Chapter 25: Advancement — Qi Refining, Level Two

The moon hung high, casting silver light over a night steeped in silence. The air, cleansed by recent rain, carried a refreshing dampness that soothed the soul. Through the crimson, intricately carved wooden window, one could faintly glimpse Lu Fan sitting cross-legged on the bed, his figure half-concealed behind the bed's draping canopy.

His gaze was clear and radiant, a flicker of excitement gleaming in his eyes. With a thought, he summoned the system panel and swept his eyes across it. He had saved Nie Changqing and completed Side Quest 3, not only accomplishing it but achieving an A-rank evaluation, thereby earning five attribute points. With these, he could now ascend to the second level of Qi Refining.

Truth be told, Lu Fan had long looked forward to reaching Qi Refining Level Two. At Level One, his spiritual energy, once expended, could not replenish; he had to consume his soul attribute to exchange for more. His Qi Core couldn't naturally generate spiritual energy. Unlike Ning Zhao—though merely at the second tier of the Qi Core Realm—she could restore her spent energy through her Qi Core's circulation. Lu Fan, however, lacked this ability.

"System, allocate 4.5 attribute points to Soul Strength, and the remaining 0.5 to Physique," Lu Fan intoned inwardly.

Moments later, the panel data updated: his Soul Strength reached 6, and his Physique finally rose from a pitiful 'combat level five scum' to a modest 1—barely stepping into the realm of ordinary men.

"Convert 4 attribute points into spiritual energy," Lu Fan continued.

As the words left his mind, a gust of wind surged through the room. Scrolls hanging on the wall fluttered, and brushes on their rack quivered. Pale blue spiritual currents coiled around Lu Fan like wisping streams of light.

"A towering edifice rises from flat ground—congratulations, Host, on advancing to Qi Refining Level Two. Spiritual energy reservoir: 100 wisps. Rewards acquired: Spiritual Pressure Chessboard, ten Random Spirit-Grass Seeds."

"Host has advanced to Qi Refining Level Two—gained autonomous recovery capabilities (spiritual energy, soul strength, physique)."

System prompts continued to echo, yet Lu Fan's eyes only grew brighter. The system panel before him had changed as well:

Host: Lu FanTitle: Qi Refiner (Permanent)Qi Refining Level: 2 (Progress to Level 3: 100/1000 wisps)Soul Strength: 13 (Convertible: 2)Physique Strength: 1 (Convertible: 1)Spiritual Energy: 90 wispsModification Reward: Creation Qi Refining ScriptureWorld Rank: Five Phoenix Continent [Low Martial]Permissions: Quests, Sermon Platform, Spiritual Energy DeploymentSub-permissions: Myriad Law Furnace (LV1)

This marked Lu Fan's first true breakthrough—from Qi Refining Level One to Two. While the change wasn't drastic, it did confirm his previous suspicions: upon reaching Level Two, one gained the ability to passively regenerate. This encompassed spiritual energy, soul strength, and physique.

Granted, the regeneration rate was likely weak at this level, something he hadn't tested yet. Still, even the slowest recovery fell within acceptable limits. With this, he no longer feared exhausting his spiritual energy and losing control. However, while his soul strength now recovered automatically, he was mildly disappointed—once used to exchange for spiritual energy, those soul attribute points could not be reused. A pity indeed.

Opening his eyes, the spiritual currents around Lu Fan gradually stilled. His mind was exceptionally clear, as if his entire being had been reborn, his soul freshly cleansed. Though he hadn't undergone the dramatic "impurity purge" described in novels, he could feel the transformation—both spiritual and physical.

He still might not be a match for martial masters like Ning Zhao or second-tier fighters like Yi Yue in hand-to-hand combat, but against someone like Ni Yu... he could perhaps put up a decent fight. Maybe.

Aside from the passive recovery ability, what truly surprised and delighted Lu Fan about this breakthrough... was the unexpected reward.

"Spiritual Pressure Chessboard?" he murmured, curiosity flickering across his face.

As he focused, it felt as though the great Dao itself rumbled in his ears. A moment later, the void before him split open, and from it emerged a floating chessboard—ancient and unadorned. It landed gently on his bed, its light fading. Two boxes of chess pieces—black and white—accompanied it.

Spiritual Pressure Chessboard: Profound-Grade, Lower Tier Spirit Artifact (Upgradeable).Each move consumes 1 point of Soul Strength.Placing a black piece unleashes spiritual pressure targeting enemies—effect amplified fivefold.Placing a white piece restores 50% of a designated person's original spiritual energy.

The system's explanation left Lu Fan in silence.

Spiritual pressure was no stranger to him. With just 50 wisps of spiritual energy, he had once suppressed Grandmaster Han Lianxiao of the Five Echo Sect to the ground, rendering him almost immobile. If that pressure were amplified fivefold… Han Lianxiao might not just collapse—he might die, or at least question his entire existence.

And now, with 100 wisps of spiritual energy, Lu Fan was certain Han Lianxiao wouldn't survive even a second under such pressure.

"A spirit artifact… a treasure that can channel spiritual energy," Lu Fan whispered, gently caressing the chessboard.

Before, he'd only had a vague notion of how to wield spiritual pressure. Now, armed with this chessboard, his methods would become ever more forceful—mysterious and untraceable.

He cast a glance at the wheelchair quietly sitting beside his bed and contemplated: perhaps tomorrow, he should instruct a craftsman to modify it. Two concealed compartments could be carved near the armrests to store the chess pieces. As for the chessboard itself… Ni Yu could carry it.

From this moment on, the Spiritual Pressure Chessboard would be Lu Fan's weapon—a weapon that suited his refined demeanor perfectly.

In addition to the chessboard, he had also received ten Random Spirit-Grass Seeds. As the name implied, these were grasses capable of producing spiritual energy—much like how plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

Lu Fan was genuinely intrigued. Though he could already use the Spiritual Energy Deployment function to enrich an area with energy, that method was too crude. The resulting energy felt dry, lacking the gentleness required for optimal cultivation. Spirit grasses, on the other hand, produced refined and mellow energy, making them far more suitable.

In short, the emergence of these seeds heralded a new era for the Five Phoenix Continent.

Lu Fan looked down at a seed resting in his palm—a dusky brown kernel encased in a tough shell, labeled Skyward Spirit Chrysanthemum Seed. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he carefully stored it away.

Lu Fan felt deeply content.

The moonlight spilled like water through the red-carved window, casting its gentle glow across the room and bathing him in its elegance. Stretching languidly, he embraced the tranquility of the night.

The Next Morning

Lu Fan awoke to the subtle stirrings outside his room. Having received his approval, Ning Zhao and the others entered.

Yi Yue carried a tray with plain porridge and pickled vegetables. Ni Yu, sleeves rolled up, held a basin of freshly boiled water, her cheeks flushed red from the steam. Ning Zhao approached gracefully, her delicate hands attending to Lu Fan's dressing and washing.

Lu Fan narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. A beautiful day had begun—blooming from the decadence of morning indulgence.

"Young Master, this morning the Master escorted the captured martial grandmasters to the imperial capital. He also asked this servant to deliver the transcribed Blood Transfusion Technique manual to you," Ning Zhao said softly, retrieving a white cloth scroll from her bosom.

The scroll was filled with elegant, delicate script. Though Lu Zhangkong appeared to be a brawny and crude grandmaster, his handwriting was surprisingly refined—almost dainty—a stark contrast to his imposing figure.

Lu Fan took a sip of the porridge, raised an eyebrow, and reached out to accept the scroll.