Cultivation: I can see the proficiency level

Every year they burn incense to pray for good deeds, but who sees the common people escaping poverty and hardship?

If the spirits of our ancestors truly protect us, why would our cold bones lie in the autumn wind?

Wang Mian always dismissed the idea of ​​being protected by the patriarch with a laugh. Even if there were truly demons and monsters, and immortals in the cultivation world, he still did not believe in the protection of the patriarch.

Or rather, even the patriarch was powerless to help.

Why make things difficult for the patriarch?

The Songlintan family business has been passed down through generations, and now it has been passed down to Wang Mian. If you go back further, you will find that Wang Mian's master, grandmaster, great-grandmaster, and even the founder himself did not end up in a good state.

According to generations of legend, the patriarch fought against a disciple of a major sect, lost by a single move, and died with resentment. Wang Mian, however, believed that the patriarch was most likely defeated instantly, and the story was later embellished by the Grand Master and passed down.

The patriarch has passed away.

To be fair, if it were the protection of our ancestors, Grand Master wouldn't have been riddled with swords and had more than a dozen holes all over his body just for fighting over a spiritual herb.

By the same token, if the patriarch and the grandmaster had protected him, the master would not have been harmed by the demonic cultivators, swallowed whole by the demon, and left with no trace of his body.

Furthermore, if we apply this analogy to other situations, if our master had the protection of our ancestor, grandmaster, and master, he wouldn't have had his grave dug up by that bastard Hou Cheng, and wouldn't have ended up having to split up.

What kind of ancestral protection is there?

But on this crucial day, the day Bai Jiuniang broke through her barrier, Wang Mian still respectfully lit three sticks of incense, burned a stack of yellow paper, and prepared several offerings for his ancestors.

"With all our ancestors above, your disciple Wang Mian, along with Jiu Niang, burns incense and prays that your spirits in heaven will protect my Jiu Niang and ensure her success in this trial." Wang Mian bows three times.

Bai Jiuniang, who was squatting next to Wang Mian, remained unmoved. Only after Wang Mian patted her did she perfunctorily put her two front paws together and bow three times to her master.

In fact, it believed less in the spirits than in Wang Mian.

Bai Jiuniang's spiritual eyes could see wandering ghosts, mountain spirits and monsters, and even the three souls and seven spirits. Despite years of worship, she had never seen the ancestral master appear.

The memorial tablet still stands, but the patriarch is nowhere to be seen.

Seeing Bai Jiuniang's teasing look, Wang Mian looked at the memorial tablet and said, "I also know that we cultivators should look inward rather than to ghosts and gods, but today, I do hope that the ancestor will protect Jiuniang."

Breaking through cultivation levels is never as simple as eating and drinking.

The perilous nature of breaking through the pass is common knowledge.

If one fails at the last minute, at best the meridians will be damaged and the magic power will be disordered; at worst, all one's cultivation will be lost. Many people die after failing to break through the barrier, whether they are cultivators or demon beasts.

Having been together since childhood, sharing joys and sorrows, Bai Jiuniang held a place in Wang Mian's heart no less important than his late master, making it extremely difficult for him to accept the disastrous consequences.

If one were not filled with fear, why would one not ask Heaven and the gods?

"Woo woo woo." It wasn't hard for Bai Jiu Niang to hear the concern in Wang Mian's words. She put away her teasing look and gently rubbed against Wang Mian.

Don't worry, don't worry.

Jiu Niang couldn't bear it.

Don't worry, don't worry.

With confidence.

Only when a demon beast establishes its foundation can it refine its transverse bones and gain the ability to speak human language. Now, Bai Jiuniang is eager to comfort Wang Mian, so she can only use her demonic power to fetch some water and manifest words on the ground.

"I know that Jiu Niang is in a winning position... Never mind, I won't say anymore." Wang Mian took out the jade bottle containing the Spirit Enhancement Pill and gave it the remaining spirit stones, just in case.

Without refusing his kindness, Bai Jiuniang's jade pendant around her neck flashed as she put away the pills and spirit stones. Inside her storage jade pendant, she placed two bottles of spirit-enhancing pills together.

Even spirit stones that haven't been touched for a long time haven't dimmed in the slightest, just like before.

Outside the cave.

The sky was ablaze with fire, the clouds were ablaze with color, the sun had set behind the verdant hills and disappeared, and the moon hung quietly in the sky. Time passed, and it was the time of day and night.

Today is the auspicious day for Jiu Niang to break through her barrier. Soon, the moon will hang high in the sky, shining brightly, marking the auspicious time for her to break through. With such a bright moon in the sky, it is truly an auspicious omen.

Auspicious day, auspicious time, auspicious omen.

How could it not succeed?

--------

Tie Gu Sou and his apprentice Jiang Hao descended Tie Mu Ridge, carrying heavy bronze staffs as magical implements. Tie Gu Sou's laughter startled a flock of birds returning home at night, and the master and apprentice gradually approached Songlin Pool.

The pale bone crane flapped its wings and soared through the sky. From a distance, it looked as if it were flying out from the fiery clouds. The gaunt Taoist stood steadily on the back of the bone crane, with a white bone whip at his waist, and flew straight towards the Pine Forest Pool.

Daisies fluttered lightly above the verdant hills. Flower Maiden, carrying a bamboo basket full of fresh flowers, sat cross-legged on the daisies, gazing down into the distance. In her eyes, the pine forest and the pool stretched out before her.

The pine forest remains verdant, the pool murmurs gently, but time is like a knife, and old friends are nowhere to be seen!

Hua Gu sighed softly and lowered her magical artifact.

Further away, a clear stream flows gently. A jade-green deer with silky fur and a lotus wreath on its head treads on the water, its hooves swirling with mist. It moves through the water as if walking on flat ground, swiftly approaching the pine forest pool.

On the deer's back came the light, bell-like laughter of a young girl, and also the admonishing voice of an old woman.

Arrived as promised.

Before long, several figures landed outside the Songlintan Cave. The group, who already knew each other, greeted each other and chatted about how long it had been since they last met, promising to visit each other again in the future.

Wang Mian led Bai Jiuniang to greet each of them: "Greetings, seniors. We are deeply grateful for your arrival, which has taken you all so long. We have prepared some simple food and drink and would like to invite you inside to rest for a while."

Looking at the seniors who had arrived as promised, Wang Mian suddenly felt that even in this dark and turbulent world of cultivation, where people's hearts were unpredictable and life was as worthless as grass, there was still a glimmer of light.

Having lost both his parents at a young age and his mentor, Wang Mian felt a long-lost warmth in his heart.

Iron Bone Old Man laughed loudly, pulling the thin Bone Daoist into the cave: "Fellow Daoists, please come in and reminisce. After you've filled your bellies, you can also help support your juniors."

Flower Girl and Granny Fish were a little slower, and were invited to sit down by Iron Bone Old Man.

The group was somewhat surprised to see the spiritual food on the table and the fragrant wine in the pot. To prepare such a meal on this desolate mountain would take considerable effort, even without spending spirit stones.

The sincerity of the younger generation can be glimpsed from this.

"Time is short, and I only had time to prepare a simple meal. If my hospitality is inadequate, I hope you seniors will forgive me." Wang Mian poured the wine and asked the seniors who had come from afar to enjoy it.

"Mian-ge, you can go ahead. There's no need to keep us old folks company. We'll reminisce about the old days and talk about the past. You young people can also chat, get to know each other, and make friends. There's plenty of time in the future." Granny Yu pointed to another small table.

Iron-Boned Old Man also spoke up: "That makes sense, Brother Mian, go ahead! I will certainly keep you seniors company."

Wang Mian took his leave.

Only then did Wang Mian have time to greet Yu Tinghe, the disciple brought by Granny Yu.

Jiang Hao led her to another small table. The two exchanged a few words from time to time, but the atmosphere was not very lively. Jiang Hao was very enthusiastic, while Yu Tinghe responded to him, looking somewhat at a loss.

Once Wang Mian was seated, he apologized, "Perhaps it's been many years since I've entertained guests, so I was a bit flustered and neglected Fellow Daoist Yu. Please forgive me."

Granny Yu's disciple was about the same age as Wang Mian and Jiang Hao, but she was very beautiful. Her eyes were bright and clear, and even before she spoke, her breath was as sweet as orchids. Her dimples revealed her innocent and carefree nature.

Calling her a little fairy wouldn't be an exaggeration.

No wonder Jiang Hao, this rough and unrefined man, was so enthusiastic and attentive.

Upon hearing Wang Mian's words, Yu Tinghe even felt a sense of relief, as if she had been rescued. She was truly overwhelmed by Fellow Daoist Jiang's overwhelming enthusiasm, and being inexperienced with strangers, she was at a loss for what to do.

Yu Tinghe hurriedly replied, "This matter is of great importance, and it would be too much trouble for Fellow Daoist Wang to entertain me. I am the one who has caused you trouble."

Along the way, she also heard her mother-in-law talk about Wang Mian, about his cultivation, his situation, the relationship between the two families, and their future interactions, etc.

This is the second time Yu Tinghe has met Wang Mian. The first time was when his mentor passed away, and Wang Mian was at a loss.

After several years, Wang Mian has changed a lot. Like a wild grass that has weathered the storms, she has grown wildly, more energetic, more resilient, and more robust than her.

His cultivation has deepened to a level far surpassing what it was back then.

He occasionally shows his talent, but he is no longer the same as he used to be.

"That's not quite right. I should thank Fellow Daoist Yu for coming to help." Wang Mian smiled and looked at Jiang Hao: "If a battle breaks out, you're tough and resilient, so please take care of Fellow Daoist Yu."

Wang Mian had no idea what would happen to him; all he could do was prepare to fight to the death.

If he were truly in such a life-or-death situation, he wouldn't want to implicate this delicate fairy in front of him, lest he hurt Granny Yu's feelings.

With boundless pride, Jiang Hao patted his chest, exuding masculine charisma, and declared, "I will not allow Fellow Daoist Yu to suffer even the slightest injury."

Wang Mian chuckled.

Body cultivators are like this: they have strong bodies, complete spirits and abundant energy, and vigorous blood and qi. This group of people has always been more eager for female cultivators.

Unfortunately, the little fairy's reaction was lukewarm.

……

Above Songlin Pool, at the Crouching Ox Stone Pass.

Amidst the pine forest, figures gathered, with the leading group standing on a boulder gazing at the Pine Forest Pool Cave, from which a faint light could be seen emanating.

"How is it?" the hoarse voice asked.

A response rang out: "The fact that Iron Bone Elder, Marrow-Devouring Flower, Bone Daoist, and Fish Lady are here is enough to prove that the information is accurate. That dog demon must have broken through tonight."

"They are evenly matched with us. If we were to really fight, we would most likely both suffer heavy losses." The man's voice carried a hint of weighing the pros and cons.

In the midst of fierce battles and magical duels, death and injury are inevitable.

Such a risky undertaking deserves careful consideration and weighing of the consequences.

"So what if we both suffer heavy losses? This little rascal is becoming more and more powerful. If that dog demon breaks through to the next level, its strength will be similar to ours. Just think about how fast the dog demon can escape."

"Fellow Daoist, are you not afraid of being punished later?"

"We must crush it tonight; success is the only option, failure is not an option."

After that slightly impatient voice rang out, everyone fell silent. They all understood the reasoning behind it; the enemy had become a major threat, and if they didn't get rid of it soon, they would suffer the consequences.

Better to die than to die, my fellow Daoist.

After a moment of silence, one of the figures pointed behind him: "My disciple has advanced to the third level of Qi Refining. He can be used as a backup plan to ensure everything goes smoothly."

"good!"

"Excellent!"

The group looked towards the Songlintan Cave, as if they could see the outcome of a decisive battle.