Days drifted by in peaceful rhythm.
Luo Yun's world remained small—his cave, Azure Edge Peak, Greenmist Peak, and the quiet paths between them. Yet within that simplicity, his cultivation progressed with steady certainty. His spirit-gathering core refined the Qi of heaven and earth. His meditation cushion stabilized his foundation. The sword Qi of Azure Edge Peak continued tempering his mind. And every few days, a brief but insightful trip near the mist boundary of Abyssal Mind Peak helped him adjust his spiritual-sense method.
After nearly two months of this routine, the Qi in his dantian grew dense, flowing smoothly and naturally. One evening, while cultivating under the soft glow of his herbs, the final barrier loosened. His breath deepened; his meridians warmed. With a quiet pulse of energy, he entered the Second Layer of Qi Condensation.
Unlike his first breakthrough, there was no sudden disturbance. No ripple through the peak. It was calm—almost understated.
His master didn't appear that night.
But during the elder's monthly visit, when Luo Yun respectfully saluted him, the Peak Master paused slightly.
"You've advanced," he said. "Good. Your foundation is stable."
A simple judgment, yet high praise from someone of his level.
After correcting Luo Yun's breathing rhythm and several mistakes in his spiritual-sense circulation, the master left without further comment.
The days resumed their steady pace.
Sword practice at Azure Edge Peak, herb tending at Greenmist Peak, cultivation at night. Everything continued without major change—until one morning, he overheard disciples whispering about the sect competition happening in a few days.
It was a significant event. Outer disciples displayed their strength, elders observed talent, and top performers could gain special rewards, even chances to become inner disciples.
Chen Yao mentioned it to him during training.
"Junior Brother Luo, aren't you participating? Outer disciples from all peaks gather. Azure Edge Peak always sends strong contenders."
Luo Yun shook his head. "I'm still too weak."
Chen Yao sighed. "Maybe next year then."
And Luo Yun thought no more of it.
The competition came and went across two lively days. Azure Edge Peak was crowded, and Luo Yun heard fragments of cheering while practicing alone at the edge of the training grounds. Several disciples gained praise. A few earned valuable rewards or invitations for further evaluation.
Qin Yunshang—the girl Luo Yun had seen sparring twice now—placed third among all Qi Condensation disciples. Her name echoed across peaks for days.
But the excitement faded soon. The sect returned to normal. Even Luo Yun's master made a rare comment.
"You didn't participate."
"I'm too weak to participate!," Luo Yun answered honestly.
His master nodded once, making no attempt to persuade him otherwise.
Three months passed in the same quiet fashion.
His sword practice improved significantly. His basic moves, initially stiff and mechanical, now flowed smoothly from his arm. His posture grew stable. His Qi infusions were more even. Elder Jian even nodded approvingly once—a rare reaction from that stern instructor.
He was nearing minor mastery of basic moves and stances, something most outer disciples achieved only after a year or more.
Meanwhile, his herb field was slowly transforming.
The seedlings he planted six months ago had grown astonishingly well. The Twenty herbs treated with Azure Dew Essence were now visibly distinct from the others—their stalks straighter, leaves clearer, and spiritual aura heavier.
Now around 40 years in age thanks to accelerated, harmonious growth.
Clearwater Vein Grass: Leaves longer, translucent veins visible; slight glimmer when touched by light. Its presence increased ambient Qi circulation in the cave.
Moon-dew Sprout: Leaves carried dew-like droplets that never evaporated. Gave a mild clarity to the mind when one sat near it.
Ironroot Bud Stem thickened, reddish tint at the base. Radiated faint warmth that subtly strengthened his meridians.
Soft Jade Stem: Stalk smooth as jade, gentle fragrance calming to the nerves. Stabilized minor fluctuations in his Qi circulation.
Flowing Spirit Herb: Leaves swayed even without wind. Helped harmonize Qi flow during cultivation.
These herbs were nearing maturity—one and a half more months, and they would reach full effectiveness for Qi Condensation-level pills.
Grade 2 Herb Set (Foundation Establishment herbs)
Also 40 years old now.
Although still immature, they radiated greater presence. Verdant Dragonleaf had begun forming faint patterns on its surface. Silver Heart Lotus produced small ripples of cold Qi. The others showed similar early signs of potency.
Spirit Bamboo Root had grown to almost 5 feet now. With even 2 small buds starting to grow at its base. The air around it was visibly fluctuating- with higher Qi density.
When it reached 80 years age- it'll increase Qi density by more than half, he reckoned.
These grade 2 herbs- They would need around six more months to reach eighty years—an age suitable for Foundation Establishment preparations.
As for the seeds from system- they grew into vines- like strawberry with different colored light fluctuations around them. Two of them were now spread almost three feet long on the ground, with a dozen or so small fruits growing on them - one red colored, and other blue both similar looking.
Other than these two rest were just a foot long- clearly very far from maturity.
Simply having them in the cave increased the overall Qi density subtly. The air carried a richer fragrance, and meditating near them felt smoother.
Luo Yun often found his mind clearer and his Qi circulation more fluid whenever he cultivated amidst them. Even without consuming them, their influence subtly strengthened his foundation.
The peaceful months continued.
And just as the herbs reached these crucial stages, the familiar sense of anticipation stirred in Luo Yun's chest.
The time for another sign-in had come.
He sat on his meditation cushion, eyes closed, considering.
Where should he sign in this time?
Azure Edge Peak?
Greenmist Peak?A
byssal Mist Boundary?
The training fields?
The library?
He weighed each carefully.
He needed something that would support his long-term growth—something that aligned with his chosen path of sword, spirit sense, and herb cultivation.
After considering all the locations he had access to, Luo Yun eventually settled on the one place that resonated most directly with his cultivation path.
Abyssal Mind Peak's mist boundary.
It was the most dangerous location he could safely approach, and because of that, he assumed the sign-in reward would be correspondingly valuable. The air pressure there always tested his spirit sense, yet never enough to cause true harm as long as he did not cross the invisible threshold deeper within the mountain.
He left his cave early and made his way toward the boundary. The fog thickened as he approached, the temperature dropping subtly. A familiar mental pressure began pressing against his consciousness—sharp, heavy, and continuous. Even after months of tempering, it still felt like dozens of needles pricking into his mind. His breath stabilized slowly as he stopped a short distance from the inner boundary.
Any closer, and the pressure would shift from uncomfortable to unbearable.
He closed his eyes and endured the sensation, letting the fog settle around him.
Then he triggered the sign-in quietly.
A clear tone echoed in his mind.
────────────────────────
[Sign-In Successful.
Reward Obtained: Spirit Sense Reinforcement Stone (Low Grade).]
────────────────────────
Luo Yun opened his eyes slightly, surprised. The stone appeared in his palm—a piece of smooth, pale material, almost like polished jade, emitting a faint ripple that soothed his mental sea the moment he touched it.
He examined it carefully. This stone was not expendable in a single use. It was reusable, though its effect diminished slightly with each prolonged session. For someone cultivating a spirit-sense-oriented method, it was close to a rare treasure.
He looked at the item and promptly system panel opened-
[Item: Spirit Sense Reinforcement Stone (Low Grade)
Effect: increased the efficiency of spirit-sense cultivation by three times.
duration: 3 years.
Note: efficiency decrease with time ]
When placed near the cultivator during meditation, it increased the efficiency of spirit-sense cultivation by nearly three times.
A quiet satisfaction stirred in his chest. For his current stage, there was almost nothing more suitable.
He sat down slowly, placing the stone beside him. The moment he began circulating the method Peak Master had given him, he felt the difference. The fog's oppressive pressure no longer felt harsh. Instead, it merged seamlessly with his breathing rhythm. Threads of spiritual perception that usually required focus now responded with minimal effort. The sensation was calm, smooth, and precise.
His spirit sense expanded and contracted naturally, as if the stone harmonized with the mist itself.
He cultivated there until the pressure grew too heavy, then finally rose, storing the stone safely in his sleeve.
This reward alone could shorten months of work into weeks.
He walked back toward his cave, the fog thinning with each step, and for the first time in a long while, a subtle confidence entered his expression. His foundation remained humble, but his tools and methods were steadily shaping a firm path.
The Spirit Sense Reinforcement Stone would become an anchor for his next stage of cultivation—quiet, powerful, and exactly the type of treasure he relied upon.
He returned to his daily schedule with renewed determination.