This lasted for three days and three nights.
When refining pills made him tired and his spiritual energy was depleted, Zhang Ergou would cultivate the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art to replenish it.
This cycle not only made his mental strength stronger but also solidified his cultivation at the mid-Qi Refining stage, which he had only recently broken through to.
On the night of the third day, Zhang Ergou extinguished the alchemic fire and looked at the dozens of jade bottles placed beside him, his face beaming with joy.
These were the results of his refining over the past few days.
Zhang Ergou picked up a jade bottle and poured all five Qi Condensing Pills within directly into his mouth.
The Qi Condensing Pills dissolved upon contact with his tongue, and the spiritual energy they contained flowed through his body like a clear spring, replenishing his consumption.
For an ordinary person, taking so many Qi Condensing Pills would surely cause their dan tian to explode from the potent medicinal effects.
However, Zhang Ergou swallowed five Qi Condensing Pills in one go and acted as if nothing had happened.
This was due to the overbearing nature of his internal dan hai. Its vast capacity could accommodate the immense spiritual energy contained within five Qi Condensing Pills.
Furthermore, the alchemic fire was constantly refining this spiritual energy, converting it into even more purified spiritual qi.
Zhang Ergou felt heat surging from his entire body, and purified spiritual qi flowed from every pore.
The spiritual qi in his dan hai became even more radiant gold as it was refined by the alchemic fire.
Zhang Ergou sat on the ground with his eyes closed, wholeheartedly circulating the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art.
*Pop!*
A fluctuation echoed within his meridians, as if something had been broken through.
Within a few days, Zhang Ergou had actually broken through to the late Qi Refining stage.
Such cultivation speed would evoke envy even from a sage.
Perhaps the repeated depletion of his spiritual energy during each pill refinement, followed by replenishment, had strengthened his body's resilience.
This was also the power of his Heaven-tier low-grade five-element spiritual root.
After sensing the power of his breakthrough, Zhang Ergou slowly opened his eyes.
*Hoo!*
He exhaled a breath of turbid air, stood up, and walked out of the secluded area.
As he emerged, Zhang Ergou saw a figure flying rapidly from a distance on a sword.
In the blink of an eye, it had vanished from his sight.
Zhang Ergou glanced at it and paid no mind. After all, the Misty Sect had many Golden Core stage experts, and their affairs were beyond his reach.
It was best not to provoke them.
Just as Zhang Ergou turned to leave, a rustling sound came from the jungle.
"What was that?"
Zhang Ergou observed cautiously. A gust of wind swept past, and a graceful figure appeared not far in front of him.
This woman was like an ethereal fairy, pure and refined, appearing even more luminous under the moonlight.
Wasn't this the demoness Chi Ling? What was she doing here?
Zhang Ergou hid behind a thick ancient tree, daring not to make a sound.
Could she be a member of the Misty Sect?
His mind raced as Zhang Ergou considered ways to escape.
Seeing that "Chi Ling" hadn't noticed him, he turned to flee, only to be tripped by a vine underfoot.
He fell face-first into the mud, not bothering to brush off the dirt.
Zhang Ergou scrambled to his feet and, still in a clumsy haste, ran towards Spring Sun Peak.
"Chi Ling" heard the sound, her delicate eyebrows knitting together. She immediately extended a jade-like hand.
Zhang Ergou, who hadn't run far, was yanked back. He struggled, trying to break free.
But how could he contend with a Golden Core stage expert?
"Good evening! Senior!" Zhang Ergou said, keeping his head down, afraid to look at the "Chi Ling" before him.
He never imagined his luck could be so terrible.
The power of a Golden Core stage expert was something a mere weakling like him, at the Qi Refining stage, could not resist.
Even escape had become a luxury.
Thinking this, Zhang Ergou despaired and closed his eyes.
However, after a long wait, the reprimand and killing blow he expected never came.
"Are you a disciple of the Misty Sect?" a pleasant voice rang out.
Zhang Ergou slowly opened his eyes. The woman before him did not seem to recognize him; her confused gaze indicated as much.
Zhang Ergou's mind raced. Had she lost her memory?
With this thought, Zhang Ergou's heart settled, and he straightened his back.
"Are you or are you not a disciple of our Misty Sect? I'm asking you a question?" Seeing Zhang Ergou's silence, Chi Yu's tone became slightly impatient.
"Yes, yes, yes. I am a new disciple recruited by Chunyang Sanren of Spring Sun Peak. Here is my identity token, please have a look, Senior."
Zhang Ergou quickly handed his identity token to Chi Yu.
Chi Yu glanced at it casually and returned it. "What were you doing lurking in the back mountain so late at night?"
"I came to gather some medicinal herbs..."
Chi Yu's beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Ergou. "Why did you run when you saw me?"
"Am I that scary?"
"I... I was afraid someone would snatch my things, so I..." Zhang Ergou feigned a timid demeanor.
He wore an innocent expression.
Snatch his things!
Chi Yu let out a direct scoff.
When had the Misty Sect's security become so poor that she, a dignified Golden Core elder, would snatch something from a newly admitted disciple?
Chi Yu found this to be the funniest thing she had heard all year.
"Did you see anything just now?" Chi Yu asked, no longer bothering with his excuses.
"Yes, a white light flew towards the northeast just now. I also thought I saw someone on it." Su Dan Novel Net
Chi Yu took out a sound transmission talisman. "Spring Sun Senior Brother, it went in your direction. Be extra careful."
"Guard the southwest and do not come over here anymore," came Chunyang Sanren's deep voice from the talisman.
"Understood." Chi Yu put away the talisman, formed hand seals, and sat down cross-legged.
Immediately, a rainbow light emerged from above Chi Yu's head and shot straight into the sky.
*Bang!*
A tremendous sound erupted from the northeast, shaking the very earth.
*Roar!*
Then, a heaven-shattering roar could be heard.
The roar entered Zhang Ergou's ears, and his mind instantly became somewhat dazed, nearly causing him to stumble and fall.
Chi Yu gently waved her hand, and a stream of spiritual light entered Zhang Ergou's glabella.
Only then did Zhang Ergou regain his senses. He looked towards the northeast with a horrified expression. A mere beast's roar had almost overcome him.
What on earth was that thing?
" Hurry and leave here. Don't just stand there!"
Seeing Zhang Ergou standing there blankly, Chi Yu said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Zhang Ergou felt as if he had been granted a great amnesty. He immediately turned and ran towards the front peak of Spring Sun Peak without looking back, even tripping over vines several times but not caring.
"Am I that scary?" Chi Yu looked at the fleeing Zhang Ergou with a face full of bewilderment.
Not long after Zhang Ergou left, a figure arrived on a flying sword and landed beside Chi Yu. It was another beautiful silhouette.
She looked exactly like Chi Yu.
Chi Ling stared in the direction Zhang Ergou had fled, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Such a familiar aura!"
"Ling'er, why are you out? Aren't you in seclusion?" Chi Yu looked at Chi Ling with concern.
Pulling her gaze back, Chi Ling shrugged. "With such a commotion, I couldn't possibly focus on my seclusion."
"Indeed, this riot is much stronger than usual."
"Sister, can this barrier contain it?" Chi Ling looked up at the formation in the sky.
"Spring Sun Senior Brother and the others are pursuing it," Chi Yu said, frowning slightly.
"Lately, this creature has become more and more violent. I wonder if we can still seal it in the future."
Chi Ling sat down cross-legged. "Sister, let me help you!"
She immediately conjured spiritual light and infused it into the formation.