Chapter 42. The fourth level of the Three-Step Pagoda: After bitterness comes sweetness.
On that fourth step, each step brought a different level of torment.
Mo Fan felt a deep sense of regret. Why had he been so determined to break through to the fourth level?
Several times, he nearly broke down and wanted to give up completely.
The endless pain surged like waves, constantly putting his will to a severe test.
With each step I took, it felt as if a thousand-pound weight was pressing down on me, and every cell in my body was groaning in pain.
However, despite the struggle and hesitation in his heart, Mo Fan also harbored a sense of unwillingness and stubbornness deep down.
He knew that if he gave up, all his previous efforts would be in vain. He disliked giving up halfway. Even with a cheat code, he still needed to be determined.
So, despite the unbearable pain, he persevered and struggled forward on this difficult path.
The mental pressure kept increasing, like an invisible mountain pressing down on Mo Fan, making it hard for him to breathe. That terrifying pressure could crush him unconscious at any moment, gradually blurring his consciousness.
However, just when Mo Fan was numb and almost ready to give up, he suddenly felt incredibly relieved.
At the same time, abundant energy began to flow into his spiritual world. The feeling was indescribably refreshing, like rain after a long drought, greatly comforting his weary body and mind.
Mo Fan felt as if he were in a warm ocean, enveloped by a gentle power. He greedily absorbed this energy, feeling his spiritual world constantly growing and becoming richer.
Mo Fan only then realized that he had already reached the fourth level. Recalling the pain and struggle he had endured before, the gains he had made at this moment made him feel that everything had been worthwhile.
Abundant energy surged into his body like a tidal wave, and stardust and nebulae began to expand rapidly. The size of the nebula reached an astonishing nearly five hundred times its original size!
This sudden and enormous change filled Mo Fan with ecstatic joy. He could clearly feel his strength increase, as if a door to a completely new realm had been opened.
This powerful feeling immersed him, filling him with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the future.
Mo Fan was filled with relief, relieved that he had persevered through the endless pain and struggle.
At this moment, he was on the fourth level, which was filled with boundless energy. He was surrounded by a rich sea of energy, as if it had created a sacred place for him to cultivate.
Mo Fan calmed down, cleared his mind of distractions, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.
He could feel every surge of energy, every subtle change in stardust and nebula.
In this tranquil atmosphere of cultivation, time seemed to stand still, and only he and that mysterious energy intertwined.
He focused intently on guiding the energy into his body, continuously strengthening his own power.
That determined look revealed a desire for power and a vision for the future.
He knew this was a crucial step towards a higher level, and he had to seize this opportunity and continuously break through.
It is said that the path of cultivation is long and arduous, and that is indeed true. If one were to cultivate without any resources or assistance, a normal person would probably only be able to reach the intermediate level of magician at most after a lifetime of cultivation, and would be unable to advance any further. It is these rare and precious natural treasures and unique resources that allow magicians to reach a higher level even when they already possess extraordinary talent.
Even with a constant supply of rare and precious materials, one might not necessarily become a powerful mage.
But Mo Fan was different. He rarely received any resources. All he had was the Azure Dragon Pendant, a soul-nourishing vessel, and the experience pills that served as a cheat.
For this reason, when someone first enters a special place to cultivate, the energy they can enjoy is often more abundant.
Of course, this multiplier doesn't last forever, but even on the seventh day, it still has a value of one hundred times.
In just seven days of cultivation, Mo Fan essentially cultivated for three years!
After emerging, Mo Fan's fire, lightning, and wind elemental skills had all reached the second-level perfection stage. It seemed that all he needed was a suitable opportunity to break through directly to the third level of the intermediate stage.
The Summoning system has just broken through to the second level.
As for the Mind and Curse systems, they have both reached the first level of perfection.
Not to mention the majors he studied, even those he minored in are already capable of standing on their own in the Qing Campus!
When the seven days were up, even though Mo Fan didn't want to leave, he had no choice but to go. Stepping out of the Three-Step Tower, Mo Fan felt as if he had undergone a complete transformation.
As for the higher floors of the Three-Step Tower, Mo Fan didn't think about trying to reach them.
As the saying goes, "Don't bite off more than you can chew."
After leaving, Mo Fan did not rest. He went straight to the Hunter Alliance to obtain a letter of recommendation, and then headed to the Azure Sky Hunter's Den.
After passing Jing'an Temple and walking along the lush, flower-lined avenue, Mo Fan slowly entered some old streets that had a unique Republican-era charm.
At the end of the old street, you can easily spot a sign that creaks gently in the alleyway breeze.
Qingtian Hunting Grounds!
It must be said that Old Man Bao truly resembled a reclusive master. His shaky signboard gave the impression that either there were few bounties to be taken here, or that he was someone who kept a low profile.
Mo Fan arrived at the entrance of the old shop, where a little girl with long pigtails was sitting on a stool, swinging her cute little legs as she looked at a picture book.
As he pondered how to approach Lingling, she said without even looking up, "Do you want to commission something? The starting price is 300,000, and the price will be adjusted according to the difficulty of the commission. We don't accept commissions from nobody that are less than 300,000."
"I'm here to apply for the position of Hunter Mage," Mo Fan replied.
"Oh, so you want to become a demon hunter for our Azure Sky Hunting Grounds?"
Little Lingling finally put down her book, raised her delicate face, and looked at Mo Fan with her bright, intelligent eyes. Finally, she looked at him with a hint of doubt and said, "You're so young, are you capable of handling this?"
"When you say that, don't you even consider your own age?" Mo Fan retorted.
"Lingling, has anyone asked you for a favor?" Before Lingling could say anything, an old man's voice came from inside the house.
"Grandpa, they're here for a job interview. They're too young, we don't want them," Lingling said into the house before going back to reading.
Mo Fan shrugged and ignored her. This little girl was too proud and arrogant; there was nothing he could do about it.
He then arrived at the Qingtian Hunting Grounds. Shortly after he entered, a brightly dressed young woman entered the Qingtian Hunting Grounds. The girl led her inside to sit down, where an old man with a pipe sat at the bar, listening casually.
After they finished talking and the woman left, Old Man Bao looked at Mo Fan and said, "Recently, we've been getting some pretty boring commissions. Today's matter is quite unusual. Young man, since you're joining our Qingtian Hunting Lodge, this commission will be yours to handle."
"Sure," Mo Fan readily agreed.
Seeing that Mo Fan agreed immediately without even asking any questions, Old Man Bao was stunned for a moment.