After Junior Brother Liu left, Lin Li returned to his quiet chamber and continued his closed-door cultivation. ...
Three months later.
By Lin Li's side, two empty bottles lay on the ground, with three more porcelain bottles filled with Qi Replenishing Pills.
During these three months, Lin Li had been consuming two Qi Replenishing Pills every day. Such a practice was considered extravagant among the outer disciples of Xuantian Sect. After consuming 180 Qi Replenishing Pills, he still had over 200 left.
At the same time, his cultivation had advanced from the early stages of Qi Refining Level 9 to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, just one step away from the Foundation Establishment Stage!
At this moment, his body was brimming with spiritual energy. His dantian was full, and the energy surged through his meridians, circulating powerfully throughout his entire body.
Though still at Qi Refining Level 9, the difference between being at Great Perfection and early Level 9 was immense. It was like comparing a newly-built reservoir to one that was overflowing. The amount of spiritual energy in Great Perfection could be tens or even hundreds of times greater.
The essence of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage lies in refining this overflowing spiritual energy, condensing it into spiritual liquid. Once the energy transforms into liquid form, the Foundation Establishment will be complete!
"Absorb~"
Lin Li took a deep breath, inhaling all the spiritual mist surrounding him, and then opened his eyes.
A sharp, radiant light flashed in his gaze, which then quickly returned to calmness.
Sensing the vast amount of spiritual energy in his body, Lin Li smiled to himself, murmuring, "My strength now is more than ten times greater than when I was in Linhe Town."
"And with the newly evolved Blood-Drinking Demon Sword, my power has multiplied dozens of times over!"
"Back in Linhe Town, without the energy feedback from the Blood-Drinking Demon Sword, I could only maintain the sword's energy state for a few seconds. Now, relying solely on my own spiritual energy, I can sustain it for several minutes!"
As Lin Li recalled his fellow disciples who were also at Qi Refining Level 9 during the trial at the back mountain, a smile spread across his face. "The current me could easily defeat them without even using the sword's energy. If I did use it, taking on ten opponents at once would be a breeze!"
"It seems it's time to leave seclusion and join the Liantian Peak Sword Sect. I need to represent Xuantian Sect in the upcoming Seven Sect Trials of the Zhao Kingdom and fight for a Foundation Establishment Pill."
After making up his mind, Lin Li ended his seclusion and left the chamber.
...
At the foot of Liantian Peak, after traveling for half a day, Lin Li arrived at the mountain's base.
Two outer disciples, each at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining and wielding swords on their backs, stood guard at the mountain gate.
"Halt!" said the disciple on the left.
At the same time, the disciple on the right spoke, "This is Liantian Peak! Only sword sect disciples of Xuantian Sect are allowed entry. Please return the way you came, Junior Brother."
"Senior Brother, I am Lin Li, and I have important matters to attend to. Please allow me passage." Lin Li cupped his fists and bowed.
"What?! You're Lin Li?!"
The two gatekeeping disciples were immediately taken aback!
Lin Li's name had spread throughout the entire outer sect of Xuantian Sect, known by everyone!
Everyone knew that during the sect's grand assembly four or five months ago, Elder Zou from the Law Enforcement Hall had highly valued Lin Li, and Lin Li had received generous rewards from the sect!
As gatekeepers of Liantian Peak, these two disciples also knew that Elder Zou was one of the top three most powerful elders within the sword sect of Liantian Peak. His strength, status, and position were all highly regarded within Xuantian Sect and Liantian Peak.
Since Elder Zou valued Lin Li so much, the two disciples quickly became respectful towards him.
"What brings you here today, Junior Brother Lin? The rules of Liantian Peak are strict. Non-disciples of the sword sect are not allowed entry. Shall we notify Elder Zou on your behalf?"
"I have now reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. I am here today to join Liantian Peak Sword Sect. Please inform the elders."
"What?! You've reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining?!"
The two gatekeeping disciples were utterly shocked!
This was simply unbelievable!
They recalled that at the grand assembly not long ago, Lin Li had just reached Qi Refining Level 7!
Although progressing through the Qi Refining Stage wasn't as challenging as the Foundation Establishment Stage, it still required years of practice.
Both of these gatekeepers, for instance, had spent over a decade advancing from Qi Refining Level 7 to Great Perfection.
Yet now...
In just four or five months since the last grand assembly, Lin Li had already progressed from Qi Refining Level 7 to Great Perfection?
Such cultivation speed was like soaring to the heavens!
"Junior Brother Lin, are you serious?!"
"Absolutely."
"Hiss! How is your cultivation speed so fast?!"
"Thanks to the sect's Qi Replenishing Pills..."
"Even with the pills, your cultivation speed is still astonishing!"
"Please, Senior Brothers, kindly pass the message on."
...
At the peak of Liantian Peak, inside the Sword Hall.
"What?! Lin Li has already reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining?!"
Elder Zou of the Law Enforcement Hall was just discussing matters with the sect's sword master, Elder Kong, when he heard the disciple's report. He was utterly astonished. "When he entered the sect, he was only at Qi Refining Level 4! Later, at the grand assembly, he had just reached Qi Refining Level 7. Now, not even a year since joining, and only four or five months after the grand assembly, he's already at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining?!"
"Long ago, I too was shocked when I heard," the disciple replied. "But I've personally tested him. Lin Li has indeed reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining."
"Hiss! Incredible!"
Even Elder Kong, a Golden Core cultivator at the Great Perfection stage, couldn't help but suck in a breath, exclaiming in shock, "For most disciples, it takes at least 20 to 30 years to progress from Qi Refining Level 4 to Great Perfection! Some, with lesser talent, may never even reach the Great Perfection in their lifetime. But Lin Li..."
"Hurry, hurry!" Elder Zou urged, excited beyond measure. "Invite Lin Li in at once!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
A moment later.
Lin Li entered the Sword Hall, bowed respectfully, and said, "Greetings, Elders."
"Please rise!" Elder Zou quickly asked, "How did you advance so quickly in your cultivation?!"
Naturally, Lin Li couldn't reveal the truth, so he attributed his rapid progress to the sect's Qi Replenishing Pills, spirit stones, and the wondrous Xuantian Sect cultivation methods. The elders, having no reason to doubt him, accepted his explanation.
Elder Zou, feeling like he had found a rare treasure, was immensely gratified. He saw Lin Li as someone who could revitalize the sword sect!
Afterward, the two elders held a formal disciple initiation ceremony, officially accepting Lin Li into the Liantian Peak Sword Sect as Elder Zou's registered disciple.
Once Lin Li successfully reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, he would become Elder Zou's direct personal disciple!