Chapter 35: Breaking Through to the Third Level of Qi Refining; Old Devil Xu Arrives!

"Seven-Day Heart-Devouring Powder? The big brother is... referring to the medicine the Master gives to disciples who have reached the second level of Qi Refining, right?" Xiao An asked back, sounding uncertain.

Although Xiao An had not explicitly stated his master's identity, it was practically no different from having done so. To put it bluntly, he appeared very young and lacked high intellect; one could say he was quite naive. Old Devil Xu had forbidden him from revealing his identity, but Xiao An’s comprehension was not sharp enough to grasp the gravity of the situation.

"Yes, yes, that’s the medicine. Do you know where the antidote can be found?" Jiang Fan asked hurriedly.

"The antidote? I’ve heard the Master say that he never actually made it; he only keeps plenty of the poison in reserve," Xiao An said, shaking his head.

"No antidote?" Jiang Fan’s face turned grim. If there was no antidote, things would become extremely troublesome.

"Big brother, don't worry. As long as you promise me one thing, I... I can tell you where the antidote can be obtained," a glint of craftiness flashed in Xiao An’s eyes.

"What request?" Jiang Fan looked at Xiao An, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"If one day you become powerful enough, I hope... I hope you can help me!" Xiao An said, looking pitiful.

"Help you how?" Jiang Fan frowned slightly.

"If... if one day you can defeat the Master, I hope you can grant me my freedom," Xiao An’s voice trembled slightly.

"Agreed!" Jiang Fan promised without hesitation.

"Thank you, big brother! Thank you! I will tell you how to get it right now," Xiao An said, his eyes filled with joy. "I’ve always been by the Master’s side, and I’ve heard him say that the antidote is just a ruse to fool the disciples. To make it, one must use several rare treasures and follow the methods recorded in the 'Hundred Poisons Solution'! But the Master said it was too difficult to craft, so he couldn't be bothered to make it."

"'Hundred Poisons Solution'? Where is this book?" Jiang Fan’s eyes lit up as he asked urgently.

"It should... it should be inside the Master’s precious storage bag," Xiao An said, sounding slightly unsure.

"Very well! As long as you aren't lying to me, when the time comes, I will certainly grant you your freedom!" Jiang Fan looked at Xiao An and said, "Alright, you can go now."

"Big brother! I... I can’t leave yet! The Master ordered me to track you. If I go back now, the Master... the Master will punish me severely! I’m scared... wuwuwu..." As Xiao An spoke in his childish voice, he began to cry.

"Do you still want your freedom or not?" Jiang Fan asked coldly.

"I do! I want it every single moment, but... my soul is linked to the Master’s magical artifact. I have to obey his commands," Xiao An said, looking aggrieved.

"If you want freedom, you must listen to me! As long as you obey, perhaps I can grant you your liberty when the time comes!" Jiang Fan stated solemnly.

"As long as... as long as it doesn't violate the Master’s orders, I am willing to do whatever you arrange, big brother," Xiao An nodded, promising quickly.

"That’s a good boy! Don't worry, I won't make you go against your master’s orders," Jiang Fan’s expression softened slightly. "Stay here tonight, and return before dawn. Just tell him I stayed here practicing diligently the whole time!"

"I will listen to you, big brother! I’ll do whatever you say!" Xiao An replied hurriedly.

"Good! Stay here. I’m going to practice now; don't follow me," Jiang Fan said coldly before quickly disappearing into the small woods.

Xiao An hesitated for a moment where he stood, but in the end, he did not follow.

Jiang Fan carefully made his way through the forest until he reached the grove he frequented. "It seems that little brat really didn't follow. Finally, I can focus on my cultivation and try to break through."

Feeling a surge of joy, Jiang Fan took a deep breath and pulled out all one hundred and eighty-three low-grade spirit stones he had in his possession. Holding them in his palms, he began to circulate the "Azure Wood Long-Spring Technique" to refine them.

His talent was poor, and the "Azure Wood Long-Spring Technique" was merely a basic cultivation method. His refinement speed was slow, but he possessed an uncanny ability to push past the fatigue of refining, acting like an tireless machine as he absorbed the stones without pause.

As time passed, the spiritual energy from each low-grade spirit stone was refined and absorbed, causing the spiritual energy within his body to grow steadily. With the continuous expansion of the spiritual energy vortex in his dantian, the countless crystal-like particles of energy within it grew rapidly in number.

Jiang Fan spent the entire night refining all one hundred and eighty-three spirit stones, yet he was still just a hair’s breadth away from breaking through to the third level of Qi Refining.

"If I swallow this Human Blood Treasure Pill, I should be able to break through to the third level immediately..." A ruthless glint appeared in Jiang Fan’s eyes as he swallowed the pill in one gulp.

Instantly, a bloody, metallic taste slid down his throat into his abdomen, transforming into waves of energy rich in heaven and earth spiritual essence. This energy surged through his abdomen and began to circulate throughout his meridians.

Jiang Fan immediately channeled the "Azure Wood Long-Spring Technique," drawing all that energy into his dantian’s vortex. In an instant, the vortex reached a critical threshold, and his cultivation surged from the second level of Qi Refining to the third.

At this moment, his spiritual vortex had expanded to two feet in diameter. While the energy at the center had solidified into crystal form, the rest remained in a gaseous state.

Boom!

A powerful aura erupted from Jiang Fan’s body, whipping up a fierce wind that sent fallen leaves dancing through the air. If anyone were nearby, they would have easily sensed the intense fluctuations.

"Huff~" Jiang Fan exhaled a long breath of turbid air, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "My cultivation has finally reached the third level of Qi Refining! But I haven't reached the peak yet; I still need to continue absorbing spiritual energy to ensure all the gaseous energy in the vortex turns into crystals... With my current strength, if I run into the Third Master of the Wild Wolf Gang again, I can easily crush him! However, dealing with Old Devil Xu is likely still not enough!"

"Dawn is approaching; it’s time to head to the training square. Next, I need to consolidate my cultivation and wait for the Wild Wolf Gang to make their move. Old Devil Xu... you are as good as dead!"

A flash of murderous intent crossed Jiang Fan’s eyes before he set off toward the training square.

At the training square, the group of youths and children were already practicing. Jiang Fan grabbed some food and joined the ranks. Just as he prepared to enter a state of meditation, Old Devil Xu approached him with a beaming smile: "My good disciple, where did you go last night?"