https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-7-Breaking-Through-to-the-Fifth-Layer-of-Qi-Condensation/13509762/
Chapter 6: Jiang Si Xuan's Decision
Chapter 6: Jiang Si Xuan's Decision
At the private room on the second floor of White Jade Restaurant in Lihuo Bazaar, Jiang Si Xuan arrived early to meet her third elder brother, Jiang Cun Gang.
"It's not surprising", Jiang Cun Gang said, swirling his wine cup. "Half a year ago, that Lin Ping An just stumbled upon a purple orchid root and broke through in one go—pure luck."
"Third brother", Jiang Si Xuan hesitated, "but if he could produce nearly two hundred spirit stones, maybe he has some hidden background?"
"You read too many fantasy novels, Eighth Sister", Jiang Cun Gang scoffed. "The world isn't full of secret powers. As for Xiao Chen's wealth, I'll test it easily enough with a nourishing qi pill later."
"Fine. But why didn't Sixth Brother come with you?"
"Sixth Brother advanced to the Outer Sect a year and a half ago. He finally broke through to the Qi Condensation Fifth Layer two days ago and went home to report the good news first. He'll arrive later."
"So fast!" Jiang Si Xuan's eyes widened, a knot of pressure forming in her chest.
The Jiang family's direct bloodline never handled mundane affairs—the family provided everything needed for cultivation. Yet even so, progressing at over twice the speed of ordinary disciples demanded unwavering dedication.
She needed to breakthrough to the late Qi Condensation stage before age twenty-two to become an Inner Sect disciple and gain better sect benefits. Since her spirit root test at age twelve, she'd had only ten years to cross from Qi Condensation Stage One to the Foundation Building Sixth Layer—a breakthrough every two years on average.
"Third Brother, Eighth Sister, I'm here!" A knock at the door accompanied the voice of Jiang Ru Yue, the sixth sister. "Guess what? I ran into the Servant Peak Manager on the way here. I asked about Ye Fei and Xiao Chen's ages."
"Really? Wonderful! Sixth Sister, quick, tell us!"
"Ye Fei is only eighteen. Late to join the sect but fast in cultivation—he's truly promising. With luck, he might reach the late Qi Condensation stage. As for Xiao Chen... he's already twenty-one."
Though unspoken, most Inner Sect disciples breakthrough to late Qi Condensation before twenty-two. Only a few exceptions existed—late-blooming geniuses who tested their spirit roots late, or descendants of elders.
Hearing Xiao Chen's age, Jiang Cun Gang mentally condemned him. Unless Xiao Chen miraculously advanced three stages—from Qi Condensation Fourth to Seventh—in two years, his path would end forever. Could such a miracle happen to someone known for slacking in cultivation? Impossible!
Jiang Si Xuan frowned too.
*
"Knock knock knock!" A waiter's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Miss Jiang, your guests have arrived in the tea hall."
*
That night, besides Ye Fei and Xiao Chen, Jiang Si Xuan had invited several friends. On the surface, it seemed a simple celebration.
After formal greetings and introductions, everyone settled at the table. When the feast was in full swing, Jiang Cun Gang waved his hand, revealing a jade box on the table.
"These are gifts for my younger sister's friends", he announced, opening the box to reveal rows of jade bottles. "Some nourishing qi pills—to help Qi Condensation-stage cultivators refine mana more efficiently."
Jiang Si Xuan distributed the gifts. "My third brother is a pill master. Please don't stand on ceremony."
The guests knew these pills well. A single nourishing qi pill granted three days' worth of cultivation in one day. Ten pills cost five spirit stones—a luxury most disciples couldn't afford. Jiang Cun Gang's generosity had a purpose: judging their reactions would reveal their financial status.
Ye Fei remained composed. As an Alchemy Hall member, he'd soon master pill-making himself. Xiao Chen, however, carefully displayed delighted surprise—a calculated act. He wanted to seem ordinary, unworthy of investment, while secretly enjoying the free gift.
Jiang Cun Gang observed everything.
*
Later, after casual conversation and a warm farewell to guests, the Jiang siblings returned to the private room. Jiang Si Xuan dispelled the wine's effects with cultivation. "Third Brother, what's your judgment?"
"That Ye Fei impressed me. My Black Jade Tray detected a middle-grade magic artifact on him. He's no ordinary disciple—worth watching." Jiang Cun Gang stroked his jade tray before continuing, "As for Xiao Chen, he's confirmed: just lucky, no background or potential."
Jiang Si Xuan felt lingering doubts. Witnessing Xiao Chen's breakthrough herself, her intuition whispered he was no simple case.
"Sixth Sister, what's your view?"
"Third Brother is right", Jiang Ru Yue agreed. "At dinner, Xiao Chen showed neither knowledge nor etiquette. He clearly comes from some remote village or small town."
"Eighth Sister, focus on cultivating relationships with Ye Fei", Jiang Cun Gang advised. "As for Xiao Chen, just consider him a passing acquaintance."
Jiang Si Xuan nodded. The Jiang family had long encouraged marriages with Inner Sect disciples. Through generations of such alliances, their clan's influence in Lihuo Sect had grown to rival the other four immortal families.
Resolving her thoughts, Jiang Si Xuan decided to prioritize cultivation—breaking through to Qi Condensation Fifth Layer within a year, Foundation Building Sixth Layer within three. As her siblings suggested, she'd maintain contact with Ye Fei for potential surprises.
As for Xiao Chen...
Under Jiang Cun Gang's influence, she now believed he was likely just an ordinary disciple whose luck would soon run out. Yet, as she finalized this decision, a faint unease lingered—as if she'd overlooked some hidden opportunity.
(End of Chapter)
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