Chapter 58: Mid Stage

Li Zhen was well aware that the most efficient way for him to cultivate was by using the Dragon Heart Space to ingest medicinal pills that aided his training. This method could accelerate his progress by leaps and bounds compared to the arduous path of daily practice alone.

Medicinal pills were unavailable in the Xian Nation, but in another world, they could be purchased with spirit stones.

The reason he hadn’t yet bought any pills from that other world was due to his shaky foundation in cultivation.

Once he became a Talisman Master and started selling his own enchanted talislams, purchasing medicinal pills would be a natural step forward.

Of course, all of this depended on the continued existence of the market in that other world, which hopefully hadn’t been destroyed by the conflict between two major forces.

Until he could regularly consume medicinal pills, Li Zhen committed one hour each to school and home for cultivation. After school in the afternoon, he practiced swordsmanship at the Going Beyond Swordplay until dinner time.

In the evenings, he planned to dedicate even more time to refining the Black Iron Body technique, which significantly boosted his combat prowess.

Any remaining free moments were spent reading ancient texts. The Going Beyond Swordplay opened up a vast library of knowledge, which he used to enrich his understanding of the world.

Li Zhen focused his attention on the Dragon Heart Space. He had already sold two low-tier first-rank magical devices for merit points and knew he wouldn’t be able to sell any more for a long time.

It might be possible to pass off one or two magical devices as mere luck, but selling more would undoubtedly raise suspicions among other cultivators.

Strewing with determination, he allowed the Dragon Heart Space to consume all the remaining low-tier first-rank magical devices, except for those he needed for personal use.

Although each device was of low-tier, the sheer quantity of dozens amassed still held significance.

After reviewing his information on the identity bracelet, he noticed that his fire elemental spiritual root talent had increased to 20, and his earth elemental spiritual root to 16. Beyond these, there had been no other changes.

His heart ached at the sight; though he had anticipated a loss from consuming low-tier magical devices, he hadn’t expected it to be so significant.

He had hoped that by using dozens of low-tier first-rank magical devices, he could elevate one of his inferior spiritual roots to a mid-grade level. Yet, both his water and metal elemental spiritual roots, originally at 20 and 20 respectively, remained unchanged.

With a long sigh, he realized that the mid-grade magical devices in the Dragon Heart Space were meant for cultivation and could not afford to be devoured by the space.

The swallowing of dozens of low-grade tier-1 magical artifacts had brought some order to the Dragon Heart Space, which was no longer as chaotic as before.

Li Zhen retrieved a mid-grade tier-1 magical artifact and began tapping it against his body while cultivating the ‘Black Iron Body’. Slowly, he absorbed the essence of metal emanating from the mid-grade artifact.

This session of cultivation lasted exactly three hours, during which he discovered the benefits of using Junior Nutrient Enhancers when practicing body-refining techniques.

Cultivating with a mid-grade tier-1 magical artifact drastically increased his physical exertion; normally, he wouldn’t have been able to sustain it for three hours.

However, whenever his body grew weary, he would drink a bottle of Junior Nutrient Enhancer, rest for a few minutes, and then resume his practice.

In his retinal display, the numbers for ‘Physique: First Layer (33/100)’ remained unchanged until nearly the end of the three hours, when he suddenly felt a symphony of signals from all his bones and tendons.

‘Physique: First Layer (34/100)’, the number finally incremented by one, marking his body refinement as having reached the mid-stage of the first layer. This was equivalent to the strength of the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Additionally, these three hours of cultivation confirmed that his significant progress with the Black Iron Body during the previous session was indeed due to the influence of the dragon heart.

Li Zhen clenched his fists tightly, savoring the immense strength surging through his hands.

Don’t underestimate the leap from 33 to 34 points. This seemingly minor increment represented a subtle yet profound shift in his cultivation realm, resulting in a substantial enhancement of his physical capabilities.

Of course, until tested in actual combat, he could only estimate his newfound strength.

“It seems I must find an opportunity to venture beyond the city!” Having reached the mid-stage of the first level of Body Tempering, Li Zhen’s confidence in his safety grew stronger. The risks outside the city walls now appeared far less daunting.

It’s worth noting that the monsters found beyond the city were predominantly small and weak. In limited numbers, even a cultivator at the initial stage of Qi Refining could dispatch them with ease.

With his numerous hidden cards, Li Zhen was arguably more formidable than most monsters encountered outside the city.

Meanwhile, Principal Wang of Second High School was reviewing an application report sent by Mr. Zuo. The application sought permission for Li Zhen to participate in the school’s upcoming challenge competition.

Attached to the report was a video clip showing Li Zhen practicing basic sword techniques in the combat training room.

Headmaster Wang, himself at the Late Qi Refining Stage, had risen to the position of principal of Second High School. His insight into cultivation affairs was unparalleled.

At a glance, he could discern Li Zhen’s swordsmanship level—Great Accomplishment. Such mastery was rare even among Yunfou County’s cultivated elite, let alone students.

Using his administrative privileges, the headmaster accessed Li Zhen’s personal information. He found that Li Zhen’s family background was unremarkable, with the only notable detail being their sponsorship by the Han family.

To progress from basic sword techniques to the Great Accomplishment level in mere months through Han family sponsorship alone is impossible. The Han family doesn’t possess such capability.

If they did, they would have nurtured their own direct descendants.

“Swordsmanship can compensate for a lack of cultivation base. Li Zhen can already fight beyond his rank. With focused training, we might even enhance his cultivation over the next three months.

Placing him in the preliminary rounds is crucial for gaining experience. In just a year or two, he could become our star player.

But he’s simply too exceptional. I fear our high school won’t be able to retain him!” Headmaster Wang murmured to himself.

The next day, Li Zhen returned to school as usual. The school bus service had resumed its normal operation, freeing him from the need to walk.

As Li Zhen rode the school bus, he noticed that the severely damaged buildings along the streets had been covered with protective screens. Apart from these, one could barely tell that the city had ever suffered a catastrophic attack.

Even if those who died held lofty positions, to a city, they’re not indispensable, Li Zhen mused. I don’t want to become just another forgotten face in the crowd.

After the morning classes ended and students were taking a break, Mr. Zuo called Li Zhen to the side.

“Mr. Zuo, where are we going?” Li Zhen asked, noticing they were heading towards the main office building.

“Principal Wang wants to see you. You sure kept your abilities hidden well! Who would’ve imagined you were so skilled with the Great Accomplishment Sword Technique?” Mr. Zuo replied, walking and talking at the same time.

If his injuries hadn’t still been healing, he would have loved to spar with Li Zhen right then and there.

“Oh, you found out, Mr. Zuo!” Li Zhen said, somewhat surprised.

His mind quickly flashed back to his practice sessions in the school’s combat room. That must be where Mr. Zuo had discovered his skills.

There’s nothing really secretive about this, Li Zhen thought. Exceptional swordsmanship just points to good talent. In the Xian Nation, geniuses of all kinds have emerged throughout history.

“No wonder you were able to deal with the monster appearing in the classroom!” Mr. Zuo exclaimed.

By now, they had arrived outside the schoolmaster’s office. Mr. Zuo knocked on the door, and after receiving permission, he led Li Zhen inside.

“Li Zhen, you’ve reached the second layer of Qi Refining!” Schoolmaster Wang said, his eyes gleaming with delight.

The difference between Schoolmaster Wang and Li Zhen’s cultivation bases was quite significant. Additionally, using a secret technique, he effortlessly penetrated Li Zhen’s Qi Concealment Art.

Reaching the second layer of Qi Refining at this stage, whether through consuming pills or utilizing other external aids, indicated that Li Zhen’s spiritual roots could not be inferior.

With a pseudo-spiritual root, even given a wealth of cultivation resources, it would be impossible to advance to the second layer of Qi Refining within such a short time frame.

“I just managed to break through in the past two days!” Li Zhen replied modestly.

“I was initially worried about your cultivation base. It seems you’re not only talented in swordsmanship but also have great aptitude for cultivation. You truly are a promising prospect!” Schoolmaster Wang said with a smile.

He rose from behind his desk, moved to the nearby sofa, and gestured for Mr. Zuo and Li Zhen to take a seat.

He personally retrieved three cups, then reached into his belt pouch to remove a tea box. He placed one tealeaf in each cup.

“Schoolmaster, allow me!” Mr. Zuo, despite missing an arm, took on the task of making the tea.

Li Zhen curiously gazed at the cup before him, having formed a guess from the principal’s actions.

Spirit tea—a luxury beverage among cultivators, certainly beyond the reach of primary and early stage Qi Refining cultivators.

As the kettle boiled, spiritual energy began to overflow. The water in the kettle was no ordinary water, but spirit water of high quality.

When the spirit water touched the spirit teas, green spiritual energy surged from the leaves, merging with the water. A spiritual mist rose, carrying a peculiar tea fragrance.

Li Zhen merely inhaled the scent, and immediately felt his mind become exceptionally clear.

“These are my prized collection, harvested from a high-grade first-rank tea tree and meticulously processed by hand!” Schoolmaster Wang explained with a smile.