74: Chapter 74 Qi Refining Level 4

Day 37.

Chen Zhen opened his eyes from deep sleep.

He lay still, his consciousness sinking into Internal Vision.

The Dantian Spiritual Pearl was rotating slowly, its speed a fraction faster than yesterday.

The pale golden luster flowing on its surface was more solid, resembling the prototype of a Golden Core that had been repeatedly tempered.

Spiritual Power flowed through his meridians as smoothly as a mountain stream, without a trace of obstruction.

Qi Refining Stage 3, 368 / 1200.

He felt the trajectory of this power flowing within his body, and suddenly, a thought occurred to him.

"What if... I don't follow the fixed route?"

He tried guiding a wisp of Spiritual Power, deviating from the conventional Microcosmic Orbit path, starting from his Dantian and charging directly towards a branch meridian rarely used.

That branch connected to the Laogong acupoint on his right hand, usually only used for Spell output and rarely involved in circulation.

The moment the Spiritual Power rushed in, a sharp pain shot through him.

But after the pain came a wave of warmth.

That branch meridian had been forcibly widened by a fraction.

"It's working."

He took a deep breath and began guiding more Spiritual Power to impact those "idle" meridians.

One, two, three...

Every branch meridian that was opened brought a wave of sharp pain, but after the pain, there was a smoother flow of Spiritual Power.

Thirty minutes later, he stopped.

His whole body was drenched in sweat, but his mind was exhilarated.

[System Prompt: Actively Expanding Meridians]

[Health Dimension Experience + 80]

[Spiritual Power Total Limit + 5 (Current 20 → 25)]

[Obtained Temporary Status: 'Initial Meridian Opening' (Spiritual Power circulation speed + 10%, duration 24 hours)]

His total Spiritual Power had increased.

It wasn't gained through Cultivation, but through "expansion."

He opened his eyes, looking at the brightening sky outside the window, and suddenly had an idea.

If he opened all these idle meridians, how much would his total Spiritual Power increase?

If he connected these meridians into a new circulation route, how much would his Cultivation efficiency improve?

He didn't know.

But he knew this was much more interesting than simple meditation.

At five o'clock sharp, Chen Zhen went out for a morning run.

Today, he wasn't in a hurry to arrange the Rune Array; instead, while running, he continued to impact those branch meridians.

Left hand, right hand, left foot, right foot, back, chest—every kilometer he ran, he chose a branch meridian, forcibly pumped Spiritual Power into it, and opened it.

Sharp pain, warmth, smooth flow.

Sharp pain, warmth, smooth flow.

By the time he reached the Riverside, he had already opened seven branch meridians.

His Spiritual Power limit rose from 25 to 27.

[Health Dimension Experience + 120]

[Health Dimension Lv.6 (902 / 800) Can Upgrade]

He was stunned for a moment.

Health Dimension, full?

He clicked upgrade.

[Health Dimension upgraded to Lv.7 (102 / 1000)]

[Unlocked Ability: [Meridian Expansion] Can actively expand meridians, permanently increasing Spiritual Power limit and circulation speed]

[Upgrade Reward: Cultivation + 50]

Chen Zhen stood in place, looking at this prompt.

Meridian Expansion.

Actively expanding meridians, permanent increase.

This was exactly what he had been doing.

The System had officially unlocked this ability.

He activated [Internal Vision], looking at the dense network of meridians in his body.

The main meridians were clear, branch meridians were semi-open, and countless tiny micro-meridians were still completely closed.

If he opened them all...

Would his Spiritual Power limit double? Triple?

He would be busy for a while.

Chen Zhen returned home, sat down, finished his breakfast in a few bites, shouldered his schoolbag, and went out.

At seven o'clock, he stepped into the classroom.

Zhang Meng was in the back row catching up on homework; seeing him enter, he didn't even lift his head: "Help! Lend me your math homework to copy!"

Chen Zhen threw the workbook over.

Zhang Meng caught it and buried his head, copying furiously.

The girl sitting in front, Su Xiaoya, turned around: "Chen Zhen, where did you go yesterday afternoon? I went to the Library and didn't see you."

"Hiking."

"Hiking?" Su Xiaoya was stunned for a moment, "You have this hobby?"

"To exercise my body."

Chen Hao turned around from the front row and pushed up his glasses: "Did you do that physics competition problem?"

"Which one?"

"The last one on the test paper."

Chen Zhen thought for a moment: "Haven't looked at it yet."

Chen Hao nodded and turned back to continue reading.

In the last row, Zhou Rui was reading with his head down, as if he hadn't heard anything.

But Chen Zhen could feel that his aura was more "alive" than yesterday.

The first class in the morning was math.

Old Zhao was lecturing on comprehensive functions, and the blackboard was filled with formulas.

Chen Zhen listened for a while, then began to zone out.

It wasn't that he wasn't listening, but it was just too simple.

With the support of [Knowledge Fusion] and [Model Thinking], high school math no longer posed any difficulty.

He glanced at the problems, and the solution paths appeared automatically, even faster than the reference answers.

While listening to the lecture, he distracted himself to do something else.

Continuing to impact branch meridians.

The left hand, that micro-meridian connecting to the Shaoshang acupoint.

He split off a wisp of Spiritual Power and probed along the meridian.

The micro-meridian was very thin, thinner than a strand of hair; usually, he couldn't feel its existence at all.

But under his deliberate guidance, that wisp of Spiritual Power slowly squeezed in.

Sharp pain.

Like being pricked by a needle.

He didn't change his expression and continued to push forward.

The Spiritual Power bit by bit opened up that channel which had never been used before; every millimeter he advanced, the sharp pain intensified.

But he didn't stop.

Thirty seconds later, the Spiritual Power pierced through the entire micro-meridian and reached the Shaoshang acupoint.

A wave of warmth surged out, and his entire left arm warmed up.

[Meridian Expansion Successful]

[Spiritual Power Limit + 0.5]

In one morning, he opened thirteen micro-meridians.

His Spiritual Power limit rose from 27 to 34.

The improvement brought by each micro-meridian wasn't large, but it added up.

Moreover, he discovered that after the micro-meridians were opened, the speed of Spiritual Power flowing to the corresponding parts was much faster.

For example, that one in his left hand—now, as long as he had a thought, the Spiritual Power could instantly reach his fingertips.

This was helpful for controlling objects and casting Spells.

At noon after school, Zhang Meng dragged Chen Zhen to the cafeteria.

"Quick, quick, quick, they have braised pork today; if we go late, it'll be gone."

The two rushed into the cafeteria and squeezed into the line.

When they reached the window, Chen Zhen looked at that big basin of braised pork and suddenly thought of something.

He took out a Spirit Plant Mint leaf, secretly crushed it, and sprinkled it on the rice.

The cafeteria aunt scooped a ladle of braised pork on top, the meat juices soaked into the rice, mixing with the refreshing fragrance of the Mint.

Zhang Meng sniffed nearby: "Eh? Why does your rice smell so fragrant?"

Chen Zhen didn't speak; he carried his tray to find a seat.

He sat down and started eating.

The first bite entered his mouth, the cool freshness of the Mint and the richness of the braised pork exploded on his tongue; the layering was better than anything a Master chef could make.

Furthermore, as the food was swallowed, a warm current rose from his stomach and slowly merged into his Dantian.

[Consumed Spirit Plant Mint Leaf × 1]

[Mental Energy Recovery Speed + 30%, duration 30 minutes]

[Trace Spiritual Power + 0.1]

0.1 points of Spiritual Power.

Not much, but even mosquito legs are meat.

He finished his meal and continued to impact micro-meridians.

The third class in the afternoon was P.E.

The boys played basketball, and the girls chatted in the shade.

Zhang Meng dragged Chen Zhen to play: "Come, come, come, last time you single-handedly crushed the class next door, today let the brothers witness it again."

Chen Zhen was dragged onto the court.

Opposite them was another class, and a few boys were warming up.

Zhang Meng threw the ball to him: "You start."

Chen Zhen took the ball and dribbled it twice.

Suddenly, he thought of something.

He activated [Meridian Expansion], letting Spiritual Power flow to his hands and feet simultaneously.

Eight micro-meridians operated at the same time, and the Spiritual Power formed a brand new circulation in his body.

Then he activated [Physical Optimization] and exerted force with his legs.

The next second, he was already standing under the basket.

No one saw how he got there.

The boy opposite was still stunned in place, and the ball in his hand was already gone.

Chen Zhen jumped up and shot.

The ball went in.

The whole court was silent for two seconds.

"Holy shit!" Zhang Meng shouted first, "Holy shit, how did you get over there?"

Chen Zhen didn't answer.

He just looked at his own legs.

That move just now—the speed was at least twice his usual.

After the micro-meridians were opened, the speed of Spiritual Power flowing to his limbs was more than three times faster.

This was the real improvement.

After school, Chen Zhen packed his bag and prepared to leave.

Zhou Rui walked over from behind and stood beside him.

"Master, I felt it today."

Chen Zhen looked at him: "What?"

"That... threshold for Breakthrough." Zhou Rui lowered his voice, "It seems like something is about to rush out."

Chen Zhen glanced at him.

The threshold from Qi Perception Stage to Qi Refining Stage.

This kid really had good talent.

"After you go back, meditate," he said. "Don't think about anything, let that power move on its own. Don't forcibly guide it; let it find its own path."

Zhou Rui nodded: "Understood."

He turned and left.

Chen Zhen watched his back, thoughtful.

Talent is good, but Heart-Nature is more important.

Whether he can cross that threshold depends on his own destiny.

Eight o'clock in the evening, Secret Base.

Chen Zhen sat cross-legged in the center of the Spirit Gathering Array; twenty-five Hetian jade seeds emitted a gentle light, and six Spirit Plants surrounded him.

Mint, pothos, and four soul-calming grass plants.

He took out that star core fragment and placed it beside him.

The 99.9% dark blue light flickered on and off.

He stared at it for a few seconds, then put it back into his Storage Space.

Now was not the time to consider this.

He closed his eyes and began to impact the main meridians.

A night passed.

Four o'clock in the morning, Chen Zhen opened his eyes.

The Dantian Spiritual Pearl was rotating violently, its speed at least 30% faster than usual.

The pale golden luster on its surface had turned light gold, like a small, ignited sun.

Spiritual Power surged within his body; those hundreds of micro-meridians he had opened last night were all lit up now, forming a brand-new circulation network.

It was ten times more complex than the original Microcosmic Orbit, but its efficiency was also ten times higher.

[System Prompt: Actively Expanding Meridians Phase 1 Complete]

[Spiritual Power Limit: 34 → 78]

[Spiritual Power Circulation Speed: + 300%]

[Unlocked New Route: [Microcosmic Orbit · Modified] (Customized Meridian Circulation)]

He stood up and stretched his body.

His whole body felt comfortable, as if he had shed an old shell.

He glanced at the system panel.

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Stage 3 418 / 1200]

It had increased by 50 points compared to yesterday.

30 points were from the limit increase brought by expanding meridians, and 20 points were from Cultivation.

At this rate, in two more days, he would be able to Breakthrough to Qi Refining Level 4.

He walked out of the Secret Base and stood outside.

The early morning wind blew on his face, cool and refreshing.

He looked at the brightening sky in the distance and suddenly made a decision.

Today, activate that 0.1%.

It wasn't an impulse; he was ready.

Five o'clock sharp, Chen Zhen returned to the Secret Base.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the Spirit Gathering Array and took out the star core fragment, placing it in his palm.

The dark blue light flickered, as if looking back at him.

He took a deep breath.

Spiritual Power fully activated.

[Spiritual Resonance] Maximum power.

[Spirit Control Perfection] Full output.

[Internal Vision] Constant monitoring.

That last 0.1% gap was instantly filled under the impact of the Spiritual Power.

The fragment trembled violently, its light blinding.

Then—it shattered.

It didn't shatter into powder, but into countless tiny points of light that surged into his body.

Those points of light traveled along his meridians; every place they passed, the meridians were widened a fraction, and the Spiritual Power was tempered once.

Finally, all the points of light converged into his Dantian and merged with the Spiritual Pearl.

The Spiritual Pearl exploded and then reformed.

The newly born Spiritual Pearl was twice as large as the original, with dark blue light flowing on its surface.

It was exactly the same as the fragment.

[System Prompt: star core fragment Fully Activated]

[Star Core merged with Host Dantian]

[Spiritual Power Limit: 78 → 150]

[Obtained New Ability: [Star Core] (Passive) Spiritual Power carries Stellar Energy, damage to sinister and evil things + 200%, Cultivation efficiency + 50%]

[Obtained New Ability: [Star Path Perception] Can perceive the location and status of other star core fragments]

Chen Zhen opened his eyes and looked at his hand.

In his palm, dark blue light faintly flowed.

Stellar Energy.

He stood up and stretched his body.

Spiritual Power surged within his body, more than twice as strong as before.

He glanced at the panel.

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Stage 3 418 / 1200 → Qi Refining Stage 3 468 / 1200]

[Spiritual Power Value: 150 / 150]

Still a little short.

He closed his eyes and activated [Star Core].

The dark blue Spiritual Pearl in his Dantian began to rotate violently, and Spiritual Power surged into his whole body like a tide.

He guided this power to impact the threshold of Qi Refining Level 4.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The fortieth time.

Bang.

The Spiritual Pearl exploded again and reformed again.

The newly born Spiritual Pearl was three-tenths larger than before, and in the dark blue luster on its surface, there was an extra layer of faint gold.

[Congratulations to the Host for breaking through to Qi Refining Level 4]

[Cultivation: 468 / 1200 → 0 / 1800]

[Spiritual Power Limit Increase: 150 → 200, daily recovery 15 points]

[Unlocked New Spell: [Starlight Slash] Consumes 5 points of Spiritual Power, condenses Stellar Energy for a slash, power increases with Spiritual Power input]

[All Dimension Growth Speed + 25% (Qi Refining Level 4 Bonus)]

[Special Reward: Cultivation + 80]

Chen Zhen opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

Qi Refining Level 4.

Forty-nine days, from Mortal to Qi Refining Level 4.

Everything was completely different.

He stood up and walked out of the Secret Base.

Outside, the sun had just jumped out from behind the mountain, and golden sunlight spilled over the earth.

He took a deep breath and walked towards the sunlight.