Meanwhile, elsewhere...
The deafening roar that shook the courtyard's Formation during the day was caused by Han Yi unleashing the Spirit Void Finger. His technique had advanced once more.
But before he could revel in his triumph, the Spirit Void Finger hurtled downward, striking the Formation's foundation and triggering a violent tremor. The force of the quake sent clouds of dust billowing into the air, leaving Han Yi disheveled and startled.
Even worse, the bedroom, which had miraculously remained standing until now, collapsed along its rear half. Fortunately, due to the Formation's layout and the angle of the doorway, the guards stationed outside remained unaware of the commotion.
Ignoring his disheveled appearance, Han Yi burst into laughter. When his laughter subsided, he exhaled a long, powerful breath, like a silken ribbon, swirling the residual spirit qi within the bedroom into a turbulent vortex that engulfed the entire area.
It took a long while for the chaotic energy to settle.
Four months had passed since his last breakthrough, and now Han Yi's Spirit Void Finger had reached new heights. The sheer power of this advanced technique finally gave him a genuine sense of confidence in his ability to protect himself.
"This destructive force rivals that of a Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator, perhaps even at the peak of that stage," he mused, gazing at his Proficiency Panel with a surge of excitement.
Name: Han Yi
Lifespan: 21/89
Cultivation Realm: Qi Refining Third Layer (78/100)
[Cultivation Technique: Fire Pill Profound Art (Proficient 17/100) ]
[Skills:]
[ - Alchemy Technique (Hall Entry 63/100) ]
[ - Spirit Void Finger (Thorough Mastery 1/100) ]
After four months of relentless cultivation, Han Yi's proficiency panel had undergone a complete transformation.
Thanks to his reckless consumption of Spirit Stones, his cultivation realm had progressed significantly, reaching 78/100 towards the Qi Refining Third Layer. The foundational cultivation technique, Fire Pill Profound Art, had also advanced from the Entry level to the new Proficient stage.
As for his skills:
Alchemy Technique remained at Hall Entry.
Spirit Void Finger had surpassed Alchemy Technique, reaching the new level of Thorough Mastery.
The power of the Spirit Void Finger at the Thorough Mastery level left Han Yi pleasantly astonished.
"There's still a month left," he mused. "I need to prepare for two scenarios."
"First, I'll use Spirit Stones—no, not just Spirit Stones, but also Qi Nourishing Pills—to cultivate relentlessly and strive to break through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer."
"Second, I'll combine that set of three low-grade magic artifact daggers with the Sword Control Technique to develop a second combat method besides the Spirit Void Finger."
Han Yi's plan was clear. He wasn't letting a single breakthrough inflate his ego; instead, he remained steadfast and cautious.
He resolved to begin supplementing his cultivation with Qi Nourishing Pills. Compared to Spirit Stones, the pills' energy converted more readily into bodily mana and was gentler on his system.
A Qi Nourishing Pill provided a significantly smaller boost to cultivation compared to a Spirit Stone. However, it was far more effective for breaking through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining. This unique property led to a Qi Nourishing Pill being valued at approximately one and a half Spirit Stones on the market.
"But there's another crucial decision I need to make, beyond these preparations," Han Yi mused.
"Whether I succeed in breaking through or not, regardless of my progress with the Sword Control Technique, I must leave Mengshan City early."
Based on his current understanding, Han Yi couldn't pinpoint anyone in Mengshan City who harbored ill intentions toward him. Yet, an inexplicable instinct warned him against staying.
If he was going to leave, a sudden departure was undoubtedly the best course of action. Even if enemies lurked, his unexpected early departure would catch them completely off guard.
With this in mind, Han Yi resolved to begin his return journey to the sect half a month ahead of schedule, leaving him exactly one month.
In the days that followed, Han Yi resumed his rigorous cultivation, freely consuming Spirit Stones and Qi Nourishing Pills.
But after just three days, he abruptly halted, his brow deeply furrowed.
"No, this won't work. My previous approach was far too naive," he muttered.
"Progress is far too slow. At this rate, I won't just fail to break through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, I won't even make significant progress with the Sword Control Technique."
"Patience is key. I absolutely cannot rush this," Han Yi muttered to himself.
"Trying to have it all at once is clearly too idealistic. Besides, even if I managed to break through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, I wouldn't be able to stabilize my cultivation. The instability from the breakthrough would lead to imprecise control over my Mana, making my most potent technique, the Spirit Void Finger, unreliable and potentially even dangerous to myself."
After a moment of contemplation, Han Yi made a decisive choice. He abandoned his immediate plans for a breakthrough and instead focused on mastering the Sword Control Technique.
Back in the alley, he had crushed Jiang De, a cultivator with a higher cultivation level, using Spells while he was only at the Qi Refining Third Layer.
While cultivation was crucial, Spells were the key to overcoming strength disparities.
He retrieved the incomplete Sword Control Technique he had purchased from the Lei Family Market and pressed the Technique Transmission Jade Disk against his forehead.
Instantly, a cultivation technique flooded his mind, accompanied by an explanatory voice.
This was a Technique Transmission Jade Disk.
Of course, this particular disk was a low-tier, single-use version. Once activated, it would become a worthless stone.
Higher-grade Technique Transmission Jade Disks could last indefinitely and be used countless times, forming the foundational inheritance of many great Sects.
Moments later, Han Yi set aside the now-useless Technique Transmission Jade Disk. He placed a dagger-type Magic Artifact on his lap, resting his arm across it.
Following the instructions of the Cultivation Technique, he began channeling his Mana into the dagger.
Initially, he sensed a resistance and awkwardness, as if the Magic Artifact were rejecting him.
Undeterred, Han Yi remained patient, steadily pouring his Mana into the dagger.
Three days later, the dagger on his lap began to twitch.
Seven days later, it wobbled and shakily lifted into the air.
Eighteen days later, the dagger darted through the Meditation Chamber, leaving streaks of spiritual energy in its wake.
One clear morning a month later, a crisp creak echoed from the long-unused courtyard gate. A figure stepped over the threshold, manipulated the Formation Plate to reactivate the courtyard's defensive Formation, then tucked the plate away and strode purposefully toward the city gates.
This figure, of course, was Han Yi.
He had considered slipping out under the cover of darkness, but Mengshan City's strict regulations forbade even cultivators from entering or exiting after dark. Any attempt to force their way through would be met with lethal force if discovered.
Today was the day Han Yi had planned to return to the sect ahead of schedule. He had already decided where he would go after rejoining.
Both the Outer and Inner Peaks of the Profound Pill Sect offered cultivation chambers for rent. These chambers were built atop Spirit Vein nodes, making the Spirit Qi within them far denser than in other areas.
The advantages of these chambers were obvious, but so were their drawbacks: they were absurdly expensive.
For example, renting a cultivation chamber on Little Spirit Void Peak cost one Spirit Stone per day—an astronomical price for ordinary low-level Qi Refining disciples. As a result, the cultivation chambers on the Outer Peak were typically only used by Qi Refining Fifth or Sixth Layer cultivators willing to invest heavily to break through to the next realm.
The journey to the sect would take approximately five days, meaning Han Yi would need to rent a cultivation chamber for ten more days, totaling ten Spirit Stones.
To Han Yi at this moment, his personal safety far outweighed the cost. He understood the priorities clearly and had no hesitation in spending the money.