Chapter 33: Qi Refinement Layer Five
Chapter 33: Qi Refinement Layer Five
As Chu Ning activated the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art, he immediately felt a surge of abundant spiritual energy emanating from the spirit stone.
The abundance of spiritual energy far exceeded that of the Green Wood Spring Art.
"As expected of a spirit stone, its effects are truly extraordinary," he marveled inwardly. With focused intent, he immersed himself fully in the cultivation technique.
The spirit stone's spiritual essence rapidly flowed into Chu Ning's body, and its ethereal luster quickly faded.
Eventually, he sensed that he had absorbed all the spiritual energy the spirit stone had to offer.
Prepared for this moment, he began drawing spiritual energy from the second spirit stone clutched in his left hand.
As the energy from this stone was also about to be depleted, the fourth layer of Qi in his dantian reached its peak, and the fifth layer of Qi slowly formed.
He continued to cultivate, solidifying his newfound realm.
After some time, Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes. The spirit stones in his hands had turned to powder.
"Qi Refinement Layer Five!" he exclaimed, sensing the changes in the depths of his mind and smiling faintly.
Green Wood Eternal Spring Art (Low-Tier Yellow Grade), Second Layer (201/900)
Just as he had thought, the proficiency required for the second layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art was not evenly distributed across the three sub-realms of the Qi Refinement Mid Stage.
His proficiency in the art had now surpassed 200.
Furthermore, his cultivation had successfully advanced from Qi Refinement Layer Four to Qi Refinement Layer Five.
"If I continue along this line of reasoning, breaking through Qi Refinement Layer Five would likely require an additional 300 proficiency points in the second layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art, bringing it to a total of 500.
And to advance beyond Qi Refinement Layer Six and reach the Qi Refinement Late Stage, I'd need to add another 400 proficiency points.
Indeed, each layer becomes increasingly more challenging."
As Chu Ning came to this realization, he also gained a rough understanding of the effects of cultivating with spirit stones.
Three spirit stones had increased his proficiency by 3 points, which was equivalent to about two to three days of cultivation using the Green Wood Spring Art.
However, this comparison was based on the assistance provided by the art.
If he were to cultivate normally, it would likely take over ten days to achieve the same results.
"While cultivating with spirit stones does speed up the process, the cost is certainly not something that can be easily borne," Chu Ning thought, shaking his head inwardly.
Even with his newfound ability to craft talismans, sustaining this method of cultivation would be a strain, let alone for other ordinary outer disciples.
"If I want more spirit stones, I'll have to sell these talismans," he mused. "These talismans are currently the most valuable items I possess."
Chu Ning contemplated his options for selling the talismans. Essentially, he had two choices: hand them over to the sect for spirit stones or sell them in the market.
He decided to do both.
After all, the sect offered slightly higher prices, and he could typically exchange 55 talismans for one spirit stone.
In the market, on the other hand, it often took 60 talismans to obtain a single spirit stone.
However, he couldn't turn in all the talismans to the sect, as that would reveal that he had concealed his previous earnings. Thus, he needed to sell a portion of them in the market as well.
Speaking of which, he had recently taken the opportunity to subtly question Zhuang Yunde and Qiu Shunyi about incidents of cultivator robberies in the market.
But, according to their responses, no such occurrences had taken place.
Chu Ning then concluded that his encounter with the bearded man was likely just a coincidence, and that he had happened to be targeted by the man during that period.
Nevertheless, Chu Ning remained resolute. If he were to venture out, he would do so with caution and always in the company of others.
He wasn't sure when Zhuang Yunde would visit next.
Recalling that as a recommended menial disciple, he would have certain opportunities to venture into the outer sect, Chu Ning decided to take the initiative and seek out the latter.
Sorting through the talismans, Chu Ning first set aside 3,500 talismans, which he intended to submit to the sect, into a cloth bag.
He then took a smaller cloth bag and filled it with 2,050 talismans.
Out of these, 550 talismans were meant as Zhuang Yunde's share, and the rest he planned to see if the sect would be willing to purchase.
After setting aside 5,550 talismans, Chu Ning placed the remaining 5,250 talismans into another cloth bag and hid it securely in a cabinet in his room.
Having completed these tasks, Chu Ning made up his mind to procure a storage bag.
With his possessions increasing, he felt insecure leaving them in his room and not carrying them with him.
Carrying the large and small cloth bags, Chu Ning left the courtyard and headed towards the outer sect located deeper within the mountain.
As it happened, this was the first time Chu Ning had proactively ventured to the outer sect to look for Zhuang Yunde.
He walked for quite some time from the Spirit Plant Quarter towards the inner mountain before finally arriving at the entrance of the Qingxi Sect's outer sect. Chu Ning paused, taking in his surroundings.
Although he and the others were technically disciples of the Qingxi Sect, residing within the sect's mountain gates, they did not have the qualifications to enter the inner areas where the outer sect disciples lived.
Zhuang Yunde, as an outer sect disciple, was privileged to dwell within these exclusive quarters.
Chu Ning's arrival immediately caught the attention of a disciple on duty at the outer sect entrance. Noticing Chu Ning's menial disciple attire, the disciple, of medium build and carrying a hint of arrogance in his eyes, demanded:
"Who are you? What are you doing here at the outer sect?"
Chu Ning perceived the disdain in the disciple's eyes but maintained a neutral expression, bowing slightly.
"Greetings, Senior Brother. I am Chu Ning from the Spirit Plant Quarter of the menial disciples group. I'm here to find Brother Zhuang Yunde, an executive disciple, to submit our harvest."
"Submit your harvest? Don't they usually come to collect it from you?" The disciple who had spoken earlier furrowed his brows, seemingly skeptical of Chu Ning's words.
Not wanting to divulge too many details, Chu Ning replied vaguely, "I was recommended to study at the Hall of Hundred Crafts, so I'm a bit late in submitting my harvest."
As he spoke, Chu Ning presented his identity token.
Hearing Chu Ning's explanation, the disciple took the token with a hesitant expression.
After verifying the token's authenticity, he waved his hand, signaling for Chu Ning to enter the outer sect.
And so, for the first time, Chu Ning stepped into the exclusive domain of the outer sect disciples.
"As expected, this is where the outer sect disciples reside. The cultivation resources here are indeed superior!"
As soon as he entered, he immediately sensed the denser spiritual energy in the air, prompting an inward exclamation.
However, Chu Ning also realized that the spiritual energy here, though richer, was still not as concentrated as when he had harnessed the power of the Ink Spirit Bamboo to cultivate the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art. Thus, he didn't feel overly envious.
After briefly soaking in the atmosphere, Chu Ning lowered his head slightly and quickened his pace towards the direction where Zhuang Yunde had said he lived.
As a menial disciple, he was an insignificant figure within the sect. However, as a menial disciple venturing into the outer sect, he stood out a little more than usual.
Chu Ning didn't want to accidentally offend any outer sect disciples and bring trouble upon himself.
Unfortunately, his attempt at keeping a low profile didn't yield the desired effect.
As he walked, just when he was about to reach Zhuang Yunde's residence, a delicate and coquettish voice called out to him.
"Hey, wait up, Junior Brother."
(End of Chapter)
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