Finally, Fang Hao delivered a kick, sending Chen Feng flying several feet before he crashed heavily onto the ground.

This all happened in a flash. By the time Zhu Pang and Li Xuan reacted, Chen Feng was already lying on the ground, unable to get up.

"Fang Hao. You..." Zhu Pang was dumbstruck.

Fang Hao sheathed his sword and stood still, saying calmly, "Self-defense, that’s all."

At that moment, people from the Deacon Hall arrived. Seeing the situation at the scene, they immediately took control of the two.

"Private fighting within the Sect? How bold!" the leading deacon said sternly. "Take them all back to the Deacon Hall!"

Inside the Deacon Hall, Elder Liu looked at the two kneeling on the ground with a gloomy expression.

"Speak. What happened?"

Chen Feng spoke first, "Elder, please be the judge! Fang Hao stole my Medicinal Pills, and after I exposed him, he flew into a rage out of shame and attacked me!"

Fang Hao said calmly, "Chen Feng slandered me for theft and forcibly tried to search my room. I refused, so he moved first. This Disciple was merely acting in self-defense."

Elder Liu looked at Zhu Pang and Li Xuan: "Did you two see the course of events?"

Zhu Pang hurriedly said, "Reporting to Elder, it was Chen Feng who looked for trouble first and even tried to forcibly search Fang Hao’s room. He was also the one who attacked first; Fang Hao was indeed forced to defend himself."

Li Xuan also testified, "It is indeed so. Chen Feng even used a killing move like Dividing Light Sword Shadow. The injury on Fang Hao’s arm is proof."

Elder Liu examined Fang Hao’s wound and then looked at the Flying Sword Chen Feng used, already having reached a judgment in his heart.

"Chen Feng, you slandered a fellow Disciple, were the first to attack, and even used a killing move; your crimes are compounded!" Elder Liu said angrily. "A month of Wall-gazing isn’t enough, is it? Then go to the Ice Cave and gaze at the wall for three months!" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Chen Feng’s face turned pale. "Elder! I..."

"Shut up!" Elder Liu interrupted him. "If you dare speak another word, it will be half a year of Wall-gazing!"

Chen Feng didn’t dare speak again, only glaring at Fang Hao with a venomous gaze.

Elder Liu then said to Fang Hao, "Although you were forced into self-defense, you did participate in a private fight. You are sentenced to clean the Pill Refining Room for one month. Do you have any objections?"

Fang Hao bowed. "This Disciple accepts the punishment."

This punishment was clearly light, obviously taking into account that Fang Hao was forced into self-defense.

Coming out of the Deacon Hall, Zhu Pang let out a long sigh of relief. "That was close. Luckily we testified, otherwise you would have been in trouble."

Li Xuan, however, frowned and said, "Fang Hao, Chen Feng is the type to seek revenge for even the smallest grievance. The grudge has deepened this time; you must be even more careful in the future."

Fang Hao nodded. "Thank you, both Senior Brothers. I will be careful."

Returning to his residence, Fang Hao looked at the wound on his arm with a deep gaze.

After this incident, he understood the cruelty of the cultivation world even more. The strong prey on the weak, and strength is respected. Without strength, there is nowhere to even argue reason."

"I must increase my strength as quickly as possible." Fang Hao clenched his fist.

He took out that drop of heavenly dew essence and, no longer hesitating, swallowed it in one gulp.

Pure energy instantly surged through his body, and the Bottleneck of the ninth level of Qi Refining began to loosen...

This time, he not only wanted to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining but also to reach Qi Refining Great Perfection in one go!

Chen Feng, just you wait. When I emerge from seclusion, it will be the day our grievances are settled!

The moment the heavenly dew essence entered his mouth, Fang Hao felt a surge of energy as vast as the sea explode within his body!

He hurriedly circulated the Myriad Manifestations Heaven Swallowing Art, guiding this energy to strike the Bottleneck of the ninth level of Qi Refining. He had originally thought that with the energy of the heavenly dew essence, the Breakthrough would be a natural progression.

However, he had underestimated the appetite of the bottomless pit that was the Seven Spiritual Roots.

The energy galloped through his Meridians, striking that invisible barrier again and again. Each strike loosened the barrier a bit, but it was always just a little short of a complete Breakthrough.

Fang Hao gritted his teeth and persisted, pushing the energy of the heavenly dew essence to its limit. It felt as if there were seven vortexes within his body madly devouring energy, each Spiritual Root as greedy as a hungry wolf.

As time passed, the energy of the heavenly dew essence was finally exhausted. Fang Hao felt the surging spiritual power within his body and gave a bitter smile.

The Peak of the eighth level of Qi Refining—he was just one step away from the ninth level. But this final step was as difficult to cross as a natural chasm.

"The Seven Spiritual Roots really are a pitfall..." Fang Hao shook his head helplessly. If this heavenly dew essence were given to a Cultivator with a single Spiritual Root, they would likely have rushed straight to Qi Refining Great Perfection.

Gathering his thoughts, Fang Hao began to carry out his punishment—cleaning the Pill Refining Room for a month.

The Pill Refining Room was a large facility shared by Outer Sect Disciples, containing dozens of pill chambers. Because it was used frequently, it was often filled with foul smoke and required dedicated people to clean it.

This job was dirty and exhausting, and there were no contribution points to be earned; generally, Disciples were unwilling to do it. But for Fang Hao, it was a good opportunity for reflection and cultivation.

On the first day of cleaning, Fang Hao experienced the hardships of the job. Pill dregs, medicinal ash, and even occasional remnants of failed pills all needed to be carefully cleared. Some stubborn stains had to be repeatedly washed with Cleaning Spells to get them clean.

After a whole day of work, Fang Hao was so exhausted his back and waist ached. Returning to his residence, he didn’t even have the strength to Cultivate.

It couldn’t go on like this. If he couldn’t Cultivate for a month, his cultivation level would surely fall behind. Fang Hao lay on his bed, thinking of a solution.

He recalled the battles during the Outer Sect Grand Competition. Facing those opponents with flexible movement techniques, relying solely on the Wind Control Art was indeed insufficient. If he had a better movement technique, he might have gone further back then.

Early the next morning, Fang Hao took some time to visit the Scripture Pavilion.

In the movement technique section, he selected carefully. Finally, he took a fancy to a movement technique called "Divine Spirit Steps." This technique was famous for being nimble and eerie; once practiced to Major Achievement, one could be as elusive as a ghost, which was exactly what he needed.

The price was not cheap, requiring two hundred contribution points. Fang Hao gritted his teeth and bought it—contribution points could be earned again, but increasing strength was the foundation.

Obtaining the Jade Slip for the technique, Fang Hao couldn’t wait to study it. The Divine Spirit Steps were indeed exquisite, divided into three Realms: the first Realm, "Treading Snow Without a Trace," where one walks silently and speed doubles; the second Realm, "Shifting Form and Changing Shadow," which allows for short-distance teleportation, making it impossible to guard against; and the third Realm, "Elusive Divinity," where one’s figure is like a ghost and difficult to capture.

While cleaning the Pill Refining Room, Fang Hao began to practice secretly. While clearing pill dregs, he pondered the essentials of the footwork.

He practiced "Treading Snow Without a Trace" while sweeping, requiring light footsteps that didn’t kick up dust.

He practiced "Shifting Form and Changing Shadow" while wiping the Pill Furnaces, moving flexibly within limited space.

He practiced "Elusive Divinity" while clearing medicinal dregs, weaving freely through the cluttered environment.

Other Disciples saw Fang Hao moving strangely while cleaning and whispered among themselves:

"What is that kid doing? Dancing for the gods?"

"He was punished with cleaning the Pill Room; he must have been driven mad by the stress."

"I heard he fought with Chen Feng and was beaten stupid..."

Fang Hao turned a deaf ear and focused on practicing. With the time-slowing function of the qiankun ring, he could accelerate his practice when others weren’t looking.

Returning to his residence at night, Fang Hao continued practicing in the courtyard. Zhu Pang watched curiously, "Fang Hao, what kind of footwork are you practicing? It looks pretty good."

Fang Hao smiled, "Just an ordinary movement technique, practicing for fun."

Li Xuan took a look, and surprise flashed in his eyes. "This footwork isn’t simple; it looks like the long-lost Divine Spirit Steps?"

Fang Hao didn’t expect Li Xuan to be so knowledgeable and had to admit it: "It is indeed the Divine Spirit Steps, I just exchanged for it at the Scripture Pavilion."

Li Xuan praised, "Good eye! If you master this technique, you’ll have few rivals among those of the same rank. However, it’s extremely difficult to Cultivate; you should be mentally prepared."

Fang Hao nodded. He naturally knew it was hard to practice, but with the time-slowing effect, he was confident he could master it.