Celebration and gifts

Jiang Yi had, after all, studied at the Dao Academy for three years. He had not simply squandered his money, idling and playing around.

He pondered:

"My teacher once said that the first step on any of the myriad great Daos must begin with Qi Refining.

At the first level of Qi Refining, opening the meridians tempers the tendons and increases strength; the second level tempers the bones, making the body sturdy."

Throughout the Five Domains, whether they followed the immortal Dao, the demonic Dao, or any other Dao Path, all cultivators had to start with Qi Refining.

The Qi Refining realm comprised a Twelve-Story Tower in all. Only after climbing it step by step to perfection could one establish a foundation.

The first four levels involved opening the Qi meridians, nurturing true essence, and honing the flesh.

Once the tendons and bones had been forged hard as iron, and the internal organs worked as a seamless whole, bringing the body's cauldron to perfection,

one could cross into the fifth level, open an "Inner Mansion of the Origin Gate," gather spiritual potential, and build up one's reserves.

Across the Qianji Sect's Outer Sect's Four Peaks—Crimson Flame, Soul Nurturing, Herb Gathering, and Clothing Sewing—

even the very best were only at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

"I've completed both tendon tempering and bone tempering."

Jiang Yi breathed deeply and exerted himself slightly. His Qi and Blood blazed as though a beacon fire had been lit, ready to surge above the woods.

This was a sign that his physique had grown tremendously!

He now stood at the Qi Refining Second Stage. His sinews and fascia were thick, tough, and strong, his bones hard as iron, his strength immense. A casual swing of a single arm carried a thousand jin of force!

In the mundane world, he would be a match for ten thousand men!

"This 'opportunity' was worth those two days of bitter waiting."

Jiang Yi was thoroughly satisfied, even a little dazed.

The body's original owner had cultivated painstakingly below the mountain for three years before finally achieving Meridian Opening, allowing True Qi to flow through his entire body and circulate along its heavenly circuit, entering the first level of Qi Refining.

After being assigned to Crimson Flame Peak of the Qianji Sect as a Mortal Laborer, he had persisted in meditation, breathing exercises, and cultivation, however hard the work became.

Another four years had passed like that, crawling along like a tortoise, before he barely managed to reach the perfection of the first level of Qi Refining.

"Years of bitter cultivation couldn't compare to a single night's work."

Jiang Yi murmured silently to himself:

"No wonder the teachers at the Dao Academy kept saying, 'Anyone who cultivates the Dao, rises in rank, and attains Divine Abilities must have opportunities at their side and a destiny of their own.' Those words really were true!"

A biting wind swept through. Snow rustled down from the treetops and landed on his shoulders, only for his blazing Qi and Blood to melt it instantly into wisps of vapor.

Jiang Yi understood that his breakthrough to the second level had made his vitality flourish, ready to burst forth, leaving the Qi and Blood in his body like wild horses off their reins, difficult to pull back or contain.

He suppressed his surging thoughts and boiling Qi and Blood, then strode toward the communal courtyard.

"Brother Yi, didn't you take leave? Why're you still up so early..."

Just as he reached the courtyard, Jiang Yi ran into He Laohun, who had risen for work.

He Laohun was wondering about this. Brother Yi had endured two grueling days, nearly cooking that handsome young face of his. Why wasn't he lying down and resting?

But as the words reached his lips, he raised his head for a look and was immediately stunned.

"Good heavens! Brother Yi, when did you reach the Qi Refining Second Stage?!"

He Laohun froze on the spot. He studied Jiang Yi's now fair, delicate face and clicked his tongue.

"No wonder that little hussy Luo was always clinging to you these past two years. You really are handsome, Brother Yi. What a pretty young fellow."

He Laohun was a loud, excitable man, and his commotion soon brought the courtyard to life.

Old Li, who lived at the other end, pushed open his door and came out. He and his wife both worked on Crimson Flame Peak, diligently saving every talisman coin without spending a single one. Supposedly, they intended to send their son to the Dao Academy so he could join a better sect.

"Such vigorous Qi and Blood, Brother Yi! A young man's body really is strong!"

Old Li was only in his early forties, yet his hair was gray and sparse on top, making him look sixty.

Like He Laohun, he had aged prematurely from doing too much heavy physical labor and miscellaneous work.

"Remember to eat better these next couple of days. After tempering your tendons and bones, you urgently need nourishment. The more you replenish yourself, the faster your physique will grow."

Jiang Yi cupped his hands and thanked him for the advice.

Having entered the Qi Refining Second Stage, with stronger tendons and bones and a greatly improved physique, he needed nourishment from spiritual substances all the more.

He naturally understood this principle.

That was why, on his way back to the courtyard, Jiang Yi had been considering whether to indulge himself and spend some talisman coins on a few extra bowls of Spirit Rice.

He Laohun sounded half envious, half sour.

"You're not eighteen yet, are you, Brother Yi? At your age, I'd only just achieved Meridian Opening and barely entered the first level of Qi Refining.

With such encouraging progress, you might even have a chance of reaching the fifth level before your term ends and you leave the mountain."

Widow Qin stepped out of her room, pinning up her hair. Her dark eyes darted about, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Brother Yi has broken through to the second level? Then we ought to celebrate. I have some Bear Gall in my room that I got from the inner sect. I'll bring it over later to steep in liquor."

He Laohun muttered:

"That's generous of you, Sister Qin. Bear Gall from the Cave of Myriad Beasts can't be cheap."

Widow Qin rolled her eyes at him and planted her hands on her hips.

"I think of Brother Yi as my younger brother. Of course I won't be stingy. If you ever reach the third level of Qi Refining, call me Grandaunt, and I'll reward you with one too."

Rather than feeling stung by her jab, He Laohun felt as light as though he had swallowed an immortal elixir. He chuckled.

"Thank you for the reward, Grandaunt! Brother Yi and I are good friends. Just wait, Brother Yi. Once work's over, I'll get you a couple of Spirit Fish for a treat!"

Seeing both Widow Qin and He Laohun offering "congratulatory gifts," Old Li was about to offer something too, but his wife tugged at the hem of his clothes, and he drooped his head without saying a word.

Jiang Yi saw every one of their reactions.

Although they belonged to a demonic sect, everyone was willing to show an amiable side when there was room for human warmth.

So long as their fundamental interests were not involved, there was no need to scheme against and persecute one another.

Jiang Yi cupped his hands toward his fellow workers and said:

"It's only a breakthrough to the Qi Refining Second Stage. There's no need for everyone to make such a fuss. People would laugh if word got out."

How about this? Once work ends tonight, I'll host a meal. We'll set a table here in the courtyard, eat meat, and drink. What do you say?"

At these words, Old Li exchanged another glance with his wife.

Her hand quietly released his hem.

Old Li said with a chuckle:

"Which of us didn't struggle through eight or ten bitter years to reach the Qi Refining Second Stage? It's no small thing for Brother Yi to advance so boldly."

I'll join the fun too and give six taels of Spirit Rice. We can make half a pot of porridge!"

Spirit Rice was precious. There certainly would not be enough to serve as cooked rice, so porridge was the only option.

That way, Old Li and his wife could have a fair share too, getting a meal and a few bites of Spirit Fish, rather than simply giving a gift at a loss.

Jiang Yi understood this little calculation and saw nothing wrong with it.

How could the beasts of burden at the bottom afford to flaunt wealth and compete in generosity? They had to count every coin and budget carefully to scrape by.

He Laohun raised a thumb.

"Generous of you, Old Li!"

A long-absent air of joy filled the courtyard. Jiang Yi thanked everyone in turn, and only after they left for work did quiet return.

"For Mortal Laborers, the highest they can hope to reach in this lifetime is probably the fifth level of Qi Refining. They wouldn't dare dream any higher."

Back in his room, Jiang Yi gulped down two large bowls of Chrysanthemum Tea, allowing his restless mind to settle.

Happy occasions lifted the spirits.

He had to admit that his fellow workers' congratulations and praise had indeed left him a little carried away.

"Jiang Yi, oh, Jiang Yi. How can a mere Qi Refining Second Stage make you so pleased with yourself?"

Jiang Yi steadied his mind and closed his eyes as though dozing.

Golden light shone brilliantly within his eyes, and pages abruptly appeared.

The first opportunity was over, its karmic accounts settled.

He could ask another question.

[I humbly beseech the Heavenly Book: reveal an opportunity currently available to me that will leave no future trouble!]

Jiang Yi used the same wording as before.

The Heavenly Book turned its pages, its golden paper flickering.

[Matter investigated: an opportunity compatible with oneself.]

[Deduction time: one breath.]

[Deduction result: none.]

"As expected."

Jiang Yi was not surprised.

Here on Crimson Flame Peak, where would he find so many opportunities waiting to be picked up?

It was like fishing for big fish in a little pond. Catching even one was already a stroke of luck.

How could he possibly fill his keepnet and return laden with fish every day?

If that happened, Jiang Yi would have to worry whether some powerful figure was secretly baiting the fishing spot.

"Let's try another question."

Jiang Yi's thoughts shifted, tracing words across the Heavenly Book's golden paper.

[I am currently at the Qi Refining Second Stage, and my cultivation method is the ungraded "Proper Meridian Qi Circulation Art." How can I ensure that my cultivation advances when I have very little time to cultivate? I humbly beseech the Heavenly Book: reveal specific, feasible measures!]

Since there were no opportunities for now, he would rely on his own efforts!

[Matter investigated: one's own cultivation.]

[Deduction time: one incense stick.]

Jiang Yi waited quietly.

With a hum, the light rippling like water faded away.

Dense rows of tiny, tadpole-like characters slowly appeared.

[Deduction result: immortal friend, you are at the Qi Refining Second Stage and urgently need nourishment from spiritual substances. However, your ungraded cultivation method makes your breathing practice inefficient, leaving your True Qi difficult to strengthen.

Furthermore, immortal friend, you have little time to cultivate. Under the existing conditions, the following methods are recommended...]