Needing a moment to replenish his Qi, Zhang Liwei took a brief respite. "Hang on, Li Yunxian. We're starting the rescue now," he called out, ensuring she was aware and ready for the noise and movement to come.

From within the rubble, Li Yunxian's voice, frail yet hopeful, replied, "Thank you. I'm ready. Please, be careful."

Zhang Liwei then positioned himself atop the collapsed stones, closing his eyes to better attune himself with the environment. "I can sense where you are," he said softly, feeling the faint pulse of Li Yunxian's Qi beneath him. This connection confirmed her proximity and reassured him of her survival.

He began the meticulous process of boring through the rubble, focusing intently on creating a path. "Each strike must be precise," he reminded himself, feeling the drain on his Qi with every needle he launched.

After a series of successful penetrations, he paused to regain his strength, the cycle of exertion and recovery becoming a rhythm in the rescue effort. "I'll need to rest briefly to maintain the strength of my technique," he explained, hoping to keep Li Yunxian informed and calm.

"Take your time. I trust you," came her weak, but steady reply from beneath the stones.

Amid the rhythm of exertion and recovery, as Zhang Liwei prepared to resume his efforts, a moment of profound clarity washed over him. His focus sharpened, not just on the task at hand, but on the essence of his cultivation journey. It wasn't merely the Qi that fueled his strength or the techniques that channeled it; it was the purpose behind every move, every decision. As he sat there, gathering Qi, a realization dawned on him—a realization that would define his path.

For Zhang Liwei, the seed of his cultivation wasn't just about personal growth or mastery of techniques. It was his unwavering commitment to protect and uplift those around him, a conviction born from his earliest days under Master Yan's tutelage, through every trial and tribulation faced alongside Feng Hao. This was the epiphany that allowed him to advance: his Qi needed a purpose, a core conviction to latch onto.

With this newfound understanding, Zhang Liwei felt a shift within his Dantian. The Qi, once amorphous and striving for direction, now seemed to orbit around this central seed of purpose. The realization that his strength was a means to safeguard others, to forge a path not just for himself but for those who walked beside him, acted as a catalyst. His Qi condensed around this conviction, solidifying his resolve and, with it, his cultivation base.

This observation puzzled him. Could this be a sign of the impending solidification of his Qi? Was he on the verge of stepping into the Radiant Foundation Nexus realm? These thoughts filled Zhang Liwei with a mix of anticipation and curiosity.

Pushing the limits of his cultivation, Zhang Liwei dared to absorb more Qi into his already brimming Dantian. He was treading a dangerous path; an overfilled Dantian could lead to irreversible damage, akin to a porcelain pot cracking under too much pressure. But in this precarious moment, something extraordinary happened. The Qi within his Dantian began to condense, shrinking down to a seed-sized speck of highly concentrated energy. This tiny grain of Qi then started a rhythmic cycle of expansion and contraction, drawing in Qi from the environment as it expanded before contracting again.

Feng Hao, noticing the peculiar surge of energy, shifted his focus towards Zhang Liwei. The unmistakable golden glow emanating from Zhang Liwei's Dantian signaled the onset of a cultivation breakthrough. Recognizing the significance of this pivotal moment, Feng Hao silently took a protective stance behind his friend, his presence a silent guard against any interruptions. In his heart, he quietly wished Zhang Liwei success, understanding the importance of this breakthrough not only for Zhang Liwei but for their shared journey ahead.

Inside Zhang Liwei's Dantian, the Qi continued its intense vibration. Zhang Liwei focused intently, regulating his breathing and calming his mind. He knew any distraction or misstep could cause severe harm or even threaten his life. As the seed of Qi vibrated, an extraordinary phenomenon occurred. The cavern, naturally rich in Earth Qi, began to resonate with the energy in Zhang Liwei's Dantian. Massive amounts of Earth Qi surged from the cavern walls, converging towards him.

In his Dantian, the influx of Earth Qi from the cavern enveloped the Qi seed, thickening and growing steadily. This process continued until, finally, it ceased, leaving behind a perfectly round orb of Qi, radiating a warm golden light in every direction. With a deep breath, Zhang Liwei opened his eyes, which briefly emitted rays of golden light before returning to normal.

Feng Hao approached Zhang Liwei with a beaming smile, clapping him on the shoulder in a gesture of warm congratulations. "Liwei, this is incredible! Your hard work and perseverance have paid off," he exclaimed, his voice filled with pride for his friend's remarkable achievement.

Zhang Liwei returned the smile, his eyes shining with a mix of relief and joy. "Thank you, Feng Hao. I couldn't have reached this point without your support," he replied.

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Their laughter and shared excitement echoed through the cavern, marking the significance of the breakthrough. "It's a day to remember," Feng Hao said, "Your cultivation has reached new heights. I can only imagine the wonders you'll achieve next."

As the initial wave of elation settled, Zhang Liwei's thoughts turned to Master Yan, the mentor who had guided him since the beginning of his journey. A soft, reflective smile crossed his face. "I wish Master Yan could see this... He's been with me every step of the way, in spirit if not in person." Resolved, Zhang Liwei mentally promised to return to Green Willow Village at the earliest opportunity. "I'll share this victory with him, pay homage to the foundation he's laid for me."

The moment was bittersweet, a blend of personal triumph and the longing to share it with his master. Yet, it strengthened Zhang Liwei's resolve to continue on his path, armed with new power and a deeper connection to his roots.

Rejuvenated by his breakthrough, Zhang Liwei stood and approached another intact stone statue. He needed to quickly gauge the extent of his newfound strength, conscious of the urgent need to resume Li Yunxian's rescue. Channeling Qi into his staff, he immediately sensed the profound change: his Qi was now significantly denser, approximately threefold compared to before.

Eager to test his enhanced abilities, Zhang Liwei executed his array of techniques. Fist of the Earth, Yellow Emperor Stone Spear, and Stone Forest Sword Array were now thrice as powerful and expansive. The Stone King's Golden Needle, while maintaining its size to preserve its penetrative essence, now reached three times deeper into targets. Moreover, he discovered that his increased Qi capacity allowed him to execute a greater number of moves before depletion, marking a substantial qualitative and quantitative leap in his abilities.

Zhang Liwei, buoyed by his newfound strength, refocused on the rescue with renewed vigor. From beneath the rubble, Li Yunxian's voice, weak but hopeful, floated up to him. "Are you still there? Can we continue?"

With a gentle tone, Zhang Liwei responded, "I'm sorry for the delay. I've just had a breakthrough in my cultivation. It should make things faster now."

Li Yunxian's surprise was evident in her voice as she replied, "A breakthrough? That's wonderful news! Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Zhang Liwei said, his voice firm with resolve. "Now, let's get you out of there."

With every move Zhang Liwei made, the power of his recent cultivation breakthrough shone through. Obstacles that had once seemed daunting now appeared manageable, easily overcome by his improved abilities.

Eventually, Liwei's hand rested on a slab of stone, beneath which he could feel the faint stirrings of Li Yunxian's Qi. "We're nearly there," he announced, his voice echoing with determination. "You're just below me. Only one barrier left to break through."

Li Yunxian's voice, tinged with excitement, echoed back, "I'm ready. Please, be careful."

Zhang Liwei focused, carefully controlling his Qi to avoid any harm. Bit by bit, he removed the stone, until finally, he glimpsed Li Yunxian's head through the opening. "I see you," he said, relief washing over him.

Carefully, he enlarged the opening, ensuring it was safe for her to emerge. "I'm making it bigger now. Just a little more."

The hole was finally wide enough for rescue. "Can you reach out your hands towards me?" Zhang Liwei called down gently to Li Yunxian. Li Yunxian nodded, her arms stretching upwards. Zhang Liwei carefully took hold of her hands, easing her through the gap with deliberate care. As she emerged from the rubble, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. Without hesitation, Zhang Liwei hoisted her onto his back, making their way out of the hole to where Feng Hao awaited, his face alight with joy.

"Thank you, both of you," Li Yunxian said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I owe you my life."

"It was our duty to help," Feng Hao replied, his tone warm. "We're just glad we made it in time."

Zhang Liwei looked at her with concern. "You should check your wounds. We have some ointments and pills here that could help."

Li Yunxian, assessing her bruises and scratches, nodded in agreement. "I will, thank you." She then settled down to tend to her injuries.

Understanding the need for privacy, Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao discreetly stepped away. "We'll be nearby if you need anything," Zhang Liwei assured her, both of them giving her the space to recover in solitude.

While Li Yunxian attended to her wounds and circulated her Qi for faster recovery, Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao surveyed the partially collapsed building. Some parts stood firm, but finding anything valuable seemed unlikely. They refrained from entering the chambers, cautious of potential collapses similar to the one that had trapped Li Yunxian.

After attending to her injuries, Li Yunxian approached Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao, now bandaged and looking much healthier. "I can't thank you enough for what you've done," she said, her voice brimming with gratitude.

"How are you feeling?" Zhang Liwei asked, concern evident in his tone.

"I'm a bit battered, but nothing serious," Li Yunxian assured them, offering a small smile.

Feng Hao, curious, leaned in slightly. "What brought you to such a dangerous place?"

Li Yunxian sighed, a hint of regret in her voice. "I found an ancient map. It took me months to decipher its secrets and locate this place. I told my family where I was headed, thankfully. But in the end, it was just stones and mushrooms here—hardly what I expected."

Zhang Liwei, remembering the treasures they uncovered in the tower's library, wondered if they might have something of value to offer her. "Li Yunxian, may I ask what type of Spiritual Root you possess?" he inquired gently.

With a look of mild surprise, Li Yunxian responded, "I'm attuned to Wood Qi."

Exchanging a glance, Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao realized their findings wouldn't benefit a Wood Qi cultivator. With a bitter smile, Feng Hao offered words of solace, "Perhaps it's the journey, not the findings, that holds the true reward."

Li Yunxian nodded in agreement, then asked, "Do you think we can start heading back to the city?"

"Of course, if you're sure you're up for the journey," Zhang Liwei replied, his gaze assessing her condition.

"I am," she confirmed, her determination clear.

With a collective sense of readiness, they prepared to leave the enigmatic ruins behind. As they set off towards entrance, the trio shared a quiet camaraderie, their thoughts lingering on the adventures and revelations the ancient cavern had provided.