From this perspective, it became clear why local cultivators strove to raise their levels, often sacrificing their collective reserves of strength. First, someone at a higher level was always stronger. Second, while you were hoarding Qi for maximum development at the first level, your opponent could quickly advance to the tenth and crush you into the dirt with a single finger. Of course, there were exceptions—like me. But my strength largely stemmed from my psionics and experience. An ordinary cultivator in my position would have died a hundred times over by now.

My breakthrough to the second level didn’t go unnoticed, and I was overwhelmed with congratulations. I continued my training according to the same schedule, gradually working my way toward the threshold of the third level.

A couple of days later, while heading to my "garden," I noticed through the gates leading to the inner Alchemy Courtyard that Chu Zhu Zhu was walking along the path. This old man gave exceptionally interesting and useful lectures, so I decided to stop and pay my respects. However, as I approached, I noticed that the chief alchemist of the camp wasn’t alone—he was accompanied by Dao Yu, the same "genius cultivator" whose arm I had broken.

While Chu Zhu Zhu was momentarily distracted, exchanging greetings with another alchemist, Dao Yu noticed me "waiting" for him to step outside. He had been confined to the Alchemy Courtyard all this time for a "rehabilitation" course. I couldn’t resist giving him a maniacal grin and beckoning him over with a wave of my hand. Instantly, he "realized" what would happen the moment he stepped outside the gates and descended into panic.

Ignoring Chu Zhu Zhu’s conversation, Dao Yu dropped to his knees and started shouting.

"Master Chu Zhu Zhu, please accept me as your disciple! During my time here, I’ve come to understand the immense power of alchemy, and I want to dedicate my life to studying this art. Please, Master Chu Zhu Zhu, give me the chance to become your apprentice!" - He punctuated his plea with repeated bows, almost groveling at the alchemist’s feet.

"Dao Yu?" - Chu Zhu Zhu asked, bewildered by this sudden display. - "Oh, have you finally recognized the greatness of alchemy? Well, well. It’s about time the Alchemy Courtyard had a talented student." - He nodded approvingly. - "Very well, I accept you as my apprentice. You may rise."

"Thank you, Master Chu Zhu Zhu. I won’t let you down. Thank you!"

"Ho-ho-ho" - the old man laughed heartily.

He glanced in my direction, and I gave him a respectful bow.

"Congratulations to the Master Alchemist on gaining a new apprentice" - I called out. - "May he live a hundred years longer than the previous one."

The alchemist stopped laughing and gave me a reproachful look. The story of his previous apprentice, who died after mishandling an alchemical furnace on his third day of training, was well-known among the camp. After all, most of the camp’s inhabitants took genuine delight in others’ misfortunes. Dao Yu, however, didn’t take my comment as a joke but as a direct threat. Apparently, rumors of my power had reached him, and he had already mentally buried himself.

After bowing to the alchemist once more, I continued on my way to the garden.

About a week and a half later, I had almost reached the threshold of the third level. I intentionally delayed my breakthrough, using the time to saturate my body with Qi. Only when I felt like I was about to burst I considered forcing the transition to the next level. The method was straightforward — a fight with a higher-level opponent. All I had to do was find a stronger local cultivator and beat them down.

I chose Liu Zhi as my target. We were already acquainted, and he still owed me for saving his sister and handling the Li Douche incident. Guards usually hung out near their barracks, preferring to socialize among themselves rather than mingling with us "pitiful mortals."

When I reached the barracks, I found my target sparring with other guards.

"Liu Zhi, can I have a moment?" - I called out, staying outside the training grounds. This area was considered "off-limits" to ordinary students, and entering without permission was strictly prohibited.

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"Tan Ji Tao? What do you want?" - He approached me after a minute.

"I’d like to spar with you in hand-to-hand combat. No techniques — just body enhancement and skill."

"Hahaha, did you hear that?" - he said to his comrades. - "A second-level Qi Condensation cultivator is asking me for a sparring match? I could smash you into the ground with a single punch." - He laughed, clearly mocking my "level."

"However, I think I’ll knock the crap out of you" - I replied coolly.

"Who’s this cocky little student?" - one of the guards asked.

"Tan Ji Tao. Supposedly the most talented student in the camp."

"Let him onto the grounds. I’ll show him that his opinion of himself is far too high."

"Tai Chi, you could actually kill him with one punch. Better let Xiao Mu handle it and see if he’s even worthy of fighting us."

The group buzzed with excitement at the prospect of entertainment. I glanced at my designated opponent and smirked contemptuously. A mere seventh-level Qi Condensation cultivator. One punch would be enough.

We entered the training grounds, took our positions, and Liu Zhi gave the command to start the fight.

"No techniques" - I repeated the terms of the match. - "Only body enhancement and martial arts."

"Ha! I'll knock you out with a single punch" - Xiao Mu scoffed dismissively. - "Trash like you doesn't even deserve to be in this ring."

That was his mistake. Initially, I intended for this to be a friendly sparring match, but now, only a humiliating beatdown would satisfy me.

Xiao Mu charged at me, clearly intending to end the fight in one strike. I intercepted his fist with my palm, twisted his arm to force him to lean forward, then grabbed his right hand with my left. With his defenses compromised, I delivered a series of punches to his exposed stomach, each one bypassing his attempt to block with his left hand. Finally, I pushed the nearly unconscious Xiao Mu away and sent him flying with a powerful strike to his chest. He flew about ten meters before crashing to the ground. After that thrashing, he couldn’t even attempt to stand—he just writhed on the ground, groaning softly.

"He's done. Who's next?" - I addressed the onlookers.

"No way! This can't be!" - one of the guards shouted. He ran up and put a hand on my shoulder. - "Second level of Qi Condensation? How is this even possible?"

"So, anyone else want to test their body strength? I promise not to hurt you too badly" - I said, grinning.

The crowd couldn’t tolerate the humiliation and quickly began inventing excuses to "explain" Xiao Mu's defeat.

"Xiao Mu probably got careless and didn’t even enhance his body with Qi. Let’s see what you can do against me."

This time, my opponent was fully focused, clearly determined not to lose to a "second-level loser" while he himself was at the eighth level. But his determination didn’t help him much. I decided to let this fight appear more balanced — at least on the surface. I even deliberately took a few punches to the stomach, hoping to trigger the Qi breakthrough I was seeking. When it became clear that the breakthrough wasn’t imminent, I knocked this guard out as well within a minute.

"Next. Who’s your hand-to-hand combat specialist?" - I asked, my voice dripping with confidence.

"Alright, I’m up!" - Tai Chi exploded. - "Can’t trust these weaklings with anything."

Tai Chi was already at the ninth level, nearing the threshold of the tenth. Moreover, he was a skilled martial artist, not just someone who flailed his fists around. He executed well-trained techniques, making him a significantly tougher opponent. While I didn’t have ingrained reflexes to match his precision, my accelerated perception and hand-to-hand combat experience from my time among the Eldar compensated for that. This time, I didn’t rush to win, as I could feel the blows I landed generating Qi waves within my body.

After about five minutes of intense sparring, I finally felt the familiar vibration within me. Moments later, my Qi surged in density, pushing me to the third level.

"That’s enough for today" - I said, stepping back from Tai Chi, who was still pressing his attack.

"What? Why?" - he asked, visibly frustrated. He hadn’t realized how deeply he had gotten into the match, enjoying the focus on skill rather than sheer power. At least, I had deliberately kept my strength and speed on par with his throughout the fight.

"I got what I wanted" - I said with a smile.

"You got what? Wait, you mean…" - Tai Chi’s voice trailed off in astonishment. - "You broke through to the third level during our fight?"

"What? He broke through? Is that even possible?" - the crowd erupted in disbelief.

"Ha-ha, yes" - I replied, bowing slightly. - "Thank you, Master Tai Chi, for an excellent match."

The crowd buzzed with chatter, processing what had just happened. It seemed the camp had firmly embraced the belief that advancing to the next level required using Qi pills.

"Let’s talk" - Liu Zhi said, clapping me on the shoulder in a patronizing way. At the same time, he "casually" assessed my Qi level, confirming that I had indeed broken through. Once we moved aside, he asked - "You knew that fighting could help you break through to the next level?"

"Yes. Engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a stronger opponent can generate Qi fluctuations that trigger a breakthrough. But using techniques would interfere with that, and the opponent must be at least five levels higher. Also, it can’t be a fight to the death — just a hard sparring match. If you start feeling Qi waves within your body during the fight, it means a breakthrough is possible. If you don’t feel that, there’s no point in pushing yourself — it won’t happen. And, of course, it only works if you’re already on the verge of breaking through."