Gao Xian couldn't help but feel emotional.
A year ago, he transmigrated into this body, back then he was only at the second level of Qi cultivation.
The original host had to rely on the tyrannical Crimson Blood Pill to barely break through.
Today, one year later, he effortlessly advanced to the fourth level of Qi cultivation, the whole process was truly smooth and natural, following a logical progression.
The originally distant mid-level of Qi cultivation was easily reached!
Gao Xian was well aware that reaching this stage was not solely due to his astonishing talent in cultivation.
With the Tiger Blood Ointment, the flesh of the Ironscale Demon Tiger, supplemented by spiritual rice, elixirs, expert guidance, and his diligent cultivation, he achieved some success.
Gao Xian opened the Moonwind Mirror and indeed, it clearly indicated his promotion to the fourth level of Qi cultivation.
Lifespan: 24/95
Cultivation: Fourth Level of Qi (1/400)
Five Elements Skill: Fourth Level (141/1000, Expert)
Iron Dragon Hand: Forging external skin and flesh, refining internal organs, cleansing tendons and marrow, strengthening Qi and blood (756/1000, Expert)
Clear Wind Sword Technique: Transforming the sword into wind, supremely exquisite (976/1000, Expert)
Ice Arrow Technique: Condensing Qi into ice, sharp as an arrow (1354/2000, Master)
Flame Bomb: Flames condensed into pellets, fiercely violent (1247/2000, Master)
First Tier Alchemy: (1971/4000, Expert)
Geomagnetic Wheel: Using the Qi of the earth as a wheel, moving like the wind (52/100, Entry Level)
Reaching the fourth level of Qi cultivation increased his lifespan by five years.
This was the most tangible change.
Cultivators seek longevity and vision, lifespan is the fundamental aspect of it all.
On a more subtle level, with the addition of a third acupoint for circulating mana, his mana increased by more than double, the circulation of mana became faster and more composed, and the speed of absorbing spiritual energy naturally became faster.
Due to the vigorous Qi and blood, the organs became more energetic, the tendons and bones stronger, the speed faster, the perception more acute, and his mental power also increased significantly.
The data from the Moonwind Mirror was rough and couldn't fully represent these subtle changes.
In fact, due to the vigorous Qi and blood, in the past few months, his bones had noticeably become stronger and more robust, even his height had increased by over an inch.
His limbs became more slender, his body acquired a more beautiful proportion.
Even his skin became tighter and fairer.
Gao Xian's immediate feeling was that he had become more handsome.
All these were gradual processes, until he broke through to the fourth level of Qi cultivation, his Qi and blood, tendons and bones, flesh and muscles underwent a complete transformation from the inside out.
In a simple comparison, although his mana was still not as profound as Qi Niang's, in terms of explosive strength and physical intensity, he lagged behind a bit, but in other aspects like speed, reaction, etc., he had surpassed Qi Niang.
Even against opponents like the Black Serpent, in a direct confrontation, Gao Xian was confident in easily resolving the situation.
Entering the mid-level of Qi cultivation, his strength had greatly improved.
While he couldn't claim to sweep through the mid-level of Qi cultivation, he was no longer inferior to late-stage Qi cultivators.
Skills like the Clear Wind Sword Technique and Iron Dragon Hand had made significant progress.
Among them, the Clear Wind Sword Technique progressed the fastest, continuous battles allowed him to deeply comprehend swordsmanship.
The nourishment from the flesh of the Ironscale Demon Tiger was too enriching, especially the Tiger Blood Ointment, which compelled Gao Xian to practice the Iron Dragon Hand daily.
Hence, the progress in the Iron Dragon Hand was also rapid.
The most important Five Elements Skill, although progressing slowly, excelled in its stable advancement.
Qi Niang also mentioned that this required accumulation over time, there were no shortcuts.
Gao Xian had practiced the Ice Arrow Technique and Flame Bomb a lot.
However, it was not easy to enhance spells to the level of a Master.
Gao Xian estimated that it would take at least one or two years to reach the Grandmaster realm.
By that time, the power of these two spells would undoubtedly be greatly enhanced.
The First Tier Alchemy had reached the Expert level, and the speed of advancement had become very slow.
This was normal, as alchemy involved a wide range of aspects.
Even if one excelled in refining low-tier elixirs, it wouldn't contribute much to the advancement of alchemy.
The worst was the Geomagnetic Wheel, this was a first-tier middle-grade spell, generally only mid-level Qi cultivators could practice it.
Relying on his strong mental power and with Lan Jie's help, Gao Xian barely managed to learn it.
However, practicing this orthodox spell was very difficult.
After a few months, he had only just scratched the surface.
Despite this, Gao Xian was quite satisfied with his progress.
In summary: steady progress, a promising future.
In the evening, Qi Niang returned from the Longevity Hall and upon seeing Gao Xian, she noticed his changes.
Qi Niang's bright green eyes revealed a hint of joy, "You've reached the mid-level of Qi cultivation!"
"Yes, I won't hide it from you, I am actually a peerless genius, hahaha..."
Speaking of this matter, Gao Xian was genuinely happy.
Being able to share this good news with Qi Niang and receiving double the joy was truly gratifying.
"In one year, breaking through two levels to reach the mid-level of Qi cultivation is indeed commendable."
Qi Niang said solemnly, "Upon reaching the mid-level of Qi cultivation, you must condense the spiritual acupoints of the five viscera."
"In ancient times, the great beings believed that the viscera housed divine spirits, known as the 'divine spirits hidden in the viscera'. Regardless of the accuracy of this belief, it at least emphasizes the importance of cultivating the viscera."
After pondering for a moment, she continued, "Ah Xian, the Five Elements Skill is sufficient for tempering flesh and bones. However, it is too crude for refining the spiritual acupoints of the five viscera.
"The viscera are complex and mysterious, refining the spiritual acupoints of the five viscera is a complete reshaping of oneself.
This step lays the foundation, it is crucial and determines whether one can successfully build the foundation."
Qi Niang had mentioned these things before, but at that time Gao Xian's cultivation level was too low to be urgent.
After advancing to the fourth level of Qi cultivation, continuing to practice the Five Elements Skill would no longer be appropriate.
"How should I proceed then? Where can I buy better secret techniques?" Gao Xian now had spirit stones and thought of buying some cultivation secret techniques.
Qi Niang shook her head, "Various techniques may circulate, but they are not fundamental.
Cultivation secret techniques are the foundation of sects and will never be leaked.
"Even if there are occasionally leaked cultivation secret techniques, they are bound to be incomplete, which doesn't matter for ordinary cultivators as they have no chance of building the foundation. However, your future is promising, you have the opportunity to achieve the Golden Core.
"Furthermore, the cultivation secret techniques you practice must align with the Five Elements Skill, it's not that easy."
"I know that the Cloud Sect has the 'Great Five Elements Skill', the version of the Five Elements Skill you practice is just a derivative.
"The first three levels are the same, but starting from the fourth level, the Great Five Elements Skill lacks many essential points, it's too rough.
"If you want to achieve greater success, you must switch to the 'Great Five Elements Skill'."
She sighed softly, "But there's a dilemma, the Great Five Elements Skill is a sect's secret transmission, only true disciples of the sect are qualified to practice it."
"True disciples? I definitely have no chance!" Gao Xian frowned, his master Xu Mingyuan was just a guest of the Cloud Sect, essentially an outsider working for the Cloud Sect.
True disciples were the core members of the Cloud Sect, his master couldn't compare.
Even if he changed his allegiance and became a disciple of the Cloud Sect, he wouldn't have any chance.
The sect highly valued orderly inheritance.
A cultivator who betrayed their master and joined another sect would be despised by everyone. It was impossible for them to become true disciples!
"What can we do, Qi Niang?" Gao Xian asked.
"I've been inquiring about this matter all along."
Qi Niang was very concerned about this matter, as it related to Gao Xian's future and destiny, it was a crucial and significant issue.
However, she hadn't mentioned it to Gao Xian, as talking about it wouldn't change anything, it would only make Gao Xian worry needlessly.
She said, "The Cloud Sect has inherited for thousands of years, the number of true disciples is increasing, making the internal factions of the sect complex.
"In terms of secret technique inheritance, the management is not so strict. According to the regulations, those who make significant contributions to the sect can also receive the transmission of the 'Great Five Elements Skill' and other secret techniques."
"Significant contributions?"
Gao Xian asked with difficulty, "Are there any specific criteria?"
"There are no specific criteria. However, this is a channel that is open to the public."
Qi Niang said, "Zhou Ye is actually a true disciple of the Cloud Sect. His master, Nan Pingsong, is an elder in charge of the transmission of many secret techniques..."
Gao Xian's eyes lit up, Old Zhou, he was his father-in-law, and his father-in-law's master was his master's master, they were all family!
(End of this chapter)