27: Chapter 27 Breaking Through the Bottleneck

Chapter 27: Bottleneck, Dawn

It was late at night.

The wind on Peach Blossom Island, carrying the sound of the ocean tides, poured into the courtyard in waves.

Yang Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes slightly closed, his breathing steady. His Nine Yang Inner Energy flowed slowly along his Meridians, heating up slightly as it passed through his Dantian, like a pot of warm water slowly simmering within his body.

The Bottleneck of the fourth level was as thin as a sheet of paper tonight.

He took a deep breath and drove his Internal Energy toward that barrier—

"Hum."

His Dantian shuddered violently, and a tearing pain shot through his Meridians.

But the next second, that Internal Energy seemed to break through some obstructed pass, surging unimpeded into his limbs and bones.

A wave of heat instantly swept through his entire body.

Yang Yuan opened his eyes and looked down at his palms. The pale golden light in his palms was brighter than before, faintly revealing a warm, lustrous sheen. He clenched his fist, and his knuckles clicked.

He had achieved a Breakthrough.

The fourth level of the Nine Yang Manual.

He felt the surging Internal Energy within his body; it was more than twice as strong as it had been at the third level. His Meridians had been widened, and the speed at which his Internal Energy circulated had increased by nearly thirty percent.

"Huu..."

He let out a long breath, the exhaled air carrying a scorching temperature, condensing into a white mist in the night sky.

He got out of bed and walked to the window.

Moonlight spilled onto the peach trees in the courtyard, and the petals swayed gently in the night wind. In the distance, the sound of waves hitting the reefs came, one after another, with a steady rhythm.

Yang Yuan stood there for a while, his heart very calm.

Breaking through the fourth level was smoother than he had anticipated. The cultivation bonus of Peach Blossom Island was indeed effective, and combined with his diligent daily meditation, he had accumulated enough; success came naturally.

But the words Huang Yaoshi said during the day were still turning in his mind.

The Northwest direction, another source of the same origin.

Zhongnan Mountain.

Who was that person? Were they friend or foe? Did the other party know of his existence?

Yang Yuan frowned and pushed these distracting thoughts away. Thinking too much was useless; increasing his strength was the real priority.

He turned and returned to the bed, continuing to meditate to stabilize his Realm.

* * *

Early the next morning.

As dawn just began to break, Yang Yuan was already standing in the courtyard.

He held the single-edged blade he had confiscated from the spy, stood before the wooden post, and adjusted his breathing.

He had already practiced the Yue Maiden Sword Technique very proficiently, but he kept in mind the problem Huang Yaoshi had pointed out yesterday—that his Internal Energy and sword technique were separated.

He closed his eyes, first circulating his Nine Yang Inner Energy to let it flow through his entire body along his Meridians, then gripped the hilt, pouring his Internal Energy into the blade.

The blade vibrated slightly, emitting a clear, ringing hum.

Yang Yuan opened his eyes and swung the blade.

With one slash, the blade's light traced an arc in the air, so fast that only an afterimage remained.

"Crack."

The wooden post, half a foot thick, snapped in the middle. The cross-section was as smooth as if it had been measured with a ruler.

Yang Yuan sheathed the blade, looked at the cut, and understood.

Controlling the sword with Qi. When Internal Energy is poured into the weapon, the sword follows the Qi, and the Qi is controlled by the heart.

He understood the principle Huang Yaoshi had spoken of. But to truly master it and achieve a seamless fusion would still require time to hone.

He practiced for another hour until fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, then he put the blade away.

* * *

Laughter from little Xue Jian came from the main room.

Yang Yuan wiped his sweat and pushed the door open to enter.

Cheng Ying was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding little Xue Jian, teasing her with a bamboo flute in her hand. When little Xue Jian saw Yang Yuan enter, she babbled and reached out her little hands, wanting a hug.

Yang Yuan took his daughter and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good girl, did you listen to your mother today?"

Little Xue Jian giggled, grabbed his nose with her little hand, and gave it a hard twist.

Yang Yuan winced in pain: "You little girl, your strength is getting bigger and bigger."

Cheng Ying laughed from the side: "Just like you, strong hands."

Yang Yuan sat at the table with his daughter, and Cheng Ying brought over breakfast—a bowl of porridge, two steamed buns, and a dish of pickled vegetables.

It was simple, but satisfying.

Cheng Ying sat opposite him, watching him eat, and said casually: "When Island Master Huang left yesterday, his expression didn't seem right. What did he say to you?"

Yang Yuan took a bite of a steamed bun and said vaguely: "Nothing, just talked about some matters in the Jianghu."

He didn't intend to tell Cheng Ying about that matter. Huang Yaoshi had said that the fewer people who knew about this, the better. If Cheng Ying knew, she would only worry, which wouldn't do any good.

Cheng Ying glanced at him and didn't press further. She understood Yang Yuan; if there was something he didn't want to say, she wouldn't be able to get it out of him by asking.

But she trusted him.

* * *

The morning passed slowly.

In the courtyard, Yang Yuan taught Cheng Ying a few moves of the Yue Maiden Sword Technique. Cheng Ying had a good foundation and learned quickly; after a few times, she could already perform the rough movements.

Little Xue Jian sat on the bamboo mat at the doorway, clutching the bamboo flute in her hand, trying to put it into her mouth like Huang Yaoshi had. She couldn't get it in and started wailing in frustration.

Yang Yuan watched his daughter and couldn't help but laugh.

"You're only this big, and you already want to play the flute?"

He crouched down, took the bamboo flute from little Xue Jian's hand, and blew a note in front of her.

Little Xue Jian blinked her eyes, staring at the flute in his hand, then opened her mouth too: "Ah—"

Yang Yuan was amused: "That's called shouting, not playing the flute."

Cheng Ying laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up.

* * *

In the afternoon, around the Shen hour (3 PM to 5 PM).

Huang Yaoshi appeared at the courtyard gate right on time.

He didn't walk straight into the room as usual, but stood at the gate and looked at Yang Yuan.

"Achieved a Breakthrough?"

Yang Yuan nodded: "Broke through the fourth level last night."

Huang Yaoshi walked in, stood before him, and looked him up and down: "Your aura is much steadier. The fourth level of Nine Yang Inner Energy already has some degree of refinement."

"Thanks to Island Master Huang's guidance." Yang Yuan bowed.

"It is your own fortune." Huang Yaoshi waved his hand, "I will teach Xue Jian a new tune today, you listen from the side."

He walked into the main room, took out a new bamboo flute from his robe, and handed it to little Xue Jian.

Little Xue Jian took the bamboo flute, imitated Huang Yaoshi's manner, pressed the mouthpiece to her lips, and blew hard—

"Woo—"

A dull sound came from the bamboo flute.

Although it didn't sound good, she had indeed managed to make it sound.

Huang Yaoshi was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"Good. To be able to make it sound in one day, your talent is not bad."

Yang Yuan stood at the doorway, watching this scene, his heart feeling somewhat complicated.

Huang Yaoshi was indeed sincerely teaching little Xue Jian. But the letter he had discovered in the Forbidden Ground always made him feel uneasy.

Was Huang Yaoshi taking little Xue Jian as a disciple really just to protect her?

Or was it to break the Seal of the Forbidden Ground?

* * *

Evening.

After Huang Yaoshi finished the lesson, he didn't leave immediately.

He sat by the stone table, looking at the distant sea, and was silent for a long while.

Yang Yuan brought over two bowls of tea and sat down opposite him.

The two drank tea quietly for a while.

"Yang Yuan." Huang Yaoshi spoke, "How long do you intend to stay on Peach Blossom Island?"

Yang Yuan was taken aback: "Island Master Huang means..."

"I don't mean to drive you away." Huang Yaoshi put down his tea bowl, "I'm just reminding you, although Peach Blossom Island is safe, it is not a long-term solution. You should be clear about that in your heart."

Yang Yuan was silent for a few seconds.

He was indeed clear about it. Peach Blossom Island was Huang Yaoshi's territory; their family of three living here was, after all, living under someone else's roof. Moreover, he didn't know when Huang Yaoshi's obsession with the Forbidden Ground would erupt.

"Once Cheng Ying's health improves a bit more, I will consider moving out." Yang Yuan said.

"No rush." Huang Yaoshi stood up, "Before you find a suitable place to go, you can continue to live here."

He turned to walk toward the courtyard gate, took two steps, and then stopped.

"However, there is one thing I want to remind you."

Yang Yuan stood up: "Island Master Huang, please speak."

Huang Yaoshi didn't turn back, his back to him, his voice calm: "That power within you, and the aura from the Northwest, although similar, are not exactly the same. That aura is steadier and more restrained than yours. If there truly comes a day when you face each other, you may not necessarily have the advantage."

Yang Yuan's heart sank.

"Practice well." After Huang Yaoshi finished speaking, his figure flickered and disappeared into the depths of the Peach Forest.

* * *

At night.

Yang Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed, not rushing to Cultivate.

He had been thinking about Huang Yaoshi's last words.

That aura was steadier and more restrained than his.

What did this mean?

Was the other party's strength above his? Or was the other party's System more Advanced than his?

He took a deep breath and pushed these thoughts down.

No matter who the other party was, he had to increase his own strength first. He had just broken through the fourth level of the Nine Yang Manual, which was not enough. At least he needed to reach the fifth level, or even the sixth, to have the confidence to face an unknown opponent.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate his Internal Energy.

The night wind blew in from outside the window, carrying the faint fragrance of peach blossoms.

The sound of waves came from outside the courtyard, one after another, like breathing.

* * *

Suddenly, a System notification popped up in his mind—

[Detected that the Host has broken through the fourth level of the Nine Yang Manual.]

[System reward unlocked: New function 'Beauty Record · Offspring Atlas' has been activated.]

[Currently recorded offspring: Yang Xue Jian (Eldest Daughter).]

[Hint: The conditions for the second child have been met. The Host may conceive a second offspring with the current partner.]

Yang Yuan stared at those words, stunned for a few seconds.

The conditions for the second child had already been met?

He turned his head to look at Cheng Ying sleeping beside him. She was lying on her side, holding little Xue Jian in her arms, breathing evenly, sleeping very soundly.

Moonlight shone on her face, and her eyelashes cast a small shadow on her cheeks.

Yang Yuan's throat moved.

He licked his lips and withdrew his gaze.

No rush.

Wait until Cheng Ying's health recovers a bit more.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and continued to circulate the Nine Yang Manual.

But the words in his mind kept flickering before his eyes.

Second child.

Innate Supernatural Strength.

The corners of Yang Yuan's mouth curled up slightly.

This life seemed to be getting more and more interesting.

(End of Chapter 27)