"I canât fly anymore!" Xu Ping muttered to himself.
He hadnât expected the sky to be so dangerous, with flying Demon Beasts coming one after another.
But considering that the market is near the wilderness, it makes sense for there to be Demon Beasts.
He plummeted rapidly, landing steadily, the snow underfoot making a slight crunching sound.
With his feet on the ground, Xu Pingâs heart settled.
Indeed, being grounded gives a person a sense of security.
He looked up and saw those few bird-like Demon Beasts circling overhead, not daring to swoop down.
"Letâs go." Ignoring them, Xu Ping placed the corpse of the large bird on the ground into his storage bag and quickly left the place.
...
Not long after returning home.
Zhang Chenyu came to visit, accompanied by two Qi Refining six-stage cultivators.
"Who are these two Fellow Daoists?" Xu Ping asked curiously.
"Ah, these are people the Linghu Sect specifically arranged to protect me." Zhang Chenyu helplessly spread his hands, "You know I can only draw a few upper-grade talismans, thereâs no need for such a grand effort."
Xu Ping...
You really know how to find a way to show off even after being discouraged from talisman drawing!
Forget it, let him be.
Otherwise, heâd probably be sulking to death.
"By the way, Fellow Daoist Zhang, whatâs going on with the Demon Cultivators lately?" Xu Ping changed the topic and asked.
"The four major forces are still organizing their teams. I donât know if theyâll be able to completely eliminate the Demon Cultivators this time." Speaking of this, worry appeared on Zhang Chenyuâs face.
"This time, the leaders of the four major forces will take action, so there shouldnât be a problem." Xu Ping comforted him.
"Who can say for sure? Each Demon Cultivator is cunning and devious, who knows if they have other tricks up their sleeves." Zhang Chenyu was not optimistic about this.
"Recently, due to the influence of Demon Cultivators, there have been more opportunistic bandits in the market, so be careful, Fellow Daoist Xu." He reminded.
"Understood, Fellow Daoist Zhang, if you encounter any danger, remember to call out loudly. Although Iâm only at Qi Refining stage five, my strength is pretty good, I can handle some petty crooks." Xu Ping said seriously.
"Thatâs reassuring." Zhang Chenyu laughed.
He knew of Xu Pingâs strength; he had killed two mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators at just stage four, now at stage five, he must be even stronger.
Certainly stronger than him, a Qi Refining stage six who only knows talisman drawing.
The two Qi Refining stage six cultivators behind Zhang Chenyu showed a trace of disdain upon hearing this.
Just a Qi Refining stage five cultivator, daring to speak such big words.
However, seeing that Xu Ping was Zhang Chenyuâs friend, they didnât voice any mockery.
...
...
After seeing Zhang Chenyu off, Xu Ping resumed his cultivation of the âTaihang Nourishing God Skill.â
This magic was about to break through to proficiency.
Entry Level and Competent are just the most basic two levels; reaching proficiency is when qualitative change occurs.
He eagerly anticipated what changes would occur once this magic broke through proficiency.
Accompanying the operation of the âTaihang Nourishing God Skillâ again and again, Xu Pingâs state of mind gradually calmed.
Then, at a certain moment, a roar erupted in his mind, and a warm sensation flowed in like a tide, enveloping his Spiritual Sense, making him feel it slowly and steadily enhancing.
He didnât know how much time had passed.
Xu Ping slowly opened his eyes and carefully felt the intensity of his Spiritual Sense.
"This... how did my Spiritual Sense enhance so much!!" He was overjoyed.
He hadnât expected that upon breaking through to proficiency in the âTaihang Nourishing God Skillâ, his Spiritual Sense would be enhanced so significantly.
From Qi Refining stage one to stage nine, each breakthrough not only advances cultivation but steadily enhances Spiritual Sense too.
Now the intensity of his Spiritual Sense is probably no less than that of some Qi Refining stage seven cultivators, yet he is only at stage five.
"Now that the Taihang Nourishing God Skill is at proficiency level, it is already so strong. Will I awaken Divine Sense upon achieving perfection?" Xu Ping was very expectant.
Awakening Divine Sense at the Qi Refining Realm, can anyone else imagine that?
"Calm down, calm down!" Xu Ping ran through the âTaihang Nourishing God Skillâ again.
As the Magic Technique circulated, the excitement and exhilaration in his heart, like a flame, was instantly doused by a splash of cold water.
"Iâm only at proficiency now, far from perfection. Besides, whether awakening Divine Sense upon achieving perfection is still unknown, getting too happy now is premature."
Xu Ping coolly analyzed, not helping but feeling a sense of tranquility like a man after the act.
Upon breaking through proficiency in the âTaihang Nourishing God Skillâ, not only did it increase Spiritual Sense, but also enhanced the ability to eliminate distractions.
Taking advantage of this state, Xu Ping began training Palm Thunder again.
This would undoubtedly increase his success rate.
However, the difficulty of Palm Thunder was still significant, and despite the âTaihang Nourishing God Skillâs aid, it took him a full eight days to master this skill.
Xu Ping tested the power of Palm Thunder, roughly capable of electrocuting a chicken.
Of course, this is just at the Entry Level, but with experience, the power is bound to grow stronger.
While Xu Ping was staying home practicing various skills.
The teams formed to eradicate the Demon Cultivators were finally assembled, and began the grand crusade against them, yet the Demon Cultivators continually escaped, and more people kept getting their hearts and lungs removed.
However, nothing outside affected Xu Ping at all.
He stayed home, grinding away on various skills every day.
...
A month later.
Winter was ending and spring was coming; the cold winter was gradually retreating, and the thick snow started to melt.
Because the burrow was too damp, Xu Ping moved into the bedroom.
With his current strength, thereâs no need for him to inconvenience himself.
.....
That night, the bedroom was silent, with only the faint sound of wind outside the window.
"Boom!"
Xu Pingâs whole body shuddered, and the path of Mana circulation within him expanded again, forming a complete network.
Suppressing his excitement, he slowly adjusted his agitated Mana, feeling it surge like tidal waves inside.
He opened his eyes.
"Reached Qi Refining stage six!" He smiled, a wave of joy surging in his heart.
One step further would be Qi Refining stage seven.
Qi Refining stage seven just steps into the threshold of late-stage cultivation; in the present Dongwu Market, such a cultivation is as rare as a phoenixâs feather, estimated to be less than forty people.
He closed his eyes again, carefully experiencing the feeling of advancement.
Mana within was slowly self-circulating.
The profound Mana was almost no less than some Qi Refining stage seven cultivators, with energy brimming all over, and awareness extremely clear, almost as if even thought speed was faster.
He opened his eyes and opened the proficiency panel.
[Name: Xu Ping]
[Lifespan: 29/123 years]
[Realm: Qi Refining stage six: 1/100; Nourishing Life Skill stage two: 63/100]
[Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Skill Minor Achievement (stage five): 554/800]
[Skills: Spirit Rain Skill Proficient: 41/400; Geng Metal Finger Perfection: â; Light Body Technique Great Achievement: 246/1600; Flowing Cloud Sword Perfection: â; Fireball Technique Entry Level: 25/100; Taihang Nourishing God Skill Proficient: 316/400; Wind Manipulation Skill Competent: 24/200; Palm Thunder Entry Level: 45/100]
"The Five Elements Skill is also about to break through to Great Achievement, not sure what changes it will bring about." Xu Ping anticipated silently in his heart.
Now that he has broken through to Qi Refining stage six, the effect of the Spirit Gathering Pill might be weaker.
Reaching Qi Refining stage seven seems very far off.
If the Five Elements Skill can break through to Great Achievement, the cultivation speed should improve further.