Second only to Senior Brother Hua

The path of cultivation began with Qi Refining.

The Qi Refining Realm was divided into ten levels. Those who found an opening to comprehend the Heavenly Dao could be considered to have entered the first level.

At the first level of Qi Refinement, one's breathing was long and steady, far surpassing that of ordinary people, and a single punch could deliver 300 jin of force. (An ordinary person in their prime could only deliver around 100 jin of force in a punch.)

For an ordinary person to reach the first level of Qi Refinement, even after finding the opening to cross that threshold, years of cultivation were still required. It could not be accomplished in a day or two.

Only after two or three years at the shortest, or eight or nine at the longest, when their foundation was stable, would they have a chance to enter the second level.

Yet at this very moment, simply because Qin Yi had accepted the system's task, he had received half the reward in advance.

The system had said earlier that, as long as he completed the task, he would receive [Level up once] as a reward.

Now he had received half of that one level.

Unexpectedly, after the first light flashed beneath his feet, another four lights flashed wildly in succession.

Each surge of golden light passed through his body like an electric current.

Once all five lights had finished flashing, his physique had actually reached the [fifth level of Qi Refining].

How did he know he had already reached the [fifth level of Qi Refining]?

It was simple. He could now feel that his Dantian had opened up, and whenever he closed his eyes, he felt as though a pagoda had been built where his Dantian was.

Starting from its foundation, that pagoda had already been built five stories high.

"Heavens, you... you..."

The young woman was tongue-tied and wide-eyed. It seemed this was the first time in her life she had ever witnessed such an astonishing scene.

Without saying anything more to Qin Yi, she suddenly sprinted toward Emerald Bamboo Peak's inner courtyard. "Father... something strange has happened..."

Qin Yi felt a little weak all over, so he sat down to one side.

The thirty-odd people meditating on the training ground had also opened their eyes and were staring at him in astonishment.

System, system, when you say 'level up once,' do you mean advancing an entire major realm?

He had barely voiced the question in his mind when a gentle female voice immediately replied:

[Dear host, you are correct. When the system says 'level up once,' it means advancing an entire realm. There are no minor realms involved. This is a beginner's benefit, but once the host reaches the Golden Core Realm, advancement will proceed by minor realms.]

Before the Golden Core Stage? That was still incredibly powerful!

After receiving confirmation, Qin Yi's excitement knew no bounds.

Beside the training ground stood a stone platform, and the cultivation realms and levels happened to be carved upon it.

Qi Refining Stage, Foundation Establishment Realm, Golden Core Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, Spirit Transformation Realm, Tribulation Transcendence Realm, Mahayana Realm.

There were detailed explanations beside them as well. At the first level of the Qi Refining Stage, someone of ordinary aptitude needed at least three years to stabilize their realm. Breaking through within five years was considered satisfactory.

At the second level of Qi Refinement, three years were also needed to stabilize the realm, and breaking through within four years was considered satisfactory.

At the third level of Qi Refinement, two years were needed to stabilize the realm, and breaking through within three years was considered satisfactory.

The hardest part of the Qi Refining Stage was the beginning.

Once someone had truly crossed the threshold, their progress would instead become faster and faster. It was like infancy: at first, a baby could only drink milk and did not grow particularly quickly. Only once the baby could eat food would its growth truly pick up speed.

An ordinary person needed at least fifteen years to reach the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Those with outstanding aptitude could reach it in eight or nine years.

Even those with exceptional aptitude needed four or five years to reach it.

Yet Qin Yi had just touched the Dao Comprehension Stone once and reached it in an instant.

After reading the descriptions of the realms on that stone platform, he understood why those people were so astonished.

Was this a little too fast? Would people take me for a monster instead?

The question had barely arisen in his mind when the system's gentle, mature female voice sounded again:

[Host, there is no need to worry too much. The children of destiny in this world are born with a Golden Core within their bodies. Compared with them, your speed can only be considered a sign of exceptional aptitude.]

Only exceptional aptitude?

A moment ago, Qin Yi had been worried that his cultivation was advancing too quickly. After hearing those words, he immediately felt rather unsettled.

The children of destiny were born with Golden Cores inside them?

There really was no comparing one person to another. No matter the world, fairness could never exist from the very start.

Suddenly, a streak of light came hurtling through the air from Emerald Bamboo Peak's inner courtyard.

Only when the light came to a stop did everyone see that a middle-aged scholar had come out with the young woman, Gu Yiyi.

The cultivators on the training ground all closed their eyes, paying no heed to outside matters, seemingly afraid of being reprimanded.

After approaching Qin Yi, the middle-aged scholar looked him up and down, then extended two fingers and pressed them against the top of his head.

Soon, the middle-aged scholar's expression also turned strange. "Are you certain he only touched the Dao Comprehension Stone once?"

The young woman nodded excitedly. "Yes! The senior and junior brothers on the training platform all saw it too. He only touched the Dao Comprehension Stone once."

Keeping his expression composed, the middle-aged scholar began questioning Qin Yi. "Young man, before this, have you ever cultivated under anyone else?"

He needed to get these things straight.

In the cultivation world, seeking a master when one already possessed skills was taboo.

If someone sought a master while already possessing skills, even if they were accepted, they would not be taught anything genuine.

Qin Yi shook his head. "Before today, I did not even know what cultivation was."

The young woman chimed in beside him. "Father, you examined him earlier too! He clearly had no foundation at all before. I saw it with my own eyes just now. He touched the Dao Comprehension Stone once, then his body flashed with light repeatedly, and he went straight to the fifth level of Qi Refining. Heavens, that speed almost matches Senior Brother Hua Yunfeng's!"

As the young woman spoke excitedly, her eyes seemed to sparkle with stars. Qin Yi saw the favorability above her head suddenly rise by another 10 points, reaching 70.

(She felt admiration because of the host's outstanding aptitude.)

"Senior Brother Hua Yunfeng?"

"Yes, Senior Brother Hua Yunfeng was born with an innate ninth-level Qi Refining physique. Although you're a little behind him, you're still very impressive."

The middle-aged scholar narrowed his eyes and looked Qin Yi over several more times before saying, "Young man, now I must ask you: are you willing to join the Famous Sword Sect and enter the ranks of my Emerald Bamboo Peak?"

Earlier, he had merely given Qin Yi a choice.

He could leave, or he could stay.

Although Qin Yi had saved his daughter's life, everyone knew what the circumstances had actually been. Qin Yi had only saved Gu Yiyi through a chance coincidence.

Besides, Qin Yi was merely an ordinary person, and an ordinary person did not warrant too much of his attention.

If Qin Yi wanted to leave, he would give him a hundred taels of gold. After descending the mountain, Qin Yi could live as a wealthy man in the mortal world. That would be his repayment.

But if Qin Yi chose to remain here, he would treat him as an ordinary disciple and teach him whatever he ought to be taught.

Now, however, things were different.

Qin Yi had displayed extraordinary talent and potential. With just one touch of the Dao Comprehension Stone, he had instantly reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Across all of Emerald Bamboo Peak, not a single disciple could compare.

Even in the entire Famous Sword Sect, only Hua Yunfeng was somewhat stronger than him.

He was unwilling to let such a disciple slip through his fingers. Thus, he needed to ask once more, solemnly.

Qin Yi was delighted. From the middle-aged scholar's attitude, he could feel that he was being held in particular regard.

"I am."