**Master Xuan Lin's warning from that day was like a heavy stone cast into the lake of Tang Xiaoqi's heart, the ripples it stirred taking a long time to subside. The unknown dangers deep within the back mountain, and the hidden truths possibly related to his own origins, tugged at him like two invisible forces. Yet, in the end, reason prevailed. He knew all too well that with his meager cultivation level, self-preservation was already a struggle, let alone uncovering the truth. Rash curiosity would not only endanger himself, but could also implicate the entire sect. Once he grasped this point, Xiaoqi actually felt a sense of relief. Those chaotic thoughts and burning desires for investigation were forcibly stripped away, like wiping dust from a mirror, leaving his mental state clearer and more resolute than ever before. He poured all his energy into the most fundamental task: advancing his cultivation.**
**Every morning, as the sky first began to lighten with the faint glow of dawn, he would already be up and about. He would make his way to a secluded rocky outcrop behind the disciples' quarters, face the east where the sun was about to burst forth, and begin the day's first breath-cultivation session. Qingxu Temple's *Basic Qi Introduction Art* was already deeply ingrained in his mind; now, as he circulated it, he cast aside his previous impatience and focused intently on every subtle change as spiritual energy flowed through his meridians. External spiritual energy was slowly drawn in through the pores all over his body, traveling along specific pathways, tempering flesh, blood, bones, and sinews, eventually converging into the increasingly large energy vortex in his dantian. He no longer aimed too high, but patiently consolidated the foundation of his mid-stage Qi Refining. Each complete cycle of energy circulation was pursued with the goal of perfection and smoothness—not seeking speed, not pursuing intensity, but only stability. He even reduced the number of times he went to the kitchen to "study" the flat-bottomed pot, devoting more time to seated meditation for Qi Refining.**
**The jade pendant on his chest, during his quiet cultivation, would always emit a faint, cool aura. This aura was not actively infused, but rather naturally seeped into his meridians and dantian like water flowing over a riverbed. Nourished by this aura, he felt his own spiritual energy circulation become slightly more harmonious, his sensitivity to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth grew a bit keener, and even his mind became easier to calm. The change was extremely subtle, gradual, and would have been almost imperceptible had Xiaoqi not been completely focused at this moment. He vaguely understood that the mystical properties of this jade pendant far exceeded what he had previously discovered, but it seemed more inclined toward assistance and protection than directly granting power.**
**Apart from basic Qi Refining, he did not neglect other aspects of cultivation. The basic sword manual given to him by Eldest Senior Brother was read and practiced over and over. Without a sharp iron sword, he used a branch as a substitute, practicing basic moves—slash, thrust, deflect, hook—repeatedly in secluded spots. His movements, initially stiff and awkward, gradually took proper form. Although he was still far from condensing sword intent, at least his stances became steadier. Occasionally, he would whimsically try to incorporate some force application techniques from the sword manual into his movements while wielding the flat-bottomed pot. Though it remained rather incongruous, the wind stirred by the black pot did seem to become heavier and swifter.**
**Third Senior Sister was quite surprised to see him suddenly become so "well-behaved" and diligent. Though she still habitually teased him with remarks like "Has the sun risen from the west?", a glimmer of barely noticeable approval flickered deep in her eyes. Occasionally, she would pass by while he was practicing the sword manual, stop to watch for a while, say little, but would abruptly correct him when a movement was clearly wrong, or directly adjust his posture with her hands. Xiaoqi took careful note each time; he knew that Third Senior Sister's "special training"—harsh words but a soft heart—benefited him greatly.**
**Days passed quietly in this regular, even somewhat monotonous, cultivation routine. Xiaoqi seemed to return to that period of pure, single-minded focus from when he first entered Qingxu Temple, yet now his goals were clearer and his will more resilient. He no longer paid attention to movements in the back mountain, no longer deliberately sensed any unusual activity from the jade pendant, but simply accumulated and refined day after day.**
**One day, deep at night. Xiaoqi sat cross-legged on his bed as usual, conducting his evening cultivation session. The energy vortex in his dantian rotated slowly, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth. After an unknown length of time, he suddenly felt a slight swelling in his dantian. The originally steadily rotating vortex accelerated just a fraction, and its efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy noticeably improved. His meridians, which had previously felt somewhat sluggish, seemed to be washed through by a gentle force, becoming more unobstructed. A feeling of fullness and saturation welled up within him.**
**His heart stirred; he knew this was a sign that his cultivation was about to break through a bottleneck! The long-stagnant fourth layer of Qi Refining finally showed a glimmer of hope for advancing to the fifth layer! He did not dare be careless, immediately focused his mind, and with full effort operated his cultivation technique, guiding a more massive influx of spiritual energy into his body, assaulting that intangible barrier. The cool sensation transmitted from the jade pendant on his chest seemed to intensify somewhat, helping to stabilize his meridians that had grown slightly agitated from the accelerated spiritual energy flow.**
**The entire process proceeded smoothly, without much turbulence. When the first crow of a rooster sounded outside the window, Xiaoqi slowly opened his eyes, a flash of sharp light fading from his pupils before returning to calm. He felt the clearly enlarged circle of spiritual power within him, and his body felt lighter and more agile; he couldn't help but curve the corners of his mouth upward slightly. Though there was still some distance to the fifth layer of Qi Refining, this clear sign of loosening undoubtedly gave him immense confidence. It proved that his direction was correct—focusing on oneself, accumulating steadily, and making breakthroughs in due time was the true path.**
**He gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, pushed open the door, and the cool morning air rushed into his lungs, carrying the freshness of grass and trees. The morning glow at the horizon was splendid, foretelling yet another clear day. Xiaoqi clenched his fist, feeling the increased power within. The mist in the back mountain still lingered, the mystery of his origins remained unsolved, but at this moment, his heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of solidity and strength. He believed that as long as he continued steadfastly down this path, constantly improving himself, one day he would possess sufficient strength to face those hidden truths and challenges directly. For now, what he still needed to do remained focus, effort, turning this hint of loosening into a true, substantial breakthrough.**
**The road must be walked step by step.**