Breakthrough

Wherever the Whitewater Flying Sword passed, faint pale-blue ripples undulated through the air.

Ji Yuan urged the flying sword again, turning it around and making the effect of "Entangling Waves" fall upon himself. In that instant, he felt as though he had sunk into a quagmire.

Even lifting his leg became exceedingly difficult.

Yet the sluggish effect lasted only a single breath. Once that breath passed, Ji Yuan felt himself return to normal.

But on second thought, this was already quite good.

When it truly came down to a life-and-death battle, a single breath was enough to turn the tide.

Even if he were fleeing for his life, one breath would be enough for Ji Yuan to drive the Black Wind Boat far away.

In a fight, once his opponent fell into "Entangling Waves," whether he used the Deathbringer Needle to take their life or the second layer of Water Drop Finger, "Stone-Piercing," to break their armor, everything would become far easier.

"Phew—"

Gaining an entry into the sword art made Ji Yuan let out a long breath of relief. Even the fireworks blooming overhead seemed much prettier to him now.

After that, he did not cultivate any further. Instead, he stewed a hind leg from one of the Spirit Pigs he had killed several days ago, fried a few Spirit Eggs, and, after some thought, fished a Half-Spirit Fish from the Fish Pond to steam.

He had originally wanted to kill another Green-Yellow Chicken to celebrate, but in the end, he gave up on such an act of killing the chicken to get the egg.

This was already enough to eat.

Celebrating the New Year alone.

After eating and drinking his fill, Ji Yuan went to draw a Middle-Grade Talisman, making up for the expense of killing the Half-Spirit Fish just now... one Half-Spirit Fish cost one Spirit Stone.

A Middle-Grade Talisman was worth ten Spirit Stones.

A small profit of nine Spirit Stones. Perfect.

The next morning was also the first day of the New Year. Ji Yuan was awakened by Lin Hu's voice coming to offer New Year's greetings, after which he received Wen Lin's family of three.

After they exchanged greetings, Ji Yuan thought it over and decided that he should pay New Year's calls on a few others as well.

There were not many people he chose: Luo Tong the butcher in Zengtou City, Old Master Xu at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and, after some thought, Lu Wan's family as well.

For one, they had already been on decent terms. For another, Lu Wan had indeed helped him when he was learning to draw talismans.

As for New Year's gifts, naturally, he brought the Spirit Eggs he had grown tired of eating, several catties of Spirit Pig meat, and a small piece of Blood Essence. They were not precious, but neither were they shabby.

He went to the Luo family first. Luo Tong was naturally delighted by his arrival and kept insisting on making him stay for a meal.

After Ji Yuan politely declined, he headed to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

The moment he reached the entrance, he saw Old Master Xu walking out of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

"What are you here for?! Couldn't comprehend the sword art?"

Xu Fugui looked at Ji Yuan with great interest. He had thought this boy would come back for guidance after only a few days, but he had unexpectedly held out until now.

He was young, after all—far too confident in himself.

Ji Yuan took out his New Year's gift from his Storage Bag and said with a smile, "Today is the first day of the New Year. This junior came especially to pay New Year's respects to Grandpa Xu."

"New Year's respects?"

Hearing that long-forgotten phrase, Xu Fugui froze instinctively.

He had forgotten how many years it had been since anyone had paid him New Year's respects. "Fine, then. It's the thought that counts."

He casually accepted Ji Yuan's gift without even looking at it. "The sect has issued an order. I have urgent business and need to return to the Water Dragon Sect. When I come back next time, I'll bring you some good things."

Ji Yuan had not expected a return gift. Just as he was about to exchange a few polite words, Xu Fugui gave him no such chance.

"I'm in a hurry to get back to the Water Dragon Sect. If you have questions, ask them quickly. I don't have time to waste on nonsense."

"Questions?"

Ji Yuan repeated the word instinctively. He was somewhat bewildered. He had merely come to offer New Year's greetings—how had it turned into seeking guidance?

"Didn't you come here to ask about the sword art? New Year's greetings, honestly. What cultivator cares about such things?" Xu Fugui thought that exposing Ji Yuan's pretense would leave him embarrassed for quite a while.

Yet unexpectedly, Ji Yuan truly was a little embarrassed.

"The sword art... I've already gained an entry into it."

"You gained an entry already? So quickly?!"

This time, Xu Fugui found it hard to believe. "Show me."

"Alright. Sorry for the trouble, Grandpa Xu. Please give me a few pointers."

As they spoke, the two arrived at an empty patch of ground beside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. With a thought, Ji Yuan summoned his flying sword and simultaneously unleashed "Entangling Waves."

Pale-blue ripples washed past, leaving even the ground damp in their wake.

Xu Fugui was astonished. "Good lad, you really learned it."

Ji Yuan put away the flying sword. He did not ask how long Xu Fugui had taken to learn it back then. No matter whether Xu Fugui had been faster or slower, once he asked, one of them would surely be hurt.

So he merely said with a smile, "Luck, just luck."

"Good. Since you've gained an entry, practice it properly. There's nothing for me to teach you. I'm heading back to the Water Dragon Sect first. If anything comes up, wait until I return."

With that, Xu Fugui took out the Water Dragon Sect's standard flying boat—the Water Dragon Ship—from his Storage Bag.

The Spirit Vessel grew with the wind, carrying Xu Fugui into the sky.

After watching him leave, Ji Yuan glanced around and saw that the cultivators watching nearby were all looking at him with goodwill.

Anyone who could be on good terms with a Water Dragon Sect cultivator was surely worth befriending as well.

Ji Yuan could more or less guess that after today, he would likely enter the sights of those with ulterior motives.

But he was unafraid. His cultivation was about to step into the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining.

Among Middle Qi Refining Stage cultivators in Cloud-Rain Marsh, he felt he had no rivals. Once he entered the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining... with formations and numerous methods at his disposal, he would dare to test his edge even against a Seventh Layer of Qi Refining cultivator!

He then went to the Lu Household, only to find, to his surprise, that its gates were tightly shut even on the first day of the New Year.

Looking at the locked gates, Ji Yuan did not even knock. He could only buy some more Talisman Paper, Talisman Ink, and supplies such as Half-Spirit Fish before returning home.

Once the New Year passed, Ji Yuan's life returned to simplicity.

Cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation.

However, he had also found another use for the Dao Comprehension Chamber. Both Water Drop Finger and the sword art had already gained an entry, so what he began comprehending next was the Yin Ghost Formation.

He wanted to try completing the formation. Only then could the Yin Ghost Banner truly display its great usefulness.

One night, nearly ten days later.

Ji Yuan had consumed a Spirit-Gathering Pill and was cultivating while holding Spirit Stones when his aura suddenly surged. Yet he immediately drew it back in, while the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered around him to form a small vortex.

The Spirit Stone in his hand turned to powder at a visible rate.

Only after absorbing six Spirit Stones in succession did Ji Yuan open his eyes and exhale a breath of turbid air.

After cultivating for so long, he had finally reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining!

The sixth layer—enough to count as a minor expert even in Cloud-Rain Marsh. Beyond that lay Late Qi Refining. Once he stepped into the late stage, he would be considered peak combat power in Cloud-Rain Marsh.

Any stronger, and one would have to join the Water Dragon Sect.

At that thought, Ji Yuan could not help feeling excited.

After all, this year was the Water Dragon Sect's triennial selection. Perhaps... he could try as well?

Relying on cultivation and strength alone, he definitely would not qualify. He had heard that to pass the Water Dragon Sect selection, one had to rely on one's own strength to kill a Late First Tier Demon Beast.

If that was the case, then if he wanted to join, he could only rely on the path of talismans.

At less than twenty years old, being able to draw Middle First Tier Talismans meant he might not lack a chance to try.

Yet after thinking it over carefully, Ji Yuan still abandoned the idea.

Once he joined the Water Dragon Sect, he would no longer have his current freedom. Especially in a sect filled with experts, even placing his buildings would probably prove difficult.

It would be better to stay in Zengtou City and muddle along until Late Qi Refining first.

Otherwise, without strength, even if he joined the Water Dragon Sect, he would merely be destined to slave away drawing talismans.

After breaking through, Ji Yuan cultivated at home for another half month. At last, the day of the Water Dragon Sect selection arrived, and he prepared to head out.

Even if he did not join, it would still be good to go watch the excitement.

Besides, Lu Wan should be joining the Water Dragon Sect this year. As her friend, he had to go see her off.