Above the Tianqi Sect, ink-colored clouds churned like giant beasts, and a silver snake-like bolt of lightning tore through the sky; the deafening roar seemed as if it would crush heaven and earth.
This phenomenon exploded like a thunderclap, instantly alarming the entire Sect, and everyone looked toward the horizon in horror.
Tianqi Sect Leader Lin Nan and the ten Elders arrived in an instant, their figures suspended in mid-air.
Spiritual Qi flowed around them, their expressions grave as they stared intently at the strange, changing scene in the sky, their palms unconsciously tightening.
Liu Yi's originally tense body relaxed slightly after confirming no heavenly lightning was striking down. He let out a long breath, his heart filled with doubt: "With such a phenomenon, could it be an enemy attack?"
Just as he was secretly speculating, a River of Time appeared in the sky, with countless figures flickering within it—some from the past, some from the present, and some from the future.
Immediately after, several figures engaged in a fierce battle upon the River of Time, as if trying to break through its constraints and descend into the present world.
And the direction they intended to attack was none other than the Tianqi Sect!
Even across the River of Time, that world-destroying battle scene still made one shudder.
He gasped in horror, screaming inwardly: "Who in the Tianqi Sect did something so heinous that it caused powerful enemies to cross the River of Time and return to the past to erase them!"
Just then, a figure within the River of Time experienced a sudden surge in strength and, with the momentum of a thunderbolt, killed all the other opponents.
That person glanced toward the Tianqi Sect across the River of Time, then vanished in a flash.
Almost at the same moment, the phenomenon enveloping the Tianqi Sect also dissipated.
At this time, Tianqi Sect Leader Lin Nan spoke loudly to reassure everyone:
"That was just powerful experts fighting in the River of Time; there is no need for alarm."
"The path of Immortal Cultivation is long. As long as you Cultivate diligently, you can hope to reach such a Realm in the future."
"Everyone, disperse!"
These words instantly ignited the Cultivation passion of the Sect Disciples.
Having witnessed powerful experts stir the River of Time with their own eyes, everyone's blood boiled as if their bodies were filled with power. They were all eager and impatient to immediately start their Cultivation to pursue that heaven-reaching Realm.
Liu Yi curled his lip in disdain, feeling that the Sect Leader's words were no different from his boss in his previous life drawing a big pie—just empty, deceptive words.
He looked down at Zhao Jiuxiao, a triumphant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, his tone carrying a hint of mockery:
"Accept your loss. Hand over the 50 spirit fragmentation stones you lost to me quickly."
Zhao Jiuxiao's face instantly turned the color of pig liver, his fists clenched so tight his nails almost dug into his palms.
Filled with resentment, he wanted nothing more than to renege on the spot, but catching the gazes from the surrounding crowd, he swallowed back the words at the tip of his tongue.
He knew in his heart that once he set a precedent for defaulting on a debt, those who borrowed spirit fragmentation stones from him would surely follow suit.
The one who sets a bad precedent will surely suffer the consequences.
After weighing his options repeatedly, Zhao Jiuxiao gritted his teeth and threw the 50 spirit fragmentation stones fiercely at Liu Yi, snorting coldly, "Here!"
He then turned and left without looking back, not wanting to stay for even another second.
Liu Yi didn't care at all; one couldn't expect someone who lost to give them a good face.
With a face full of smiles, he bent down and picked up the spirit fragmentation stones from the ground one by one.
"Brother Yi, you're actually so amazing! You've been hiding it quite well!"
Qian Duoduo ran over excitedly, the fat on his body jiggling with every step.
"It was just luck. I really didn't expect to win so easily."
Liu Yi shook the spirit fragmentation stones in his hand, his eyes flashing with excitement: "I'll take these 100 spirit fragmentation stones to Breakthrough my cultivation. Once I earn more spirit fragmentation stones later, I'll definitely pay you back."
Qian Duoduo waved his hand generously, unable to stop grinning: "Don't be so polite with me! Seeing you teach Zhao Jiuxiao a lesson today made me feel incredibly satisfied! Who told him to compete with me for the moneylending business?"
"Come on! Today is my treat, let's go have a great meal!"
"Old Qian, you're a real friend!" Liu Yi said without hesitation, following Qian Duoduo straight to the restaurant in the market.
The two feasted heartily, and after having their fill of food and wine, they slowly returned to their quarters.
Lying in bed, Liu Yi replayed the day's sparring match in his mind.
Although he had won by luck, he had no Spell and his Physical Body wasn't tough enough; he would surely suffer a great loss if he encountered a powerful enemy in the future.
He hoped to become a hexagonal warrior.
Thinking of this, he immediately decided: as soon as he got off work tomorrow, he would go to the Scripture Pavilion to read martial arts Secret Manuals and find a few Cultivation Techniques to Cultivate.
Having made up his mind, Liu Yi sat cross-legged and began to circulate the Five Elements Qi Refining Art 2.0.
In an instant, the surrounding Spiritual Qi gathered frantically, surging into his body like a tide.
As the spiritual power was continuously refined, his cultivation began to climb toward the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.
Ten days passed. Liu Yi had read through all the martial arts Secret Manuals in the Scripture Pavilion and finally selected the body-tempering Cultivation Technique, "Bronze Skin and Iron Bone Art."
This was the only body-tempering method in the Scripture Pavilion that had good results without side effects.
He memorized the mantra in his heart a few times and then sat cross-legged to begin his Cultivation.
After only an hour, Liu Yi suddenly opened his eyes, his brow furrowed and his face full of astonishment.
He tried throwing a punch and stretched his limbs, only to feel his muscles tight and his strength ten times greater than before.
He had actually succeeded!
But the Secret Manual clearly stated that this Cultivation Technique required thirty years of hard work to have any hope of mastery.
How did he master it so quickly?
"Am I naturally gifted for martial arts? Or does the Immortal Cultivation Technique have a boosting effect on martial arts?"
He scratched his head and then shook it in denial, "That's not right. Isn't it said that Immortal Cultivation Techniques don't help with martial arts?"
While muttering, he suddenly remembered that all 129,600 acupoints in his body had been opened.
"Could this be the reason? Though my martial arts talent should also be very good."
Liu Yi's eyes were distant and thoughtful as he murmured the words "Martial Dao."
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, nine months passed.
Liu Yi had read all the books on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion.
During this time, he also innovated and successfully upgraded and improved the "Five Elements Qi Refining Art 3.0."
He also fused thousands of martial arts Secret Manuals to create the body-tempering Cultivation Technique "Indestructible Golden Body" and Cultivated both techniques to the Perfection Realm.
Meanwhile, his cultivation also climbed steadily, reaching the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Peak.
Once his cultivation reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, Liu Yi followed the Sect's rules and obtained a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivation Technique from the Scripture Pavilion to prepare for his subsequent cultivation.
According to Liu Yi's understanding, there were two ways to Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
The first was to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment from the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Peak; the success rate was average, and a slight mistake could lead to total failure.
If aided by a foundation establishment pill, the success rate of the Breakthrough would increase significantly.
This was the method most people in the Cultivation World used to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
However, as a pauper who even owed others spirit fragmentation stones, Liu Yi had no Spirit Stones to purchase a foundation establishment pill.
Another more stable path was to Cultivate to the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining Great Perfection, at which point the Spiritual Qi in the Cultivator's body would be harmonious and majestic, allowing for a natural Breakthrough without a foundation establishment pill.
Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm this way resulted in a solid Foundation and enormous potential.
However, reaching the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining Great Perfection required extraordinary Comprehension Ability and talent; only a true Genius could achieve it.
Although Liu Yi had some confidence in his own talent and believed he could charge for the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining Great Perfection.
But the Sect's deadline was pressing. If he couldn't Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment within the time limit, the fate of being expelled from the Sect awaited him.
Liu Yi had no choice but to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment from the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Peak.
Thinking of this, Liu Yi sat cross-legged on his bed, let out a long breath to calm his mind, and then took out the remaining 80 spirit fragmentation stones.
These Spirit Stones would serve as emergency supplies for when Spiritual Qi was insufficient during his Breakthrough.