Swift Breakthrough in the Hidden Chamber
Qi Condensation third star, peak stage. The path down the mountain was short, but it felt strangely endless to me. Grandfather leading the way—no, Ryu Jin-ak's back was no longer that of the old man I knew. My mind couldn't help but whirl in this situation. But there was no need to dwell on it right now. The most urgent issue was already decided anyway. Survival. The black wolf's gaping maw still haunted me. That split-second sensation of 'death.' It wasn't the kind of memory I ever wanted to relive.
The life I'd lived in this world up to now being a lie. Of course, part of me wanted to demand answers right then. But with my modern memories still dominating, it wasn't a priority. Far more important was whether I'd survive the next encounter with a demon beast like that black wolf. The difference was huge.
So I kept my mouth shut and quickened my steps.
The next day came.
"Follow me."
It was a curt command. I didn't ask questions and trailed after him. Ryu Jin-ak headed not to the house, but behind the storage shed. Firewood, farming tools, and baskets were scattered there. He formed hand seals on the spot. Small flags materialized in the air—one after another. I narrowed my eyes.
Formation flags.
Ryu Jin-ak placed his hand on the flags. A faint ripple of spirit energy spread, and hazy runes surfaced on their surfaces. Moments later—
Rumble—
A dull thud echoed from one corner of the ground. A stone slab slid aside, revealing stairs descending below. I sensed the spirit energy rising from the depths and murmured softly.
"What's this place?"
Ryu Jin-ak replied flatly.
"The Spirit Gathering Array. I hadn't planned to use it."
"But now you have to."
"Yes."
I nodded. The answer was obvious. Learning spells one by one in just three or four days was inefficient. Better to raise the realm itself. Even clumsy spells would pack more punch with greater total spirit energy. In our situation, it was the most practical choice.
The chamber below was wider than expected. The walls were smooth-hewn stone, and a circular formation was engraved in the center. Pale stones were embedded in its grooves, but more than half had lost their glow. I recognized them at once.
"Spirit stones."
"Relay spirit stones, precisely."
Ryu Jin-ak opened a wooden box along the chamber's edge. Inside were mid-grade spirit stones of various colors, neatly arranged. He selected a few green ones.
"Absorbing spirit stones directly is inefficient. But through the array, it's different. And since you have a wood-attribute spirit root like me, wood-aligned stones are best."
Without further explanation, Ryu Jin-ak pointed to the formation's center.
"Sit."
I sat cross-legged without protest.
"I'm raising your realm now. Push too hard, and your foundation shakes. Don't force every bit—let the spirit energy flow steadily into your dantian, layer by layer."
"Got it."
He slotted eight relay stones into the array's eight directions. At once, the formation glowed faintly.
Hum—
A low resonance filled the chamber as the air shifted. Cool yet vibrant energy—like deep in a forest. Pure wood-attribute spirit energy. I closed my eyes and began breathing exercises. It seeped into me with each breath, far denser than the trickle from mountain air.
At first, it was warm. But as it built, it turned scorching. My chest and dantian swelled like overfilled balloons. Lose control, and they'd burst. I cleared stray thoughts, focusing solely on my dantian. Time blurred.
How long passed? The mass below my navel suddenly grew heavier. What had felt like a mere point now pooled like a small pond.
Then—
Qi Condensation second star. Clearly a full stage up. But the array didn't stop. Ryu Jin-ak adjusted the relay stones' flow, guiding my cultivation onward.
"Don't stop. Accept it now."
I gritted my teeth and resumed breathing. Spirit energy gathered even faster. When the pond swelled another half, Ryu Jin-ak finally halted the array.
Emerging from the chamber, my legs wobbled, and my gut felt hollow. But my senses had sharpened at least twofold from first star Qi Condensation. Ryu Jin-ak checked me over and tossed a small jade vial.
"Peace Qi Pill. Take it and rest."
Back in my room, I uncorked it and swallowed the pill. Bitter herb scent bloomed with gentle warmth. Circulating qi settled my spirit energy nicely.
Days two and three were harsher. Ryu Jin-ak kept me in the array from dawn till dusk, pausing midway to check my meridians. If qi surged wildly, he'd lay hands and smooth it. Once, heart devil nearly struck—his spirit energy flowed like calming waves, soothing me. Soaked in cold sweat, I caught my breath.
"This normal?"
"Swift cultivation demands a price."
"Do others train like this?"
"No."
"Exactly."
"It's your fortune."
Relay stones and a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator personally tuning the array—conditions no ordinary Qi Condensation disciple could dream of. The pain was real, but so were the gains.
Third evening, I broke through again.
Qi Condensation third star. By fourth day, words grew sparse. I was exhausted; so was he. Just cultivate. Breathe. Absorb. Stabilize.
As dusk fell, the array's green glow flashed fiercely one last time. Overflowing dantian qi converged, sinking heavily. Sharper, steadier than before. I exhaled long and opened my eyes slowly.
Qi Condensation third star, peak stage.
Ryu Jin-ak observed me awhile, then nodded curtly.
"That's it."
I licked my lips. Throat parched, but oddly refreshed.
"Faster than I thought."
"Don't delude yourself. It's your talent."
His tone was even.
"I... know."
I admitted readily. Total spirit power had grown, true. But it didn't mean I'd suddenly beat anyone in a fight. At least I wouldn't exhaust after one or two spells now.
Ryu Jin-ak pushed an inner wall, retrieving a ring. Infusing qi revealed two items afloat—one a dark-shimmering shield etched with dense talismans. The other, a palm-sized needle, tip honed sharp, red lines coiled along its surface.
"This?"
I asked. Ryu Jin-ak lifted the dark shield first.
"Black Wood Spirit Tablet. Upper-grade defensive magic tool."
He channeled qi from his fingertip. Talismans lit sequentially, unfurling a translucent dark-green barrier before him—large enough to shield a person. It rippled like water, unyielding.
"Your cultivation can activate it. But sustaining long is tough."
He dismissed it and handed me the tablet. It felt hefty in my grip.
"Infuse qi."
I drew from my dantian and poured it in.
Hum.
A faint tremor, and a thinner dark-green veil formed before me—narrower than his, but properly shaped.
"Whoa."
A short exclamation slipped out. Then Ryu Jin-ak flicked a pebble.
Pang.
It shattered to dust on impact. But qi drain was heavy. Fine for a hit or two; sustained assault would break it fast.
"Two or three max."
I assessed instantly. He nodded.
"Withstands two or three Foundation Establishment early-stage blows."
I set the tablet down carefully. Ryu Jin-ak raised the needle next.
"Mid-grade offensive magic tool, Blood Needle."
He gripped it between fingers, aiming at a chamber corner. Qi surged; red lines glowed like living veins.
Shick!
It streaked as a red beam—barely trackable. The wall gaped deeply punched.
My eyes widened.
"At your realm, full power: four shots max."
Ryu Jin-ak said calmly.
"Use wisely."
He recalled it with a gesture and passed it over. I took it.
"You've seen the demo. Your turn."
I aimed at the wall, channeling dantian qi to the tip. Red lines flickered faintly—
Shick!
It flew, embedding shallower than his.
"Not bad."
His verdict.
"But insufficient."
The rest of the day, I drilled both tools repeatedly.
Next morning in the yard, dawn chill nipped my skin. Then—
"Ended quicker than expected."
A familiar voice. I turned. The goateed middle-aged man stood there—Yang Lim, the market seller of that old manual.
"Qi Condensation third star. Already brushing fourth."
He scanned me top to bottom.
"Bold move, fitting for senior brother."
Ryu Jin-ak ignored it, saying curtly.
"Go now."
I nodded. Yang Lim clasped hands behind back.
"I'll guide you to Qingyun Sect."
Qingyun Sect...
I glanced back at the house one last time. Short stay, but it was home. Steeling myself, I turned away.
Time to go.
Fingering the storage ring on my finger, I murmured low.
"Thank you... for everything. Father."