After reflecting on his recent skirmish, Han Yi felt less triumphant and more apprehensive. Every battle carried inherent risks. Had he faced a Late-Stage Qi Refining Robber Cultivator this time, he would likely have met his demise. Even if he had survived, escaping unscathed would have been nearly impossible.
Based on his calculations, Han Yi believed he could likely defeat a Qi Refining Sixth Layer opponent, provided he had his trump card ready. However, uncertainty lingered: the enemy might possess a counter-measure. Facing a Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivator, even briefly holding his ground would be a commendable feat, let alone securing victory.
Unless his Spirit Void Finger or Sword Control Technique reached a new level of proficiency, Han Yi lacked the confidence to confront a Qi Refining Seventh Layer expert head-on.
With these thoughts swirling, Han Yi's mental focus shifted, causing the translucent, pale crimson panel to materialize before him:
[ Lifespan: 25/99 ]
[ Cultivation Realm: Qi Refining Fifth Layer (6/100) ]
[ Cultivation Technique: Fire Pill Profound Art (Masterful 29/100) ]
[ Skills: ]
[ - Alchemy Technique (Masterful 48/100) ]
[Skills:]
[ - Spirit Void Finger (Masterful 90/100) ]
[ - Sword Control Technique (Masterful 49/100) ]
[ - Light Body Technique (Masterful 19/100) ]
Han Yi surveyed his skills, all at the Masterful level, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.
Over the past three years, he had ample opportunities to acquire new skills, whether through official channels, market transactions, or even from female cultivators he had befriended at Little Spirit Void Peak.
Yet he had refrained.
He understood the principle of not biting off more than one could chew.
This was especially true for the Spirit Void Finger and Sword Control Technique, two complementary combat methods that were fundamental to his fighting style. True cultivator battles rarely turned into drawn-out affairs; they were instantaneous, with life and death decided in the blink of an eye.
Han Yi's plan was to wait until these two skills advanced to the next level beyond Masterful before considering acquiring new spells.
The Light Body Technique had been bestowed upon him by the Peak Lord of Little Spirit Void Peak. Needing a movement technique, Han Yi had practiced it.
Moreover, during his travels through multiple Outer Peak markets over the past three years, he had deliberately cultivated this technique, eventually elevating it to the Masterful level as well.
It was a pity.
Once all his skills reached the Masterful level, the rate of improvement slowed dramatically, making progress incredibly time-consuming.
Over the past three years, his primary focus—the Sword Control Technique and the Spirit Void Finger—had only progressed to 49/100 and 90/100 respectively, far from satisfactory.
Furthermore, he had been considering replacing the Fire Pill Profound Art, his foundational cultivation technique crucial for advancing through the Qi Refining Realm.
However, he later learned that this technique was particularly suitable for Fire Spirit Root cultivators laying the foundation for alchemy, especially during the early and mid stages of Qi Refining. The Profound Pill Sect's historical records confirmed that switching to more advanced techniques only after reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining was the proper sequence.
Reluctantly, Han Yi abandoned his initial plans and decided to temporarily retain the technique. Over the past three years, his proficiency in it had advanced from Skilled to Proficient.
After assessing his current progress, Han Yi retrieved the storage pouch he had plundered from the Robber Cultivator.
It took him half a day to erase the original owner's imprint on the pouch. When he finally opened it, his heart pounded with anticipation.
The contents of the Robber Cultivator's storage pouch were a chaotic mix of items.
Han Yi retrieved the items that interested him: over three hundred Spirit Stones, over a hundred pounds of Spirit Sand, a collection of miscellaneous bottles and jars, Talismans, Formation Plates, and two unused inheritance plates.
While this wasn't a fortune for Han Yi, whose net worth now exceeded two thousand Spirit Stones, the thrill of acquiring them for free was undeniable.
He had no intention of studying the bottles, jars, Talismans, or Formation Plates. Such research would be far too time-consuming. Time was his most precious resource; he figured he'd be better off focusing on mastering the Spirit Void Finger technique and swiftly advancing to the next stage.
After sorting his loot, he returned to his cultivation. His unwavering dedication, fueled by a constant supply of Spirit Stones, was the foundation for his rapid progress to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer within three years.
During this period, he concentrated solely on refining the Spirit Void Finger. He was eager to discover what lay beyond the Masterful stage.
Behind the courtyard, Han Yi had constructed a new cultivation chamber, sparing no expense on rare materials capable of withstanding the destructive power of the Spirit Void Finger. This was where he practiced the technique daily.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next day, Han Yi tidied himself up and set out for Little Sea-Viewing Peak. Over the past three years, he had traded with the female cultivators there seven or eight times, becoming quite familiar with them.
This time, Chu Jinmo wasn't there to greet him; instead, Yan Ru came to meet him. After three years of interaction, the curvaceous Yan Ru had softened her attitude toward Han Yi, her expression more gentle than before.
"Junior Brother Han, have you already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer?" Yan Ru's sharp eyes detected the aura emanating from him, confirming his advancement. She couldn't help but express her surprise.
"Just luck," Han Yi replied modestly. His last visit to the peak had been over half a year ago, when he was at the peak of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Today, he returned having broken through to the next stage.
Yan Ru glanced at him skeptically. "This isn't luck; it's well-deserved progress. Before long, you'll likely break through to the Qi Refining Sixth or even Seventh Layer, join the Inner Peak, and leave us far behind." Her tone carried a hint of wistful admiration.
Comparing oneself to others only invites despair.
She herself had been stuck at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer for years, still a considerable distance from reaching the Sixth Layer.
"Junior Brother Han, with your cultivation speed, you could easily find a Dao Companion. Plenty of junior sisters on Little Sea-Viewing Peak would be eager to accept."
"Why not consider it?"
"Or are you... incapable?"
Han Yi, walking shoulder to shoulder with Yan Ru, nearly tripped over his own feet.
He turned to face her, noticing a rare playful smile on her lips. He waved his hand helplessly, a wry grin spreading across his face. "Senior Sister Yan, please don't tease me. I'm genuinely not considering a Dao Companion at the moment."
Yan Ru accepted his firm refusal. "Alright, just joking. Don't take it to heart. Let's go. I hope you brought enough Medicinal Pills today."
Yan Ru suppressed her fleeting smile, her expression returning to its usual calm. She led him into a room.
Han Yi quickly followed. "I won't disappoint you, Senior Sister Yan."
Half an hour later, they emerged from the room. Han Yi wore a satisfied grin, while Yan Ru looked somewhat disappointed.
Han Yi was pleased with the substantial influx of Spirit Stones he had just earned.
Yan Ru, however, was disappointed that Han Yi's supply of Medicinal Pills remained relatively small. When divided among the twenty-odd senior and junior sisters, each share would be quite meager.
"By the way, Senior Sister Yan, when will Senior Sister Chu return?" Han Yi asked before departing.
Yan Ru shook her head. "I'm not sure either. She went down the mountain with Martial Uncle Qi over a year ago, and we haven't heard anything definite since."
Han Yi nodded, refraining from pressing further. The matter involved Little Sea-Viewing Peak, and it wasn't appropriate to pry.
"The next transaction might have to be postponed," Han Yi said. "I've reached a bottleneck in my mastery of a particular spell and need to enter secluded cultivation. It'll likely be six months before I can trade again."
"Please convey my apologies to the other Senior Sisters on Little Sea-Viewing Peak, Senior Sister Yan."
Yan Ru's expression of regret deepened upon hearing this, but since it concerned Han Yi's personal circumstances, she couldn't insist.
Over the past three years, the medicinal pills Han Yi sold to Little Sea-Viewing Peak had been wildly popular. Qi Nourishing Pills, Evil-Repelling Pills, Mind Gathering Pills, and Breakthrough Pills—these four types were crucial for cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining. In particular, Han Yi's pills were exceptionally high-quality yet reasonably priced. The fact that the next transaction wouldn't happen for half a year only heightened Yan Ru's disappointment.
After leaving Little Sea-Viewing Peak, Han Yi first went to Little Boulder Peak to find Zheng Hai, but he was nowhere to be found. Reluctantly giving up, he then headed toward Little Spirit Void Peak.