Though Yi Xiaoyao was amazed, he understood after a moment’s thought.
The Sword God had once said that only those with the Sword God Bloodline were worthy of his inheritance.
And the Sword Dao talent Yi Xiaoyao had just displayed was surely one of the reasons for it.
Next, as Yi Xiaoyao swiftly mastered the remaining two Swordsmanship techniques, he was no longer surprised.
Mastering three Swordsmanship techniques might take others several months, or even years.
Even a Sword Dao genius would need ten to fifteen days just to gain a basic grasp.
Yet Yi Xiaoyao, in the time it took for a mere three incense sticks to burn, had mastered them to the level of Great Success!
The time he saved, compared to others, could naturally be used to advance his Cultivation.
Sitting on his bed, Yi Xiaoyao swallowed a Spirit Enhancing Pill.
As the Elixir entered his stomach, its effects began to take hold, releasing a massive amount of Spiritual Qi that flooded into his meridians.
Immediately after, Yi Xiaoyao began to cultivate his Spiritual Power according to the Devouring God Sword Technique.
A Devouring Power suddenly erupted. The Spiritual Qi in his meridians was rapidly devoured, drawn into his Dantian, transformed into Dark Spiritual Power, and injected into his Qi Sea.
Under this Devouring Power, the speed at which the Elixir Yi Xiaoyao had just taken released Spiritual Qi was forcibly increased several dozen times over!
It was no longer the Elixir providing him with Spiritual Qi; he was literally snatching the Spiritual Qi from the Elixir!
An ordinary Qi Condensation Cultivator would need at least ten days to completely absorb the effects of a single Spirit Enhancing Pill.
Yet Yi Xiaoyao, in only about six hours, had already "plundered it dry" and completely absorbed the Spirit Enhancing Pill.
Aided by the Elixir’s effects, his Cultivation broke through, reaching the Second Realm of Qi Condensation.
The difficulty of advancing increases with each layer.
Last night, it had taken Yi Xiaoyao an entire night to break through to the First Realm of Qi Condensation, yet today, he had reached the Second Realm in only six hours.
He could achieve this not only because of the Elixir’s effects, but more importantly, because of the power of the Devouring God Sword Technique.
’At this rate, I can absorb the remaining two Essence Increasing Pills before noon tomorrow. Then I’ll go to the Pill Workshop and buy more Spirit Enhancing Pills. It won’t be hard to catch up to Tang Ruoxue’s Cultivation within ten days!’
The thought of Tang Ruoxue’s betrayal ignited a flame in Yi Xiaoyao’s heart!
He had to get stronger, prove himself to everyone, and make Tang Ruoxue regret it!
After calming himself, Yi Xiaoyao swallowed another Spirit Enhancing Pill and focused on his Cultivation.
「The next day, at noon.」
Yi Xiaoyao’s eyes snapped open, gleaming with a sharp light.
Immediately, a hint of regret touched the corner of his lips, and he let out a soft sigh of disappointment.
’Peak of the Third Realm of Qi Condensation. I was so close to breaking through to the Fourth. Too bad I’m out of Spirit Enhancing Pills.’
If anyone else had seen his expression, they probably would have died from sheer indignation.
Yi Xiaoyao was still not satisfied with such a terrifying Cultivation speed!
Breaking through two whole Realms in the twenty-four hours from noon yesterday to noon today... besides Yi Xiaoyao, there was likely no one else in the world capable of such a feat.
Yi Xiaoyao stood up and stretched, his joints popping and crackling all over.
Although he hadn’t slept for two days and two nights, the increase in his Cultivation had not only made him physically stronger but had also left him feeling incredibly energized.
Now at the Third Realm of Qi Condensation and possessing the incomparably tyrannical Dark Spiritual Power, Yi Xiaoyao estimated that even a typical Cultivator at the Fourth Realm of Qi Condensation would be no match for him.
The thought that he could condense the mysterious Source of Sword Qi upon reaching the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation made Yi Xiaoyao even more eager to raise his Cultivation and obtain greater power.
Therefore, he needed more Spirit Enhancing Pills to continue advancing his Cultivation.
’Right, I need to go to the Pill Workshop and pick up my Spirit Enhancing Pills.’
With that thought, Yi Xiaoyao immediately headed out the door.
...
Across from the Pill Workshop was a tavern. The wine served there was Spirit Wine, meant for Cultivators.
Not only was Spirit Wine more fragrant and mellow than ordinary wine, but it also didn’t cause intoxication and even contained Spiritual Qi.
At that moment, two youths of about eighteen or nineteen sat near the tavern entrance. Judging from the way they were intently staring at the Pill Workshop across the street, they weren’t just there to drink.
One of the youths had a bandaged arm, while the other already looked impatient.
These two were none other than Tang An and Tang State.
Tang State slammed the empty wine bowl in his hand down on the table in front of Tang An.
"Tang An, are you messing with me? You made me wait here all morning, and I haven’t seen so much as a shadow of Yi Xiaoyao!"
As he spoke, Tang State let out a deep belch.
Fortunately, Spirit Wine wasn’t intoxicating, or the two of them would have long since passed out drunk.
Tang An looked anxious. He had almost spent all the money his father gave him for Elixirs on this wine. Hearing Tang State’s complaint, he quickly called an attendant over for another jar of Spirit Wine.
"Cousin Tang State, do you think that good-for-nothing found out we’re here and is too scared to show up?"
Tang An filled a bowl with wine for Tang State, only to see Tang State’s expression suddenly change.
"He’s here!"
Tang State said.
Hearing this, Tang An turned to look.
Yi Xiaoyao stepped into the Pill Workshop and greeted the shopkeeper.
The Shopkeeper had seen Yi Xiaoyao deal with Tang An the day before and had heard from Tang An himself that Yi Xiaoyao was the Young Master of the Castle. He therefore recognized him at a glance and came forward, all smiles.
"Sir, you’ve arrived. I’ll get your Elixirs right away," the Shopkeeper said with a smile.
"Wait."
Yi Xiaoyao thought for a moment, then said, "This time, I want to buy thirty Spirit Enhancing Pills."
’He consumed Elixirs dozens of times faster than a normal person. Seven pills were practically nothing. Ten days was more than enough time for him to go through thirty Spirit Enhancing Pills.’
The Shopkeeper smiled and explained, "Sir, you may not be aware, but taking too much of any Elixir builds resistance. After consuming more than ten Spirit Enhancing Pills, the effects become negligible."
Yi Xiaoyao immediately nodded in understanding.
"In that case, never mind. Just give me the seven remaining Spirit Enhancing Pills from yesterday."
The Shopkeeper handed over the Elixirs and whispered softly to Yi Xiaoyao.
"Sir, be careful of that tavern across the street. There are two young men inside who’ve been watching my Pill Workshop for most of the day. One of them is the fellow you taught a lesson to yesterday."
Yi Xiaoyao’s heart tightened. He offered his thanks and left the Pill Workshop.
He had just stepped outside when, sure enough, a commotion started in the tavern.
"Well, if it isn’t the worthless Young Master of our Tang Family Castle! I hear you can cultivate now? What a truly joyous occasion!"
Tang State, sitting on a table and holding up his wine bowl, called out loudly, "Since it’s such a happy occasion, come on over! I’ll toast you with a bowl!"
Yi Xiaoyao paused, glanced at Tang State, and then ignored him, continuing on his way.
Tang State let out a cold snort, gathering Spiritual Power into the wine bowl in his hand.
"You dare ignore me? Looks like you’d rather do this the hard way!"
The next instant, the wine bowl flew from his hand, shooting out of the tavern straight at Yi Xiaoyao!
Sensing the whistle of something cutting through the air, Yi Xiaoyao reacted swiftly. Spiritual Power flared in his palm as he raised a hand to block behind his head.
"HISS!"
The Dark Spiritual Power swiftly devoured and disintegrated Tang State’s Spiritual Power.
"Looks to me like you’re the ones asking for trouble!"
Yi Xiaoyao also gave a cold snort, then spun around and flicked the wine bowl back.
However, he wasn’t aiming for Tang State. His target was Tang An, who stood beside his cousin with a sinister smirk on his face.
Tang An was injured and could barely move. Moreover, he never expected Yi Xiaoyao to attack him.
"SMACK!"
The wine bowl, imbued with Spiritual Power, shattered against Tang An’s face, which instantly started gushing blood.
As Tang An screamed in agony, Yi Xiaoyao grinned and turned to leave.
Tang State’s expression changed. He roared at Tang An, "You lied to me? He’s not at the First Realm of Qi Condensation at all—he’s at the Third!"
"Cousin, I swear I don’t know what’s going on! You have to get revenge for me!" Tang An cried, clutching his bleeding face.
Tang State narrowed his eyes.
"With my Cultivation, avenging you is no problem. The trick is making Yi Xiaoyao attack me first. That way, even if I cripple him, I won’t be punished."
Tang An asked, confused, "Cousin, Yi Xiaoyao already knows your Cultivation is higher than his. Why would he attack you first?"
"Isn’t it obvious?" Tang State replied with a sinister smile.