Chapter 22: The Fifth Level of Qi Refining

Cao Yun skillfully arranged the Adamantine Charcoal at the base of the alchemy furnace. With a soft click, a precise Fireball Spell struck the furnace floor.

Instantly, a slender, scorching flame erupted, greedily licking the charcoal and gradually igniting it. The fire danced joyfully within the furnace, releasing a steady and intense heat that caused the internal temperature to climb slowly.

Once the heat reached the optimal level for refining Essence Pills, Cao Yun carefully retrieved the precious Hundred-Forged Flower and several auxiliary ingredients from his storage bag.

There was the Frost Heart Herb, exuding a faint chill as if sculpted from ice; the Spirit Essence Fruit, crystalline and translucent, appearing to contain the very essence of heaven and earth; and the Blue Stone Powder, which radiated a steady aura capable of stabilizing medicinal properties. To gather these materials, Cao Yun had exhausted all his savings.

With steady, practiced hands, he gently placed the Hundred-Forged Flower into the furnace, followed one by one by the Frost Heart Herb, the Spirit Essence Fruit, and the other ingredients. Under the glow of the flames, these materials gradually turned transparent, as if imbued with life, releasing their unique medicinal properties and spiritual energy. These energies intertwined, creating a magnificent and dreamlike scene.

Cao Yun remained focused, his eyes fixed on the changes within the furnace like a hawk, not daring to show the slightest lapse in concentration. Relying on two years of extensive alchemy experience and keen perception, he adjusted the intensity and direction of the flames, dancing on the stage of fire like a master performer to ensure every ingredient’s essence was perfectly released and fused.

As the flames continued to bake the mixture, the medicinal properties and spiritual energy began to merge, forming tiny points of light. Like stars twinkling in the night sky, these points emitted a soft, mysterious radiance, illuminating the entire furnace. As time passed, these lights grew denser, eventually condensing into crystalline, glowing pills—the Essence Pills.

The surfaces of these pills shimmered with soft yet potent fluctuations of spiritual power, as if brimming with infinite vitality. One could feel the profound medicinal strength contained within them at a single glance. A satisfied smile graced Cao Yun’s face; he knew this successful batch of Essence Pills was not only a validation of his alchemy but also a valuable boost for his path of cultivation.

He waved his hand gently, and the furnace lid opened as if guided by an invisible force. The Essence Pills, appearing to have a life of their own, flew out with a faint shimmer and landed accurately into the jade bottle he had prepared. This batch yielded twenty-eight pills, each one glowing like a brilliant pearl, rich in medicinal and spiritual power. Staring at these meticulously crafted pills, an indescribable sense of satisfaction and accomplishment welled up within him. He decided to try one first to personally assess its potency.

***

After carefully placing the furnace into his secret chamber, Cao Yun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, closed his eyes to focus, and pinched an Essence Pill between his fingers. As he took it, the pill melted upon contact, and an extremely refined surge of spiritual energy burst forth within him, surging through his meridians like a raging torrent.

His meridians felt as if they were on the verge of exploding. Greatly alarmed, Cao Yun hurriedly channeled the Essence-Enhancing Technique to guide this violent energy. Like an experienced helmsman, he steered the raging waves, carving a path through the ocean of his meridians. Under the influence of the technique, the wild energy was gradually tamed, transforming into a gentle yet powerful force that nourished his body and meridians, elevating his cultivation at an astonishing speed.

The potency of this single Essence Pill far exceeded his expectations, as if it had opened a door to a brand-new realm. Under his careful guidance, the massive spiritual energy contained within the pill poured into his body like a tide, each strand becoming a cornerstone for his advancement. He remained immersed in this sea of energy, allowing it to flow and fuse within him, nourishing every inch of his flesh and bone.

Once the effects of the first pill were fully absorbed, Cao Yun clearly felt his cultivation had improved significantly. He felt a surge of joy, knowing this was only the beginning—the true metamorphosis lay ahead. Without hesitation, he continued to consume the second, the third... until all twenty-eight Essence Pills were taken. Each pill turned into pure spiritual energy, creating a tempest within him that continuously battered his body.

Under this immense impact, his cultivation leaped forward, like a silkworm breaking through its cocoon. From his initial stage of the third layer of Qi Refining, his cultivation raced forward like a wild horse, unstoppable.

Fourth layer of Qi Refining!

When he reached this level, Cao Yun felt his internal spiritual energy become thicker and more refined, as if he could easily shake the heavens and earth. Yet, his ascent did not stop there. Nourished by the remaining potency of the pills, his cultivation broke through the bottleneck once again, stepping into the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

***

In this moment, he felt as if he stood between heaven and earth, looking down upon all living beings, with an unprecedented power surging within him. Cao Yun slowly opened his eyes, which flashed with a dazzling brilliance. Feeling the surging spiritual energy inside, an indescribable excitement and awe filled his heart. He knew all this was thanks to the Essence Pills and the result of his two years of desperate struggle.

He stood up and sensed the changes in the surrounding spiritual energy; the entire world seemed clearer and more real. The fifth layer of Qi Refining—he had finally reached this realm, finally gaining the precious qualification to enter the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect.

Cao Yun’s heart surged with irrepressible excitement, like a rolling wave that refused to subside. In this moment, he felt he had escaped the fate of drifting like a lone boat in a tempestuous sea. He no longer needed to worry about tomorrow or risk his life for survival. This hope filled him with longing for the future.

He took a deep breath, struggling to calm his mind. He knew this was the perfect moment to head toward the turning point of his destiny: the Blood Slave Hall. No longer hiding his aura, he rode his sword, streaking across the sky like lightning, racing toward the Blood Slave Hall at breakneck speed.

According to Wu Jiao’s instructions, once a blood slave reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining, they could go to the Blood Slave Hall to apply to become an outer disciple of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect. At that time, the stewards of the Blood Slave Hall would also remove the restrictions placed upon their bodies.