There was no wind in the quiet chamber, yet the whistling was unusually clear.
Jiang Yi sat upright with his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling. As he regulated his breathing, streams of air escaped between his lips and teeth, stirring the hazy clouds drifting from the bronze crane.
Then his throat moved. With a hiss, like a great whale drinking water, he swallowed all the pure, numinous Qi suffusing the chamber into his belly!
His thin inner robe billowed abruptly without a breeze. Beneath the fabric, something seemed to move like a living creature, raising layers of ripples visible to the naked eye.
[Realm: Third Level of Qi Refining (99%)]
Just this final shudder to go, Jiang Yi thought.
"Get through this, and everything will be fine!"
Half an incense stick's worth of time passed in a flash.
Jiang Yi circulated his Qi through a full circuit, opening every part of his body. That gurgling warmth surged like a hot current, as though water had reached a rolling boil, and began steaming his organs, purging the dross and preserving the essence.
The process was anything but pleasant.
Inside and out, his whole body seemed to be slowly roasting over a low flame. Wherever his True Qi passed, it felt like steel needles piercing him. His delicate viscera, especially, seemed to have been stewed until thoroughly cooked, and actually began giving off a faint, peculiar fragrance.
"Sprinkle on some chili and chili oil, and I'll be ready to serve..."
Jiang Yi found amusement amid his suffering, easing the torture with self-mockery.
Another two hours passed. His entire body was burning red, as though his skin and flesh had split open, and veins bulged on his forehead. Had he not clenched his teeth tightly, he would long since have howled at the top of his lungs.
"Luckily, after the 'training' from the Tiger-Wolf Medicinal Paste, this isn't unbearable."
Jiang Yi concentrated, doing his best to hypnotize himself and maintain the proper intensity of his cultivation.
True Qi rose and fell, firing his flesh; Fire Nature gathered, illuminating the Hundred Bones.
His organs, once as fragile as tofu, liable to shatter under the slightest external pressure, were nourished by True Qi and fired by Fire Nature, gradually budding with vigorous vitality.
For eight full hours, Jiang Yi remained motionless, like a wooden carving or clay statue. Had hot air not surged from his mouth and nose, turning into wisps of white vapor like swimming snakes, one might have thought he had passed away in meditation.
"Organ tempering and viscera refining, to form a cauldron-it isn't wrong. Such meticulous patience, controlling Fire Nature and firing primordial essence... it really is treating the human body as a great medicine, an internal elixir to be cooked and refined."
Jiang Yi's efforts had not been wasted. Nearly twelve hours of painstaking work finally brought a transformation to his organs!
A sudden rumble sounded in his ears. It was as though a thunderclap had struck inside him: his entire frame shook, and his tendons and bones rang together!
Essence blood boiled, filling his body and mingling with Fire Nature True Qi to become a hazy mass of pure primordial essence!
The primordial essence formed and filled his organs, then flowed with every breath, washing through his flesh. Inside and out had become a seamless whole, mingling like milk and water, without the slightest obstruction!
"It worked! Organ tempering and viscera refining-a cauldron for cultivating the Dao!"
Jiang Yi opened his eyes, their brilliance held within, bright as great stars.
Having reached this step, he was halfway to being "material for the Dao." All that remained was to open the Inner Mansion of the Origin Gate and gather and refine the numinous workings of heaven and earth, truly experiencing the wonders of cultivation.
With his organs now as sturdy as iron plates, he could unleash his True Qi without restraint!
Surging primordial essence burst beyond his body like a thick pillar of beacon smoke shooting skyward, nearly punching a hole through the quiet chamber's ceiling!
"I'll need to polish it carefully, gather it in, and rein it in."
Jiang Yi took out the Green Zhi Pulp he had prepared.
It could both counteract the ravaging effects of the Tiger-Wolf Medicinal Paste and strengthen his foundations, nourish his primordial essence, and replenish his essence blood.
But he had used too much of it. Its effects were growing weaker, no longer as useful as before.
"My chances of securing an additional Inner Peaks place have improved again."
Only a tiny bit remained of the burning wick in the lamp held by the bronze crane. Extremely fine threads of smoke, like woven cotton gauze, wreathed Jiang Yi's face.
They lent the youth the appearance of a cultivator, with something of an immortal's bearing and the bones of the Dao.
On the second floor of Heshui Cave, Wang Heng and Lu Yun sat in a superior room, seemingly waiting for something.
Before long, a figure in a long goose-yellow dress pushed open the door and gracefully took a seat.
It was Li Ruohan of Sewing Peak's Thread-Weaving Room.
A trace of disappointment and loss hung on her lovely face.
"How did it go?"
Lu Yun asked eagerly.
"Have a cup of Biluochun Tea first. Settle your True Qi and calm your mind."
Wang Heng guessed the outcome with a glance. He rose and picked up the teapot, poured steaming, clear tea into a cup, and handed it to Li Ruohan.
"Thank you, senior brother."
Li Ruohan looked rather wilted, like an eggplant struck by frost.
Holding the cup in both hands, she lowered her head and said:
"I was too impatient! My elders clearly warned me that haste makes waste in organ tempering and viscera refining. I should have spent another two months consolidating and building my cultivation... ah! All that effort, ruined at the final step!"
Lu Yun fell silent. Li Ruohan had undoubtedly failed in this attempt to break through.
He consoled her:
"As long as it left no lasting trouble. The first level is Tendon Tempering, the second is Bone Tempering, the third is Blood Exchange and Marrow Renewal, and the fourth is Organ Tempering and Viscera Refining."
"Only the fourth level is hardest to achieve in one stroke. If your cultivation falls even slightly short, if the intensity is lacking and your organs cannot coordinate, you cannot harmonize your primordial essence..."
Wang Heng also said:
"It's a pity we only had two Essence-Nourishing Pills, not enough to bring your cultivation to completion and build sufficient essence and Qi. No matter. Heavy snow will soon seal the mountains, and the Outer Sect's Four Peaks will stop work too. Polish your cultivation some more, Junior Sister Li, and you'll surely reach the fourth level of Qi Refining next spring!"
Li Ruohan sipped her Biluochun Tea. The warm tea flowed down, warming her body slightly.
The True Qi that had surged chaotically after her failed breakthrough was slowly soothed and smoothed out, easing the dull ache in her chest.
This was the "damage" left by Qi taking a wrong turn, entering the wrong channels, and failing to complete its circuit.
She reckoned it would take Spirit Cuisine, good medicine, and more than ten days of recuperation to heal.
"Oh, senior brothers."
Li Ruohan was, after all, a direct descendant of a local clan, with an aristocratic family background in the Zhao Kingdom. Influenced by her elders since childhood, she had developed a composed temperament.
She did not remain immersed in her disappointment for long, returning to conversation a moment later:
"I know someone on Sewing Peak named Luo Qian'er. She's an Inspection Officer in the Laundry Room, and she has a Duty Officer backing her.
"A few days ago, she asked me for a favor. She hoped her younger brother could join our 'association' and gather with us to share resources and bits of information."
Wang Heng promptly asked:
"What is her brother's background? What's his cultivation like? Does he have a Duty Officer's support?"
Li Ruohan chuckled:
"Sister Qian'er's younger brother is called Luo Tong. He's a direct descendant of the Lianxi Luo Clan and should be at the middle stage of the third level of Qi Refining.
"He only recently joined the Qianji Sect. He's currently working in Crimson Flame Peak's Forging Room, under Duty Officer Zhou Guang.
"Don't worry, senior brother. I know the rules. We're all in the outer sect, aiming for additional places in the Inner Peaks. That's why we've gathered to form an association.
"Why would I invite a rebuff by recommending someone who doesn't meet the threshold?"
Wang Heng lowered his eyes and considered briefly. The Lianxi Luo Clan was not particularly famous, but it was indeed a Qi Refining clan, and ought to have several elders at the fifth level of Qi Refining.
As for the connection to Duty Officer Zhou of Crimson Flame Peak's Forging Room, there was little worth mentioning.
Everyone knew Zhou Guang loved money. As long as one could afford it, one could buy a nomination for an additional Inner Peaks place.
Thus, he might not offer that Junior Brother Luo much practical support.
"Junior Brother Luo does sound promising. You might as well bring him to our next gathering, and we'll take a look at his character."
The outer sect association Wang Heng had taken the lead in founding actually had a fairly high threshold.
Ordinary Mortal Laborers without some strength had no chance of being admitted.
Had Jiang Yi not looked so exceptional that day, standing like a crane among chickens amid the Mortal Laborers attending the lecture,
Wang Heng would never have misjudged him and made a fool of himself.
Besides, Zhao Fang's subsequent confirmation had shown that Junior Brother Jiang was indeed no ordinary person.
"Done."
Having arranged the matter, Li Ruohan's lovely face gained a smile, and she said self-deprecatingly:
"You two senior brothers came specially to celebrate for me, only to make a wasted trip and squander your time. Ah... please let me host next time to make up for it."
Lu Yun waved a hand:
"What are you saying, Junior Sister Li? We know each other, and we're all striving on the outer peaks. Why stand on ceremony?"
He was the oldest member of the association and had long since abandoned any thought of competing for an additional Inner Peaks place.
He only wanted to complete two terms of work, then rely on outstanding talents like Junior Brother Wang and Junior Sister Li to acquire a shop in the Inner Peaks and do some business, supporting his clan in repayment for their provision.
Thus, whenever Wang Heng, Li Ruohan, or the other "juniors" asked him for help, Lu Yun always did his utmost, hoping only that they would remember his kindness.
"By the way, have you seen Junior Brother Jiang lately?"
Lu Yun suddenly asked.
"No. A trip to the Inner Peaks isn't cheap. Renting a Flying Crane or buying a paper horse both cost quite a bit.
"Junior Brother Jiang may have a Duty Officer's backing, but without a clan supporting him, he'll always be short of Talisman Money. I'm afraid it would be difficult for him to visit often."
Smiling, Li Ruohan added:
"How about this? Next time I bring Junior Brother Luo over, we'll have Junior Brother Zhao pass along a message and bring him too.
"Whatever unpleasantness there is, we can clear it up over drinks."
Wang Heng gave her an approving look and raised his thumb:
"That's magnanimous of you, junior sister-no less than any man's!"
Li Ruohan lifted her head and smiled. They chatted for a long while, then prepared to leave when they saw it was nearly noon.
Though they had hired others to work in their stead and need not toil in the workshops day and night, which of them did not have a pile of miscellaneous matters to handle, as well as cultivation to improve in haste?
Until they entered the Inner Peaks, they would always be rushing about, covered in dust.
"Take good care of yourself, junior sister. We can discuss breaking through to the fourth level another time."
Wang Heng stepped out of the room, not forgetting to offer a reminder before parting. After all, Li Ruohan had an outstanding family background and an extremely high chance of securing an additional Inner Peaks place.
In his view, she was promising material capable of cultivating the Dao, worth investing more in and paying more attention to.
"Sorry for troubling you with concern, senior brother. I understand..."
Li Ruohan was still speaking when a servant hurried upstairs, carrying a wooden tray with two bronze bowls on it. One clanged, while the other gave off clouds of steam.
In his haste, the servant nearly collided with Li Ruohan. Beside her, Lu Yun took offense and snapped:
"Are you blind? Is there a fire somewhere? Must you rush about like this?"
The servant felt wronged but dared not argue. Supporting the tray, he bowed:
"I deserve to die! The manager was really pressing me! Please forgive me..."
Wang Heng glanced at the two bronze bowls and smiled:
"It looks like another fellow disciple has broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. Go on, go on. Don't spoil things!"
Only after the servant had hurried up to the third floor and disappeared
did Wang Heng explain to Li Ruohan and Lu Yun:
"Senior Brother Lu, Junior Sister Li, you may not know this, but Heshui Cave has an old custom. Whenever someone from the Qianji Sect successfully breaks through using one of their quiet chambers, they receive a congratulatory gift."
Lu Yun praised them:
"Just what you'd expect of a big proprietor with so many shops. They do business with a real human touch!"
Li Ruohan felt a faint sense of loss. Had she broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, she would have received a gift too.
At that thought, she forced a smile and asked:
"Senior Brother Wang, what does Heshui Cave give?"
"Those two bowls you saw, junior sister. One holds copper juice, the other iron pellets, used to harmonize the organs and strengthen primordial essence."
Wang Heng replied.
Li Ruohan nodded lightly. At the fourth level of Qi Refining, organ tempering and viscera refining brought the body into a seamless whole, its vitality grown to an inconceivable degree.
The organs were no longer ordinary. One could drink copper juice and chew iron pellets, refining and absorbing the metal Qi within to advance one's cultivation.
Thus, Heshui Cave's gift of copper juice and iron pellets suited the recipient's needs.
"I wonder who it was..."
Li Ruohan looked toward the third floor, envy showing in her eyes.
She had only just left a quiet chamber herself. Both had attempted a breakthrough, both to the fourth level.
She had failed; someone else had succeeded.
The comparison inevitably hurt!
Li Ruohan walked ahead. Wang Heng and Lu Yun were about to follow when they heard a greeting:
"Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Lu, and Senior Sister Li! What a coincidence, running into you again!"
At the voice, they all turned to look, freezing at the foot of the stairs.
They seemed dumbstruck in unison!
"J-Junior Brother Jiang!"
"The one who broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining... was you?!"
At the summit of Sewing Peak stood a private courtyard.
Without knocking, Luo Tong pushed open the door and strode inside.
Seemingly a frequent visitor, he knew his way around, passing the front hall and appearing in the rear rooms.
Beside a fishpond, a slender young woman with a sweet face sat cultivating.
She was Luo Tong's elder sister, Luo Qian'er.
As she breathed, her lips parted slightly. Hazy water vapor, like gauze and thin mist, drifted lightly around her.
After a long while, Luo Qian'er opened her bright eyes, a rosy flush rising on her jade-like skin.
Without looking Luo Tong directly in the eye, she asked indifferently:
"What is it this time? A few days ago, you asked me to approach Li Ruohan and get you into Xiao Tongquan and Wang Heng's association. I've already spoken to her."
Luo Tong chuckled, delight flashing in his narrow eyes:
"I knew you'd have a way, sis! I often hear in the outer sect that Senior Brother Xiao Tongquan has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining and only needs to open the Inner Mansion of the Origin Gate. Presumably, an additional Inner Peaks place is already as good as his!"
"If we befriended him, it would surely be a great help!"
Luo Qian'er sighed:
"Xiao Tongquan comes from the Yunlu Xiao Clan, and he's the clan chief's son. They say he even has ties to the Former Dynasty Imperial House.
He might not think much of our Lianxi Luo Clan. Besides, the Demonic Path Lineage stresses 'putting every object to its fullest use and every person's talents to work.'
If you have no talent, who would help you for nothing and give you a share of the benefits?"
Luo Tong felt rather unhappy at this. Wasn't his sister implying that he lacked ability and could hardly catch Xiao Tongquan's eye?
"Sister, I'm at the Third Level of Qi Refining myself! As long as I can buy an Essence-Nourishing Pill from Duty Officer Zhou, I'll definitely break through to the fourth level before spring!"
Luo Qian'er knitted her brows slightly, a trace of worry crossing her face:
"Zhou Guang is opening his lion's maw! Two hundred thousand in Talisman Money-where am I supposed to scrape that together for you? Essence-Nourishing Pills are rare. I've never even taken one myself... Little brother, just focus on cultivating steadily for now."
Luo Tong was dissatisfied, however. Thinking Luo Qian'er was making excuses, he flung his words at her head and face, swift as a sudden downpour:
"Sister, back then, the clan paid to smooth your way into the sect and never left you short of Talisman Money for your cultivation. What was all that for?
Wasn't it so you could lead the charge, establish a foothold, and then help me secure an additional place and enter the Inner Peaks?
Once I succeed in cultivating the Dao, I'll not only revive the Lianxi Luo Clan and bring glory to our family, I'll also let you enter the Inner Peaks with me and cultivate Method Formulas... What is a mere two hundred thousand in Talisman Money to Zhou Can, who oversees the Laundry Room?!"
The worry on Luo Qian'er's face deepened, and she explained patiently:
"Little brother, what Zhou Can values is my status as a daughter of the Lianxi Luo Clan. He wants to return to his hometown after stepping down, establish a clan, and spread its branches and leaves.
Unless I agree to marry beneath my station and enter his household, he won't put up two hundred thousand in Talisman Money no matter what."
Luo Tong's brows drew tight, and he said furiously:
"He's dreaming!"
Her younger brother's reaction brought a little warmth to Luo Qian'er's heart.
But before that feeling of being moved could rise, she heard Luo Tong say:
"Sister, you're from the direct line of the Lianxi Luo Clan! What is Zhou Can? A worthless common mortal who got lucky and climbed into an outer sect duty officer's post!
He wants to marry you for just two hundred thousand? Let him dream his grand dreams!
It should start at three hundred and eighty thousand, at least!"
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