The second floor of Heshui Cave.
Everyone returned to that superior room, only this time Jiang Yi was with them.
Wang Heng voluntarily yielded the seat of honor, sitting beside him with Lu Yun.
Li Ruohan seemed rather distracted, as though she had suffered another blow, leaving her in a daze.
"Junior Brother Jiang, what outstanding talent. The Fourth Level of Qi Refining isn't something you can achieve just by saying so. Back when I was undergoing Organ Tempering and Viscera Refining, coordinating my internal organs nearly stumped me!"
Wang Heng was smooth in his dealings, acting as though his earlier slight and cold treatment of Jiang Yi had never happened:
"When the Inner Peaks recruit additional disciples next spring, one of those places will surely be yours!"
Lu Yun chimed in:
"Exactly, exactly. Once you pass the fourth level, you're no longer 'expendable.' Even if you anger a senior brother from the Inner Peaks, he'll have to weigh his own finances.
"From now on, you can live securely in the outer sect, without constantly having your heart in your throat! Congratulations, Junior Brother Jiang!"
Life's rises and falls, the warmth and coldness of human relations.
They really did change quickly!
Jiang Yi marveled inwardly. Invited back into the superior room, he now found himself in very different circumstances.
No one mentioned his rural clan background anymore. Everyone was warm and friendly, as though they were close friends who had hit it off at first sight.
"You flatter me, senior brothers. The Inner Peaks' Azure Cloud Path isn't easy to walk. How could reaching the Fourth Level of Qi Refining make it a sure thing?"
Jiang Yi smiled.
"It was luck that I broke through smoothly this time and managed to reach the fourth level. Thinking back on it now, I still find it perilous. My heart hasn't quite settled."
Well, after all, it had only been ninety-nine percent perfect.
Hardly absolutely secure!
So Jiang Yi thought.
He's Inner Peaks material!
Wang Heng and Lu Yun exchanged a glance, raising their assessment of Jiang Yi by several notches.
His disposition alone, neither arrogant nor impatient, was rare.
Direct descendants of rural clans, especially the young ones, had enjoyed fine clothes and food from childhood without suffering hardship. Upon first entering a Dharma Lineage sect, they usually carried some restlessness and pride.
In fairness, the Fourth Level of Qi Refining alone wasn't enough to make them treat someone this way, showering him with praise and carrying his sedan chair.
But this Junior Brother Jiang was advancing at astonishing speed, a promising seed worth betting on!
Besides, Senior Brother Xiao Tongquan most appreciated talented young prospects.
Drawing him into their circle offered every advantage and no drawbacks!
"You're far too modest, Junior Brother Jiang."
Wang Heng was especially perceptive. Seeing that Jiang Yi wasn't frivolous or fond of boasting, he said:
"Senior Brother Lu, let's have Junior Brother Jiang drink his Copper Juice and take his iron pellets first, properly assimilating them through his organs and strengthening his Primordial Essence."
"Thank you for the reminder, junior brother. We nearly delayed Junior Brother Jiang's practice. This Copper Juice won't be fit to drink once it cools. Please, Junior Brother Jiang, go ahead."
Lu Yun nodded, signaling that Jiang Yi should help himself without worrying about them.
Once cultivators entered the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, their organs became stable and formed a seamless whole, allowing them to swallow gold and jade, chew iron and drink copper.
Through cultivation and assimilation, they broke down and absorbed the densely gathered "vital essence" to consolidate their Primordial Essence and increase their cultivation.
"Haha, thank you for understanding, senior brothers and senior sister. I really am impatient to put something in the temple of my five organs."
Jiang Yi cupped his hands, then picked up the scalding round bowl. Beast charcoal had been placed beneath it to keep the Copper Juice from solidifying.
Gulp, gulp!
He tilted his head back and drank deeply. The boiling Copper Juice became a scarlet stream of Flowing Essence, passing down his throat and straight into every part of his Hundred Bones.
Had he been ordinary flesh and blood, it would certainly have scorched his skin and flesh black and burned holes through him.
But Jiang Yi had completed Organ Tempering and Viscera Refining. His Primordial Essence was robust and incomparably pure, and with Tendon Tempering, Bone Tempering, and Blood Exchange and Marrow Renewal as well, his physique and vitality were strong beyond belief.
Thus, he drained the Copper Juice without changing expression or suffering the slightest harm. It was merely like swallowing a piece of piping-hot tofu, a little hot in his mouth.
He immediately began circulating his cultivation to assimilate it.
The Lesser Forging Origin Fire-Control Art drove his True Qi, which moved like a flood dragon or serpent, enveloping the Copper Juice.
A faint hissing of rising smoke could be heard as the scarlet stream evaporated into vapor, becoming pleasantly warm "vital essence."
The process lasted a full two incense sticks. The entire bowl of Copper Juice was completely broken down, nourishing the Primordial Essence surging through his organs.
As though he had taken a powerful tonic, Jiang Yi's youthful face grew rosier, brimming with vigorous vitality ready to burst forth.
He opened another bowl, grabbed a handful of smooth iron pellets the size of peanuts, and put them in his mouth.
Crunch, crunch!
His white teeth easily crushed the iron pellets. He chewed heartily as though eating snacks and swallowed them all.
Li Ruohan watched with endless envy. This was the marvel of Organ Tempering and Viscera Refining at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.
It was equivalent to transforming the mortal body from the inside out. The organs were no longer fragile and easily damaged; instead, they generated Primordial Essence, blending it with True Qi like a great furnace in a Quenching Room, capable of melting iron, stone, gold, and jade.
Cultivating this way was far more efficient than seated meditation and breathing exercises.
Take Jiang Yi drinking Copper Juice and chewing iron pellets, for instance.
The vital essence he obtained would be difficult for Li Ruohan to match even with over a month of arduous cultivation, meditating several hours each day.
No wonder the clan elders say that on the Twelve-Storied Qi Refining, getting ahead one step means getting ahead at every step.
An unusual light shone in Li Ruohan's bright eyes as she considered:
Junior Brother Jiang is younger than me, yet he has firmly entered the Fourth Level of Qi Refining. His talent must be quite extraordinary. I should ask him more later and seek some pointers.
Even Inner Peaks disciples, let alone those of the outer sect, rarely had opportunities to have their cultivation questions answered unless they had a definite Master-Inheritance.
Most had to explore for themselves, pondering repeatedly, comprehending and drawing conclusions.
As for the elder who imparted cultivation methods, asking questions was permitted, but obtaining detailed answers required a "gift."
Another improvement.
An hour passed in a flash. Jiang Yi reined in his True Qi and restrained his Primordial Essence, his eyes bright and full of spirit.
His Lesser Forging Origin Fire-Control Art, which had reached minor accomplishment, was perfectly suited to refining copper, iron, metals, and stone, making assimilation yield twice the results for half the effort.
"Sorry for the wait, senior brothers and junior sister."
Jiang Yi smiled.
"Such profound cultivation, junior brother. Ordinary cultivators who have just entered the fourth level must be extremely careful when drinking Copper Juice and eating iron pellets, lest they injure their organs and scorch their Hundred Bones."
Wang Heng laughed heartily in praise:
"But you did it so effortlessly, completely at ease! I've only seen such composure from senior brothers of the Inner Peaks."
Lu Yun spoke half in praise, half in envy:
"Young and accomplished, Junior Brother Jiang, with limitless prospects! Since fate brought us together today, why don't we arrange a feast to celebrate for you!"
Li Ruohan, who hadn't spoken for some time, also composed herself and said softly:
"That's an excellent suggestion, Senior Brother Lu! Senior... Brother Jiang, please don't decline. I'd also like to seek your guidance on how to coordinate the organs!"
Calling him senior brother already?
A smile tugged at Wang Heng's lips. Junior Sister Li was truly worthy of being a daughter of the Bojun Li Clan of the Zhao Kingdom. Her skill at dancing with long sleeves was no less than his own.
"I wouldn't dare call it guidance."
Suppressing the buoyant feeling in his heart, Jiang Yi said solemnly:
"Let's use Heshui Cave to sit and discuss the Dao, advancing abreast and sharing our experiences."
After speaking, Jiang Yi couldn't help feeling somewhat ashamed.
Surrounded and flattered like this by direct clan descendants who had once been far beyond his reach, he had nearly forgotten himself.
But he could hardly be blamed. A country youth from Guniu Town like him would probably have needed to kneel and curry favor upon meeting Wang Heng, Lu Yun, and the others outside the sect.
As for a noble young lady like Li Ruohan, whose ancestors had received noble titles, she was even more like the bright moon in the sky; seeing her up close would have been an extravagant hope. Now they kept addressing him as "senior brother," their words full of praise. It truly felt like drinking mellow wine, soothing body and mind.
My temperament still needs much more tempering.
Jiang Yi reflected inwardly. However steady he was in his bones, he would still have to tumble through wine, beauty, wealth, pride, power, rank, fame, and profit himself before he could know their flavor and strengthen his resolve.
As his Old Leader often said, claiming steadfastness and an unchanged original intention without ever having faced temptation was all empty talk and bullshit.
"Senior Brother Lu, hurry and have Heshui Cave bring out some fine things! Spirit Rice from the Purple Mud Field, well-aged medicinal ingredients-bring them all!"
Wang Heng was skilled at enlivening the atmosphere. After his instructions, it wasn't long before bowls and plates of Spirit Cuisine and precious medicines covered the table.
They ate and chatted in a warm, lively atmosphere.
While host and guests were enjoying themselves, Li Ruohan suddenly asked:
"Senior Brother Jiang, forgive my presumption, but do you have a way of making money?"
Jiang Yi shook his head. Unlike these direct descendants at the table, he had no rural clan supporting him.
As for Duty Officer Yang's "assistance," that old man had nearly poured his "coffin money" into constructing the water pool and fire marsh to establish the ritual.
How could Jiang Yi be insatiably greedy and demand more?
"Have you heard this saying, Senior Brother Jiang? 'Without wealth, talent cannot be cultivated!' This is a truth that applies equally to the Immortal Dao and the Demonic Dao."
Li Ruohan raised her cup in a toast:
"I have some means. If you're willing to spare time to explain the secrets of coordinating the organs and harmonizing the body, I could engage you as my 'instructor' and pay a full 'tuition fee' each month."
Jiang Yi was tempted, but didn't agree outright:
"How could my shallow understanding warrant such expense, Junior Sister Li? Since we've met and discussed the Dao, talking money would only put distance between us. Whenever we have time in the future, we can exchange insights and test our understanding together."
He neither refused nor agreed.
The reasons were simple enough.
First, however much tuition Li Ruohan paid, it would be a cup of water against a burning cartload of firewood compared with the expense of cultivating at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.
Whether Copper Juice, iron pellets, or ground jade powder, which didn't cost thousands or tens of thousands in Talisman Money?
Second, associations ultimately formed because of profit, gathering people through mutual benefit.
Having people like Wang Heng, Lu Yun, and Li Ruohan owe him favors was actually a better bargain than Talisman Money.
"You're openhearted and free-spirited, senior brother. I was the vulgar one. I'll punish myself with a cup!"
Li Ruohan's cheeks flushed slightly, whether from the wine rising to her head or some other reason. Her already beautiful features gained a few more shades of charm.
Only when the sun sank westward did everyone disperse, thoroughly satisfied.
Jiang Yi walked slowly to Bluestone Square, in no hurry to summon a Flying Crane.
He stopped and gazed into the distance. Though heavy snow covered the mountains, wrapping them in silver-white, today's light didn't seem gloomy. The lingering sunset shone upon the summit of Wavelooking Peak, staining the cliffs fiery orange-red.
"So watching the sunset from the Inner Peaks really does bring an entirely different state of mind from watching it in the outer sect."
Jiang Yi smiled freely, then summoned a Flying Crane and rode it home.
"Senior Sister Luo? Why are you here?"
By the time Li Ruohan returned to her detached courtyard atop Sewing Peak, it was late at night, with wind and snow raging.
Yet a figure stood outside the courtyard gate: Luo Qian'er from the Laundry Room. From the look of things, she had been waiting a long time.
"Have you forgotten, Junior Sister Li? The day before yesterday, I asked you to take my younger brother into the Inner Peaks to broaden his horizons. You said you'd give me an answer today..."
Facing Li Ruohan, Luo Qian'er adopted an exceedingly humble attitude, none of her usual haughtiness remaining. She was as docile as a maidservant.
For no other reason than that Li Ruohan was a legitimate daughter of the Bojun Li Clan of the Zhao Kingdom, her status far nobler than that of the Lianxi Luo Clan.
With her Lineage sparing no effort to support her, entering the Inner Peaks was only a matter of time. She absolutely couldn't afford to offend her.
"Oh, yes, yes. Look at my memory." Understanding dawned on Li Ruohan, and she smiled. "I was just feasting and drinking with Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Lu, and the others. I'm a little muddled.
"Senior Brother Wang has agreed. Next time I go to the Inner Peaks, I'll take your younger brother along."
Overjoyed, Luo Qian'er thanked her repeatedly.
Li Ruohan seemed not to care at all, her expression distant, with no intention of talking at length.
Suddenly, as though remembering something, she adopted an affectionate tone and said softly:
"By the way, Senior Sister Luo, since you work in the Laundry Room, could you help me find a bolt of fine fabric? I'd like to make a cloak to complement this snowy scenery."
Luo Qian'er frowned slightly, then smiled and agreed. "That won't be difficult. What color do you like, junior sister? Do you know any seamstresses?"
Li Ruohan described her requirements in detail, her voice carrying a delighted eagerness:
"Senior Brother Jiang presumably likes brighter colors. You must help me choose carefully, senior sister."
Luo Qian'er readily agreed. Taking advantage of her good mood, she gathered her courage and asked as though teasing a sister:
"Senior Brother Jiang? Which Senior Brother Jiang has caught your eye and won such favor, junior sister?"
Li Ruohan said with a smile:
"Don't talk nonsense, senior sister. I simply admire Senior Brother Jiang Yi's cultivation talent. I have no other thoughts."
"Senior Brother Jiang Yi?"
The smile on Luo Qian'er's face froze instantly, her whole body rooted to the spot as though encased in ice.
"The Senior Brother Jiang from the Quenching Room on Crimson Flame Peak," Li Ruohan said prettily. "Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Lu, and I all think he has an excellent chance of being selected when the Inner Peaks recruit additional disciples next spring."
Wind and snow whirled, falling in flurries.
Luo Qian'er stood blankly outside the courtyard gate, utterly unaware of the bone-piercing cold.
She no longer remembered when Li Ruohan had gone inside.
Only the words "Senior Brother Jiang Yi" remained in her mind.
They exploded over and over like thunderclaps, shaking her heart and mind into chaos, leaving her beside herself.
Humbly begging for monthly votes!
Before you continue