19: Chapter 19: Qi Refining Level 5 Completed, Strength Transformation as Steady as a Rock

When water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes.

When accumulation reaches its peak, a Breakthrough is like water flowing into a formed channel—as natural as breathing.

The pure energy fed back by the moonlight flower was like the final straw that broke the camel's back, gently yet firmly pushing open that long-loosened door.

Ye Qing sat cross-legged on the communal bunk, his breath steady, blending seamlessly with the surrounding snoring, muttering, and the wailing of the night wind passing through the broken window.

Within his body, the energy continuously fed back by the space flowed like a gentle stream, merging with the moonlight essence of the moonlight flower, surging mightily along the Meridians that had long been repeatedly scoured, expanded, and reinforced, rushing toward his Dantian.

In his Dantian Qi Sea, that Spiritual Qi, viscous as mercury and shimmering with a faint cyan glow, began to rotate, compress, and undergo a qualitative change under the influx of the surging energy.

At the center, a point of more solid, more brilliant spiritual light slowly ignited, like a nebula giving birth to a new star.

There was no struggle against a Bottleneck, no pain of forcing a Breakthrough.

There was only a smoothness of "it should be this way," a naturalness of "the melon ripens and the stem falls off."

The moment that point of brilliant spiritual light stabilized and began to spontaneously absorb and convert the surrounding surging energy—

Hum!

Ye Qing's body trembled slightly, a faint cyan Spiritual Qi flashed across his skin before vanishing, immediately retracting entirely.

Level 5 Qi Refining, achieved!

The Qi Sea expanded once more, the total amount of Spiritual Qi surging several times over, becoming even more viscous and refined. As it flowed, it faintly shimmered, possessing not only a heavy, solid quality but also a newfound, smooth, and flexible spirituality.

His Meridians, acupoints, internal organs, and even his muscles, bones, and skin were deeply nourished and strengthened under the scouring of this pure and vast advancement energy.

Although still far from meeting the standard of successful Body Refining, his vitality, fullness of blood and Qi, and the toughness of his bones and muscles were already far beyond those of an ordinary Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivator.

What surprised Ye Qing even more was that the space within his body also resonated and changed accordingly!

At the moment of the Breakthrough, the gray mist at the edge of the six-zhang space churned violently, like a boiling sea of clouds, expanding outward rapidly at a speed far exceeding its usual absorption of "trash" energy!

Seven zhang... eight zhang... nine zhang!

It only stopped expanding once it reached nearly ten zhang in radius!

The black soil in the center of the space also surged, now nearly four zhang square!

The color of the soil became increasingly deep and dark, almost as if oil were about to drip from it; the layer of milky white Spiritual Qi mist on the surface was so thick it was almost inseparable, slowly circulating, with a faint tendency to condense into spiritual liquid droplets.

The space as a whole became more stable, and that sense of a nascent "world" became increasingly apparent.

Ye Qing could even vaguely sense that the flow of time within the space seemed to have a subtle difference compared to the outside world—though it was negligible and almost imperceptible, it did exist.

"The spatial growth brought about by breaking through a major Realm truly far exceeds the usual accumulation!"

Ye Qing realized in his heart.

Moreover, the spatial feedback brought by this Breakthrough was exceptionally generous.

A surge of energy, far purer and more majestic than before, carrying the unique essence of "transformation" from the Breakthrough, poured out from the black soil of the space, feeding back into his own body.

This energy quickly consolidated his newly broken-through cultivation, nourishing his Physical Body and Divine Soul, which were slightly "famished" from the advancement, stabilizing his Realm at an astonishing speed and steadily pushing him toward the Perfection of the Early Stage of Level 5 Qi Refining.

"Foundation is perfect, without a single flaw. Total Spiritual Qi, purity, and control far exceed those of an ordinary Level 5 Qi Refining Cultivator; I fear it is not inferior to Level 6 Qi Refining, perhaps even approaching Level 7? Physical Body strength and Divine Sense range have also improved simultaneously..."

Ye Qing carefully experienced his own transformation.

At this moment, if he were to go all out, his pure Spiritual Qi, now several times thicker, would be enough to crush the vast majority of Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivators.

Combined with the "Pseudo-Fireball Technique" and "Triangular Spirit Shield," as well as his body and reactions that had been repeatedly nourished and strengthened by the space, he feared that even a Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator might suffer a great loss if they were careless.

Of course, this was just an estimate. True combat strength still needed to be tested in actual battle.

He slowly opened his eyes, a brilliant light shining within them before quickly receding, returning to that usual lukewarm, even slightly weary look of a menial Disciple.

The fluctuation of the early Qi Refining Stage 2 that he had deliberately maintained was now even more perfectly concealed, making him almost indistinguishable from a Mortal with no cultivation at all.

Unless a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator carefully investigated with their Divine Sense, it would be extremely difficult to see through his true strength.

"Very good, my trump cards have become stronger."

Ye Qing gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, his breathing steady and long.

He did not get up immediately, but continued to sit cross-legged, familiarizing himself with the newfound power and circulating his Spiritual Qi through several cycles to thoroughly consolidate his Realm.

At the same time, his consciousness sank into the space to check the changes.

The space of ten zhang in radius appeared much more spacious.

The four-zhang black soil in the center was brimming with Spiritual Qi. The mother plant of the moonlight flower seemed to have benefited when the space expanded; its silver radiance was even brighter, and the young cuttings beside it had taken root and survived, sprouting new small leaves.

"The area is larger now, so I can plan out the planting zone. The moonlight flower likes shade, so perhaps I can plant it near the gray mist at the edge? In the future, if I obtain Spirit Medicine of other attributes, I will also need to consider their different requirements for light and Spiritual Qi concentration..."

Like a small landowner, Ye Qing began to plan his "one acre and three parts of land."

Although currently the only "tenant" was the moonlight flower, the future was promising.

Exiting the space, the sky outside the window was already beginning to brighten.

The menial Disciples in the same room began to get up with rustling sounds, complaining about today's labor and cursing the deducted Spirit Stones.

Ye Qing blended in among them, dressing and washing up, his expression numb, his gaze dull, exactly the same as usual.

Only he himself knew what kind of power was surging within his body and what kind of future he was planning in his heart.

On the way to the Library Pavilion, he deliberately passed by the Pine Wind Pavilion.

A few Outer Sect Disciples were talking, their faces even uglier than in previous days.

"...The message transmitted back last night says the third perimeter defense line outside Black Wind Ravine has been breached; four mountain-patrolling Disciples died, and even more were injured."

"The Sect has already issued an order: from today on, all Disciples below Middle Stage Qi Refining are forbidden from leaving a hundred miles of the mountain gate without an order. The Contribution Hall has issued a mandatory conscription order; Late Stage Qi Refining Disciples must take turns going to several key passes to assist in defense..."

"I heard... several Junior Martial Uncles in seclusion have all been alarmed..."

Ye Qing walked by with his head down, his footsteps not stopping.

The string in his heart, however, quietly tightened to the limit.

Mandatory conscription, defense lines breached, Foundation Establishment Stage Old Ancestors alarmed...

The speed at which the situation was deteriorating exceeded expectations.

"I'm at Level 5 Qi Refining now; combined with the many means of the space, my self-preservation ability has greatly increased. But if I continue to stay in the Sect, once I am forcibly conscripted, or if the Sect is broken..."

The risk was increasing rapidly.

Perhaps it was time to start seriously considering the path of a "Loose Cultivator."

He needed more preparation, more resources, and a... perfect timing for "leaving" that would not arouse suspicion from anyone.

Walking into the Library Pavilion, Old Liu was still dozing on the bamboo chair, clutching his purple clay teapot securely.

Ye Qing bowed as usual, picked up his tools, and began his day's work.

The breeze from the Dust Removal Technique brushed over the bookshelves, gentle and precise.

His gaze swept over the rows of classics, and he pondered in his heart:

"Before leaving, I must take as much 'knowledge' as I can. Especially regarding the geography of the Cangyun Mountain Range, the habits of Yao Beasts, the distribution of forces in the Southern Wilderness, and common knowledge for the survival of Loose Cultivators..."

"The deduction of offensive and defensive Spells cannot stop; it would be best to optimize the 'Pseudo-Fireball Technique' and 'Triangular Spirit Shield' to the limit of my current cultivation before leaving, and try to deduce an evasion Spell or stealth technique..."

"I cannot lose the work in the Herb Garden; this is a stable source of Spirit Stones and 'seeds.' Next time I go, I must find a way to get more Spirit Medicine seeds or cuttings of different varieties..."

"Spatial planting needs to speed up; I can try to expand the planting of moonlight flowers and explore the best growth conditions. If I can harvest a batch before leaving, whether for my own use or to exchange for resources, it would be excellent..."

Plans were clearly listed one by one in his mind.

Develop steadily, but also assess the situation.

When the environment becomes too dangerous, moving at the right time to find a new development point is also a way of being steady.

Ye Qing wiped clean the last row of bookshelves, washed the rag, and wrung it dry.

Sunlight shone through the window lattice, casting his shadow onto the smooth bluestone floor.

The shadow was stretched very long, and very steady.

Just like his state of mind at this moment.

Level 5 Qi Refining is achieved; although the road ahead is dangerous, he has confidence in his heart.

This Qingyun Sect, this Library Pavilion, this Herb Garden...

Perhaps the days of staying here have begun to enter a countdown.

He turned around and walked toward the next corner that needed cleaning.

His footsteps were steady, his gaze calm.

Steady as an old dog—that is exactly the kind of person he is.