a rank!" Xu Ye said excitedly, glancing at the Qi Refining Formula beside him.

In this world, cultivation techniques and martial skills varied in strength and quality. From lowest to highest, they were divided into ranks one through nine.

Though he did not understand much, he could clearly sense that this Qi Refining Formula was unranked. At most, it was merely a foundational cultivation technique.

Su Qingxue truly was no simple woman.

No wonder she had agreed so readily.

"But fortunately, Heaven rewards diligence is enough for me." Xu Ye smiled faintly.

Without any hesitation, he began cultivating again.

Right now, diligence was his only way out.

Time was tight. He had to gain the ability to protect himself within three days.

And so, as time passed, Xu Ye cultivated cycle after cycle.

The spiritual energy accumulated within his body also grew ever greater.

At last, who knew how much time had passed.

Xu Ye's entire body trembled. The accumulated spiritual energy seemed to have found an outlet, and a crisp sound rang out inside him.

Xu Ye abruptly opened his eyes. "I've successfully entered the Meridian Opening Realm."

[Realm: First Level Meridian Opening]

[Technique: Qi Refining Formula [Beginner] (0/30)]

[Martial Skills: None]

In this world, cultivation realms were clearly distinct. From low to high, they were divided into Meridian Opening, Qi Manipulation, Qi Transformation, Soaring Sky... and other realms, with each realm divided into nine levels.

It was said that the human body contained nine martial meridians, with one meridian corresponding to each level.

Only by opening them all could one truly command spiritual energy.

Xu Ye sensed that one of the martial meridians that had been naturally blocked inside his body had actually opened.

He truly had no bottlenecks in his cultivation.

As long as he cultivated diligently, everything would fall into place as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

How could Xu Ye possibly suppress his excitement?

"If this continues, as long as I cultivate diligently, how could I not become strong?" Xu Ye muttered.

As he spoke, he clenched his fist. At this moment, his strength had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.

He felt as though he had strength to spare; one punch could likely kill a bull.

At the very least, he was more than three times stronger than before.

"Su Family! Old hag Su!" Feeling the power in his body, a cold gleam surfaced in Xu Ye's eyes.

Today, Su Qingxue had dared to use his younger sister to threaten him.

Xu Ye had remembered this grudge. He would make Su Qingxue pay the price.

And now that Heaven rewarded diligence was with him, he had even greater confidence.

All of this was merely a matter of time.

"Brother! The noodles are ready!" Just as Xu Ye was thinking this, Xu Zhizhi's voice came from outside.

Xu Ye answered and headed into the inner room.

Seeing the smile on Xu Zhizhi's face, Xu Ye smiled as well.

Two bowls of noodles sat on the table. Xu Zhizhi pushed the bowl with the egg toward Xu Ye. "Brother, you eat this one."

Xu Ye asked, "Why don't you have an egg?"

Xu Zhizhi smiled. "I don't like eggs."

Xu Ye shook his head slightly. "Don't you love eggs the most?"

"I..." Xu Zhizhi lowered her head.

This little girl did not even think before lying.

How could Xu Ye not understand what Xu Zhizhi meant?

Now that their father was gone, the pillar holding up their household was gone as well.

Naturally, they had to live frugally. Yet both siblings wanted to give the best things to the other.

At once, Xu Ye picked up the egg from his bowl and placed it in Xu Zhizhi's. "Zhizhi, we don't need to live frugally. Trust your brother. I'll definitely give you a good life, I promise!"

Now that he could cultivate, as long as he worked hard and Heaven rewarded diligence, in this chaotic age, was he afraid he would not be able to earn money?

How could he let his younger sister suffer?

"Brother... I..." Xu Zhizhi still wanted to say something.

"Alright, eat! When has your brother ever lied to you?" Xu Ye smiled and patted Xu Zhizhi's little head.

"I believe you, Brother!" Hearing that, Xu Zhizhi smiled too.

Indeed, when had her brother ever lied to her?

Soon, Xu Zhizhi began eating too, wolfing down the noodles.

She had completely forgotten her earlier unhappiness.

Xu Ye immediately smiled. Xu Zhizhi was just that kind of carefree person.

He also hoped Xu Zhizhi could remain so carefree forever.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

During those three days, Xu Ye did not step outside even once, devoting himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.

Only when Xu Zhizhi occasionally cooked and called him to eat did he take a bite.

Other than that, cultivation was the only thing on his mind.

Because he knew very well that he only had three days.

Boom!

At last, Xu Ye once again circulated a complete cycle according to the cultivation method of the Qi Refining Formula.

A muffled boom sounded within his body, followed by a crack, as though some shackle had been shattered.

[Realm: Sixth Level Meridian Opening]

[Technique: Qi Refining Formula [Major Mastery] (0/400)]

[Martial Skills: None]

Xu Ye abruptly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flickering within them.

For three days, he had cultivated day and night without pause. Now, he had finally achieved the best possible result.

His cultivation had broken through to the sixth level of Meridian Opening, opening six martial meridians.

And the Qi Refining Formula had also reached the level of minor mastery.

The time required to circulate a complete cycle of cultivation had also been greatly shortened.

This was an enormous improvement.

"Sixth Level Meridian Opening has not only made me stronger—even my senses have become sharper." Xu Ye took a breath as he spoke.

At this moment, he could clearly feel that his hearing and vision had become much clearer.

Even the tiniest details could not escape his eyes or senses.

This was the benefit brought by strength.

With this, I can be considered to have some ability to protect myself!

Sixth Level Meridian Opening was not considered strong in White Cloud County, but he was no longer the ant that anyone could slaughter as he pleased.

This was also the best result of his efforts over these three days.

"Xu Ye!" Just then, a cold voice suddenly came from outside the door.

Xu Ye did not even need to look to know that Su Qingxue had arrived.

The three days were up.

That old hag was quite punctual.

Xu Ye said nothing and rose to his feet.

Hearing the movement, Xu Zhizhi walked out from the inner room, worry written across her face. "Brother..."

"It's fine. Your brother is here!" Xu Ye reassured her with a smile, then opened the door.

Sure enough, Su Qingxue was waiting outside. Seeing Xu Ye, Su Qingxue said flatly, "Let's go!"

Xu Ye nodded, then turned to Xu Zhizhi. "Stay home and be good. Wait for me to come back. I'll be back soon!"

Xu Zhizhi clutched the corner of her skirt, her face full of worry, but she could only nod. She knew she could not help.

Before long, Xu Ye and Su Qingxue headed straight for the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

The Demon-Suppression Bureau was an independent institution within the imperial court, highly unusual. In a sense, it held even greater authority than the local government.

Thus, the Demon-Suppression Bureau's offices were also independent.

Soon, Xu Ye and Su Qingxue arrived at the Demon-Suppression Bureau in a Su Family carriage.

"I'll wait for you outside. You'd better not try any tricks on me, or you and your poor little sister... hmph hmph..." Su Qingxue warned coldly as she watched Xu Ye step down from the carriage.

Though she did not finish her words, Xu Ye already understood what she meant.

Xu Ye instantly turned to look at Su Qingxue. His gaze turned cold, and killing intent began to gather.