**When the first ray of morning light filtered through the window lattice and quietly fell upon Tang Xiaoqi, he slowly awakened from his meditative state. After a night of consolidation, his Qi Refining fifth-layer realm was now preliminarily stabilized. He did not rise immediately but remained seated quietly, eyes closed, carefully experiencing the refreshing changes both inside and outside his body after the breakthrough.**
The first thing he noticed was a significant enhancement of his five senses. Outside the window, bird songs and wind rustles were no longer indistinct noises. He could clearly distinguish the chirping of at least three different types of birds, even capturing the subtle sounds of their feathers brushing against the air as they flapped their wings. The faint clatter of pots and pans from the distant kitchen, the breathing exercises of disciples practicing early in the morning, even the soft rustle of dew sliding off leaves and seeping into the soil—all these sounds, as if amplified, clearly entered his ears.
He opened his eyes, and the world before him seemed freshly washed, with colors more vivid and details richer than ever. The grain patterns on the wooden walls, the dust particles floating and dancing in the beams of light, even the veins on leaves outside the window—all were visible with crystal clarity. With a slight twitch of his nostrils, he could smell the fragrance of grass and trees permeating the air, now several times more intense than before, along with the more enticing aroma of food wafting from the distant dining hall. Even the sensitivity of his skin to air currents had sharpened; he could perceive the gentlest breeze brushing against his fine hairs. This leap in sensory perception elevated his insight into his surroundings to an entirely new level.
With a subtle shift of his thoughts, he turned his gaze inward. Within his dantian, the swirling vortex of qi had expanded nearly twice its previous size, rotating with greater stability and force. The spiritual energy contained within—both in total quantity and purity—far surpassed what he had possessed at the Qi Refining fourth layer. If his previous spiritual energy was like a babbling brook, now it was a rushing stream, brimming with vitality. He attempted to mobilize this energy. Lifting a finger slightly, a wisp of pale white spiritual light emerged in response to his will, more condensed and pure in radiance than ever before. Controlling it felt as natural as moving his own arm; wherever his mind directed, the spiritual energy flowed accordingly with almost no delay. He even tried shaping this spiritual light into simple forms, though they would dissipate after a short while—something that would have been extremely difficult to achieve before. His control over spiritual energy had undergone a qualitative leap.
He got out of bed and stretched his limbs. His body felt noticeably lighter, brimming with strength. With a casual punch, he produced a clear sound of splitting air. His physical body, nurtured by the feedback of his spiritual breakthrough, had also been further tempered and strengthened.
Amidst his joy, Xiaoqi instinctively touched the warm jade pendant on his chest. This time, without the pendant actively emitting any unusual sensations, he could clearly feel that a closer connection seemed to have formed between him and the pendant. It was a subtle resonance, like blood ties and mental linkage. Closing his eyes, he could even "see" the pure, mist-like energy swirling like a nebula within the pendant. Though he still could not touch or mobilize it, its presence felt more vivid than ever. He understood that as his cultivation deepened, his understanding and utilization of this family heirloom would inevitably grow.
His gaze turned to the blackened wok in the corner. This wok, which had accompanied him for years, first as a keepsake and later discovered to be extraordinary, now seemed somewhat different in his eyes. The subtle patterns on its surface, seemingly random yet containing profound mysteries, appeared clearer under his enhanced vision. He could vaguely sense that within this wok, a faint yet tenacious spiritual nature lay dormant, producing an extremely subtle resonance with his own spiritual energy. When he attempted to channel a strand of spiritual energy into the wok handle, the resonance intensified slightly, and the wok's body seemed to warm imperceptibly for an instant.
"Indeed, you are no ordinary objects..." Xiaoqi murmured softly, his heart filled with greater curiosity about his parents and the past of Xulan Manor, along with a weighty sense of responsibility. Improving his strength was not just for his own sake but also to one day bear this legacy and unravel all its mysteries.
He pushed open the door and walked out. The morning sunlight bathed the courtyard, making everything appear vibrant and full of life. Several familiar disciples glanced at him and paused, sensing that this usually unassuming junior brother seemed different somehow—his eyes brighter, his aura more serene and concentrated.
"Xiaoqi, good morning! Huh? You... broke through?" asked a disciple who often worked with him in the kitchen, surprised.
Xiaoqi smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes, fortunately, I made some progress."
The news spread quickly within a small circle. Reaching the middle stage of Qi Refining among outer disciples, while not top-tier, meant he had risen above the lowest ranks. Many disciples now regarded him with less casualness and more recognition and respect.
Upon learning of this, Third Senior Sister specifically sought him out. Still her brisk and straightforward self, she looked him up and down, patted his shoulder, and said, "Not bad, kid! Finally not that little waste at the initial stage of Qi Refining anymore. But it's only the fifth layer—don't get cocky; the road ahead is long!" Despite her words, the smile in her eyes was unmistakable.
Eldest Senior Brother also offered gentle encouragement and reminded him that with a newly ascended realm, he must diligently consolidate, familiarize himself with his increased power, and avoid rashness or impatience.
Xiaoqi took his senior siblings' admonitions to heart. Instead of becoming complacent about his breakthrough, he settled into a more focused state of mind. He understood clearly that Qi Refining fifth layer was merely a new starting point. He needed time to thoroughly familiarize himself with and control his newfound spiritual energy, adapt to his enhanced senses, and explore deeper connections that might exist between the jade pendant and the wok.
In the days that followed, he trained even more diligently. Beyond his daily breathing exercises and qi refinement, he placed greater emphasis on precise control over spiritual energy—for instance, attempting to manipulate multiple tiny objects simultaneously or more accurately controlling the effects of low-level techniques like "Gentle Breeze Technique" and "Water Condensation Technique." He also began practicing that basic sword manual more systematically. As his spiritual energy grew and his bodily control strengthened, movements that once felt awkward gradually became smoother. Occasionally, he would again try combining the sword manual's force application methods with the wok. Though the style remained oddly charming, the black wok seemed to wield even greater power when swung, producing sharper, more cutting sounds through the air.
The changes brought by the breakthrough were comprehensive and positive. It was like a key, opening a wider door to cultivation for Xiaoqi, allowing him to see more possibilities and making his forward steps more firm and powerful. He knew he was on the right path. As long as he persevered and continued breaking through, one day he would possess enough strength to face everything.**