280: Chapter 287 Seclusion in the Secret Chamber

Inside the secret chamber, the Spiritual Qi was so thick it seemed to manifest as a physical mist, slowly swirling under the soft light of the jade wall lamps. This place was isolated from all the clamor of the outside world, leaving only the steady, deep breathing of two people.

Lu Yang took a Jade Bottle from his Storage Pouch. The bottle felt warm and smooth, exuding an ancient aura. This was the 'Essence-Congealing Barrier-Breaking Pill' he had spent the entire previous night refining, specifically designed for Cultivators at the Late Stage of Core Formation to break through Bottlenecks. To refine this pill, he had expended a great deal of mental energy and rare Materials, all so Xiao Qingqing could achieve her Breakthrough more stably and quickly.

He pulled the stopper, and a rich medicinal fragrance instantly permeated the air. Even though Lu Yang had long grown numb to various medicinal scents, he couldn't help but feel his spirits lift.

He poured the pill into his palm. It was the size of a longan, its surface covered in profound patterns. The interior of the pill seemed to have liquid flowing within it, radiating majestic spiritual power.

"Qingqing," Lu Yang called out softly.

Xiao Qingqing snapped her eyes open, a sharp light flashing through them for a brief moment. Seeing the pill in Lu Yang's hand, she was momentarily stunned. "Brother Lu, this is..."

"This is the 'Essence-Congealing Barrier-Breaking Pill'," Lu Yang said, handing the pill to her. "Your Foundation is now stable; this is the perfect time to take it. Swallow it and put all your effort into breaking through the Bottleneck."

Looking at the pill, a warm current welled up in Xiao Qingqing's heart. She knew the value of this pill, and even more so, the effort Lu Yang had poured into it for her. She didn't refuse and nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Brother Lu."

She took the pill, took a deep breath, and placed it in her mouth.

The pill melted instantly upon entering her mouth, turning into a scorching torrent that surged toward her limbs and bones. Xiao Qingqing's face immediately turned bright red, and fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. Not daring to be careless, she immediately closed her eyes and operated her Cultivation Technique, beginning to fully refine this majestic medicinal power.

Lu Yang didn't start his own cultivation immediately. Instead, he sat cross-legged opposite her with a solemn expression. He extended his hands, pressing his palms against Xiao Qingqing's back, slowly channeling his spiritual power into her body to help her guide and refine that violent medicinal power.

Time passed bit by bit. The secret chamber was filled only with Xiao Qingqing's heavy breathing and the humming of spiritual power circulating through her Meridians. Lu Yang remained vigilant throughout, sweat gradually appearing at his temples. He had to split his focus between controlling his own spiritual power and constantly monitoring Xiao Qingqing's condition to prevent her from suffering Qi Deviation.

He saw Xiao Qingqing's expression shift between pain and relief, her aura fluctuating unsteadily. She was clearly experiencing the labor pains of a Breakthrough. He knew this was the most critical moment; the slightest slip-up would mean failing entirely and could even damage her Foundation.

"Steady your mind, guide the spiritual power, and strike the Dantian's Qi Sea!" Lu Yang shouted in a low voice by her ear.

Hearing this, Xiao Qingqing gritted her teeth hard, swallowing all the pain, and focused entirely on following Lu Yang's instructions.

After an unknown amount of time, the aura around Xiao Qingqing suddenly congealed, as if reaching a Peak. Then, that aura spread out in all directions like a tide, and a pressure far stronger than before filled the entire secret chamber.

Boom!

It was as if a silent thunderclap had exploded within her. Xiao Qingqing snapped her eyes open, a brilliant light shooting from her pupils before quickly being drawn back in. Her aura had now steadily stepped into the Peak of Core Formation!

She let out a long breath of turbid air, which actually formed a white vortex in the air that lingered for a long time.

"I succeeded..." Xiao Qingqing's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with unbelievable joy.

Lu Yang withdrew his hands, a gratified smile appearing on his face. He wiped the sweat from his temples and took a 'spirit recovery pill' from his Storage Pouch to give to her. "Congratulations, Qingqing. Now that you've reached the Peak of Core Formation, you're only one step away from the Nascent Soul Stage. However, this final hurdle is often the most difficult; it requires slow and steady work, and more importantly, finding the right Opportunity."

Xiao Qingqing took the 'spirit recovery pill' and swallowed it, her aura quickly stabilizing. She looked at Lu Yang, her eyes full of gratitude and a hint of indescribable tenderness. She knew that without Lu Yang, she wouldn't be where she was today.

"Thank you, Brother Lu," she said softly. "I will definitely work hard."

Xiao Qingqing sat cross-legged in the center of the Cold Jade Stone Bed, her body flickering with spiritual light—at times like jumping green flames, at others like gathering trickling streams. Her tightly closed eyes snapped open, two beams of sharp light shooting from her pupils before quickly receding.

Boom—

A majestic aura, several times stronger than before, erupted from her small frame like a long-suppressed volcano. But this aura did not spiral out of control; instead, it obediently circled the secret chamber once before finally being drawn back into her body.

She had succeeded.

Feeling the surging power within her, Xiao Qingqing couldn't help but let an irrepressible smile spread across her lips. She had broken through, and in one fell swoop, she had crossed the Bottleneck of the Middle Stage of Core Formation to steadily enter the Late Stage of Core Formation!

If this cultivation speed were to get out, it would probably make those old monsters who had cultivated bitterly for hundreds of years die of shame and indignation.

"How do you feel?"

A gentle voice sounded by her ear. Lu Yang had been guarding her side the whole time. Seeing her open her eyes, the tension finally left his face, replaced by a smile of relief.

Xiao Qingqing stood up and stretched her somewhat stiff limbs. Feeling the ceaseless spiritual power surging within her, she said in pleasant surprise, "Brother Lu, I feel wonderful! It's as if every pore in my body has been opened, and I can clearly perceive the flow of Wood Spirit Power in the world. If I were to face that strong enemy from before now, I could tear him apart with just my physical strength, even without using a Magic Treasure!"

Hearing this, Lu Yang also nodded with gratification. He stepped forward and lightly placed his finger on Xiao Qingqing's wrist, sending a strand of pure Divine Sense into her Meridians to carefully check her physical condition.

A moment later, he withdrew his finger, the smile in his eyes deepening and even carrying a hint of amazement.

"Good, very good!" Lu Yang praised sincerely. "Your Meridians are clear and unobstructed, your spiritual power is solid and heavy, and your Foundation is several times more stable than before. Qingqing, your cultivation talent is truly..."

He shook his head, seemingly searching for the right words. "I've seen many geniuses, but someone like you, who breaks through as easily as eating or drinking, is truly a first for me. How long has it been? In just a few short months, you've gone from the Early Stage of Core Formation all the way to the Late Stage. I'm afraid even the Saints and Saintesses of those great Sects would feel ashamed before you."

Xiao Qingqing felt a bit embarrassed by the praise, her cheeks flushing slightly as she whispered, "It's not that exaggerated. It's all thanks to your Medicinal Pills and guidance, Brother Lu. If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be stuck in the Middle Stage of Core Formation."

Lu Yang smiled and didn't dwell on the topic. In truth, he had another suspicion that he hadn't voiced yet.

He always felt that Xiao Qingqing's near-prodigious cultivation speed was due not only to her pure Spiritual Root but also to her special Physique. Whenever he was near her, especially during Dual Cultivation, he could clearly feel that his Primal Yang Power had a strong attraction and catalytic effect on her. Her Physique seemed as if it were born specifically to absorb and fuse with his power.

This feeling was very strange and very subtle.

"Regardless, this is a good thing," Lu Yang thought to himself.

He composed himself and said seriously, "Now that you've reached the Late Stage of Core Formation, you're only one step away from the Nascent Soul Stage. At this rate, with the help of another Opportunity, a Breakthrough isn't out of reach."

A flash of longing appeared in Xiao Qingqing's eyes, but she soon looked worried. "Brother Lu, how can the Nascent Soul Stage be so easy? So many Late Stage Core Formation Cultivators are stuck at this Bottleneck their entire lives without making any progress. Although I've broken through to the Late Stage, I'm afraid I'll need a long period of accumulation to condense a Nascent Soul."

"Ordinary Cultivators naturally need long accumulation, but you are different," Lu Yang said with confidence.

He walked to a corner of the secret chamber where an ancient Pill Furnace sat. Its lid was slightly ajar, and a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air.

"I estimate that in another month or two," Lu Yang said while taking several pills radiating a shimmering green light from the Pill Furnace, "I will refine the 'Green Wood Nascent Soul Pill' for you. This is a fifth-grade Peak-tier Medicinal Pill specifically prepared for Wood-type Spiritual Root Cultivators to charge into the Nascent Soul Stage. Combined with your Physique and the 'Spirit-Gathering Grand Array' I'll set up for you, your chance of breaking through is at least seventy percent!"

Xiao Qingqing was dumbfounded. Seventy percent? This was practically a fairy tale! When ordinary Cultivators attempted to reach Nascent Soul, they would be incredibly grateful for a twenty or thirty percent chance.

"Brother Lu, you... are you really sure?" She could hardly believe her ears.

"Rest assured." Lu Yang turned around and handed the pills to her. "During this time, you just need to focus on stabilizing your Realm while continuing Dual Cultivation with me to deepen the spiritual power resonance between us. Your Physique is special and extremely sensitive to my Primal Yang Power; this resonance will grow stronger as your cultivation increases, which will be of great benefit to your Breakthrough."

When the words "Dual Cultivation" were mentioned, their gazes met in the air, and the atmosphere seemed to fill with a hint of ambiguous pink bubbles.

Xiao Qingqing's face turned even redder, but she didn't turn away. Instead, she nodded heavily. "Okay, I'll listen to everything you say, Brother Lu."

Lu Yang smiled slightly and reached out to help her tidy a few stray strands of hair.

"Once you break through to Nascent Soul, I can finally be at ease." A deep light flashed in Lu Yang's eyes. "At that time, with a Nascent Soul Cultivator guarding Lingcao Residence, it will be able to stand its ground in this cultivation world even if I'm not here. I can then leave with peace of mind to handle some of my own affairs."

"You're leaving?" Hearing this, Xiao Qingqing's expression changed, and she instinctively grabbed his sleeve. "Brother Lu, where are you going?"

Seeing her nervous look, Lu Yang's heart warmed, and he said softly, "It's only a temporary departure. I have some mysteries regarding my origins and some unresolved Karma that I need to investigate. But don't worry, I will only leave once you've truly stabilized your Nascent Soul Stage cultivation and can stand on your own. Before then, I will clear away all obstacles for you."

Hearing this, Xiao Qingqing finally felt a bit more at ease. She knew Lu Yang was not the type of person content with a mundane life; his sky was far broader than Lingcao Residence.

"Then... you must promise me that you will definitely come back." Xiao Qingqing bit her lip and said seriously.

"Silly girl." Lu Yang chuckled and gave her nose a playful flick. "Of course I'll come back. This place is our home."

The two smiled at each other, everything understood without words.

In the following days, Lu Yang became even busier.

During the day, besides guiding Xiao Qingqing's cultivation, he poured all his energy into refining Medicinal Pills. One fifth-grade pill after another was born in his hands, each one condensing his blood, sweat, and expectations.

Nighttime was their time for Dual Cultivation.

The two sat cross-legged facing each other, their auras blending. The Primal Yang Power within Lu Yang's body flowed into Xiao Qingqing like a warm tide. Meanwhile, Xiao Qingqing's Wood Spirit Power wrapped around his power like vines, nourishing and promoting each other.

Lu Yang was surprised to find that this Dual Cultivation was not only beneficial to Xiao Qingqing but also had unexpected benefits for himself. As their spiritual power resonance deepened, his Wood-type Spiritual Root, which had been stagnant, actually began to loosen, slowly moving toward the Late Stage of Core Formation.

Although his other four Spiritual Roots remained at the Early Stage, the Breakthrough in his Wood-type root gave him hope for the Perfection of his Five Elements Spiritual Roots.

Inside the secret chamber, time seemed to lose its meaning.

The surging winds and clouds of the outside world, along with the prying and testing from various forces, were all isolated outside that thick stone door. Lu Yang ignored all external disturbances, leaving only the message: "Alchemist Lu is in secluded cultivation and will not see guests for three years," completely cutting off everyone's hopes.

During this peaceful time, Xiao Qingqing's cultivation also improved steadily.

With Lu Yang's almost "force-feeding" of Medicinal Pill support and Dual Cultivation guidance, her mastery of the Late Stage of Core Formation grew increasingly proficient. The spiritual power in her body was like steel tempered a thousand times—solid and resilient.

One month later.

A strong spiritual power fluctuation suddenly erupted in the secret chamber. Xiao Qingqing's body glowed with intense green light, like a jade statue. At this moment, her spiritual power reached an unprecedented Peak, as if a single light touch could puncture the veil leading to the Nascent Soul Stage.

Lu Yang stood to the side, his expression solemn and focused. He held several 'Qi-Inducing Talismans' he had prepared long ago, ready to assist Xiao Qingqing in her charge against the Bottleneck at any moment.

"Are you ready?" Lu Yang asked in a low voice.

Xiao Qingqing took a deep breath, a flash of determination in her eyes. "I'm ready, Brother Lu. Let's begin!"

Lu Yang no longer hesitated. He threw the Talismans forward and shouted, "Concentrate your mind, operate your technique, and strike the Bottleneck!"

Boom!

The spiritual power in Xiao Qingqing's body was like a flood breaking a dam, madly rushing toward the Golden Core in her Dantian's Qi Sea. Under the impact of the majestic spiritual power, the Golden Core began to rotate slowly; its size gradually shrank while its density increased rapidly.

This was the omen of the Golden Core transforming into a Nascent Soul!

Seeing this, Lu Yang felt a secret joy. It seemed his plan was going even more smoothly than expected. At this rate, in less than half a month, Xiao Qingqing would truly be able to condense her Nascent Soul and become a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor!