166: Chapter 168 On the Eve of the Grand Competition, a Breakthrough to the Seventh Level

The blue shadow flickered one last time in the Quiet Room.

Lin Muchen stopped in his tracks and put away the Formation Flag and Formation Plate.

"The tactic is perfected."

"Next, it is twenty days of hard training."

He walked back to the meditation cushion, sat down, and closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into the Origin Star.

...

New Settlement, shed.

Lin Muci was squatting on the ground with thirty Spirit Gathering Array Discs laid out in front of him.

Each array disc glowed with blue light, and the runes were carved neatly.

"Brother, you're here?"

Lin Muci felt happy inside.

"Yes." Lin Muchen's voice rang out, "How are the array discs coming along?"

"Thirty of them, all done."

Lin Muci patted the array discs on the ground.

"The pass rate is eighty percent, very stable."

"The second batch of craftsmen has finished their apprenticeship; they can make fifteen a day now."

Lin Muchen observed them.

There were a few defective items piled up in the corner of the shed, not many.

"Good."

"I'll take these thirty for now."

"You continue to research and see if there are more durable Materials."

"The spirit wood is ruined after two hours of use; it's too wasteful."

Lin Muci nodded.

"Understood."

"I was just thinking about that."

"The Origin Star is so big; there must be good Materials."

"I'll organize people to go look for them."

Lin Muchen said.

"Alright."

"Also, how is the market doing?"

"The second trade should be starting, right?"

Lin Muci grinned.

"It starts tomorrow."

"Word came from Elder Yan that the Chen Tribe wants more Runic Crossbows and Spirit Gathering Talismans."

"They are trading them for Cultivation resources and runic knowledge."

"The trade volume this time will definitely be larger than the first."

Lin Muchen was very satisfied.

"Keep an eye on it."

"Tell me how much the Feedback Efficiency has increased after the trade is finished."

"Got it."

Lin Muchen's consciousness stirred slightly.

The thirty Spirit Gathering Array Discs disappeared from the Origin Star and appeared on the floor of the Quiet Room.

He exited the Origin Star and opened his eyes.

The array discs were piled by his feet, glowing with blue light.

"System, put them away."

"Storage complete."

"30 Spirit Gathering Array Discs have been stored in the System space."

Lin Muchen stood up and stretched his body.

"Twenty days."

"Hard training every day to build muscle memory for the tactic."

"Before the Grand Competition, make another push for the Realm."

He walked back to the meditation cushion and sat cross-legged.

He took out the Spirit Gathering Array Discs from the Storage Pouch and placed them by his side.

He also took out a nourishing Medicinal Pill and swallowed it.

"Begin."

The Cultivation Technique began to circulate.

The Origin Star's feedback power poured into his Dantian like a continuous stream.

Combined with the Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Gathering Array Discs and the medicinal power of the pill.

The three forces converged and surged through his Meridians.

Lin Muchen closed his eyes and devoted himself entirely to Cultivating.

...

Time passed day by day.

In the Quiet Room, the blue shadow flickered dozens of times every day.

The Formation Flag flew out, and the Formation Plate followed.

The Formation took shape, and Spiritual Qi gathered.

Then it dissipated, and he started again.

Lin Muchen practiced the rapid Formation deployment and array disc mana recovery tactic until it was as natural as eating and drinking.

Throw, activate, absorb.

All in one go.

The success rate stabilized at over ninety-five percent.

"It's stable."

On the tenth day, Lin Muchen stopped practicing.

"The tactic is fine."

"Next, focus on pushing the Realm."

He sat down again and circulated his Cultivation Technique with all his might.

The Origin Star's feedback power was slightly stronger than before.

Because the market between the two tribes held its second trade as scheduled.

Lin Muci sent word over.

"Brother, the trade is finished."

"Twenty Runic Crossbows were sold, and fifty Spirit Gathering Talismans were traded."

"The Chen Tribe gave three basic runic classics and a batch of low-tier Spirit Stones."

"The Feedback Efficiency increased by 0.5%, it's 30.5% now."

Lin Muchen felt happy inside.

"Good."

"Continue to deepen the exchange."

"Let the two tribes have more contact and more trades."

"Understood."

As the Feedback Efficiency increased, the speed of Cultivation also rose.

Lin Muchen felt the signs of the Bottleneck loosening becoming more and more obvious.

"Foundation Establishment Stage Seventh Level..."

"It's close."

He increased the intensity of his Cultivation.

He used the Spirit Gathering Array Discs one after another.

He didn't skimp on Medicinal Pills either.

Anyway, with the Grand Competition imminent, resources should be used when needed.

...

The eighteenth day.

In the Quiet Room, the Spiritual Qi suddenly fluctuated violently.

Lin Muchen opened his eyes, sweat on his forehead.

"The Bottleneck..."

"It's about to break."

He took a deep breath and called upon all the Spiritual Qi from the Origin Star.

Combining it with the three Spirit Gathering Array Discs activated simultaneously beside him.

And the last condensing liquid pill he held in his mouth.

"Charge!"

Boom—

The Spiritual Qi in his Dantian surged toward the Bottleneck like a flood.

Once, twice, three times.

Crack.

A faint cracking sound came from within his body.

The Bottleneck was broken.

Spiritual Qi flooded into the new Meridian channels crazily.

Foundation Establishment Stage Seventh Level, achieved.

"Ding—"

"Congratulations to the Host for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage Seventh Level."

"Origin Star Feedback Efficiency slightly increased: 30.5% → 31%."

"Note: Realm upgraded, strength enhanced, adding to the chances of winning the Sect Grand Competition."

Lin Muchen grinned.

"Success."

He sensed the power within his body.

It was at least thirty percent stronger than the sixth level.

"System, analyze my current combat power."

"Analyzing..."

"Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Stage Seventh Level."

"Physical Body strength: Far exceeding the same rank, comparable to the Condensing Liquid Stage Third Level."

"Tactical System: Wind and Thunder Evasion (Proficient), Rapid Formation Deployment + Spirit Gathering Array Disc Mana Recovery (Mastered)."

"Resource Reserve: Spirit Gathering Array Discs x30, Cyan Steel Formation Flags x3 sets, various Medicinal Pills."

"Comprehensive combat power assessment: Rarely meets an opponent within the Foundation Establishment Stage, can maneuver against the Condensing Liquid Stage First Level, advised to retreat against Second Level or above."

"Sect Grand Competition Foundation Establishment Group winning chance: ≥ 85%."

"85%..."

"It's stable."

Lin Muchen stood up and stretched his body.

His bones cracked and popped.

"Consolidate the Cultivation."

"Then check the equipment."

He sat down again and circulated his Cultivation Technique to consolidate the newly broken through Realm.

Two hours later.

The Cultivation was completely stabilized at the Foundation Establishment Stage Seventh Level.

Lin Muchen opened his eyes and took out all the equipment from the System space.

Thirty Spirit Gathering Array Discs were piled on the ground.

Three sets of Cyan Steel Formation Flags, six per set, neatly arranged.

There were also various Medicinal Pills, sorted and packed.

"Array Discs, enough to use."

"Formation Flags, two spare sets."

"Medicinal Pills, both healing and mana recovery are available."

He checked them one by one to ensure there were no problems.

Then he put them all into the Storage Pouch.

"System, what's the situation outside?"

"Detected increased clamor within the Sect."

"Disciples are coming and going frequently, and there is more discussion."

"Analysis: The atmosphere for the Sect Grand Competition has started, and most Disciples have entered a state of preparation."

Lin Muchen walked to the window of the Quiet Room and pushed it open a crack.

Outside, it was getting late.

But the Sect was brightly lit, with people coming and going.

Faint discussions could be heard.

"I heard there are over three hundred people signed up for the Foundation Establishment group this time."

"Damn, the competition is fierce."

"The reward for the top three is qualification for the Xuanhuang Secret Realm, who wouldn't want that?"

"I bet fifty contribution points on Senior Brother Wang; he was in the top ten last year."

"I'm betting on Lin Muchen; I heard he's had a rapid Breakthrough recently."

"Lin Muchen?"

"Yes, that's him."

Lin Muchen smiled and closed the window.

"People are betting on me?"

"Not bad."

He walked back to the meditation cushion and sat down.

"The last two days before the Grand Competition."

"Adjust my state and maintain my Peak."

He closed his eyes and began the final breath regulation.

In the Quiet Room, the sound of breathing was steady.

Outside the window, the clamor of the Sect could be faintly heard.

The Grand Competition is coming.