The mist in the Shadow Woods gradually thinned. Beyond the trees, fires flickered in an open clearing, illuminating the camp where the disciples had gathered. The main force had already regrouped here. Spiritual herbs and medicinal plants were being registered one by one, while the wounded were settled beside wooden frames and medicine furnaces. The atmosphere was tense but orderly.
Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and the others emerged from the mist, immediately drawing many eyes.
"They're back!" a disciple exclaimed softly, relief at their survival in his eyes.
Yet the elder in charge, who was at the middle stage of the Yuan Transformation Realm, rose at once. His gaze flashed like lightning, fixing firmly on Qin Yu. Frowning, he stepped forward, his sharp eyes seemingly intent on seeing straight through him. "Qin Yu, your presence... is extremely unstable. Your spiritual breath is surging inside you, as though you've suffered a serious injury. What happened?"
Qin Yu's heart tightened. A dull ache still lingered in his chest, and his spiritual breath had yet to settle completely. But revealing that streak of gray light would surely invite endless suspicion and covetous attention.
He quickly steadied his breathing, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and forced himself to cup his hands in salute. His tone remained calm. "Reporting to the elder, while we were gathering herbs in the spiritual herb area, we suddenly encountered a grievously wounded ferocious beast. I was careless and suffered injuries from the shock waves of its attack. Only with my senior brothers covering me was I able to escape."
The elder narrowed his eyes slightly, as though searching for a flaw in his gaze. Qin Yu's expression, however, remained as composed as ever. The blood on his forehead and the torn edges of his clothes lent just the right evidence of a desperate escape.
After a long silence, the elder slowly nodded, his tone softening somewhat. "Mm... the Shadow Woods are dangerous to begin with. It's good enough that you returned. But remember, the greatest taboo in cultivation is recklessly chasing quick success. A moment's carelessness can mean death and the end of your Dao."
Qin Yu cupped his fists. "I will remember your teachings."
Yang Zheng and the other disciples beside him hurried to agree. "If Senior Brother Qin hadn't risked his life to cover our retreat, we would probably have died in the woods long ago."
The elder shifted his gaze toward Qin Yu's back. A trace of deeper meaning flashed through his eyes, but he said nothing more, merely waving a hand. "Go and rest. We'll venture deeper tomorrow."
Qin Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Still outwardly respectful, he turned and withdrew with Yang Zheng and the others.
Night deepened, and the campfires flickered. As the teams returned one after another, the disciples handed over their gathered spiritual herbs and medicinal plants in turn, with deacons and elders personally registering them.
Qin Yu led Yang Zheng and several disciples to the center of the clearing and cupped his hands. "Reporting to the elder, we have brought all the spiritual herbs and medicinal plants we gathered."
As his words fell, the disciples opened their storage bags in turn. In the next instant, extraordinary colors shimmered in the firelight, and countless spiritual herbs and medicinal plants appeared before everyone's eyes.
Some shone green, their roots crystalline and translucent; others were red as blazing flames, holding the breath of fire spirits; still others bore faint starlight on their petals, as though fallen from the night sky. Rich spiritual breath instantly spread outward, seemingly turning the entire camp into a small spiritual herb garden.
"Hiss-!"
The surrounding disciples sucked in sharp breaths, their eyes widening in disbelief at the sight.
The Yuan Transformation Realm elder had initially offered only a casual glance, but his expression changed abruptly when he saw the quantity and quality of the medicinal plants. He slowly rose, staring solemnly at the spiritual herbs and medicinal plants covering the ground before him. Disbelief colored his voice:
"There are... this many? And all of them are top-grade spiritual herbs and medicinal plants! How... how did you gather such quantities and quality in the Shadow Woods, where danger lurks on every side?"
Qin Yu said quietly, "We were fortunate enough to discover a place thick with medicinal plants. Only by giving it everything we had did we secure this harvest."
The elder watched him with a complicated expression. After a moment's silence, he burst into laughter, his voice filled with praise and delight. "Hahaha! Good! Very good! Your team is truly the sect's pride! Once we return to Cloud-Leveling Hall, you will receive generous rewards!"
In the flickering firelight, the elder swept his gaze across them, with an especially deep measure of approval settling on Qin Yu.
Qin Yu's heart jolted, but he still cupped his fists respectfully. "I only did my best. I dare not claim the credit."
Yet inwardly, he knew full well that without that streak of gray light, they probably would never have had the chance to bring these spiritual herbs and medicinal plants back.
The campfires gradually died down beneath the cold, sparse starlight. After everything had been counted, the quantity and quality of Qin Yu's team's offerings surpassed those of every other team, making theirs the richest harvest of the expedition.
The Yuan Transformation Realm elder looked at the disciples before him, his eyes brimming with approval and pride. He declared:
"This expedition into the Shadow Woods was fraught with danger, yet you worked together, not only slaying demonic beasts but also bringing back such a rich harvest of medicinal plants. This is truly a blessing for Cloud-Leveling Hall! Qin Yu in particular-the performance of your team is worthy of serving as an example to every disciple."
At his words, the surrounding disciples turned their gazes toward Qin Yu, their expressions holding both admiration and a faint reverence.
The elder nodded slightly and swept up his hand, his voice loud and steady:
"Enough. It is late. Since our task is complete, there is no need to linger. All disciples, heed my command-form up immediately and return with me to Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
"Yes!"
Hundreds of disciples answered together, their voices merging into a sky-shaking torrent that swept through the night.
The fires were swiftly extinguished, the medicinal plants and spiritual herbs carefully packed away, and the disciples arranged into orderly formations. Led by the elder, the vast procession marched out of the Shadow Woods, their steps steady and unified.
Beneath the moonlight, the disciples' shadows stretched long, like a winding river of light slowly returning toward distant Cloud-Leveling Hall.
Qin Yu walked in the middle of the procession, his battle spear gripped tightly in his hand, his gaze quiet.
This time, he had brought back not only medicinal plants, but questions and secrets of his own.
Bells boomed across the great outer-sect square of Cloud-Leveling Hall. Morning light shone upon magnificent golden halls, their outlines appearing and disappearing amid the mountain mist.
Hundreds of disciples stood in neat ranks, their robes snapping in the wind. A lofty platform towered in the center of the square, where several elders sat shoulder to shoulder, their imposing presence like mountains as they looked down upon those below.
As the final bell rang out, the Yuan Transformation Realm elder slowly stepped forward and proclaimed:
"The expedition into the Shadow Woods has concluded successfully. You disciples braved danger to gather medicinal plants and slay beasts, securing an exceptionally rich harvest! Such achievements deserve the sect's rewards!"
His words set the square abuzz. The disciples spoke quietly among themselves, excitement on their faces.
The elder raised his hand. His spiritual breath spread like the peal of a great bell, instantly silencing the clamor. His gaze swept across the crowd and settled on Qin Yu's team as he slowly said:
"Among you, Qin Yu's team rendered the greatest service! The quantity and quality of their medicinal plants far surpassed those of the other teams, and every member returned from a land overrun by ferocious beasts. Such a performance is truly rare!"
Every gaze instantly converged on Qin Yu.
Reverence and envy glittered in some disciples' eyes, while others whispered with complicated expressions. Yang Zheng and the other team members straightened their backs, their eyes full of pride.
The elder swept his hand. Light flashed in his palm, and hundreds of spiritual pills and several spirit stones slowly descended, hovering above Qin Yu's team amid brilliant spiritual light and an extraordinary fragrance.
"These are your rewards! Three hundred high-grade spiritual pills and fifty mid-grade spirit stones!"
The disciples erupted into an uproar once more. Such generous rewards were enough to set any outer disciple's heart racing.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Qin Yu and his team members cupped their hands in unison, their ringing voices echoing across the great square.
The elder nodded in satisfaction, then declared, "Let this mark the beginning of today's commendation ceremony! But remember-the path of cultivation holds endless dangers. Only by advancing further can you live up to the sect's high expectations!"
His words thundered through heaven and earth.
The drums sounded again, and amid solemnity and soaring spirits, the entire square welcomed a moment of glory belonging to the disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall.
As the commendation ceremony ended, the clamor gradually faded from the square. The disciples departed one after another, their gazes carrying joy, envy, or jealousy. The setting sun's lingering rays fell upon Qin Yu and his companions, the golden light surrounding them like a halo and making their figures appear especially upright.
After returning to his quarters, Qin Yu did not keep the rewards for himself. He tipped his storage bag, pouring out three hundred high-grade spiritual pills and fifty mid-grade spirit stones. Spiritual light immediately glittered and rich pill fragrance filled the room, illuminating the entire dwelling.
Yang Zheng and the four fellow disciples froze, their eyes filled with astonishment.
Qin Yu's expression was calm but carried an intangible firmness as he divided the pills and spirit stones one by one. "These three hundred spiritual pills and fifty spirit stones will be split equally among us. Thank you for fighting at my side. If we hadn't worked together, we would have perished in the Shadow Woods long ago. How could we have today's harvest?"
Yang Zheng's eyes grew warm. He clenched his fists, his voice trembling slightly. "Brother Yu... these rightfully belong to you. If you hadn't covered our retreat and led us out of the encirclement, we'd already be dead. Leaving us even a few would be enough to make us grateful for a lifetime. Why split them equally?"
The other four fellow disciples nodded repeatedly, guilt and gratitude in their eyes, but above all, profound respect.
Qin Yu only smiled faintly, his voice firm as iron. "If we're talking about credit, I wasn't alone. You protected me, and I protected you. That's brotherhood. Since we're brothers, we shouldn't draw lines between what's yours and mine. Spiritual pills and spirit stones are mere possessions. Your lives and our trust in one another are what's most precious."
Silence settled over the room, yet the atmosphere was more solemn than ever.
"Good! In that case, we won't refuse." One senior brother nodded firmly, his gaze burning. "From this day forward, Senior Brother Qin, if you say east, we will never go west!"
"Exactly!" another voice rang out, trembling with hot blood. "You helped us today. In the days to come, we will protect you with our lives!"
Tears glittered in Yang Zheng's eyes. His hand trembled slightly around those spiritual pills, but he struck his chest hard. "Brother Yu, you're my brother for life!"
Spiritual light illuminated the room as the vows in their hearts were silently forged.
That night, the bond between Qin Yu and his companions far surpassed any reward.
Night lay heavy, and the lights in Cloud-Leveling Hall's outer disciple courtyard gradually went out. Only moonlight spilled over the eaves, cold and clear as water.
Qin Yu closed the wooden door and quietly sat cross-legged before his bed. With a turn of his palm, spiritual light flashed from his storage bag. Fifty high-grade spiritual pills and eight mid-grade spirit stones landed neatly before him, like a heap of stars in the dim room, radiating rich spiritual breath.
Pill fragrance drifted and spiritual light curled through the air, as though transforming the cramped room into a small world where Spiritual Qi gathered.
Qin Yu gazed at it all, a flicker of resolve passing deep within his eyes.
I've already cultivated the Mystic Origin Body Tempering Art to its second layer, skin tempering and sinew refining. My physical foundation has long been solid. The Spiritual Breath Essence Condensation Method has also shown some results. My accumulation has now reached the limit of the Mortal Fetus Realm. All I need is an opportunity to enter the Qi Condensation Realm.
He slowly reached out, brushing a fingertip over a high-grade spiritual pill and feeling the powerful fluctuations of spiritual power within.
With the pure spiritual breath of these fifty pills and eight spirit stones, I'll surely be able to ride a single surge of momentum and attempt the Qi Condensation Realm in a short time!
His breathing gradually quickened, but his mind remained calm.
Still, I can't be reckless with this step... The Spirit Awakening Realm and the Qi Condensation Realm mark a qualitative transformation. If my spiritual breath runs wild and my dantian collapses, not only will all my efforts fall short at the final hurdle, I might even die and see my Dao extinguished.
Qin Yu drew a deep breath and put the spiritual pills and spirit stones away again, leaving only one pill in his hand.
Beneath the moonlight, his gaze was hard as iron as he murmured:
"The opportunity has arrived. I will never stop here. The Qi Condensation Realm... I, Qin Yu, will break through!"
Night flowed like water, and the room was silent. Qin Yu lit a stick of incense, closed the window, dropped the latch, and sat cross-legged before his bed, focusing his thoughts: Without using the gray light, relying only on myself-with pills as the catalyst and stones as the furnace.
He divided the fifty high-grade spiritual pills and eight mid-grade spirit stones into ten portions, arranging ten small cloth bags before him. His breathing was long and steady, like drumbeats calling him to battle.
He swallowed high-grade spiritual pills ×3 and pressed mid-grade spirit stone ×1 beside his knee. The Spiritual Breath Essence Condensation Method slowly circulated. Spiritual Qi entered through his nostrils and flowed back along the conception and governing vessels. In an instant, his meridians felt as though coarse sand had been poured into them, the searing pain piercing his bones. His fascia tightened, and a tide-like roar filled his ears. He gritted his teeth without a sound, linking the Mountain-Splitting Stance and Flow-Guiding Stance of the Mystic Origin Body Tempering Art in continuous opening and closing movements, forcibly kneading the first wild surge of Spiritual Qi into his joints. His dantian warmed like a furnace, and the reach of his spiritual sense faintly expanded by half a zhang.
High-grade spiritual pills ×4. The Spiritual Qi grew fiercer, spiraling and crashing through his limbs and bones as his joints hummed. Qin Yu switched to the Subduing Tiger Stance to suppress its force, reducing his breathing rhythm from seven breaths per cycle to five. The pain multiplied, and sweat dripped down his cheeks. Forcing his awareness to remain fixed on his dantian, he alternately drew in and released, driving the sluggish Qi flow through the "death gates" in his elbows, knees, and other joints. After a while, warmth rose beneath his skin, his blood surged, and his strength seemed to ignite anew.
High-grade spiritual pills ×3. Spiritual breath became fine threads of light that wound around his periosteum, and a line from his knuckles to his spine rang in unison. Pain sank into his marrow. Using the Origin-Returning Stance, he gathered all his strength, and Spiritual Qi seemed to be kneaded into a ball of light by an invisible hand before sinking steadily into his dantian.-The middle stage was now fully deserved: his hearing sharpened until he could distinguish every sound of falling leaves within five zhang.
High-grade spiritual pills ×5, mid-grade spirit stone ×1. The spirit stone's pure spiritual breath poured through him like a waterfall, bringing him to the brink of cultivation deviation in an instant-his chest tightened, and the taste of rust rose in his throat. Qin Yu abruptly switched to the Mystic Origin Body Tempering Art's Soaring Stance, combining it with the internal breath guidance of the Spirit Spear Heaven-Guiding Art. He shaped the violent spiritual breath into a "spear channel" that thrust straight from his tailbone to the crown of his head before descending into his dantian. The first barrier to greater accomplishment broke open. His meridians felt as though hot iron had smoothed them flat, and resistance to circulation dropped sharply.
High-grade spiritual pills ×5, mid-grade spirit stone ×1. The pain changed from "fire" to "ice," his meridians throbbing as though sliced apart by cold. He switched to slow exhalations and long inhalations, "dividing one breath into three," and repeatedly worked the Flow-Guiding Stance between his shoulder blades and chest, grinding apart the spiritual impulses wrapped in that chill. A series of faint cracks sounded within his chest-his internal organs opened their apertures, doubling their capacity for spiritual breath.
High-grade spiritual pills ×4. He no longer sought speed, shifting from defense to offense. Using the methods of skin tempering and sinew refining, he carefully honed the elasticity of his skin membranes and sinews. Spiritual breath stretched into threads, weaving a thin layer of flowing protective light, and a faint sheen appeared on his skin. Now his Qi flow moved like smoothly turning gears, his Spirit Awakening greater accomplishment stabilized, and his mind instead became utterly clear.
High-grade spiritual pills ×7, mid-grade spirit stones ×2. Both spirit stones pressed against his dantian at once. Spiritual breath collided like twin dragons, and thunderous force instantly filled his body-his abdomen cramped, and his spine felt like a bowstring drawn to its limit. Qin Yu pressed his palms together, locking his fingers at the joints. With a bang, his will twisted the two raging tides together at the center of his dantian into an embryonic breath vortex. Cold sweat soaked his clothes. The newly formed vortex was barely perceptible, yet it trembled with every breath.
High-grade spiritual pills ×6. He divided his spiritual breath into twelve fine threads, knocking open the "micro-apertures" at Jianjing, Juque, Qimen, and other points in turn. Opening each aperture felt like carving words into bone with a file-dull pain, burning pain, and numbing pain layered over one another. Three double-hours later, all twelve apertures shone. Spiritual light rippled softly across his body, the embryonic breath vortex spun with his breathing, and the first "fine stream of Spiritual Qi" appeared in his dantian.
High-grade spiritual pills ×8, mid-grade spirit stone ×1. This was the most dangerous hurdle: the embryonic breath vortex had to collapse into a core. Spiritual breath flooded backward throughout his body, and his organs felt as though they were being wrung dry. His vision briefly blackened. Qin Yu breathed with extreme slowness, "Qi sinking like the sea," silently reciting the three-word formula "draw in, refine, condense" at his chest, one breath per word, thirty-six times. The vortex shrank from the size of a fist to that of a bean. The surrounding spiritual breath gathered of its own accord, and an embryonic spiritual foundation core faintly emerged, humming like a mosquito.
High-grade spiritual pills ×9, mid-grade spirit stones ×3-all that remained. The pills became a rain of light falling through his limbs and bones, while the three spirit stones burned like three furnaces at once. Spiritual pressure surged inside the room, making the wooden beams tremble faintly. The "embryonic core" at the center of his dantian began spinning rapidly-pain spread outward in circles, as though hundreds upon thousands of fine needles were stitching his meridians. Qin Yu suddenly reined in his heart's fire and switched to "a single thread of breath," pressing all the rain of light and furnace flames into one point.
-"Humm-"
A soundless explosion. The candle in the room went out without a breath of wind. In the darkness, a wholly clear spiritual foundation the size of a fingertip floated within his dantian, breathing on its own. Spiritual Qi began flowing outward under his control. Resistance in his meridians seemed polished to silky smoothness, and his whole body felt light, as though shed of its shell.
He slowly opened his eyes and beckoned with a fingertip. A thin blue-white trail of light streaked through the air. Dust in the corner was "drawn" toward him before gently settling again-initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm, true to its name.
He let out a long breath of turbid air. The smell of blood mingled with medicinal fragrance inside the room. Raising a hand, he counted: fifty high-grade spiritual pills, eight mid-grade spirit stones, all refined across ten stages.
The pain remained-but what he had gained after that pain was new strength and a steadier foundation.
Qin Yu ended his cultivation and sat, the lake of his heart utterly still:
Even without the gray light's help, I can still climb higher.
Outside the window, the sky was faintly pale. He clenched his fist, his joints cracking crisply, as a wisp of Spiritual Qi whirled between his fingers like a newborn breeze.
Dawn glimmered, and pale golden light spilled through the window lattice as Qin Yu slowly opened his eyes. After a night of arduous cultivation, his presence was completely different from the night before. Within his dantian, the solid spiritual foundation resembled a clear crystal core, steadily breathing Spiritual Qi.
He drew a deep breath, and spiritual breath circulated freely through his body. With a slight lift of his hand, a blue-white streak shot from his fingertip, slicing through the air with the sharpness of Spiritual Qi.
Initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm.
From now on, he could release Spiritual Qi to attack. He had truly entered a new level.
Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded outside, followed by the door being pushed open.
"Holy crap!" Yang Zheng strode casually inside, but the instant he saw Qin Yu, his eyes went round, and his jaw nearly dropped in shock. "Brother Yu... you... you've actually reached initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm already?! Good heavens!"
His words were filled with astonishment and admiration. After all, for the vast majority of disciples, the path from the Mortal Fetus Realm to the Qi Condensation Realm required years, even more than a decade, of accumulation and tempering. Yet Qin Yu had crossed two major levels in just one short month!
Looking at Yang Zheng, Qin Yu could not help smiling. "Aren't you the same? Your spiritual breath looks stable. You've already broken through to initial entry into the Spirit Awakening Realm."
Yang Zheng scratched his head sheepishly, pride and modesty mingling in his eyes. "Hehe, I borrowed a little help from the spirit stones. But even so, I wouldn't dare dream of catching up to you! Brother Yu, you're simply a monster among monsters."
Qin Yu patted his shoulder, his tone gentle but firm. "The path of cultivation isn't about speed, but whether you can keep your foundation steady. Entering the Spirit Awakening Realm with steady steps is already very good."
The two exchanged a smile, their brotherly bond growing a little deeper.
Yang Zheng's eyes shone, and he was as excited as a child. Grabbing Qin Yu's arm, he spoke with undisguised impatience:
"Brother Yu, come on! Let's go wander the streets. Look, we've been outer disciples for so long, but all we've done is cultivate and take missions. We've never properly relaxed. My treat today. Let's go have a good meal!"
When he said "my treat," he deliberately puffed out his chest, his face brimming with generosity. Though he was not exactly flush with spirit stones, Yang Zheng never hesitated when it came to giving his all for a brother.
Seeing his earnest, expectant face, Qin Yu could not help laughing, warmth showing in his eyes. "You rascal... well, since you're treating, I won't stand on ceremony."
"Hahaha, of course!" Yang Zheng pumped his fist, laughing heartily. "You're my brother! I'm overjoyed that you've broken through to the Qi Condensation Realm! If I don't fill you with drink and give you a thoroughly satisfying meal today, I wouldn't be a good brother!"
Qin Yu shook his head lightly, but inwardly he reflected: In this sect, with its deceit and schemes everywhere, having a brother like Yang Zheng who treats me sincerely is the rarest opportunity of all.
Morning sunlight spilled across the broad road outside Cloud-Leveling Hall's mountain gate. Qin Yu and Yang Zheng walked side by side, following the crowd slowly into the market most frequented by outer disciples.
The scene before them dazzled the eyes.
The wide streets were paved with bluestone, their surfaces smooth and clean. Here and there, spiritual talisman patterns glimmered faintly, evidently defensive formation patterns someone had deliberately laid down. Shops stood shoulder to shoulder on either side, their red-lacquered signs bearing bold, vigorous characters: "Spirit Artifact Workshop," "Pill Fragrance Pavilion," "Spirit Talisman Studio," "Hundred Herbs Hall"... A dazzling array encompassed almost everything needed for cultivation.
People streamed endlessly through the streets, noisy but orderly. Crowds dressed in the blue robes of outer disciples were everywhere, some moving in groups, others alone. Most wore spiritual swords or short blades at their waists and walked hurriedly. Occasionally, rogue cultivator vendors from outside could be seen carrying baskets piled with freshly gathered spiritual herbs and materials from newly slain demonic beasts, loudly bargaining with shopkeepers.
Mingled scents and presences filled the air-the fresh fragrance of medicinal herbs, fluctuations of spiritual resonance from spirit stones, and the blazing heat coming from smithies. In the distance, an enormous pill furnace emitted spiritual smoke, sending out waves of fragrance that drew many disciples to stop and look.
In the middle of the street, performer-like peddlers used Spiritual Qi to animate paper kites or little wooden puppets, drawing cheers from groups of newly admitted young disciples. Occasionally, white-robed White Cloud Sect disciples passed through. Wherever they went, the surrounding crowds automatically gave them room, showing the might of this foremost sect.
Yang Zheng stared, unable to keep a broad grin off his face. "Brother Yu, this place is ten times livelier than any market I've ever seen! Just that pill fragrance makes me feel like eating one would fill my very bones with bliss."
Qin Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and surveyed his surroundings. He felt that beneath the prosperity and bustle, hidden currents also surged. Every flash of spiritual light and every collision of Spiritual Qi could mean profit and contention.
But at this moment, he and Yang Zheng were merely two people ready to give themselves a proper treat.