Ever since he transmigrated, Lu Li had never laughed so happily.
Although his first attempt at cultivating the state-improved Five Elements Instruction had just caused him intense pain,
and he had even spat blood,
after feeling his cultivation speed increase nearly fourfold,
he could not calm down for a long time.
"I didn't expect it to actually work!"
"The state-improved Five Elements Instruction not only eliminated the cumbersome circulation pathways,
"but also increased cultivation efficiency and strengthened the resilience of my meridians."
"At this rate, my reserves of spiritual power will only grow stronger than those of others!"
Lu Li clenched his fists, excitement written across his face.
The improved Five Elements Instruction had greatly increased his cultivation speed.
It was nearly four times faster than the original.
To put that fourfold increase into perspective, suppose a prodigy with dual Spirit Roots were cultivating alongside Lu Li.
The other person would cultivate the original Five Elements Instruction, while Lu Li cultivated the improved version.
In the end, not only would their cultivation speeds be evenly matched, but the spiritual power Lu Li accumulated would be far more abundant than his!
"At this rate, I'll definitely break through to the Qi Refining Second Layer in a matter of days at most."
"Looking at it that way, I suppose I've had a sudden enlightenment in my understanding of the Five Elements Instruction."
"I've heard that comprehension of a Cultivation Method is divided into four levels: elementary, intermediate, advanced, and peak."
"Elementary comprehension manifests as spiritual light leaking out, a faint display of power, and bodily abnormalities."
"At the intermediate level, the spiritual light stabilizes, the display of power begins to take shape, and heavy burdens can be lifted as though they were light."
"Judging by my cultivation just now, I've reached the Intermediate Five Elements Instruction!"
Lu Li's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
The fact that Great Xia could improve the effectiveness of a Cultivation Method was an enormous surprise to him.
This did not count as an external aid. Even if others grew suspicious of his rapid breakthroughs,
they would have no reason to harm him, since sudden enlightenment was a deeply mysterious thing.
As long as Lu Li showed others what he looked like when cultivating, they would know he had experienced a sudden enlightenment in the Cultivation Method.
It had nothing to do with external aids or aptitude; it was judged purely by talent and temperament.
It could be said to provide Lu Li with excellent cover.
"Wonderful, wonderful."
"I didn't expect the state's quantum computer to be so powerful."
"But then, hundreds of thousands of simulated calculations would amount to countless days and nights of arduous cultivation and a hundred years of contemplation for a cultivator."
"With so many rapid calculations, improvement was only natural."
"It's certainly convenient for me. It saves me the hardship of contemplation and a vast amount of time."
"I can grasp the finished result directly!"
After carefully contemplating the principles and logic behind it,
Lu Li was delighted.
Without wasting another moment, he took out two pieces of azure gold spirit ore.
Holding one in each hand, he began to cultivate.
On days when he was not working in the mine, there were too many people watching in the menial disciples' wooden cabin for him to take out azure gold spirit ore and cultivate.
Now that he had the chance, he was not about to let it slip.
Combined with the improved Five Elements Instruction,
it gave Lu Li a cultivation experience more exhilarating than any he had ever known!
"Buzz!"
"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"
Lu Li drew the impure spiritual power out of the spirit ore.
It surged through his meridians, accompanied by the thin spiritual power in the air.
Following the entirely new circulation pattern, the metal spiritual power pierced his meridians with pain.
The gentle water spiritual power quickly nourished and repaired them, and the wood spiritual power then stabilized the injuries.
The fire spiritual power erupted to enhance the effect, while the earth spiritual power reinforced the cycle.
After one complete circulation,
Lu Li's presence was growing visibly stronger!
"Wonderful!"
"At this rate, as long as I get past the suspicion when I hand in the ore this time,
"I'll definitely break through to the Qi Refining Second Layer before the next ore hand-in at the latest!"
"After that, Bai Sheng's suspicions of me will lessen greatly, and I won't need to hurry anymore."
"After a few months, I can proceed step by step and enter the outer sect!"
Having sorted out his goals for the near future,
Lu Li was in an excellent mood.
With this foundation to support him, his entry into the outer sect was as certain as a nail hammered into a board.
And once he entered the outer sect,
his situation in the Azure Pool Demonic Sect would open up completely.
"The Azure Pool Sect is fairly friendly to outer sect disciples."
"I've heard that strict sect rules protect their lives, and they receive a monthly stipend."
"They can also attend lessons in the sect's various halls, studying the hundred arts of cultivation, such as pill refining and artifact forging."
"Better yet, they can be assigned a cave abode all to themselves!"
Thinking of the living conditions he could enjoy after entering the outer sect, Lu Li could not help growing eager.
Outer sect disciples and menial disciples were as different as heaven and earth.
An independent cave abode alone would make things far more convenient for Lu Li.
More importantly...
"Once I enter the outer sect, I'll be able to obtain more cultivation resources from the sect."
"With the state's strength, it will surely be able to make even greater progress in its research."
"That's undoubtedly wonderful news for me."
"After all, I'm the first beneficiary of the state's research results!"
Thinking of the support he had behind him,
Lu Li felt greatly relieved. With the state backing him,
everything he gained in the cultivation world would be multiplied countless times over.
The Five Elements Instruction was an excellent example.
And the state had only just begun to come into contact with cultivation civilization.
After a few more years, Lu Li could hardly imagine how much support he might receive.
"Perhaps, with the state's support, I really can be the first to become an immortal!"
As for the ultimate objective the state had given him,
Lu Li had originally found it as unbelievable as a dream.
But as his situation gradually opened up, the methods the state had shown gave him tremendous confidence and hope.
Being the first to become an immortal was not beyond reach!
His mind made up, Lu Li stopped dwelling on it.
Instead, he seized every minute and second, immersing himself in high-speed cultivation.
In the vast mine tunnel, he shut out all distractions and focused completely.
Unlike the absorbed Lu Li, Bai Sheng was anxious outside the mine.
He walked back and forth, pacing to and fro.
His gaze also turned from time to time toward the distant mountains.
It was as though he were waiting for something.
Suddenly, a figure also dressed in white robes, whose face bore a slight resemblance to Bai Sheng's, came riding a flying sword from the horizon.
The sword light sped forth, arriving before him in the blink of an eye.
"Cousin!"
"You're finally here! How did it go?"
"Has the clan let any news slip?"
At the sight of the newcomer, Bai Sheng was overjoyed and hurried forward to meet him.
His gaze had never been so eager.
"B-Brother Sheng... it..."
"What? What happened?! Hurry up and tell me!"
Bai Sheng pressed him, as though he had already heard what he hoped for.
His expression grew feverish.
None of his usual coldness remained.
"It worked!"
"It worked! The patriarch went to Supreme Origin Peak today and met with the sect master and the three great elders."
"In the end, the sect issued a decree establishing Upper White Peak!"
"Eight mines and four gardens from the outer sect have been assigned to Upper White Peak!"
"It worked! It really worked!"
"Hahahaha! The patriarch's might is divine!"
"Heaven bless the Bai Household!"
Having heard the news clearly, Bai Sheng threw back his head and laughed.
A surge of lofty ambition rose in his chest.
He had never been so happy.
He felt that Foundation Establishment was now within reach and his Dao Path lay open before him.
The newcomer added excitedly,
"Yes, cousin! Now we both have hope of reaching Foundation Establishment!"
"The Bai Household's standing in the sect is unmatched right now. Even the azure gold spirit ore mine beneath your feet belongs to the Bai Household now."
"Oh, right, the patriarch sent word that everyone on the properties assigned to the Bai Household can receive some encouragement today!"