Chapter Forty-Four: Taking Action

The little white fox didn’t mind in the slightest, swiftly scratching out the instructions for Cloud-Stepping Technique on the ground. Ge Qian, ever diligent, immediately committed every detail to memory, intending to study them thoroughly in the future.

Once finished, the little white fox waved her paw to scatter the writing, then strode away with a proud air—for she had now reached the late stage of the first tier as a demon beast.

Ge Qian watched her leave, arms crossed, marveling at her. Remarkable! What exactly are you? If you were an ordinary fox, I’d never believe it.

But now was not the time to dwell on such questions. He returned to his cave residence, took his pill, and prepared to break through the bottleneck of the fourth layer of Qi Absorption.

The Foundation Three-Principles Technique consumed vast amounts of spiritual energy, but each bottleneck was much smaller, so Ge Qian advanced smoothly to the fifth layer of Qi Absorption.

The fifth layer marked the late stage of Qi Absorption. The vortex in his dantian transformed into a pale blue mist, the so-called “vortex becoming mist.” His spiritual consciousness had more than doubled in strength. Those fifty years spent illuminating Confucian classics, though his cultivation and magical power had not increased, had tempered his mind considerably.

After a month consolidating his cultivation, his realm finally stabilized, and he began refining flying needle talismans, fireball talismans, and giant wood talismans.

Soon, his cinnabar and talisman paper were depleted, but he was gratified to have made ten flying needle talismans, twenty fireball talismans, and thirty giant wood talismans. In total, he’d gained three extra talismans, and his skill in crafting them had improved greatly. Calculating, he found he had three months left; unwilling to waste a moment, he sat cross-legged and began to comprehend the Cloud-Stepping Technique.

This demon clan technique emphasized agility and demanded extraordinary physical strength. Most cultivators could not hope to meet its requirements, but Ge Qian, trained in Mountain-Moving Technique, possessed unmatched physical prowess.

Cloud-Stepping: light as clouds, elusive and unpredictable, ghostly in its movements.

Ge Qian’s figure flickered within the narrow cave, darting left and right, his shadow shifting.

Abruptly, he halted, sat cross-legged once more, and took out a Confucian classic to study. This time, it was the story of a wise Confucian trapped in dire straits, who persevered and ultimately escaped adversity.

Again, fifty years passed; the verdant leaf appeared once more, greedily absorbing spiritual energy.

Fortunately, with the green leaf present, Ge Qian recovered yet again. He gained insight into another Confucian secret technique—“Twists and Turns.”

He rose, sensing the leaf in his dantian had grown to the size of a fan, radiating dense wood spiritual energy, and a strand of pure life force that astonished him.

He realized that these two hundred years in his mind were indeed real, allowing the tender sprout to grow so large. Yet, time in the real world had not changed—why was that?

Unable to fathom it, Ge Qian decided to set the mystery aside, as was his habit, to untangle it gradually.

Just then, a transmission talisman appeared before him. He scanned it with his spiritual sense and exited his cave.

Outside the medicinal garden, the beautiful and petite Yingxue was waiting. Her eyes brightened as she said, “Brother Ge, you did not disappoint. Not only have you advanced to the fifth layer, but your spiritual power is much thicker than that of ordinary cultivators. In a few days, Rouge Red will ripen. To harvest it at the first moment, shouldn't we set out now?”

Ge Qian smiled slightly. “Sister, your praise is too kind. May I ask you to hand over the Foundation Pill as agreed?”

“Of course. Catch!” Yingxue’s slender fingers flipped, tossing out a jade box inscribed with runes.

Ge Qian caught it, formed a seal, and opened the box. Inside lay a purple-black pill, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance, identical to the famed Foundation Pill.

He put it away, saying, “Sister, you truly keep your word. Thank you.”

Yingxue gave a cold smile. “Now that you’ve got what you wanted, it’s time for you to contribute. Let’s go.”

With that, she summoned her flying sword and soared away.

Having received her gift, Ge Qian dared not delay. He mounted his own sword and followed.

End of Chapter Forty-Four: Taking Action.