Despite his earlier resolution to retreat towards the forest's edge, the surge of power from consolidating his peak Level 2 cultivation, coupled with the ever-present dangers, convinced Gù Tiānháo that attempting the breakthrough to the 3rd Level was not just desirable, but necessary for survival, especially if he intended to navigate the potentially human-infested outer regions or eventually return for the 100-year Ginseng. He needed a secure location, a sanctuary where he could focus entirely on assaulting the next realm without fear of interruption. His enhanced senses, now operating at the peak of the 2nd Level, scanned the terrain with renewed intensity as he continued his cautious journey, diverging slightly from the most direct path outwards in search of a suitable haven.
After nearly a day of searching, his patience was rewarded. Hidden behind a thick curtain of cascading vines and obscured by a natural rock overhang, he discovered the entrance to a cave. It wasn't large, but it was dry, deep enough to shield him from the elements and prying eyes, and most importantly, unoccupied. A quick inspection revealed no signs of recent habitation by beasts or humans. Satisfied, he spent several hours meticulously setting up simple warning traps using thin vines and loose pebbles near the entrance and clearing the immediate interior, ensuring it was as secure as he could make it in the wilderness.
With his preparations complete, Tiānháo sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, his breathing evening out, his mind calming. He retrieved the 30-year Spiritual Ginseng from its careful wrappings. The small, root-like herb pulsed with a gentle, life-affirming Qi that felt warm in his hand. Though not the century-old treasure he ultimately sought, its energy was pure and potent, ideal for supplementing his own reserves during the arduous process of breaking through a cultivation bottleneck. 24 Without hesitation, he consumed the ginseng, its substance dissolving into a warm current of energy that flowed directly into his Dantian.
Immediately, he began circulating his Qi according to the Nine Cycles technique, directing both his own refined energy and the potent medicinal power of the ginseng towards the invisible barrier separating the 2nd and 3rd Levels of the Body Refinement Realm. This barrier felt significantly more formidable than the one between the 1st and 2nd levels. It was less like a thin membrane and more like a sturdy dam, resisting the crashing waves of his Qi.
He assaulted it relentlessly. Sweat beaded on his forehead and trickled down his back as he pushed his Qi circulation to its limits. His meridians groaned under the strain, feeling stretched and scraped by the sheer volume and intensity of the energy flow. The process was agonizing; waves of pain radiated from his Dantian, and his muscles spasmed involuntarily. Impurities, dislodged by the potent Qi and the stress on his system, manifested as a foul-smelling black grime oozing from his pores, coating his skin. He ignored the discomfort, his entire focus narrowed to a single point: shattering the barrier.
Time lost meaning in the darkness of the cave, marked only by the rhythmic pulsing of Qi and the waves of pain. Just as his own energy reserves began to dwindle and the ginseng's power started to fade, he gathered every last iota of strength for one final, desperate assault. With a silent roar in his soul, he slammed his Qi against the barrier.
CRACK! A sound, seemingly echoing both within his body and in the cave itself, marked the barrier's collapse. It wasn't a gentle yielding, but a violent shattering. A torrent of purer, stronger Qi flooded through the breach, surging through his meridians with newfound vigor. His entire body felt lighter, stronger, brimming with vitality. The world outside the cave seemed sharper, clearer, even perceived through the stone walls.
He had done it. Body Refinement Realm, Level 3, Initial Stage. A wave of exhaustion washed over him, but it was overshadowed by the profound sense of accomplishment and the tangible increase in his power. He didn't immediately rise but remained seated, carefully circulating his newly advanced Qi, guiding it through the Nine Cycles to stabilize his realm. He needed to acclimate to this new level of strength, to solidify his foundation before contemplating his next move. The forest remained dangerous, but Gù Tiānháo now possessed a greater measure of power to face its challenges.