Just as Xin Xiaoqi was soaking in the spring, a dignified and powerful voice echoed in his mind—like a tiger's roar mingled with a dragon's chant:
"Success comes to those who strive. Fortune favors those who scheme. Such is the nature of Heaven.Depth demands emptiness. Might demands ability. Precision demands foresight.Only by challenging the heavens can one rise to seize its time, the earth's wealth, and mankind's order.When all this aligns—doubt vanishes.This, child, is the Henggong Heart Sutra—a law of cultivation born of balance and mutual reinforcement."
Xin Xiaoqi's heart nearly exploded with joy.
If the Yinyuan Technique was already godlike in its ability to absorb ambient spiritual energy, this new Henggong Heart Sutra had a built-in "auto-level-up" function!?
Just as his excitement hit its peak, the voice added solemnly:
"This technique can only assist up to the fifth level of spell formation. Its deeper secrets… one to three levels at most.Be cautious, boy. Don't die."
"Hey! Wait—!" Xin Xiaoqi called out frantically.
But the voice vanished without a trace.
He blinked—and turned to see Wen Qingya, Dian Huihui, and Miyue staring at him.
Wen Qingya narrowed her eyes and asked flatly, "What's wrong? Want all three of us to help you bathe?"
Xin Xiaoqi flailed his hands. "N-no! Absolutely not!"
Dian Huihui cocked her head. "Big men shouldn't say no so quickly. You should be bolder."
Xin Xiaoqi rolled his eyes. This woman's got fire-starting tendencies… Not a good sign.
Outwardly, however, he bowed respectfully and asked Wen Qingya, "Um, could you tell me—what's the realm structure in cultivation? What stage am I at now?"
Wen Qingya sighed with a chuckle. "I thought you were going to say something serious."
Xin Xiaoqi quickly nodded. "No, no. I wouldn't dare."
Miyue and Dian Huihui giggled behind their hands.
Wen Qingya finally replied, "You're at the third minor stage of Foundation Establishment—Qi Training."
"Before that, of course, it's physical forging:Body Tempering, Muscle Training, Qi Training, Spirit Training, Essence Refining, Ghost Wrangling, Soul Forging, Fusion, Energy Gathering, and finally—Core Forging."
Xin Xiaoqi slumped. So I'm still a rookie's rookie…
He hesitated, then asked, "So after Foundation Establishment is… Core Formation? Then Nascent Soul?"
Wen Qingya raised an eyebrow. "Where'd you get that mess from? It's Furnace Transformation after Foundation Establishment. Don't rush. One step at a time."
Miyue chirped, "You got this!"
Xin Xiaoqi stared blankly. So I really am starting from the bottom, huh? A true grassroots protagonist…
Still, with the Henggong Sutra as his golden cheat code, nobody could say he was dumb or slow anymore, right?
Wait… That voice told me to be careful not to die?
Oh hell no—time to start working hard… sigh, the life of a chosen one is rough!
The scattered wolf crystals in the water suddenly floated into the air around him, pulled by an invisible force. Their energy surged toward Xin Xiaoqi, flooding into his body.
With a rush, a stream of pure energy blasted from his dantian up to the crown of his head—like mercury pouring upward, or a cool breeze in summer, or warmth in a winter blizzard.
With a soft hum, Xin Xiaoqi broke through—into the Spirit Refining Stage!
His senses expanded. Within a fifty-meter radius of water, he could feel the minute movements of the fish swimming by. His mind relaxed. So this is Spirit Refining… my spirit sense has awakened!
Excited, he thrust his sword into the water. The fish tried to flee, but in that split second when old motion had ceased and new force hadn't begun, his spirit sense detected the opening.
Swoosh! His sword pierced through the water. One unlucky fish thrashed violently, splashing him with droplets.
Xin Xiaoqi didn't care. He was beaming.
This must be the first form of "Thirty-Six Surging Thrusts"—Perception Strike!
Wen Qingya and the girls turned around in shock.
Wen Qingya gasped, "Spirit Refining stage? Precision strike? And you're already at the second level of the Yinyuan Technique?"
Dian Huihui nodded. "Not bad at all."
Miyue gave a big thumbs-up, her little hair bun bouncing behind her.
Xin Xiaoqi proudly puffed his nose. "I'll grill some fish for you."
Later, as Dian Huihui munched on a perfectly cooked fish, she nodded in delight. "Mmm, Little Qi, this is delicious!"
Xin Xiaoqi, however, sat silently, lost in thought.
Wen Qingya and Miyue glanced at each other, confused.
Dian Huihui reached out and smacked his arm. "What are you thinking about? I'm talking to you!"
Snapping out of it, Xin Xiaoqi scratched his head. "I was wondering… If I go challenge that little pig demon now, would I stand a chance?"
Miyue smiled sweetly. "Of course you would! Don't worry."
Wen Qingya, seeing his blank expression, spoke calmly, "Whether you win or lose—you've got to try.In battle, the worst thing is being afraid before the fight even begins. Confidence and courage matter as much as strength."
Xin Xiaoqi suddenly grinned. "No worries. If I can't beat him, I'll just run. Chairman Mao said—when the enemy advances, we retreat!"
All three girls rolled their eyes in unison.
Just as they were about to respond, a voice rang out from the distance:
"Then you'd better start running now. Or you might not leave here alive!"
Xin Xiaoqi instantly sprang to his feet.
That was the voice of the Pig Demon King!
Strangely, the three girls didn't react. As if… they couldn't hear it. Or didn't care.
Still, Xin Xiaoqi's blood boiled.
Power surge? Check. Allies present? Check.Pig roast incoming? Definitely.
With a flourish, he drew his grey sword. "Pig demon—your time is up!"
Dian Huihui clapped softly. "I must say, Little Qi's list of good traits keeps growing—brave, good cook, thick-skinned."
Miyue nodded. "Don't forget charming and pervy."
Wen Qingya rolled her eyes. These two have only known him for what—two days!?
Not far away, the Pig Demon King let out a furious screech. "Did you just call me pig?!"
He swung a log-sized club and charged.
Xin Xiaoqi raised his sword and blocked it with a clang. "What, your pork chops healed already?"
The demon snarled, "Only one leg was injured! Healing that's nothing for the great me!"
Xin Xiaoqi deflected the next blow and smirked. "Last time it was because I was running on fumes. This time—I'll beat the bacon outta you!"
The demon scoffed, "You? Please."
But before he could finish, he vanished and reappeared beside Xin Xiaoqi, swinging his massive club at his ribs.
Unfortunately for him, Xin Xiaoqi had locked onto his every move with spirit sense.
Before the club could hit, Perception Strike found its mark—stabbing straight into the demon's arm.
Blood splattered.
Xin Xiaoqi grinned—only for the demon to twist his body and land a retaliatory kick that sent him stumbling.
He barely kept his balance, breathing hard.
The real fight had just begun.