Qi Refining, Third Layer

Just two points short.

Wang Mengde took a small bottle from his robes and poured out an Essence-Nourishing Pill.

He opened his mouth and swallowed it.

The pill entered his stomach and melted into a warm current that spread through his body.

Wang Mengde closed his eyes and circulated the Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula, guiding the medicinal power through his meridians.

One cycle.

Two cycles.

The medicinal power was gradually refined, turning into pure spiritual power that flowed into his dantian.

[Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula +1]

[Spiritual power cultivation +1]

Wang Mengde did not stop and continued refining the remaining medicinal power.

Another quarter of an hour passed.

When the last trace of medicinal power had been completely refined, the Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula and his spiritual power cultivation each rose by another point.

Then—

A vast wave of enlightenment surfaced in his mind.

Following the guidance of that enlightenment, Wang Mengde adjusted the circulation path of his cultivation technique.

Within the qi sea of his dantian, that cloud of spiritual power began to churn violently, gradually becoming more solid.

The space of his qi sea also slowly expanded.

Under the effect of the denser spiritual power, the meridians throughout his body slowly widened, their resilience gradually strengthening.

Half an hour later.

Wang Mengde slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

The qi sea space had increased by thirty percent.

The density of his spiritual power had increased by thirty percent.

The resilience and width of his meridians had also improved somewhat.

His cultivation—

Had broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining.

Wang Mengde clenched his fist, sensing the surging spiritual power within him. A faint smile curled his lips.

He was far stronger than he had been at the second layer of Qi Refining.

He examined himself with his divine sense.

[Spiritual power cultivation: Qi Refining, third layer (1/400)]

[Cultivation technique: Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula, third layer (1/400)]

Wang Mengde clicked his tongue inwardly.

The proficiency required for cultivation had doubled again.

The further he went, the more proficiency he would need.

The road of cultivation was truly long.

More importantly, there were only two spirit stones left at home.

Over these twenty-odd days, his cultivation had risen swiftly, but the consumption had been equally terrifying.

Aside from the Essence-Nourishing Pill he had just taken, he had used up a full twenty-two spirit stones.

Poor.

Still poor.

He rose to his feet, pushed open the door, and walked out of the room.

In the courtyard, Shen Qingyue was standing by the door.

The moment she saw him emerge, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over.

"Mengde, you broke through?"

Wang Mengde nodded.

"Mm."

Shen Qingyue's bright eyes shimmered with surprise and curiosity.

This bad guy had really become incredible lately.

All three spells had reached perfection at once.

That was perfection.

This bad guy's comprehension far surpassed anything ordinary people could imagine.

And today, his cultivation had successfully advanced as well.

Perhaps her brother-in-law possessed some fortunate encounter besides his astonishing comprehension.

Shen Qingyue guessed as much, but did not ask.

She was very happy inside.

She was filled with anticipation for their future.

She walked to Wang Mengde's side, tilted her head up at him, and said softly,

"Congratulations, Mengde."

Wang Mengde looked at her, a flicker of heat passing through his eyes. "If you're congratulating me, show a little sincerity."

At the sight of Wang Mengde's gaze, Shen Qingyue's heart trembled. A blush rose over her lovely face, and her legs weakened slightly.

Her anticipation outweighed her shyness.

Clearly, over these past twenty-plus days, Wang Mengde had trained her quite thoroughly.

"Hmph, no." Shen Qingyue refused with her lips, yet she had already leaned into Wang Mengde's embrace and gently hugged him.

Wang Mengde patted her little head. "That much sincerity isn't enough. I want more."

Shen Qingyue raised her head, lightly stood on tiptoe, and gave him a soft peck.

Wang Mengde immediately counterattacked.

A French kiss.

A quarter of an hour later.

Wang Mengde released Shen Qingyue, who was nearly out of breath.

Leaning against Wang Mengde's chest, Shen Qingyue looked up at his face, her eyes full of reluctance. "Mengde, it will soon be a month. My sister is coming to take me away."

The smile on Wang Mengde's face faded somewhat.

He fell silent for a moment, then gently patted her little head.

"You go first and cultivate well. Once my cultivation is sufficient, I'll come find you."

Shen Qingyue raised her head and looked at him. "I'll come see you whenever I have time."

"Mm."

Shen Qingyue said gently, "Mengde, let's go gathering by the sea together tomorrow."

"You can just cultivate at home."

"We haven't gone gathering by the sea together in over ten days. I want to go with you. Besides, I'm a cultivator now too. I'm much stronger than before."

"All right."

"Help me back. My legs are a tiny bit weak."

"Haha."

"Bad guy, you actually dare laugh at me. Isn't it all your fault?"

Over the next few days.

Shen Qingyue followed Wang Mengde everywhere.

They gathered by the sea together.

They fished together in the coastal waters.

They returned home and cooked together.

They cultivated in the same room.

They even rested in the same room.

Though they did not dual cultivate, none of the little things lovers did were left out.

Holding hands, hugging, kissing...

Each time brought their hearts a little closer.

Warm and happy days passed far too quickly.

This day.

A torrential rain fell.

Wang Mengde sat at the entrance of the main hall, condensing a water arrow in his hand.

The Water Arrow Technique.

Over these twenty-plus days, he had made time to practice it every day.

The water arrow he condensed at this moment—

Was half a foot long and as thick as a little finger, crystal clear all over and radiating a faint spiritual glow.

"Go."

The water arrow tore through the air and struck the ground in the courtyard.

Puff!

A small pit two inches deep appeared in the ground.

Though its power was still rather ordinary.

It was several times stronger than it had been twenty-odd days ago.

Wang Mengde nodded in satisfaction.

He condensed another water arrow and continued practicing.

Shen Qingyue sat behind him, propping her chin up with both hands as she gazed at Wang Mengde in a daze.

She watched his earnest expression as he cultivated.

She watched his sharply defined profile.

Wang Mengde's reflection filled Shen Qingyue's eyes.

This bad guy really looked handsome when he was serious.

A faint curve lifted the corners of her lips.

Just then.

Four figures sliced through the curtain of rain, flying in on swords.

They moved with astonishing speed, landing in the courtyard in the blink of an eye.

As the sword light dispersed, the four figures were revealed.

Three women and one man.

The one at the side was Shen Qingxue.

The smile on Shen Qingyue's face instantly froze.

Her gaze immediately cleared.

Her heart began hammering wildly.

Hadn't her sister said she would be gone for a month?

It had only been twenty-six days, yet she had already arrived.

Good thing nothing had happened last night.

Otherwise, she would have been dead for sure.

Thinking of everything she and Mengde had done these days, she felt terribly guilty.

Then, she suddenly remembered.

Her sister and brother-in-law had already divorced.

What she had with Mengde now was perfectly proper.

Her guilt immediately faded a little.

Of course, only a little.

After all, before leaving, her sister had specifically warned her.

She had also told Mengde not to get any ideas about her.

And yet, they...

Shen Qingyue took a deep breath, suppressing the panic in her heart. She hurriedly stood and walked forward.

"Sister, you're here."

She tried her best to make her voice sound normal.

Shen Qingxue looked at her and nodded.

Wang Mengde also stepped forward and spoke mildly.

"It's raining, and you've come from far away. Please, come inside and sit."

Shen Qingyue hurriedly echoed him.

"Yes, yes, Sister, senior sisters and senior brother, please come inside. The rain is heavy outside."

Shen Qingxue did not stand on ceremony and led the three into the main hall.

Wang Mengde brought over several chairs and invited them to sit.

Shen Qingyue busied herself pouring water.