Chapter 28: Qi Refining Fourth Layer! (Please follow! Please collect!)

"Alright."

Returning to Huanhu Dao, seeing the Ni Qiu and Black Fish floating on the water surface, Yunhe waved his paws and said in a flat tone.

Finally, he still chose to take in this Black Fish.

On one hand, it's because this Black Fish did quite well this time.

Although the Ni Qiu lured away the water rat, it didn't cause trouble for the Ni Qiu; instead, it chose to stand together against a common enemy, to some extent helping the Ni Qiu fend off the water rat.

Yunhe didn't want to investigate the various reasons; at least from the result alone, it's good.

On the other hand.

Then it's because this Black Fish is not just itself; it also represents a school of fish.

Moreover, within this Black Fish school, there are three or four Black Fish possessing demonic power; subduing it is equivalent to also subduing the entire Black Fish clan.

As his Cultivation Base strengthened, Yunhe placed increasing importance on his own safety awareness when he fell into slumber.

Previously there was only the Ni Qiu; now adding a First Stage Middle Black Fish and several demonic black fish, the safety factor undoubtedly increased greatly.

So, after comprehensive consideration, Yunhe still felt that taking in this Black Fish offered better cost-effectiveness.

As for him and the Ni Qiu previously catching a Black Fish to use as fertilizer—cough, cough—that wasn't done by the water rat, was it?

Actually, even if the Black Fish leader knew about this, it wouldn't have much impact on its submission to Yunhe.

Yao Shou Shijie, the weak are meat for the strong.

If you can't beat them and get eaten as food, what's there to complain about?

Let alone being eaten by outsiders, cannibalism among the same kind isn't rare, is it?

"Bobo."

"Gurgle."

Ni Qiu and the Black Fish exchanged a glance.

They couldn't understand what Yunhe was saying, but could roughly grasp his meaning; after pushing the water rat's corpse onto the shore, they turned their heads and dove into the lake bottom.

"Shouldn't there be a dedicated, unified language among demon beasts?"

Yunhe muttered somewhat listlessly.

I originally thought that if it could speak, future communication with the Ni Qiu and them would be much easier.

Later he realized that, actually, whether he could speak or not made little difference to the Ni Qiu and them.

Perhaps in the eyes of the Ni Qiu and the Black Fish, this is merely a kind of call from the demon beast turtle.

Dragging the water rat, he came to the sun-basking platform.

"A unified demon beast language is also not something we can currently access."

Yunhe soon let go of his worries.

Since we can't come into contact with the demon beast language, why not simply take his language as the standard?

After all, he is the strongest demon beast on Huanhu Dao and the nearby waters.

"Listen more, learn more; through constant exposure, there will surely be a day when you master it."

While thinking, he used his claws to scrape over the thick skin of the water rat.

"This skin can later be tried to make Talisman Paper."

Although between the Cultivator Body and the Demon Beast Body, only consciousness and cultivation base are mutually accessible, there is fundamentally no channel for transmitting any items.

But knowledge can, methods can, the Way of Talismans can!

After obtaining the scroll "Introduction to the Talisman Way", the Cultivator Body began to think.

If the Cultivator Body and the Demon Beast Body together study and research the Talisman Way, wouldn't that speed up the entry and allow his first talisman to be drawn more quickly?

In this regard, he actually has a great advantage.

Normally, Qi Refining cultivators need to sleep to recover mental and Spirit Sense consumption; thus, even if their need for sleep isn't as great as ordinary people's, there will inevitably be a period of the day that is "wasted".

But he is different.

Whenever he sleeps, his consciousness awakens in another body.

This effectively extends his time.

Moreover, he doesn't have to worry about fatigue and such problems.

However, the Cultivator Body side has dedicated Talisman Paper, while the Demon Beast Body side can only use demon beast skin.

Actually, demon beast skin is a talisman carrier of higher value than Talisman Paper.

Talismans made by inscribing sigils onto demon beast skin are stronger than those made on Talisman Paper.

But demon beast skin is not easily obtained on the Cultivator Body side, and Talisman Paper made from demon beast skin is expensive.

However, on the Demon Beast Body side, only demon beast skin can be used.

This can also be considered a happy worry.

Peeling off the skin, he collected all the blood of the water rat and placed it in a wooden container.

Without cinnabar, Beast Blood is likewise a superior substitute for cinnabar.

"This is somewhat extravagant."

"The blood of the water rat is an excellent material for crafting some water-attribute talismans."

After collecting these, what remains is food.

Gazing at the water rat meat that was white with a hint of red and still emitted a faint fragrance, Yunhe's expression showed a slight hesitation.

"Why does he feel a bit resistant?"

He knows it's his human heart at work.

But upon second thought,

Demon beasts can no longer be considered mere animals.

He steeled himself and took a bite.

He steeled himself and took a bite.

One month later.

Translation: "One month later."

River Stream Market

River Stream Market

Yunhe returned to the slums with his usual expression.

Yunhe returned to the slums with his usual expression.

He ignored the various glances that occasionally came from the street—doubt, hesitation, and eagerness to try were the most common.

Translation: "He ignored the various gazes cast upon him from time to time on the street, among which doubt, hesitation, and eagerness to try predominated." Need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "He ignored the various looks cast at him from time to time on the street—mostly doubtful, hesitant, or eager to try."

Without the protection of the Extermination Team, Yunhe's days were just as before—doesn't that mean

Without the Extermination Team's protection, Yunhe's life stayed just as it was—doesn't that mean...

Bang!

Translation: "Bang!" (sound effect). Keep as "Bang!" maybe with exclamation.

He closed the door and placed the beehive in the corner of the wall.

Translation: "He closed the door and placed the beehive in the corner of the wall."

Without pausing, he headed straight to the talisman-crafting room converted from the original rest area.

Translation: "Without missing a beat, he headed straight for the talisman-crafting room converted from the original rest area."

He sat down at the table.

Translation: "He sat down at the table."

With practiced motion, he wiped his waist storage bag and laid out a talisman paper neatly on the tabletop.

Translation: "He skillfully wiped his waist storage bag, then laid a piece of talisman paper flat on the table without a wrinkle."

He then picked up a short-hair talisman brush, dipped it in some red cinnabar, and hovered it over the talisman paper.

Translation: "He then picked up a short-hair talisman brush, dipped it in some vermilion, and hovered it above the talisman paper."

Whoosh—

Translation: "Whoo—" (exhalation). We'll output "Whoo—".

He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

Translation: "He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled."

His practiced, fluid series of moves was like when he had once faced a math problem in his past life that he couldn't solve, but then, while doing something else, a flash of inspiration gave him an idea; he dared not make any extra movements, lest he disturb the inspiration.

At this moment, Yunhe's mind was calm, he hesitated no longer, and began to write.

Translation: "At this moment, Yunhe's heart was calm, no longer hesitating, he began to put brush to paper."

The brush moved smoothly, like flowing clouds and water, with no hindrance; his spiritual power output was steady, everything proceeded extremely smoothly, and no mishap occurred.

Translation: "The brush moved smoothly, like flowing clouds and water, with no hindrance; spiritual power output was steady, everything went extremely smoothly, and no mishap occurred."

Finally.

Translation: "Finally."

Yunhe lifted the brush, the surging spiritual power within him settled into calm, the entire talisman-crafting process was completed in one smooth flow, exhilarating and thorough.

Translation: "Yunhe lifted the brush, the surging spiritual power within him settled, the entire talisman-making process was completed in one go, exhilarating and satisfying."

Success!

Translation: "Done!"

Watching the light on the talisman script fade gradually until it disappeared, Yunhe's tense spirit suddenly relaxed, feeling a sense of loss.

We have glossary: Talisman Script → Talisman Script. So: "Watching the light on the talisman script fade gradually until it disappeared, Yunhe's tense spirit suddenly relaxed, feeling a sense of loss."

He half-leaned in his chair, picked up the talisman he had just made, and a faint smile played on his lips.

Translation: "He half-leaned on the chair, picking up the talisman he had just made, a faint smile playing on his lips."

Dust Avoidance Talisman.

We have glossary: Dust Avoidance Talisman → Dust Avoidance Talisman. So translation: "Dust Avoidance Talisman."

As the simplest and most fundamental talisman among all talismans, without dispute, the Dust Avoidance Talisman was finally completed.

Translation: "As the simplest and most basic of all talismans, without dispute, the Dust Avoidance Talisman was finally completed."

The combined effort of the cultivator body and the demon beast body finally bore fruit today.

We have glossary: Cultivator Body → Cultivator Body, Demon Beast Body → Demon Beast Body. So: "The combined effort of the Cultivator Body and Demon Beast Body finally paid off today."

By this point, Yunhe could finally be considered to have successfully entered the Way of Talismans, becoming a 'glorious' first-stage low-grade talisman master.

We have glossary: First Stage Middle (First Stage Middle). But here it's First Stage Low Grade (First Stage Low Grade). We need to translate: "First Stage Low-Grade Talisman Master". Also "glorious" in quotes means "glorious". So: "By now, Yunhe could finally be considered to have successfully entered the Way of Talismans, becoming a 'glorious' First Stage Low-Grade Talisman Master."

He coughed, "I can only craft a first‑stage low‑grade Dust Avoidance Talisman."

Translation: "\"Cough, only able to craft Dust Avoidance Talismans, a First Stage Low-Grade Talisman Master. \""

But at least he had gotten started; if he kept practicing, he would eventually master making other talismans.

"He has opened a new channel for earning Spirit Stones."

We have glossary: Spirit Stone → Spirit Stone. So: "He has opened a new channel for earning Spirit Stones."

Although the Dust Avoidance Talisman is very inexpensive, every stall or shop selling talismans in the market definitely stocks it.

"At least he needs to learn two more talismans before he can earn Spirit Stones this way."

Translation: "\"At least he needs to learn two more talismans to earn Spirit Stones this way. \""

A single Dust Avoidance Talisman is not accepted by talisman shops; setting up a stall to sell it is time‑consuming and laborious, yet earns hardly any Spirit Crystals.

We have glossary: talisman (talisman). Need to translate: "A single Dust Avoidance Talisman is not accepted by talisman shops; setting up a stall to sell it is time-consuming and laborious, yet earns hardly any Spirit Crystals." Note: Spirit Crystal is Spirit Crystal? Not in glossary; we translate meaning: "Spirit Crystals". So: "A single Dust Avoidance Talisman is not bought by talisman shops; hawking it is time-consuming and laborious, yet yields hardly any Spirit Crystals."

But no matter what.

Translation: "But no matter what."

At this moment, Yunhe's mood was quite good.

Translation: "At this moment, Yunhe's mood was quite good."

Suddenly.

This is an interjection meaning "Suddenly". So: "Suddenly."

His heart stirred, as if he faintly sensed something.

Translation: "His heart stirred, as if he faintly sensed something."

Blessing and spiritual awareness arrive.

Blessing and spiritual awareness arrive.

He immediately dared not hesitate a moment, took out a small jade bottle, and swallowed the last Spirit Nourishing Pill.

We have glossary: Spirit Nourishing Pill → Spirit Nourishing Pill. So: "He immediately dared not hesitate a moment, took out a small jade bottle, and swallowed the last Spirit Nourishing Pill."

He immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, and his spiritual power began to circulate according to the Gold Water Element Classic.

We have glossary: Gold Water Element Classic → Gold Water Element Classic. So: "He immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, and his spiritual power began to circulate according to the Gold Water Element Classic."

Gradually becoming smooth and harmonious.

Translation: "Gradually it became smooth and harmonious."

As he continued to cultivate, his spiritual power seemed to be blocked by something, continually building up and striking, until the accumulated spiritual power made his face flush and beads of sweat appear on his forehead.

Translation: "As he continued to circulate the technique, his spiritual power seemed blocked by something, continually building up and striking, until the accumulated spiritual power made his face flush and his forehead bead with sweat."

Suddenly, his whole body shuddered.

Translation: "Suddenly his whole body shuddered."

The stagnant spiritual power burst forth like a breached dam, surging yet smooth.

Translation: "The stagnant spiritual power burst forth like a breached dam, surging yet smooth."

Yunhe let out a long sigh.

Translation: "Yunhe immediately let out a long sigh."

He quickly withdrew his spiritual sense to check his cultivation.

We have glossary: Spirit Sense → Spirit Sense, Cultivation Base → Cultivation Base. So: "He quickly withdrew his Spirit Sense to check his cultivation base."

He found that his internal spiritual power had nearly more than doubled, his technique and cultivation base had all entered the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, crossing the threshold into mid‑Qi Refinement!

He discovered that his inner spiritual energy had almost doubled, his technique and cultivation had all reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement, pushing him into the Mid‑Qi Refinement stage.

Finally broke through!

Translation: "\"Finally broke through! \""

The progress of the breakthrough was slower than he had originally anticipated.

Translation: "The breakthrough progress was a bit slower than he had originally anticipated."

His demon beast body had already reached first‑stage middle a month earlier, and during this period his cultivation practice always brought some mysterious spiritual energy that boosted his cultivation base.

We have glossary: Demon Beast Body → Demon Beast Body, First Stage Middle → First Stage Middle. So: "His Demon Beast Body had already reached First Stage Middle a month earlier, and during this period his cultivation practice always brought some mysterious spiritual energy that boosted his cultivation base."

However, the Spirit Nourishing Pill's effect on him was growing weaker; these past two days his cultivation base seemed to have stalled, making no progress.

We have glossary: Spirit Nourishing Pill → Spirit Nourishing Pill. So: "However, the Spirit Nourishing Pill's effect on him was growing weaker; these past two days his cultivation base seemed to have stalled, making no progress."

Fortunately, today after crafting the Dust Avoidance Talisman he suddenly felt something; his thoughts cleared and his spiritual power became active, relying on his own accumulation and a little help from the last Spirit Nourishing Pill, he finally completed the breakthrough.

We have glossary: Dust Avoidance Talisman → Dust Avoidance Talisman, Spirit Nourishing Pill → Spirit Nourishing Pill. So: "Fortunately, today after crafting the Dust Avoidance Talisman he suddenly felt something; his thoughts cleared and his spiritual power became active, relying on his own accumulation and a little help from the last Spirit Nourishing Pill, he finally completed the breakthrough."

However, after the brief excitement, Yunhe's heart inevitably grew heavier.

Translation: "But after the brief excitement, Yunhe's heart involuntarily grew heavier by a degree."

"Aptitude."

Translation: "\"Talent. \"" (with period inside quotes? We'll keep as is.)

He has gold‑water dual spiritual roots, but they are both low grade.

We have glossary: Gold Water Dual Spiritual Roots? Not in glossary; we translate meaning: "Gold Water Dual Spiritual Roots". "low grade" is low grade. So: "He has Gold Water Dual Spiritual Roots, but they are both low grade."

The point is not the dual spiritual roots, but the "low grade" rating.

Translation: "The point is not the dual spiritual roots, but the 'low grade' rating."

This rating destined that his future cultivation advancement would become increasingly difficult.

Translation: "This grade destined that his future cultivation base improvement would become increasingly difficult."

The difficulty of breaking through bottlenecks will also keep increasing.

Translation: "The difficulty of breaking through bottlenecks will also keep rising."

The Qi Refinement stage is still somewhat manageable; various elixirs similar

The Qi Refinement stage is still manageable; various elixirs akin to Spirit‑Nourishing Pills that boost mana, while costly, can be purchased if one possesses Spirit Stones.

However, upon reaching Foundation Establishment—or even a Golden Core master—beyond Qi Refinement, cultivation‑boosting elixirs become exceedingly rare, and advancing one's cultivation relies mostly on tedious seated meditation.

But if one attains Foundation Establishment or even a Golden Core Adept above Qi Refinement, the elixirs that enhance cultivation become truly scarce to find, and progress in cultivation depends more on monotonous seated meditation.

Moreover, if one consumes too many elixirs, they will inevitably accumulate elixir poison.

At first there was no problem, but it could possibly erupt at an extremely critical moment, becoming the final straw that breaks the camel's back.

"I don't know if there's a secret technique to improve spiritual root quality."

Yunhe couldn't help thinking to himself.

After blaming himself for a while, he suddenly let out a low laugh.

"Why think so far ahead? I've just entered mid Qi Refining; late Qi Refining is already far off, let alone Foundation Establishment and Golden Core."

"Besides, I already have an advantage over other cultivators; they cultivate alone, while I at least have the Demon Beast Body to support me. Even if not, a tortoise's lifespan is always long, right?"

He patted his slightly sore buttocks.

He rose to his full height.

He opened the door and walked straight outside.

The moonlight was like water, the night cool.

A layer of white frost condensed on the ground.

Gazing at the darkness in the distance, the wispy mist, like a living thing, twined around the ground, swaying slightly, trembling lightly, carrying a faint sense of forest chill.

Yunhe's mouth corner twitched slightly.

"This is a good time to press forward with vigor."

His words fell.

Buzz, buzz buzz——

A fine, sharp ringing sound came from behind him.

The Red Pattern Spirit Bees hidden in various corners of the room gathered into a cloud.

It could be seen.

Among this swarm of Red Pattern Spirit Bees, there was a queen bee with an abdomen dyed crimson, and also an ordinary spirit bee bearing nine red lines.

Yunhe waved his hand.

The bee swarm then plunged into the spirit insect bag like swallows returning to their nests.

He donned a cloak and locked the door.

He merged silently into the night.

Just a little more time, please give double monthly tickets~~

(End of chapter)