38: Qi Refining Success

Weapon Casting Platform.

This was a massive cavern carved deep within the heart of Military Dao Peak.

The cavern walls were not rock, but a strange Ore shimmering with a cold metallic luster, naturally engraved with countless profound golden patterns.

The air was saturated with metal-attribute Spiritual Qi so dense it was almost tangible; every breath felt as if tiny blades were scraping through one's internal organs.

This was the preferred location for Military Dao Peak Disciples to break through to the Qi Refinement Stage. A place of slaughterous metal Qi was perfectly suited for a Military Dao Cultivator to forge their sharp edge.

Li Qingfeng presented his identity jade token. After a strict inspection by the guarding Elder, he stepped into one of the independent stone chambers for secluded cultivation.

The heavy stone door slammed shut behind him, isolating him from everything outside.

The room was empty except for a shallow depression in the center of the floor, from which wisps of pure metal Qi were rising.

He sat cross-legged over the depression and took a deep breath. The icy metal Qi entered his body, stirring the metal-element Qi within his Dantian that was already full and eager to move.

He adjusted his state of mind, discarding distracting thoughts until his heart was like an ancient well and his will was like a monolith.

He first took out a Meridian Protection Pill bestowed by his Revered Master and swallowed it. A warm yet resilient medicinal force instantly spread out, protecting the Meridians throughout his body.

Next, he solemnly brought out the bottle of "Great White Refined Gold Qi."

The moment the jade bottle opened, a sharp Qi, condensed as if solid and emitting a blinding white-gold radiance, shot into the air, illuminating the entire stone chamber!

That aura was incomparably sharp, as if it could slice through space. Just the stray wisps of aura caused Li Qingfeng's exposed skin to feel bursts of stinging pain.

"Draw!"

Li Qingfeng gave a low shout, circulating the techniques of the Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Art while his hands formed profound mudras.

The metal-element Qi accumulated in his Dantian for so long erupted, transforming into a powerful suction force like an invisible vortex, suddenly seizing that unruly "Great White Refined Gold Qi"!

Boom—!

It was like pouring ice water into hot oil!

The moment the Rank Three Great White Refined Gold Qi entered his body, violent and sharp energy exploded within Li Qingfeng!

Pain! An indescribable agony instantly swept through his entire body!

It was as if countless red-hot steel needles were frantically piercing, cutting, and burning along his Meridians!

The medicinal force of the Meridian Protection Pill was instantly shaken to the point of collapse. His Meridians groaned under the unbearable burden, and fine beads of blood even began to seep from the surface of his body!

"Stay still for me!"

Li Qingfeng's eyes flew wide, bloodshot, and his jaw was clenched so hard he nearly bled.

His powerful willpower was pushed to the limit at this moment. He desperately held onto a sliver of clarity in his mind and frantically circulated the Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Art, guiding his original metal-element Qi to entwine, wrap, and refine this violent "Great White Refined Gold Qi" like taming a wild horse.

This was an incredibly painful and long tug-of-war.

Time lost its meaning amidst the boundless agony.

His body became a battlefield; his original metal-element Qi were the soldiers, the "Great White Refined Gold Qi" was the violent invader, and the Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Art was the commander.

Every collision, every wearing down, and every Fusion was accompanied by heart-wrenching pain.

His sweat had long since dried up, and blood beads congealed only for more to seep out. His body was like an iron billet being repeatedly forged.

Nearly eight months of secluded cultivation passed. Li Qingfeng seemed to have turned into a metal and stone statue covered in blood scabs. His aura was weak to the extreme, but that violent "Great White Refined Gold Qi" within his body was finally thoroughly broken and subdued, beginning to slowly and firmly fuse with his original spiritual power!

A brand-new power, more than ten times purer, more condensed, and sharper than that of the Spirit Enlightenment Realm, was slowly being born and growing deep within his Dantian!

The most dangerous moment had been endured. What remained was the slow, meticulous work of stabilizing his Foundation.

The new fused spiritual power—a sharp metal spiritual power containing the characteristics of the "Great White Refined Gold Qi"—guided by the Sun-Piercing Star-Shooting Art, repeatedly washed, expanded, and strengthened his Meridians, nourishing his Physical Body. Finally, within the Dantian Qi Sea, it condensed into a slowly rotating liquid spiritual power vortex emitting a white-gold radiance!

Qi Refinement Stage, First Layer! Success!

When the last trace of restlessness in his body subsided and his spiritual power circulated smoothly without any sense of obstruction, the dense metal Qi within the stone chamber seemed to find a home. It surged frantically into Li Qingfeng's body, replenishing the energy consumed after his Breakthrough.

After a year of effort, the stone door slowly opened.

Li Qingfeng stepped out.

He still wore the same slightly worn Disciple robes, but his entire temperament had undergone a world-shaking change.

His posture seemed more upright and restrained, a faint treasure-like luster flowed beneath his skin, and when he opened his eyes, the sharp light was like tangible arrows that one dared not look at directly.

A faint Spiritual Pressure belonging to a Qi Refining Cultivator naturally emanated from him. An invisible sharp aura seemed to surround him, making even the air feel somewhat stagnant.

Outside the cavern, two figures had long been waiting.

One was tall with a face as cold and hard as iron; it was Iron Yama.

The other was sturdily built, his face carrying excitement and a hint of nervousness; it was Wang Tiezhu.

"Revered Master! Iron Pillar!"

Li Qingfeng stepped forward quickly and bowed deeply to Iron Yama, his voice steady and powerful, carrying heartfelt gratitude:

"This Disciple has fortunately not failed your command; I have successfully broken through the Realm!"

Iron Yama's cold gaze swept over Li Qingfeng. Sensing that pure and sharp metal spiritual power fluctuation that far exceeded an ordinary Qi Refining First Layer—especially the piercing sharpness unique to the "Great White Refined Gold Qi" contained within—a very faint trace of satisfaction finally flickered in his eyes.

He nodded slightly:

"Foundation is stable, sharp edge is restrained. Not bad."

"Congratulations, Brother Feng!"

Wang Tiezhu excitedly punched Li Qingfeng's shoulder. Feeling the solid, iron-like sensation and the faint counter-shock, he grinned and said:

"Now you've truly become an Immortal Revered Master! Can you fly now?"

Li Qingfeng felt the surging power within his body. With a slight thought, his body actually slowly left the ground, hovering about an inch high before steadily landing again.

Flying through the air, the hallmark of a Qi Refining Cultivator! His Lifespan had also increased to two hundred years!

"Good!"

Iron Yama rarely uttered a word of praise.

With a flip of his wrist, a stringless longbow appeared in his hand, its entire body flowing with dark golden light and its design ancient yet full of power.

The bow's body seemed like both metal and wood, covered in profound natural patterns. The ends of the bow arms were slightly curved, like the wings of a falcon ready to strike.

A powerful Spiritual Pressure faintly emanated from it, far exceeding the magical spiritual bow Li Qingfeng had used before.

"This is the 'Cloud-Cleaving' bow embryo."

Iron Yama handed the bow to Li Qingfeng. "With 'Sinking Star Iron Mother' as the primary material, supplemented by several types of metal-system spiritual materials, it was initially forged by the Elders of Divine Craftsmanship Peak. It already possesses the prototype of a Magic Treasure.

It can be taken into your Dantian Qi Sea to be nourished and refined by your own spiritual power day and night. As your Realm improves, its power will also grow, and in the future, it has the potential to become a true Magic Treasure.

From this day forth, you are a formal Inner Sect Disciple of my Military Dao Peak. This bow shall be your weapon for the Qi Refinement Stage!"