Chapter 48: Qi Cultivation Level 2

More than twenty days later, one afternoon, in the only farmhouse courtyard in the third-level herb garden, a middle-aged man and Yu Qing sat casually on small stools in the yard. At first glance, they really didn’t seem like two cultivators.
“Yu Qing, that kid you recommended is quite interesting,” the middle-aged man said, fiddling with a purple jade object with evident interest.
“Su Che,” Yu Qing nodded. “I heard he’s helping Linglong treat that Flowing Cloud Golden Chalice plant.”
“It’s almost completely cured,” the middle-aged man said in a low voice. “Something I couldn’t even do, and yet he can…”
Yu Qing asked tentatively, “Uncle, you don’t think he’s a spy sent by the Spirit Medicine Mountain, do you?”
“You’ve thought of that too?” The middle-aged man smiled faintly.
“I had such a fleeting thought,” Yu Qing shook his head. “But it seems unlikely. He’s too young and his cultivation level is too low to take on such a heavy responsibility. Besides, if he were really a spy, he’d likely keep a low profile… In any case, I don’t think he is.”
“Don’t worry. He’s not from the Spirit Medicine Mountain. That much I can be sure of.” The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes, staring at the purple jade object in his hand, then asked, “In a few days, won’t it be time for you to go on an adventure?”
“Yes, Uncle,” Yu Qing nodded. “This time, it’s likely the Seal of Demons realm.”
“The Seal of Demons realm…” The middle-aged man pondered for a moment before saying, “Not bad! Then take Linglong and Su Che with you.”
“Huh?” Yu Qing was stunned and asked, “Uncle, the Seal of Demons realm is full of dangers. I can’t even guarantee my own safety…”
“I have my reasons. Just do as I say.” The middle-aged man waved his hand to cut him off.
…
Half an hour later, Yu Qing arrived at the lowest level of the herb garden and found Su Che.
“Qi Cultivation Level 2?” Yu Qing immediately realized that Su Che had already reached that level.
“Senior Yu Qing,” Su Che stood up to greet him.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re already at Qi Cultivation Level 2?” Yu Qing was surprised. After all, he should be the one who knew Su Che’s cultivation progress best. Three months ago, when he first met Su Che in the Blood Curtain Mountains, he was just a self-practicing disciple without any true energy. Who would have thought he’d reach Qi Cultivation Level 2 so quickly? This speed was even faster than his own back then.
“Senior, what a coincidence,” Su Che smiled. “I also just reached this level this morning. I haven’t even left my room yet, and the first person I see is you.”
“Not bad, not bad,” Yu Qing nodded in approval.

“Senior brother, please have a seat.” Su Che took out another mat and placed it on the ground.
This thatched cottage was practically bare—no bed, no table, not even a single chair. Su Che truly had the self-punishing attitude of a ascetic, too lazy to furnish himself with furniture. As long as there was a place to shelter from wind and rain where he could practice in peace, it was sufficient—whether it was a cottage, a cave, or a grand hall, it made little difference.
Once Yu Qing sat down, Su Che said earnestly, “Senior brother is truly my savior! Back then, I was able to advance to the first level of Qi Cultivation thanks to the flesh of the demon bear you left in the valley. This time, I advanced to the second level because you helped me become a disciple in charge of the herb garden, allowing me to absorb the rich essence of the plants there. Su Che will always remember all this.”
“I merely did what was right; all your achievements are the result of your own hard work,” Yu Qing replied gently, his tone calm and humble as ever.
This morning, Su Che advanced in his cultivation effortlessly! Without any prior signs, he naturally crossed into the second level of Qi Cultivation during his usual daily practice.
Of course, the transition from the first to the second level of Qi Cultivation wasn’t very difficult—it wasn’t a qualitative change. It was simply that the amount of true energy stored in the dantian, meridians, and the entire body increased slightly. Generally, when the body is strengthened to a certain extent and the “container” for storing true energy becomes more robust, and when the amount of true energy reaches a certain level, advancement to the next level occurs naturally.
Additionally, Su Che had underestimated the powerful effects of the “Earth Spirit Pill.” Compared to his earlier expectations, this advancement came at least half a month earlier. It should be noted that many cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage choose to take the Earth Spirit Pill when crossing realm barriers, which shows that its effect in helping one break through barriers is extremely strong. Its effect on young cultivators at the early stages of Qi Cultivation is even more pronounced.
Next, Su Che asked Yu Qing questions one by one about some problems he had encountered in his cultivation over the past few days. As they said, Yu Qing was not only his senior brother but also half of his teacher.
Yu Qing was extremely patient, explaining for over an hour, which greatly benefited Su Che, clearing up many of his doubts. After all, Yu Qing was one of the top disciples within the Tianxuan Sect, and his cultivation insights were several levels higher than those of the two prisoners at the Immortal Prison who were at the third level of Qi Cultivation.
Only after finishing his explanation, when Su Che no longer had any cultivation-related questions, did Yu Qing ask, “Is that Flowing Cloud Golden Cup almost cured?”
Su Che nodded. “There are no problems left. It’s safer to consolidate it for a few more days.”

Yu Qing smiled and said, “I never expected you to have such a unique ability in this area. My uncle is also highly impressed.”
Su Che humbly replied, naturally remembering that his uncle was the highest ruler here—the Elder of the Medicine Garden. He had thought that Yu Qing’s visit was mainly to inquire about his special skills in healing spiritual herbs on behalf of the Elder…
But to his surprise, Yu Qing merely praised him and asked no further questions. Instead, he said, “In ten days, I will take you and Linglong to the Seal of Demons Realm for training. You must prepare accordingly.”
Su Che was momentarily stunned. He had no idea what the Seal of Demons Realm was, nor why Senior Yu Qing suddenly proposed taking him there for training, along with Linglong… He couldn’t fathom any hidden motives behind this.
Though puzzled, Su Che didn’t intend to ask further, because although Senior Yu Qing was gentle in nature, he was also decisive. Once he made a decision, it meant he already had a clear plan. Asking more questions would only be unnecessary.
So, after a brief pause, Su Che immediately responded, “Okay, Senior. I understand.”
Yu Qing gave him a look of approval, always appreciating Su Che’s straightforwardness and decisiveness. Coupled with his composure and calmness, he hardly seemed like a fifteen-year-old boy.
Indeed, by now, Su Che was already at the age of fifteen in terms of bone development.
“You’ve just reached the second level of Qi Cultivation. Strengthen your skills these days,” Yu Qing reminded him before leaving.
After Yu Qing left, Su Che rushed to the Knowledge Pavilion and found some books about the Seal of Demons Realm in the free reading section.
Over two thousand years ago, several Progenitor Masters of Tianxuan Sect joined forces to defeat a terrifying demon god. Using a high-grade magic artifact, they created a separate space to seal it away—what is now the Seal of Demons Realm.
Although the demon god lost its freedom, it couldn’t be completely destroyed. Soon, it created countless extradimensional demons, demon soldiers, demon generals, and various demon lords within the Seal of Demons Realm, essentially forming a miniature version of the Demon World.
Later, the Seal of Demons Realm became a training ground set up by Tianxuan Sect for its disciples. By hunting or capturing these extradimensional demons, they could earn contribution points for their sect.

“Fengmo Domain is great!” Lao He said in a rough voice in the Immortal Prison. “I don’t know why, but I feel this place suits my taste.”
“That’s because you have one-third heavenly demon bloodline,” Su Che replied. “Also, you look even more evil than the extraterrestrial heavenly demons. Just by looking at your appearance, one might easily mistake you for a supreme demon king.”
“Thank you, master, for your praise!” Delighted by such praise, Lao He seemed extremely happy and proud.
“Anyway, it’s still a dangerous place, so we need to be well-prepared,” Su Che said. “At the very least, we need to buy some useful magic artifacts for us both. For this, we’ll have to ask Lei Xiao for help.”