C23 Ninth Level of the Awakening Stage

Immersed in the book Faang Yi had provided, Ling Han was astonished at its content. The Charscars Sect had emerged as a formidable force in the last millennium.

"I never imagined the Charscars Sect to be so formidable, standing out among the myriad sects," Ling Han remarked to Yu.

"True. You mentioned your sect was the Aquacloaks, but that's hardly a proper name," Yu replied. "Without a Transcendent in residence, a sect is essentially an obscure, nameless group."

Indeed, only those who had reached the Transcendent Realm could defy fate, stealing years from the heavens to extend their own lives, often living for over ten thousand years.

"Ling Han, the Sect Master of the Charscars you've joined is a Transcendent master. Be cautious and avoid meeting him rashly. I'm not yet at full strength and can't conceal your presence from him," Yu warned. "The real fear is that someone might covet your life and treasures, and you could be killed in an instant."

Yu's caution was warranted, given Ling Han's relatively modest abilities; a Transcendent could effortlessly crush him.

Ling Han faced a journey of three to four thousand miles to the Charscars Sect, a trek that would take him nearly half a month at his current level of cultivation.

Throughout his journey, Ling Han pushed himself to the limit by day.

At night, he spared no effort, diligently refining and solidifying his genuine energy time and again.

His Awakening practice was arduous, but reaching the Astral Force realm would ease his path significantly.

Many of the Heavenly Book's Weapon Spirit's features awaited Ling Han's transformation of genuine energy into true energy, unlocking even more of its potential and uses once he attained the Astral Force realm.

Now, Ling Han found himself within a secluded valley.

It was high noon, the peak of the day's heat.

Ling Han was tempted to strip down to his waist for his practice sessions, as the scorching heat made it nearly unbearable. Each time he trained, the relentless sun seemed to bake him alive.

However, in recent days, Ling Han had learned much about the perils of the valley.

"The mountain's beasts are particularly formidable. An ordinary tiger, for instance, could become a significant threat if it accidentally consumes some spiritual herb from the earth. It would develop spiritual energy within its organs, making its attack power 30% stronger than that of cultivators at the same level."

"Insects are the second most troublesome creatures in the mountains. While ants and spiders are of mortal quality, some poisonous insects, born of ordinary flesh, can withstand neither their venom nor the astral force."

Ling Han had broadened his knowledge considerably and was no longer the naive young man who believed himself invincible after harnessing the power of faith on Earth.

Furthermore, now under the guidance of the new and formidable system, Ling Han had harvested a variety of medicinal herbs from some unnamed valleys.

"Ling Han, if you head twenty steps to the southwest, you should find the Dragon Snake Grass," Yu advised Ling Han.

As a cultivator at the Awakening Realm, Ling Han's sensitivity to spatial and spiritual energy fluctuations was limited.

But Yu was different. With a history of herb gathering and a mind still sharp despite any loss of strength, Yu's wisdom remained intact.

Sure enough, Ling Han soon found himself before a swath of Dragon Snake Grass, so named for its resemblance to the serpentine creatures.

"Alright, after ten days of cultivation, I sense the eighth level starting to give way. It's time to take the Mysterious Yellow Pill," Ling Han said to Yu. "Are there any people around?"

Ling Han knew that breaking through a cultivation level wasn't a quick affair; it required time and patience to adjust properly. A sudden interruption could lead to disastrous consequences, as many cultivators in ancient times had learned, squandering their vast potential in the process.

"Mm, there are two people about thirty miles away, an elder and a young woman," Yu replied after a careful scan of the area. "They're at the same cultivation level as you and won't be able to reach us anytime soon. You should proceed with your breakthrough."

Yu was well aware that Ling Han was prepared to take the Mysterious Yellow Pill this time, and Ling Han had certainly made sure his chances of success were high.

"From eight to one, to create the number nine, all return to one, genuine energy reaches Perfection..." Ling Han silently recited the cultivation mantra in his mind hundreds of times, all the while continuously compressing his genuine energy.

If anyone were to observe Ling Han's cultivation at this moment, they would see that the genuine energy emanating from his body had solidified.

The genuine energy morphed occasionally into the likeness of a sapling, then into that of a large bird, solidifying from a pseudo-solid state into the purest solid form.

Yu knew that Ling Han was desperately channeling his genuine energy.

Indeed, Ling Han had mobilized all the genuine energy within his internal organs, repeatedly striking at the loosened barriers of his realm.

Sweat soon began to bead on Ling Han's forehead.

"Ling Han, there's no better time to take the Mysterious Yellow Pill than now!" Yu exclaimed emphatically.

Ling Han didn't need to be told twice; he immediately swallowed the Mysterious Yellow Pill.

As the pill settled into Ling Han's dantian, he once again sensed the profound mystery of the Nine-by-Nine Return to One. He pressed down on his genuine energy with renewed vigor, propelling himself towards the ninth level of the Awakening Stage.

Yu watched Ling Han exert himself with growing concern.

Having spent the last few days together, Yu had grown to care deeply for Ling Han, seeing him as someone very dear to his heart.

As Ling Han faced the trials of his realm, Yu felt a sense of urgency watching over him.

"If only I could return to my prime and open the third page of the Heavenly Book..." Yu's thoughts were interrupted as a surge of genuine energy erupted around Ling Han.

It was a breakthrough.

Ling Han had reached the ninth level of the Awakening realm.

"Ha! The Mysterious Yellow Pill truly works wonders. I had racked my brain trying to find the key to the ninth level of the Awakening realm, and to think, the pill pointed the way," Ling Han exclaimed. Having advanced to another realm in just ten days, his elation was beyond words.

"Hmm. This breakthrough was partly due to luck," Zhou couldn't help but temper Ling Han's excitement with a dose of reality. "Next time, the Black Yellow Pill won't be enough for you to advance to the next realm. You'll need something more potent than that."

"Oh? Why is that?" Ling Han had always been a novice when it came to pills. It was Zhou who had informed him that the Black Yellow Pill could enhance his realm.

"Pills are categorized into common, profound, spiritual, heavenly, and supreme levels," Zhou explained with patience. "The Black Yellow Pill you took is a mid-tier option within the profound level."