Chapter 6: Breakthrough! Qi Refining Fourth Level!
“Once Erniu returns, I’ll quickly repay the spirit crystals—I can’t rest easy carrying that debt.”
Before heading home, he went to look for Erniu. But Erniu wasn’t home, so he turned back.
On his way, he bought ten catties of demon-beast meat before returning.
Yet at this late hour, Lin Chang’an was still wide awake, eagerly toying with his storage pouch.
Seeing the Green Bamboo Sword constantly going in and out, Lin Chang’an couldn’t stop smiling after returning home.
“A storage pouch—I never expected I’d possess such a treasure.”
It wasn’t that he lacked ability before; it was too extravagant and unnecessary.
But times had changed.
Looking at the talismans on the table, Lin Chang’an glanced at the sky outside, then his expression turned solemn.
“At my current cultivation level, going to the marketplace to sell premium talismans still carries some risk. It’s safer to improve my cultivation first—after all, I’m officially someone of status now.”
He wasn’t the wandering cultivator who risked his life hunting demon beasts for a few spirit crystals anymore.
Isn’t life about continuous improvement?
That night, Lin Chang’an slept soundly, embracing the storage pouch.
…
A few days later.
Golden Light Talismans were pasted on his door and windows at home.
Now Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged, hands forming seals, with his five centers oriented toward the sky.
As the wood-attribute Evergreen Art circulated, he seemed to meld with Heaven and Earth—today he finally reached a critical point.
Boom!
Like thunder, yet silent.
As the shackles shattered, every limb and bone, every inch of skin seemed to leap with joy, filled with boundless energy.
At the same time, his magical power surged. Lin Chang’an maintained his focus, cultivating Evergreen Art. After completing several circadian cycles, his inner magical energy gradually stabilized.
After a moment!
Once his internal energy calmed, Lin Chang’an exhaled a breath of turbid air and slowly opened his eyes.
“Twenty years in cultivation, at the age of forty—I’ve finally entered mid Qi Refining!”
Qi Refining Fourth Layer—the threshold of mid-stage Qi Refining. He had finally stepped onto that path.
A wave of emotion washed over Lin Chang’an—both excitement and the bittersweetness of the journey.
But feeling the changes within, he inhaled deeply.
“So this is mid-stage Qi Refining. No wonder they said Fourth Layer is the true first step onto the path of immortality.”
His five senses had sharpened severalfold. Especially after the breakthrough, his mind cleared; memories of his two lives, once blurred, now shone clearly.
“Sharper senses, marrow-cleansing wisdom—this is the real difference between cultivators and mortals!”
His internal magical power also became more substantial, doubling after the breakthrough.
【Name: Lin Chang’an】
【Lifespan: 40/98】
【Realm: Qi Refining Fourth Layer (0/100)】
【Cultivation Art: Evergreen Art (Mastery: 8/1000)】
The panel data changed after the breakthrough.
Realm breakthroughs often affect stats.
His lifespan increased by ten years—a result he understood; after all, the wood-attribute Evergreen Art contains longevity and beauty-preserving effects.
But the mastery in Evergreen Art also increased?!
“Breaking through to Qi Refining Fourth Layer deepened my understanding of Evergreen Art—this personal experience suddenly awarded so much cultivation experience.”
After pondering, Lin Chang’an understood why his art progress had jumped.
Cultivation art mastery corresponds to how deeply one comprehends the art—basically one’s talent.
“Besides spiritual roots, comprehension also limits cultivation speed—if I understand the art more deeply, that can compensate for some shortfall in roots.”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an’s eyes shone with confidence.
…
After ascending to Qi Refining Fourth Layer, Lin Chang’an felt more secure—and bought spirit fruits he’d never have afforded before.
Having finally broken through, a celebration was in order.
From then on, he spent his days drawing talismans, cultivating, and studying his art during leisure.
Day after day passed. Half a month later, Erniu finally returned.
“Brother Lin!”
“Erniu, you’re finally back.”
The newly arrived Erniu smiled broadly, carrying two flasks of spirit wine.
Upon entering, he habitually scanned the place, noticing the demon-beast meat stewing on the stove and the precious spirit fruits on the table.
Erniu was startled—but twenty years of cultivation had matured him beyond the naive farm boy he once was.
“Brother Lin! You’ve broken through!”
He turned and saw an indistinct radiance around Lin Chang’an—his cultivation was no longer that of Qi Refining Third Level.
“I bought a Golden Marrow Pill at Treasure Pavilion. Luckily, it worked.”
Lin Chang’an replied with a smile. Lit up, Erniu excitedly slapped his shoulder.
“Brother Lin, that’s amazing! Now we can cultivate together in this marketplace!”
Though years had changed them, Erniu stood by Lin Chang’an as steadfast as ever.
He put the spirit wine on the table, his cheeks shining with excitement.
“These two flasks of spirit wine are just right for celebrating, Brother Lin.”
In the cultivation world, a true friend was rare. The two arranged the stewed meat and spirit fruits on the table.
Lin Chang’an didn’t have to fetch it—he returned the spirit crystals borrowed from Erniu.
With cups full, the pair drank their first toast, and only then began to dig in.
“Brother Lin, your talisman-making skill has advanced, and now your cultivation breakthrough—it proves deeply rooted Evergreen Art working impeccably. Your future in the Immortal Path is promising. Congratulations!”
Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded. Modest in face, but inside he felt proud.
To his Qi Refining later-than-late breakthrough, seasoned cultivators might scoff. But for wandering cultivators from the bottom, every advancement was worth celebration.
After three rounds of wine, Erniu’s face flushed, and he opened up.
“Not to nitpick, but your ability to craft premium Golden Light Talismans shows you already possess the skill for first-rank mid-grade talismans. Now with your breakthrough, you should consider producing them soon.”
“I understand.” Lin Chang’an’s expression grew serious.
His previous talismans were first-rank low-grade—though praised for nearing mid-grade quality, they still lagged behind.
The most obvious difference: price.
In the cultivation world, talisman craft was widespread only for first-rank low-grade. Beyond that, except for powerful cultivators, most mid and higher grades were monopolized by sects and noble families.
After all, would they let valuables spread outside?
But Erniu, though simple, was truly clever.
The two exchanged glances and smiled.
Though they didn’t explicitly discuss it, Lin Chang’an knew: gaining the art of first-rank mid-grade talismans would require investment.
At his age, joining a sect wasn’t realistic—at most he’d be a talisman craftsman under a sect’s industry.
Otherwise, he could ally himself with a powerful cultivation family.