14: Internal or external application?

The next day, with a soft "creak," the door to the side room was pushed open, and Lu Yang and Mu Wanqing walked out one after the other.

After a night of harmonizing and Cultivating the Dragon Phoenix Yin-Yang Art, Lu Yang's Spiritual Root Realm had actually leveled with Mu Wanqing's, both reaching the Qi Refining Seventh Layer Peak!

At this moment, the status of the five Spiritual Roots in his body was as follows:

Metal, Water, and Earth Spiritual Roots: Qi Refining Great Perfection

Wood Spirit Root: Qi Refining Seventh Layer

Fire Spirit Root: Eighth Layer of Qi Refining

However, Mu Wanqing did not Breakthrough to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining as expected, but was stuck at the Seventh Layer Peak.

Mu Wanqing tidied her lapel, a hint of scrutiny and teasing in her flowing gaze:

"Junior Brother, why has your Primordial Yang energy become so thin recently?

Your cultivation has gone up, but the effect of this Dual Cultivation... tsk, it's barely satisfactory.

According to the past, with one azure spirit pill plus your Primordial Yang, I should have been able to rush from the Middle Stage to the Eighth Layer, but now, I've only reached the Peak."

She leaned in a step closer, her tone carrying a playful concern, "Junior Brother, you aren't really going to... 'Run out of essence and die,' are you?"

Lu Yang's face darkened: "Senior Sister, is it possible that your method of absorption isn't refined enough?

Next time, why not try internal consumption, or... external application?"

"Internal consumption? External application?" Mu Wanqing was taken aback at first, then covered her mouth with a light laugh as if suddenly realizing,

"Oh~ that makes sense! Isn't that how Medicinal Pills are absorbed quickly and effectively? Junior Brother, you've really enlightened me!"

The flirtatiousness in her eyes grew stronger, and she reached out to pull Lu Yang back into the room, "There's no time like the present, why don't we try the new method right now..."

Lu Yang hurriedly took a step back, waving his hands like the wind: "No, no! Senior Sister, yesterday's cultivation was too late, and my state isn't good. Let's wait until tonight..."

He quickly changed the subject, "Besides, doesn't Senior Sister still need to go to the Small World to tend to the spirit plants? The hour must not be delayed!"

After consecutive days of "fighting," he indeed felt like his body had been hollowed out and desperately needed rest and recuperation.

Mu Wanqing looked at his slightly evasive manner, her expression half-smiling, understanding clearly in her heart:

"Since Junior Brother needs to conserve his energy, then fine. I'll go and get busy first."

She rose on her sword, looking back with a smile before leaving, her voice carrying a mischievous tone, "Don't worry, I'll definitely pick some more Yang-strengthening grass for you this time!"

The sword light faded into the distance, leaving Lu Yang behind to go crazy on the spot:

"Foundation Establishment! I must reach Foundation Establishment! It's urgent!"

...After Mu Wanqing left, Lu Yang spent two hours opening the furnace to perform Alchemy.

He refined a total of thirty first-tier flawless rejuvenation pills.

Twenty second-tier flawless spirit gathering pills.

And one each of third-tier low-grade high-quality water spirit pills and earth spirit pills.

By the time the pills were collected, it was already noon.

Lu Yang calculated the time; it was exactly the time agreed upon with Liu Yan.

He quickly packed up and headed straight for Liu Yan's side room.

Liu Yan had already prepared everything in the room.

A jade bowl containing a thick, colorless, and odorless liquid was placed on the table.

It was exactly the "Spirit Aloe Liquid" that Lu Yang had requested.

This liquid was collected from the wounds of Spirit Aloe leaves and had a slight healing effect on external injuries, making it a common item for Cultivators to treat flesh wounds.

In the center of the room, two futons were placed opposite each other.

Liu Yan had obviously misunderstood the meaning of "opening the qi gates," thinking it was a long session of seated meditation to clear the Meridians, and had prepared accordingly.

Seeing this, Lu Yang knew he had to explain in advance, otherwise the subsequent "treatment" would be difficult to carry out.

"Senior Sister Liu, I have good news for you!" Lu Yang revealed a smile, "I've broken through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer!"

Liu Yan's reaction was exactly the same as Chi Rong's: first shock, then using Divine Sense to investigate, and finally still not believing it, she directly grabbed Lu Yang's wrist to sense the spiritual power herself.

After confirming it repeatedly, she finally released her hand with a look of disbelief.

"Thanks to the 'cultivation' with you these past few days, Senior Sister, I've gained many insights. Coupled with years of accumulation, I've finally had a Breakthrough and rushed to the seventh layer in one go," Lu Yang explained at the right moment.

Only then was Liu Yan convinced, a sincere smile appearing on her face: "Congratulations, Junior Brother! Breaking through several Realms in one night shows that your Luck is extraordinary! Perhaps there is hope for Foundation Establishment, and you can truly defy heaven and change your fate!"

Lu Yang cupped his hands: "Haha, then I'll take your auspicious words, Senior Sister." He changed the subject and said seriously: "Senior Sister, regarding the specific method of opening the qi gates, you might not be clear yet. Come, get closer, and I'll tell you in detail."

Liu Yan followed his words and tilted her head slightly closer.

Lu Yang leaned into her crystalline earlobe and lowered his voice, revealing the entire actual process of "opening the qi gates."

In an instant, Liu Yan felt as if she had been struck by lightning!

Her pretty face turned bright red instantly, even more vivid than the most blazing fire poison in her body!

She never expected that what she thought was an internal clearing of the Meridians was actually going to start from... that kind of place!

No wonder he needed an external wound medicine like Spirit Aloe Liquid! She had been completely puzzled before!

Shame, shock, and disbelief intertwined, and Liu Yan's voice even carried a tremble: "Junior Brother... this... how about... we find another way?"

Lu Yang's expression was solemn, his gaze clear and upright, as if he were discussing the most serious cultivation method:

"Senior Sister, the Physical Body is but a shell for the Soul to temporarily reside in. Why be obsessed with a frame that will eventually decay?

Besides, since you and I have already established an immortal bond and are honest with each other, what should be seen and what shouldn't be seen has already been seen. Why worry about it?"

His matter-of-fact openness even made Liu Yan begin to doubt if her own mental state and cultivation were insufficient, being too constrained by worldly appearances.

Seeing the struggle and changes in Liu Yan's eyes, Lu Yang knew she was wavering.

He said no more and decisively picked up the bowl of Spirit Aloe Liquid and walked toward the bed: "Senior Sister, it's getting late. Let's begin."

A battle raged within Liu Yan's heart, but finally, she gritted her teeth, her face red, and walked with stiff steps toward the bed...