Many disciples also noticed Li Guanqi, their eyes filled with admiration and envy.
"Ah… If only I didn't have to worry about resources for cultivation every day."
"Pfft, even with all those resources, you might not be able to cultivate as fast!"
"Wow!! Senior Brother Li is challenging the Sword Tower again! Do you think he can reach the seventh level this time?"
A female cultivator from Heavenly Water Peak said with a lovestruck look in her eyes.
The female cultivator beside her also spoke with flushed cheeks: "He should… be able to… definitely!"
However, Li Guanqi was completely absorbed in the sword technique that the Sword Spirit had just demonstrated and didn't notice the reactions of the people around him.
Even if he did notice, he wouldn't care; what mattered to him was whether he could reach the seventh level today.
He replayed the sword strike of the woman in his mind over and over.
What he didn't know was that the sword strike was just a casual move from the Sword Spirit.
The Sword Spirit didn't expect Li Guanqi to comprehend anything from it.
Even a casual strike from her was very powerful!
However, just as Li Guanqi placed the spirit stone on the formation, his brows slowly relaxed.
Buzz!!
The Sword Tower's teleportation formation instantly transported him to the seventh level.
As soon as he arrived, Li Guanqi spotted the seven pitch-black puppets that had given him a hard time.
Now, if he took just half a step forward, the seven puppets of the same realm would instantly attack him.
"Phew…"
Li Guanqi's hand slowly reached for the long sword at his waist, his posture identical to that previously demonstrated by the Sword Spirit.
The Sword Spirit watched this scene in disbelief.
"Does he really possess such comprehension?"
Buzz!!
The long sword trembled slightly, and Li Guanqi's demeanor changed abruptly!
Then, with a sudden step forward, a faint blue light ignited in the eyes of the seven metal puppets.
Immediately, the seven puppets sprang into action, attacking Li Guanqi from seven different directions!
The sound of the sword cutting through the air seemed to ring right beside Li Guanqi's ears.
Yet, Li Guanqi stood still, unmoving.
Suddenly!
Just as the seven long swords were about three inches away from him, Li Guanqi's eyes snapped open!!
His previously lifeless eyes now burst with a sharp intensity!
Clang!
The sword was drawn, and a flash of lightning-fast sword light passed in front of him!!
The sound of the sword being sheathed lingered, but the sword was already back in its scabbard!
Boom boom boom!
A series of muffled sounds followed, and the seven puppets stood frozen in place, each with a long sword mark on their chests!
Li Guanqi turned and walked down from the teleportation formation, murmuring softly, "Such a quick draw!"
"Let's call it Thunderbolt!"
The Sword Spirit in the sword box silently watched this unfold.
"Who would have thought his talent in swordsmanship was so high! Could it be the will of heaven…"
Before she could finish, the Sword Spirit suddenly scoffed.
"Heh, when did I start believing in fate?"
"Su Xuan… did you really just give me to him on a whim?"
A question that had troubled her for a long time resurfaced in her heart.
Watching Li Guanqi's retreating figure, the Sword Spirit couldn't help but murmur, "Should I help him?"
"The stronger he gets, the more beneficial it is for me."
***
With one month left before the entrance assessment.
Li Guanqi became the busiest person, with his master coming over every day to supervise his cultivation.
After Li Nanting left, it was time for the Sword Spirit's rigorous training.
Because of this, his strength began to rise rapidly.
Li Guanqi's progress in cultivation was unmatched among the new disciples.
But disciples from other peaks were also making rapid breakthroughs.
Like Ye Feng from Heavenly Gold Peak and Lin Dong from Heavenly Earth Peak, their cultivation speeds were not slow either.
There were many others who cultivated tirelessly through the night, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
The sword technique Li Guanqi practiced was also modified by the Sword Spirit.
That's right, it was directly changed!
The originally flamboyant Green Lotus Sword Flowers were discarded, keeping only the swift aspects of the sword technique.
As for why, the Sword Spirit had only one thing to say.
"Everything else is useless; only speed can break through!"
"As long as your sword is fast enough, you can be the first to thrust it into your enemy's throat."
The sword drawing technique that Li Guanqi had secretly learned was also the epitome of speed, precision, and ruthlessness.
Seven days before the entrance assessment, Li Guanqi's realm had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining!
This speed shocked everyone and even alarmed the Sect Master, Lu Kangnian.
While encouraging all the disciples, he did not forget to praise Li Guanqi's diligent cultivation.
Everyone was quite convinced by this, as no one would be jealous of someone else's natural talent.
Talent is something that is predetermined at birth; no one would say much about it.
On the contrary, it's quite provoking when someone not only has better talent than you but also works harder!
Li Nanting was also very pleased, and he spoke at length in Li Guanqi's courtyard at night.
The gist of it was to let him not rush to attempt the Foundation Establishment at this time.
"For you, Foundation Establishment is just the beginning, so you must build a solid foundation!"
"Expand your pubic region as much as you can during the Qi Refining stage!"
"This relates to how far you can go on the path to immortality!"
After Li Nanting left, the Sword Spirit slowly appeared and said, "On this point, the little guy's thinking is not wrong."
Li Guanqi had a face full of black lines, finding the words somewhat awkward.
"Little guy? My master is over two hundred years old, still a little guy?"
The Sword Spirit smiled slightly and said nothing more.
Instead, she gestured solemnly for Li Guanqi to sit down on the chair in front of her.
Li Guanqi frowned slightly, not knowing why, but obediently sat down.
Through their interactions over time, Li Guanqi found that the Sword Spirit was indeed knowledgeable and well-informed.
Almost any question he had, the Sword Spirit knew the answer.
Not only that, but her strictness in training was directly proportional to the results.
Without such rigor, he could not have made consecutive breakthroughs in such a short time.
After a long silence, the Sword Spirit finally spoke softly, "Do you know how many levels there are in the Qi Refining realm?"
Li Guanqi looked puzzled and replied softly, "There are ten levels in Qi Refining, isn't that a recognized fact in the Cultivation World?"
However, the Sword Spirit shook her head upon hearing this.
"Huh? Isn't it?"
Then Li Guanqi saw the Sword Spirit wave her hand, setting up an invisible barrier in the courtyard.
Within the barrier, the Sword Spirit spoke seriously, "That may be the common understanding in the Cultivation World."
"But what I'm about to tell you is that there are actually thirteen levels in Qi Refining!"
"It's just that the cultivation methods beyond the tenth level have been lost in the current Cultivation World, leading to the common belief that there are only ten levels."
The Sword Spirit's words hit him like a bolt from the blue, leaving him dazed.
"What? Did I hear that right? Thirteen levels? How is that possible!"
"If that's true, why does everyone only know about ten levels?"
"Besides, after the tenth level of Qi Refining, you reach the Foundation Establishment realm, so what's the next level?"
The woman smiled slightly and then lightly tapped the void, sending a streak of Spirit Light directly into Li Guanqi's mind.
One after another, complex and obscure incantations appeared in his mind.
Gradually, Li Guanqi's eyes widened in shock!
Because to him, this truly seemed to be the cultivation incantations for the thirteenth level of Qi Refining!
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas