17: Chapter 17 Peak of Qi Gathering Level Three

After the arena battle, Ye Tian's name ignited a significant commotion in the Ye Family and even the entire Luo City.

"Did you hear? That Ye Tian who sweeps the Ancestral Hall crippled the Lin Family's second young master!"

"Is it true? Wasn't Lin Hao at Qi Gathering Stage 4?"

"Absolutely true! Right on the central arena, in front of everyone! Both arms broken, Dantian destroyed!"

"My god... when did this Ye Tian become so powerful?"

"Who knows? I heard he had some dumb luck and achieved a Breakthrough to Qi Gathering Level 3, but for a level three to cripple a Stage 4 Peak... that's just too bizarre!"

Within the Ye Family, all sorts of discussions were boiling over.

The clansmen who once looked at Ye Tian as if he were nothing now looked at him with suspicion, scrutiny, and even a faint, imperceptible trace of awe.

When passing the Martial Arts Arena, the unrestrained ridicule and pointing of the past had vanished, replaced by whispers and quickly averted gazes.

The name of Trash seemed to have been shattered overnight by that fierce and decisive figure on the arena.

However, not everyone was convinced.

"Hmph, it's just that Lin Hao, that useless fool, was too careless! He was caught off guard by that loser's sneak attack!"

"Exactly! A Qi Gathering Stage 4 against a Level 3 should have been a complete crush! Ye Tian must have used some underhanded trick!"

"I heard he's been running to the Ancestral Hall all the time lately. Maybe he secretly learned some forbidden art or evil method!"

"Just wait. At the Family Grand Competition, Brother Ye Long will definitely expose his true face in front of everyone! Let's see how he dies then!"

Such comments mostly came from the group of disciples who were close to Ye Hao and Ye Ming.

They couldn't accept that the loser they could once trample on at will had suddenly risen above them, nor were they willing to acknowledge Ye Tian's strength, so they could only attribute the victory to luck and despicableness.

Ye Tian turned a deaf ear to these rumors and slanders.

He still appeared at the Ancestral Hall on time every day to sweep and wipe.

Only, the sound of the wind carried by the movement of the broom seemed a bit more solid.

Neither the noisy praise nor the malicious speculation from the outside world could disturb the goal in his heart.

The Family Grand Competition, defeat Ye Long!

He knew very well that although defeating Lin Hao on the arena had made him famous, it had also completely offended the Lin Family, leading to endless trouble.

And within the Ye Family, the real test had only just begun.

Ye Long, Fifth Stage Peak of Qi Gathering, was the undisputed number one among the Ye Family's younger generation; his strength was far beyond a Stage 4 like Lin Hao, who relied on piled-up Medicinal Pills.

If he lost to Ye Long in the grand competition, everything he had won before would vanish like a bubble. His and his mother's situation within the clan would only become more difficult than before, and he might even become an outcast for offending the Lin Family.

He couldn't afford to lose this battle.

"Qi Gathering Level 3 is not enough."

In the dead of night, Ye Tian sat cross-legged on the hard board bed of his small hut, feeling the airflow circulating within his body.

Although it was several times more vigorous than half a month ago, the gap was still huge when facing Ye Long.

"I must at least Breakthrough to Stage 4! With the Foundation of Body Refinement Level 2 and the Overlapping Wave Fist, I might have a slim chance of winning."

Resources once again became the most urgent issue.

The red sun grass and yin sha grass were all used up. The automatic absorption of the stone bead and the nourishment from the Ancestral Hall's atmosphere were too slow for hitting the Qi Gathering Stage 4 Bottleneck.

He needed a Medicinal Pill.

The next day, Ye Tian headed toward the market again.

This time, he deliberately bypassed the Ye Family's own Danxiang Pavilion and the shops within the Lin Family's sphere of influence.

The storm over the Lin Hao incident hadn't settled yet, and he didn't want to cause more trouble.

His target was the Baicao Pavilion, run by the Chen Family, which was relatively neutral among the three great families and had a decent relationship with the Ye Family.

Stepping into Baicao Pavilion, the fragrance of medicine filled his nose.

Shopkeeper Chen behind the counter was a lean middle-aged man, looking down and fiddling with an abacus.

Hearing the footsteps, he looked up. Seeing it was Ye Tian, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. With neither warmth nor disdain, he just nodded slightly: "What do you need?"

Ye Tian said directly: "Medicinal Pills for strengthening the Foundation and nurturing the origin to assist in a Qi Gathering Breakthrough, as well as medicinal powders or bath packs for strengthening muscles and bones to assist in Body Refining."

Shopkeeper Chen sized him up, seemingly seeing that his aura was at the Early Stage of Qi Gathering Level 3. After a moment of contemplation, he took out several porcelain bottles and oil-paper packages from under the counter.

"qi condensing pill, Yellow Rank Medium Grade, suitable for the Middle Stage of Qi Gathering to stabilize cultivation and impact the Bottleneck. Thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones per bottle, three pills."

"Body Tempering Powder, for external use. It can stimulate the Physical Body during a bath and enhance blood Qi, having a slight effect on Body Refining. Fifteen Spirit Stones per pack, can be used three times."

"Tiger Bone Ointment, to be applied to joints and bones to relieve cultivation fatigue and slightly enhance toughness. Ten Spirit Stones per box."

The prices were fair; he didn't deliberately raise or lower the price because it was Ye Tian.

Ye Tian counted his remaining Spirit Stones. After the arena battle, the Family seemed to have acknowledged his improvement in strength, and this month's allowance was distributed on time. Combined with his previous savings from hunting and selling beast materials, it was just enough to buy one bottle of qi condensing pills and two packs of Body Tempering Powder.

"I'll take these." He placed the Spirit Stones on the counter.

Shopkeeper Chen counted them and found no errors. He wrapped the medicine and handed it over, adding one last thing: "The path of cultivation values the Foundation most. Medicinal Pills are external objects after all; do not be greedy and rush ahead."

Ye Tian was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Shopkeeper."

Leaving Baicao Pavilion with the medicine, Ye Tian could feel several gazes following him—some curious, some complex—but there was no longer the overt provocation and disdain from before.

Strength is indeed the most direct language in this world.

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

Ye Tian adjusted his breathing, bringing his state to its Peak.

Then, he took out a longan-sized, fragrant qi condensing pill and swallowed it.

Once the pill entered his stomach, it quickly turned into a gentle yet majestic heat flow, rapidly spreading to his four limbs and hundred bones.

Unlike the overbearing nature of the yin sha grass or the scorching heat of the stone bead's flow, this medicinal power was mellow and long-lasting, nourishing the Meridians and pushing the internal airflow to accelerate.

He didn't dare to be negligent and immediately operated the Qi Induction Mantra, guiding this powerful medicinal force to strike the barrier of Qi Gathering Level 3 again and again.

Time passed bit by bit.

The internal airflow became more and more turbulent, and a sense of bloating came from the Dantian.

Under the dual impact of the medicinal power and his own Qi, that invisible barrier began to vibrate violently, and fine cracks appeared.

After an unknown amount of time, when the medicinal power was gradually absorbed...

"Boom!"

The long-accumulated airflow finally surged into the Meridians!

The aura around his body suddenly climbed a step higher, becoming more solid and vigorous!

Qi Gathering Realm, Third Stage Peak!

Just one last step away from entering the Stage 4 realm!

Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a long breath of turbid Qi, the sharp light in his eyes restrained.

He didn't stop. He took out the Body Tempering Powder and poured it into the prepared wooden bucket of hot water according to the instructions.

The medicinal powder dissolved instantly in the water, and the clear water immediately turned light brown, emitting a pungent medicinal smell.

Ye Tian took off his clothes and stepped into the bucket.

Immediately, a strong burning sensation and stinging pain came from the surface of his skin, as if countless fine needles were pricking him, or as if he were being burned by fire.

He gritted his teeth and silently operated that nameless Body Refining technique, guiding the medicinal power to penetrate his skin and stimulate his flesh and tendons.

At the same time, the stone bead in his bosom also became slightly warm, releasing a trace of warm airflow, seemingly assisting in absorbing the medicinal effect and alleviating the pain.

The process of Body Refining is always accompanied by painful tempering.

Muscle fibers were torn and reorganized again and again, and his bones emitted a subtle humming sound.

Sweat mixed with the medicinal liquid constantly slid down from his forehead.

A night of torment.

When dawn gradually broke, the medicinal liquid in the wooden bucket had become clear.

Ye Tian stood up from the bucket and dried his body.

A healthy flush appeared on the surface of his skin, and his muscle lines seemed more fluid and restrained, full of explosive power.

Although he hadn't slept all night, his spirit was exceptionally full.

His cultivation was stabilized at the Third Stage Peak, and his Body Refining had also improved, bringing him one step closer to Level 3.

He pushed open the window. The cold morning wind brushed against his face, bringing the freshness of plants and trees.

Ten days left.

He clenched his fist, and his knuckles made a crisp sound.