Chapter 69

Zhang Yan originally intended to refine the sword pill, but unexpectedly, his vital energy surged, bringing him close to breaking through to the third level.

However, the closer he got to this step, the more patient he had to be, without any impatience. He first ordered Luo Xiao to guard outside, then closed the door of his cave abode, gathered his mind, and focused inward.

The last breath of spiritual energy was almost integrated, and with the help of the celestial timing, he smoothly moved forward, encountering no obstacles.

At this moment, his mind was clear, and the two breaths of energy seemed to have magnified countless times before his eyes, every detail reflected in his heart. He could see how the clear and turbid energies accommodated each other and merged into one.

However, the integration of this breath of energy was unexpectedly long.

After five full days and nights, a loud explosion resounded in his mind, and the energy surged throughout his body. Something deep within seemed to be suddenly connected. Looking into his chest, he saw eighty-one breaths of spiritual energy linked together, swirling around.

Before he could examine them in detail, all the spiritual energy suddenly trembled, rising up and overflowing from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, then floating above his head, forming a chaotic cloud about one acre in size, writhing and rolling.

He could feel that this cloud was voraciously consuming all the spiritual energy in the world, continuously growing stronger.

Whether it was the golden wind, fierce fire, the heavy evil qi from the earth, the water qi from mountains and marshes, or the vitality of trees and forests, it all absorbed them, gathering them into one, becoming part of it.

As time passed, the cloud gradually changed, becoming thicker and more substantial, showing signs of transformation.

At this moment, Zhang Yan heard a loud thunderclap, as if a bolt of lightning had struck out of nowhere. Drops of rain, as substantial as real rain, fell from the cloud. These raindrops, upon touching his body, seeped through his pores, while more poured directly into his body from the top of his head, slowly sinking into his dantian.

Zhang Yan understood that this step was called "Opening the Heavenly Gate," after which the energy in his chest would connect with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Without the golden wind or fierce fire, he could directly refine it into clear and turbid spiritual energy.

Even if, in the future, he lost most of the eighty-one breaths of spiritual energy in battle, as long as one breath remained in his chest, he wouldn't need to start over. He could simply absorb a little spiritual energy from the world and quickly re-refine it in a short time.

However, once the Heavenly Gate was opened, various impurities would also arise. These impurities not only came from the outside world but also from the impurities and filth in his body. If a cultivator didn't have the help of medicinal pills, and if they didn't regulate themselves properly, these impurities would mix with the spiritual energy, causing impure vital energy and hindering future cultivation.

Zhang Yan didn't hesitate and immediately took out the Chisheng Pill he had obtained from Wang Pan, swallowing it in one go.

This Chisheng Pill was difficult to refine, and even in the Pill Cauldron Hall, there was a fixed number. If Zhang Yan hadn't obtained this one from Wang Pan in advance, he would have had to wait until next year for the next batch.

As soon as the pill entered his stomach, it immediately suppressed the evil qi. The vital energy turned, and the impurities seemed to be brushed off, then expelled through his pores. After the spiritual energy circulated eighty-one times, all his meridians were cleansed, and the medicinal power of the Chisheng Pill was completely used up.

At this moment, Zhang Yan felt his breathing become clear, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his chest. His mind was at ease and comfortable, and he knew he had officially entered the third level of the Mingqi stage, the "Heavenly Rain Descending on the Head" realm.

However, his back was sticky and uncomfortable, as the impurities had been expelled. He stood up, jumped into the warm spring in his cave abode, and slowly washed away the filth.

Looking at the rising steam, he deeply pondered: "Although I have reached the third level of the Mingqi stage, I am still inferior to those who have condensed the Xuanlight Seed. There is a major competition in two years, and then disciples from all the halls and peaks will gather. Among them, there will be many outstanding disciples. I must not slack off."

After reaching the third level of the Mingqi stage, if one doesn't condense the Xuanlight Seed, further cultivation will be futile, and one's cultivation will not improve.

To condense the Xuanlight Seed, one must first obtain a Yunsha Stone and refine it in the qi sea.

The Yunsha Stone is a higher-grade stone than the Five Elements Divine Sand, formed after tens of thousands of years of evolution in a place rich in spiritual energy. In the Longyuan Marsh, there are dozens of such spiritual lands where third-level Mingqi disciples can enter to search.

Zhang Yan thought: "I wonder which of these dozens of spiritual lands is the best. Senior Brother Zhou has been in the sect for hundreds of years and is well-informed. I should go and ask him."

After washing away all the impurities, he felt refreshed. He put on the Xuanluo Dao robe given to him by the Water Kingdom's ruler, left the cave abode, and instructed Luo Xiao a few things. Then he released his flying boat and flew to the Pill Cauldron Hall.

Now he was familiar with the way, and it didn't take long to fly over the vast lake and pass over the various halls of the Pill Cauldron Hall, landing on a fishing boat.

After informing the attendant at the door, he entered the pavilion and saw Zhou Chongju standing by the window, hands behind his back, sighing: "Junior Brother Zhang, you have reached the third level of the Mingqi stage in less than a year. You are truly a prodigy, and the predecessors' discernment was not wrong. We have hope for our future revenge!"

He turned around and smiled: "I predicted that you would come to me in these few days. Are you here to inquire about the Xuanlight Seed?"

Zhang Yan was slightly surprised and said: "Senior Brother's prediction is accurate. I am indeed here for this matter."

Zhou Chongju chuckled: "According to the sect's rules, the Yunsha Stone should be obtained by the seniors for the disciples. However, I don't have one, but I know two places where you can get it."

Zhang Yan bowed and said: "I hope Senior Brother will not hesitate to inform me."

Zhou Chongju's robe swayed as he sat down at the desk, stroking his fine beard: "The first place is the 'Spiritual Mechanism Hall' of the sect. As a true disciple, you don't need to search for the Yunsha Stone like ordinary disciples. You can simply get one from there. However, the Yunsha Stones in the Spiritual Mechanism Hall are collected by some disciples, and the best ones are already taken. The remaining ones, though usable, are far inferior to the best. This method saves you the trouble of searching."

Zhang Yan smiled lightly: "This method, though labor-saving, will surely lead to deficiencies in future cultivation. What is the other place?"

The *Taiyi Jinshu* he cultivated was a high-level mystical technique. The more advanced the technique, the stricter the requirements for cultivation. If he used ordinary Yunsha Stones, the power would be greatly reduced, so this method was not feasible.

Zhou Chongju, seemingly knowing his attitude, was not surprised and said: "The other place is quite dangerous. It depends on whether you dare to go."

Zhang Yan, without hesitation, immediately said: "The path of the Great Dao is always fraught with difficulties. How can one avoid them? Please tell me, Senior Brother."

Zhou Chongju slapped the desk and stood up: "Good! Go out of the Qingcang Sect's mountain gate and head north. There is a place called the Zhaoyou Heavenly Pool. At the bottom of the water, a hundred feet down, is what you need."

"Zhaoyou Heavenly Pool?" Zhang Yan was slightly startled and said: "Isn't this the territory of Gui Congyao, one of the three lake demons?"

The three lakes are a general term, but there are actually three: the Bi Xue Pond, the Yong Lang Lake, and the Zhaoyou Heavenly Pool.

Gui Congyao is a thousand-year-old turtle spirit, the most powerful of the three demon lords. Taking something from under his nose would be extremely dangerous.

Zhou Chongju said solemnly: "Although this demon is one of the three, Gui Congyao is a loner with no disciples. Moreover, he is a heavy sleeper. As long as you don't disturb him while taking the Yunsha Stone, it should be fine. You must decide for yourself."

Zhang Yan thought for a moment, made up his mind, and bid farewell without saying much more.

After leaving the gate, he smiled. Although Zhou Chongju made it sound very dangerous, he suspected there was more to it.

He immediately flew back to Lingye Island, passing through halls and courtyards. Before he left the Pill Cauldron Hall, he heard a familiar voice from the Dutan Pavilion. He paused, landed in the courtyard, and listened.

The last time Zhang Yan came here, he had captured a group of relatives and disciples from the Six Rivers and Four Islands, so the attendants and child disciples all recognized him. They hurriedly greeted him, saying: "Senior Uncle Zhang has arrived."

At that moment, a woman in the Dutan Pavilion angrily said: "Clearly, a hundred spirit shells can be exchanged for ten Great Yuan Pills, but now I only get five."

Chao, the pavilion master, said calmly: "That was the original price, but the Great Yuan Pills are always difficult to refine. With the major competition approaching, all the halls and peaks are cultivating their junior disciples. Therefore, they have become even rarer recently. If you don't want them, other fellow disciples will take them. I advise you to exchange them now. If you wait a few more days, the number might change again."

Qin Nan, standing beside the woman, pulled her sleeve and advised: "Senior Sister Wang, why not just take five?"

"No!" The woman pulled her sleeve away, slapped the counter, and said angrily: "Do you know that I am an old acquaintance of Cheng Dalang from the Six Rivers and Four Islands? Do you think I can't call him here?"

Chao, the pavilion master, sneered: "Even if a true disciple from the Six Rivers and Four Islands comes, they must follow the rules of the Pill Cauldron Hall." He thought to himself: "Do you think it's still the time of Dou Ming? Now, we don't need to care about your faces."

The woman, having boasted in front of Qin Nan, was now embarrassed. Her face turned red, and she grabbed Qin Nan, saying angrily: "Junior Sister, let's go. I'll call Cheng Dalang here and see if he dares to bully me!"

Chao, the pavilion master, with a mocking look, was about to mock her when he suddenly heard the commotion outside. He listened carefully, shivered, and immediately put on a smile, rushing out and bowing: "Senior Uncle Zhang has arrived. I failed to welcome you properly, I failed to welcome you properly."

... ...

... ...