Cultivation: I can see the proficiency level

After being cleansed by spiritual energy, Wang Mian's bones made a series of crisp sounds as he stood up. He could clearly feel that his body, after recovering from serious injuries, was even stronger than before.

A clear mind is accompanied by a cool sensation, as if the dust has been washed away by clear water.

Refine your Qi through nine levels, climbing to the peak step by step.

It's not just a simple change in the expansion of the dantian and the increase in magical power; after each breakthrough, the body and soul are also strengthened to a certain extent.

This enhancement will become more and more obvious as time goes on.

The physical enhancement after each breakthrough, though not as rapid as that of a body cultivator, is still exceptionally noticeable and can be clearly felt.

Counting the days, it has been nearly half a year of arduous cultivation. Starting from the first level of Qi Refining, I broke through to the second level, advanced to the third level, and am now nearing the end of the early stage of Qi Refining, with the middle stage just around the corner.

The golden medal shines brightly, a testament to the reward for diligence.

Every bit of hard work brings its own reward.

Do not seek enlightenment overnight, but only strive to wear down stone with each drop of water. Cultivate diligently year after year, and make continuous progress day and night. First, transcend the nine levels, and then ascend to the foundation.

That is a Foundation Establishment cultivator with unfathomable magical power, a lifespan of three hundred years, the ability to split mountains and sever lakes, cut mountains and cut rivers, and the ability to ascend to the heavens and descend to the ocean, living a carefree and unrestrained life.

That is Wang Mian's current goal.

With eyes closed and mind focused, the golden chapters in my mind shifted, and the lines of text changed, reappearing prominently.

[Lower-grade Qi Refining Method: Diligently practice 800 times until the practice is perfected, then one can enter the fourth level of Qi Refining]

Consuming one Dragon Grass before breaking through a cultivation realm can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by 150%.

[Accumulation: 150]

[Introduction to the Four Seasons Sword Technique: Practice diligently two hundred times until mastering the sword technique, and you will acquire the sword energy of the four seasons.]

With his inner magical power surging, Wang Mian estimated that if he had a sufficient supply of spirit stones and could cultivate every day, he might be able to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining in about half a year.

But a new problem has arisen at this moment.

The cultivation method he practiced was the "Lü Family's Method of Refining Qi, Chapter 1," which only covered the first three levels of Qi Refining. He knew nothing about the subsequent levels, the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels.

Reaching the limit of the third level of Qi Refining, one's magical power is fully integrated, but further cultivation techniques are still needed to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

Alternatively, one could choose to switch to other Qi cultivation techniques. However, compared to the first level of Qi cultivation, specializing in a particular technique nowadays is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also raises the question of where to obtain such techniques.

As for buying a low-grade Qi cultivation technique, he didn't even dare to think about it. It was too expensive. Even if he had that many spirit stones, he would only consider using them for cultivation.

Do we have to kidnap another member of the Lü family and torture him to extract information about the Qi-Eating Technique?

They were ambushed a month ago and still don't know the details of the attackers, or if they are cultivators from the Lü family. If they were to ambush another member of the Lü family, the elders of the Lü family would probably lead a team to capture them personally.

This matter concerns the future, and we may have to do it again in the future.

"There's no point in overthinking it. I'll first cultivate to the point of perfect mana refining at the third level before considering anything else." Wang Mian extinguished the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

Pulling the lever, the heavy stone door slowly slid open to one side with a dull thud. He first saw a splash of white, then met Bai Jiu Niang's delighted eyes.

It was clear that it had been guarding the door all along.

With Jiu Niang by his side, he often felt a sense of security, as if he were wearing a magical armor.

With it on your back, you can just stride forward.

He placed his hand on its head and rubbed it. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a figure and noticed Senior Hua Gu, who was standing not far away. At that moment, she was smiling and looking at Wang Mian.

Seeing that his aura had become several times stronger, Hua Gu knew that he had successfully broken through.

This time, Bai Jiuniang didn't stop her as she stepped forward. The extremely cautious dog had chased her far away and bared its teeth at her several times.

"You are still young, yet you have already reached the third level of Qi Refining. You are not far from the middle stage of Qi Refining, and perhaps even the late stage of Qi Refining will not stop you in the future. Remember to guard against arrogance and complacency, and do not be complacent or proud." With this encouragement, Hua Gu gave another word of advice.

Wang Mian, a once impoverished young cultivator from the mountains, is now considered a first-rate cultivator.

However, one should not be like the frog at the bottom of a well, confined to a small space, unaware of the vastness of the world; once outside the remote and impoverished Luopo Mountain, there are countless talented young people.

"I will always remember the teachings and guidance of my seniors." Wang Mian, without the slightest pride or complacency, continued to heed her admonitions.

After his master Cangsongzi passed away, he rarely heard such admonitions and instructions.

Having received her care, consumed her elixirs, and owed her a favor, Wang Mian regarded Hua Gu as an elder, and he never rejected the admonitions from his elders.

Seeing that he had taken her words to heart, Hua Gu said no more, lest she annoy the young man: "As I get older, I become more talkative. I hope you don't mind my rambling."

Hua Gu actually liked Wang Mian very much.

Such a diligent and hardworking junior, who respected her greatly, achieved great cultivation, and didn't find her nagging, made her feel a little regretful that he wasn't her disciple.

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, senior. I have been taken care of by you for many days and even gave you your training ground for me to break through. I have long regarded you as my elder." Wang Mian would never find his words long-winded.

When Jiu Niang broke through her cultivation barrier, it was Hua Gu who helped protect her. When he was injured and on the verge of death, it was Hua Gu who healed him. He also used Hua Gu's spiritual cultivation ground to break through.

Having incurred numerous favors and received much care from others, Wang Mian could only find opportunities to repay them gradually.

His sincere words made Hua Gu chuckle, and the word "elder" particularly pleased her.

The cultivators of Luopo Mountain often take on disciples, partly for the sake of inheritance and partly because of loneliness. Hua Gu had no disciples and had lived alone in Wanxiang Valley for many years. Wang Mian's address of "elder" stirred up her emotions.

"My common name is Hua Yuerong. Since you are my elder, you shall call me Aunt Rong from now on."

"Aunt Rong."

"Sigh~"

Bai Jiuniang's fur stood on end from the drawn-out tone of her voice.

Wang Mian was helpless. She said she wanted to hear "Auntie" a few more times, so he complied and called her "Auntie Rong" a few more times.

As she uttered those few words, "Aunt Rong," a subtle change seemed to occur. Hua Gu became more gentle, kind, and amiable, even her tone became more intimate.

She, who had been shirking her duties these past few days because of Bai Jiuniang's arrival, surprisingly cooked for the first time.

She prepared a meal and brought out the Baihua Niang wine from her storage, pouring a cup for Wang Mian and even giving a cup of Baihua Niang, who was wary of her, a cup as well.

"I am very happy to have a new nephew today," said Hua Gu with a beaming smile.

Spiritual stones are easy to find, but true feelings are hard to come by. Since his master passed away, the only one who can be considered an elder is Tie Gu Sou. Now that Hua Gu has joined them, Wang Mian is quite happy.

During the meal, Hua Gu asked him about his future plans.

After a moment's thought, Wang Mian replied, "I can't return to Songlintan for the time being, so I'll focus on cultivation. Fortunately, I still have quite a few spirit stones, so I don't need to rely on spirit lands. I plan to go to the eastern foothills of Luopo Mountain to find a place to lay low for a while."

Wang Mian will never forget the feeling of his soul floating out of his body when he was on the verge of death, the feeling of his blood almost draining away and his whole body feeling cold as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

He was going to the eastern foot of Luopo Mountain to look for melon vines and see if he could follow the vines and touch the melons.

Furthermore, while Aunt Rong might not mind his prolonged stay at Wanhua Gu, he was worried that his enemies would follow the trail and find him, thus implicating Aunt Rong, whom he had just taken in.

"You are still young, and your path is vast. You should diligently cultivate yourself and not waste your time or years." She had a feeling when Wang Mian broke through, and she knew he would leave soon.

Wang Mian had already expressed his feelings upon arrival, worried that he might implicate her. Now that he had recovered and broken through his cultivation level, he certainly wouldn't stay here for long.

Furthermore.

The young man had lofty ambitions and considered himself to be the best in the world.

One can cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage and live for a thousand years; one can cultivate to the Mahayana stage and become an immortal.

Most young cultivators aspire to establish their foundation, and in order to achieve this, they often resort to any means necessary, such as competing for spirit stones, spirit pills, spirit talismans, and magic artifacts.

They risked their lives for that one sliver of possibility of laying the foundation.

As an older cultivator, her thoughts and ideas were quite different from those of a young cultivator like Wang Mian. Her cultivation was no longer about achieving the Foundation Establishment stage, but about advancing as far as she could.

It extinguished both the desire to seek the Dao and the thought of building a foundation.

Our paths diverge.

We are on different paths.

"Don't worry, Aunt Rong, I understand."

Wang Mian knew he was different from other cultivators. With the golden seal shining upon him, he was bound to gain something from his cultivation. He only needed to follow the steps and make the most of his time. With diligent cultivation, he had a good chance of building his foundation.

Hua Gu knew that his Dao heart was firm and that he would cultivate diligently without anyone urging him: "It's getting late today, so even if you want to leave, wait until tomorrow."

"I'll listen to Aunt Rong," Wang Mian said, without insisting.

"Hey~"

After drinking cup after cup of Hundred Flowers Wine and listening to Hua Gu recount her past, it took a long time to finish the meal. After watching Hua Gu return to her house, Bai Jiu Niang cleaned up the leftovers.

The next day, Wang Mian, reluctant to part and filled with sorrow, quietly pushed open the door before dawn, hung a storage bag on the door, and left quietly with Bai Jiuniang.

Not long after he left, Hua Gu pushed open the door.

She stood under the veranda gazing out of the valley for a long time before looking at the storage bag swaying in the wind. She gently reached out and took it down, whispering a few words of peace and good fortune, which were then scattered in the morning breeze.