Chapter Eighteen: Bottleneck

Over the week that followed, Liang Yan refined all three Spirit Gathering Pills, and found his absorption of spiritual energy slightly improved. Coupled with the abundant power of the Spirit Spring and the nourishing purple aura, his cultivation speed was far greater than before.

Ever since learning that Zhuo Bufan had invited him to visit the cave residence, Wang Yuan’s attitude towards Liang Yan had noticeably softened. Even the stingy allocation of sect resources was unexpectedly returned to him. Naturally, Li Dali and Sun Qianli were not so fortunate; the spirit stones and Spirit Gathering Pills due to them remained out of reach.

This made Liang Yan smirk inwardly, further appreciating Wang Yuan’s despicable character. Yet Li Dali’s nature was optimistic and easygoing, and Sun Qianli, armed with the secret of the Spirit Spring cave, avoided any conflict with Wang Yuan.

Compared to other branches, the array division’s menial disciples were few, relationships simple, and life rather peaceful. Each morning, Liang Yan worked; in the afternoon, he studied arrays; by evening, he cultivated in the Spirit Spring cave. Thanks to the purple aura’s nourishment, he even needed less sleep, sometimes resting only for a few hours every three or four days. Every mid-month, he would assist Zhuo Bufan with alchemy, earning three Spirit Gathering Pills in exchange.

Cultivation life was, in truth, monotonous. Day after day, Liang Yan repeated the same routine.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

One night in the Spirit Spring cave, a youth in gray sat cross-legged, hands resting on his knees, face solemn.

It was Liang Yan. Compared to three years ago, he had grown taller, his posture more upright. At this moment, spiritual power surged within him, coursing through his limbs, his aura steadily climbing, nearly reaching a critical threshold. Suddenly, his spiritual power grew uncontrollable, turbulent, rushing violently through his organs. Liang Yan spat a mouthful of blood, his energy rapidly weakening.

“So, I still fell short in the end,” Liang Yan smiled bitterly.

With the aid of the Spirit Spring, purple aura, and Zhuo Bufan’s Spirit Gathering Pills, he had reached the peak of Qi Refining Stage Three two years prior. Since then, he had tried countless times to break through the bottleneck, but every attempt ended in failure.

Over these two years, though his understanding of arrays advanced rapidly, his cultivation remained stalled at the peak of Qi Refining Stage Three, barely progressing.

“Could that demoness have spoken the truth? Is my innate talent so poor that I’ll be forever trapped at the peak of Qi Refining Stage Three?” The words of the Master of Star Pavilion left him disheartened.

But Liang Yan swiftly steadied his mind. “Hmph! Cultivation is as rowing upstream, as climbing a ladder to the heavens. I knew the dangers from the start—how can I give up so easily?”

“Wait! That Breakthrough Pill I heard about last time!”

Having failed so many times to break through, Liang Yan had discreetly inquired among his peers about methods for overcoming bottlenecks. Most were impossible for him, but he learned of a pill called the Breakthrough Pill.

It was said this pill could assist cultivators in breaking through bottlenecks during the Qi Refining stage. Of course, the higher one’s cultivation, the less effective it became; by the seventh or eighth stage, its utility was nearly null.

Taking a deep breath, Liang Yan calmed his spiritual power and thought, “It seems I must find a way to obtain a Breakthrough Pill and try it.”

Yet within the sect, all pills required contribution points to exchange at the Pill Pavilion. Contribution points were earned by accepting and completing missions at the White Tiger Hall. Most missions were posted by sect cultivators, recruiting help and offering their own points as rewards. Some missions were issued by the sect itself, usually offering more points but greater danger.

However, only inner and outer sect disciples could accept missions at White Tiger Hall. Liang Yan, as a menial disciple, had no such eligibility, and thus no way to earn contribution points or exchange for a Breakthrough Pill.

“That’s a dead end, isn’t it?” Liang Yan felt frustrated, powerless. As he frowned, suddenly inspiration struck.

“That’s right! Three years have passed—by my calculations, Uncle Lin Fei should soon be going down the mountain to host an auction. Perhaps at the auction, there might be Breakthrough Pills for sale.”

The more Liang Yan considered this, the more likely it seemed. He resolved that after completing his duties the next day, he would visit Uncle Lin.

The following afternoon, before the gate of a secluded pavilion, a youth stood with hands folded, his expression respectful.

It was Liang Yan. He felt nervous, for three years had passed since their last meeting—Lin Fei might not even remember him. The old monk had helped Lin Fei back then, but Lin Fei had fulfilled his promise and brought Liang Yan into the sect; their debt was settled. Whether Lin Fei would help him again was up to fate.

As he pondered this, a maid emerged from the courtyard, nodded slightly, and said, “Immortal Lin invites you in. Please follow me.”

The servants in the elders’ residences were mortals, most without spiritual roots, incapable of cultivation, and simply referred to cultivators as immortals.

Liang Yan followed the maid into a west wing room, simply furnished. A pot of warm tea sat on a square wooden table, behind which a scholar in green robes smiled at him.

Liang Yan stiffened, stepped forward, and saluted, “Menial disciple of the array division, Liang Yan, greets Uncle Lin.”

“Haha, no need for formality! Nephew Liang, how have you fared these three years in the sect?”

“Thanks to your care, Uncle, all has been well.”

“That’s good,” Lin Fei smiled. “If not for the old master’s intervention, I wouldn’t be here today. I merely lent a hand, but still feel indebted.”

Liang Yan sensed Lin Fei was in an unusually good mood, observed him, and understood: “No wonder—Uncle Lin has recently advanced to the mid Foundation Establishment stage.”

“Nephew Liang, is there something you need today?”

“Yes, Uncle. I’ve encountered a bottleneck in cultivation, unable to progress. I heard you’ll soon host an auction off the mountain, and I hope you might bring me along so I may purchase some pills for cultivation.”

“I see,” Lin Fei nodded. “Menial disciples cannot take White Tiger Hall missions and thus lack contribution points for pills. And the sect forbids Qi Refining disciples from leaving the mountain at will, so you’ve come to me.”

“Uncle, you are wise. I have no other recourse.”

“Haha, no trouble! You are the old master’s descendant; such a small matter is easily handled.”

Liang Yan was delighted. “Thank you, Uncle Lin, for your kindness!”

Lin Fei waved his hand, then suddenly recalled something. “By the way, I heard from Sister Zhou you’ve joined the array division?”

Liang Yan was unclear of his intent, so he simply nodded. “Yes, I have a fondness for arrays, so I chose to join the division.”

Lin Fei sighed, “The array division is dwindling; few outer disciples remain, and menial disciples—only two, and you make three. The ancestral techniques are now scarcely understood by anyone.”

He lamented, then asked, “Since you’ve joined, have you spent time studying arrays?”

“I am unworthy, but ever since making a six-year pact with the Pavilion Master, I’ve driven myself to study daily. I now have some elementary understanding.”

“Then do you know the Sky Eye Array?”

Liang Yan frowned, but replied, “I know a little. The Sky Eye Array is a surveillance array that can reveal the truth behind appearances and dispel certain concealed or disguised techniques.”

Lin Fei nodded in satisfaction. “Good, you’ve not wasted your time.” He continued, “Since you know the Sky Eye Array, could you help set up a simple one at the entrance to the auction? There have been evil cultivators causing trouble near Jade Mountain, and I fear some will sneak into the auction.”

“Well… though my skills are limited, I am willing to try.”

“Haha, excellent!” Lin Fei laughed. “Rest assured, if you set it up well and the auction goes smoothly, I won’t let you go unrewarded—twenty spirit stones as your payment. How about it?”

Liang Yan had no objections. After discussing further, Lin Fei concluded, “Alright, go prepare. In three days, we head to Jade Mountain.”

Liang Yan took his leave. Walking back to his quarters, he resolved inwardly to seize this chance and obtain the Breakthrough Pill—otherwise, he might have to wait another three years!