Chapter 141: Chapter 102: Breakthrough Imminent, Return to Wujishan

As expected, Liou Yuan’s Gold Acupoint had already leaped from Three-Star to Four-Star.

"The cultivation speed between Four-Star and Three-Star is completely different."

"There are still three months left, that should be enough for me to break through to Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, right?"

A delightful feeling rose in Liou Yuan’s heart; he was fully confident he could break through to Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer within the remaining three months.

"No wonder it’s called the Star Baptism. If I get a few more of these, I might even hope for a Five-Star Star Acupoint."

The only thing less than perfect right now was Liou Yuan’s Water Acupoint.

When undergoing the Star Baptism, Liou Yuan had sensed the Water Acupoint strongly resisted the energy of the Star Baptism.

As expected, it didn’t change a bit—every bit of the baptism energy was absorbed by the Gold Acupoint.

"That’s fine though. If the energy had been split between the two Star Acupoints, who knows if my Gold Acupoint could have advanced to Four-Star Talent."

Liou Yuan was cheerful about it, even grateful for the result.

As talent rises, the energy required for advancement should also increase.

The gap between Three-Star Star Acupoint and Four-Star Star Acupoint is the difference between an average Five Extremes Mountain disciple and a minor genius.

Their cultivation speeds are nearly double apart.

Liou Yuan never thought the energy from this baptism would be like last time, able to raise two Star Acupoints by one level.

Being able to push the Gold Acupoint to Four-Star was already a pleasant surprise.

"There’s still a chance for Five-Star Star Acupoint."

"In this world, anything’s lacking—but never Star Evil." Liou Yuan muttered to himself.

After confirming his Star Acupoint talent with the Fixed Star Compass, Liou Yuan was in such a good mood, even the noisy rain outside the cave sounded pleasant to him.

He straightened his clothes and strode out.

Now that he’d received the Star Baptism, improved his cultivation, and advanced his talent, it was time for him to move on.

This rain was nothing to him.

Of course, before leaving, Liou Yuan had to go say goodbye to the fat bird Bai Ling he’d met last night.

After all, now they counted as fellow debt collectors.

"Why not wait until the rain stops before you leave?"

"Anyway, if you go to Qiwen Mountain, all you’ll do is watch." Bai Ling, nestled in the bird’s nest lined with fluffy feathers, half-lidded his eyes as he listened to Liou Yuan explain his intention.

"No need, can’t delay orders from the sect—even if I don’t do much there, I still have to go." Liou Yuan used his sect’s orders as an excuse, smiling and shaking his head at Bai Ling’s invitation.

"Then I won’t keep you. Just remember to help me collect those debts!" When money was mentioned, Bai Ling’s spirits brightened a bit.

He kept muttering reminders for Liou Yuan to not forget.

Liou Yuan promised repeatedly, then said goodbye to Bai Ling and stepped boldly into the torrential rain.

He activated Treading Flowing Waves, his figure shooting off into the distance at extreme speed.

Body Skill Treading Flowing Waves—and on water or in heavy rain, its power is clearly enhanced, the speed nearly doubled.

That’s why Liou Yuan insisted on traveling in the rain.

The speed left Bai Ling’s lively eyes stunned for a moment, before he muttered, "That guy’s no pushover, he’ll definitely handle Sheng Zeming."

"Just hope he’s true to his promises. Cultivators of the Human Race are always too cunning."

Within Qingyou Prefecture, Yufengcheng, Qiwen Mountain.

The rain continued.

At the summit, mist swirled. The rain fog churned with the wind, mingling with the rainfall.

Under the shroud of rain, the mountain’s silhouette softened, losing some of its usual harshness.

Liou Yuan stood afar, on a half-high Short Mountain separated from Qiwen Mountain by two ridges.

In the heavy rain, he gazed toward the distant mountain.

Seeing Qiwen Mountain now, Liou Yuan finally understood why Ge Jinhong said it was steep—its flanks were almost knife-cut, standing tall among all the peaks.

"Mr. Liou, this isn’t a place to linger."

Suddenly, a shrewd voice sounded behind Liou Yuan. The speaker’s tone was sharp, reminiscent of the street vendors bargaining with customers.

Looking behind Liou Yuan, there stood a small, skinny old man.

He barely reached Liou Yuan’s chest, wore a bamboo hat against the rain.

As he spoke with Liou Yuan, he constantly glanced around, lips trembling ceaselessly.

"That Calamity-level Star Evil, who knows where it’s hiding—but it certainly hasn’t gone far. Let’s take one look and get out, better leave early."

This person was named Jin Yingjie, a Loose Cultivator from Yufengcheng, Qi Cultivation Third Layer.

Liou Yuan’s first time in Yufengcheng, naturally he couldn’t find Qiwen Mountain, so he spent a Star Stone and easily hired this old man as a guide.

"No hurry, Auspicious Star is currently in rotation. The Calamity-level Star Evil won’t emerge." Liou Yuan responded casually to Jin Yingjie, his gaze piercing the rain toward the hills around Qiwen Mountain.

Around Qiwen Mountain, two peaks had been cleaved in half; you could see shattered rocks and ancient tree limbs buried in mud.

Those were traces left by the battle between Jin Dynasty Foundation Establishment and that Calamity-level Star Evil.

Jin Dynasty Foundation Establishment lost the fight and retreated, while the Calamity-level Star Evil took root and hid nearby.

No one knew which mountain it was nesting in.

Even though Liou Yuan was sure it wouldn’t appear during Auspicious Star rotation, if he threw himself into its lair, that Calamity-level Star Evil would definitely attack.

Just like Wei from Yanhe City and the others, who misjudged the Star Evil’s strength during Auspicious Star rotation and ended up destroyed.

So on this journey to Qiwen Mountain, Liou Yuan could only watch, not dare go deeper. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"It’s not a wasted trip. It’s always reassuring to see for yourself." Liou Yuan whispered softly.

Besides, it wasn’t a pointless visit—at least now he had solid intelligence on a Calamity-level Star Evil here.

Once the Fixed Star Compass was fully charged, he might have a chance to survey it.

Of course, he wasn’t sure about killing it—but at least it’d be another chance to use the Fixed Star Compass.

Jin Yingjie kept pestering him to leave; Liou Yuan, annoyed, had to leave with him.

He didn’t blame the old man anyhow—after all, Calamity-level Star Evil spooked everyone.

After leaving the mountain for twenty or so miles, Jin Yingjie’s pale old face finally regained some color.

Liou Yuan kept his word and paid the old man a Star Stone.

"Mr. Liou really deserves to be a Five Extremes Immortal Mountain disciple—so generous! Thank you kindly!" Jin Yingjie grinned as he stashed the Star Stone.

Just for guiding him around, he pocketed a Star Stone—even though the process was exciting, it all took less than a day.

Jin Yingjie, after decades as a Loose Cultivator, had never earned such easy Star Stones—one Star Stone, that’s a thousand taels of silver!

Liou Yuan took the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot, grinning, "There’s another small favor, Daoist."

"Say the word, Mr. Liou." Jin Yingjie was in good spirits after getting his reward.

"You live in Yufengcheng, so you’re bound to be more informed than I am."

"Once I leave, could you keep an eye out for news about this Calamity-level Star Evil?"

Liou Yuan pointed toward Qiwen Mountain, calmly stating his request: "If it leaves, or if the Jin Dynasty moves against this Calamity-level Star Evil, please notify me immediately."

"I won’t let you help for nothing. Once you have news, I’ll reward you with two more Star Stones."

Jin Yingjie felt like luck was smiling on him.

He couldn’t believe his ears after Liou Yuan spoke.

First a Star Stone for guiding, and now, just for sending a letter, he’d get two more Star Stones.

He’d never earned such easy money in his whole life.

Why hesitate? He immediately said, "Don’t worry, Mr. Liou! If there’s any news, I’ll send word with the fastest messenger bird so you won’t miss your sect mission."

Liou Yuan was also using the sect’s orders as a reason to persuade Jin Yingjie.

He didn’t mention what the task actually was, and Jin Yingjie didn’t dare ask.

Whether the old man believed him or not, with Star Stones at stake, he’d pay attention—that’s all Liou Yuan needed.

With that, Liou Yuan didn’t linger; after telling Jin Yingjie to send the message to the Fifth Peak, he left.

The payment wasn’t wasted—if it seemed a bit extravagant, Liou Yuan still found it worthwhile.

"Just two Star Stones, and I gain intelligence on a Calamity-level Star Evil."

"If Jin Dynasty moves on that Star Evil, I can rush over at the right time, use the Fixed Star Compass to survey it beforehand—that’s another chance for Calamity-level Star Evil rewards."

"Even if I miss the chance and the Calamity-level Star Evil leaves, I still get first-hand news and can go to Qiwen Mountain to search for clues about the Talismanic Skill."

"Whichever of these two results, both are to my advantage—and far outweigh two Star Stones."

Liou Yuan was meticulous in his calculations.

If not for spending a few Star Stones, Jin Yingjie wouldn’t be nearly as attentive.

With the lure of Star Stones, even the smallest rumor would get his notice.

"Men die for wealth, birds for food, huh." Amid wind and rain came Liou Yuan’s teasing voice.

Originally, he planned to enter Qiwen Mountain, but now that was impossible, so he’d head back to Five Extremes Mountain.

As for visiting Bai Xin in Yanhe City, he simply had no time.

Zhao Zhuoran gave the deadline as the next Star Rotation—so only twenty-two days, and ten had already passed.

Detouring to Yanhe City would cost several days, and returning again more time.

Liou Yuan counted on his fingers—there was simply not enough time.

If he missed the deadline and made things hard for Mr. Zhao, he could forget about getting any favors from the Protector later.

Most importantly, less than three months remained until the one-year mark.

He was only four strands of spiritual power away from breaking through to Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.

If he missed the breakthrough window, wouldn’t one hundred sixty merit points go down the drain?

"Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer can break through at any moment, but timing is crucial—getting the merit points is what matters."

"I can visit family anytime. Once I break through to Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, I’ll make a trip back to Yanhe City."

"With Big Brother keeping an eye on things for Mother, nothing should go wrong."

Liou Yuan was racing against time, not about to waste it.

He fully activated Treading Flowing Waves, shooting toward Five Extremes Mountain at full speed.