Since joining the Inner Palace Service, Xiao Wuchen had performed exceptionally well. His martial arts skills had improved rapidly, and his interpersonal skills and efficiency were impeccable. After handling the confiscation of the Duke of Zhenguo's residence, he produced a detailed and clear report, with a meticulous inventory of supplies and accounts, leaving no room for criticism from any of the officials involved.
From that day on, the Chief Eunuch Bixie's attitude towards Xiao Wuchen clearly improved; he no longer merely observed and utilised him, but began to show a genuine intention to cultivate him.
In his routine report a month later, the Chief Eunuch reviewed the report on the Inner Palace Service submitted by Xiao Wuchen with satisfaction. After putting it down, he looked up and revealed a meaningful smile.
'Wu Chen, you have been in the palace for some time now. Over the past year or so, I have witnessed all that you have achieved. From external affairs to internal matters, and from martial arts to moral character, you are among the best of your generation.'
The head eunuch's voice carried undeniable authority and approval. He raised his hand slightly, and a junior eunuch immediately presented a tray bearing a golden imperial edict and a jade bottle.
'I have formally petitioned the palace to grant you the special privilege of being promoted to Steward Eunuch, a rank one level higher than that of an ordinary eunuch. You will be directly responsible for one or two key tasks within the Head Eunuch's duties, and your management and authority will be greatly enhanced.'
Xiao Wu Chen's heart skipped a beat. Steward Eunuch! This was true mid-level power, bringing him one step closer to becoming the head eunuch's right-hand man. He immediately knelt to receive the decree. 'Your subordinate, Xiao Wuchen, thanks the Chief Steward for his guidance!'
'There's no need for such formalities.' The Chief Steward waved his hand, gesturing for him to stand up. Then his gaze fell on the jade bottle and his tone took on a hint of enticement. 'This second reward is truly tailor-made for you.'
'Your martial arts have been stuck at the ninth level of Qi Refining for several months. I know you are only one step away from perfection. This jade bottle contains the Breakthrough Pill, a treasured item in the palace specially prepared for martial artists at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. After taking it, you will definitely achieve perfection in your cultivation within three days, laying the most solid foundation for the next stage: the Foundation Establishment Realm.'
Xiao Wuchen accepted the jade bottle and felt the pure medicinal power contained within; he was overjoyed. He had originally thought that breaking through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining would require at least six months of arduous training, but now, with this pill, the process would undoubtedly be greatly accelerated.
'Your subordinate will certainly live up to the Chief Steward's expectations and break through as soon as possible!'
Just as Xiao Wuchen's status in the palace was rising steadily, unsettling rumours began to circulate in the distant martial arts world.
'Have you heard? A 'Rootless Sect's Yin-Yang Master' has recently appeared, targeting established but unstable second- or third-rate sects. His movements are unpredictable and his attacks are vicious. Those whose martial arts have been crippled say that his power is bizarre and far surpasses that of ordinary Qi Refining Realm cultivators.'
'Shh! Keep your voice down. Apparently, this person has connections to the Imperial Palace and might even be..."
Rumours spread like wildfire through teahouses and taverns. Xiao Wuchen's "assassination" missions were exaggerated and distorted by the martial arts world due to his clean and efficient methods and focus on lower-level Yin-Yang techniques, creating a mysterious and dangerous image.
Finally, these rumours attracted the attention of the true martial arts sects.
At a recent gathering of martial artists, one of the leading righteous sects of the Central Plains martial arts world, the Haoran Sword Sect, issued a warning personally delivered by its current sect leader:
'Recently, rumours have circulated in the martial arts world that the evil art of the "Rootless Sect" has reappeared, specifically targeting the foundations of martial artists. Although our sect has not directly encountered them, we remind all our fellow martial artists that if you encounter an enemy with subtle and unpredictable techniques, you must not be careless! Once such an evil sect is verified, the Haoran Sword Sect will show no mercy!'
This warning undoubtedly sealed the fate of the "Rootless Sect's subtle and unpredictable master", placing him on the opposite side of the righteous path.
(Chief Evil-Repelling Steward: Officially acknowledges his abilities and bestows upon him an elixir.)
(Haoran Sword Sect: The voice of the righteous path, pushing Xiao Wuchen to the opposite side.
Upon returning to his residence, Xiao Wuchen immediately dismissed his attendants and swallowed the Breakthrough Pill.
It melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into an extremely pure, warm current that surged directly into his dantian. This gentle yet boundless power was like a spring flood, repeatedly cleansing the true qi within his body, which had already been refined to its peak.
After three days of seclusion, his true qi, like a spring compressed to its limit and catalysed by the medicine, broke through completely.
[Nine Levels of Qi Refining: Perfection!"
Upon internal inspection, the true qi in his dantian had transformed from a gaseous state to a condensed liquid-like state, circulating like a mighty river and surging with power. Xiao Wuchen felt an unprecedented surge of power: the total amount of true qi in his body had increased by at least 30%, and its circulation efficiency had doubled.
Just as he broke through to the next level, the long-absent system notification sounded in his mind once again:
[Ding! Congratulations, host! Your cultivation has reached 'Perfect Qi Refining'!
[Main Quest Volume 1: Refining Qi to Spirit, Achieve the Final Goal!]
[System activation: 'Pulse building guide'].
A semi-transparent light screen appeared before him, visible only to him, displaying several lines of large golden characters.
'Pulse Building Guide (Volume 2, Preparation):'
Goal: Prepare to enter the Pulse Building Realm.
The Pulse Building Realm is a crucial step in the transition from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. This involves using one's own true qi to circulate throughout the body's meridians and construct 'Heavenly Meridians', which support more profound techniques and more powerful true qi.
Quest 1: Body Refining Ultimate Realm.Building a pulse requires a powerful physical body. Please cultivate your Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Body Refining Technique to reach the Perfect Realm. (Current progress: Great Completion Realm.)
Before you start Pulse Building, you must refine your physical body to its maximum potential in the Qi Refining Realm.
Quest 2: Pulse Building Pill Recipe.
Compile a complete prescription and ingredient list for the key Meridian Establishment elixir, the Dragon-Tiger Meridian Forging Pill.
Xiao Wuchen took a deep breath, his gaze intense. Having reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refining stage, he had completed the first volume. Now, it was time to begin preparing for the Meridian Establishment stage of the second volume. In the martial world and the imperial court, he would face all challenges with a new attitude.