Chapter 14: Breakthrough Pill and Level 6

Yunluo Li Year 9996, September 1st.

The Ernst Institute welcomed the new academic year.

Aikesi stood before the teaching building, watching students come and go. The fifth-year classrooms were on the third floor, but today he did not need to go there—several days ago, he had just passed the sixth-year assessment.

The patterns on his cuff changed from five to six.

"Level 7," he murmured to himself, the corners of his mouth rising slightly.

From Level 1 to Level 6 took a full five years. This speed could rank in the top ten in the history of the Ernst Institute.

"Third Brother!"

Reynolds' voice came from behind. Aikesi turned around and saw four people walking toward him.

Reynolds ran in front, spotting the patterns on his cuff at once: "Level 6?!"

"Yeah, just passed it a few days ago." This book's first release, enjoy a great reading experience at ttkx. tw, offering you error-free chapters and non-misordered chapters.

"So fast!" Reynolds widened his eyes. "Weren't you just late Stage 5?"

"After late Stage comes Peak, and after Peak comes breakthrough," Aikesi said lightly.

Reynolds rolled his eyes: "You make it sound so easy."

Yale walked over, patting Aikesi's shoulder: "Not bad, Third Brother, the first Level 6 in our dorm."

"Linlei will be soon too." Aikesi looked at Linlei.

Linlei's cuff still had five patterns, but his aura was much stronger than last semester. He nodded: "Reached Peak, should pass by year-end."

"Then by then we'll both be sixth-year students," Aikesi said.

Qiaozhi laughed nearby: "Looks like you two are aiming to graduate together."

"Possible," Aikesi said. "What about you? Fourth year?"

Qiaozhi nodded: "Just promoted to fourth year. Yale too."

Yale shook his cuff, showing four patterns, with a proud look on his face.

Reynolds made a bitter face: "I'm still third year..."

"Take it slow," Aikesi said. "What's the rush?"

The group chatted and laughed as they walked toward their respective classrooms.

Aikesi and Linlei parted at the stairwell—the sixth-year classroom was on the fourth floor, the fifth-year on the third.

"Same place this afternoon," Aikesi said.

Linlei nodded.

The sixth-year classroom was smaller than the fifth-year's, with fewer people. When Aikesi pushed the door open, only seven or eight people were seated inside.

Sixth-year classes were fewer than fifth-year's, only four per week. Most of the time was spent cultivating on one's own, with the teacher occasionally coming to guide. Aikesi flipped through the newly issued schedule, calculating his plans for the coming days in his mind.

"Level 6 to Level 7 is a huge hurdle," he thought. "Spiritual Force Liquefaction isn't something achieved just by accumulation."

But rushing wouldn't help. The road must be walked step by step.

The morning class covered Huo Xi Gaoji Moha Yuanli. The teacher was a Level 7 Mage, lecturing deeply, and Aikesi listened very attentively.

Afternoon, Hou Shan.

When Aikesi arrived, Linlei was already waiting. The others had not yet come.

"You're early," Aikesi said as he walked over.

Linlei sat on a rock, gazing at the waterfall in the distance: "Mm."

Aikesi sat down nearby; neither spoke.

A while later, Yale and the others arrived. Reynolds ran in front, holding several strips of dried meat, gnawing on them as he ran.

"Late, late!" he shouted. "Met a beauty on the way, took a couple extra looks."

"You're just bragging," Yale said from behind. "Where's the beauty?"

"Really! Water Element, looked great!"

The group sat down, and Aikesi began to activate the Falling Heart Flame.

Milky-white flames overflowed from his body, slowly spreading, covering a five-meter radius around him. The Fire Element concentration surged sharply, and the air grew warm.

All five entered meditation simultaneously.

Two hours later, cultivation ended.

"Comfortable," Reynolds stretched. "Feel like I made especially fast progress today."

"You say you made fast progress every day," Yale complained.

"That's because it really is fast!"

Qiaozhi laughed nearby: "Alright, stop arguing. What's for dinner tonight?"

"Whatever," Aikesi stood up. "Same place?"

"Sure."

The five gathered their things and walked back, chatting and laughing.

Days passed like this, one after another.

Classes every morning, cultivation together every afternoon, chatting in the courtyard every evening. Occasionally on weekends, they went to Fenlai Cheng to stroll, buy things, and have a good meal.

By the end of September, Linlei broke through.

"Broke through?" Aikesi asked.

Linlei nodded.

"Congratulations," Aikesi said.

"Thanks."

The two exchanged a glance and said no more.

At dinner that evening, Yelu was the first to notice Linlei's change.

"Fourth brother is Level Six too?!" He nearly dropped his chopsticks.

Leinuo leaned over to look: "It's true!"

Qiaozhi was also surprised: "You two must have planned this, right?"

"Coincidence," Linlei said.

"Too coincidental," Leinuo exclaimed with wonder. "Both broke through one after the other during the summer break, and now both reached Level Six in quick succession. Did you secretly cultivate together?"

"We were cultivating together from the start," Aikesi said.

Leinuo thought for a moment: "That makes sense."

Yelu raised his wine glass: "Come on, let's celebrate Fourth brother reaching Level Six!"

The five clinked their glasses.

One evening in mid-October, the five chatted in the courtyard.

The moonlight was bright, and the evening breeze was cool.

"Third brother, you mentioned earlier that you might go to the Yulan Empire after graduation?" Qiaozhi suddenly asked.

Aikesi nodded: "Mm, not fully decided yet, but it's almost certain."

"Why do you want to go there?" Yelu asked.

"The magical atmosphere is good, and resources are abundant," Aikesi said. "Fenlai is not bad either, but after all, it's just a kingdom. The Yulan Empire is the oldest empire on the continent, with profound magical foundations. If I can develop there, it will help my future cultivation."

Qiaozhi nodded: "Indeed. The Yulan Empire is indeed more suitable for Mofa Shishi to develop."

"You know quite a lot," Aikesi said.

"My family is over there, so I know a bit," Qiaozhi thought for a moment. "If you really go, you can stay at my place then; we can look out for each other."

"Alright," Aikesi smiled. "I'll come over to mooch meals then."

"You're welcome anytime."

Yelu added from the side: "My family's merchant guild has a branch there too; I'll come find you then."

Leinuo raised his hand: "And me! Although my family is in Aobulaien, it's not far from Yulan; a boat ride takes only half a month to get there."

The others looked at Linlei.

Linlei fell silent for a moment: "I'll stay in Fenlai."

Aikesi knew the reason.

"Let's keep in touch often," Yelu raised his glass. "No matter where we go, we are still brothers."

Back in the dormitory that night, Aikesi lay on his bed, recalling today's conversation.

The Yulan Empire. He indeed wanted to go there and see. As a transmigrator, he had some impression of the Yulan Empire from the original work—there were the oldest families on the continent, the deepest magical foundations, and the most Saint Domain Mages.

If he could develop there, it would certainly help his future path.

Besides, Qiaozhi was there too. Having an acquaintance around was better than being completely in the dark.

【Ding—Detected that this month's check-in opportunity has refreshed.】

【Do you wish to check in?】

Aikesi silently thought in his heart: Check in.

【Check-in successful.】

【Reward obtained: Aizesilasi Aoshu Zhihui (Permanent)—Spiritual perception enhanced, meditation efficiency increased by ten percent.】

A cool current surged into his mind, instantly spreading out.

Aikesi closed his eyes, feeling this subtle change. The fluctuations of the elements around him became clearer; he could even vaguely sense the auras of the brothers in the next room.