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Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: After Parting Ways

### Chapter 22: After Parting Ways

"Head back?" Lin Yi gaped at Yan and Zhang, then switched to a pleading expression. "Oh, Little Shizong! How could you leave a weakling like me in this death trap? I'm so fragile—those raiders would tear me apart! Please, stay and protect me!"

Goose bumps prickled on Yan's skin. He'd thought Lin Yi couldn't sink lower, but here he was. Zhang's face hardened—if not for his help, she'd have kicked him.

Yan stared, astonished. "You *want* to stay? Are you suicidal?"

"That's why I need you! Little Shizong… no, *Elder* Shizong! I'm begging you—save me!" Lin Yi's puppy-eyed act made Yan and Zhang gag.

"Enough. If he's determined to die, let him," Zhang said coldly, turning to leave.

"Daoist Zhang, that's harsh! Yan and I are brothers—we fought side by side, killed six raiders! He'd never abandon me," Lin Yi declared, laying on the drama.

Yan clamped his mouth shut, unwilling to curse in front of Zhang.

"I'll go alone," Zhang said, vanishing into the trees.

Yan raced after her. "Wait, Daoist Zhang!"

"Dammit, womanizer! Next time we team up, don't expect my protection!" Lin Yi shouted after him.

*Team up? Never again.* Yan seethed silently. *He calls that "protection"? Shameless.*

---

Alone, Lin Yi returned to the cave, camouflaging the entrance. He planned to break through to third-level Qi Refinement—no more relying on others. The Purple Demon Gourd was powerful, but at second-level, he could only sustain it for seconds.

His resolve strengthened as he rummaged through the raiders' storage bags.

"Spirit stones! So many! And Big Supplement Pills—holy crap, jackpot! *Giant Spirit Elixir?*" Lin Yi trembled, clutching a jade box. "How did raiders get this? My luck's insane!"

Giant Spirit Elixir boosted Foundation Establishment chances—far better than Foundation Pills. Even for his five-spirit-root资质, it was a game-changer.

He sorted through materials (mostly low-grade, but sellable), then counted 478 low-grade spirit stones and 866 Big Supplement Pills—ideal for leveling from second to third-level.

"Time to cultivate!" He popped a pill. It dissolved instantly, surging with energy. Guided by the Longevity Technique, it merged with his spiritual power.

One pill, then another…

On the 136th pill, his energy erupted—he'd hit third-level Qi Refinement!

He meditated for 49 cycles to stabilize, then grinned wildly. "Yes! With 40% Flesh Transformation, can I take a sixth-level raider now?"

He summoned the Purple Demon Gourd, now named intuitively (like the bracelet, it felt right). Seals flowed from his memory as he activated it—inky qi billowed, coating the cave floor.

"Let's see how long it lasts. Third-level should buy me an hour, at least!"

But studying the gourd's runes made him dizzy—a red flag.

"Whoa!" Lin Yi yelped. Those runes were *dangerous*.

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