C20 Level Three of Qi Refining
In what felt like a mere moment, over half a month had slipped by.
At that instant, the Taibai Mountain Range's dense woods were alive with the clamor of a fierce skirmish. The roars of a Demonic Beast echoed as majestic trees toppled in succession.
The weaker creatures in the vicinity scattered in panic, leaving chaos in their wake.
It took the time it takes half an incense stick to burn before the tumult subsided. The beast's roars dwindled to whimpers and eventually silence.
At the heart of the clearing, Zhao Yu sat atop the massive carcass of a wild boar, catching his breath. His bare torso showcased his muscular physique, marred by dozens of wounds, some scarred over, others still fresh and bleeding.
One particularly gruesome five-inch scar stretched across his left chest, scarred yet still fearsome to behold.
Light chimed in, "Congratulations on slaying an adult Fang Boar, though the fight was perilously close. Had you wielded a Spirit Weapon, victory might have come more swiftly."
Zhao Yu shook his head, "I've only just advanced to Qi Refining Layer Three. I needed to gauge my combat prowess. Besides, Spirit Weapons are prohibited in the inner sect disciple assessment. I'm merely getting accustomed to the conditions."
While speaking, he retrieved a bottle of Golden Healing Powder from his pocket, carefully dusting his wounds with it.
Light offered a perspective, "An adult tusk wild boar may match a Qi Refining Layer Four warrior in strength, but Demonic Beasts and warriors engage differently in combat. It's merely a benchmark."
Zhao Yu furrowed his brow and exhaled, "Yet, my combat strength still falls short of Layer Five."
"Don't lose heart, Master," Light encouraged. "You've just achieved a breakthrough. Once you've consolidated your gains, your power is sure to advance further."
With a nod, Zhao Yu pocketed the healing powder and leapt down from the boar's back.
He had spent the last half-month in arduous training within the Taibai Mountain Range, honing his abilities through battles with Demonic Beasts whenever he could.
With Light's assistance, Zhao Yu's cultivation progressed at an astonishing rate. Building on his past experience, he had finally reclaimed his status at the third layer of the Qi Refining realm.
Though he had merely regained his former level, his strength was now incomparable to what it once was.
Thanks to Light's enhancements to his cultivation techniques and martial skills, Zhao Yu's combat abilities now greatly exceeded those of his peers.
Particularly with the mastery of two ace techniques, Void Chopping and Vajra Body, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Even a typical warrior at the fourth layer of Qi Refining might not stand a chance against him.
Vajra Body, a body refining technique crafted by Light from the distilled wisdom of over three thousand Sky Profound Sect's secret tomes, bolstered his physical attributes across the board. It not only fortified his defenses but also amplified his strength and healing capabilities.
Having only reached the initial stage of Vajra Body, his strength had already doubled from before.
In the past, facing a Fanged Wild Boar without a Spirit Weapon would have been unthinkable.
Void Chopping, on the other hand, was a revelation.
With this technique, Zhao Yu could transform his genuine energy into a razor-sharp inner force, rivaling the power of ordinary blades.
Yet, this wasn't even the pinnacle of Void Chopping's potential. Light speculated that with further refinement, Zhao Yu could project his genuine energy outward, mimicking the legendary flying swords.
However, fully realizing the potential of Void Chopping, even with Light's prowess, would not be a short-term achievement.
Zhao Yu unsheathed his Nether Dream Dagger and expertly carved up the Fanged Wild Boar, then packed the meat and set off.
The boar's flesh was not only succulent but also brimming with energy, rivaling that of the Black Wind Tiger. Consuming it offered significant nourishment to any martial artist.
Another week swiftly passed.
Deep in the forest, beneath an ancient tree, Zhao Yu completed his cultivation routine. His eyes, aglow with a lingering divine brilliance, gradually returned to normal.
Rising to his feet, he clenched his fists, feeling the torrent of power coursing through him.
Now, a month later, he was no longer frail but sculpted with well-defined muscles, exuding an aesthetic of raw power.
He slammed his fist into the tree behind him with a forceful blow.
The trunk, as thick as a bucket, trembled; branches and leaves cascaded down like rain.
Snap after snap echoed as cracks spread, and the once-mighty tree finally toppled, the ground quivering upon its fall.
Numerous small animals scattered in a frenzy.
The front half of the broken trunk was remarkably smooth, as though sliced by an incredibly sharp blade, while the back half was jagged, clearly shattered by sheer strength.
With one punch, he had felled the towering tree, initially channeling the inner force of Void Chopping, and finishing with the might of the Vajra Body.
"Now that I've solidified my mastery of Qi Refining Layer Three and achieved Great Completion with my Vajra Body, it's time to return to the sect," Zhao Yu pondered.
Suddenly, Light alerted him, "Master, someone is approaching!"
Zhao Yu snapped out of his reverie and scanned the surroundings. Indeed, he spotted three figures closing in from a few hundred meters away, though it was unclear if they had spotted him yet.
"Disciples from the Yin Yang Sect?" Zhao Yu's brow creased.
The trio was unmistakably clad in the standard attire of Yin Yang Sect disciples.
Light informed him, "The tall warrior in the center is at Qi Refining Layer Four, and the other two are at Layer Three. They've likely noticed you by now."
Zhao Yu remained still, observing the approaching Yin Yang Sect disciples with a serene demeanor.
His previous encounter with Zhang Bao and four other Yin Yang Sect disciples, who had robbed him, left him with no fondness for the sect.
The three disciples quickly closed the distance to Zhao Yu.
The shorter, plump disciple on the left barked rudely, "Who are you? What are you up to, skulking around here?"
Already harboring a dislike for the Yin Yang Sect, Zhao Yu bristled at the question, replying icily, "Are you blind? Can't you see the clothes I'm wearing? And what I'm doing is none of your concern."
"You're asking for it!" The short, plump disciple erupted in anger, unsheathing his sword and aiming it at Zhao Yu.
Zhao Yu's gaze turned icy.
"Junior Brother Liu, hold back!" commanded the tall disciple leading the group.
The short and stout disciple huffed and sheathed his long sword, yet his gaze remained locked on Zhao Yu, brimming with murderous intent.
The taller disciple made a respectful gesture with his hands and spoke, "You're a disciple of the Sky Profound Sect, aren't you? We hail from the Yin Yang Sect, and we've been tasked with locating some missing brethren. It's been a long while without any leads, so my junior brother here has grown impatient and acted rashly. He meant no disrespect earlier; we hope you'll overlook it."
Zhao Yu's mind raced at the mention of missing disciples; he recalled the Yin Yang Sect members he had slain. But with the sect's vast numbers, it was unlikely these three were specifically searching for Zhang Bao and his companions.
With an icy tone, Zhao Yu responded, "I see. Well, continue your search. I'll take my leave now."
The tall disciple quickly interjected, "Hold on, have you been around the Taibai Mountain Range this whole time? You might have crossed paths with my four brothers."
He proceeded to describe their features, and to Zhao Yu's realization, they were indeed Zhang Bao and the others he had killed.
"I haven't seen them," Zhao Yu denied, shaking his head. With those words, he turned to depart.
"Stop right there!" The short and stout disciple unsheathed his sword and barked, "Who said you could leave?"