"Now… I have entered the first stage of Qi Condensation… and this power feels extraordinary." Wu Tian allowed himself a quiet moment of satisfaction. His body had grown sturdier, and the qi within him surged more abundantly and powerfully than ever before.
Gazing at the plaque in his hand, he saw the number 10—signifying that roughly twenty days had passed since he began this stage of cultivation.
Rising from his bed, Wu Tian resolved to temper his newfound strength through combat.
At the Qi Condensation stage, a cultivator must refine the qi within their body, condensing it until it becomes stable and formidable. The most effective way to achieve this, of course, was through battle. Moreover, he needed to adapt to this new power, to let it harmonize with his very being.
Wu Tian made his way swiftly to the Medicine Cloud Pavilion. As before, Lu Qingyao greeted him at the entrance.
Her eyes met his briefly—just a flicker—but they widened instantly. She was startled to see that Wu Tian had broken into Qi Condensation, and more surprisingly, that his foundation was exceptionally solid.
The difference between a stable foundation and a weak one was immediately obvious to an experienced cultivator. A solid foundation exuded qi that flowed evenly, in rhythm, without leaking beyond the body. Its meridians were pristine, orderly, resonating with the natural cadence of life energy. In contrast, a weak foundation betrayed unstable, wavering qi, prone to escape uncontrollably—clear evidence that the cultivator had forced their ascent.
"Congratulations, Sir , on advancing into the Qi Condensation realm," Lu Qingyao said softly, bowing slightly. A trace of nervousness lingered in her voice.
Wu Tian cast her a cursory glance, analyzing her aura. Sixth level Qi Condensation, he mused silently.
It did not surprise him. It was common for cultivators in the mid to upper Qi Condensation stages to serve in various pavilions or branch sects.
Previously, Wu Tian had assumed Lu Qingyao was a hidden expert disguised as a servant simply due to her striking beauty. Now, however, he could be certain—her cultivation was not concealed.
A cultivator who suppressed their power exuded a dense, stable aura, a sense of foundation that belied their level. Lu Qingyao's qi, however, appeared weak and unsteady, like someone who had just broken through and had yet to adapt.
Nonetheless… Lu Qingyao remained an exquisite presence, like matcha poured over polished porcelain.
Wu Tian placed his list of herbs on her table. "Thank you, Miss Lu. Today, I would like to purchase several spirit-grade herbs," he said calmly.
"Qi Recovery Pill, five. Stamina Pill, three. Healing Herb, ten. Poison Antidote Pill, two. Strength Enhancement Pill, two."
Lu Qingyao took the list, pausing for a moment. Her eyes sparkled as she began calculating the cost using low-grade spiritual stones—but now, she realized these were Qi Condensation-level herbs, not the standard Foundation-grade pills.
"Very well, Sir ," she said, beginning her tally.
"Qi Recovery Pill, five, at 200 spiritual stones each—total 1,000.
Stamina Pill, three, 150 each—total 450.
Healing Herb, ten, 80 each—total 800.
Poison Antidote Pill, two, 300 each—total 600.
Strength Enhancement Pill, two, 400 each—total 800."
"In total, 3,650 low-grade spiritual stones. All of these are spirit-grade suitable for Qi Condensation cultivators, of course," Lu Qingyao explained, her gaze steady on Wu Tian.
Wu Tian nodded slightly and produced 400 mid-grade spiritual stones. "As always… keep the change for yourselves," he said, his tone calm.
Several servants went to prepare the ordered pills, leaving only Wu Tian and Lu Qingyao. A fleeting silence settled over the pavilion, making Lu Qingyao feel inexplicably nervous. Her gaze drifted toward him, and whenever Wu Tian looked her way, she quickly turned her face aside.
Soon, the servants returned, handing over the bags containing the herbs. As always, Wu Tian retrieved them with ease, then turned and left the pavilion, his steps calm but resolute.
POV Lu Qingyao
"So, Qingyao, are you going to have dinner tonight?" a servant teased.
"Indeed… that young man is talented and wealthy, not to mention generous. I've already approved him as my brother-in-law," another chimed in, smiling mischievously.
"Brother-in-law?!" Lu Qingyao blurted in embarrassment. "He hasn't even invited me to dinner… perhaps he forgot."
Though relieved inwardly, she could not fully hide a touch of disappointment.
"All men… they flirt but shirk responsibility," Lu Qingyao muttered, slightly exasperated.
"Really? I left so you two could have space," another servant teased.
"Oh, so that's why you left… though one person would have sufficed to prepare the herbs," Lu Qingyao countered, flashing a teasing glare.
Unable to withstand her piercing look, the servant quickly shifted the topic.
"By the way, how does he look? Is he handsome? What about his origins?"
The other servant interjected, "What are you talking about? He's the perfect brother-in-law… and a hero whose origins are beyond question."
The two continued their gossip about Wu Tian.
Lu Qingyao ignored them, though a spark of curiosity lingered about his origins. In her eyes, he resembled a wealthy young master who spent his fortune freely. 'I hope we meet again someday… so I can see his face more clearly,' she thought.
POV Wu Tian
Leaving the Medicine Cloud Pavilion, Wu Tian hurried toward the forest to hunt demonic beasts. He had wished to invite Lu Qingyao to dinner tonight, but one problem remained.
Within his Storage Ring, Wu Tian kept:
Foundation-stage sword
Various Foundation-grade herbs
Soul Reaver sword
Ice talisman (capable of harming Golden Core cultivators)
40 high-grade spiritual stones
124 mid-grade spiritual stones
2,540 low-grade spiritual stones obtained from looting previous youths
Though forty high-grade spiritual stones were significant, Wu Tian preferred to have at least 100 on hand for safety.
When expelled from the Wu clan, he had left hastily, bringing only a small portion of his wealth and leaving most behind. In recent days, he had squandered what remained, and soon all his spiritual stones would be depleted. He needed to gather as many as possible, and fast.