C12 Advancement in Realm

Woo Tieh's abrupt declaration caught Woo Yang completely off guard.

"What did you just say?"

Thinking he had misunderstood, Woo Yang gave him a bewildered look.

"I mean it. From now on, you're my brother. If anyone tries to mess with you, I've got your back."

Woo Yang was taken aback by Woo Tieh's unexpected resolve.

"Master, no need for such astonishment. He's clearly in awe of your prowess, so you owe me a thank you. Without me, he wouldn't have pledged his loyalty so swiftly."

Just then, the smug voice of the Golden Book chimed in again.

Suddenly having a new brother was a curveball for Woo Yang. They were already kin in the clan, but now Woo Tieh was genuinely embracing him as an elder brother.

"Mr. Yang, I was wrong to treat you poorly before. From here on out, I'm with you all the way."

Woo Tieh's eyes shone with excitement, his earnestness unmistakable.

Still reeling a bit, Woo Yang at least knew he was no longer on Woo Tieh's hit list.

But then something clicked, and Woo Yang asked, puzzled, "What brings you here today? Surely it's not just to acknowledge me as your big brother."

At that, Woo Tieh blushed, suddenly remembering his good-for-nothing brother still outside, and bolted.

Curious, Woo Yang followed and found Woo Tieh laying into Woo Tong and Woo Chenghao, warning them to steer clear of Woo Yang or face his wrath.

"Master, forgive the intrusion, but this isn't the time for spectating. Focus on enhancing your cultivation, or I'll be claiming your soul," the Golden Book interjected, much to Woo Yang's annoyance.

Yet, what choice did he have? He couldn't question the Golden Book's veracity, nor could he afford to gamble with his safety. Advancing his cultivation was the only way forward.

"Woo Tieh, if that's all, you guys should head out. I've got things to do," Woo Yang told them, then turned and headed back inside.

Right now, Woo Yang had no interest in meddling with others' affairs; he was too busy fending off those who sought to drain his soul. He had to stay on his toes.

His Spirit Power hadn't fully rebounded, making it impossible to inscribe Dao Patterns for the moment. Luckily, with fewer than four weapons left to work on, it wouldn't eat up too much of his time.

He devoured the stockpile of Medicine Pills he'd purchased, then sat down to meditate, allowing the medicinal effects to permeate his body and gradually restore the depleted Spirit Power.

Enhancing Woo Tieh's Wind Wolf Sword had an unexpected benefit: Woo Yang's Spirit Power had grown significantly denser, and his cultivation level had seen a modest rise.

Yet, these improvements were still insufficient to break through to the Qi Stage Layer Four. He needed more resources to advance his cultivation.

By the next morning, Woo Yang was back at his peak. It took him two hours to etch Dao Patterns onto the last four weapons. He then exchanged them at the Martial Vine Blue Pavilion for two thousand Spirit Stones.

Hong Qingcheng's approval of Woo Yang was soaring. In just a matter of days, he had crafted thirty formidable weapons for her. She now saw him as an ally worth courting, offering him considerable concessions in various dealings.

"This time, I should be able to ascend to the Qi Stage Layer Four," Woo Yang mused confidently, eyeing the array of cultivation resources before him.

He had four Qi Condensation Pills at his disposal, not to mention an assortment of other supportive herbs.

With preparations complete, Woo Yang popped a Qi Condensation Pill into his mouth and bit down. A rich surge of Spirit Power transformed into a gentle flow, coursing down his throat and into his system.

The pill's influence waned after half an hour, yet it wasn't enough to propel Woo Yang into the Qi Stage Layer Four.

Undeterred, Woo Yang recognized this was merely the start. He set aside the Qi Condensation Pills, opting to exhaust the remaining cultivation resources. A torrent of Spirit Power surged into him, as mighty as a river.

He was on the cusp, barely a whisper away from breaking through the barrier to the Qi Stage Layer Four, and finally freeing himself from the Golden Book's soul-sapping curse.

Having reached this critical juncture, Woo Yang steeled himself and bit down on another Qi Condensation Pill. As the pill's Spirit Power surged into his body, he felt an intense force relentlessly battering the barrier within.

After what felt like half an incense stick's time, the barrier shattered like fractured glass, and a potent aura burst forth from Woo Yang.

"Is this what it feels like to be at the Qi Stage Layer Four?" he wondered, fists clenched, as he tuned into the changes in his body. Now, he was confident that in a rematch with Woo Chenghao, he wouldn't even need the Golden Book's assistance to control his body and effortlessly overpower his opponent.

"Martial cultivation: advance to Qi Stage Layer Five within twelve days. Since the master has achieved Qi Stage Layer Four within the deadline, the time has been extended to fifteen days."

Before Woo Yang could savor his triumph, that familiar voice echoed in his ears once more.

"Just kill me already. I've barely ascended to a new realm, and you're pulling this on me again?"

Woo Yang felt on the verge of collapse, as if he were perpetually racing against time.

"Fine by me. Just sit tight and don't move; I'll simply extract your soul. That way, I can move on to a master with better talent."

"You wish. I'm in charge of my own fate. There's no way I'll let you absorb it so easily."

"Even though you seem pretty worthless to me, I must admit your bravery is somewhat admirable. I'll wait a bit longer. When you're truly at your limit, then I'll absorb you."

Woo Yang had never come out on top in any of his squabbles with the Golden Book. If he could, he'd love nothing more than to give it a piece of his mind to relieve some of his pent-up frustration.

"Now that the master has attained Qi Stage Layer Four, you may select a martial skill."

"I'll take Tiger Roar. I've already mastered the Royal Tyrant Fist, and I think I can handle Tiger Roar as well."

"The deadline to master Tiger Roar remains one day."

"Please don't tell me it's another round of combat training. Can't we try a different method?"

Woo Yang braced himself for the Golden Book's one-day deadline, but he was not keen on repeating the brutal combat training. Last time, he had left Woo Tong and the others battered and bruised, and he certainly didn't plan on seeking them out again.

For his own safety, Woo Yang decided it was best to look for an alternative approach.

"Hold on, if it's about shortening my life, then forget it."

"Rest assured, Master, there's no need to sacrifice any of your lifespan this time. Now that you've attained the fourth layer of the Qi Stage, you're eligible to advance your cultivation in the True Void Realm."