372: Chapter 372 Can you help me protect myself? I want to start my breakthrough.

In the Transmission Monument Forest, sunlight filtered through the Formation's light curtain, casting mottled shadows upon the transmission monuments.

Xu Ruyu stood in place, watching the laughter and voices coming from the distance, a smile involuntarily tugging at the corners of his mouth.

That laughter belonged to Taihao Clan, loud and carefree, without a shred of decorum; occasionally, it was interspersed with Yue Ling's gentle laughter, which sounded as pleasant as a clear mountain spring.

These two—one was a Saint Realm Artifact Refiner who had lived for ten thousand years, and the other was the Guardian Holy Spirit of the Taihu Clan—yet at this moment, they were like two ordinary sisters, wandering, laughing, and teasing each other in the monument forest.

Watching them, a surge of warmth rose in Xu Ruyu's heart.

Having been in this world for so long, he had met many people—some like Xiao Nianyin, who was high and mighty at first but had now been reduced to a Bed-warming maid.

Some like Mo Feng, who made things difficult for him at every turn, wishing for nothing more than his death.

Some like Madam Qingli, who had treated him sincerely from beginning to end without asking for anything in return.

And some like Leng Ningshuang's group of four, who went from initial disdain to being completely convinced by him now.

But the Master and disciple pair of Yue Ling and Taihao Clan gave him the most special feeling.

Yue Ling was as gentle as water, and the way she looked at him always carried a hint of shyness and dependence.

Even though she was an Artifact Spirit who had lived for ten thousand years, she always acted like a young girl in the first throes of love when she was before him.

Taihao Clan, however, was completely different.

She was outspoken and carefree, with a tongue sharp enough to wither anyone, yet she had an indescribable... trust in him? Or perhaps, curiosity?

Ever since she saw his Array Pattern and Artifact Refining techniques, she had been completely conquered by him, pestering him every day with questions, wishing she could extract everything from his mind.

These two—one was his nominal... well, Dao Companion? The other was his nominal... disciple? This relationship was quite interesting when he thought about it.

Xu Ruyu shook his head, tossing these messy thoughts out of his mind.

He still had business to attend to.

A moment later, Yue Ling and Taihao Clan returned.

Taihao Clan held a rubbing of a monument fragment in her hand, waving it excitedly. "Xiao Yuer! Look at this!

The way you completed the final three turns of this 'Four-Turn Overlord Body Art' is just too brilliant!

I just tried to deduce it, and if it can be mastered, one's Physical Body strength would increase by at least ten times!"

Xu Ruyu smiled. "I'm glad Senior Taihao Clan likes it."

Yue Ling walked to his side and said softly, "Ruyu, you've been standing here alone for so long. What are you thinking about?"

Xu Ruyu looked at her, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke. "Yue Ling, Senior Taihao Clan, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

Yue Ling was slightly startled, then said gently, "Go ahead."

Taihao Clan also leaned in and said boisterously, "What is it? Just say the word! With me, Taihao Clan, here, I can settle even the biggest trouble for you!"

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath and said slowly, "I want to achieve a Breakthrough here."

"A Breakthrough?" A flash of surprise appeared in Yue Ling's eyes. "Now?"

Xu Ruyu nodded. "Yes. During this time, I have accumulated a lot.

From fighting those illusions while clearing the trials, to later completing Cultivation Techniques and comprehending the Dao of the Hundred Saints, and then to the recent Artifact Refining and transmission—all these experiences have become my accumulation.

I feel that I have reached a critical point and can attempt a Breakthrough."

Taihao Clan scratched her head. "If you want to break through, then just do it. Why do you need our help? Can't you just find a place to sit down and start?"

Yue Ling tapped her lightly. "Silly disciple, one needs a Protector during a Breakthrough to prevent outsiders from disturbing them.

This is the Transmission Monument Forest. Although it is quiet, if someone were to barge in while Ruyu is at a critical moment, it would be dangerous."

Taihao Clan suddenly understood. "Oh—so that's how it is! Fine, no problem! Master and I will guard you. I guarantee not even a fly will get in!"

Xu Ruyu laughed. "Then I'll leave it to you two."

He paused and then added, "However, my Breakthrough might be a bit different from most people's."

Yue Ling asked curiously, "How is it different?"

Xu Ruyu gave a bitter smile. "You both know my cultivation is very strange.

I'm clearly in the Qi Refinement Stage, yet I can defeat a Nascent Soul.

Earlier when I communicated with The Hundred Saints, they told me that this Physique of mine is called the 'Heavenly Dao Obscured Physique,' and my cultivation is hidden by the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, when I break through, my Realm might not rise like a normal person's. Instead... well, the layers of my Qi Refinement Stage will continue to increase."

Taihao Clan's eyes widened. "The Qi Refinement Stage can still increase? What layer are you at now?"

Xu Ruyu said, "The twenty-fifth layer of Qi Refining."

Taihao Clan sucked in a breath of cold air. "Twenty-fifth layer? A normal Qi Refinement Stage only has four layers! You've nearly tripled that!"

Yue Ling was also somewhat surprised, but she quickly regained her composure and said softly, "No matter how many layers there are, as long as you can become stronger, it's a good thing."

Xu Ruyu nodded. "I think so too. The Hundred Saints said that at the twenty-fifth layer of Qi Refining, my strength is already equivalent to the Early Stage of Body Integration.

If I can break through again to the thirtieth or fortieth layer, my strength will continue to rise.

Even if my Realm is still the Qi Refinement Stage, as long as my strength is great enough, that's all that matters."

Taihao Clan's eyes sparkled as she listened. "Early Stage of Body Integration? Wouldn't that make you even more formidable than some Elders?

Tsk tsk, Xiao Yuer, you really are a monster!"

Xu Ruyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Senior Taihao Clan, are you praising me or insulting me?"

Taihao Clan chuckled. "Praising you, of course! What's wrong with being a monster? Only monsters are truly powerful!"

Yue Ling tapped her again. "Stop joking around. Ruyu needs to break through; we need to find a suitable place."

Xu Ruyu looked around and pointed to a massive monument not far away. "Let's go there. There's an open space behind that transmission monument that's relatively secluded."