Translator: CinderTL
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"Inner Refinement - Minor Accomplishment."
Li Chunjun muttered to himself.
After staying inside his apartment for seven days, not stepping out like a sheltered noble lady, he had finally completed the initial stage of inner refinement and reached the minor accomplishment phase of tempering his five viscera and six bowels.
If he spent another ten days or so, he should be able to reach the major accomplishment stage and further step into the Integration Realm.
After all, his training method was different from others.
While others had to temper their bodies from scratch, his situation...
It was like reviewing past knowledge.
Or rather, like copying the answers while knowing the process.
His physical attributes were already up to standard. As long as he followed specific methods to train and strengthen himself, his progress was naturally rapid.
"Ding-dong."
At this moment, the doorbell rang.
Li Chunjun glanced outside but did not move.
Thanks to his extensive enhancements, his hearing was far superior to that of ordinary people, allowing him to hear the conversation of those outside the door.
"Looks like no one's home."
"That can't be right. The electricity and water meters are running, and people have heard noises inside. Someone must be living here, so why does no one ever answer the door?"
"Whatever, whether someone's home or not, we've done our part."
"This is an order that's been repeatedly emphasized from above—we must investigate all suspicious individuals. I find this apartment very suspicious."
"I know you want to complete the task, but do you even understand why this order was given? Apparently, a 'Century Butcher' went on a killing spree in Hengguang Garden. That's why the higher-ups are having us conduct door-to-door investigations. But that guy was extremely ruthless—he killed over a hundred people. They had to send multiple trucks just to transport the bodies. Can you imagine how terrifying that is?! If we actually run into him, do you think we'd survive?"
"Over a hundred?! I heard it was just under a hundred."
"Does it make a difference to us?"
"N-No..."
"Alright, let's go. Just doing the job for show is enough. We're getting paid 3,000 yuan a month—why take it so seriously? Do you think you're going to get promoted and earn more? The directors' relatives are already lined up for those positions. There's no way you'll get a chance."
The conversation continued for a moment before the voices gradually faded away.
Li Chunjun listened intently.
"It's been a week."
He murmured.
If Jin Zhiya was coming, she should have arrived by now.
It was time to gather some intel.
He knew that his waiting strategy was too passive.
For the past week, apart from tempering his internal organs and practicing swordsmanship, he had done nothing else.
It wasn't that he didn't want to take action—rather, aside from improving himself, he had no idea what to do.
Investigate?
He lacked professional skills.
Gather clues?
He had no access to the right channels.
He had no idea where to even begin.
His drastic change in life had shifted his mindset, but it hadn't expanded his knowledge or experience.
After some thought, he turned on his computer, browsed some forums, and searched for news about the Jin Family Manor in the local community.
The most prominent headline on the forum read—
"Century Butcher" Spills Blood in Hengguang Garden.
The posts that followed were filled with cheers and praise.
Everyone was commending this "Century Butcher" for his act of justice.
Of course, there were also many people condemning him, listing out all his crimes in detail, as if words alone could not describe his wicked deeds.
Li Chunjun didn't bother reading too much into it and focused on gathering information.
Before long, a particular post caught his attention.
"Anyone expecting to see a cultivator battle against the Century Butcher will be disappointed—Jin Zhiya never returned to Guangzhou City."
Below the post, there were various replies.
"Is that true? I heard that once someone joins a cultivation sect, they have to cut ties with the mortal world. Could that actually be the case?"
"Cutting ties with the mortal world? Don't be ridiculous! That's something only Qi Refinement cultivators need to worry about."
"So what if Jin Zhiya came back? Even if she's a Qi Refinement cultivator, she might not have mastered any spells. Without spells, she's no match for top martial arts masters."
"Haha, you're daring enough to look down on Qi Refinement cultivators online? If you ever actually met one, your legs would go soft, and you wouldn't be able to stand up straight. Oh, I forgot, ninety-nine percent of you will never get to see a cultivator in person."
The conversation on this post quickly derailed.
People started debating whether Qi Refinement cultivators or innate martial masters were stronger.
Li Chunjun watched silently, deep in thought.
Cultivators possess spiritual roots, and with just two steps—sensing and drawing in qi—they can channel the world's energy into their bodies. After some refining, this energy forms true qi or magical power.
There are two paths during this process.
One is to form true qi and use it to nourish the body, gradually strengthening it.
Typically, within one or two years of nourishing the body, a Qi Refinement cultivator's physique can match that of someone at the peak of the Integration Realm.
But most cultivators with spiritual roots directly refine the world's energy with their roots, using cultivation techniques to convert it into magical power.
Magical power is mainly used for casting spells.
However, the body-nourishing effect is much weaker than the true qi method—about two or three times less effective.
Even during the early stages of Qi Refinement, it might take five or six years before a cultivator's body reaches the peak of Integration Realm.
But once a Qi Refinement cultivator masters spells...
It's like a warrior wielding a firearm.
And not just any firearm, but one with a large-caliber, custom-made pistol.
The intimidation factor immediately increases.
Thus, for Qi Refinement cultivators in the early stages, the number of years they've cultivated and whether they've mastered spells are key indicators of their strength.
After Jin Zhiya joined the Chiyang Dao Academy, she spent four months sensing energy, three years drawing in qi, and after passing the academy's tests, became a registered disciple. If we calculate, she's been in the early stages of Qi Refinement for about two and a half years now.
When she entered Qi Refinement, she might have chosen to first use true qi to nourish her body or directly focus on refining magical power and practicing spells...
It's hard to say.
Moreover, the spells she chooses to cultivate will also greatly influence her overall power.
...
"Spells."
The word flashed through Li Chunjun's mind.
Cultivation consists of three major realms: Qi Refinement, Spirit Refinement, and Void Refinement.
TL/N: Previously mentioned 4 realms, with Body Refinement being the first. But it is considered auxiliary and not mainstream.
Spirit Refinement and Void Refinement are not well-understood by the public.
It is known, however, that the Heavenly God Realm cultivator who once rampaged across Blue Star was a true lord of Spirit Refinement.
But Qi Refinement is well-documented.
There are nine levels in Qi Refinement.
Before reaching the fourth level, where one condenses the qi into an indestructible force, unless the cultivator has protective spells or magical artifacts, they cannot withstand blades, swords, or firearms.
This is also why cultivation sects strictly forbid the spread of firearms and modern weapons.
After all, even in the cultivation world, lower-level cultivators are the majority.
In other words...
Even if Jin Zhiya truly masters spells, she could still be shot and killed by him.
This is also why he dared to wait for her arrival.
But from what the forum posts reveal so far...
It seems Jin Zhiya still hasn't shown up.
After a moment of silence, Li Chunjun packed up his things.
One shouldn't blindly trust what's online.
To find out if Jin Zhiya really arrived, he would go check in person.
He quickly checked his gun, loaded the bullets, secured two short blades, and changed into a windbreaker. He put on a hat and mask, grabbed a rolled-up "painting scroll" bag, and left the apartment as night fell.
Using his exceptional hearing, he skillfully avoided encounters with anyone in the building, disappearing like a ghost.
When he reappeared, he was already in Hengguang Garden.
(End of the Chapter)
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