The quiet room was windless, yet a whistling sound echoed within, exceptionally clear.
Jiang Yi sat upright with eyes closed, his chest rising and falling. As he regulated his breathing, streams of airflow escaped from between his lips and teeth, stirring the dense, rosy clouds exhaled by the bronze crane.
Immediately after, his throat rolled. With a hiss, like a giant whale drinking water, he swallowed all the clear, spirit qi suffusing the room into his abdomen!
His thin inner garment billowed without wind, swelling abruptly. Beneath the fabric, it seemed as if living things were crawling, raising layers of ripples visible to the naked eye.
[Realm: Qi Refinement Third Layer (99%)]
*Only this final push remains*, Jiang Yi thought.
"Endure past this, and all will be well!"
Half an incense stick's time passed in a flash.
Jiang Yi circulated his art through the Great Circulation, his hundred bones connected. That gurgling warmth, like a hot stream, surged and churned, akin to boiling water, beginning to steam and cook his internal organs—removing the impure and retaining the pure.
This process was not pleasant.
Inside and out, his entire body seemed to be tormented over a gentle flame. Wherever true qi passed, it was like steel needles piercing through, especially his delicate internal organs, which seemed to be stewed until thoroughly cooked, actually faintly emitting a strange aroma.
"Add a splash of chili oil, and it could be served..."
Jiang Yi found joy amidst suffering, using self-mockery to alleviate this torture-like torment.
After another hour, his entire body was burned red, as if his skin were split and flesh torn open. Veins bulged on his forehead; had he not been clenching his teeth tightly, he would have long since been unable to resist howling in agony.
"Fortunately, having experienced the 'training' of the Tiger-Wolf Ointment, this isn't unbearable."
Jiang Yi focused his mind, striving to hypnotize himself, maintaining the intensity of his cultivation.
True qi rose and fell, forging his physical body. Fire-nature condensed, illuminating his hundred bones. Originally as fragile as tofu, his internal organs—which would shatter under the slightest external pressure—were nourished by true qi and forged by fire-nature, gradually sprouting robust vitality.
For a full four hours, Jiang Yi remained motionless, like a wooden carving or clay statue. If not for the hot air surging from his nose and mouth, transforming into serpentine wisps of white smoke, one might have thought he had passed away in meditation.
"Organ Tempering to form a Dao Furnace—indeed, this is not wrong. Such meticulous patience, controlling fire-nature to forge the Primordial Origin... this is simply treating the human body as a great medicinal pill to be cooked and refined."
The mental and physical effort Jiang Yi expended was not in vain. Nearly six hours of patient, water-grinding work finally caused his organs to undergo transformation!
He suddenly heard a boom in his ears, like a thunderclap within his body. His hundred bones shook; his tendons and bones sang in unison! Essence blood boiled, filling his mortal shell, merging with fire-nature true qi to transform into a hazy mass of pure Primordial Origin!
The Origin condensed, filling his organs. Following each breath, it gurgled and flowed, cleansing his physical body. Inside and out were now seamlessly united, merging like milk and water, without the slightest obstruction!
"Success! Organ Tempering, a Dao Furnace!"
Jiang Yi opened his eyes. Divine brilliance was contained within, crystal-bright like great stars. Having stepped into this realm, he was now half a "Dao talent." He only needed to open his Yuan Pass Inner Mansion and gather worldly spirit opportunities to truly appreciate the wonders of cultivation.
Because his organs were now firm as iron plates, he could release his true qi without reservation! His surging Primordial Origin broke through his physical shell, resembling a wolf-smoke column piercing the heavens, nearly punching a hole through the quiet room's ceiling!
"I must properly temper it, draw it in, and restrain it."
Jiang Yi took out the prepared Azure Ganoderma Sap. This substance could both mitigate the ravaging effects of the Tiger-Wolf Ointment and consolidate his foundation, nurturing essence blood. However, he had used too much of it; its efficacy was growing weaker, not as effective as before.
"My confidence in securing an inner peak supplementary seat has increased by another degree."
The wick of the bronze crane lamp had only a tiny bit remaining. Wisp after wisp of extremely fine smoke, like woven cotton yarn, coiled around Jiang Yi's face. Setting off this youth, he seemed like an immortal of cultivation, possessed of quite a bit of Dao bone and immortal grace.
...
...
On the second floor of the Harmony Water Grotto, Wang Heng and Lu Yun sat in a superior room, as if waiting for something.
Before long, a figure in a goose-yellow dress pushed open the door, entered, and gracefully took a seat.
It was Li Ruohan of the Thread Weaving Room on Seamstress Peak.
Her beautiful face wore a hint of melancholy and loss.
"How did it go?" Lu Yun asked urgently.
"Have a cup of Biluo Tea first. Settle your true qi and clear your mind." Wang Heng glanced up and guessed the result. He stood, picked up the teapot, and poured the steaming, clear tea into a cup before handing it to Li Ruohan.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Li Ruohan was like an eggplant beaten by frost, appearing somewhat wilted. Holding the cup with both hands, she lowered her head and said, "I was too impatient! The elders at home clearly warned that Organ Tempering cannot be rushed. I should have accumulated two more months of cultivation... Alas! Failure at the final step!"
Lu Yun fell silent upon hearing this. There was no doubt that Li Ruohan had failed in her breakthrough attempt. He comforted her, "As long as there are no lingering consequences. The first layer changes tendons, the second changes bones, the third exchanges blood and tempers marrow, the fourth tempers organs. Only the fourth layer is the most difficult to achieve in one go. Slightly lacking in cultivation, deficient in heat control, organs difficult to coordinate—then one cannot harmonize the Origin..."
Wang Heng also said, "It's a pity we only had two Essence-Nourishing Pills, insufficient to allow Junior Sister Li to achieve perfect cultivation and store ample essence. No matter. The great snows will soon seal the mountains, and the four outer peaks must cease work. Junior Sister Li can polish herself further, and by next spring she will definitely reach the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement!"
Li Ruohan sipped the Biluo Tea in small mouthfuls. The warm tea flowed down, causing her entire body to warm slightly. Because her breakthrough failed, her surging and chaotic true qi was gradually smoothed and straightened, dissolving the faint pain in her chest. This was "damage" left behind from misdirected qi, wrong meridians, and an incomplete Great Circulation. She estimated she would need to consume spiritual meals and good medicine, recuperating for over ten days before recovering.
"Right, Senior Brothers." Li Ruohan was, after all, a direct descendant of a rural clan with the family background of a noble house from Zhao Country. Cultivated by elders since youth, she had developed a refined, quiet temperament. She did not remain immersed in disappointment for long. After a moment, she picked up the thread of conversation. "I know someone on Seamstress Peak named Luo Qian'er. She is an inspector in the Laundry Room and has the backing of an attending official. A few days ago, she asked me to help her younger brother participate in our 'society'—to gather together and share resources and information."
Wang Heng quickly asked, "What is her brother's background? What is his cultivation? Does he have the assistance of an attending official?"
Li Ruohan smiled lightly. "Elder Sister Qian'er's younger brother is called Luo Tong. He is a direct descendant of the Luanxi Luo Clan and should be at Qi Refinement Third Layer, mid-stage cultivation. He just joined the Qianji Sect and is currently serving in the Forging Hall on Crimson Flame Peak, under Attending Official Zhou Guang. Rest assured, Senior Brother, I know the rules. We are in the outer sect, all striving for supplementary seats on the inner peaks, hence why we gather and form societies. How could I open my mouth to recommend those who don't meet the threshold and invite disgrace?"
Wang Heng lowered his brows in thought. The Luanxi Luo Clan was not very famous, but it was indeed among the qi-refining rural clans; the family should have several elders at Qi Refinement Fifth Layer. Rather, as for Attending Official Zhou of Crimson Flame Peak's Forging Hall, that connection was nothing special. Everyone knew that Zhou Guang loved wealth. As long as one could pay, one could buy a recommendation slot for an inner peak supplementary seat. Therefore, he might not give that Junior Brother Luo too much actual support.
"Junior Brother Luo is indeed not bad. Next time we gather, we might as well bring him along so we can observe his character."
The outer sect society founded by Wang Heng actually had quite a high threshold. Ordinary mortal servants without some strength would absolutely struggle to be admitted. If not for seeing that Jiang Yi had an outstanding appearance that day, standing head and shoulders above the crowd of mortal servants attending the lecture, he wouldn't have misjudged and made a fool of himself. Moreover, it was later confirmed by Zhao Fang that Junior Brother Jiang was indeed no ordinary mortal.
"Done."
Having facilitated this matter, Li Ruohan's beautiful face showed more of a smile. She mocked herself, "It's thanks to both Senior Brothers who came specifically to celebrate for me. Now it's a wasted trip, time squandered, alas... Please allow me to host next time to make up for this."
Lu Yun waved his hand. "What are you saying, Junior Sister Li? We know each other, and we strive together on the outer peaks. Why be so distant?"
He was the oldest in the society and had long since lost the desire to compete for an inner peak supplementary seat. He only wanted to complete two full terms of service, relying on outstanding talents like Junior Brother Wang and Junior Sister Li to secure a shop in the inner peaks to do some business, subsidizing his rural clan in return for their support. Therefore, regarding requests from "juniors" like Wang Heng and Li Ruohan, Lu Yun always exerted himself to the utmost, only hoping they would remember his kindness.
"Right, have you seen that Junior Brother Jiang recently?" Lu Yun suddenly asked.
"No. Going to the inner peaks isn't cheap. Renting flying cranes or buying paper horses—the prices are all quite high. Though Junior Brother Jiang has the support of an attending official, lacking the sustenance of a rural clan, his talisman coins are never enough. I'm afraid it's hard for him to come frequently." Li Ruohan said with a smile, "How about this: next time I bring Junior Brother Luo over, I'll have Junior Brother Zhao pass word to bring him along too. If there are any unpleasantries, a meal and some wine will clear the air."
Wang Heng showed approval and gave a thumbs-up. "Junior Sister's words are magnanimous, not inferior to any man!"
Li Ruohan raised her head with a smile. The group conversed for a long time. Seeing that it was nearly noon, they prepared to leave. Though they hired substitute workers and didn't need to toil day and night in the workshops, who among them didn't have a pile of miscellaneous affairs to handle, plus the rush to improve their cultivation? Until one entered the inner peaks, one would always have to rush about everywhere, covered in dust.
"Junior Sister, take good care of your health. We can discuss the matter of breaking through to the Fourth Layer later." Wang Heng walked out of the room, not forgetting to advise before parting. After all, Li Ruohan's family background was top-tier, and the possibility of her securing an inner peak supplementary seat was extremely high. In his view, she was promising material capable of treading the Dao, worth investing more effort and attention in.
"Troubling Senior Brother to worry, this younger sister understands..."
Li Ruohan was speaking when a servant hurried upstairs, carrying a wooden tray with two bronze bowls—one clanging, the other steaming. Because the servant was walking so hastily, he nearly bumped into Li Ruohan, causing Lu Yun beside her to berate him in displeasure, "Are you blind! Is there a fire somewhere? Must you be in such a frantic rush!"
The servant felt wronged but dared not argue. While steadying the tray, he bowed. "This lowly one deserves death! It's just that the manager is rushing me! Please forgive me..."
Wang Heng glimpsed the two bronze bowls and smiled. "It seems another senior or junior brother has broken through to Qi Refinement Fourth Layer. Go, go, don't delay your business!"
After the servant quickly ascended to the third floor and disappeared, Wang Heng explained to Li Ruohan and Lu Yun, "Senior Brother Lu, Junior Sister Li, you may not know this, but the Harmony Water Grotto has an old rule. Whenever someone from the Qianji Sect successfully breaks through in their quiet room, there is a congratulatory gift."
Lu Yun praised, "As expected of a big boss who owns many shops—your business is done with such human warmth!"
Li Ruohan felt faintly disappointed. Had she broken through to Qi Refinement Fourth Layer, this gift should have included her share. Thinking of this, she forced a smile and asked, "Senior Brother Wang, what exactly is the gift from Harmony Water Grotto?"
"It's exactly what you saw in those two bowls: one is molten copper, the other iron pellets. They are used to harmonize organs and foster Primordial Origin," Wang Heng replied.
Li Ruohan gently nodded. At Qi Refinement Fourth Layer, Organ Tempering creates a seamless whole, and vitality has grown to an inconceivable realm. The internal organs are no longer ordinary; one can drink molten copper and chew iron pellets, refining and absorbing the metal-qi within to advance cultivation. Thus, Harmony Water Grotto offering molten copper and iron pellets suited the need.
"But who could it be..." Li Ruohan gazed toward the third floor, envy in her eyes. She had just come out of the quiet room not long ago. Both breaking through, both to Fourth Layer. She failed; someone else succeeded. The contrast was hard to bear!
Li Ruohan walked in front. Wang Heng and Lu Yun were about to follow when they heard a greeting, "Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Lu, and Senior Sister Li! What a coincidence, running into you all again!"
Everyone turned to look, all freezing at the stairway landing. As if they were all stunned silly!
"J-Junior Brother Jiang!"
"The one who broke through to Qi Refinement Fourth Layer... it was you?!"
...
...
At the peak of Seamstress Peak, in a single compound.
Luo Tong didn't knock, directly pushing open the gate and striding in. As if he came often and was quite familiar with the place, he bypassed the front hall and appeared in the back room. By the fish pond, a young woman with a slender figure and a sweet face was cultivating in meditation. It was Luo Tong's elder sister, Luo Qian'er.
As she breathed, her lips slightly parted. Hazy water vapor, like a yarn cage or thin mist, drifted around her. After a good while, Luo Qian'er opened her bright eyes. Her jade-like skin flushed with a rosy hue.
She didn't look directly at Luo Tong, only asking indifferently, "What is it again? A few days ago, you asked me to use Li Ruohan's connections to get you into Xiao Tongquan and Wang Heng's society. I've already spoken of it."
Luo Tong giggled, a flash of delight crossing his narrow eyes. "I knew Elder Sister would find a way! I often hear in the outer sect that Senior Brother Xiao Tongquan has entered Qi Refinement Fifth Layer, only lacking the opening of his Yuan Pass Inner Mansion. I expect securing an inner peak supplementary seat is already a sure thing! If I can befriend him, it will certainly be of great help!"
Luo Qian'er sighed, "Xiao Tongquan comes from the Cloud Foothill Xiao Clan and is the clan leader's son. It's said he even has connections to the previous dynasty's imperial family. He might not think much of our Luanxi Luo Clan. Moreover, the demonic Dao lineages emphasize 'making the most of materials, putting people to their best material use.' If you don't show promise, who would help you for nothing or share benefits with you?"
Luo Tong felt somewhat unhappy. Wasn't Elder Sister implying he lacked ability and couldn't catch Xiao Tongquan's eye?! "Elder Sister, I'm also at Qi Refinement Third Layer! As long as I purchase Essence-Nourishing Pills from Attending Official Zhou, before spring opens I will definitely break through to Fourth Layer!"
Luo Qian'er slightly furrowed her brows, a hint of worry appearing. "Zhou Guang is asking an exorbitant price! Two hundred thousand talisman coins—where would I get that for you? Essence-Nourishing Pills are rare; I haven't even taken them myself... Little Brother, just cultivate steadily for now."
Luo Tong felt dissatisfied, thinking Luo Qian'er was making excuses. His tone was as swift as a sudden downpour, lashing out, "Elder Sister, when the clan spent money to get you into the sect, never shorting you on talisman coins to support your cultivation—what was the purpose? Wasn't it so you could take the lead, secure your footing, and then help me secure a supplementary seat and enter the inner peaks?! When this younger brother succeeds in cultivation in the future, not only will I revitalize the Luanxi Luo Clan and bring glory to our name, but I will also let Elder Sister enter the inner peaks with me to study cultivation methods... What is a mere two hundred thousand talisman coins to Zhou Shen, who manages the Laundry Room?!"
Luo Qian'er's worry deepened. She said patiently, "Little Brother, what Zhou Shen values is my status as a daughter of the Luanxi Luo Clan. He wants to return home and establish a clan, spreading branches and leaves after he steps down. Unless I'm willing to relent and marry down into his household, he absolutely won't take out two hundred thousand talisman coins."
Luo Tong's brows twisted tightly, and he raged, "Wishful thinking!"
His younger brother's reaction caused warmth in Luo Qian'er's heart. But before this emotion could rise, she heard Luo Tong say, "Elder Sister, you are a direct descendant of the Luanxi Luo Clan! What is Zhou Shen? A mere common weed of a mortal who climbed to an outer sect attending official's position by luck! Only two hundred thousand and he wants to marry you? Keep dreaming! It should start from at least three hundred and eighty thousand!"
PS: Four thousand words delivered~
PS2: Humbly begging the reader lords to show me the secret to writing ten thousand words daily without fatigue, with my pen flowing like a spring~