Chapter 4: "Significant Cultivation Increase, Officially Entering Qi Condensation Period Level 2"

Chapter 4: "Significant Cultivation Increase, Officially Entering Qi Condensation Period Level 2"

Chen Qiu lowered his head, gazing at his own legs, and his brows furrowed slightly. It seemed as if his legs were bound by an unknown force, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move a step.

"It's useless."

Seeing Chen Qiu's actions, Fat Dragon's expression was not pleasant, but he still forced himself to speak, "According to the Heavenly Dao Rules, all cultivators who enter a Mystic Realm before its entrance closes are unable to move."

"And during this time, you can't exit either. Only after the Mystic Realm's entrance closes can cultivators start moving freely. This is to ensure that all cultivators start on the same footing, preventing an advantage for those who enter the Mystic Realm first."

"But even so..."

"Entering early still gives you an advantage."

"Look over there."

Fat Dragon pointed to the four red lights soaring into the western sky, "In the Celestial Path Secret Realm, red light represents 'Heart Method' opportunities. If you're more interested in Heart Methods, head west later."

"In the east, there are three blue lights. Blue light represents 'Arts of Cultivation', whether it's defensive, offensive, or various beast-riding Arts of Cultivation, they're all blue."

"The seven 'Purple Auras' in the north will probably attract the most people later. Purple Aura represents Spirit Treasures, which are the most sought-after items for cultivators."

"Mhm."

Chen Qiu nodded in agreement. Although his acquaintance with Fat Dragon wasn't particularly pleasant, and this fat-headed man had devoured his hard-earned pork head meat and grilled pork, the information he provided was well worth the price! In this world without the internet, information was scarce.

He had never known any of this information before, and trading a bit of pork head meat for so much intelligence was definitely a worthwhile deal. From a certain perspective, Fat Dragon could be considered his benefactor.

A benefactor doesn't necessarily have to bring you great wealth and status; anyone who can guide you on your path is a benefactor.

After a brief pause, Chen Qiu pointed to the south, where a black light soared into the sky, "What's the greatest opportunity in the south, where there's only one black light?"

"Haha."

Fat Dragon's mouth twitched slightly, "Do you think the words 'black' and 'opportunity' go together? Black often indicates the presence of the strongest demonic beast in the Mystic Realm. It's best to stay away from there."

"I understand."

Chen Qiu looked towards the south, where a forest was teeming with demonic beasts. He narrowed his eyes, then looked into the distance, "The entire Microcosm is enveloped by a giant white veil. Will this veil gradually shrink?"

"You guessed it right. It's just as you thought, similar to the Battle Royale game we played before."

"That's why I'm so averse to the 'Kill' type of Celestial Path Secret Realm; the mortality rate is just too high!!!"

At this moment—

Many people had already entered the Mystic Realm one after another.

Most of them were burly men, some dressed as escorts, some as villagers, and some in sect attire, clearly disciples of certain sects. It was a gathering of all schools and sects, and everyone's faces were grim.

Of course, in this situation, it was unlikely for anyone to be smiling.

After entering the Microcosm, everyone could only stand still around the white vortex. They patiently waited, and before sunset, the Mystic Realm was filled with 100 people.

The Mystic Realm's entrance closed ahead of time.

In an instant—

Everyone suddenly felt the mysterious force binding their legs disappear, and they all regained their freedom. Immediately, everyone rushed towards the east, west, and north with all their might!

There was no fighting! Everyone tacitly conserved their strength for the final push, running with all their might. Those with high cultivation, Spirit Treasures, and Arts of Cultivation led the first group, while those with lower cultivation followed in the second group. Some with obviously low cultivation who had come to test their luck lagged behind in the third group.

Over forty people headed towards the north, where the Purple Aura representing Spirit Treasures seemed more attractive.

"What are we waiting for?"

At this moment, Fat Dragon, feeling a bit anxious, turned his head towards Chen Qiu, who was standing still, and urged, "Let's go quickly! Standing here will make us look weak. I'm at the sixth level of the Qi Condensation Stage!"

"As long as I act arrogantly later and boast about myself, they won't dare to mess with us if they don't know my background."

"Especially since we haven't obtained any treasures, they have no reason to fight us."

"But if we show weakness now, we might end up as sacrifices later!"

It must be said that in the nearly five months Fat Dragon had been in this world, he had developed a survival strategy that suited him.

However, Chen Qiu shook his head, his gaze fixed on the distance, "Leaving my life in the hands of others is too insecure. I have a better solution. Let's go south."

Only in the south were demonic beasts active.

In the south, Fat Dragon, panting heavily, waved his longsword, severely injuring another demonic beast. He then kicked the beast towards Chen Qiu before anxiously glancing at the colorful lights that kept dissipating in the distance.

Every time a colorful light vanished, it meant that a treasure had been taken by someone.

An inevitable battle would soon ensue.

Wasting energy at this moment would only make survival more challenging later.

Chen Qiu anxiously turned to Chen Ren and asked, "Brother Chen Ren, are you sure that the entry you obtained after breaking through to Qi Condensation Period Level 1 will make you stronger as long as you reach Level 2?"

"That sounds too vague!"

"Can you become stronger than a Level 6 Qi Condensation Stage cultivator?"

By now, he had sustained several injuries from the dying struggles of the demonic beasts, not life-threatening but definitely affecting his combat effectiveness and others' assessment of his strength.

"Hmm."

Chen Qiu nodded without elaborating. He took a deep breath, gripped the knife handle tightly, bent his knees slightly, and stared unblinkingly at the hungry wolf in front of him, its eyes fixed on him with murderous intent.

Unmoving, he responded to the wolf's every move.

Finally, the hungry wolf could no longer hold back. It let out a shrill cry and charged straight at him. Chen Qiu sidestepped the attack and channeled all his strength into his arms, swinging his knife in a swift motion.

Blood splattered.

With one strike, the wolf was dead, and he also slashed the dying demonic beast that Fat Dragon had kicked towards him.

Over an hour had passed since the start of the Mystic Realm. He had been fighting almost half the time he spent in this forest, and he was now exhausted. From his initial clumsy combat to now, he had gained some combat experience.

He had killed over twenty vicious beasts at the Qi Condensation Period Level 1.

These beasts were all hungry wolves, mostly at Level 1, which made it possible for him to defeat them.

Finally, the familiar panel, shrouded in mist, reappeared before him.

"Significant Cultivation Increase, Officially Enter Qi Condensation Period Level 2."

"Due to the entry 'Continuous Growth', you will obtain another entry upon this cultivation breakthrough."

"Please choose from the following three random entries within ten breaths."

1:

"Entry Name: Seize Initiative.

Entry Level: Green.

Entry Effect: When entering the Celestial Path Secret Realm, you can break free from restrictions and move freely as long as the realm's entrance remains open."

2:

"Entry Name: Alchemy Posture.

Entry Level: White.

Entry Effect: Your success rate in refining pills will slightly increase."

3:

"Entry Name: Foundation Delay.

Entry Level: Green.

Entry Effect: Your Qi Condensation Stage will be extended from the usual nine levels to twelve. After your Foundation Establishment, the Essence Energy in your dantian will be more abundant and pure compared to your peers, and your foundation establishment success rate will also be higher."

Chen Qiu took a few quick breaths and stuck his bloodstained lumberjack knife into the soil beside him. The cloth that had bound the knife handle to his right hand had long since disappeared during the battle.

He looked at the three entries on the panel, shrouded in mist and exuding a sense of charm, and after a long silence, he turned to the anxious Fat Dragon beside him and spoke softly.

"My strength has increased a little."

"But it's still not enough. If I could break through to Level 3, there would be no problem."

"Are you kidding me, my good brother?!" Fat Dragon couldn't hold back his anger. "Do you think cultivation breakthroughs are that easy? Breaking through from Level 1 to Level 3 in a single day? Do you think cultivation breakthroughs are like drinking water?"

"I've been in this world for five months, and my cultivation is only at Level 6!"

"If you want to rely solely on killing demonic beasts to gain cultivation points and break through to Level 3, you'll need to kill a Level 6 demonic beast at the very least. All the demonic beasts around here are at Level 1. Where are you going to find a Level 6 demonic beast?"

Just then—

"ROAR!!!"

A burst of violent demonic aura erupted from the depths of the forest, accompanied by a shrill howl and ground tremors. It was clear that an extremely ferocious vicious beast had awakened deep in the forest and was charging straight towards them! Judging from the intensity of the aura, its cultivation was at least Level 6, if not higher.

Chen Qiu, who had been standing still, looked down and remained silent for a while. Suddenly, he let out a soft sigh, his voice turning hoarse.

"Maybe I have the hidden entry 'Word Becomes Law'."

"Or maybe I shouldn't have stopped you in the crowd."

"Anyway—"

"We have to fight for our lives. Once these vicious beasts have locked onto us, there's no escape; we can only fight."

"I hope we win."

"I'm at Level 6, stronger than you. I'll take the front, and you find an opportunity from the side."

Chen Qiu didn't say anything further. He pulled out the knife stuck in the soil and looked towards the distant forest, where a large silver-haired wolf sovereign was charging towards them.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end