The third day of his breakthrough seclusion.
Zhao Lin slowly opened his eyes, which now shone with a vibrant light. He could feel the Primordial Qi surging within him; it had more than doubled in just a few days.
'I've finally stabilized my cultivation in the Innate Second Realm.'
He exhaled the last of the turbid air from his body, rose to his feet, and walked toward the cave entrance.
After a few steps, he felt a sticky sensation all over his body. Looking down, he saw that his skin and clothes were covered in a thick, black filth.
He knew these were the impurities expelled during his body's metamorphosis. He immediately stripped off his clothes, picked up the wooden bucket from the stone platform, scooped water from the large jar, and poured it over his head.
After rinsing himself several times, he felt much cleaner and more refreshed.
