Chapter 30: Cultivation Increase
Meng Hao stepped out of his room, gently closing the wooden door behind him. The morning sun had begun its slow rise over the horizon, casting long golden rays across the serene sect grounds. A soft breeze swept across the courtyard, carrying with it the scent of dew-drenched grass and blossoming spirit flowers. He paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes at the warmth that touched his skin.
With a quiet exhale, he adjusted the cloak over his shoulders, pulling the fabric higher to conceal his face. His robes rustled lightly as he moved. After last night's events, he knew that wandering openly through the sect might invite unnecessary attention—especially from those with sharp noses for gossip or envy. There were already enough whispers surrounding him.
So, he moved quickly and silently, choosing less-traveled paths as he passed by inner disciples and outer disciples alike, careful to keep his face obscured by the folds of his cloak. None of them recognized him, though a few gave curious glances. He kept his gaze low and posture calm, eventually making his way toward the massive gate that marked the boundary of the sect grounds.
Once outside, Meng Hao let out a quiet sigh of relief. The outer world felt wider, freer. Without looking back, he made his way toward the nearest mountain range. It didn't take long—after about half an hour of walking through light woods and craggy terrain, he found himself surrounded by nature. Towering trees, distant bird calls, and the faint trickle of a mountain stream created a peaceful background.
Choosing a thick, ancient tree whose roots spread like veins across the moss-covered ground, Meng Hao settled beneath its bark, crossing his legs into a meditative posture. A single beam of sunlight filtered through the canopy above, resting on his shoulder like a gentle blessing from the heavens.
He took a deep breath and then murmured in his mind, "System, claim the reward of 100 years of cultivation."
There was a familiar pause, then a chime—crisp, clear, mechanical.
[Ding! It has been detected that Host is initiating the reward claim for the mission: Dual Cultivation with Li Yao – The Daughter of Luck.]
[Reward: 100 years of condensed cultivation will now be granted.]
[Year 1, Day 1: You begin cultivating day and night without pause.]
[Day 2: You continue cultivation with unwavering focus.]
[Day 30: You break through to the sixth level of Qi Gathering Stage.]
[Month 3: You reach the seventh level of Qi Gathering.]
[Month 11: You break through to the eighth level.]
[Year 1, Month 6: You achieve the ninth level of Qi Gathering.]
[Year 3: Peak of Qi Gathering Realm achieved.]
[Year 5: You begin the process of breaking through to Foundation Building Realm. After withstanding thunder tribulation, you succeed.]
[Year 6: You consolidate your Foundation Building cultivation.]
[Year 11: Second level of Foundation Building attained.]
[Year 16: Third level attained.]
[Year 25: Fourth level attained.]
[Year 31: Fifth level attained.]
[Year 37: Sixth level attained.]
[Year 53: Seventh level attained.]
[Year 74: Eighth level attained.]
[Year 84: Ninth level attained.]
[Year 91: Peak Foundation Building Realm attained.]
[Year 98: You begin the breakthrough to Golden Core Realm—and succeed.]
[Year 100: Golden Core Realm stabilized. Do you wish to claim this cultivation?]
Meng Hao's eyes widened slightly as the list rolled through his mind. Golden Core Realm… The words echoed within him. He had ascended through nearly an entire major realm—from early Qi Gathering to Golden Core—in one go. He didn't hesitate.
"Claim it," he said silently, and the moment he did, the world around him shifted.
A sudden, powerful pull spread outward from his body in all directions. The atmosphere trembled, and spiritual energy within a 40-mile radius surged toward him like a flood breaking free of its dam. Trees shivered. Leaves rustled. Birds took flight from the branches above.
It was as if the entire mountain range had been turned into a spiritual vacuum.
Streams of energy, too dense for the naked eye to miss, rushed into his body from every direction. Blue, green, golden—pure strands of elemental qi poured into his meridians, flooding his dantian, merging with his sea of consciousness.
Meng Hao remained motionless, eyes shut, body glowing faintly as invisible runes appeared along his veins. His breathing slowed, deepened, and the spiritual energy howled around him for nearly two hours, twisting through the trees, shaking the earth.
Then—silence.
It was as if the mountain itself had exhaled. The last tendrils of energy faded into his skin, and Meng Hao opened his eyes.
His body felt weightless yet immensely powerful. His senses were sharper. His blood ran warmer, his spirit more solid. There was a quiet hum beneath his skin—the unmistakable resonance of a Golden Core cultivator.
So this… is the Golden Core Realm?
He lifted his palm slowly, feeling the golden qi swirling in his meridians. He could crush boulders with a flick, split waterfalls with a breath, and create pressure with just his presence.
Just as that thought crossed his mind—
Step.
Step.
The soft crunch of leaves underfoot reached his ears.
Meng Hao froze, turning his head sharply toward the sound. Someone was approaching.