13: A long-awaited breakthrough!

As the figure of Chi Rong disappeared outside the courtyard gate, Lu Yang eagerly sat cross-legged and focused on his internal view.

As the Cultivation Technique circulated, a powerful surge of spiritual power, far exceeding anything before, rushed through his Meridians!

Qi Refining Sixth Layer!

His Dantian Qi Sea had visibly expanded by more than double compared to when he was at the Qi Refining Third Layer, and the spiritual power contained within was several times thicker and purer!

A Bottleneck of over twenty years, broken through in one morning!

Feeling the unprecedented sense of power within his body, Lu Yang was filled with emotion.

He knew well that the root of this massive leap in improvement lay entirely in the "selfless dedication" of Martial Aunt Chi Rong.

To maintain this "investment," and even gain more, he had to constantly Break through and demonstrate his worth.

Otherwise, the threat of "a sword through the heart" was definitely not an empty promise.

"I'm at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer... refining third-rank elixirs shouldn't be so strenuous anymore, right?"

Lu Yang muttered to himself, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes.

Thinking of Mu Wanqing's imminent return, and the high possibility of breaking through another Realm straight into the Qi Refining Seventh Layer after Dual Cultivation with her, his heart grew fervent.

There was no time to lose! He immediately decided to start Alchemy.

This time, he needed to refine two Medicinal Pills.

First, he would refine an azure spirit pill for Mu Wanqing to help her quickly Break through to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, paving the way for future Dual Cultivation.

Second, he would refine a fire spirit pill for Liu Yan to accelerate her Cultivation improvement, which was also a guarantee for his own Breakthrough.

With his mind made up, Lu Yang wasted no more time.

His withered hands formed a Hand Seal, and he gave a low shout: "Rise!"

A flash of green light passed, and his bronze pellet furnace, which had accompanied him for many years, landed steadily in front of him.

This furnace was a Low Grade Pill Furnace he had bought years ago for one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Its interior was narrow, allowing a maximum output of ten finished Medicinal Pills per batch.

Refining third-rank elixirs not only doubled the time required but was also a severe test for the Pill Furnace itself.

Several faint scorch marks on the furnace wall silently testified to its inability to cope.

"It's time to switch to a better furnace..."

Lu Yang said this, yet his actions did not stop.

Spiritual Plants flew out of his Storage Pouch. He took a deep breath and focused completely.

Five-colored spiritual power surged from his withered fingertips and flowed into the bottom of the Pill Furnace, immediately igniting a stable Spiritual Flame with a "poof."

"Go!"

Following the Pill Formula, the required Spiritual Plants were precisely dropped into the furnace.

Unlike before, Lu Yang intentionally increased the quantity this time; he wanted to refine two azure spirit pills in one go!

This would test his fire control ability and spiritual power reserves after his Breakthrough, while also saving time and effort.

The furnace fire flickered, and Medicinal Qi permeated the air.

Lu Yang was completely focused, his Spiritual Sense delicately perceiving the changes in the Medicinal Liquid inside the furnace, adjusting the heat occasionally.

An hour quietly passed in concentration.

"Open!"

Following a sharp shout, the furnace lid flew up instantly!

Two streams of light shot out from inside the furnace instantly!

A rich Medicinal Fragrance spread out, refreshing the mind and spirit.

Lu Yang waved his sleeve, and the two Medicinal Pills, the size of longans and emitting a faint clear halo, were drawn into a Jade Bottle in his hand.

"Success!

Two third-rank Low Grade azure spirit pills, secondary quality!"

Looking at the Medicinal Pills in the bottle, Lu Yang showed a satisfied expression.

Although they were still secondary quality, this time, refining two third-rank elixirs simultaneously, he only needed two Flawless rejuvenation pills to sustain himself.

This was far from the spiritual power exhaustion and precarious state he experienced previously.

The medicinal effect of the Flawless rejuvenation pill was truly terrifying; one pill was comparable to ten ordinary Medicinal Pills. No wonder the External Affairs Hall was willing to acquire them at ten times the market price.

In this Cultivation World, why would a High Grade Alchemist ever worry about Spirit Stones?

After finishing the Alchemy, Lu Yang tiredly put away the medicinal Materials and prepared to place the Pill Furnace into his Storage Pouch.

Crack!

A faint yet distinct crisp sound!

Lu Yang's movements froze, and he hurriedly focused his gaze.

He saw a hairline crack, about an inch long, clearly visible on the inner wall of the bronze pellet furnace!

Although it hadn't penetrated the furnace wall, that shocking crack instantly made him break out in a cold sweat!

"That was close!" Lu Yang felt lingering fear.

If it had cracked during the crucial moment of Alchemy just now, the furnace would certainly have exploded!

Not only would the Pill Furnace be completely destroyed, but the precious Spiritual Plants invested would also instantly turn to ash!

"The quality of the Pill Furnace truly cannot be overlooked!"

Lu Yang's expression was solemn. "Tomorrow, I must go find Martial Aunt Chi Rong and exchange this for a High Grade Pill Furnace!"

Unconsciously, his address for Chi Rong had quietly changed from the distant "Elder" to the more intimate "Junior Martial Uncle."

He carefully put away the damaged bronze pellet furnace. Although it was broken and unusable, he thought perhaps it could serve as Materials for Artifact Refining in the future.

After tidying up, Lu Yang dragged his exhausted body back to the inner room to rest.

The sky gradually darkened.

Not long after, the courtyard gate softly sounded, and a slightly tired Mu Wanqing pushed the door open and entered.

Many freshly gathered Spiritual Plants were scattered on the ground. Although their grade was not high, they were all usable for Alchemy.

Seeing this, Lu Yang silently stepped forward and collected all of them into his Storage Pouch.

Mu Wanqing had left when the sky was barely light, traversing almost the entire periphery of the Small World, just to find Spiritual Plants that could extend Lifespan.

However, Spiritual Plants that could increase Lifespan were inherently rare and precious. Even if Lu Yang, an Alchemist at the Second Rank, went searching himself, he would struggle to find any.

Moreover, the effects of Low Grade Lifespan-extending Spiritual Plants were negligible. Only by refining the legendary Fifth Rank "Lifespan Pill" could one gain fifty years of Lifespan per pill!

But such Medicinal Pills probably required a Core Formation Stage Mighty Figure to refine... "Junior Brother..." Mu Wanqing's expression was downcast, filled with deep apology. "Senior Sister is useless. I only found these ordinary Spiritual Plants and couldn't find anything to... replenish your Lifespan..."

Seeing his Senior Sister looking dejected because she failed to achieve her goal, Lu Yang's heart warmed, and he comforted her gently:

"Senior Sister, you exaggerate.

Lifespan is predetermined by Heaven; it cannot be forced.

Senior Sister has rushed around all day for me; this sentiment, Junior Brother will engrave upon his heart."

He changed the subject, a hint of excitement in his voice. "However, I do have some good news to tell Senior Sister!"

"Oh?" Mu Wanqing raised her eyes.

"Thanks to Senior Sister's great fortune, after the insights gained from Dual Cultivation these past few days, Junior Brother finally accumulated enough and fortunately Broke through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer today!

For this, Senior Sister deserves the primary credit!" Lu Yang smiled and released a trace of Qi Refining Sixth Layer spiritual power fluctuation.

"Qi Refining Sixth Layer?!" Mu Wanqing's beautiful eyes instantly widened, her face filled with disbelief. "You... you jumped straight from the Qi Refining Third Layer to the Sixth Layer? How... how is this possible?!"

She repeatedly sensed his Cultivation, confirming that Lu Yang had indeed caught up to her, and immediately felt her worldview being challenged.

Lu Yang laughed wryly, "Don't be alarmed, Senior Sister.

Think about it: I languished at the Qi Refining Third Layer for over twenty years, and my Foundation has long been incredibly solid. Breaking through and advancing several layers in one go, thanks to accumulated experience, isn't too outlandish, is it?

If Senior Sister were to accumulate experience in a certain Realm for twenty years and then Break through in one leap, it would probably be even more astonishing."

Mu Wanqing was stunned for a moment, finding his words reasonable. The gloom on her face dispersed, and she smiled brightly:

"Junior Brother is right! Congratulations on your Breakthrough, Junior Brother! Now that our Realms are comparable, the effect of Dual Cultivation will definitely be better, and you won't have to always..."

As she spoke this, her eyes shifted, a seductive charm instantly appearing. She pressed forward, "Then... Junior Brother, shall we start Cultivating now?"

"Wait a moment, Senior Sister!" Lu Yang quickly raised his hand to block her, while his other hand swiftly pulled out the Jade Bottle. "I refined two azure spirit pills today. Senior Sister, quickly take one.

With the aid of this Medicinal Pill, you will definitely be able to Break through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer in one fell swoop tomorrow!"

Mu Wanqing's eyes lit up. She happily took the Jade Bottle, poured out an azure spirit pill without hesitation, and consumed it.

Feeling the immense Medicinal Power instantly surging within her body, she put away the Jade Bottle, unable to restrain herself any longer, and pushed Lu Yang onto the bed.

A moment later, Lu Yang's Natal Magical Artifact was lit up once again.

Spiritual power intertwined, and a new round of Cultivation officially began...