Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Third Layer of the Qi Refining Stage

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Yet another week had passed, but his cultivation had not advanced in the slightest. As for this, Zhou Changwang had long anticipated it. After all, progress in cultivation required the aid of spiritual energy. Especially during the stage of advancement, the spiritual energy needed was often far greater than usual. Relying solely on the spiritual power transformed through the regular practice of his technique was clearly insufficient to break through the bottleneck and advance from the second to the third layer of the Qi Refining stage.

Without the corresponding supplementary methods, he could only employ a slow and steady approach, accumulating spiritual power bit by bit until, at some point, he would naturally break through. As for now—

"Continue cultivating. Today, I'll push through in one go and break through my cultivation," Zhou Changwang thought, his mood surging with excitement, eager to reach the third layer of Qi Refining. He let out a low cry, focused his mind, and once again began to circulate the Five Elements Formula. At the same time, he reached out and grabbed a low-grade spirit stone placed nearby.

With the circulation of his technique, the spiritual energy within the stone was quickly drawn out, transforming into surging waves that poured continuously into his body. When spiritual energy is lacking, spirit stones make up for it! The area he occupied was merely the periphery of a spiritual vein, where spiritual energy was not abundant; if he absorbed and transformed it step by step, the time required would be far too long. Breaking through required a concerted effort.

Though this method resulted in great waste, for the sake of cultivation, he did not hesitate to be extravagant. Vast waves of spiritual energy surged, pouring into his body like a river. Though more than half dissipated during absorption and transformation, returning to heaven, a large amount of spiritual energy was still transformed by his technique into spiritual power, flowing into his dantian, where it was swiftly compressed and consolidated.

Suddenly, his hand felt empty—a low-grade spirit stone had been exhausted of its energy, turned to dust. He quickly grabbed another stone. He went through three in succession. When he could compress no more, reaching a certain limit, Zhou Changwang hurriedly controlled his spiritual power, shaping it into a sharp blade and directing it at a specific meridian.

Boom!

That blocked meridian was pierced straight through by the spiritual power, without the slightest resistance. The breakthrough was smoother than he had imagined. Zhou Changwang's body trembled, joy rising in his heart.

He had broken through.

In this moment, he finally advanced—from the second to the third layer of the Qi Refining stage. At the same time, his Five Elements Formula completed a full cycle, returning to his dantian.

Five Elements Formula +1

Suddenly, a wealth of experience in practicing the Five Elements Formula flooded his mind.

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It was as if, in this instant, he had circulated the technique hundreds or thousands of times, gaining countless insights and understandings about the Five Elements Formula.

"The realm of my Five Elements Formula has also broken through to the Basic Mastery stage?" Zhou Changwang was stunned, a smile spreading across his face. Double blessings had arrived.

He looked again at his status panel:

Name: Zhou Changwang
Longevity: 17/78
Cultivation: Qi Refining, third layer (1/100)
Technique: Five Elements Formula (Basic Mastery 1/400)
Skills: Spirit Rain Technique (Basic Mastery 42/400), Cleansing Technique (Novice 69/100), Accelerated Growth Technique (Basic Mastery 23/400), Geng Metal Finger (Basic Mastery 125/400), Pacification Technique (Novice 57/100), Fireball Technique (Novice 25/100)
...

"As expected—not only has my cultivation broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining, but even the Five Elements Formula has officially advanced to Basic Mastery." Zhou Changwang was delighted. Just as he was about to close the status panel, his body suddenly trembled, and his eyes widened.

Longevity!

He discovered that his longevity had increased—from seventy-five to seventy-eight, a full three years gained.

"To cultivate immortality is to pursue longevity. Whether true immortality is attainable, I cannot yet say, but extending one's lifespan is certain." Zhou Changwang was filled with joy and satisfaction.

He then began to sense the differences after breaking through to the third layer of Qi Refining. First, his dantian had grown much larger, and his meridians were more resilient after the rush and compression of spiritual power. His internal spiritual power was also noticeably more refined; the same spells, when cast with this power, could be three times as potent.

It was clear that Zhou Changwang's overall strength had greatly increased. Perhaps the only thing limiting him now was his offensive and defensive capabilities.

On the offensive side, he only mastered two attack spells: Geng Metal Finger and Fireball Technique. Yet Geng Metal Finger was, after all, a pest-removal spell; even at Basic Mastery, its range was only three yards, its direction singular, lacking versatility. The Fireball Technique was still at the novice stage, with limited power.

As for defense, he had not a single skill to his name.

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"This won't do. If I want to be tough, I must first ensure my survival." A cultivator without some means of protection was dangerously vulnerable.

He had had no options before—shortage of spirit stones rendered his aspirations meaningless. But now, he resolved to arm himself, starting with one or two defensive spells as necessary choices.

...

Early the next morning.

Zhou Changwang naturally opened his eyes, sensing that the world around him had subtly changed. The air was sweeter, and with a slight movement of his eyes, he could vaguely see threads of spiritual energy drifting about, gradually converging toward his body under some special attraction.

Then Zhou Changwang suddenly realized: the Five Elements Formula within him was operating on its own. Not controlled by his will, it circulated naturally. Immersing his mind within, he confirmed this once again.

"This is the characteristic of the Five Elements Formula at Basic Mastery—no need for conscious control; the technique operates automatically, restoring consumed spiritual power..."

Zhou Changwang was truly surprised and delighted. He had long known that the Five Elements Formula would change upon reaching Basic Mastery, but he had not expected such a significant transformation—it now drove his cultivation technique to circulate automatically.

Though this uncontrolled automatic circulation was extremely slow—barely completing a single cycle in an hour—it required no effort or focus on his part.

It meant he was cultivating at all times.

Over the course of one night, his technique had completed five cycles on its own. Not only had his proficiency increased by five points, but the spiritual power in his body, which had been depleted after his breakthrough, was once again full—no need to meditate to recover.

Knock knock knock!

Just then, a series of knocks sounded at the door.

Zhou Changwang was startled. So early—who could it be?

He thought for a moment, then quickly got up and walked to the door.