Chapter 75: Refining Qi Level Seven

Seven days passed quickly.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, his eyes slightly closed, with a Blackwater Jade Pendant resting on his chest. The room was filled with numerous blue light particles.

The blue light particles seemed to be guided by something, slowly moving closer to Wang Changsheng. As he inhaled and exhaled, the particles surged into his mouth and nose, gradually gathering in his Dantian under his guidance and transforming into magic power.

Fifteen minutes later, all the blue light particles in the room had entered Wang Changsheng's body. He opened his eyes, a hint of joy appearing in them.

"Finally, I've reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement," he thought. "At this cultivation speed, I should be able to reach the ninth level before turning thirty."

Wang Changsheng exhaled softly and murmured to himself. He was already at the peak of the sixth level. A few days ago, Wang Yaolong had given him a bottle of Vitality-Nourishing Pills, instructing him to cultivate diligently. Without the Vitality-Nourishing Pills, it would have taken him no more than two or three months. With the aid of the Blackwater Jade Pendant, Wang Changsheng felt he could have still advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refinement; the pills merely allowed him to advance sooner.

He had also consumed a bottle of Spirit-Nourishing Pills, which increased his divine sense by one-fifth. Of course, this was because his cultivation level was relatively low; a Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn't experience such a significant increase in divine sense from a single bottle. His divine sense was already stronger than that of cultivators at the same level. With a one-fifth increase, he could now simultaneously control four spirit tools (puppet beasts are considered spirit tools). It's worth noting that ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators can typically control at most two spirit tools simultaneously. Furthermore, with the increased divine sense, his success rate in crafting puppet beasts might also improve.

Thinking of this, he immediately took out his crafting materials, preparing to make a puppet beast. Just then, a knock came from outside the door, followed by Wang Mingcan's voice: "Changsheng, Ningxiang is back. She said she needs to see you. If you're free, please come out and meet her!"

Wang Changsheng put away all his crafting materials, opened the door, and stepped out.

"Oh, Changsheng, you've advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refinement!" Wang Mingcan noticed Wang Changsheng's aura had grown stronger and said with some surprise.

"Yes, a few days ago, Uncle Grandfather Twenty-Five gave me a bottle of Vitality-Nourishing Pills. After taking them, I fortunately broke through."

Wang Mingcan showed an approving expression and said happily, "Excellent! Third Brother will surely be very happy to hear that you've reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Ningxiang is in the backyard; you can go there now!"

Upon reaching the backyard, Wang Changsheng saw Zhao Ningxiang and Zhao Yutang. Zhao Ningxiang's face was full of joy, and Zhao Yutang wore a broad smile. Judging by their expressions, they must have found the last spiritual material.

"Cousin Changsheng, I'm back!" Zhao Ningxiang said excitedly. "I've collected all the spiritual materials and submitted them. I'm now a disciple of Medicine King Valley!"

"Congratulations, Cousin Ningxiang!" Wang Changsheng's face showed a hint of joy, and he offered his sincere congratulations. "Fifth Uncle-Grandfather and Aunt-Grandmother will surely be very happy to hear this."

Zhao Yutang smiled and said, "Speaking of which, if it weren't for those three mid-grade first-tier puppet beasts, we might not have made it back in one piece. Yaolong, thank you very much. Once I'm back, I'll definitely report this to my eldest sister."

Zhao Ningxiang seemed to remember something. She took a yellow storage bag from her sleeve, handed it to Wang Changsheng, and said with a smile, "Cousin Changsheng, inside are a top-grade first-tier tiger sinew and a few fifty-year-old Azure Wind Bamboos. They're for you. If you hadn't given me that mid-grade first-tier puppet beast, I wouldn't have found the last spiritual material so smoothly."

Wang Changsheng swept his divine sense over it, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. Inside the storage bag were several ten-foot-long green spirit bamboos and a long tiger sinew. Conservatively estimated, these materials were worth three hundred spirit stones.

"Then thank you very much, Cousin Ningxiang." Wang Changsheng didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the items. Knowing that she was grateful and would repay his kindness, he felt he hadn't helped the wrong person.

"Changsheng," Zhao Yutang continued, "to celebrate Ningxiang's successful entry into Medicine King Valley, I'm hosting a banquet at the Immortal Fate Pavilion tonight at You Shi (5-7 PM). You must come, and Yaolong, both of you must be there."

Wang Yaolong smiled slightly and nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, Brother Yutang, we'll definitely be on time."

"Oh, Cousin Changsheng, you've advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refinement!" Zhao Ningxiang exclaimed softly in surprise. Hearing this, Zhao Yutang and Wang Yaolong both looked towards Wang Changsheng. Wang Yaolong was beaming with joy and exclaimed "Excellent!" three times. Zhao Yutang merely nodded and said, "Not bad." It was clear then who was closer and who was more distant.

Wang Changsheng saw all this and felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He had previously spoken well of Zhao Ningxiang, hoping Wang Yaolong would help her. But when he made progress, it was his own kin who genuinely rejoiced for him, while outsiders would at most offer a polite remark. At that moment, Wang Changsheng felt foolish. He truly realized that his kin were the ones he should rely on; outsiders would always remain outsiders. Speaking of which, if Wang Yaolong hadn't given him a bottle of Vitality-Nourishing Pills, he wouldn't have advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refinement so quickly.

After a brief chat, Zhao Yutang took his leave and departed with Zhao Ningxiang.

"Changsheng, you excellent lad!" Wang Yaolong praised, his eyes beaming with joy. "You've finally advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Fourth Brother and Mingyuan will surely be delighted to hear this."

"Your grandson was able to reach the seventh level of Qi Refinement," Wang Changsheng replied humbly, full of gratitude towards Wang Yaolong, "thanks to Uncle Grandfather Twenty-Five giving me a bottle of Vitality-Nourishing Pills. Otherwise, I wouldn't have advanced so quickly."

"Silly boy," Wang Yaolong said meaningfully, "we all share the surname Wang. Your uncle-grandfather is eager for you to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage! Outsiders, however, are a different matter. Do you understand?"

Wang Changsheng nodded seriously and said, "Your grandson understands. The family is my reliance. Kin from the same lineage are the ones I should help. As for others, I will absolutely not get involved in matters that offer no benefit."

"This child can be taught," Wang Yaolong said with satisfaction.

At You Shi (5-7 PM), Wang Yaolong took Wang Changsheng and a few other clan members to the banquet. Zhao Yutang was very happy and drank a good deal of spirit wine, his face flushed crimson. Zhao Ningxiang ate her meal while chatting animatedly with Wang Changsheng. She recounted her experiences in the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range, and as Wang Changsheng listened to her narration, he felt as if he were right there with her.

Looking at the triumphant smile on Zhao Ningxiang's face, Wang Changsheng felt a pang of bitterness. Zhao Ningxiang was younger than him, yet her cultivation was higher, and having become a disciple of Medicine King Valley, her future achievements would likely be even greater. Now, with the aid of the Blackwater Jade Pendant and the pills, he believed he wouldn't fall too far behind Zhao Ningxiang.

The meal lasted for over two hours. Zhao Ningxiang was toasted many times and drank until she was thoroughly drunk, so Zhao Yutang had two clan members help her leave.

Back at his residence, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on his bed, refining the vast spiritual energy contained in the food.

The night quickly passed.