Chapter 31: Seventh Layer
Within the Spirit Pool.
Azure waves rippled.
As Fang Qing employed the Water-Control Technique, streams of water separated into layers, each carrying its own medicinal properties, continuously tempering and merging…
“Refining Spirit Powder is indeed different from Spirit Water… the final step’s pill-combining hand seals require a much higher standard.”
Recalling the previous failure, Fang Qing’s eyes grew deep.
His hands continuously changed seals: “Condense!”
Crash!
Spirit-rich spring water continuously evaporated, finally revealing a layer of strange medicinal powder.
This powder was pitch-black in color.
Just a single whiff made one feel mentally refreshed. “Top-Grade First-Tier Spirit-Consolidating Powder… it succeeded!”
Fang Qing stored the packet of Spirit-Consolidating Powder away, a faint smile finally appearing on his face.
“That truly wasn’t easy… I heard the Five Dragons Society is still failing over there.”
He had the primary material and still failed before.
As for the Five Dragons Society, they could not even find the main ingredient and had to substitute with other materials, making failure even more common.
Thinking of the massive resources invested for this, even Fang Qing felt a twinge of pain.
“But all of it is worth it… as long as I possess Divine Sense, I can attempt to refine Second-Tier pills at the late stage of Qi Refining and challenge the True Inheritance of the Immortal Arts?”
“Even if I don’t obtain True Inheritance, I can still attempt to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill myself!”
“At present, I can only be considered a quasi–Top-Grade First-Tier pill refiner…”
By loose cultivator standards, being able to refine any Top-Grade First-Tier pill would already qualify as a Top-Grade First-Tier pill refiner.
However, within a Core Formation sect, the requirements were higher.
At minimum, one had to successfully refine three different Top-Grade First-Tier pills to complete certification.
Fang Qing knew his own situation well.
He had only gained some experience in refining Spirit-Consolidating Powder by burning through vast resources.
If it were another Top-Grade First-Tier pill, although it would not be as hard to start as for other Mid-Grade First-Tier pill refiners, failing ten or eight times would still be unavoidable before entry.
“Fortunately… my proficiency with Spirit-Consolidating Powder is already sufficient. From now on, the success rate will continue to rise.”
Fang Qing had this confidence.
Holding the newly refined Spirit-Consolidating Powder, he entered the seclusion chamber.
He sat cross-legged, regulated his breathing, and calmed his mind…
After restoring his state to its peak, Fang Qing did not hesitate and swallowed a mouthful of Spirit-Consolidating Powder.
The medicine melted upon entry, like a clear stream, yet it did not descend into the abdomen.
Instead, it rose directly into the mind.
“Mm…”
In an instant, Fang Qing felt his mind become incomparably clear, his thoughts accelerating at high speed… many accumulated difficulties from cultivation and pill refinement seemed on the verge of being resolved.
Unfortunately, this feeling came quickly and left just as fast.
As the cool current dissipated, within his sea of consciousness, it felt as though something was about to burst forth—like a land brimming with vitality, with tender shoots about to break through the soil…
Time passed unknowingly.
One hour, two hours…
Fang Qing exhaled a long breath and suddenly opened his eyes.
His gaze was gentle, like a clear spring, yet concealed within it was an unfathomable sharp brilliance.
“Just from taking it once, I already feel on the verge of condensing Divine Sense?”
Fang Qing touched his brow.
“Could it be… because I’ve been diligently cultivating the Horse-Headed Vajra Guardian Divine Art, and my physique already rivals a peak Mid-Grade First-Tier body refiner?”
This strange technique cultivated both essence and spirit.
He felt that his accumulated “mental power” had long met the requirements for Divine Sense, lacking only a trigger.
And now, Spirit-Consolidating Powder was precisely that trigger!
“Spirit-Consolidating Powder only aids in condensing Divine Sense; it doesn’t guarantee success.”
“But as long as I take it a few more times, I will certainly condense Divine Sense!”
Fang Qing was quite satisfied with his cultivation progress.
“With my current Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivation, Mid-Grade First-Tier body-refining art, plus a large number of talismans and the Sea-Transforming Pearl… against ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, I might have the strength to fight?”
“There are about five years until the next True Disciple competition… if I want to contend, it’s not impossible. But those in combat will certainly be veteran Qi Refining Ninth Layer experts—perhaps already at peak completion—so I must not underestimate them. On the other hand, for the True Inheritance of the Immortal Arts, if I can condense Divine Sense and refine Second-Tier pills, I might have some hope?”
“Wait… wouldn’t that mean competing with Five Dragons Child and Gong Susu?”
“The Great Dao lies ahead. None of that matters—the key is to remain steady… first, I should see if there are channels to obtain a Second-Tier Demon Core.”
Over these years, Fang Qing had accumulated considerable wealth.
Assembling a set of Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients would not be a major problem.
But refining it himself still posed no small difficulties.
…
The next day.
On Wanbao Island, within a waterside pavilion.
“Haha… come, senior and junior brothers, have a taste.
This is the ‘Emerald-Heart Spirit Fish’ caught on this voyage.
Steamed, its flavor is unmatched, and paired with Spirit Rice and ‘Scarlet Fruit Wine’ brewed from Scarlet Fruits… it’s said that several elders are quite fond of this.”
Hua Lian held jade chopsticks, his face full of enthusiastic smiles.
This was a gathering of fellow disciples.
Fang Qing was among them.
Looking around, he found many familiar faces at the table—Huo Tianhuo, Mingling Zhen, Li Yusu, and even Zha Zhu were present.
Zha Zhu’s cultivation had actually reached the late stage of Qi Refining, causing Fang Qing to sigh inwardly.
“Congratulations, Senior Sister, on advancing to the late stage of Qi Refining.”
He raised his cup and offered congratulations to Zha Zhu.
“I only recently cultivated to peak Qi Refining Sixth Layer and then entered seclusion to try. I didn’t expect to break through.”
Zha Zhu smiled faintly.
“Fang shi—Junior Brother, didn’t you also break through to Qi Refining Sixth Layer during this seclusion?”
Fang Qing used the Dao-Birth Pearl to conceal one layer of cultivation, so he currently appeared as newly entering the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
Such a cultivation speed was already enough to draw attention.
For example, Li Yusu beside him was only barely at Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
Hearing this, he merely drank in silence.
Hua Lian had also cultivated to Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
He drank a cup of Scarlet Fruit Wine and laughed.
“With Junior Sister Zha Zhu’s rapid progress, I think in five years she’ll be more than capable of contending for a True Disciple seat.”
“My cultivation is shallow. I’ll wait fifteen years.”
Zha Zhu did not take the bait.
After three rounds of wine, Hua Lian finally broached the main matter.
“Everyone… my fleet is preparing to depart during this fishing season.
I’ve already rented a Three-Tusked Great Ship from the sect. Do any of you have interest?”
The cultivators exchanged glances and all smiled and nodded.
“Naturally.”
Over the years, following Hua Lian, they had earned quite a lot.
Even Zha Zhu, after some consideration, agreed.
Clearly, having reached the late stage of Qi Refining, her cultivation progress had slowed, and she needed to earn resources herself.
Moreover, going out to sea to fish could also temper one’s combat abilities.
“Daoist Fang… what about you?”
Seeing that most had agreed, Hua Lian’s smile deepened as he looked at Fang Qing.
“I still need to remain in seclusion to refine pills…”
Fang Qing shook his head.
He had always been a lone wolf, even when going to sea.
“Brother Fang, acting like this is rather cold.”
Hua Lian’s smile stiffened slightly before he could speak.
Yu Taohua at his side immediately spoke up.
Fang Qing remained silent.
In truth, Hua Lian’s fleet had gained some reputation.
Those who went to sea with him suffered few casualties and reaped rich harvests, and the two also had decent private relations.
To outsiders, Fang Qing’s conduct indeed carried the flavor of refusing goodwill.
But to Fang Qing, what was face?
His heart was wholly focused on seclusion, refining pills, taking Spirit-Consolidating Powder, and striving to condense Divine Sense as soon as possible!
“This… I truly apologize. I’ll drink three cups as punishment.”
Fang Qing raised his cup and drained it three times in succession.
After the banquet ended and everyone departed, Yu Taohua spoke indignantly.
“Senior Brother Hua Lian, look at Fang Qing—he really doesn’t know what’s good for him! When have we not returned with overflowing profits? Now even Senior Sister Zha Zhu is willing to give face and join, yet he alone acts aloof?”
“Forget it. Everyone has their own path.”
Hua Lian shook his head.
“This Junior Brother Fang could already refine Ginseng-Green Spirit Water years ago. His pill-refining skill even earned praise from Five Dragons Child… he must be quite wealthy and looks down on the meager income we fishermen earn…”
There was regret in his words.
…
Within the cave dwelling.
Fang Qing sat cross-legged and swallowed another portion of Spirit-Consolidating Powder.
Crash!
This time, the cool current surged straight into his mind, clearing his spirit platform.
His brow stirred restlessly, followed by a sudden stabbing pain, as if a third eye had opened.
“This is… Divine Sense?”
Fang Qing closed his eyes, yet he could clearly perceive everything within several feet around him.
He could even look inward at himself, seeing the misty Black-Water True Power within his Dantian sea of qi.
Under the augmentation of Divine Sense, his thoughts ran at incredible speed.
“I… seem to have become smarter.”
Reviewing his memories, every experience was vividly clear, as if he had gained a photographic memory.
Whether it was the cultivation method Observing Black Ridge Scripture, the Five Dragons Pill Scripture, or even the previously incomprehensible Plum Blossom Divination, all now seemed to reveal threads he could follow and study.
“Indeed… once Divine Sense is obtained, whether cultivating or researching the Immortal Arts, it’s like having divine assistance…”
Joy flashed across Fang Qing’s face.
He did not immediately read books but instead sat cross-legged again and swallowed several drops of Ginseng-Green Spirit Water.
At the instant Divine Sense was born, he experienced a sudden inspiration and sensed the opportunity to break through the bottleneck of the seventh layer of the Commentary on the Water Classic!
Boom!
As Ginseng-Green Spirit Water entered his abdomen, strands of True Power immediately formed and merged into his Dantian.
Not only that—Fang Qing’s mind stirred slightly.
The Dao-Birth Pearl spun rapidly.
During this period, as his Black-Water True Power had reached its limit, the Ji Water True Power primordial qi he had cultivated instead surged down in torrents, as if he had swallowed half a breakthrough pill.
Crash, crash!
The surging True Power fluctuations nearly burst his Dantian.
Fortunately, relying on his Divine Sense, Fang Qing was like a seasoned fisherman.
No matter how the sea raged with monstrous waves, he still kept his vessel steadily moving forward.
Crack!
At last…
No one knew how much time had passed.
Fang Qing seemed to hear the sound of a silver bottle shattering as liquid splashed forth.
Within his body, Black-Water True Power surged mightily, suddenly breaking through its restraints and entering an entirely new realm!
“Qi Refining Seventh Layer—success!”
Feeling the fluctuations of his True Power, Fang Qing’s lips curved slightly.
“Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators hold an entirely different status within the sect… they are qualified to contend for True Inheritance.”