CH 25

Cao Honghua calmed down his mind.

A floor of this shabby house was removed to reveal the passage to the basement.

This was the hidden underground base he had created during the last decade.

Cao Honghua sent a wisp of his divine senses to disperse the dust raised in the warehouse.

He sighed and said, “How long has it been since I used divine sense?”

To conceal himself, he almost never utilised Daoism techniques. Even the basement was painstakingly constructed by him manually.

He walked slowly into the basement, and the door behind him closed.

In the darkness, a slight sound of flesh and blood echoed slowly.

…

Half a month passed in a blink of an eye.

In the quiet room, Gu Qing’an looked at the attribute panel in front of her with a myriad of emotions.

[Cultivation: Ninth Layer of Body Tempering (99%)]

“Since I practised cultivation, I have worked hard and dare not relax for a moment. I have made unimaginable efforts and sweated more than any ordinary person could imagine, and finally, I can break through the True Qi realm.”

“The past is like a mist. Now that I think about it carefully, it has been a full month!”

If other people heard this, they would be furious.

Just a month had passed, it was equivalent to one year.

Along with Gu Qing’an, Li Wanbai was the one who advanced the quickest in that group of students. She reached the third layer of body tempering so far in just one month.

Gu Qing’an moved a little, and the Nine Basic  Layers of Body Tempering came to her mind.

She sat cross-legged once more, repeatedly confirming the procedures to breakthrough the True Qi realm.

She gathered her thoughts, activated breathing techniques, and said, “Breakthrough.”

At that time, she felt that the blood in her body was boiling crazily, and she felt uncomfortable in her heart.

“Don’t move!” Gu Qing’an’s mind was lucid, and she was aware that this was the decisive moment for breakthrough.

If she didn’t persist, the breakthrough would fail.

She would lose the chance of perfect advancement, and there would be much trouble in the future!

Despite the agony, Gu Qingan kept her thoughts focused and resisted distractions.

She didn’t know how long it had been, she was taken aback and felt a rush of pure, innocent True Qi from her dantian.

“It’s done!”

Gu Qing’an opened her eyes and slowly exhaled a breath.

This strong Qi circulated all over her body, forming a cycle of its own, which seemed infinite.

It grew somewhat each week and after days of circulation, she would finally break through..

This was the benefit of Body Tempering for attaining the highest levels of consciousness and True Qi self-generation.

Not only was the quality of True Qi

exceptionally great, but the rate of recovery was several times that of others, and it was an unending celestial cycle.

Gu Qing’an was overjoyed and looked at the attribute panel.

[Cultivation: True Qi Realm]

She smiled slightly and was about to hide the panel.

“Um?”

However, she noticed that the Retribution skill was emitting a golden light.

“Strange, the breakthrough of True Qi also affects the Retribution Skill level for inflicting demons?” Gu Qing’an was a little puzzled.

She shifted her mind to the Retribution Skill panel.

[Retribution skill: LV.2 (1/5)]

[Skill can be improved]

[Advancement qualifications: True Qi, Lv. 3 Retribution skill, and Martial Path True Intent]

[Martial Path True Intent Mastered: Sword Intent]

“So that’s how it is.” Gu Qing’an finally seemed enlightened.

Inadvertently, the Breakthrough of True Qi and the Sword Intent taught by Senior Sister Shang met the requirements for the advancement of Retribution Skill.

Thinking of this, her heart ached.

‘This system is imperfect. If I did not practise cultivation consistently, I would have never known that Retribution Skill can be advanced.. ‘

Gu Qing’an shook her head, and discarded the meaningless thoughts.

Next, she had to eliminate the four-headed monsters to raise her Retribution Skill level.

She had more expectations for tomorrow’s inspection trip.

…

The second day.

Shang Luoyun’s house.

“Senior Sister, you do not need to be so silly… No, the wilderness is perilous, so this thing is incredibly useful.”

Shang Luoyun’s eyes showed a trace of fieryness, and then they regained their former seriousness.

“Besides, this pair of floating silk cloud is not only of good quality, but also comfortable to wear. They are embroidered with the light-weight dao technique. Sister Qing’an, you have to wear them.”

“I think I can just wear my usual pants…” Gu Qingan struggled.

She glanced at the pair of so-called Floating Silk Cloud in Shang Luoyun’s hand, which looked very similar to the white silk(leggings) of the previous life, and her face showed resistance.

“Then I’ll wear it inside with pants over it.”

“That’s not acceptable either. The  light-weight dao technique on Floating Silk Cloud must be in contact with the outside air to be effective.”

Shang Luoyun had long thought about that. Despite having a pair of slender and beautiful legs that could drive her insane, her junior sister Qing’an rarely showed them.

Gu Qing’an was also embarrassed.

When Shang Luoyun saw it, she knew she had to push her.

She leaned into Gu Qing’an’s ear and said, “If you don’t wear it, it will be very dangerous in the wilderness, so I can’t take you out.”

“Be obedient, I’ll help you wear it.” Her ears were filled with a bewitching voice.

She had used mental skills to make her Junior Sister wear this silk.

But it was all worthwhile.

“All right…” Gu Qing’an’s resistance faded over time.

Shang Luoyun was overjoyed at the unexpected good news, as if she had heard heavenly music.

“Come and sit down, Junior Sister Qing’an.”

Shang Luoyun guided Gu Qingan to sit on the sofa with her.

“Come on, put your legs up.” Shang Luoyun guided with a happy face, and patted her thigh.

“Well…”

Senior Sister Shang, aren’t you too enthusiastic?

Gu Qing’an was puzzled, but she did it out of trust.

After a period of time.

Gu Qing’an looked at the pretty girl in the floor mirror, and suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

A short white skirt and white silk made an excellent pairing. Her shawl and black hair were tied at the ends, and a long sword hung around her waist.

The floating silk cloud on her legs gave a slight feeling of coldness, as well as a slightly tight feeling as if someone wanted to devour her legs.

In addition, the outside air slightly supported Gu Qing’an. She felt that her body was a little lighter and the effect of the light-weight dao technique was really good.

“How is it, satisfied?” Shang Luoyun came over with a smile.

Gu Qing’an snorted lightly, and her face was slightly red.

Shang Luoyun was not annoyed, and she continued instead.

“I brought this dress and floating silk cloud from the big city in the prefecture. They have the ability to purify themselves. You don’t have to worry about getting dirty if you wear them all the time.”

‘Oh no! I was a little impatient right now, Qing’an appears to be angry.” Shang Luoyun panicked in her heart.

It was brought by someone from the city, and it was engraved with such convenient Dao Technique, it should be very expensive.

Gu Qingan’s heart moved, and her face looked better.

“Thank you… Thank you, Senior Sister Shang.”

Remembering the charming scene just now, Gu Qing’an’s face became a little hot

Shang Luoyun smiled as she looked up.

“Did you hear what I said?”

Shang Luoyun smiled awkwardly,.”Well, I promise I won’t next time.”

“No next time!!!”

“Let’s go. The caravan is still waiting for us.”

Outside the station, twenty or so riders, one man and two horses, surrounded a carriage in the middle. Shang Luoyun and Gu Qing’an boarded the carriage, and the caravan headed north.

Nobody noticed that a wild cat with red eyes stared at the scene.

There was a sound in an abandoned house outside Black River City.

“Are you ready to come out at long last? Gu Qing’an…”

“You will die soon.”