C5 Breakthrough

Lin Hao rose early the next morning, eager to purchase Spirit Pills. With several hundred soulstones in his possession, he planned to acquire additional pills to enhance his cultivation.

After disguising himself, Lin Hao set out in haste. By noon, the blazing sun turned the earth into a fiery furnace. However, Lin Hao had already made his way back home by this time.

Today, he had secured four Spirit Pills and ten Spirit Gathering Pills, intending to dedicate the next few days to rigorous cultivation in hopes of advancing to the third level of Qi Refining.

Lin Hao took up the newly acquired Cloud-Piercing Mental Art and began his practice. The heart sutra moved slowly within him, guiding the spiritual energy to flow through his entire body. With the Cloud-Piercing Mental Art's influence, the spiritual energy was absorbed and refined at a subtle pace.

Each time he completed a small circulation, Lin Hao could sense an increment in his spiritual energy. Hours into his practice, he detected a slight loosening in his elixir field.

"There's hope! At this pace, I might break through even without the Spirit Pill. The Cloud-Piercing Mental Art is truly remarkable!" he thought.

Lin Hao delved back into his cultivation, enduring the swelling pain that coursed through his body with each small circulation, akin to sitting on a bed of needles. Despite the discomfort, he had no choice but to endure it with gritted teeth.

Many low-level cultivators lacked the resolve and feared the pain, choosing instead to frolic and squander their time, ultimately fading away from the world of cultivation.

As Lin Hao continued to focus on the Cloud-Piercing Mental Art, he became deeply engrossed, losing track of time. Six hours later, he emerged from his deep meditation.

Lin Hao firmly believed in the power of diligence. He was convinced that his daily efforts in cultivation would eventually pay off.

As evening arrived, moonlight scattered through the window, bathing the room in a soft glow. Lin Hao awoke, feeling the pangs of hunger after a day without food. He had not yet achieved the state where one can go without sustenance for days on end.

After straightening up his bed, Lin Hao rose and made his way out of his room, intent on finding something to eat in the kitchen to satisfy his hunger.

At that time, the moon hung high in the sky.

Having quickly finished his meal, Lin Hao resumed his cultivation.

He activated the Cloud-Piercing Mental Art once more, feeling the spiritual energy slowly circulate within his body, flowing through him entirely before converging in his elixir field.

This time, Lin Hao had stocked up on food to sustain him for the duration of his endeavor. He was determined not to leave his room until he had broken through to the third level of Qi Refining.

Tick-tock! Tick-tock!

Time was slipping away gently.

Over the next few days, Lin Hao dedicated himself to relentless cultivation in his room, never pausing for a single moment.

His persistent efforts finally paid off. Lin Hao experienced a warm surge throughout his body as the spiritual energy in his elixir field rapidly gathered, nearing a critical threshold. He recognized this as the precursor to a breakthrough.

He accelerated the circulation of the Cloud-Piercing Mental Art and took out a low-grade soulstone to ensure he had enough spiritual energy for the impending breakthrough to the third level of Qi Refining.

As he absorbed the plentiful spiritual energy from the low-grade soulstone, Lin Hao persisted in his attempt to reach the third level of Qi Refining.

Despite several attempts, the spiritual energy in his elixir field continued to accumulate without achieving a breakthrough.

"If this continues, I might very well burst and perish!" Lin Hao was drenched in a cold sweat.

Currently, he was a mage at the second level of Qi Refining, and there was only so much spiritual energy his elixir field could contain. Exceeding this capacity could result in the elixir field shattering, potentially leading to a fatal explosion!

Yet, the spiritual energy in his elixir field now even exceeded that of a typical fourth-level Qi Refining mage!

Lin Hao stopped absorbing spiritual energy immediately and rapidly circulated the Cloud-Piercing Mental Art, attempting to disperse the excess spiritual energy in his elixir field.

With a gasp, Lin Hao coughed up blood, his complexion turning deathly pale.

"This isn't working. What am I supposed to do?" Lin Hao whispered to himself.

"Right, let's try the Spirit Pill."

Lin Hao took out a Spirit Pill and popped it into his mouth.

As soon as the Spirit Pill dissolved, Lin Hao felt a surge in the spiritual energy within his elixir field. Far from diminishing, it was increasing, soon threatening to exceed the capacity of a fifth-level Qi Refining mage's elixir field.

Beads of cold sweat slid down his cheeks as Lin Hao grappled with his thoughts.

Why was there such an accumulation of spiritual energy in his elixir field, yet it remained intact? Could it be that there still wasn't enough energy?

"Maybe I should use another one," Lin Hao muttered determinedly.

He took another Spirit Pill and placed it in his mouth, simultaneously attempting to break through to the third level of Qi Refining!

The Cloud-Piercing Mental Art began its slow circulation once more, directing the flow of spiritual energy within Lin Hao's body.

"This might work."

Lin Hao could feel the spiritual energy from his elixir field slowly spreading throughout his body, guided by the Cloud-Piercing Mental Art. The previously accumulated energy in his elixir field now seemed to be dispersing.

But in the next instant, Lin Hao's smile stiffened.

The spiritual energy in his elixir field had piled up again, spiraling out of his control and nearing a critical point.

"Crack!"

A wave of intense pain engulfed his entire body. Lin Hao clenched his teeth, enduring the agony silently.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

Three more sharp sounds echoed as Lin Hao quickly employed the Inner Vision technique. He saw the spiritual energy in his elixir field scattering, spreading out in all directions.

Third level of Qi Refining!

A smile of triumph spread across Lin Hao's face. He had finally made the breakthrough!

But his joy was short-lived as his expression turned grave once more. The spiritual energy in his elixir field still far exceeded that of an average third-level Qi Refining mage.

"Why not seize this chance to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining!" Lin Hao declared with resolve.

He had indeed reached the third level, but his confidence in facing Lin Qing was still shaky. If he could push through to the fourth level of Qi Refining in one fell swoop, he would at least stand a chance of not losing to Lin Qing.

True to his word, Lin Hao took out another low-grade soulstone and began to absorb the spiritual energy within, while simultaneously striving to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining!

...

Three days later, Lin Hao emerged from his room, seemingly transformed. There was a new air about him, as if he had acquired something profound.

Only Lin Hao knew that what he had gained was a newfound self-confidence and a distinct aura.

"Lin Qing, you just wait. I'm not afraid of you anymore!" Lin Hao whispered to himself, his fists clenched with determination.

Discovering the secret of the jasper bracelet had fundamentally changed Lin Hao's mindset. Gone was his former lack of confidence; he had grown more mature and self-assured.

After a hasty meal, Lin Hao set out to master some techniques from the Immortal Abode: the Burrowing and the Gold Needle Technique.

The Burrowing, as its name implies, was a spell that allowed one to tunnel into the ground, perfect for eluding or ambushing other mages.

It took Lin Hao an entire day to master the Burrowing.

Despite his modest talent, his insight and persistence were commendable.

Next, Lin Hao turned his attention to the Gold Needle Technique, examining it closely before starting to learn its first level.

The Gold Needle Technique involved condensing spiritual energy into a needle shape and launching it swiftly to inflict damage on an enemy. The first level allowed for a single gold needle to be fired, while the second level could release five gold needles.

"This is impressive. If I can master it to a higher level, I could unleash thousands of gold needles, dealing lethal damage to my foes!" Lin Hao mused. "To think there's a method here to cultivate it to the tenth level! Mastering it completely would make me unstoppable."

With that thought, Lin Hao commenced his study of the Gold Needle Technique.