Breakthrough! Understanding the System??

The Ironbark Saber is a simple yet sturdy weapon forged from a unique blend of iron and ironwood, a rare, dense wood that is as tough as metal. 

The blade has a faint, reddish-brown hue, reflecting the ironwood's natural color, with a matte finish that gives it a rugged, battle-worn appearance.

Rather than focusing on the aesthetic of the weapon, the Ironbark Saber lacked an intricate design, instead, it was purely focused on practicality.

This weapon suited Lei Ming, who had just pulled the Stoneshattering Cleave technique from his Novice Pack that required a bladed weapon to be used.

Even though its' spirit was locked, Lei Ming could still utilize the technique, just not to its full extent.

…

After turning over the blade for some time and waving it around the room to get a feel for it, Lei Ming tossed it into the system's subspace.

He would have time later to truly explore the power of his new weapon.

But right now, raising his cultivation needed to be his primary focus. 

Yawn.

'That can wait until tomorrow though. Right now I need to try to get some rest.'

Lei Ming crawled under his sheets, ready to rest after a tumultuous first day in his new home.

…

07:00 AM, The Next Day

Waking up feeling refreshed, Lei Ming decided he would try to breakthrough to the second level of Qi Refining before he went out to explore the sect.

Outer sect disciples had to perform a certain number of sect tasks a month, or face expulsion. However, newly registered disciples were given an extra day to get used to their new surroundings before being required to report to the Outer Sect Task Hall for their assignments.

Lei Ming planned to lock himself in the room all day if he had to in order to break through to the second level before the day's end.

'Phew, okay let's try this again.' Lei Ming sat down in the heart of the spiritual array in the corner of the room, ready to practice the technique he read in the manual. 

As he began to pull the qi in from his surroundings and cycle through his dantian, he noticed that the speed of absorption had improved tremendously from his first attempt.

"At this rate I'll reach the second level in a few hours!" 

Lei Ming exclaimed out loud to himself, impressed at his own abilities.

Smugly, he proclaimed, "This must be how those geniuses felt huh, able to advance at this lightning-quick speed no wonder they are always so arrogant. Well, look who's about to join your ranks!"

However, Qinglan decided to play the wet blanket and put an end to his good mood.

"Master, the reason your cultivation is smoother this time is solely because I am constantly refining the qi in the surroundings before you absorb it, thus making it more pure and easier for you to cycle. If anyone is the genius it's me." 

Her monotone voice brought Lei Ming back to earth for a second. 

"You know you don't have to take credit for everything. I'm sure I harbor some secret bloodline or constitution that just hasn't awakened," he mumbled in an attempt to rebuke her and cheer himself up at the same time. 

Putting his attention back to the task at hand, he continued to grab at the strands of qi and cycle them through his meridians. 

After 4 hours, Lei Ming sensed the opportunity to reach the second level had come, directing the qi towards one of his meridians when all of a sudden.

Boom!

He broke through successfully!

After only one day in the Heavenly Sky Sect Lei Ming had successfully reached the second level of Qi Refining.

Most of the other disciples who registered at the same time as him were still struggling to sense the strands of qi around them. 

And yet, Lei Ming had managed to breakthrough so quickly.

It was practically unheard of!

This speed was on the level of the monstrous geniuses residing in the inner part of the sect. Those were all true and core disciples of the various elders. Like Lei Ming, they too had exceptional talent when it came to cultivating.

However, theirs came from their own hard work, whereas Lei Ming achieved his with substantial help.

Did that matter to him though?

Hell no!

Who cares about how you got there, the point is that they are on the same level. As the saying goes, if you're not cheating, you ain't trying!

After throwing a few punches at the air and gauging his new strength, Lei Ming heard that familiar noise once again.

Ding! 

"The host has made an advancement in their cultivation. You have been rewarded with 100 Enlightenment Points!"

"Try not to use them all at once Host!"

"100 points? That's it?! And what's with all this bullshit about 'try not to use them all at once?' What can I even spend it?" 

"You stingy ass system!"

Lei Ming cursed at the system but received no response back.

Phew.

Taking a deep breath to collect himself, he now understood one way he could earn more enlightenment points, advancing his cultivation.

He had assumed so already but now he had proper confirmation.

Although, the value was incredibly low for the work he had to put in. It would require him to breakthrough to the sixth level of Qi Refining before he was able to enlighten something again.

This simply cannot do.

Lei Ming had goals. He didn't want to be someone who hid away all day, proceeding to do nothing but focus on cultivation.

Today was a special occasion. He only did it to quickly raise his level and give him a greater sense of security.

Lei Ming felt that his calling was to go out and explore, challenge the arrogant young masters, and find himself a beautiful wife or two or three. 

After deciding this wasn't going to work for him, and the system ignoring him, Lei Ming switched his attention to Qinlang.

'Maybe she knows how I can get more points. She did come from the system, right?

'Qinlang!' He thought internally.

"Yes, Master, I am here," Qinlang responded from within the Spirit World.

"Do you have any idea how I can get more Enlightenment Points?" Lei Ming asked, not really expecting her to respond.

However, to his surprise, she actually did tell him a way, "There is a way that I am aware of, but why should I tell you?"

Qinlang couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease her clueless master.

"If you don't tell me I won't let you out of the Spirit World for a whole year." Lei Ming threatened her, his tone harsh.

Even though the spirits from the system could usually enter and leave the Spirit World by will, if their master chose to restrict them, he could do so.

Frightened by his threat, Qinlang quickly gave up her farce, "Okay, okay I was just joking you stinky master. How are you ever going to get a woman with that stinky attitude of yours? 

Anyways, getting enlightenment points is actually pretty easy. One quick way would be to win a battle against another cultivator or demonic beast. 

Afterward, depending on your performance, the system will perform an evaluation and give you points that way"

Qinlang pouted but still ended up giving Lei Ming some vital information.

'So it's like this!'

He thought to himself, figuring that this was probably the best way for him to earn points quickly.

'It looks like I'll have to go out and check what the sect has to offer then.' 

Before leaving, Lei Ming changed his robes and grabbed his saber. 

His plan was to look for some Martial Arena, perhaps a place where fellow disciples could spar with one another.

He was also curious if he would get points from a spar or if it had to be a true fight.

Right before he reached the door, he decided to take a look at his panel one more time to make sure he understood his strength.

[Spirit Enlightenment System]

[Host: Lei Ming]

[Cultivation: Second Level of Qi Refining]

[Enlightenment Points: 100]

[Spirits: Qinlang]

[Techniques: Heavenly Sky Qi Refining Technique - Mortal Grade, Stoneshattering Cleave - Earth Grade (Locked)]

Everything appeared to be in order, so he headed out for the first time since arriving at Heavenly Sky Mountain.