20: Rapid progress!

That invisible force invaded Yang Kai's Dantian, stimulating his sensitive nerves. The Dantian is the most private core location of a Cultivator, so he quickly mobilized his magical power to resist this force.

However, the full magical power within Yang Kai's Dantian could not offer the slightest resistance to this force. This invisible force easily passed through Yang Kai's magical power, and even the Cultivation Bottleneck that had trapped Yang Kai crumbled upon contact with this force. Yang Kai thus, in a daze, broke through to the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage.

After this force shattered that Bottleneck, it began to rapidly boost Yang Kai's magical power. After a few breaths, Yang Kai's Cultivation had strangely reached the Peak of the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage, with another, more solid Bottleneck now before him.

Just as Yang Kai thought this force would once again break through his Bottleneck, it passed through his Dantian and returned to his chest, plunging into the acupoint Yang Kai had previously tried to light up. This acupoint rapidly lit up at a visible speed. Afterward, Yang Kai only felt his body shake, and that acupoint, which required devouring a massive amount of Spiritual Qi, was so easily lit up. At the same time, perhaps having been completely consumed, that invisible force also disappeared.

Yang Kai didn't have time to feel the changes in his body and quickly opened his eyes to look at Elder Qiu. This invisible force came suspiciously, and since Elder Qiu was the only one here, the source of this force was easy to guess.

"Boy, tell me honestly, where on earth did you come from?" Before Yang Kai could even ask, Elder Qiu preemptively questioned.

"This junior doesn't know what Elder means by that." Yang Kai's eyes narrowed slightly, and he began to feign ignorance. Intelligent as he was, he immediately knew that Elder Qiu had probably seen through some of his background, but at this moment, the more he said, the more mistakes he would make. He had to first figure out how much this person knew before he could respond.

"Hmph! Still not admitting it? Not everyone is qualified to Cultivate the Twin Dragons Spirit Locking Formation. Are you still playing dumb with me?" Elder Qiu's face showed displeasure as he said in a deep voice.

"Elder has a Wisdom Eye. This junior indeed has some connection with Qingyun Peak. However, this junior also has difficulties and cannot explain it until the time is right. I ask for Elder's understanding." Since Elder Qiu had already revealed the origin of Yang Kai's Move, there was no point in pretending not to know. Yang Kai openly admitted it.

Elder Qiu had an expression of understanding, thinking to himself: It was not in vain that he used his precious Dao power. Regardless of whether this boy was related to the Sect Master Qing Xuanzi, or even that Grand Elder, he had bet correctly.

"Boy, I... this old man also needs to remind you, this 'Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art' is extremely overbearing. Your Physical Body foundation is a bit weak. You now need to find some precious materials to strengthen your tendons, bones, and flesh to increase your Physical Body's foundation before you can start Body Refining Cultivation again. However, before that, you can continue to accumulate Spiritual Qi. You have just started, and only when you open up nine acupoints will you reach the Peak of the first stage." Elder Qiu spoke of this top-tier Body Refining Cultivation Technique of the Flowing Cloud Sect as if he knew it by heart, offering guidance.

Yang Kai nodded slightly, firmly remembering Elder Qiu's words. Although he had countless Spells and Cultivation Techniques in his mind, he precisely lacked guidance from a renowned master. Elder Qiu's words saved him a great deal of time in exploration.

"This Cultivation Realm improvement emphasizes that haste makes waste. Each Realm has its own meaning, and you must comprehend it with your heart. This old man also sees that after this period of torment, this Bottleneck will break through in half a month at most, or three to five days at least. Otherwise, I would never do something like pulling up seedlings to help them grow. There is a great mystery in breaking through from the Early Stage of Qi Refining to the Middle Stage, and you must pay attention to comprehending it." Elder Qiu, being a good person, went all the way and clarified Yang Kai's future Cultivation path in one breath. From now on, Yang Kai only needed to Cultivate step by step.

"Thank you, Elder Qiu, for your guidance. If Elder ever has a task in the future, this junior will certainly go through fire and water without hesitation!" Yang Kai respectfully bowed to Elder Qiu and said sincerely.

In the past three years, Yang Kai had seen too much oppression and darkness, so he cherished every act of kindness. If you treat me with an inch of respect, I will return a foot. But if you offend me, then you must pray that you can withstand my wrath.

"Why say such things? What could this old man use you for? Alright, you can't pass the next stage for now. A Yao Beast in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment is comparable to human Cultivators at the Peak of Foundation Establishment and the False Core Rank. It's not something you can deal with now. The Qinxu Tower only gives such a massive amount of Spiritual Qi upon the first clearance. Subsequent clearances will only yield one-tenth of the first time. Come again tomorrow. Only when your Cultivation reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage, or when the 'Ninefold Mixed Origin Body Refining Art' Cultivation reaches the Peak of the first stage, will you be qualified to challenge the third level. Now, leave here and properly comprehend yourself." Elder Qiu was somewhat moved inside, but he still put on a stern face, appearing as if he wasn't swayed by such words.

Originally, Yang Kai had wanted to challenge the Yao Beast on the third level, but Elder Qiu had said all there was to say, and he didn't have a masochistic streak, so he immediately left the Qinxu Tower, deciding to return tomorrow.

Leaving the Qinxu Tower, the scorching sunlight fell on Yang Kai's face. His pupils, accustomed to darkness, felt a bit uncomfortable. Yang Kai raised a hand to shield his forehead, searching for Meng Yun's figure.

"Yang Kai! I'm here!" Before Yang Kai could spot Meng Yun, under a distant tree, Meng Yun immediately noticed Yang Kai being sent out of the tower and waved his arms, shouting.

Yang Kai quickly met up with Meng Yun, and then they walked together towards their residence. Along the way, Meng Yun continuously recounted his tragic experiences.

Unlike Yang Kai, Meng Yun didn't have such an extraordinary encounter. In front of a Yao Beast at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, he naturally had no power to fight back. He was killed by a single palm strike from the Yao Beast as soon as he entered, and then he was teleported out.

"Yang Kai, I've inquired, this place isn't prepared for Outer Sect Disciples like us at all. It's for those Outer Sect Disciples in the Late Stage of Qi Refining, who are only a step away from the Foundation Establishment Stage. They say that any Outer Sect Disciple who can break through the first stage, defeating a Yao Beast in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment by leapfrogging Ranks in the Qi Refinement Stage, will possess the strength to become an Inner Sect Disciple. When the various Peaks recruit Inner Sect Disciples at the end of the year, this alone will grant them admission without an exam! No wonder so many Outer Sect Disciples who had been in seclusion for a long time have emerged." Meng Yun was somewhat excited and a little wistful, imagining himself becoming such a Genius.

Yang Kai, however, shook his head upon hearing this. Such a statement was pure nonsense. As long as one had high-Rank talismans or high-end Magic Treasures, it was not difficult for a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator to defeat a Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast. This could not be a condition for becoming an Inner Sect Disciple without an exam. Cultivating with the abundant Spiritual Qi in this place and breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage was the ultimate goal of these Outer Sect Disciples.

Returning to his residence, Yang Kai habitually bolted the door, sat cross-legged, and began to examine himself internally, studying the changes in his body and Cultivation. Upon closer inspection, Yang Kai's body had undergone earth-shattering changes!