"I'll use the reward now."

Grim took out the bottle full of liquid Qi.

The liquid was blue. It looked like the Gatorade.

"Let's see how it tastes." Grim took a sip of the liquid.

The Qi rapidly started dissolving and getting absorbed in his body.

"It's tasteless."

His body had yet to absorb Qi completely. So, he sat and concentrated on absorbing it.

By the night, he had absorbed all of it.

Grim was already at the peak of the 4th level before the competition. So, he was able to make the breakthrough easily.

Now, he was at the 5th level of the refiner realm.

Also, He had discovered that ingesting was faster than absorbing it indirectly.

Grim decided to familiarize himself with his new strength for a week.

Then, he went back to cultivation again.

However, this time Grim decided to increase the amount.

"Here goes nothing." Grim took a mouthful of the liquid Qi and gulped it down.

His insides started brimming with energy as soon as the liquid went in. So, he went back to absorbing it.

It took him five whole days to absorb it. But, he was able to make a breakthrough when he was done.

He was filled with a wonderful feeling.

Now, he had a decent idea of how much Qi was needed for the breakthrough.

He thought to himself, "I have enough Qi to reach the Ninth level."

Grim took two weeks' worth of time to get used to his new strength.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Then, he returned to cultivation again, "Let's break through to the 7th level."

Grim took a mouthful of Qi and gulped it down. It took him four days to absorb it completely.

"It's not enough. The crystal is only half-filled."

Grim took a mouthful of Qi again and gulped it down, and started absorbing.

He had broken through the seventh level on the fifth day.

"Let's form a crystal." He started concentrating Qi at a spot to form the crystal.

At first, a tiny crystal was formed. However, as the Qi started gathering around it, its size started growing.

A complete crystal had formed after a couple of hours, and it had light dark color as the second crystal.

"I should imprint the 'fire' element this time since it improves my attack power."

Grim started imprinting the 'fire' element on the third crystal.

The crystal was turning from light dark to dark yellow.

Once, the process was over. He could feel his affinity with fire improved greatly.

"That's done."

"Now instead of staying here, I should go take on missions. That way I can get used to new strength and also earn some points."

Grim went to the mission hall the next.

He wanted to take on a hunting mission.

However, the number of beasts had sharply declined in the mid and outer regions of the forest due to recent competition.

"Going to the inner region is not an option. I'll just take a herb-picking mission." Grim went to search for the mission on the board.

He picked a mission and then submitted it to Xue Ah.

Once the mission was registered, he departed.

He completed the mission within ten days.

He made 20 points from it. However, he was able to earn only 1000 Evo.

"I will take group missions instead."

Grim went to the old shack to find Meng Rong and Teng Guo.

They were happy to see Grim.

"Greetings Brother Grim. Have a seat here." Meng Rong offered a chair.

"How have you been, Brother Meng Rong and Teng Guo?" Grim greeted back

"We are fine, Brother Grim. We are happy that you remembered us."

Grim retorted, "What nonsense. How could I forget you guys?"

Meng Rong asked, "What brings you here, Brother Grim?"

Grim Replied, "I want to take on group missions. So, I thought of inviting you guys."

Both bowed and said, "Thank you for inviting us. We'll go."

Grim said, "Let's pick a mission then."

Three of them made their way into the mission hall.

Grim started looking for group missions. Suddenly, his eyes fell on a mission.

The mission read as 'Collect ten ember fruits, location: fiery highlands, duration: a month, mission requirement: Peak refiner realm, mission reward 150 points.'

Grim took the mission scroll and went to Xue Ah.

"Sister Xue, do you know where fiery highland is located?"

Xue Ah answered, "It's located in the north."

"Do you have its map?"

Before she could answer, Meng Rong replied. "I have the map, Brother Grim."

"Alright, then we will be taking this mission." Grim handed the mission scroll to Xue Ah.

"So, that's why you were asking."

"You can find ember fruit in the outer region. So, don't try to enter the inner region, it's filled with Archon realm beasts."

"Here." She handed back the mission scroll.

Grim said, "Alright, we will depart tomorrow. The mission will be long. So, go make your preparation."

Grim returned to his room while they returned to the shack.

[Evo points left: 44,750]