Volume 1, Chapter 7: Fourth Level of Qi Refining, Centennial Vermilion Fruit
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“Ding! Host has gifted girlfriend the Profound-level Immortal Technique ‘Falling Wind Swordsmanship,’ triggering a 100x reward, acquiring the Spiritual-level Immortal Technique ‘One Sword Across the Land.’”
“Ding! Host has gifted girlfriend a C-grade Immortal Artifact, triggering a 120x reward, acquiring a B-grade Immortal Artifact—Dragon Fetus.”
“Ding! Host has gifted girlfriend twelve first-grade Qi Refining Pills from Sword Qingyu, triggering a 30x reward, acquiring four second-grade Qi Refining Pills.”
“Ding! Host has gifted girlfriend two first-grade Healing Pills, triggering a 50x reward, acquiring one second-grade Healing Pill.”
“Ding! Host has gifted girlfriend five advanced Healing Pills, triggering a 20x reward, acquiring three first-grade Qi Refining Pills.”
“Ding! Host has gifted girlfriend one advanced Beauty Pill, triggering a 30x reward, acquiring one first-grade Beauty Pill.”
The second-grade Qi Refining Pills in Tang Xi’s hand bore two faint golden veins and emitted a delicate fragrance, their quality exceptionally high—far superior to the second-grade Qi Refining Pills exchanged from the Bronze Gate.
Suddenly, a mischievous idea to exploit a system bug flashed through Tang Xi’s mind.
“System, gift the second-grade Qi Refining Pills to Sword Qingyu.”
“Ding! Friendly reminder: items already enhanced by system rewards cannot trigger secondary rewards. Also, host, please have some dignity and abandon the idea of exploiting system bugs.”
“Tch! If it’s not allowed, it’s not allowed. Why so fierce?”
Tang Xi then swallowed the second-grade Qi Refining Pill in one gulp, circulating the Wilderness Thunder Scripture—Qi Refining Chapter—to draw out the pill’s energy.
A surging and vast energy flooded his limbs and body, and his slowly progressing realm rapidly advanced.
Qi Refining Stage Three (5%, 8%, 10%...), after ten minutes, the energy of one Qi Refining Pill was completely consumed, and his realm reached Qi Refining Stage Three (51%).
He swallowed the remaining three second-grade Qi Refining Pills in one breath.
If the previous energy flow was like a small fish coursing through his limbs and body, now it was like a whale surging through, expanding his meridians to an imposing thickness.
Yet there was no pain—a benefit of his powerful constitution. Ordinary cultivators’ meridians resemble narrow paths, but his were like grand highways.
For a typical cultivator, such an energy surge would have burst their meridians long ago.
Second-grade pills are generally used in the late Qi Refining stage for cultivation.
A quarter of an hour later, Tang Xi’s aura surged dramatically, successfully breaking through to Qi Refining Stage Four. The transformation was not over; he finally reached Qi Refining Stage Four (55%), on the verge of breaking to Stage Five.
Then, the method to cultivate the Spiritual-level Immortal Technique ‘One Sword Across the Land’ appeared in Tang Xi’s mind. Though called “One Sword,” it contained myriad transformations—countless variations.
He drew out the B-grade Immortal Artifact Dragon Fetus. The Dragon Fetus sword had a wider blade, engraved with blood dragon groove patterns, its entire body interwoven with golden and crimson hues.
Tang Xi closed his eyes; in a short time, he mastered ‘One Sword Across the Land’ effortlessly.
The chaotic sword body’s sword intent unleashed, the Dragon Fetus sword emitted a clear, crisp cry as if rejoicing.
“One Sword Across the Land~”
Tang Xi slashed out a sword; a three-zhang-long sword light intertwined with gray and blue streaked forward.
Its momentum was tremendous, evoking a hint of dread in his heart, but it struck the pillar inside the dimensional space, causing no damage.
“Within just two days, becoming a Qi Refining Stage Five cultivator—this speed would make one a genius even on Blue Star.”
“The Wilderness Thunder Scripture perfectly refines pill energy without waste. My body, enhanced by the Nine Orifices Golden Core, combined with awakening the chaotic sword body, can fully absorb and refine energy without leakage. Together, they are simply invincible.”
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“Just a few readings, and I can comprehend a Spiritual-level Immortal Technique—such aptitude is truly extraordinary.”
Tang Xi finally understood what it felt like for peerless genius cultivators.
One day of casual effort surpassing others’ half-month or even longer of hard cultivation.
Having completed all this, Tang Xi checked Sword Qingyu’s progress through the system again.
That girl had already broken through to Qi Refining Stage Six, left Great River Village, and ventured alone into the depths of the Great Wilderness seeking opportunity.
She was still relatively safe for now. Tang Xi closed the system and closed his eyes to continue cultivation.
...
The next day, Tang Xi delved deeper into the wilderness. His breakthrough gave him great confidence. Seven days remained before he had to leave the Bronze Gate; time was precious.
Immortal Dao Point +1.
Immortal Dao Point +1.
Immortal Dao Point +1.
Immortal Dao Point +50.
Immortal Dao Point +40.
...
Several hours later, Tang Xi climbed a large tree, leaning against it to rest briefly.
A faint conversation caught his attention.
He concealed his aura, and soon seven cultivators appeared not far from him.
Five men and two women.
All were in the Qi Refining stage. The leader was a slender, frail young man, likely at Qi Refining Stage Nine, late stage Qi Refining strength.
Two other men were around Qi Refining Stage Six or Seven.
The rest were at Qi Refining Stage Four or Five.
The frail young man said, “Nobody is allowed to leak the news of the Century-Old Vermilion Fruit. If anyone does, don’t blame me for turning hostile. That single Century-Old Vermilion Fruit is enough to help me breakthrough Foundation Establishment and become a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Follow me, and you won’t be shortchanged.”
The others responded in agreement, too afraid to object.
After they left, Tang Xi’s expression shifted slightly. “Century-Old Vermilion Fruit—that’s a treasure! Not only is its energy abundant, it can help shatter realms. Its value is priceless. Rare heavenly materials and treasures belong to those fated to possess them. Perhaps I am that destined one.”
...
The Black Crow Mountain Range was named for the many fierce black crow beasts that inhabited it.
Lin Yi and his companions arrived at a concealed cave entrance, carefully preserving the dense vines covering it.
They cautiously parted the vines and entered the cave.
After advancing about five hundred meters, the temperature suddenly rose. Before them lay a pool of red magma about dozens of square meters in size. At its center grew a crimson grass bearing a red fruit the size of a duck egg, with red energy flowing through the fruit’s stalk to the fruit itself.
The entire cave was filled with a strange fragrance, growing more intense—the fruit’s ripening was imminent.
“Boss, the Vermilion Fruit absorbs the blazing sun’s power from the bottom of the magma. Judging by this, it’s about to mature.”
Lin Yi replied, “Indeed. But there’s still something more important. Compared to human cultivators, fierce beasts are even more sensitive to rare treasures. This Vermilion Fruit must be guarded by a fierce beast.”
He stepped forward and slashed toward the magma.
Bubbles appeared in the magma as a red magma frog, about ten meters in size, leapt out, glaring viciously at them.
“A First-Rank Peak Magma Frog, comparable to a Qi Refining Stage Nine cultivator. It’s thinking the same as me—trying to use the Vermilion Fruit to breakthrough. Everyone, attack the magma frog with full force but be careful not to damage the fruit.”
Lin Yi, at Qi Refining Stage Nine, restrained his full power to avoid collapsing the cave.
The group launched attacks, angering the low-intelligence magma frog and driving it out of the cave.
“Du Feng, Shang Qi, you two are the weakest. Guard the entrance and immediately report if strangers approach.”
Du Feng and Shang Qi, both Qi Refining Stage Three, took their posts but were ineffective in battle.
Just as they settled, a light breeze passed, and both suddenly rolled their eyes and collapsed unconscious at the cave entrance.
Tang Xi emerged from the shadows. He did not kill them, only knocked them unconscious.
Entering the cave, the Vermilion Fruit at the magma’s center emitted a fierce red light. The grass stalk withered rapidly, leaving only the crimson fruit atop, exuding a strange fragrance.
Tang Xi quickly retreated, took a running start, leapt onto the withered stalk, plucked the Vermilion Fruit, and stored it in his system space.
He then swiftly left the cave, the entire process surprisingly smooth.
He tossed the unconscious guards back into the cave.
Having completed his deed, he departed lightly, leaving his feats unrevealed.
...
Minutes later, Lin Yi and his group returned to the cave entrance. Not seeing Du Feng and Shang Qi, they felt uneasy.
Inside, the Vermilion Fruit was gone, their eyes bloodshot with rage.
“Who dares to snatch food from me, Lin Yi? If I catch you, don’t blame me for being merciless.”
“Wake those two up immediately.”
...
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