7th Layer of the Body Forging Realm, Top of the Mountain

A few hours before Jian Fu came to pick Zhang Baichi up, the latter was still immersed in his cultivation.

These past two and a half days were torture and paradise at the same time for him. The feeling of constantly growing stronger was truly addicting, but just as many sacrifices had to be made.

The first day was fine, but starting with the first night, things got more complicated. Zhang Baichi had truly underestimated the power of the Back Heaven Scripture's Void Forge.

When he comprehended and used the Void Forge for the first time, everything flowed smoothly because of the state of epiphany he had entered, but this time was much harder.

Operating the Void Forge was excruciatingly painful, especially since Zhang Baichi was caught unawares by the sudden pain.

Fortunately, or rather unfortunately for him, once the Void Forge was in operation, it would continue to operate as long as there was energy within Zhang Baichi's body.

For him, that meant a few hours of torturous pain followed by extreme exhaustion, both of which could only be mitigated by continuously absorbing the Qi from beyond the Heavens, which was a difficult and painful process in and of itself…

However, as Zhang Baichi at least knew about the energy consumption of the Void Forge, he didn't end up starved like a ghost this time and was able to somewhat keep himself in check.

Thus, he broke through to the 6th Layer of the Body Forging Realm before sunrise, increasing his strength by leaps and bounds once again.

The morning of the second day, he gourged down the food brought by the servant and told the latter to bring more the next time, further easing his own burden.

The daytime part of his training was much easier: He consumed Blood Pill after Blood Pill, increasing his strength, satiating himself and healing his body altogether.

By midnight of the second day, right before the transition to the final day, he broke through once more, reaching the 7th Layer of the Body Forging Realm!

What seemed like a huge hurdle before, and was considered to be within the upper tiers of the Fleeting Storm Sword Sect's Outer Sect, was now nothing but a joke to Zhang Baichi.

After his recent improvements, he could squash people of the same level with nothing but his physical strength now!

Still, he didn't end his seclusion there and instead continued to cultivate diligently. There were six hours left until sunrise and another 6 until noon, when Jian Fu would come, thus he had twelve hours to improve himself further.

And so he once again endured the extreme pain brought by the Void Forge transforming his body and increasing his cultivation, then gourged himself on the food brought in the morning and once again consumed over a dozen Blood Pills to strengthen and heal himself.

Only a few minutes were left until Jian Fu was due to arrive, and the system informed Zhang Baichi as such. This was something he had commanded it to do before in case he lost track of time.

He opened his eyes and breathed out a mouthful of foul air after refining another Blood Pill. A quick glance into his Inventory and the vial by his side showed that he only had 9 pills left.

Within three days, he consumed a total of 59 Blood Pills, a consumption that would leave anyone within the Outer Sect and probably most of the Inner Disciples flabbergasted.

Zhang Baichi sighed in frustration and shook his head with a wry smile. 'I thought those 100 pills would be enough to get me into the Qi Gathering Realm, but I've barely reached the peak of the 7th Layer of the Body Forging Realm… With the remaining pills, I'll probably manage to break through to the 8th Layer, though.'

His guess from before was wrong, as the Black Heaven Scripture's demand for the purity of the energy he consumed was much higher than expected, causing the Blood Pills to be less effective than he thought.

'Compared to directly absorbing the Qi from beyond the Heavens at night, the difference is strikingly obvious. I guess relying on pills really isn't possible. At least not forever.', Zhang Baichi thought while stretching his body.

He felt alright, but slowly grew aware just how much the lack of sleep was actually affecting him. Especially mentally, as even the light shining in from between the planks of wood of his cottage was enough to make him feel irritated.

'I have to stay calm when I'm meeting the Sect Master later… Who know what he'll do if I anger him. Or what kind of test he'll put me through.', another fleeting thought later, Zhang Baichi addressed the system. 'System, open my status.'

[Ding! Displaying information as instructed:]

[Name: Zhang Baichi

Age: 13 years

Occupation: Outer Sect Disciple of the Fleeting Storm Sword Sect

Reputation: None

Cultivation: 7th Layer of the Body Forging Realm

Techniques: Black Heaven Scripture, Breezing Wind Sword Technique, Fractured Star Sword Technique

Points: 0

Inventory Shop]

Other than his cultivation, nothing had changed. He spent all his time improving his cultivation, and neglected training in the sword these past few days. Though not without reason, as he couldn't show the Fractured Star Sword Technique for the time being – A Peak Spirit-Class Sword Technique that allowed once to comprehend multiple Intents was just too much.

'Still, if it comes down to it, I can push the blame onto that Martial Emperor Zhang and say that this was the legendary inheritance he left behind…', he changed into a new set of clothes after quickly washing up, but he still looked dishevelled and overall shabby, but his eyes radiated a rarely seen confidence.

.

.

.

Jian Fu came to pick Zhang Baichi up, but looked at the boy in shock. Zhang Baichi himself didn't mind and smiled at the old man without much care.

After the initial surprise, the old man looked Zhang Baichi over once again, scanning him with his eyes and, sensing Zhang Baichi's cultivation, once again looked as shocked as before.

"The 7th Layer of the Body Forging Realm? Kid, were you possessed by an evil spirit?", the shabby look and huge increase in cultivation led the old man to question Zhang Baichi in a concerned tone.

The youngster shook his head and laughed it off. "Senior, I just put my all into cultivating. You told me to be prepared, so I thought increasing my strength would be the best way to prepare. Ah, don't worry, I might look a bit out of it, but I'm feeling fine."

The old man touched his forehead in exasperation and sighed, but soon looked at Zhang Baichi with a calm expression. "Alright. As long as you think you're fit for the test."

"Will we be going up the mountain, then?". Zhang Baichi smiled back. The old man shook his head and grabbed Zhang Baichi's shoulder. "You can tour the mountain on your own another time. For now, we don't have any time to waste."

Zhang Baichi was confused for a second before his expression changed. The old man pulled him up and… and both of them flew towards the peak of the mountain. Zhang Baichi could only barely see the surroundings change as winds howled across is face, blinding his eyes and deafening his ears.

The pressure of the wind was a bit stinging, but compared to the past few days, this was nothing more than a slight inconvenience to Zhang Baichi. He scrunched his eyes together to shield them from the wind and endured in silence.

A minute later, the howling winds died down and the old man was lowering himself and Zhang Baichi to the ground. Zhang Baichi took a deep breath and glanced at the old man. "You could've warned me, old ma- ….Senior."

A glare from the old man instantly corrected how Zhang Baichi addressed him, to which the old man smiled indifferently and made a generous gesture. "That wouldn't be fun. Moreover, not everyone has the privilege to be escorted up the mountain be me."

"Right, a great honor indeed.", Zhang Baichi rolled his eyes and looked around. They were really on top of the mountain. It looked like a simple forest clearing, though with well maintained, paved ground.

In the distance, down the mountain, Zhang Baichi could see the vague outlines of the Inner and Outer Sects, as well as some big and small cottages even closer to his current location, which he guessed should be the Core Area of the sect.

In the other direction behind him was a well-build wooden cottage, not too small, nor too big, though simple without much fanfare. 'This is the Sect Master's place? A humble abode for a great man, huh…'

He mused to himself, but was distracted by a swooshing sound from the side. A young girl, probably a bit younger than Zhang Baichi, stood in a barren training field, swinging her sword.

She noticed his gaze and looked at him, then to the side toward Jian Fu. For a moment, she looked surprised, the quickly came running over and bowed slightly to the old man. "Greeting, Uncle Fu."

'Uncle Fu?', Zhang Baichi looked at her with a strange expression, then at the old man, who still smiled and happily accepted the girl's greeting. "It's been a while, Little Yao. You've become stronger, I see. As diligent as always."

The girl raised her head and smiled. His big bright eyes forming two crescent moons. She had long, black hair bound into a ponytail and a fair face, but a calm demeanor not befitting her age nor looks.

Zhang Baichi looked at her with a calm expression and mellow look in his eyes. 'Cute. She'll be a beauty when she grown up. System, who's she.'

[Ding! Li Yao, 12 years old, 3rd Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.]

Zhang Baichi stiffened, and his eyes opened wide. He couldn't contain himself and blurted out in a low voice. "Holy sh*t, Qi Gathering…?"