Chapter Six: Breaking Through Once More

After carefully examining the spiritual energy within Li Chengzhu, the Celestial Envoy finally understood why his abnormal disciple could achieve a breakthrough even while roasting food. The secret technique he practiced allowed him to absorb the surrounding spiritual energy automatically under any circumstances; in other words, whether he was cultivating or not, the energy in the air would constantly flow into him. On top of that, he was already at the late Heart-Movement stage, just a single step away from the Spirit-Quieting stage, so it was inevitable that a casual activation of spiritual energy during roasting would lead to a breakthrough.

After giving Li Chengzhu yet another stern lecture about the importance of life and caution, the Celestial Envoy allowed him to practice spells at the edge of the forest. There are three indispensable parts to cultivation: meditation, combat, and crafting. Li Chengzhu showed no interest in artifact refining or alchemy, so he was sent to the forest to practice spells against low-level celestial beasts. Only the weaker ones inhabited the forest's outskirts, and with a tracking spell placed on Li Chengzhu to monitor his status at all times, the Celestial Envoy had no concerns for his disciple’s safety.

Having entered the Spirit-Quieting stage, Li Chengzhu’s power surged. Where he once could barely defeat a second-tier spirit beast, now even a mid-tier third-level spirit beast would not intimidate him; he felt confident he could put up a fight.

Li Chengzhu now strictly adhered to his master’s instructions, never daring to practice recklessly again. Even when meditating to restore his strength, he would first inform the Celestial Envoy, just in case.

Half a year passed. Another immortal ascended from the Lake of Celestial Birth, though this one was not from Earth. The ritual of presenting a welcoming gift was unavoidable. Thanks to his master’s influence, Li Chengzhu received an ice-attributed flying sword from the immortal’s hand, and in his delight, he lavished flattery upon the guest, causing the Celestial Envoy’s expression to darken with displeasure.

Over these months, Li Chengzhu spent most of his time harassing the lower-level spirit beasts in the forest, honing his control over spells until he could easily defeat even the highest-ranking third-tier spirit beasts. But he never killed them—he would incapacitate them, heal their wounds, and then let them go. Eventually, whenever the nearby spirit beasts saw Li Chengzhu enter the forest, they would scatter and warn each other, steering clear of this tormentor.

Meanwhile, Li Chengzhu’s cultivation continued its steady ascent with each battle, and he was on the verge of breaking through to the mid Spirit-Quieting stage. If not for the Celestial Envoy’s restriction technique, he would likely have already reached the Nascent Soul stage, though the attendant risks would have grown even greater.

One day, Li Chengzhu wandered through the forest for half a day without encountering a single living creature. Disheartened, he returned. He had been here for more than a year now, and every day was nothing but cultivation—it was enough to drive him mad. How much better life on Earth had been: fine clothes, delicious food, everything one could desire.

Memories of life on Earth began to surface. Though he had passed the Heart-Movement stage, and should, by rights, have attained detachment from all things unrelated to cultivation, the truth was he had been forced onto this path and had not chosen it of his own volition. Moreover, his time as a cultivator was brief—barely a year and a half—far too short to escape the lure of worldly pleasures. One must understand, in the mortal realm, those who reached the Spirit-Quieting stage often had cultivated for nearly a century. How many could, like him, stumble upon an extraordinary secret manual at the very start of their journey, and have the fortune to cultivate by the Lake of Celestial Birth, a place even immortals dreamed of?

He stopped beside the Celestial Envoy, sat down with a sigh.

The Celestial Envoy gave a curious sound. “Why haven’t you gone to practice your spells today?”

“They all ran off. I have no one to practice on.”

The Celestial Envoy chuckled, stroking his goatee as he gazed into the distance.

Li Chengzhu eyed his master’s contemplative look and couldn’t help but ask, “Master, what are you thinking about?”

The Celestial Envoy furrowed his brow slightly, but instead of answering, he said, “Since you can’t practice spells today, how about refining an artifact with me?”

“Oh, please, Master, spare me,” Li Chengzhu replied with a pained expression.

“Didn’t you just receive an ice-attributed flying sword? Don’t you want to ride it and soar through the skies?” The Celestial Envoy raised an eyebrow.

At the mention of sword-flight, Li Chengzhu’s excitement was instant. “I do! I do! Let’s refine the artifact then!”

“Bring out the sword. I’ll erase the previous owner’s spirit imprint for you,” the Celestial Envoy instructed.

Li Chengzhu obediently produced the sword and handed it over. The Celestial Envoy formed a seal with his fingers and brushed it across the blade. A flash of blue light flickered, then stilled. He handed the sword back.

“That’s it?” Li Chengzhu asked, puzzled.

The Celestial Envoy glared, his beard bristling. “What else did you expect?”

“All the books say when immortals act, heaven and earth weep, ghosts and gods tremble! Shouldn’t there be thunder and lightning at least?”

The Celestial Envoy rolled his eyes. “Do you think the gods of thunder and lightning have nothing better to do?”

Li Chengzhu scratched his head awkwardly and grinned. “I was just guessing.”

“Enough nonsense. The sword’s original spirit imprint has been erased. It’s impossible for you to forge a brand-new flying sword yourself right now. Just modify this one to better suit your needs, using the artifact-refining techniques I taught you.”

“Alright, I know.” Li Chengzhu replied impatiently. He calmed his mind, formed seals with his hands, and poured his full power into the sword before him, channeling spiritual energy into it.

At his current early Spirit-Quieting stage, Li Chengzhu couldn’t fully unleash the potential of the artifact-refining techniques his master had imparted. He could barely recall and execute the entire process.

His movements were clumsy, and the work felt interminably dull. At first, he noticed nothing unusual, but as he progressed, he realized his spiritual strength was draining at an alarming rate. With every seal, he had to exert his utmost, and before long, he was panting, nearly at his limit. Glancing at his unscrupulous master, who stood by stroking his beard with a satisfied smile, Li Chengzhu saw no sign of assistance.

Gritting his teeth and cursing the Celestial Envoy inwardly, he persevered; he dared not stop, for if his control faltered, the spiritual energy would rebound upon him, and the pain would be far worse.

His reserves were soon exhausted, his meridians hollow. Li Chengzhu had never felt so wretched. Fortunately, there was only one section left. He swallowed a pill and pushed through, barely finishing the last sequence. Just as he relaxed, ready for a well-deserved rest, a sudden jolt ran through his mind. A surge of potent spiritual energy erupted from his core, flooding every meridian in his body and filling him with indescribable comfort.

He had experienced this feeling several times before; as he was about to give himself over to the ecstasy, he stiffly turned his head, his face flushed as though he’d passed silent but deadly gas, and muttered, “Damn it, I’ve broken through again.”

The Celestial Envoy stood there, face like a winter frost, his mouth twitching.