: Cultivation Breakthrough

For a moment, many cast envious and jealous glances toward Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong exchanged a look, smiled slightly, and proactively stepped forward to take the room token from the silver-robed steward's hand.

The silver-robed steward gave him a slight nod but didn't say much in front of the crowd.

Soon, he finished distributing all the room tokens, uttered a final instruction, and then turned to leave impatiently: "Take your tokens and find your assigned rooms. If there are any mistakes, you'll bear the consequences yourselves."

The room token was a magical artifact. Ning Zhuo channeled his spiritual sense into it and quickly found a small hut guided by the token.

The door was slightly ajar.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong exchanged another glance, both raising their guard.

Sun Lingtong took the lead, carefully pushing the door open, and saw someone already waiting inside.

Sun Lingtong gasped in surprise and quickly offered a salute.

Ning Zhuo followed, entering the room to pay his respects: "Lord Qing Yan!"

The visitor was none other than Qing Yan, the Golden Core ghost cultivator who had voluntarily gone to support White Paper City midway.

Seeing Ning Zhuo, Qing Yan nodded, stood up, and walked over to him: "There was a riot today, and the southern gate paper statues were burned down."

"For a while, the entire White Paper Immortal City will be under strict control. Be careful and don't make any mistakes."

"Remember, I've already spent quite a bit of money to smooth things over with the steward of Hidden Yang Manor for you."

"If you break the city rules and end up in jail, I don't have the influence to get you out."

This simple explanation immediately made both Sun and Ning understand why they were assigned Room A-1.

Ning Zhuo quickly clasped his hands in gratitude and, almost unnecessarily, added: "Even if it weren't a superior room, I'm not someone who dislikes poverty and admires wealth; I would have accepted any."

Qing Yan chuckled: "Since you've become a male consort, just stay put here."

"Forget about my daughter; you two aren't a good match."

"According to your Jiao family's main cultivation method, the 'Triple Burner True Sun Scripture,' you're bound to stand out among the male consorts. Perhaps in half a month, you'll be promoted to Vigorous Yang Manor."

Ning Zhuo's heart stirred, thinking to himself: "Vigorous Yang Manor? So besides Hidden Yang Manor, there are others."

"And from Qing Yan's tone, it seems Vigorous Yang Manor is higher ranked than Hidden Yang Manor."

He was highly sensitive to every piece of new information.

"This house is crucial for new male consorts," Qing Yan said.

After a moment of silence, Ning Zhuo asked: "How much did it cost?"

Qing Yan laughed heartily: "Even though you and my daughter aren't suited, you're still from our village, and the Lao Jiao family has always been well-off there. Don't worry about the money I used to bribe the steward; consider it a parting gift from me."

"I'm off."

Before leaving, Qing Yan patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder and then walked out of the room without further ado.

After Qing Yan left, Ning Zhuo closed the door firmly.

He and Sun Lingtong inspected the house two or three times before stopping.

They communicated via spiritual sense.

Sun Lingtong said proudly to Ning Zhuo: "See, Xiao Zhuo, my plan was right. By disguising as Jiao Ma, you've gotten so many benefits from Qing Yan for free, hehe."

Ning Zhuo nodded: "But it's also our luck. We happened to pick this dead man."

Sun Lingtong: "Alright, I'm more interested in what's so special about Room A-1. Hurry up and use the room token to check this place out."

The room token wasn't just for communication; it also had the power to control the house's formations.

Ning Zhuo immediately manipulated the token to activate the formations.

There were multiple formations: a spirit gathering formation that greatly aided cultivation, along with preservation, refrigeration, shadow reflection, soundproofing formations, and more.

They went to the basement.

It was very spacious, densely covered with formation patterns and talismans, clearly the most essential part.

Ning Zhuo then manipulated the magical room token.

Rumble...

After a loud noise, the central part of the floor shifted aside, revealing a huge well opening.

Whoosh...

A mournful sound came from the well, and the temperature in the basement plummeted as yin energy surged forth.

The yin energy soon became so dense it was visible to the naked eye, like a pale green wind continuously rising from the well.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong had been watching the well opening, both showing a trace of shock.

"Such a vast tide of yin energy..."

"What kind of place is this?"

"According to the message left in the token, this yin energy all comes from the White Paper City Lord!"

"I wouldn't have believed it without seeing it myself. What is the White Paper City Lord's identity to have accumulated so much yin energy?"

"She's only at the Nascent Soul level, right? This level of yin energy probably rivals the Soul Formation level..."

The two continued discussing.

Both had seen the world, witnessed the battle between Du Tiechuan and the Ginseng Whisker Dragon King, and experienced what it meant when Soul Formation level experts made their move!

The yin energy in the well was too immense, clearly reaching Soul Formation level, and not just ordinary Soul Formation level at that, to contain such power.

This made both Sun and Ning view the White Paper City Lord in a new light, while simultaneously recalling what the Skeleton Crocodile Demon said when they were attacked in the Nether Python River section.

The gist was that the White Paper City Lord had accumulated too much yin energy over the years, to the point of no return, beyond what the current yang energy supply could resolve.

The White Paper City Lord's condition was precarious, on the verge of collapse!

This was the main reason the City Overthrow Alliance acted so recklessly.

Previously, Sun and Ning hadn't taken it seriously, thinking it was just enemy intimidation during battle to gain some advantage.

But now, both were speechless.

"With such yin energy, it's hard to believe how the White Paper City Lord has held on until now."

"Turns out the Skeleton Crocodile Demon was quite honest and didn't lie," Ning Zhuo remarked.

Sun Lingtong shrugged: "The White Paper City Lord is the only Nascent Soul level cultivator in the immortal city. If she fails, this city is finished."

"Not to mention anything else, just this yin tide losing control and leaking out would spell disaster for the entire White Paper Immortal City."

"This is a bit too exciting."

Sun Lingtong clicked her tongue.

Ning Zhuo frowned slightly, his tone grave: "So, we should find the Mourning Music Wraith as soon as possible, figure out the clues to my mother's legacy, and leave here quickly."

He had previously considered taking risks and seizing opportunities.

But after seeing the scale of this yin tide, which was too exaggerated, Ning Zhuo's confidence in the White Paper City Lord plummeted.

Though he had some adventurous spirit, he knew his own limits well.

"On the battlefield of Liangzhu Country, it was only because the Soul Formation and Nascent Soul levels were restraining and exhausting each other that I had room to maneuver."

"I originally thought the White Paper City Lord could be the pillar holding back the ghost tide. Now it seems really precarious!"

"Running away quickly is the responsible thing to do for oneself."

Ning Zhuo didn't have the spirit of self-sacrifice for others.

Since childhood, he had been enduring and scheming, with the city lord's mansion and Meng Kui as his imagined enemies—the pressure was immense.

Moreover, he had been cared for and taught by Sun Lingtong since young, and she came from the Not Empty Sect, not exactly a good person.

In Ning Zhuo's heart, White Paper Immortal City was just a stop along the way; the life and death of all beings were fate's arrangement. Besides, he had more important things to do!

After their inspection, the two basically understood the house's functions.

Honestly, the facilities were extremely comprehensive, and the formation powers were top-notch; both Sun and Ning were enjoying such things for the first time in their lives.

Even the Ten Thousand Miles Roaming Dragon couldn't compare.

In terms of grade, the Ten Thousand Miles Roaming Dragon, being a treasure-level artifact, naturally far surpassed this house.

But after the Ten Thousand Miles Roaming Dragon was forged, it was like a blank slate, with only basic functions; most cabins were empty and had great potential for improvement.

When Ning Zhuo was at the Ten Thousand Medicines Sect, he converted one cabin into a spiritual plant cabin. That was his biggest modification effort, but it was still minor.

"I'm going to cultivate now," Ning Zhuo said.

Sun Lingtong waved her hand: "Yeah, go ahead. I'll stand guard for you."

Ning Zhuo went to the cultivation room but didn't activate the spirit gathering formation or others. He just sat cross-legged and began cultivating with closed eyes.

The Three Enclosures Treasure Talismans were placed near his brow, chest, and navel, emitting a gentle warm light.

Bright Mirror Spirit Light Dantian.

Five Qi Pivot Dantian.

Blood Earth Demon Sinew Dantian.

The three seas emitted their respective auras while continuously accepting auras from the other two, resulting in abundant precious medicines growing within the three major dantians.

This was the second stage of Foundation Establishment, called Precious Medicines Proliferation.

At the start of cultivation, Ning Zhuo's ears roared, his vision turned white, and he felt incredibly wonderful, as if returning to the time of creation.

As he adapted, this sensation gradually faded.

With more precious medicines proliferating, each cultivation session felt like bathing in spring breeze, with essence, energy, and spirit blending into one. He felt his flaws diminishing and the harmony among essence, energy, and spirit increasing.

Now, his cultivation felt as bland as plain water, almost boring.

This wasn't a bad thing; it signified he was nearing the end of the Precious Medicines Proliferation stage!

The degree of fusion among his essence, energy, and spirit was almost at its limit. His three dantians' adaptation to each other had reached its peak.

Suddenly, Ning Zhuo had a premonition: "The conclusion of Precious Medicines Proliferation should happen within the next few days."

Thinking this, he felt more motivated and continued cultivating diligently.

Seeing Ning Zhuo cultivate, Sun Lingtong felt happy: "Xiao Zhuo's aura is very restrained; he probably isn't far from a breakthrough."

When Ning Zhuo finished cultivating, Sun Lingtong voiced her guess, and Ning Zhuo confirmed it.

But Sun Lingtong was puzzled: "Xiao Zhuo, having this premonition is strange."

Ning Zhuo was surprised: "Isn't it natural to have such a feeling when one's foundation is deeply accumulated?"

Sun Lingtong shook her head: "Unless you've successfully cultivated some divination technique, or have high realm, talent, supernatural power..."

Ning Zhuo frowned, first thinking of his mysterious talent.

The Five Elements Sovereign had confirmed he had a second talent but warned Ning Zhuo not to detect the result too early, as it wouldn't benefit him.

They discussed for a while but reached no conclusion. Both tired, they went to rest.

The next day, when Ning Zhuo woke up, he found Sun Lingtong already awake.

Several spiritual dishes were laid out on the dining table.

Sun Lingtong: "We're in Room A-1; special paper servants deliver meals."

"Oh, they also conveyed two messages: one is to rest for three days, then go choose cultivation methods."

"The other is to suggest we use more yang energy to neutralize the yin energy tide in the well. Even a drop in the bucket, every bit will be recorded. These records will be beneficial for selecting cultivation methods and other arrangements or activities later."

Ning Zhuo immediately shook his head, firmly rejecting: "I can't do that. How about you contribute a bit, boss?"

Neutralizing yin energy would inevitably introduce external yin into the body, confusing one's own aura. He was at the critical final stage of Precious Medicines Proliferation; introducing external impurities would greatly hinder his cultivation progress.

Sun Lingtong spread her hands in distress: "You're making it hard for me. I practice the童子功 (virginity preservation technique), my yang energy doesn't leak. Have you forgotten our time in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, your dual cultivation incident?"

Ning Zhuo immediately looked embarrassed, waving his hand to make Sun Lingtong stop, which made her giggle and tease him with playful glances.

"But, I have another method," Sun Lingtong suddenly suggested. "Xiao Zhuo, you might have forgotten about your Yin-Yang Unity Gourd."

Ning Zhuo was indeed taken aback, then slapped his forehead: "I've been too focused on my cultivation breakthrough; I really forgot about that."

Sun Lingtong giggled, asked for Ning Zhuo's Yin-Yang Unity Gourd back, and went off to study it herself.

Now, regarding Ning Zhuo's cultivation this time, initially everything was normal, but suddenly the precious medicines stopped proliferating.

No matter how he urged the three superior methods, no new precious medicines would grow.

Moreover, the fusion feeling of essence, energy, and spirit was even blander than drinking plain water, almost like normal breathing.

"Could it be time for a breakthrough?" Ning Zhuo's heart stirred, and he cultivated even more vigorously. But after most of the day of hard cultivation, there was still no movement.

He stopped cultivating and went to seek Sun Lingtong's advice.

Sun Lingtong instructed him: "Xiao Zhuo, your eagerness makes your spirit sea unstable, desires too strong. Remember, the final step requires perfect fusion of essence, energy, and spirit; none can be too strong or too weak."

Ning Zhuo immediately understood the key point and returned to the cultivation room to resume practice.

This time, he cultivated with a calm heart and tranquil spirit sea, and immediately got a reaction.

The continuously flowing auras among the three seas suddenly stagnated. All the proliferated precious medicines trembled uniformly, then burst open one after another, turning into endless magnificent, beautiful energy.

These splendid energies filled the three major dantians, rapidly expanding the dantian seas, increasing their size more than tenfold in an instant!

The dantian spaces continued to expand, and the inner walls of the dantians were also reshaping during the expansion, undergoing a qualitative improvement.

Although the magnificent energies were vast, they ultimately came from the precious medicines—a finite source.

Soon, they all dissipated.

And Ning Zhuo now officially concluded the Precious Medicines Proliferation stage, entering the third stage of Foundation Establishment—Dantian Radiance!

(End of )