Han Yu was just about to step toward one of the vacant tents when he caught sight of a familiar figure approaching from the opposite side. His lips curved into a faint smile as he raised his hand in greeting.

"Senior Sister Xuan Qing," Han Yu said warmly. "Are you here to cultivate as well?"

Xuan Qing's gaze softened slightly when she saw him.

She inclined her head with her usual composed grace. "Yes. I have reached the point where my bottleneck must be faced. I will attempt to break through to the Late Stage of the Core Condensation realm."

Han Yu's brows rose slightly. "That is no small step. I wish you success, Senior Sister."

"And what of you?" she asked, her eyes curious.

"I will be attempting to reach the Early Core Condensation realm," Han Yu replied with honesty.

Xuan Qing regarded him for a moment, her eyes carrying a glint of nostalgia.

Memories surfaced in her mind—memories of the first time she had met Han Yu. Back then, she had essentially dragged him along against his will. At the time, she had thought him troublesome and even regretted her decision on more than one occasion.

His mischievous streak, his tendency to stir trouble, and his casual manner had grated on her.

Yet now, standing here, she realized how much had changed. The boy she once thought a burden had become someone reliable, someone strong enough to stand beside her without faltering.

She had thought she had made a mistake by taking him under her wing. Now she knew that it had been the right choice, even if it had caused her some hardships along the way.

Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "You have come far, Han Yu. I am glad."

Han Yu blinked, slightly startled by the gentle tone, but he bowed his head respectfully. "It is only thanks to guidance and experience along the way. I will continue to work harder."

Xuan Qing nodded, her expression returning to calm composure. "Good. Then let us both strive for success. I will see you after our breakthroughs."

"Of course. I wish you smooth cultivation," Han Yu said sincerely.

The two parted then, each heading toward a separate tent. As Han Yu stepped inside, the sound of the camp faded completely. The isolating formation activated the moment he sealed the flap behind him, and silence embraced him like a cocoon.

Han Yu placed the jade bottles carefully on the mat before him.

His fingers brushed the smooth surface of the containers, and his heart steadied.

"This is it."

He had informed the elders, obtained the pills, and prepared a quiet space. Now all that remained was the attempt itself.

Taking a slow breath, he closed his eyes, centering himself. Somewhere nearby, Xuan Qing was also preparing, walking her own path. And though each of them would be alone in their tents, they were both walking forward at the same time, stepping into new stages of their cultivation journey.

The night deepened outside, but within the tents of the inner ring, sparks of change were about to ignite.

Han Yu sat cross-legged in the center of the tent, the isolating formations humming faintly around him like a veil of silence.The air inside was still, heavy with a faint fragrance of herbs and spirit energy that seeped from the pill bottles resting in front of him.

His heart was calm but his mind remained sharp. Before beginning, he knew he needed to prepare himself properly, not rushing into the process.

'Don't want to waste the pills.' He thought.

He closed his eyes, regulating his breathing, letting each inhalation sink deep into his lungs and each exhalation carry away tension.

Slowly, he settled into a meditative state, his consciousness turning inward. His meridians, his dantian, his spiritual sea, all came into his awareness like a map drawn across his body. He inspected himself carefully. His blood flowed steadily, his meridians were clear and smooth, and his dantian pulsed faintly with the glow of refined spirit Qi.

Only after ensuring everything was in its best state did he reach out and open the first bottle.

POP

A faint herbal fragrance drifted out, tinged with a sharp undertone that made the spirit energy within almost palpable. The bottle contained the Refined Qi Accumulation pills.

Their purpose was straightforward and true to their name: to help a cultivator draw in and store more spirit Qi than would normally be possible in a short span of time.

Han Yu picked one pill between his fingers, studying the sheen of its surface before placing it into his mouth.

It melted the instant it touched his tongue, turning into a stream of potent liquid energy that rushed down his throat and into his stomach. The warmth spread quickly, turning into fine threads of spirit Qi that sought to disperse.

SHUA

At once, Han Yu activated the Twin Peak Qi Refinement Manual, the signature technique of the Twin Leaf Peak Sect.

His mind focused sharply, and his meridians came alive as the cultivation method guided the flow of Qi. Like channels carved into a vast mountain, his meridians carried the refined Qi up, around, and through his body in a precise circuit.

Slowly, steadily, the energy flowed back into his dantian, where it began to accumulate.

The process was smooth, smoother than many would expect. Han Yu had always taken a bit of pride in his steady foundation, and the pills seemed to respond well to him. An hour passed before he opened his eyes briefly. The pill had been fully absorbed.

No residue remained in his stomach, no energy was wasted.

"So far so good..." He picked up another pill and consumed it.

The second cycle began, his meridians shining with spirit Qi as he refined the energy and guided it into his dantian. Again, the flow was clean, uninterrupted. He finished the second pill with ease, but instead of taking a third, he reached for another bottle.

POP

This one contained the Spirit Essence Pills.

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