Breakthrough

Wherever the Whitewater Flying Sword passed, faint pale-blue ripples spread outward.

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

Even lifting his legs became exceedingly difficult.

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

But on second thought, this was already very good.

When the moment of life-and-death combat truly came, a single breath would be enough to turn the tide of battle.

Even if he were fleeing for his life, a single breath would be enough for Ji Yuan to send the Black Wind Boat far into the distance.

If they fought, once his opponent fell into "Entangling Waves," whether he used the Deathbringer Needle to claim their life or unleashed the second layer of Water Drop Finger, "Stone-Piercing," to shatter their armor, everything would become far easier.

"Whew—"

Mastering the entry level of the sword art also made Ji Yuan let out a long sigh of relief. Even the fireworks blooming overhead seemed much prettier now.

Afterward, he did not cultivate any further. Instead, he stewed a hind leg from the Spirit Pig he had killed a few days ago, fried several Spirit Eggs, then, after some thought, fished a Half-Spirit Fish out of the Fish Pond and steamed it.

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.

One man celebrating the New Year.

After eating and drinking his fill, Ji Yuan drew another Middle-Grade Talisman, making back the expense of the Half-Spirit Fish he had just killed... one Half-Spirit Fish cost one Spirit Stone.

One Middle-Grade Talisman was worth ten Spirit Stones.

A small profit of nine. Perfect.

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

After they had exchanged New Year's greetings, Ji Yuan thought it over and decided that he ought to go offer greetings to others too.

He did not choose many people: Luo Tong the butcher of Zengtou City, Old Master Xu of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and, after considering it, Lu Wan's family as well.

First, their relationship had been fairly good to begin with. Second, 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 jin 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 Household first. Luo Tong was naturally delighted by his arrival and kept insisting that he stay for a meal.

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

The moment he arrived at 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 brat would come back for guidance within days, yet Ji Yuan had held out until now.

Sure enough, he was young—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 specifically to offer you New Year's greetings, Grandpa Xu."

"New Year's greetings?"

Hearing that long-forgotten phrase, Xu Fugui blanked out for a moment.

He had forgotten how many years it had been since anyone had offered him New Year's greetings. "Fine. It's the thought that counts."

He casually accepted Ji Yuan's gift without even looking at it. "There's a sect summons. I have urgent business and need to return to the Water Dragon Sect. When I come back next time, I'll bring you something good."

Ji Yuan had not expected a return gift. Just as he was about to exchange a few polite words, Xu Fugui gave him no 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 subconsciously. He did not quite understand—he had only come to offer New Year's greetings. How had this become asking for instruction?

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

Yet unexpectedly, Ji Yuan really was a little embarrassed.

"The sword art... I've already mastered the entry level."

"You mastered it? So quickly?!"

This time, Xu Fugui was the one who could not quite believe it. "Show me."

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

As they spoke, the two arrived at an open 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 outward, leaving even the ground dotted with wet patches.

Xu Fugui looked on in surprise. "Good lad, you actually learned it."

Ji Yuan put away his flying sword. He did not ask how long Xu Fugui had taken to learn it back then. Whether he had been fast or slow, if Ji Yuan asked, one of them was bound to be hurt.

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

"Fine. Since you've mastered the entry level, practice it properly. There's nothing for me to teach you. I'm returning to the Water Dragon Sect now. If anything comes up, wait until I get back."

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 swelled against the wind, carrying Xu Fugui up into the sky.

After watching him leave, Ji Yuan glanced around. The cultivators watching nearby all cast friendly looks his way.

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

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

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

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

He then went to the Lu Household, only to find it somewhat surprising that their gates were tightly shut on the first day of the New Year.

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

Once the New Year passed, Ji Yuan's life became simple again.

Cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation.

However, the Dao Comprehension Chamber had found another use as well. Water Drop Finger and the sword art had both reached the entry level, so what he studied next was the Yin Ghost Formation.

He wanted to try completing the Formation. Only then would the Yin Ghost Banner truly become greatly useful.

One night, a little over ten days later.

After swallowing a Spirit-Gathering Pill and cultivating while holding Spirit Stones, Ji Yuan's aura suddenly surged, only to be immediately drawn back in. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered around him, forming a small vortex of spiritual energy.

The Spirit Stones in his hand turned into 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, the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining had finally been achieved!

The sixth layer—even in Cloud-Rain Marsh, that made him a minor expert. Beyond that lay Late Qi Refining. Once he stepped into the late stage, he would count among the peak combat power of 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. Should he... give it a try too?

Relying on cultivation and strength alone, he definitely would not qualify. He had heard that the Water Dragon Sect selection required one to single-handedly kill a Late First Tier Demon Beast.

If that was the case, then the only way he could join would be through Talismans.

At less than twenty years old, being able to draw Middle First Tier Talismans meant he might not be without a chance.

But after thinking it through carefully, Ji Yuan ultimately abandoned the idea.

Once he joined the Water Dragon Sect, he would no longer have his current freedom. Especially in a sect filled with so many experts, it would probably be difficult to place his buildings.

Better to remain in Zengtou City and muddle through until Late Qi Refining first.

Otherwise, without any real strength, even if he joined the Water Dragon Sect, he would only be destined to work himself to the bone 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.

And Lu Wan was supposed to join the Water Dragon Sect this year. As her friend, he had to go see her off.