The following morning, he took out a familiar teleportation crystal and placed it on the floor.
Darkness Qi flowed into it, activating it immediately.
Space distorted around him as he disappeared from the room.
Moments later, Li Yan appeared in the quiet treehouse deep within the valley.
Everything remained exactly as before.
The wooden house stood peacefully among the towering trees, while the surrounding valley remained completely undisturbed.
Li Yan smiled faintly.
Compared to the Sect, this place possessed a tranquility that was difficult to find elsewhere.
He activated the Qi Gathering Array.
The transparent barrier extended from the array disc, enveloping the entire treehouse.
Streams of Heaven and Earth Energy immediately gathered from every direction and flowed continuously toward the array.
The surrounding energy quickly became several times denser than normal.
Li Yan calmly sat cross-legged.
Instead of circulating his Qi Cultivation technique, he utilized his Soul Cultivation technique. His Spiritual Consciousness immediately connected with the surrounding Spiritual Energy.
Pure Spiritual Energy continuously flowed into his Soul Core, where he refined it by using his cultivation technique.
Cycle after cycle, his Soul Core slowly absorbed the refined Spiritual Energy, becoming increasingly stable with every completed circulation.
Time quietly lost its meaning.
Day blended into night.
Night blended into day.
Li Yan remained completely immersed in cultivation.
The Qi Gathering Array continuously gathered Heaven and Earth Energy, ensuring that the surrounding Spiritual Energy never became scarce.
With every passing day, Li Yan could clearly sense the gradual improvement of his Soul Cultivation.
Although the increase was not explosive, it was remarkably steady. His Soul Core became denser. His Spiritual Consciousness became increasingly stable. Even his Spiritual Sense grew sharper with every completed cultivation cycle.
Several days later, Li Yan slowly opened his eyes.
The Qi Gathering Array continued operating before him. Rather than wasting the remaining Heaven and Earth Energy, he directed it toward the Spiritual Beast Egg before finally deactivating the array.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
His Soul Cultivation had improved considerably during this cultivation session.
Although he had not yet reached the next major realm, he could already sense the improvement. "A few more cultivation sessions like this…"
"I should be able to break through."
Li Yan looked toward the peaceful valley beyond the window.
Compared to Qi Cultivation, breakthroughs in Soul Cultivation were often slower and required greater patience.
Fortunately, patience had never been something he lacked.
****
After that, Li Yan returned to his residence. His schedule had gradually settled into a rhythm.
Combat.
Alchemy.
Soul Cultivation.
Now, it was time to return to the Sword Path.
That night, after calming his mind, Li Yan entered his Spiritual Consciousness.
Moments later, he stood before the towering Sword Tower.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside. The following several hours passed in quiet concentration. He immersed himself completely in the Sword Tower's inheritance.
Sometimes he listened to Jian Ling's guidance on swordsmanship.
Sometimes he entered the Trial Arena, repeatedly challenging opponents whose Sword Intent matched his own.
Li Yan's victory, despite a passable verdict, prompted him to repeat the challenge and further refine his understanding. Each time he repeated it, the match revealed another flaw.
His Sword Intent remained at the Earth Level, yet his control over it continued to become increasingly natural.
His swordsmanship likewise became cleaner and more efficient.
Every unnecessary movement was gradually eliminated.
By the time Li Yan returned to reality, dawn had already begun illuminating the eastern sky.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Every visit to the Sword Tower brought steady progress.
Although that progress was often difficult to notice in a single day, it accumulated over time like countless drops of water carving through stone.
*****
After breakfast, Li Yan once again left the Shadow Haven Sect. This time, his destination was the Fire Mine.
Unlike his previous visit, he came not to explore.
But to cultivate his body.
Upon reaching the deepest chamber of the Fire Mine, Li Yan prepared another herbal bath in accordance with the Body Cultivation method.
The essences of dozens of precious medicinal herbs were added to the cauldron filled with hot water.
Only after everything was prepared did Li Yan step into the herbal bath. The familiar burning sensation immediately spread throughout his entire body.
Every muscle.
Every tendon.
Every inch of skin.
The medicinal energy continuously tempered his skin.
Again and again, the medicinal energy surged through his body before being absorbed into his skin.
Days quietly passed.
He left the herbal bath, prepared the next one, and immediately began another cultivation session.
The process repeated continuously.
One herbal bath after another.
One tempering cycle after another.
Nearly ten days and nights passed before the final breakthrough arrived.
A faint vibration spread throughout his body. The medicinal energy surrounding him was suddenly absorbed at an astonishing speed. His skin gradually emitted a faint metallic sheen before slowly returning to normal.
Li Yan opened his eyes.
A deep breath escaped his lips. "The Skin Tempering Realm (Stage-8)."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Compared to before, the increase in his physical strength was obvious. Every movement felt lighter. His body's endurance had likewise improved considerably.
After putting his robes on, Li Yan stood quietly for several moments before channeling Qi toward the four Green Star Training Rings in his limbs.
Until now, only four stars of each ring had remained activated.
Today…
That would change.
As Li Yan's Qi reached the first training ring.
The fifth green star gradually illuminated.
Click.
The restriction immediately increased. A tremendous burden descended upon his right arm. Without pausing, Li Yan activated the fifth star on the remaining three rings as well.
Click.
Click.
Click.
In the next instant, an overwhelming pressure descended upon his entire body. His muscles instantly tensed.
His knees nearly bent beneath the sudden increase in weight. Li Yan steadied himself before slowly exhaling. "The fifth star… finally."
The burden pressing upon his body had now reached three thousand jin. Every simple movement required noticeably greater effort. Even lifting an arm felt unfamiliar.
Li Yan did not leave the Fire Mine.
Instead, he spent the next several hours simply adapting.
Walking.
Turning.
Drawing his sword.
Swinging the sword.
Returning it to its sheath.
Every ordinary action had to be performed again until his body gradually adjusted to the increased burden.
His footsteps, which had initially felt heavy and awkward, slowly became steadier. His breathing gradually returned to normal. The stiffness throughout his body gradually disappeared.
Only after several hours did Li Yan finally stop.
He walked across the Fire Mine smoothly without the slightest hesitation.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face. "The adjustment is complete."
He lowered his gaze toward the Training Rings encircling his limbs. From this moment onward, his body would carry a burden of three thousand jin.
Compared to the task Senior Yao had ultimately assigned him, this was still only another small step along the path.
But it was a necessary one.
*****
For the next several days, Li Yan devoted himself entirely to the Tier-4 Hunting Ground.
This time, however, every battle felt different. The burden resting upon his body had increased to three thousand jin. Every step required greater effort. Every sword strike consumed more stamina.
Even activating Umbral Step Art demanded considerably more control than before.
During the first two days, Li Yan focused solely on adapting to the increased burden.
He no longer sought quick victories.
Instead, he carefully adjusted his movements, allowing his body to gradually synchronize with the additional weight.
By the third day, his movements had once again become smooth. His body had accepted the burden. One Tier-4 Magical Beast after another fell beneath his sword.
Each battle sharpened his instincts. Each victory refined his control over distance, timing, and rhythm. Compared to his previous visit, Li Yan no longer fought merely to win.
He fought to perfect himself.
On the afternoon of the eighth day, after Li Yan finished storing the body of the beast he had just killed, he remembered that today was the day Yao Fuhuo would return.
A faint smile appeared on his face. "Let's head back before Senior Yao returns."
He immediately headed toward the Sect.
When he saw that she had already arrived and was waiting for him in the Sect's assembly area, he respectfully cupped his fists. "Senior Yao."
Yao Fuhuo glanced at him before giving a slight nod. Then she waved her hand, and the two of them vanished from the Sect, appearing inside the treehouse.
Then she said, "I heard you've been keeping yourself busy."
Li Yan answered calmly. "I've simply been doing my best to complete the task you arranged."
Yao Fuhuo neither praised nor commented. Instead, she asked directly, "So."
"Have you decided upon your second profession?"
Li Yan nodded. "Yes. I've decided to walk the path of Craftsmanship."
Yao Fuhuo remained silent for several moments.
Instead of showing approval, she calmly asked, "Why?"
Li Yan had expected the question.
He answered without hesitation. "Array Mastery is undoubtedly profound, but it requires extensive preparation before revealing its true value. Many arrays must be constructed in advance, and their effectiveness often depends upon the battlefield and environment."
He paused briefly before continuing. "Craftsmanship is different. It directly complements everything I'm cultivating. I'll need weapons suited to my own combat style."
"I'll eventually require equipment capable of withstanding my strength. My body cultivation will continue to advance. Ordinary equipment will gradually become insufficient."
His gaze remained steady. "If I become a Craftsman myself, I won't need to depend on others whenever I require a new weapon or specialized equipment. There is another reason."
Yao Fuhuo quietly waited.
Li Yan continued, "I practice multiple weapons. Sword, Spear, Bow, Scythe, and perhaps more in the future. Understanding how each weapon is forged will deepen my understanding of how each weapon should be used."
"A Craftsman doesn't merely create weapons. He understands them. I believe that understanding will also benefit my combat path."
Silence settled over the treehouse. Yao Fuhuo studied Li Yan for several moments.
Finally, a faint smile appeared on her face. "Good. You didn't choose Craftsmanship because it seemed easier. You chose it because it fits your path."
She nodded with clear approval. "Your reasoning is sound."
Li Yan respectfully cupped his fists. "Thank you, Senior."
Yao Fuhuo waved her hand dismissively. "I'll need some time to prepare everything."
"The craftsmanship technique, artifact blueprints, and tools you'll require are available in the Sect. As for materials, I will arrange them."
She looked at him calmly. "Give me one week. After that, you can pick them up from here."
Li Yan nodded. "I understand."
Yao Fuhuo added one final sentence before turning away. "Until then…"
"Continue improving your foundation. No profession rewards impatience."
Li Yan smiled faintly. "I won't disappoint you, Senior Yao."
With that, she sent him back to the Sect before leaving.
Li Yan did not return to his residence immediately. Instead, he headed toward the Core Hall.
Since he had already decided to walk the path of Craftsmanship, it was time to prepare everything else before Yao Fuhuo completed the material arrangements.
A short while later, he arrived outside the Sect Leader's chamber.
After receiving permission, Li Yan entered and respectfully cupped his fists. "Elder Ji."
Ji Hong looked up from the documents on his desk before smiling. "Li Yan. I was wondering when you would come."
Li Yan smiled faintly. "I've already decided. Craftsmanship."
Ji Hong nodded as a trace of satisfaction appeared on his face. "Not a bad choice."
Li Yan continued, "Senior Yao will prepare the materials for my practice, but I still need other things."
Ji Hong leaned back slightly. "What do you need?"
Li Yan replied calmly, "A Mortal-Tier Mid-Level Craftsman Technique, artifact blueprints covering Tier-1 through Tier-4, a suitable Craftsman Furnace, a Carving Knife, and the artifact Inspection Tester."
He paused briefly before adding, "If possible… I'd like the Furnace, Carving Knife, and Tester to be at least Tier-4."
Ji Hong thought for a moment before saying, "Leave it to me. I'll arrange everything till tomorrow morning."
Li Yan cupped his fists again. "Thank you, Elder Ji."
Ji Hong waved his hand dismissively. "You've asked for help from me for the first time. This much is hardly worth mentioning."
The two exchanged a few more words before Li Yan left the Sect Leader's chamber.