With that settled, Li Yan left the study and headed deeper into the pavilion. He passed the first and second floors without stopping and went directly to the third floor.
The atmosphere there was quieter, heavier with refined knowledge. Rows of scrolls lined the shelves, each containing insights far beyond the basics.
After a brief search, Li Yan found the section he was looking for—Swordsmanship.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, picked up an old-looking book, and began to read.
That full day and then night, then again the next day, Li Yan remained within the Shadow Knowledge Pavilion, fully immersed in study. The quiet atmosphere of the higher floors suited him well, allowing him to focus without distraction.
Book after book passed through his hands, and the profound theories of swordsmanship gradually merged with his practical experience—especially the insights he had gained within his Spiritual Consciousness.
As his understanding deepened, Li Yan uncovered the structured path of Sword Intent. Just as Ji Hong had mentioned, Sword Intent awakens only after mastering the nine stages of Sword Aura.
However, Li Yan did not rush ahead blindly. Instead, he carefully reinforced his foundation, ensuring that his grasp over Sword Aura remained stable before progressing further. After learning almost everything available about Sword Aura, Li Yan moved further to learn about Sword Intent.
According to the records he studied, Sword Intent was divided into seven distinct levels, each further separated into four stages: Low, Mid, High, and Peak. The levels were clearly defined—Practitioner, Earth, Sky, Master, Grandmaster, King, and Emperor.
The deeper he read, the more he understood the rarity of true mastery. Even reaching the Grandmaster Level was considered extraordinary in the current era. As for the King Level, it was already regarded as the level of peak powerhouses.
Only in ancient records did he find mention of the Legend's Swordmen with Emperor-Level Sword Intent, a realm that seemed almost mythical in the current times.
What intrigued Li Yan most was not just the hierarchy but its impact on combat. Sword Intent was not merely an enhancement—it was a decisive force. A cultivator with stronger intent could overcome opponents at the same realm with ease, and even challenge those several stages above them.
In some cases, the difference was so great that it felt like skipping entire cultivation levels.
Of course, the advantage narrowed as cultivation rose, but it never disappeared. If anything, the gap widened again when higher levels of Sword Intent were involved. It was a path that rewarded both discipline and comprehension, blending strength with understanding.
Li Yan reflected on his own state. Having awakened Sword Intent only days ago, his current level aligned with Practitioner-Level Intent. He knew this was not purely the result of his own efforts—the comprehension of the Inscribed Word 'Sword' had played a decisive role.
Still, he did not take it lightly.
At times, the theories conflicted. Some records emphasized control, others dominance. For a brief period, his understanding stalled—until he aligned them through his own experience.
He also studied various methods and foundational exercises designed to strengthen and refine Sword Intent. Though he could not yet fully practice them, he memorized their principles, preparing for the time when his cultivation would allow deeper application.
When Li Yan finally stepped out of the pavilion, night had already fallen.
The sect grounds were quiet, illuminated by scattered lanterns that cast long shadows across the stone paths.
Li Yan walked forward slowly, his expression calm but sharp. His eyes had changed. They carried a quiet edge—focused, resolute, unwavering.
"Seven levels…" he murmured inwardly.
A thought surfaced. "If there are Divine Realms beyond Mortal Realms… then shouldn't there be higher levels of Sword Intent as well?"
His steps did not slow. "Or does it stop at Emperor Level… only because this world cannot reach further?"
A faint smile touched his lips. "I'll find out." The thought settled firmly in his mind.
Sooner or later—
He would reach that answer himself.
Afterward, Li Yan headed toward the food stalls, ate a simple meal in silence, and returned to his room.
Without lingering on his thoughts, he lay down.
And before long—
Sleep took him.
____
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Li Yan stood before the White Rank leaderboard. The stone slab shimmered faintly, displaying the rankings of the current cycle. His name remained firmly at the top—4,148 hunts.
However, the list had changed.
Five of the six names that had once followed behind him were gone, including Mu Fan.
Li Yan's gaze lingered on the new names for a moment. "So they broke through…" he thought calmly. "Qi Refining Realm."
It made sense. With the competition over, those at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm would naturally advance without hesitation.
His attention shifted downward. The countdown beneath the leaderboard continued ticking. Less than two days remained before the rankings would reset.
Without another thought, Li Yan turned and headed toward the Hunting Ground. With his newly refined understanding of swordsmanship, Li Yan's movements had changed.
He no longer simply hunted—
He flowed.
Like a shadow across the terrain of the Tier-1 Hunting Ground, his presence became harder to track, his strikes more precise, more deliberate. Each movement carried a clearer sense of intent, shaped by the knowledge he had absorbed.
This time, the beasts did not react as before. Some hesitated. Some retreated. As if sensing something within him.
By noon on the fifth day, he completed his target. 150 Tier-1 beast cores.
The task for that cycle was finished. Li Yan returned to the sect and rested briefly, allowing his body to recover.
But the rest was short-lived.
When the next morning came—
He returned.
This time, it would be his final hunt. He only needed 123 more cores to complete the task assigned by Yao Fuhuo.
The following days passed in relentless efficiency. Li Yan wasted no time.
No unnecessary movement.
No hesitation.
By the end of the fourth day, he had already gathered 141 cores. More than enough. When he returned to the sect, the task was complete.
And yet—
He still had nearly one and a half months remaining before Yao Fuhuo's scheduled return.
Li Yan's routine did not finish. Since obtaining the Spiritual Beast egg, he had maintained a strict daily routine.
Each day—
He fed it Qi. A silent ritual. Unbroken.
Though the egg had yet to show any visible signs of cracking, the connection between them had deepened steadily. It was no longer vague—it was real. Tangible.
Recently, something new had appeared.
A mark. Just below his left ear. Circular. Roughly an inch and a half wide. Its surface shimmered faintly with intertwined streaks of black and gold—the same colors as the egg.
Whenever Li Yan infused Qi into the egg, the mark pulsed softly in response.
Resonating.
As if the two were linked beyond the surface.
____
With his cultivation progressing steadily and his hunting task completed, Li Yan finally turned his attention toward something he had long considered.
Alchemy.
Cao Lian had first suggested the idea. At the time, he had only taken it as a possibility. But after his growing familiarity with herbs and medicinal properties, the path now seemed natural.
After resting fully, Li Yan returned to the Shadow Knowledge Pavilion and went directly to the second floor.
He had already learned all the knowledge about alchemy on the first level before the competition.
Now—
He went deeper. This learning session lasted three days and nights; he immersed himself in alchemical theory, herb classifications, properties, Extraction methods, and Stability control.
Each concept was absorbed with precision, analyzed, and memorized. When he advanced to the third floor, however, he paused. The knowledge was no longer foundational.
It was advanced. Complex.
Designed for cultivators already skilled in Tier-3 alchemy or higher.
Li Yan closed the scroll in his hand. "This won't help me right now," he murmured.
The Basic theory alone had reached its limit. It was time to move beyond it.
"Sword Intent demanded sharpness. Alchemy required patience. Balancing both was not as seamless as it seemed." Li Yan murmured as he left the pavilion. "Every path I chose meant another slowed."
Then he ate a simple meal. Returned to his room. And lie down. His mind is calm. His direction is clear. Soon, he would begin the next stage.
____
The next morning, Li Yan stepped into the Alchemy Hall.
A distinct aroma greeted him immediately—bitter roots, crushed leaves, and sweet blossoms blending into a rich, almost sacred scent. The air itself felt alive, infused with traces of medicinal Qi.
Disciples moved throughout the hall in a steady rhythm. Some carried trays of herbs, others tended to small furnaces or sealed jade bottles. Conversations rose and fell in the background, a mixture of discussion, instruction, and quiet excitement.
Li Yan walked calmly through the hall, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings before settling on his destination—the last door on the right.
He stopped and knocked once. "Come in," a familiar voice called.
Li Yan pushed the door open.
Inside was a neatly arranged chamber, shelves of rare herbs lining the walls. Some leaves swayed faintly as if stirred by unseen currents. At the center stood a long counter, and behind it sat Bai Ru.
Her silver hair shimmered softly under the light, and her composed presence carried the quiet authority of someone deeply versed in alchemy.
When she saw him, her expression softened into a faint smile.
"Good morning, Senior Bai," Li Yan greeted with a slight bow. "How are you?"
"I'm well," Bai Ru replied, leaning forward slightly. Her eyes held a trace of amusement. "And you? Tell me, Champion, how have you been keeping busy?"
Li Yan smiled faintly. "Senior Bai is teasing this junior again."
A soft laugh escaped her lips. "Can you blame me? Your name has been everywhere lately. It's not often a new disciple causes such a stir."
Her gaze sharpened with curiosity. "So, what brings you here today? More pills?"
Li Yan shook his head. "Not today. I came to purchase an Alchemy Technique, along with pill recipes and ingredients."
A flicker of surprise crossed her face, quickly turning into approval. "Alchemy, hm?" she said. "That's a difficult path, but a rewarding one. I'm glad you've chosen it."
She straightened slightly, won't offer him anything free again, knowing that he will reject it. "For beginners, the sect provides a Mortal Tier Low-Level technique for free. But if you want something better, you'll need to pay."
Li Yan nodded. "What are the prices?"
"The Mortal Tier Mid-Level technique costs five thousand Shadow Points," Bai Ru replied smoothly. "The High-Level one costs twenty-five thousand."
Li Yan fell silent for a moment. With over thirty thousand Shadow Points, both options were within reach. "May I take a look first?" he asked.
"Of course." Bai Ru turned and moved toward the shelves. She selected several scrolls and returned, placing them neatly on the counter.
"These three are Mid-Level," she said, indicating the yellow scrolls. "And these two are High-Level."
Li Yan nodded and picked up the first scroll.
As he read, a thought briefly surfaced in his mind—copying them using Spiritual Sense, just as he had done in the Ancient Techniques Hall.
But the thought vanished just as quickly. "No…" he thought inwardly. "The techniques I copied in the Ancient Techniques Hall were earned. This would be stealing and against my own principles."
"Also, why steal? I doubt they would refuse if I asked them to give these techniques for free." His expression remained calm as he continued reading.
One by one, he reviewed the descriptions carefully, weighing their complexity, requirements, and compatibility with his current state.
More than ten minutes passed.
Finally, he set aside two scrolls—one Mid-Level and one High-Level.
From the descriptions alone, he could already tell the difference. The High-Level technique was far more complex, requiring refined control and practical experience he did not yet possess.
If he forced it now—
He would only waste time. Li Yan made his decision.
"Senior Bai," he said, placing his hand on one of the yellow scrolls, "I'll take this Mortal Tier Mid-Level technique."
Bai Ru smiled faintly, clearly approving of his choice. "A wise decision," she said as she gathered the remaining scrolls and returned them to their places.
Li Yan's gaze lingered briefly on the technique scroll before he looked up again. His expression remained calm, but there was a clear intent behind his eyes.
"Senior Bai," he asked, "what about pill recipes? What are the prices for Tier-1, and how many types are available at each level?"