Chapter 44: Breakthrough to the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation

Chapter 44: Breakthrough to the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation (4,000-Word Chapter – Continued Support Appreciated!)

Lately, Xiao Chen had been cultivating diligently, bringing him to the threshold of the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation.

Combined with the effects of drinking moonlit spring wine for the first time, this breakthrough had finally occurred.

Naturally, advancing one’s cultivation realm was always a cause for celebration.

After familiarizing himself with his newly expanded spirit energy and stabilizing his cultivation, Xiao Chen opened the Luotian Threefold True Cultivation Method to begin studying a new technique.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The sect’s disciples had mostly returned home or entered retreat for cultivation, leaving the practice halls naturally closed.

Early one morning by a secluded riverside, a flock of fire ravens circled in the air, alternately forming the characters “big” and “field.”

This was Xiao Chen practicing the Luotian Xuan Fire Raven secret technique by the riverbank.

This technique was relatively straightforward, divided into three stages: beginner’s entry, minor mastery, and grand mastery.

Once a cultivator achieved beginner’s entry, they could summon a fire raven about a foot long, as obedient as an extended limb, capable of spewing flames to aid in combat.

At the minor mastery stage, ten fire ravens could be summoned to form a small formation, unleashing torrents of toxic black flame to scorch enemies.

However, Xiao Chen discovered that due to the enhancement from his hex techniques, he could already summon ten fire ravens despite just reaching the beginner’s entry stage.

Right now, he was attempting multitasking to command the ravens into formation.

Initially, he struggled, managing only crude arrangements, but gradually grew more adept.

By afternoon, a burst of pitch-black flame erupted violently, scorching the ground across several zhang and boiling the river water within a zhang radius. Two unfortunate fish swimming by were instantly cooked alive.

“Darn, I forgot to bring salt,” Xiao Chen muttered, eyeing one two-inch grass carp with mild regret.

At that moment of distraction, his formation instantly collapsed.

Two fire ravens collided midair, exploding into a fiery orb that scattered like fireworks into countless sparks before vanishing.

After all, he had yet to truly master the Xuan Fire Ravens, remaining stuck at the beginner's stage. Without full concentration, maintaining the formation was impossible.

Still, this result was impressive.

With these ten fire ravens, he no longer needed to rely on basic fireball techniques in battle.

After re-summoning the ravens for additional practice, he returned to Azure Water Peak at dusk.

Yet before even reaching the mountain path, he spotted Steward Chen waiting at the foot of the hill, clearly anticipating someone.

Seeing Xiao Chen approach, the steward hurried forward first: “Where have you been during this New Year’s period? I’ve finally waited for you. Come, I’ll take you home for the festivities.”

Xiao Chen blinked in surprise: “Go home for the New Year? Manager, what do you mean?”

Steward Chen frowned slightly: “I already said last time—since you’ve taken Third Uncle as your master, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Xiao Chen corrected himself: “Elder Brother Zhi’an, what I mean is—why are you here?”

Chen Zhi’an gripped his arm: “You’re Third Uncle’s disciple, which makes us family. How could we leave you alone on the mountain? Of course I came to take you home for the New Year. Surely you don’t have much to pack on the mountain? If not, let’s go now.”

Xiao Chen tried to refuse: “Elder Brother Zhi’an, I’ve already gotten used to being alone. I’m fine as I am…”

But Chen Zhi’an tightened his grip: “No way. Third Uncle drove me out at noon already. If I return without you, I won’t be allowed back either.”

“Xiao Chen, just help me out—let’s say you’re doing me a favor. Please come for the sake of my New Year’s feast.”

“Alright then.”

With such heartfelt pleading, Xiao Chen couldn’t very well refuse. Nodding, he followed Steward Chen to the Chen family estate.

Passing through three grand gates, they reached an arched gateway where Steward Chen said: “I’ll check the back courtyard for any matters. You go ahead and rest in the back garden until dinner.”

“Everyone here is family—no need to be formal. Just sit anywhere comfortably.”

Shunshu slapped his thigh. “Goodness gracious! Master Xiao looks so young, yet he’s already an Inner Sect disciple. Truly a prodigy in his prime!”

The young man sitting beside him, Ping, hurriedly lifted his wine pot to pour a drink. “So you’re Chen Brother! Here, let me toast you first.”

Suddenly, Xiao Chen—who had been as inconspicuous as a speck of dust—became the center of attention at the table, with everyone raising their cups to him.

They began prying curiously, “Chen Brother must be one of the top Inner Sect disciples, right? I wonder how many spirit stones you earn a month!”

Xiao Chen waved a hand modestly. “Not at all. I just joined the Inner Sect recently. I only make a pittance each month.”

Shunshu, ever experienced, raised a finger knowingly. “I know how it works! Inner Sect disciples don’t have to lift a finger, and they still get five spirit stones a month. But someone like Master Xiao—a rare talent—must have other sources of income. At minimum, twenty spirit stones?”

Ange, the street vendor, widened his eyes in shock. “Blimey, that’s two years’ worth of my earnings!”

Ping interjected excitedly, “I bet it’s even more! Chen Brother’s Flying Sword isn’t ordinary. I’ve seen hundreds at the bazaar, but only Treasure Pavilion sells blades with such fine craftsmanship.”

“This Flying Sword alone must be worth two hundred spirit stones! I’d wager Chen Brother makes fifty a month! Am I close?”

The moment he spoke, the entire table fell silent. Even diners at neighboring tables turned their heads at the mention of “fifty spirit stones.”

Fifty didn’t sound like much, but in reality, at least half the people in this garden struggled to earn twenty spirit stones a year—barely more than servant disciples. Scores of solitary cultivators counted every grain of spirit sand to survive.

Ange stared at Xiao Chen in disbelief. He’d been running his stall for a decade, and his best year had only netted thirty-odd spirit stones. Could this young man truly be that exceptional?

Shunshu, though no expert on Flying Swords, instinctively doubted it. If Xiao Chen had joined the Inner Sect just months ago, how could he afford a two-hundred-stone blade? Impossible! The only explanation was family wealth.

Wait—but that didn’t add up either. If he were from a rich clan, why would he be here? Shunshu’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“Hmm… your guess isn’t far off,” Xiao Chen said after a pause, deciding to downplay it. Whether they interpreted “not far off” as fifty or something else, he’d leave it vague.

The table erupted in gasps anyway.

Shunshu sighed, “Master Xiao, in my life I’ve met thousands—clan elders, even Foundation-Stage cultivators. But someone your age making over forty spirit stones a month? I’ve only heard rumors about such people.”

Ange’s eyes gleamed with envy. “I wonder if I’ll ever earn that much. These days, I handle hundreds of spirit stones monthly, but ninety-nine out of a hundred aren’t mine.”

Xiao Chen blinked. They’d taken his vague answer as confirmation of fifty. Should he clarify? Nah, he decided.

“Zhiquan Brother, Happy New Year!” “Zhiquan, sit over here!” “Zhiquan Brother…”

Suddenly, a chorus of greetings erupted from the garden entrance.

The main branch of the Chen family had arrived—Chen Zhiquan, son of Elder Chen. He strode into the garden, responding to greetings while scanning the crowd. Spotting Xiao Chen in a corner, he made a beeline for their table.

He greeted Shunshu first. “Uncle Shun, Happy New Year!” After exchanging pleasantries about health, he turned to Xiao Chen.

“You must be Xiao Chen. I’ve wanted to meet you for ages. I’m Chen Zhiquan—my father is your master. You should call me Zhiquan Brother.”

Xiao Chen followed suit. “Zhiquan Brother, Happy New Year!”

“Same to you! All of you!” Zhiquan beamed. “Excellent! You’ve got the look of a young man destined for greatness—reminds me of myself a decade ago.”

“I heard from Elder Zhi’an that you’ve started learning pill forging?”

Xiao Chen nodded. “Yes, just recently.”

Zhiquan clapped his shoulder. “Sharp mind! Pill forging’s the way to go. I’m a pill forging master myself. If you ever need help, come find me at my place.”

The Chen family desperately needed pill forging masters—especially Foundation-Stage cultivators capable of refining second-tier pills. After hearing from Elder Chen that Xiao Chen showed promise for Foundation Building, Zhiquan had rushed to befriend him. With their similar ages, a century-long partnership could flourish if both succeeded.

Though Zhiquan’s warmth caught Xiao Chen off guard, he replied politely, “I’ll take you up on that, Zhiquan Brother.”

“Oh, there’s an old Chen family tradition. Newly apprenticed disciples exchange gifts at their first meeting. Here—this is for you!”

Zhiquan waved and produced a gift box. “This helps calm the mind, especially useful for beginner pill forgers. I used it when I started studying pill formulas. Now it’s yours.”

Xiao Chen froze. A tradition? No one had mentioned this beforehand!

But the onlookers leaned in eagerly—the custom clearly wasn’t news to them.

Where was Steward Chen?! Xiao Chen had come empty-handed, now forced to improvise. He began declining, “This gift, I really can’t—”

“Don’t refuse yet! Look first,” Zhiquan interrupted, opening the box himself.

Inside lay ten sticks of sandalwood incense, neatly arranged. Wrapped in silk layers and separated by jade sheets, each stick bore a handwritten signature—a hallmark of master perfumers.

“Top-grade Hezhou sandalwood. One stick lasts six hours, and a single whiff sharpens the mind. I’ve tested it myself!” Zhiquan grinned.

Beginner pill forgers often struggled with fatigue and distraction during marathon forging sessions. Quality dan incense was a coveted—but expensive—solution. Zhiquan was certain this gift would win Xiao Chen over.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end