With the aid of Sun-Ginseng Honey and Fire Spirit Tempering Honey, Qi Ping's spiritual power and physical strength climbed steadily!
It had only been a month since Qi Ping reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement through his moment of enlightenment. Now, within that same month, his realm was already brushing against the barrier of the seventh level. His physical strength had likewise met the standards required for the promotion.
'Sun-Ginseng Honey is truly the perfect supplement for the Wood-Flame Manual!'
Having experienced the immense boost the honey provided to his cultivation, Qi Ping finally understood why the supplementary medicines for many high-level techniques were so prohibitively expensive. With honey that contained both wood and fire spiritual energy, his progress could only be described as soaring. Especially with the support of his Sun-Fire Physique, his refinement speed was breathtaking.
This was how he had managed to reach the cusp of the late stage of Qi Refinement in a mere month. Qi Ping also knew he owed a debt to his previous enlightenment; after reaching the sixth level, his foundation had become exceptionally stable, and the circulation of his spiritual power was as natural as breathing. Combined with the constant tempering of his body by the Fire Spirit Tempering Honey, his growth was inevitable.
With first-rank, mid-grade Fire Spirit Grass and Blood Ginseng as the foundation for the honey, Qi Ping's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. He did not need to worry about his spiritual power being hollow, nor did he fear his body being unable to withstand the strain.
"It is time to break through!"
Qi Ping, sitting beneath an ancient pine tree that had stood for thousands of years, felt his aura surge violently. He opened eyes filled with joy and excitement, consumed another portion of Sun-Ginseng Honey, and began a frantic refinement process.
A massive amount of spiritual energy was refined and absorbed by the Wood-Flame Manual, transforming into the force Qi Ping needed to shatter the barrier to the late stage. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth swirled around him, pouring into his body in a relentless tide. As the manual refined more energy, the spiritual pressure accumulating around him grew heavier. Anyone standing nearby would have felt the raw, explosive power building within him.
Finally, the spiritual power reached a critical mass.
"Now!"
Sensing the perfect moment, Qi Ping did not hesitate. He launched a decisive charge at the barrier of the seventh level!
Once! Only once!
The barrier of the late stage of Qi Refinement was shattered like dry bamboo! Qi Ping's aura exploded, officially stepping into the seventh level!
"I broke through just like that?"
Qi Ping was surprised by how smoothly the breakthrough had gone. However, he quickly suppressed his joy, calming his mind to fully experience the differences of the seventh level and to stabilize his new realm as quickly as possible. A powerful suction force emanated from him once more, pulling the surrounding spiritual energy into his body. After a long while, his aura finally stilled, firmly anchored at the seventh level.
"I have finally reached it! The seventh level of Qi Refinement!"
Once his cultivation was secure, Qi Ping no longer suppressed his delight. He had finally reached the late stage! With this cultivation alone, he could no longer be considered weak in Qingshi County. Since the number of Foundation Establishment experts in the three major families could be counted on one hand, late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators were the true backbone of the county's power structure.
This realm was a massive hurdle. Even Boss Gao and Manager Zhu, whom Qi Ping knew well, were still stuck at the sixth level. This breakthrough highlighted the growing edge of Qi Ping's talent. Although it was supported by the stability of enlightenment, an ample supply of honey, the Sun-Fire Physique, and high soul strength, it did not diminish the brilliance of his achievement.
At his age, reaching the seventh level gave him the qualifications to join the Qingyuan Sect. However, since learning that a disciple of the Sky-Fire Pavilion had entered Qingshi County, Qi Ping had temporarily abandoned the idea. With the Evil Devotee Alliance and the Sky-Fire Pavilion involved, who knew how many other powers were lurking in the shadows? In such a bizarre situation, any power could be wiped out in an instant.
He had personally seen that green-robed woman, an inner disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, suffer heavy injuries on her own territory. Joining a sect now would be like lighting a lamp in a latrine—you were just looking for a messy end. Most likely, a new disciple joining at such a time would be treated as nothing more than cannon fodder.
Until the situation stabilized, Qi Ping would not easily join any organization. He would try to find other ways to obtain Foundation Establishment techniques and cultivation knowledge. Only when he had made full preparations would he reconsider.
'Looking at the current situation, many people are going to die. It's better to wait until the dust settles and the talents have been thinned out before making a choice.'
'I won't be as close to the sect as those who suffered with them, but at least I won't be the first to fall. I can avoid the risk of being targeted and killed because I backed the wrong horse.'
'The final winner will likely take everything, and the competition for resources will be less fierce then. It shouldn't be hard to get some non-core techniques and resources, as long as they can support my foundation.'
Qi Ping had little interest in external power struggles. He only wanted to farm and cultivate in peace. He was more concerned with his physical state than social status.
'My spiritual power has increased significantly, and my body is much stronger. Most importantly, my vitality and lifespan have blossomed. Compared to this, being a mortal was like being covered in filth and sickness.'
Feeling his superior physical condition and his extended lifespan, Qi Ping's joy was peerless. For him, this sensation was intoxicating. It was no wonder that cultivators looked down on mortals; compared to a female cultivator, a mortal woman was vastly inferior in charm and vitality.
After stabilizing his breakthrough, Qi Ping continued to practice and sense the Barkskin skill. He used the power of the seventh level to familiarize himself with his new strength while pushing the skill level higher. Currently, he lacked diverse offensive methods, but he didn't care—his own attacks were far weaker than his animal companions anyway.
He wanted to reach a level of mastery where he could defend against any attack. His Barkskin was already level 4, making its defensive power superior to many spells he knew. With his proficiency panel, he could constantly adjust his comprehension. He believed that one day, he could turn Barkskin into a divine ability. As long as he survived, anything was possible.
Once he was comfortable with the seventh level, Qi Ping used the spirit stones from the black-robed talisman cultivator to rent plot twenty-eight in District B. This cost him five hundred and eighty-eight spirit stones. Now, both of these secluded plots deep in the Cloud-Mist Mountain Range were in his hands.
"From now on, this is my private sanctuary!"
He told Manager Zhu a lie about the source of the spirit stones. He didn't care if the man believed it; according to his understanding, Manager Zhu wouldn't cause trouble and might even help keep the secret. More importantly, this amount of spirit stones would at most attract Qi Refinement enemies, who posed no threat to him.
He also paid a visit to Sister Nan and brought her two bottles of honey. Now that he had both plots and had used Plant Growth to raise a batch of Hundred-Spirit Grass, he had a surplus. Returning the favor to Sister Nan, who had helped him when he was weak, was essential for his peace of mind.
Upon returning to Peak 29, Qi Ping immediately set the bees to work on Peak 28. Every day wasted was spirit stones lost! He himself began researching how to brew Hundred-Spirit Honey for sale. The first batch of grass would be mature in less than a month, and he needed a marketable recipe by then to turn his harvest into wealth.