A month passed.
During this month, Yun Ze had been either cultivating or refining pills.
He was refining the Qi Forging Pills that Zu Changdao had bought for him!
Each Six-Revolving Qi Forging Pill cost five hundred thousand spirit stones. Zu Changdao had bought him ten in total, and he had to refine one every three days!
Coupled with the expansion of his sea of qi from refining sword qi during this period, he had now exceeded a hundredfold sea of qi, reaching one hundred and eightfold! kuAiδugg
With a sea of qi exceeding a hundredfold, the Six-Revolving Qi Forging Pills were no longer effective. To improve his sea of qi realm with pills, he would need to find Nine-Revolving Qi Forging Pills!
A single Nine-Revolving Qi Forging Pill cost five million spirit stones, and it was uncertain how effective it would be.
Zu Changdao had originally intended to buy more, but Yun Ze insisted on not taking pills and instead planned to rely solely on refining sword qi and turbulent sea of qi to improve his sea of qi realm.
There were only twenty more folds to go. There were still three years before the Heaven Building Secret Realm, which was enough time for him to reach the eighth realm and then break through.
It wasn't that he was stingy with spirit stones, but rather... he didn't want to owe Zu Changdao any more favors.
In terms of cultivation, he remained at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Yun Ze's sea of qi had previously been only seventyfold. Now, his sea of qi had increased by nearly half its volume, yet he could still maintain his current realm, which was not easy.
"Xiao Yun."
Zu Changdao's voice sounded, waking Yun Ze from his cultivation.
Yun Ze opened his eyes and saw a jade bottle flying towards him.
He caught it instinctively, feeling a bit surprised. "Sect Master, what is this..."
"Nine-Revolving Qi Forging Pill."
Zu Changdao had still gone to buy it.
Yun Ze frowned, and the bottle in his hand suddenly felt hot. "Sect Master, I..."
"Just take it if I tell you to take it!"
Zu Changdao's attitude was firm. "If you feel embarrassed, then consider it a loan from me, and you can repay me later!
But you must reach the eighth realm sea of qi! Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand!"
Yun Ze opened the jade bottle, and a wave of medicinal fragrance wafted towards him!
He looked closely and found that there was not just one Nine-Revolving Qi Forging Pill, but three!
This alone was fifteen million spirit stones!
Converted to first-grade spirit artifacts, that would be fifteen hundred swords! Even for second-grade spirit artifacts, it was enough to buy fifteen!
Yun Ze's heart trembled, but he could only remember this kindness.
He wondered how much the three Nine-Revolving Qi Forging Pills would improve his sea of qi.
Just as he was about to take out one to test its efficacy, he heard Zu Changdao's voice again.
"No rush for now. These pills are for you to use in the Heaven Building Secret Realm."
"Ah?"
Yun Ze was a little confused. Wasn't the next plan to break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining?
If he were to take Qi Forging Pills so soon after breaking through, wouldn't that...
"Sect Master, wouldn't improving my sea of qi then lead to a drop in my realm?"
Zu Changdao smiled. "Don't worry. The Heaven Building Secret Realm will be open for three years. This time is enough for you to maintain your realm.
The eighth realm sea of qi is very special. Once your sea of qi reaches the eighth realm, it will naturally grow until it reaches the ninth realm, even without the aid of Qi Forging Pills.
If you want to build your foundation while at the eighth realm sea of qi, then you should use these pills after you reach the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining."
"I see."
Yun Ze carefully placed the pills into his Sumeru Ring. "Then, Sect Master, what are we doing now..."
"Let's go, let's climb the mountain!"
Zu Changdao turned and walked towards the outside of the cave abode. Yun Ze also got up from his meditation cushion and stepped out of the cave abode.
This was the first time he had left the cave abode this month. The sunlight was a little dazzling, and it took him a while to adjust before he felt comfortable.
"Are you ready?"
Zu Changdao turned to look at Yun Ze. "It's the same rule as before. I won't use spiritual energy or movement techniques. If either you or your sword qi can touch me, I'll give you a gift."
Yun Ze gave a wry smile. "Sect Master, is there a third way to win?"
"Yes."
Zu Changdao pointed to the peak of the solitary mountain. "If you can reach the summit, I'll give you one too!"
"...The gift isn't important, I just mean I can't offend you, right?"
"It's a second-grade spirit armor."
Spirit armor!
Yun Ze's eyes lit up instantly!
If spiritual artifacts were classified by price, weapons like spirit swords and spirit blades were only mid-tier. Although these spiritual artifacts required a lot of materials, they were not difficult to craft.
The lowest tier consisted of trash that was only called spiritual artifacts, with very鸡肋 uses.
The upper tier included functional spiritual artifacts like the Shadow Chasing Boots, which were difficult to craft and sometimes required the engraving of numerous formations to take shape.
And the most expensive among them were spirit armors!
Almost every piece of spirit armor was the culmination of a craftsman's effort, requiring not only several times the materials of spirit swords and spirit blades but also the engraving of numerous formations, especially the arrangement of various formations and their impact on the spirit armor's materials.
A normal second-grade spirit artifact should cost around twelve thousand spirit stones, while the price of spirit armor could be ten or even dozens of times higher!
"Spirit armor or not, it's not important!"
Yun Ze circulated the spiritual energy in his body, and water swords began to condense in his hand. "Sect Master's kind intentions, I can't possibly disappoint!"
Zu Changdao shook his head with a wry smile. "You rascal!"
"Alright, I'll start counting to three!"
"Okay!"
"Three!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zu Changdao sprinted towards the solitary peak!
"Sect Master, you can't be so unfair!"
Yun Ze shouted as he chased after him, and a rain of swords instantly scattered from his hand!
"I said I'd count to three, not that I'd start counting from the beginning. Who says I'm being unfair?"
Yun Ze rolled his eyes and said nothing, only continuing to chase while also expending his spiritual energy with the Rain Calling Sword Art!
...
Three thousand meters!
The concentration of spiritual energy around them increased, and Yun Ze began to pant!
But he hadn't even touched Zu Changdao's robes. This person was like a phantom, always able to slip through the gaps in the sword rain!
Let alone his robes, he couldn't even touch his shadow!
If he didn't hold back, he probably wouldn't be able to get the spirit armor.
...
Three thousand five hundred meters!
Yun Ze's spiritual energy was completely depleted. He had condensed six water swords and performed the Rain Calling Sword Art six times!
The first time only consumed one water sword, not enough!
The second time consumed two water swords, still not enough!
Just now, he had condensed three water swords into a rain of swords simultaneously, but he still hadn't touched Zu Changdao's robes.
Although Yun Ze's spiritual energy had recovered considerably, he did not continue to condense it. Instead, he began to accumulate spiritual energy!
He could now condense nine spirit swords. Even if he condensed three more to unleash a rain of swords, it would be of no use. It would be better to condense spiritual energy first and try a simultaneous strike of nine swords!
No!
A simultaneous strike of nine swords might not be enough. Perhaps... he should try that move?
...
Four thousand meters!
The surrounding spiritual energy made him feel suffocated!
Spiritual energy continuously gathered into his body, but he had no way to release it!
Yun Ze was clearly reaching his limit. He began to mobilize spiritual energy to condense water swords in his hands.
One, two... up to nine!
"Whoa, you're getting serious now."
Zu Changdao naturally sensed it and stopped, turning around. "Come, let me see how well you've cultivated your Rain Calling Sword Art!"
"Please guide me, Sect Master!"
Yun Ze forced out a sentence, and with a flick of his hand, nine water swords were unleashed!
The nine water swords immediately shattered into a rain of swords, totaling eight hundred and ten drops, each containing a strand of sword qi, all attacking Zu Changdao simultaneously, almost forming a circle around him!
A hint of surprise flashed in Zu Changdao's eyes, but he only smiled.
Back then, he had only achieved this after reaching the Foundation Building realm. For this kid to unleash this sword strike at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining was already remarkable, but...
It was still not enough!
Zu Changdao's toes touched the ground, and his figure instantly retreated, moving backward along the sword rain. He wanted to lure Yun Ze forward!
But Yun Ze did not move. He watched as the sword rain landed completely, and a smile appeared on his face.
If this were just the Rain Calling Sword Art, then his strike had clearly missed.
However...
This strike was more than just a rain of swords!
"Burn!"
With a single word, a circle of flames erupted, instantly engulfing Zu Changdao in a ring of fire!
Zu Changdao was stunned at first, then he recalled the details of Yun Ze's sword strike.
This was the sword rain from earlier!
There were nine sword rains in total. The first one landed behind him, and then the next five followed, forming a circle. Only three sword rains were directed at him, used to confuse his vision.
At first, he thought Yun Ze's control was poor, and he hadn't utilized the advantage of nine swords to block his retreat.
But now it seemed... he had been waiting for this move!
First, hide the sword qi within the Rain Calling Sword Art, and after the sword qi separated from the water vapor, activate the Fire Sword Art, re-igniting it with the residual spiritual energy to form sword fire!
The next move would probably be from the Fire Burning Art's auxiliary sword arts...
"Gather!"
As quick as lightning, Zu Changdao only thought for a moment before Yun Ze uttered the second word.
The flames on the ground rose, forming a pillar of fire that also wrapped around Zu Changdao!
Impenetrable!
Fire Sword Art, Flame Holding Sword Art.
These were two sword arts that complemented the Fire Burning Art. The former could use sword qi to ignite fire, and the latter could use sword qi to control fire.
The sword rain could be dodged, but this pillar of fire had enveloped him entirely. Even if he wanted to get out, or could get out, it was impossible to avoid getting even a speck of flame on him!
*Clap clap clap*
A round of applause sounded from within the pillar of fire.
As a wave of spiritual energy spread out, the pillar of fire instantly disappeared.
Zu Changdao stood in place, clapping his hands, a smile on his face.
"Good idea. You win this time."
Yun Ze's lips curled up, and just as he was about to speak, he felt a sudden inspiration as the surrounding spiritual energy surged wildly into his body!
He was about to break through!
He didn't have time to thank the Sect Master. He sat down cross-legged on the spot and began to circulate his Five Elements cultivation technique.
Zu Changdao watched silently, his smile not only not diminishing but actually widening!
With Yun Ze's current mastery of sword arts, perhaps... condensing the Dao was only a matter of time!
When he emerged from the Heaven Building Secret Realm, he would soon begin to condense his elixir. It was time to prepare the Nine Elixirs for him.
...
After an unknown amount of time.
Yun Ze condensed the seventh qi vortex in his sea of qi, officially entering the early stage of the seventh level of Qi Refining.
The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was to look at Zu Changdao, excitement unconcealed in his eyes!
"Congratulations!"
Before he could speak, Zu Changdao smiled first. "Seventh level of Qi Refining, peak of the seventh realm sea of qi.
You are now ranked thirty-fourth on the Heavenly Rankings, truly a contemporary prodigy!"
"It's all thanks to the cultivation of all the seniors."
Yun Ze said sincerely.
He knew that with his aptitude, reaching this point was due to luck, and all the resources were given by Brother Xiao, Senior Sister Mu, Bu Bu, Yu Xian, Xiao Shu, and Sect Master Zu!
Without them, he would probably never have reached this point.
Being able to step onto the path of immortality was already good enough, let alone being on the Heavenly Rankings!
"No, you are wrong."
Zu Changdao frowned and shook his head. "If you were not worthy, we would not have cultivated you. All of this is because of you. You don't need to be so modest.
This is for you."
A streak of dark gold flashed through the air. Yun Ze caught it and realized it was a wristband.
Didn't he say spirit armor? Why only a wristband? The difference was too great!
"Sect Master, this is..."
"Put it on and try injecting spiritual energy to activate it."
Yun Ze was puzzled but still did as Zu Changdao said, putting on the wristband and injecting spiritual energy to activate it.
Instantly!
A suit of dark gold battle armor covered his entire body, with countless formation patterns flashing around it, yet it felt weightless.
"Cloud Merging Armor. It is engraved with nine second-grade formations and twelve first-grade formations. It can withstand up to three attacks from the peak of Qi Condensation without breaking.
It can be hidden in the wristband normally, and when activated by spiritual energy, it can attach to the entire body. It is considered top-tier among second-grade spirit armors."
"Thank you for your generous gift, Sect Master!"
Yun Ze was extremely fond of this armor!
Not only was it discreet, but it was also lightweight. While providing defense, it also combined the advantages of being low-key and suitable for escape!
It would be strange if he didn't like it!
"Alright, alright. Now that you've reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, I can report back. Hurry down the mountain. Your senior sister seems to need you for something."
"Yes!"
Yun Ze replied and ran down the mountain!
He knew why his senior sister was looking for him.
Brother Xiao wanted him to find something for him in the Heaven Building Secret Realm, and he had asked him to ask Senior Sister Mu.
At that time, Senior Sister Mu hadn't said anything in the closed-door cultivation room. Just as Yun Ze was about to mention it, she had already disappeared. He hadn't found another opportunity to ask since then.
Now that the Heaven Building Secret Realm was about to open, she was probably looking for him to discuss this matter.
Yun Ze ran all the way to Wei Lanshu's cave abode and saw Li Po, who was anxiously guarding the entrance, and Wei Huang, who was feigning composure.
Just as he was about to greet them, he heard a sword cry resound!
*Buzz!*
The formation of the entire cave abode shattered instantly!
A thick plume of smoke rose, and only two figures could be vaguely seen within.
One standing, one sitting.
The standing one didn't make much of a sound, but the sitting one directly spat out a mouthful of blood!
He fell to the ground on the spot.
"Xiao Shu!"
Wei Huang exclaimed, and together with Li Po, they flashed to the side of the two figures.
Yun Ze also rushed over quickly.
As he approached, his heart trembled!