Chapter 57: Multiple Breakthroughs
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After witnessing everyone take the oath, Qingwan Ji nodded with satisfaction. She then led the group into the grotto. Lin Fan followed closely behind. As they walked, Qingwan Ji explained the function of the spiritual spring within the grotto.
“Fellow cultivators, the spiritual spring in this grotto is formed from the converging essence of heaven and earth, containing pure and refined spiritual energy,” she said. “Training here will yield twice the result with half the effort, and breaking through bottlenecks will be as easy as turning your hand.”
Her words carried a hint of allure.
Though the crowd was somewhat skeptical, they still followed Qingwan Ji further inside. The elder in the gray robe furrowed his brows, silently pondering, “Qingwan Ji is usually eccentric in her ways. Could she be trying to trick us into giving up our cultivation resources through these breakthrough promises?”
Beside him, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in blue robes flickered his eyes and thought to himself, “Is this spiritual spring really that miraculous? If so, it would be an incredible opportunity. But nothing good falls from the sky for free—I better keep my guard up.”
As they proceeded, most remained doubtful of Qingwan Ji’s claims but were unwilling to abandon the faint hope of a breakthrough.
Seemingly reading their thoughts, Qingwan Ji smiled and said, “Fear not, if you fail to break through, I will not charge a single coin!”
“But if you succeed, a small fee of spirit stones is required.”
“Absorbing spiritual energy from this spring causes significant damage to it, so compensation in spirit stones is necessary.”
“Breaking through the early Foundation Establishment bottleneck will cost two thousand spirit stones!”
“Mid Foundation Establishment to late stage requires five thousand spirit stones!”
“Late stage to Core Formation mid-stage demands ten thousand spirit stones!” Qingwan Ji declared.
Lin Fan blinked as he listened to the prices. When he helped others break through, early Foundation Establishment bottlenecks cost him one hundred years of lifespan and two hundred spirit stones. Qingwan Ji charged two thousand spirit stones—ten times more.
Mid Foundation Establishment breakthroughs cost two hundred years of lifespan and four hundred spirit stones from him; Qingwan Ji demanded five thousand spirit stones.
For late Foundation Establishment, he required five hundred spirit stones, while she collected one thousand spirit stones from others, but still asked for five thousand spirit stones from each person—making a hefty profit.
Indeed, this was a lucrative arrangement.
If all ten succeeded, Qingwan Ji would likely become the wealthy matron of the Hehuan Sect.
The crowd showed no surprise at her terms. If breakthroughs were attainable, the price was reasonable. After all, even if it meant losing everything, they were willing to pay for the chance to advance.
Moreover, if they failed, there was no loss.
With such thoughts, they entered the inner chamber of the grotto.
Inside, they saw a pool of crystal-clear water. Around it, spiritual energy swirled like an ethereal realm.
“This is the spiritual spring?” The elder in gray showed a trace of disappointment. Although the spring’s energy was denser and would accelerate cultivation, he remained unconvinced it could facilitate breakthroughs.
The blue-robed middle-aged cultivator also looked puzzled. He carefully sensed the spring’s aura but found nothing extraordinary.
“Fellow cultivators, sit cross-legged, absorb the spiritual energy, and attempt your breakthroughs. I will act as your protector!” Qingwan Ji said.
One by one, they settled into meditation.
Lin Fan stood aside, a faint smile on his lips.
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Despite taking the oath against inner demons, no secret remains forever hidden.
Today’s events would inevitably spread.
Soon, more would come here seeking breakthroughs.
Wouldn’t his cultivation level then soar?
Qingwan Ji flicked her beautiful eyes at Lin Fan, clearly signaling him to begin.
Lin Fan nodded slightly, acknowledging.
His gaze fixed on the weakest among the ten—a cultivator in early Foundation Establishment.
“System, assist him in breaking through!”
[Notification: Consumed 100 years of lifespan to assist Chen Hua in breaking through the early Foundation Establishment bottleneck!]
[Remaining lifespan of host: 16,408 years.]
Chen Hua’s eyes snapped open, disbelief filling them. He had only been attempting to break through, but the bottleneck that had trapped him for over a decade suddenly shattered effortlessly.
After the shock, he steadied his mind and continued to advance.
As Chen Hua broke through, the other nine opened their eyes, gazing at him with envy.
Lin Fan’s gaze then settled on a voluptuous beauty.
“System, assist her in breaking through!”
[Notification: Consumed 200 years of lifespan to assist Liu Meinian in breaking through the mid Foundation Establishment bottleneck!]
[Remaining lifespan of host: 16,208 years.]
Liu Meinian trembled, joy lighting her face as her aura surged wildly.
...
Time passed as Lin Fan helped each, progressing from lower to higher cultivation stages.
Among them, one was early Foundation Establishment, five were mid Foundation Establishment, and four were late Foundation Establishment.
[Notification: Consumed 500 years of lifespan to assist Xue Ji in breaking through the late Foundation Establishment bottleneck!]
[Remaining lifespan of host: 15,108 years.]
“Boom!”
Xue Ji shattered the late Foundation Establishment bottleneck and stepped into Core Formation. The initial Core Formation aura radiated fiercely, dominating the chamber.
Lin Fan was prepared; a blue light flickered, and a water curtain shield enveloped him, blocking the oppressive pressure.
The others, guarded by Qingwan Ji, were unharmed.
[Notification: Consumed 500 years of lifespan to assist Wang Ying in breaking through the late Foundation Establishment bottleneck!]
[Remaining lifespan of host: 14,608 years.]
“Boom!”
Another late Foundation Establishment cultivator entered Core Formation, but having learned from Xue Ji’s experience, she restrained her aura earlier.
...
Elsewhere, within Nangong Miaoyu’s grotto.
She sat cross-legged, eyes closed tightly, surrounded by swirling spiritual energy like serpents dancing around her.
Suddenly, she snapped open her eyes, a sharp gleam flashing.
In an instant, she vanished from her place.
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The next moment, she appeared outside the grotto, hovering in midair.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on Qingwan Ji’s grotto, filled with confusion and disbelief.
“This fluctuation in energy... someone broke through?”
“And more than one!”
“So many Foundation Establishment auras erupting simultaneously—what trickery is that wicked Qingwan Ji up to?”
With Nangong Miaoyu’s intelligence, she immediately suspected Lin Fan.
“Could it be... that scoundrel is using Lin Fan to help others break through and then profiting?”
“No! Such benefits cannot be hers alone!”
Nangong Miaoyu schemed silently, planning to leverage Lin Fan for her own gain.
Suddenly, her brows knitted, surprise flashing in her eyes.
“This is bad! Things have gone awry!”
Before she finished speaking, two streaks of dazzling light tore across the horizon, bearing immense pressure, streaking like meteors toward her.
Their speed was astonishing.
Moments ago, they were far away; the next second, they had arrived at the small hill where her grotto lay.
The light dimmed, revealing two figures materializing from thin air.
Leading was a child no older than seven or eight, with twin horn-like braids tied up, dressed in a vibrant green dress.
The hem was embroidered with lifelike butterflies, as if ready to take flight.
Her delicate face resembled a carved jade sculpture; her large, dark eyes brimmed with spirit.
Yet within them lay a maturity and authority beyond her years.
The other figure was a stunning young woman clad in a flowing pink gown.
Appearing about eighteen or nineteen, her skin was fairer than snow, features as elegant as a painting.
Her long, glossy black hair cascaded like a waterfall.
Her figure was graceful and curvaceous, swaying with enchanting charm as she walked.
Her peach blossom eyes were utterly captivating, daring no one to meet their gaze directly.
The moment these two appeared, the air around them seemed to freeze.
A powerful pressure radiated like a tidal wave, spreading outward.
It weighed heavily on the heart and made breathing difficult.
This was the formidable aura of Nascent Soul realm cultivators!
Nangong Miaoyu’s face paled slightly as she stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“Disciple Nangong Miaoyu pays respects to the Ancestor!”