After chatting for a while longer, Han Yi and Zheng Hai descended from Overturning Sea Peak.
Each of the Nine Inner Peaks was dozens of times larger than any Outer Peak. Although Overturning Sea Peak ranked lowest among the Inner Peaks, its summit area still dwarfed that of any Outer Peak.
At the foot of the mountain, Zheng Hai turned back to gaze at the spirit light shimmering atop Overturning Sea Peak, longing evident in his eyes.
"Ah, the Inner Peaks..."
"I wonder when I'll be able to join them and have my own courtyard there."
Han Yi's desire was equally strong, but his ambition burned with a more tangible intensity.
"Soon, very soon," Han Yi nodded firmly.
"Easy for you to say. I'm still far behind," Zheng Hai sighed irritably.
"Speaking of which, how are you cultivating so fast? Is it really true that you've... compromised yourself to please those female cultivators on Little Sea-Viewing Peak?"
Han Yi's lips twitched uncontrollably.
His Medicinal Pill trade with the female cultivators of Little Sea-Viewing Peak had always been kept secret, even from Zheng Hai. After all, when too many interests were involved, friendships could sometimes unravel.
Han Yi didn't respond to Zheng Hai, and Zheng Hai didn't press the matter. His earlier comment had been a joke; he knew Han Yi had secrets. Ever since his friend's outpost assignment three years ago, Han Yi had undergone a complete transformation, almost as if he'd been reborn.
This must be what he meant by gaining profound insights during his time abroad, Zheng Hai mused. Perhaps I should apply for an outpost assignment myself?
The thought suddenly struck Zheng Hai, taking root and spreading uncontrollably through his mind, consuming his entire focus.
Han Yi remained unaware of Zheng Hai's impulsive plans. The "profound insights" he claimed to have gained from his outpost assignment were merely a cover for his Proficiency Panel. For ninety-nine percent of Outpost Disciples, such assignments were simply a waste of precious time.
After descending Overturning Sea Peak, they parted ways as usual, each returning home.
As soon as Han Yi reached his courtyard, he activated the Formation and immediately began closed-door cultivation. He hadn't originally intended to seclude himself; his plan was to let things progress naturally. Cultivation required a balance between exertion and rest. According to his calculations, reaching the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining within three months would be sufficient.
After his visit to Overturning Sea Peak and hearing Guan Di's revelations, Han Yi was deeply tempted. The prospect of entering the Inner Peak early at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining and securing a courtyard proved too enticing to resist. He abandoned his original plan and resolved to seclude himself, focusing solely on breaking through to the Sixth Layer.
Unbeknownst to Han Yi, however, Zheng Hai, after much deliberation, had actually decided to apply for an outpost assignment. While Outer Sect Disciples could technically apply for such assignments, few ever did so voluntarily. The only exceptions were those facing involuntary assignment due to incomplete point-based tasks.
After all, even the least desirable Outer Peak boasted First or Second-Tier Spirit Veins. Once disciples descended the mountain to the outside cities, where else would they find Spirit Veins freely available?
This time, Zheng Hai didn't inform Guan Di or Han Yi about his application. Instead, he personally submitted it at the Sect Management Hall.
The Senior Brother on duty repeatedly confirmed Zheng Hai's decision before granting approval, then eyed him strangely. "One year—your assignment lasts one full year. While your courtyard won't be reclaimed, you're strictly forbidden from returning until the assignment is complete. Have you truly considered this?"
"Senior Brother, I've made up my mind. I'll take the outpost assignment for a year," Zheng Hai said with a firm nod.
He refused to believe that if Han Yi could undergo such a remarkable transformation, he couldn't achieve some kind of change himself.
One month later, in Han Yi's courtyard, a young man pushed open the door of his Meditation Chamber and stepped out.
He gazed upward at the central peak of Little Spirit Void Peak, where waves of spirit light pulsed rhythmically, channeled from the subterranean Spirit Veins through the Formation Arts to the central nexus. From there, it was amplified and spread across the entire mountain.
This was the Formation Arts of Little Spirit Void Peak.
"Time flies," Han Yi mused.
The young man who had emerged from the Meditation Chamber was none other than Han Yi himself.
He extended his hand and lightly flicked his wrist, causing the three daggers at his waist to leap gracefully into the air, hovering mid-air.
With a thought, the daggers transformed into three streaks of darting light, weaving intricate patterns within a ten-meter radius.
Moments later, the daggers returned to their sheaths, and a satisfied smile spread across Han Yi's face.
"Not bad. Qi Refining Sixth Layer—my mana has more than doubled. It's now sufficient to sustain prolonged use of the Sword Control Technique."
"Still, my cultivation progress relies entirely on Spirit Stones."
"This wretched aptitude..."
"Sigh."
Behind Han Yi, the Meditation Chamber lay thick with dust.
To the untrained eye, it would have looked like mere dust. But Han Yi knew exactly what it was: the pulverized remnants of Spirit Stones he had consumed.
Three thousand Spirit Stones.
A staggering three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Seventy percent of his entire fortune.
In a desperate attempt to accelerate his breakthrough, he had sealed himself in his Meditation Chamber and recklessly piled up Spirit Stones, transforming it into a miniature Spirit Vein, replicating the potency of a third- or even fourth-tier Spirit Vein.
The cost had been immense.
But the results were equally remarkable.
In just one month, his cultivation had surged to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, leaving him only one step away from Late-Stage Qi Refining.
"Not easy," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
"But it was all worth it. If this opportunity allows me to enter the Inner Peak, it'll be a massive win."
Han Yi understood the formidable barrier between the Qi Refining Sixth and Seventh Layers.
Despite having progressed from the Qi Refining Third Layer to the Sixth Layer in just six or seven years, he estimated that maintaining his current pace would require at least another eight years to reach the Seventh Layer.
Joining the Inner Peak, however, would undoubtedly shorten that timeline.
Beyond the Spirit Vein, there was a clear hierarchy in terms of privileges, cultivation technique selection, and resource allocation between Inner Peak and Outer Peak disciples.
Han Yi glanced at his Proficiency Panel, which had undergone further changes:
[Lifespan: 28/118 ]
[Cultivation Realm: Qi Refining Sixth Layer (1/100) ]
[Cultivation Technique: Fire Pill Profound Art (Mastery 93/100) ]
[Skills:]
[ Alchemy Technique (Perfected Purity 8/100) ]
[ Spirit Void Finger (Perfected Purity 4/100) ]
[ Sword Control Technique (Perfected Purity 2/100) ]
[ Light Body Technique (Perfected Purity 2/100) ]
There hadn't been significant progress in his skills. Once a skill reached Perfected Purity, advancement slowed to a crawl. Even a month of relentless grinding would barely nudge the proficiency bar forward.
For the foreseeable future, Perfected Purity was his limit.
Advancing to the next level would now require a vastly longer period, perhaps longer than the entire time it had taken to progress from Novice to Perfected Purity.
What next?
Han Yi planned to broaden his skill set. Since he couldn't delve deeper into any particular area, he would expand his knowledge across a wider range. This would be his new strategy.
His cultivation had reached a bottleneck in quality, so it was time to supplement it with quantity.
The most significant change upon advancing to the Sixth Layer was undoubtedly his lifespan.
His lifespan had increased from 99 to 118 years.
This meant that, barring illness or disaster, Han Yi could now live to be 118 years old. In his previous life, this would have been considered remarkable longevity. But in this life, Han Yi felt it was merely the starting point of his cultivation journey.
Regardless, living longer meant more possibilities.
Han Yi rejoiced inwardly as he concluded his month-long seclusion.
When he emerged from his courtyard, he saw Little Spirit Void Peak bustling with activity, disciples streaming toward the main building where the Peak Lord resided.
Stopping a familiar junior brother, Han Yi asked what was happening.
"Senior Brother Han, haven't you been in seclusion for a while?" the junior brother replied. "Today's the last day to register for Inner Peak candidacy!"
"You haven't signed up yet, have you? Hurry up and do it!"
"This time, anyone at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer or higher can apply. There are plenty of slots available, and many senior brothers have already registered."