Half a year later.
Since becoming Xuan Hao's disciple, Liu Xi's life had been smooth sailing. Already known in Lin City as a cultivation genius, now he had also become the apprentice of an alchemist. One day, he too would become an alchemist—a figure others could only look up to.
Over the past six months, Liu Xi had received more cultivation resources from his teacher. With their aid, he had finally reached the peak of the 9th stage of Dou Zhi Qi.
His dantian could no longer store even the slightest bit of Dou Zhi Qi. His body, too, had been refined to its utmost. Without a specialized body-refining Qi Method, simply relying on Dou Zhi Qi to temper his flesh no longer produced any progress.
'At the Dou Zhi Qi stage, I've reached the limit. It's time to break through to Dou Zhe.'
Feeling the surging power within him, Liu Xi judged that his foundation was solid and stable. The time had come to ascend to the next realm and truly control Dou Qi.
When he told his parents, Liu Ming and Li Yue were overjoyed. Liu Xi was only 9 years old, yet he was already ready to step into the Dou Zhe realm.
After informing them, Liu Xi went to his teacher's residence. Master Xuan Hao had purchased a manor in Lin City specifically for his prized disciple, so that teaching him would be more convenient.
At the gate, a black-clothed servant greeted him respectfully. "Young Master Liu Xi."
"I've come to see Teacher," Liu Xi said calmly.
"The Master is resting. Please, come with me."
Led inside, Liu Xi was given tea while he waited in the main hall. Soon, Xuan Hao arrived, smiling warmly. "Xi'er, you've come."
"Teacher," Liu Xi stood and bowed slightly, "I've refined my Dou Zhi Qi to completion. It's time for me to break through to Dou Zhe, so I came to seek your guidance."
Xuan Hao's eyes lit up with delight. His disciple's talent truly was extraordinary, but what gratified him most was Liu Xi's respect and humility.
"Excellent. Xi'er, when do you intend to attempt the breakthrough? Ah—take this. I prepared it long ago for you." From his storage ring, Xuan Hao withdrew a jade bottle and handed it over.
"This is a Qi Gathering Powder. It will aid you greatly."
Liu Xi accepted the jade bottle with both hands, his expression solemn. "Thank you, Teacher."
Ever since becoming his disciple, Liu Xi had been treated with nothing but care. Xuan Hao was indulgent, protective, and generous. No wonder, in the original story, the "other Liu Xi" had grown arrogant and overbearing—such a teacher had spoiled him rotten.
But Liu Xi himself only grew closer to his master, their bond deepening with time.
There was no need to delay. With Xuan Hao's help, Liu Xi chose a quiet chamber in the manor. Today, he would break through to Dou Zhe.
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Inside the room, Liu Xi first adjusted his state to perfection. There was always the chance of failure when advancing from the 9th stage of Dou Zhi Qi to Dou Zhe, and he did not intend to risk it.
When everything was ready, he poured the Qi Gathering Powder into his hand. A thick medicinal fragrance filled the chamber. Without hesitation, he swallowed it and began the hand seal to absorb Dou Qi.
The pill's medicinal power spread rapidly, flooding his meridians. His Dou Qi surged like a tide, all of it converging toward his dantian.
But his dantian was already full to the brim. No matter how much more Dou Qi came, it had no room to expand.
Liu Xi didn't panic. From between his brows, his Spiritual Power poured forth, flooding into his dantian to compress the mass of Dou Zhi Qi.
Under his Spiritual Power, the vast energy condensed tighter and tighter. The volume shrank, but the density grew higher, becoming thick and viscous.
Sensing the absorption slowing, Liu Xi split off another stream of Spiritual Power, guiding Dou Qi more quickly through his meridians and into his dantian. At the same time, his Spiritual Power spun the compressed Dou Qi into a whirlpool, further enhancing absorption.
The whirlpool contracted, refined, and compressed—until finally, within his dantian, a small, milky-white cyclone spun rapidly, drawing in energy without end.
Liu Xi had broken through. He had become a Dou Zhe.
With this, his perception expanded. He could now perform internal visualization, seeing the cyclone within his dantian with clarity.
Exhaling a turbid breath, he opened his eyes, vitality radiating from his body. Slowly, he stood, his bones crackling as he stretched. A confident smile curved across his lips. The Dou Qi within him now was more than ten times stronger than before.
"Heh… the taste of growing stronger is as sweet as ever."
Eager to share his joy, he strode out of the chamber. Along the way, every servant he passed bowed respectfully.
When he reached the main hall, he found his teacher waiting with tea. Approaching, Liu Xi bowed and said with pride, "Teacher, I have successfully advanced to Dou Zhe."
Xuan Hao stroked his beard, satisfaction in his eyes. He removed a storage ring from his finger and handed it to Liu Xi.
"As expected of my disciple. This ring is a gift to celebrate your advancement. Inside are the Qi Method and Dou Techniques you will need for your cultivation, along with some gold coins. If you don't understand something, ask me directly."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Liu Xi accepted the ring reverently. His heart burned with excitement.
Storage rings were rare and expensive treasures, capable of holding items within their own space. He had long dreamed of owning one. And now, not only did he have a ring, but inside were Qi Methods and Dou Techniques prepared personally by his master. Their quality was bound to be exceptional.
(End of Chapter)
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