37: Taibai Refined Gold and the Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Technique

Military Dao Peak of the Qingxuan Sect; three years' time was enough to forge a piece of stubborn iron into a sharp, refined blank.

The Stone House Area remained cold and somber. At this moment, Li Qingfeng, sitting cross-legged in one of the stone houses, had an aura as heavy as a mountain, faintly exuding an unstoppable, sharp edge.

He was bare-chested, his lean upper body bronze-skinned and covered in a crisscross of old and new wounds—whip marks, arrow grazes, and even several claw marks that had been deep enough to see bone but were now hideous scars!

These were all marks of actual combat.

Cultivation at Military Dao Peak was by no means a matter of working behind closed doors.

After Spirit Enlightenment Realm Disciples initially mastered the Guiding Qi into the Body technique and basic weaponry, they had to begin true "blood-letting" experience.

Hunting the venomous insects and fierce beasts kept in the mountains was a daily routine, and they further had to regularly form small teams to go deep into "Knife-Grinding Gorge" on the edge of the Qingxuan Sect's sphere of influence to purge low-level Vicious Beasts that were restless or even beginning to undergo demonization due to the spiritual awakening!

Every mission was accompanied by danger and casualties.

Li Qingfeng had personally watched Disciples from the same batch have their throats torn open by berserk demon wolves, and he had also fought side-by-side with Wang Tiezhu, battling through blood under the siege of several demonized wild boars, surviving by a hair's breadth.

It was precisely through this tempering of iron and blood that the bow in Li Qingfeng's hands became increasingly lethal.

He was no longer the greenhorn who only knew how to shoot targets on the Armament-Honing Platform, but a hunter who could judge calmly and deliver a throat-sealing arrow in the ever-changing life-and-death struggle!

His arrows were fast, ruthless, and cunning, often able to fire a fatal shot from an incredible angle when a companion was in crisis, turning the tide of battle.

One year ago, a Sect Head's decree!

The Qingxuan Sect Grand Competition for new and old Disciples.

On the martial arts arena, Sword Qi crisscrossed, Magic Treasures glowed, and Spells roared.

Elite Spirit Enlightenment Realm Disciples from the five main Peaks—Hundred Herbs Peak, Divine Craftsmanship Peak, Jade Purity Peak, Heavenly Deduction Peak, and Military Dao Peak—along with the other twelve minor Peaks, gathered together to compete for glory and Sect resources.

Military Dao Peak Disciples were mostly known for their close-quarters power attacks, making them quite disadvantaged in the initial chaotic battles.

Only Li Qingfeng, relying on the Magical Artifact spirit bow in his hand—which had been initially refined and was now in sync with his mind (a basic reward from the Sect for Disciples with outstanding performance)—was like a hunter in the deep mountains.

His figure was agile as he used [Shadow-Flicker Step] (the basic version) to roam the edges of the chaotic battlefield, his gaze sharp as a hawk's.

Every vibration of the bowstring was accompanied by a shrill, air-piercing whistle!

His arrows were no longer simple physical attacks but were imbued with condensed Metal Spirit Qi, possessing astonishing piercing power!

He specifically chose to strike at the critical moments when an opponent's old strength was exhausted and new strength had yet to arise, or when they were in a stalemate with a companion!

"Whoosh!" An arrow pierced through a medicine bottle just pulled out by a Hundred Herbs Peak Disciple, scattering powder all over the ground.

"Pfft!" The arrow accurately hit the whistle used by a Beast-Taming Peak Disciple to control Yao Beasts, causing him to lose his voice temporarily and the Yao Beasts to instantly lose control.

"Clang!" A heavy, powerful arrow directly shattered the tough vine shield grown by a Spirit-Plant Peak Disciple!

He was like a calm sniper, breaking stalemates again and again, creating opportunities for his fellow Disciples from Military Dao Peak.

Ultimately, in the individual rankings for Spirit Enlightenment Realm Disciples, Li Qingfeng forced his way into the top twenty by virtue of his superb archery and overall battlefield vision!

This achievement was considered an anomaly among the new Disciples of Military Dao Peak, who primarily focused on close combat!

High on the martial arts arena platform, Iron Yama, who had been watching the battle in silence like a rock, let his cold gaze linger on Li Qingfeng for a long time.

When the final rankings were announced, he nodded slightly.

Shortly after the grand competition, Li Qingfeng was summoned to Iron Yama's quiet cultivation stone chamber.

"You are not bad."

Iron Yama's voice was still cold and hard, but to hear the words "not bad" from his mouth was already an extremely high evaluation.

"From today on, you are this seat's Named Disciple. The path of Military Dao Peak is a path carved out through killing; your bow is qualified to go further. Do not be slack!"

"Yes! This Disciple will respectfully follow Revered Master's teachings!"

Li Qingfeng knelt on one knee, his voice forceful and resonant, his heart surging.

Named Disciple! This meant he would receive more personal guidance from Iron Yama, and... more importantly, a tilt in resources!

Three years of bitter cultivation, several life-and-death battles, and countless times Guiding Qi into the Body to temper himself with Metal Spirit Qi.

Within his Dantian, the surging Metal Spirit Qi was already full and overflowing, impacting the final barrier of the Spirit Enlightenment Realm—the [Initial Spirit] meridian gate.

Just half a year ago, the Six Gates were forged and connected, and the spiritual light first appeared!

He was already standing at the Peak of the Spirit Enlightenment Realm. As long as the Initial Spirit Meridian Gate reached Perfection, he could at any time draw in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to charge into the Qi Refinement Stage!

In the stone house, Li Qingfeng slowly opened his eyes, a golden flash vanishing within them.

He stood up and picked up the spirit bow that had accompanied him for three years, which had been so imbued with the Qi of metal and weapons that its entire body faintly shimmered with a pale golden light. He felt the coolness of the bow's body and the heart-linked throb it sent.

Without the slightest hesitation, he strode out of the stone house and headed toward the main hall where Iron Yama was located.

"Spirit Enlightenment Perfection? Ready to charge into Qi Refining?"

Iron Yama looked at the Disciple standing respectfully below, his voice revealing no emotion.

His gaze swept over the spirit bow in Li Qingfeng's hand, understanding in his heart.

"Yes, Revered Master!"

Li Qingfeng's voice was steady.

"Mhm." Iron Yama nodded slightly.

"Spirit Enlightenment Perfection, Guiding Qi into the Body, and forging the Dao Foundation—this is the first true threshold of cultivation."

"Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is divided into clear and turbid. The clear is called 'Righteous Qi'; once refined, the spiritual power is pure, flows as one wishes, and the path of the Dao is smooth."

"The turbid is called 'Impure Qi'; it is difficult to refine, the spiritual power is mixed, it is hard to establish a Foundation, and it brings endless future troubles."

"The grades range from one to nine; the higher the grade, the harder it is to find, but also the stronger it is."

He paused and continued:

"According to Sect rules, a candidate for the Inner Sect, upon their first Qi Refining, can receive Grade Two Righteous Qi and basic meridian-protecting Medicinal Pills for free.

"A candidate for the Outer Sect receives Grade Two Impure Qi.

"A laborer receives Grade One Impure Qi."

"You are this seat's Named Disciple, and furthermore, you were in the top twenty of Military Dao Peak in this grand competition."

Iron Yama's tone suddenly grew heavier, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"How could I let you use that mere Grade Two Righteous Qi for your Foundation Establishment? It would disgrace the reputation of my Military Dao Peak!"

Before his voice had even faded, Iron Yama flicked his finger, and a small jade bottle shimmering with a piercing white-gold light flew toward Li Qingfeng.

The jade bottle felt warm in his hand, yet it faintly exuded a sharp intent that seemed capable of cutting through all things!

On the body of the bottle, an ancient and fierce character "Xin" was faintly visible.

"This is Grade Three Heaven and Earth Righteous Qi—'Taibai Fine Gold Qi'!" Iron Yama's voice carried a hint of pride.

"Among metal Qi, Geng Metal governs fierce and powerful slaughter, while Xin Metal governs sharp penetration! This Qi is like the tip of a needle, most sharp and unstoppable, and it complements your Dao of the bow perfectly! Refine it and forge your Dao Foundation!"

Li Qingfeng gripped the jade bottle, feeling the sharp aura inside that seemed as if it could pierce the heavens, his blood boiling with excitement!

Grade Three Righteous Qi! And it was the Xin Metal Qi that best suited his Dao of the bow! This kindness was too heavy!

"This Disciple kowtows in thanks for Revered Master's generous gift!" Li Qingfeng bowed deeply.

"Rise." Iron Yama waved his hand.

"Regarding Cultivation Techniques, the Sect has the basic "Azure Origin Righteous Qi Art," which is moderate and peaceful, suitable for Qi Refining with any attribute of Righteous Qi, but it ultimately lacks a sharp edge."

"As a Disciple of my Military Dao Peak, how can the Legacy under my door be without a specialized Cultivation Technique!"

A sharp light flashed in his eyes. "This seat has already informed the Peak Master and requested for you from the Scripture Pavilion the Grade Four bow-specialized Qi Refining Cultivation Technique—the 'Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Art' remnant (first three layers)! This art condenses Qi into arrows and refines Qi like bolts; on the day of Major Achievement, the arrows will fly like a sun-piercing rainbow and can shoot down stars!"

"Although it only contains the Qi Refinement Stage portion, it is enough for you to lay a solid Foundation! When you have succeeded in Qi Refining and Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, go to the Scripture Pavilion yourself to claim the subsequent parts with your contribution points!"

A Grade Four Cultivation Technique! And it was the bow-specialized Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Art!

Li Qingfeng felt a surge of heroic spirit rush straight to his chest!

Grade Three Xin Metal Righteous Qi, Grade Four bow-specialized Cultivation Technique!

Revered Master was paving a grand path to becoming a powerhouse for him!

"This Disciple will certainly not fail Revered Master's expectations! I will surely use this Qi and this art to Breakthrough to Qi Refining and win new honors for the Revered Master's lineage!"

Li Qingfeng's voice was resolute, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

"Go." Iron Yama waved his hand and tossed over a bottle of Medicinal Pills. "This is a 'Meridian-Protecting Pill,' better than the ones the Sect issues.

"Go to the 'Armament-Casting Platform,' adjust your state, and prepare for Qi Refining! Remember, Guiding Qi into the Body and forging the Dao Foundation allows for not a single mistake! Your heart must be steady, and your will must be firm!"

"Yes!" Li Qingfeng bowed deeply once more, carefully stowing away the Meridian-Protecting Pill and that bottle of precious "Taibai Fine Gold Qi." Holding his spirit bow, he turned and strode away.

His back was as straight as a spear, carrying an indomitable sharp aura.

Outside the hall, the waiting Wang Tiezhu saw Li Qingfeng come out and quickly went to meet him.

Three years had passed, and Pillar had also grown much sturdier. His cultivation was stable at the Qi Ling Fifth Layer, with the [Azure Origin] meridian gate solidified, but as he looked at the sharp aura on Li Qingfeng that was about to break out of its cocoon like a butterfly, his eyes were full of heartfelt envy and blessings.

"Qingfeng, are you about to start?"

"Mhm!" Li Qingfeng nodded forcefully, his eyes shining with brilliant light.

"Pillar, wait for me to come out!"

He looked up toward the higher reaches of Military Dao Peak, where there was an "Armament-Casting Platform" specifically opened for Disciples to Breakthrough, where the metal Qi was most concentrated.

With the Taibai Fine Gold Qi in his possession and the Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Art in his heart, the realm of Qi Refining was right before his eyes!