Nightfall was like ink, shrouding Green Stone Town in silence. In the simple dormitory on the second floor of the Welcoming Inn, Ye Chen sat cross-legged on the hard bed, not asleep. Wang Tiechui was already snoring thunderously on another bed; he was simple-minded and slept deeply when physically exhausted.
Ye Chen's fingertips toyed with a low-grade Spirit Stone taken from the Storage Bag of a Cultivator Who Sat in Meditation. A milky white halo flowed gently in the darkness, illuminating his calm eyes. Ever since his arduous cultivation in the Grotto-Heaven at the bottom of the ravine, he knew the importance of resources, especially the hard currency of the Cultivation World—Spirit Stones.
"The Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter can compensate for talent, but its demand for Spiritual Energy far exceeds ordinary Cultivation Methods. Progress is too slow relying solely on meditation," Ye Chen mused in his heart. "I must find a way to obtain more Spirit Stones. At least before arriving at Flowing Cloud Immortal City, I need sufficient reserves to deal with emergencies, and even... attempt to break through to Qi Refining Level 4."
He recalled the words of Old Man Sun from the Hundred Inquiries Workshop, and the mineral fragments that might be related to Star Stones. The waters of Green Stone Town seemed deeper than they appeared on the surface. Rashly revealing wealth or strength could attract unnecessary trouble.
"I won't provoke trouble, but if an opportunity arises..." A sharp glint flashed in Ye Chen's eyes. He was not a pedantic person; in this world of the strong preying on the weak, appropriate "acquisition" was a necessary means of survival. Of course, the prerequisite was that the target itself was not benevolent, and action must be taken after careful planning.
He calmed his mind and thought no further. The immediate priority was to fully utilize the resources he currently possessed.
He held the low-grade Spirit Stone in his palm and simultaneously circulated the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter. Within his Dantian, that wisp of chaotic-hued Spiritual Power flowed slowly along the increasingly smooth hidden meridians like an awakened dragon, generating a suction force that drew in the pure Spiritual Energy from the Spirit Stone.
Unlike the bone-chilling coldness of absorbing the Profound Yin Spirit Spring, the Spiritual Energy from the Spirit Stone was mild and neutral, easier to absorb and refine. The Spiritual Energy entered his body, was harmonized by a subtle trace of the Ascension Token, which seemed to always increase his Spiritual Energy absorption efficiency, then was quenched and purified by the unique Qi Circulation Route of the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter, finally transforming into more condensed Spiritual Power with a chaotic hue, converging into the Dantian Sea of Qi.
Absorbing Spiritual Energy from a low-grade Spirit Stone, Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter Proficiency +2.
Total Spiritual Power slowly increases, Cultivation: Qi Refining Stage 3 85/100.
The efficiency was indeed much faster than simple meditation. Ye Chen was immersed in the solid feeling of his strength steadily growing.
Time flowed by, and the luster of the Spirit Stone in his palm dimmed at a visible rate. When the last trace of Spiritual Energy was absorbed, the Spirit Stone turned into a small pile of dull white powder, slipping through his fingers.
Ye Chen did not hesitate and immediately took out the second low-grade Spirit Stone.
One, two, three...
The remaining low-grade Spirit Stones in the deceased cultivator's Storage Bag were rapidly consumed. The Spiritual Power within him became increasingly abundant, his Dantian Sea of Qi like a pond constantly filled with living water, the surface continuously rising, gradually approaching an invisible boundary.
When the fifth low-grade Spirit Stone also turned to powder, Ye Chen's aura suddenly changed!
Within his Dantian, the chaotic-hued Spiritual Power vortex spun at a drastically increased speed, its volume suddenly contracted inward, and then it expanded with a roar! An aura nearly twice as potent as before uncontrollably permeated from his body, causing the bed curtains to sway slightly.
Successfully broke through to Qi Refining Level 4!
Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter Proficiency +50!
Total Spiritual Power, Spiritual Power Quality, and Spiritual Sense range all significantly increased!
Dao Foundation Strength: 350% of Cultivator of the Same Rank!
He broke through!
Ye Chen's eyes snapped open, a flash of chaotic light seeming to vanish in their depths. He gently clenched his fist, feeling the surging, powerful force within his body, and the clear perception of his Spiritual Sense range expanding from a few feet around him to over ten feet, a powerful confidence welling up in his heart.
At Qi Refining Level 4, while still at the bottom rung of the Cultivation World, one has officially entered the Qi Refining Mid-stage, with a qualitative difference from the early stage. With his current Dao Foundation and Spiritual Power Quality far exceeding that of cultivators of the same rank, he might even have a chance to fight against ordinary cultivators at Qi Refining Level 5 or 6!
He suppressed the joy of his breakthrough and carefully savored the profoundness of his new realm. His Spiritual Sense projected outward, allowing him to "see" the floating dust in the room more clearly, hear the faint breathing sounds from the next room, and even vaguely sense the presence of occasional night travelers on the street outside the inn.
This sense of control was intoxicating.
However, as his Spiritual Sense swept over a certain corner of the inn's backyard, his movements paused slightly. He "saw" a blurry Black Shadow, clinging to the shadows of the inn's backyard like a gecko, its aura extremely well concealed. If not for his recent breakthrough and enhanced Spiritual Sense, it would have been almost impossible to detect.
The Black Shadow seemed to be spying on something, its gaze... fixed on the window of their dormitory!
Ye Chen's eyes instantly turned cold.
So, they were targeted? Was it because of Wang Tiechui's physique that attracted attention? Or did the transaction at the Hundred Inquiries Workshop during the day reveal something? Or... was it related to those mineral fragments?
He remained outwardly calm, slowly retracting his aura, which had just broken through and was not yet fully controlled, reverting to that of an ordinary cultivator who seemed to be only at Qi Refining Level 1 or 2. However, his Spiritual Sense, like invisible tendrils, firmly locked onto the Black Shadow.
The Black Shadow lurked for about one incense stick's worth of time. Seeing no further movement from within, it then slid down the wall as silently as a ghost, merging into the deeper darkness and disappearing.
Ye Chen did not pursue. Startling the snake without hitting it was not the act of a wise person; observing the situation before understanding the opponent's background and intentions was the best strategy.
He glanced at Wang Tiechui, who was still sound asleep, and made up his mind.
Tomorrow, they would leave Green Stone Town as planned. But this path ahead would likely not be peaceful.
He closed his eyes again, no longer absorbing Spirit Stones, but fully circulating the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter to consolidate his newly broken-through cultivation, while maintaining his Spiritual Sense in an alert state.
In his embrace, the Ascension Token emitted its usual, reassuring warmth.
Spirit Stones temper the heart, and also temper danger. The road ahead is thorny; only by breaking through can one overcome it.