Chapter Forty-One: Fifth Level of Qi Cultivation

“Hmph...”
Seeing Yue Buqun and Abbess Dingyi undermine him like this, Yu Canghai was fuming inside.
But there was nothing he could do about this young man.
After all, in broad daylight, as a senior, it would be improper for him to attack someone of the younger generation.
“Master...” Jia Renda was just as furious after seeing Yang Wenhao’s actions.
Yu Canghai curled his lips and said, “Let that brat live a little longer. He’ll soon learn the Qingcheng Sect is not to be trifled with.”
Just as Yu Canghai was about to return to his seat, a sudden commotion broke out around them.
A young man darted out, his face filled with anxiety, clearly wanting to escape after being discovered.
Yu Canghai, still simmering from his earlier frustration with Yang Wenhao, was delighted to have someone to vent his anger on—it was as if a pillow had been handed to a sleepy man.
Yu Canghai seized the young man and snapped, “Who are you? How dare you eavesdrop?”
At that moment, Liu Zhengfeng approached, since the matter concerned his own household.
“Brother Liu, is this one of your family’s servants?” Yu Canghai turned to Liu Zhengfeng.
Liu Zhengfeng, upright though he was, was not overflowing with kindness, and quickly shook his head. “I’ve never met this young man before.”
Yu Canghai’s expression grew even colder at Liu Zhengfeng’s reply, and he said icily, “If you don’t know him, he must be a spy. Take my palm!”
Anyone who knew Yu Canghai even a little understood his fiercely protective nature and volatile temper.
It was no surprise that he would act so rashly.
But as Yu Canghai’s palm struck, it was suddenly blocked by a cane, saving the young man.
Infuriated, Yu Canghai pressed his attack, now aiming at the hunchbacked elder who had intervened.
The hunchbacked elder was clearly a skilled fighter; he exchanged several rounds with Yu Canghai without losing ground.
In a raspy voice, the old man said to Yu Canghai, “Master Yu, you, a sect leader, would bully an old hunchback’s grandson?”
Hearing this, Yu Canghai realized who he was facing. “You’re Mu Gaofeng.”
“And what if I am?” Mu Gaofeng replied calmly.

But just as Yu Canghai was about to speak again, Mu Gaofeng suddenly launched a gusting palm strike.
Yu Canghai hastily dodged, but to his annoyance, the attack was merely a feint.
“Go!” Mu Gaofeng gathered the young man and leapt onto the roof, vanishing from sight in an instant.
Yu Canghai was beside himself with rage.
“Mu Gaofeng, you’d better stay out of my way,” he stormed. “Or you’ll regret it.”
Seeing Yu Canghai’s frustration, many present were secretly amused, but none dared show it out of respect for his status.
“Hmph...” Yu Canghai shot Yang Wenhao a cold glare and turned into the hall.
Standing beside Yang Wenhao, Linghu Chong whispered, “Brother Yang, be wary of Yu Canghai—he’s a petty man who never forgets a grudge.”
“It’s fine.” Yang Wenhao shook his head. Such a minor figure as Yu Canghai was beneath his concern; even if he came, it would just mean more points delivered to his door.
Liu Zhengfeng clasped his hands in greeting, “Since everyone has come from afar, let us gather in the hall for a discussion.”
He then turned to Yang Wenhao, “Young brother, please join us as well.”
Liu Zhengfeng extended this invitation purely out of respect for Yang Wenhao’s status as the savior of both the Hengshan and Huashan sects.
There was still a day before Liu Zhengfeng’s Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony, so everyone stayed at Liu Zhengfeng’s residence during this period.

Night fell, and Yang Wenhao sat cross-legged on his bed, cultivating. He was but a step away from reaching the fifth level of Qi Refinement; a little more progress, and he would break through.
The ginseng he carried was nearly consumed, and whether he could advance depended on this opportunity.
His lips moved in silent rhythm, his abdomen rising and falling.
Had a martial arts master been present, they would have been astounded—Yang Wenhao had achieved the state of unity between man and nature.
Most martial artists practiced internal cultivation, but their techniques limited their progress, preventing them from reaching Yang Wenhao’s level.
Yang Wenhao was different; his method was unique, following the path of immortal cultivation. What others found impossible was simple for him.
As spiritual energy surged within him, Yang Wenhao felt his dantian expand, as if it had doubled in size.
The aura around him flowed into his body like a mighty river.
Although this world’s spiritual energy was superior to the main world, it was still far from abundant.

The aura remained sparse.
After absorbing all the energy in his surroundings, Yang Wenhao slowly opened his eyes and murmured, “The fifth level of Qi Refinement truly is a watershed.”
He sensed that the spiritual energy stored within him had doubled, meaning his strength would last nearly twice as long in battle.
“Once I reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I’ll be able to cultivate at any moment. If I can enter Foundation Establishment early, I won’t need to find time to train each day. But before that, I must bathe.”
Every breakthrough released foul impurities from his skin—unsightly, but easily washed away.
After bathing, Yang Wenhao felt refreshed and invigorated. Just as he was about to continue cultivating while the moment was ripe, Linghu Chong slipped in.

“You?” Yang Wenhao looked at Linghu Chong in surprise.
Linghu Chong acted furtively, as if afraid of being discovered.
He grinned and said, “Hehe, Brother Yang, this fine night—why not go out and enjoy ourselves?”
“Enjoy ourselves? Where?” Yang Wenhao was puzzled.
“Just follow me, and don’t let anyone see us.” Linghu Chong’s secretive manner piqued Yang Wenhao’s curiosity.

Following Linghu Chong’s lead, the two sneaked towards the exit of Liu’s residence.
But just as they were about to climb over the wall, a figure appeared.
“You two!”
Linghu Chong was startled, but relaxed upon seeing it was Yilin.
“Yilin, you scared me,” Linghu Chong said. “Why are you still up so late?”
“I was just about to sleep,” Yilin replied, then suddenly realized something was amiss—Linghu Chong’s actions suggested he was sneaking out. “Brother Linghu, where are you two going?”
“We...” Linghu Chong hesitated, but seeing Yilin’s pure, innocent expression, he admitted, “To be honest, we’re going out to have some fun.”