Chapter Eleven: Fifth Level of Qi Gathering

Liu Feng looked at Yang Sheng and said, “What do you intend to do to us? This whole affair was caused by those two.”
Yang Sheng replied, “Those two truly are arrogant and reckless.”
Zhang Chen added, “We’re willing to offer a hundred taels of silver as compensation for the damage to your establishment. What do you think, shopkeeper?”
“This wasn’t your fault, and yet you’re offering money as compensation… Very well, let’s consider this matter settled.” After pondering for a moment, Yang Sheng spoke.
“Thank you for your understanding,” Xiao Yun said gratefully.
Yang Sheng warned, “If anything like this happens here again, don’t expect me to be so lenient.”
“Let’s head back,” Liu Feng said to Zhang Chen and the others.
They descended the stairs, and at that moment, their stomachs collectively rumbled.
Because of the earlier fight, none of them had eaten. After everything that had happened, they had no appetite to dine at the Guest Arrival Inn.
Instead, the group found a random place to eat and satisfy their hunger.
“Wang Yun, how do you know Xiao Yun?” Liu Feng asked curiously as they walked back to the academy.
“We’re all students in the senior area of the Qi Gathering Realm, and we’re all in Class 1, so of course we know each other,” Wang Yun explained.
“I see,” Liu Feng replied.
“What is Phoenix Blood Grass used for? Why would those two go to such lengths to pursue you for it?” Zhang Chen voiced his doubt.
Xiao Yun answered, “Phoenix Blood Grass is a spiritual herb that strengthens the body’s vital energy and blood. Taking it can increase the speed of cultivation and also enhance physical strength.”
“These herbs and their uses are all basic knowledge. Your instructor will teach you about them in future classes,” Li Feng added from the side.
As they conversed, they arrived at the academy, and Xiao Yun parted ways with Liu Feng and his companions.
Liu Feng and the others returned to their dormitory.
Suddenly, Liu Feng spoke up, “What realm has Yang Sheng reached to be so formidable? Standing before him, I felt as if I were facing a towering mountain pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.”
Wang Yun pondered, “I used to think he was at the Yin-Yang Realm. But now, thinking back, the pressure he exuded was far greater than any ninth-tier Yin-Yang Realm student I’ve ever met.”
Li Feng was shocked, “Could it be that, like our instructor, he’s reached the Unity Realm?”
Liu Feng asked, “Unity Realm? What is that? Is it the stage after the Yin-Yang Realm?”
“That’s right. When the power of the soul merges completely with the body’s true energy, that’s the Unity Realm,” Wang Yun explained.
“That realm is still a long way off for us. Best not to dwell on it. We have classes tomorrow—let’s get some sleep,” Zhang Chen suggested.
The group returned to their beds to rest.
The next morning, Liu Feng and Zhang Chen got up, had breakfast, and headed to Class 1.

By then, all the students had arrived, and Liu Feng and his companion took their seats.
Instructor Zhang Ning stood at the front and said, “Today, I’ll be teaching the basics of medicinal herbs. This will help you recognize valuable herbs and understand their uses when you go out to train in the future.”
Liu Feng listened attentively, taking notes from time to time.
The morning passed swiftly as the instructor lectured.
After lunch, Liu Feng and Zhang Chen made their way to the cultivation grounds.
Liu Feng unlocked a training chamber, sat cross-legged, and began his cultivation.
Following the Qi Channeling manual’s methods, his true energy rapidly circulated within him.
Liu Feng sensed the flow of true energy accelerating, surging like a great river. This was a sign of an impending breakthrough.
He seemed to hear a roaring within his body as his true energy swelled. The spiritual energy of the world gathered around him, enveloping his body like mist.
He felt his bones, organs, and flesh greedily absorbing the world’s energy, rapidly transforming and strengthening—far faster than usual.
After a quarter of an hour, the transformation slowed, and the mist-like energy swiftly dissipated.
Liu Feng knew the breakthrough had concluded—he had reached the fifth tier of the Qi Gathering Realm.
He sprang to his feet, clenching his fists and feeling an endless power coursing through his body.
He threw a punch at a massive boulder by his side.
“Bang!”
The stone shattered into fragments that flew in all directions, striking the walls and turning to powder.
Liu Feng felt the benefits of this breakthrough were immense. His true energy was much denser, his attack power had increased by over a thousand catties, and his raw physical strength had also improved significantly.
He began to train in martial techniques, recalling the method for the Rending Sky Slash.
He formed a knife-hand and, following the movements of the Rending Sky Slash, swiftly swung his palm. The air whistled, as if being cleaved apart.
Again and again, Liu Feng slashed at the air until the movements became second nature.
He stood still for a moment, then suddenly lashed out at the surrounding stone pillars, delivering a flurry of slashes. His true energy surged forth, forming ten blades of energy that struck the pillars.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
A series of explosions echoed as ten stone pillars were severed, their cuts smooth and clean.
“It seems I’ve made some real progress with Rending Sky Slash—further training probably won’t yield much more,” Liu Feng thought, leaving the chamber.
It was already late; the students were heading back.
Liu Feng found Zhang Chen, and together they had dinner and returned to their dormitory. After washing up, they each rested.

So it went: Liu Feng and Zhang Chen spent their mornings in class, learning the basics from their instructor, and their afternoons at the cultivation grounds, training in techniques and martial skills, occasionally watching matches on the dueling stage.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
One day, as Liu Feng sat in class, the lesson was drawing to a close when Instructor Zhang Ning suddenly announced, “Students, you’ve all been cultivating for a month now. It’s time to go out and gain some experience.
Going out to train not only broadens your horizons but also improves your survival skills.”
A student asked, “Instructor, when will we be going?”
Zhang Ning replied, “Prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, we’ll set out for the Black Demon Forest in the eastern part of Chiyang City.”
“Is it dangerous there, instructor?” someone else asked.
Zhang Ning answered, “There is some danger, but the outer areas are relatively safe.”
Liu Feng asked, “Instructor, what should we bring?”
Zhang Ning said, “Anyone who wishes to go, come see me after class. I’ll give you a storage pouch with a cubic meter of space for food, herbs, and other items.”
Upon hearing this, all the interested students went to collect storage pouches from Zhang Ning—there were about forty in total, Liu Feng estimated.
Liu Feng and Zhang Chen each received a pouch, then went out to buy food and water before returning to their dormitory for a quiet night.
The next morning, after breakfast, Liu Feng and Zhang Chen made their way to Class 1.
Those who wanted to go had already made their preparations. Those who stayed behind continued their own cultivation.
With Zhang Ning leading them, the group set out for Black Demon Forest.
The students chatted and laughed along the way. After about two hours, the forest came into view.
Looking inside, Liu Feng could see mist swirling not far from the entrance.
“Everyone, form teams of ten and proceed cautiously. If you encounter any danger you can’t handle, retreat immediately,” Zhang Ning instructed.
Liu Feng, Zhang Chen, six other boys, and two girls formed a team.
One of the boys took the lead, venturing into the forest, and the rest followed carefully.
Suddenly, the boy at the front let out a startled cry.
Alarmed, Liu Feng dashed toward him.