88: A meteoric rise in cultivation level, a rapid advancement

The further east they went, the more rugged the terrain became, and the more ancient and robust the trees grew.

The sound of the waves grew louder, a roar of giant waves crashing against the reefs.

The eastern side of the island extended into the outer sea, completely different from the relatively gentle western shore dock where they had landed.

Here was a massive cluster of hidden reefs and a chaotic rock area, constantly turbulent with surging waves and splashing white foam, roaring like thunder, due to the ocean currents and tides.

Huge waves violently smashed against the dark, jagged reefs, shattering into countless water droplets that refracted dazzling halos in the sunlight.

Li Yinglong remembered that he had explored this place when he first landed on the island, deeming it exceptionally treacherous and not suitable for immediate development or utilization, so he had not paid much attention to it.

Li Qingzhu arrived at a relatively elevated area of chaotic rocks and stopped.

Li Yinglong looked around but did not see Li Changxing's figure.

Then, he heard Li Qingzhu face the roaring, turbulent sea, take a deep breath, circulate her Spiritual Power, and call out in a clear voice:

"Changxing! The Clan Chief is back, come out quickly!"

Her voice penetrated the booming waves, clearly reaching into the sea.

Not long after her voice faded, the dark blue sea, churning with white foam, suddenly underwent a drastic change!

"Boom!!!"

A tremendous sound, as if a giant object had exploded underwater!

A thick column of water shot up into the sky, splashing water everywhere!

Amidst this flying curtain of water, a nimble figure, leveraging this immense water force, like a deep-sea Dragon breaking free from chains, pierced through the immense pressure of the seawater and shot straight into the sky!

Its momentum was incredibly swift, and the currents it stirred up were like small whirlpools!

The figure executed a light turn in mid-air and landed steadily on an incredibly slippery, sharply pointed reef next to Li Yinglong and Li Qingzhu, its body not swaying at all, as stable as a rock.

Li Yinglong's eyes, like lightning, instantly locked onto the newcomer.

The moment he clearly saw the other party's appearance, even with his rock-solid will, his brows couldn't help but furrow slightly.

That figure was indeed Li Changxing, no doubt!

However... was this really the Li Changxing from his memory?

His appearance and demeanor had undergone earth-shattering changes!

When he left the island, Li Changxing was only twelve years old, and due to losing his parents early, his personality was timid and introverted, his body thin and scrawny, his height less than six feet (about 1.6 meters). He was even half a head shorter than his peers, always hunched, his eyes darting away, not daring to look people directly in the eye, like a startled young beast, wishing he could shrink into the shadows.

But the youth before him had shot up to over seven feet (about 1.7 meters) in height, growing almost a head taller in just a few months! He was even taller than many adult clan members!

His originally slender Physique had become well-proportioned and sturdy. Although not as muscular and mountainous as Li Changyun or Li Changxuan, who had trained hard for years, his lines were smooth, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, exuding a sense of restrained yet formidable power.

He was bare-chested, wearing only a pair of shorts made from some unknown animal hide, revealing well-defined pectoral muscles and clearly delineated abdominal muscles. His skin was a healthy bronze, gleaming with a moist sheen, and crisscrossed with more than a dozen scars, some deep, some shallow, grotesque in shape, and varying in age.

Most astonishing were his face and eyes.

On that face, now devoid of childishness, the facial features had become clear and handsome. There was no longer the timidity and cowardice of the past in his brows, replaced by a calm confidence born of strength and... an indescribable hint of wildness.

His eyes were as bright as morning stars, flashing with brilliance when they opened and closed. When he looked around, there was even a majestic aura that seemed to merge with the surrounding turbulent sea.

How could this still be that small, pitiful, silent child?

He was clearly a young Dragon, dormant in the vast sea, now revealing his formidable presence for the first time!

"Clan Chief! You've returned!"

When Li Changxing saw Li Yinglong, his face instantly erupted with an incredibly pure joy and excitement!

It was a feeling of almost childlike reverence and admiration!

He almost instinctively wanted to jump off the reef and rush to Li Yinglong to perform a kneeling bow.

In his heart, the Clan Chief had given him the Evergreen Art when he was at his most humble. It was the Clan Chief who gave him the power to change his fate. It was the Clan Chief who did not disdain his background and weakness, giving him the same opportunities as other Disciples.

To Li Yinglong, he was not just the Clan Chief, but a benefactor!

Even more, he was a deity who pulled him from the muddy abyss, gave him new life, and bestowed him with dignity!

This profound gratitude and reverence were etched into his bones and fused into his Bloodline.

After months apart, cultivating day and night, he harbored a drive in his heart, hoping that when the Clan Chief returned, he could show him his progress and not disappoint his expectations!

"Good child! No need for such formality!"

Li Yinglong stepped forward, extended his broad hand, and steadily held Li Changxing's arm, intending to help him up.

When his fingertips touched Li Changxing's warm arm skin, Li Yinglong's movement paused ever so slightly!

A hint of surprise flashed deep in his eyes!

The sensation was wrong!

Where he touched, the skin was warm and extremely resilient, and the sound of surging Qi and Blood beneath it was like a hidden rumble, immensely vigorous and abundant!

Furthermore, a pure and infinitely vital Evergreen True Qi circulated on its own, well-rounded and refined. The solidity of his Foundation far surpassed that of Cultivators at the same Realm, with absolutely no hint of instability!

"How can this be?!"

Li Yinglong's heart was greatly shaken, but his expression remained calm.

While helping Li Changxing up, he had already communicated with the System deep within his Sea of Consciousness:

"System, detect Li Changxing's current status!"

[Command confirmed... Scanning target... Warning! Target life form is special. An unknown Law fluctuation exists within its body, interfering with detection! This Law's priority is higher than 'Status Insight' permissions. Based on comprehensive assessment of energy fluctuations, Qi and Blood intensity, and life level, its overall energy level is approximately equivalent to the traditional Cultivation System: Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Assessment complete]

The System's feedback was cold and clear, confirming the alarming sensation he felt upon skin contact.

Qi Refining Fourth Layer!

A tempest raged in Li Yinglong's heart!

How long had it been? At most, only a few months had passed since he left the island!

How long had Li Changxing been cultivating? He had actually broken through multiple barriers from a mere mortal, reaching the Qi Refining Fourth Layer?!

What kind of concept was this?

Li Qingzhu possessed a hidden dual Spiritual Root of Water and Wood, an Aptitude comparable to an "Earthly Spiritual Root," with excellent talent. She cultivated diligently in the most abundant Spiritual Qi area on the island, aided by spiritual plants, and now she was only at the Middle Stage of the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

He himself had shared her Spiritual Root, supplemented by a Spiritual Vein and massive Spirit Stone resources, cultivating hard by the Spiritual Vein for over half a year, only just barely breaking through to the Qi Refining Third Layer!

If it weren't for later acquiring the true dragon source blood, he would currently only be at the Peak of the Qi Refining Third Layer.

Although the System had mentioned that the other party's Physique was special, he didn't know how special it truly was.

When he initially bestowed the Evergreen Art, it was more out of a Clan Chief's responsibility and a desire to explore the unknown, without expecting him to achieve much.

However, reality had profoundly shocked him.

Li Changxing had not only caught up with Li Qingzhu's progress, but his cultivation speed even far surpassed his and Li Qingzhu's back then!

This could no longer be described as "extraordinarily gifted"; it was simply inconceivable!

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Li Yinglong's gaze returned to Li Changxing, and he asked in a deep voice:

"Changxing, you... what happened to you? Why has your cultivation progressed so... rapidly?"

He deliberately slowed his tone to avoid startling the other party.

Seeing that the Clan Chief had noticed his progress, Li Changxing's face radiated genuine pride and joy, as if gaining the Clan Chief's recognition was his greatest achievement.

He did not hide anything, excitedly replying:

"Reporting to Clan Chief! Since your departure, this Disciple has not dared to slack off in the slightest, cultivating day and night with the Evergreen Art you bestowed, only hoping to achieve something soon and not betray the Clan Chief's immense kindness!"

His words were earnest, his gaze clear:

"This Disciple also doesn't know why, but cultivating just feels... exceptionally smooth. After guiding Qi into my body, I sensed the Spiritual Qi pulse within half a day; circulating a grand cycle, I naturally broke through to the Qi Refining First Layer in three days; ten days later, I reached the second layer... By last month, I was already at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer."

"This Disciple only feels that the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is incredibly harmonious, and when absorbed into my body, it's as easy as moving an arm or a finger. The refining speed is extremely fast, and I have never encountered any Bottleneck or barrier."

At this point, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face:

"It was Aunt Qingzhu who noticed my progress was too fast and feared my Foundation might be unstable, leading to the growth of Heart Demons. She forcefully made me stop absorbing Spiritual Qi and ordered me to come to this eastern reef area every day to battle with the waves, to temper my Physique. At the same time, I go into the sea to fight those fierce sea beasts, using this to hone my will and consolidate my Realm. The scars on Changxing's body are from these battles. If not for that, this Disciple might have..."

Li Qingzhu, standing by, interjected at the appropriate moment, confirming:

"Uncle, Changxing's words are all true. His cultivation advancement is abnormally fast. I was worried it was a case of pulling up seedlings to help them grow, or that something went wrong in his cultivation, leading to Qi Deviation without him knowing. That's why I resorted to this measure, ordering him to fight sea beasts daily. One, to consume his overly vigorous essence and Qi and Blood, and two, to use external pressure to solidify his Foundation. I wanted to wait for your return to decide together."

"Observing his current stable aura and robust vitality, it seems... there are no hidden dangers."

Li Yinglong listened to their narration, looking at the reborn Li Changxing before him, full of vigor and spirit, and also fell silent.

Half a day to sense Qi, three days to reach a layer, ten days to reach the second layer, and four layers in a few months... and that was under the condition that he was forbidden from continuing to advance!

This had completely overturned his understanding of Cultivation!

He had read descriptions of Prodigy Cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots in the records of strange tales of the universe, and knew it was possible for them to achieve such progress.

But it also mentioned that it required massive resources, support from profound Cultivation Techniques of a Sect, and protection from elders.

But what did Li Changxing have?

A newly formed Spiritual Vein, an Aunt who was only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer herself, cultivating the most basic of the Five Elements Qi guiding Cultivation Techniques, the common Evergreen Art, and not even a single Spirit Stone... In such a barren starting environment (relative to a Sect), his progress could only be described as horrifying!

Crucially, he still didn't know why the other party was like this!

However, observing the vigor of his Qi and Blood and the stability of his Foundation, it was definitely not something that could be achieved by piling up Medicinal Pills or practicing an evil Cultivation Technique.

"Law fluctuations that cannot be insighted... Is this the marvel brought by that 'unknown Law'?"

The waves still roared, crashing against the reefs, splashing mist into the sky.

Li Yinglong gazed at Li Changxing, his eyes profound.