The path of cultivation begins with Qi Refining.

The Qi Refining stage is divided into ten levels. Those who gain insight into the Dao can be considered to have stepped into the first level.

A practitioner at the first level of Qi Refining has a breath that is long and continuous, far surpassing that of ordinary people, and possesses great strength, with a single punch reaching up to 300 jin. An average strong adult can only exert about 100 jin with a punch.

For most people, reaching the first level of Qi Refining, even if they have the opportunity to cross this threshold, requires years of cultivation, not something achievable in a day or two.

It takes at least two to three years, or as long as eight to nine years, to solidify the foundation before one can advance to the second level.

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However, at this moment, Qin Yi had only agreed to a task given by the system, which allowed him to receive half of the reward in advance.

The system had previously stated that completing the task would reward him with a "level up."

Now, he had received half of that level up.

Unexpectedly, after the first flash of light beneath his feet, four more flashes followed in quick succession.

Each surge of golden light coursed through his body like an electric current.

After all five flashes of light, his physique had astonishingly reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.

How did he know he had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining?

It was simple. He felt his dantian open up, and when he closed his eyes, he sensed a tower being forged within it.

The tower had already been built up to five levels from the foundation.

"Oh my god, you... you..."

A young girl was dumbfounded, seemingly witnessing such an astonishing scene for the first time in her life.

Without saying anything more to Qin Yi, she suddenly dashed towards the inner court of Emerald Bamboo Peak: "Dad... something strange has happened..."

Qin Yi felt a bit weak and sat down beside him.

On the martial arena, more than thirty people who were meditating opened their eyes in astonishment, staring at him.

'System, system, when you say level up, do you mean advancing an entire major realm?'

As soon as he posed the question in his mind, a gentle female voice immediately responded—

[Dear Host, you are correct. The system's level up refers to advancing an entire realm, with no mention of minor realms. This is a beginner's benefit, but once the host reaches the Golden Elixir stage, the advancement will be by minor realms.]

Before the Golden Elixir stage? That's still incredibly strong!

After receiving the confirmation, Qin Yi's excitement was beyond measure.

Beside the martial arena, there was a stone platform, and on it were inscribed the realm levels.

Qi Refining Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Elixir Stage, Elemental Infant Stage, Spirit Transformation Stage, Tribulation Transcendence Stage, Great Ascension Stage.

Next to it, there were detailed explanations: for someone with normal talent, it takes at least three years to stabilize the first level of Qi Refining, and five years to break through, which is considered qualified.

The second level of Qi Refining also requires three years to stabilize, and four years to break through, which is considered qualified.

The third level of Qi Refining requires two years to stabilize, and three years to break through, which is considered qualified.

The most challenging part of the Qi Refining stage is the beginning.

Once truly initiated, the advancement becomes faster and faster, like a baby who initially only drinks milk and doesn't grow quickly. But once the baby can eat solid food, the growth rate truly accelerates.

Reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining, for an average person, would take at least fifteen years.

For someone with excellent talent, it would take eight to nine years.

For someone with outstanding talent, it would still take four to five years.

But Qin Yi had just touched the Enlightenment Stone and instantly reached it.

After reading the realm descriptions on the stone platform, he understood why people were so astonished.

'Isn't this a bit too fast? Wouldn't people think I'm a monster?'

As soon as this doubt arose in his mind, the system's gentle elegant lady voice came again:

[The host need not worry too much. In this world, the Child of Destiny is born with a Golden Elixir. Compared to them, your speed can only be considered as having exceptional talent.]

Only considered exceptional talent?

A moment ago, Qin Yi was worried about advancing too quickly, but after hearing this, he felt a bit unbalanced.

A Child of Destiny is born with a Golden Elixir?

It seems that people really can't be compared, and no world is truly fair from the start.

Suddenly, a light shadow broke through the air from the inner court of Emerald Bamboo Peak.

When the light shadow settled, everyone saw it was a middle-aged scholar, accompanied by the young girl, Gu Yiyi.

The cultivators on the martial arena all closed their eyes, ignoring the outside world, seemingly afraid of being reprimanded.

The middle-aged scholar approached Qin Yi, looked him up and down, and then placed two fingers on his head.

Soon, the middle-aged scholar's expression turned peculiar: "Are you sure he just touched the Enlightenment Stone?"

The young girl nodded excitedly: "Yes, the brothers on the martial stage also saw it. He just touched the Enlightenment Stone."

The middle-aged scholar maintained a calm expression and began questioning Qin Yi: "Young man, before this, have you practiced Dao cultivation with anyone else?"

He needed to clarify this.

In the cultivation world, becoming an apprentice with skill is taboo.

If you are an apprentice with skill, even if they accept you, they won't teach you anything genuine.

Qin Yi shook his head: "Before today, I didn't even know what Dao cultivation was."

The young girl also chimed in: "Dad, you checked him before too. He clearly had no foundation. I saw it with my own eyes; he touched the Enlightenment Stone, and then his body lit up continuously, reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining. Oh my, this speed is almost comparable to Senior Brother Hua Yunfeng."

The girl spoke excitedly, her eyes sparkling like stars. Qin Yi noticed that her Affection Level suddenly increased by 10 points, reaching 70 points.

[Due to the host's excellent talent, a sense of admiration was generated.]

"Senior Brother Hua Yunfeng?"

"Yes, Senior Brother Hua Yunfeng was born with an innate ninth level of Qi Refining. Although you're slightly inferior, you're still very impressive."

The middle-aged scholar squinted and examined Qin Yi a few more times before saying, "Young man, now I must ask you, are you willing to join the Famous Sword Sect and become a disciple of Emerald Bamboo Peak?"

Previously, he had only given Qin Yi a choice.

He could leave or stay.

Although Qin Yi had saved his daughter's life, everyone knew it was merely a coincidence that Qin Yi saved Gu Yiyi.

Moreover, Qin Yi was just an ordinary person, not someone he would highly regard.

If Qin Yi chose to leave, he would give him a hundred taels of gold, allowing him to live as a wealthy man in the mortal world, as a form of repayment.

But if Qin Yi chose to stay, he would treat him as a regular disciple, teaching him what should be taught.

But now, things were different.

Qin Yi had shown extraordinary talent and potential, reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining just by touching the Enlightenment Stone.

No disciple on Emerald Bamboo Peak could compare to him.

Even in the entire Famous Sword Sect, only Hua Yunfeng was slightly stronger.

Such a disciple, he wouldn't let slip through his fingers, so he needed to ask again seriously.

Qin Yi was delighted, sensing a special kind of attention from the middle-aged scholar's attitude.

"I am willing."

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Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan