Nineteen days remained.
The Spirit Vein Trial Grounds opened at dawn.
Azure Flame Mountain was not just stone and forest — beneath it flowed a minor Spirit Vein, a concentrated river of Spirit Qi buried deep within the earth. Only during specific trial periods were outer disciples allowed access to the outermost chambers near it.
Lin Xuan stood at the base of the inner mountain steps.
Su Yueqing stood a few paces ahead of him.
She had broken through to Ninth Layer two years ago and had stabilized her realm thoroughly. Her sword aura was sharper than before.
She turned slightly.
"You're entering too?"
"Yes."
Her gaze lingered on him longer than usual.
"You nearly condensed Qi mid-fight."
"You noticed."
She nodded once.
"That was reckless."
He smiled faintly. "It almost worked."
Her lips pressed together slightly.
That was the closest thing to disapproval he had seen from her.
But behind it—
Concern.
The gates opened.
Ten outer disciples were allowed entry.
The moment Lin Xuan stepped inside the trial cavern, he felt it.
The difference.
Spirit Qi density was at least three times greater than outer caves.
The air itself vibrated faintly.
Inside his mind—
[Simplification Panel]
[User: Lin Xuan][Realm: Body Tempering — Ninth Layer (Peak)][Days Until Inner Sect Evaluation: 19]
[Qi Condensation Progress: 18%]
[Basic Qi Circulation Method][Grade: Mid Mortal][Perfection 241/1000]
He sat cross-legged.
Breathing slowed.
He activated full circulation.
Qi flooded into his meridians like a rushing tide.
[Basic Qi Circulation Method +32 EXP][Perfection 273/1000]
He focused inward.
Condensation was not simple absorption.
It required compressing gaseous Spirit Qi into liquid form within the dantian.
He visualized nothing complex.
Just pressure.
Compression.
Reduction.
The system did not simplify realm breakthroughs directly.
But simplified breathing made the process cleaner.
Hours passed.
Qi accumulated.
Inside—
[Qi Condensation Progress: 24%][28%][31%]
Sweat formed along his brow.
Internal pressure grew heavier.
Across the cavern, Su Yueqing opened her eyes briefly and glanced at him.
His aura was unstable.
She stood and moved closer, stopping a few meters away.
"If you lose control, withdraw," she said calmly.
"I won't," he replied.
She hesitated.
Then remained where she was.
Guarding.
Two days passed inside the trial grounds.
Sixteen days remained.
Lin Xuan's panel updated again.
[Basic Qi Circulation Method — Perfection 600/1000]
[Qi Condensation Progress: 49%]
Halfway.
But something was missing.
Density.
Even here, Qi thinned slightly during peak hours as other disciples absorbed simultaneously.
He opened his eyes.
Su Yueqing sat nearby, cultivating quietly.
"Why are you not pushing for Qi Gathering?" he asked.
She did not open her eyes.
"I can break through anytime."
"Then why wait?"
Silence.
After a moment, she spoke softly.
"I don't want a flawed condensation."
He understood.
If Qi was unstable during first condensation, future meridian expansion would suffer.
Rushing was dangerous.
He looked at her profile.
Calm.
Controlled.
He closed his eyes again.
Perhaps—
He could simplify something else.
Inside his panel, he selected Basic Qi Circulation Method.
[Basic Qi Circulation Method]
[Grade: Mid Mortal]
[Perfection 600/1000]
[Simplify Further?]
[Cost: 20 Gold or 1 Spirit Stone]
He froze slightly.
Further simplification required resource payment.
He had no Spirit Stones left.
But he did have gold.
He selected 20 Gold.
[Further Simplification Initiated]
[Optimizing compression rhythm…]
[Reducing internal resistance…]
[Simplification Complete]
New Training Condition:Breathe → Compress → Hold.
He inhaled.
Compressed.
Held.
Spirit Qi in his dantian tightened more efficiently.
[Qi Condensation Progress: 53%]
Faster.
Much faster.
Su Yueqing opened her eyes slightly.
"You changed rhythm."
"Yes."
She watched him for several breaths.
"You're dangerous."
He smiled faintly without opening his eyes.
"Only efficient."
Three more days passed.
Thirteen days remained.
[Qi Condensation Progress: 74%]
His dantian felt heavy.
Compressed.
Liquid sensation forming.
But unstable.
He needed one final push.
Outside the cavern, a disturbance echoed.
Shouting.
Combat sounds.
Su Yueqing stood immediately.
"Rogue cultivators."
Lin Xuan opened his eyes.
The rogue Ninth Layer from the mine.
He felt it.
The aura.
They had followed the Spirit Vein opening.
Ambushing outer disciples during cultivation.
The cavern entrance erupted as three rogue cultivators forced entry.
Two Ninth Layer.
One… different.
Stronger.
Half-step Qi Gathering.
The air trembled.
Outer disciples panicked.
Su Yueqing drew her sword instantly.
Her sword aura sliced the air cleanly.
Lin Xuan stood slowly.
Inside his mind—
[Qi Condensation Progress: 74%]
If he broke through now—
He would destabilize.
If he didn't—
He would die.
The half-step rogue smiled coldly.
"Kill them. Take the trial chamber."
Combat erupted instantly.
Su Yueqing engaged one Ninth Layer.
Zhao Liang, who had entered separately, intercepted another.
The half-step Qi Gathering rogue moved toward Lin Xuan.
Pressure crushed down like a mountain.
"You're the one who killed my men."
Lin Xuan did not answer.
He ignited flame.
But he did not attack.
He inhaled.
Compressed.
Held.
Qi surged violently inward.
The rogue attacked.
Blade descending.
Lin Xuan raised his palm.
Black Vein Crushing Palm activated instinctively.
[Black Vein Crushing Palm +88 EXP]
The impact staggered the rogue slightly.
But realm difference was real.
Lin Xuan coughed blood.
He stepped back.
Inhaled again.
Compressed.
Held.
The rogue lunged again.
Sword descending toward his chest—
At that moment—
Su Yueqing appeared between them.
Her sword intercepted.
Flame and sword aura collided violently.
She pushed the rogue back three steps.
"You're not ready," she said without looking at Lin Xuan.
He stared at her back.
Then closed his eyes.
No more hesitation.
Full compression.
He inhaled deeply.
Spirit Qi rushed inward.
He forced every strand into the dantian.
Pain exploded.
His organs screamed.
The barrier—
Cracked.
Shattered.
Liquid formed.
A drop.
Then two.
Then a small pool.
[Realm Breakthrough]
[Qi Gathering — First Stage]
[Liquid Spirit Qi Formed]
[Combat Output Increased Significantly]
His eyes opened slowly.
The world felt different.
Clearer.
Sharper.
Spirit Qi no longer just flowed.
It responded.
The rogue half-step Qi Gathering turned toward him.
Surprise flashed across his face.
Lin Xuan stepped forward.
Flame ignited—
Not from friction.
But from condensed liquid Qi.
The temperature was deeper.
Denser.
He slashed once.
The rogue blocked.
The impact sent shockwaves through the cavern.
Second slash.
Palm strike.
Compressed Qi detonated internally.
The rogue staggered violently.
Zhao Liang finished his opponent.
Su Yueqing cut down the last Ninth Layer rogue.
The half-step rogue attempted retreat.
Lin Xuan moved faster than before.
Qi Gathering speed was different.
He appeared behind the rogue.
Palm pressed.
Internal force exploded.
The rogue collapsed.
Silence returned.
Inside the cavern—
All eyes turned to Lin Xuan.
Qi Gathering.
Outer disciple.
With thirteen days remaining.
Su Yueqing looked at him quietly.
Then said softly—
"You did it."
There was no envy in her voice.
Only acknowledgment.
And something warmer.
He looked at her.
"You helped."
She shook her head.
"You would have broken through anyway."
He smiled faintly.
Perhaps.
But not without risk.
Inside his panel—
[User: Lin Xuan]
[Realm: Qi Gathering — First Stage]
[Days Until Inner Sect Evaluation: 13]
All Mortal techniques gained power amplification.