While Xu Changshou was in secluded cultivation refining pills, Ye Shanhu and the others did not cultivate. Until their placements were finalized, they simply had no mind to train.

Over ten days later, they received word that the slots were locked. Only then did everyone settle their nerves and focus on their cultivation.

Although their placements were secured, they still did not know where they would ultimately be assigned. That would not be announced for another two and a half years.

All they could do was wait. Whether the final results would align with their hopes, no one knew. At the very least, they had done everything within their power.

Do one's best, and leave the rest to the mandate of Heaven.

Half a month later, Xu Changshou emerged from secluded cultivation.

He had fully refined a single Qi Gathering Pill, and his cultivation had surged significantly.

He estimated that refining two more Qi Gathering Pills would likely push him through to the Qi Condensation Fifth Layer.

After resting for two or three days outside of seclusion, he closed his doors once more.

Time flew like a weaver's shuttle.

A month and a half later.

A breakthrough!

Having refined a total of three Qi Gathering Pills, Xu Changshou finally pierced through to the Qi Condensation Fifth Layer. He now had exactly one pill remaining.

After three days of rest, he resumed his secluded cultivation.

With the last Qi Gathering Pill refined, the surge in his cultivation felt much weaker than before. Xu Changshou estimated it would take at least five more pills of this caliber to break through to the Qi Condensation Sixth Layer.

He still possessed fifty broken Spirit Stones, enough to exchange for five more pills. But good steel had to be forged on the blade's edge. Senior Sister Liu Rushi had warned him: between the fourth and seventh layers, the most brutal bottleneck lay between the sixth and seventh.

The sixth layer was the absolute peak of the mid-stage, while the seventh marked the transition into the late stage of Qi Condensation. This was a monumental threshold.

He had to hoard his meager resources to forcefully smash through that specific barrier.

Alas!

When it comes down to it, my pockets are just too damn empty. If only I were some pampered young master from a great family.

In his subsequent cultivation sessions, devoid of pills, his progress slowed to an agonizing, turtle-like crawl.

Xu Changshou gritted his teeth. If he lacked pills, he would simply pay the toll in blood and sweat.

Hadn't Su Mo claimed that raw effort could guarantee Foundation Establishment? That human will could conquer the heavens?

Time marched steadily onward; in the blink of an eye, two and a half years vanished.

Over these two-plus years, Xu Changshou poured every ounce of his miserable strength into cultivation. Aside from eating and relieving himself, every waking moment was dedicated to the Dao.

For over two years, he had not slept a single wink, using seated meditation to replace slumber.

His terrifying diligence caused Ye Shanhu and the others to label him a freak, while leaving Su Mo thoroughly ashamed of his own efforts.

Heaven rewards the diligent. Over two years of grinding allowed Xu Changshou's cultivation to reach the absolute peak of the Qi Condensation Sixth Layer. But now, he had slammed face-first into the bottleneck Senior Sister Liu had warned him about. No matter how he circulated his Qi, his cultivation refused to advance a single inch.

Ever since breaking through to the sixth layer, he clearly felt the Bloodline Jade Talisman growing restless against his chest, throbbing as if it were on the verge of shattering some internal restriction.

Xu Changshou had a visceral premonition: the moment he stepped into the Qi Condensation Seventh Layer, he would unlock the Bloodline Jade Talisman's secrets.

"Right, Senior Sister Liu mentioned this. When hitting a bottleneck, one must rest. Combine labor with leisure."

Recognizing the futility, Xu Changshou stopped forcing his cultivation and planned a trip to the Affairs Hall to buy Qi Gathering Pills.

He would rest for a few days to temper his mind, then use the pills to shatter the barrier.

In the past two and a half years, Xu Changshou had changed drastically. The dark, emaciated cowherd had shed his mortal grit, growing into a striking, elegant young man.

Nourished by the Sect's generous provisions, eating Dog-tooth Rice and various spirit meats daily, his body had developed rapidly.

Now fifteen years old, aside from being slightly lean, his frame had broadened and filled out.

Disengaging the restriction array on his room, Xu Changshou pushed the door open and stepped outside.

Standing on the balcony, he immediately spotted Ye Shanhu and the others chatting casually down in the pavilion.

Sweeping his gaze across the group, Xu Changshou was surprised to sense the considerable progress everyone had made.

Ye Shanhu remained the one with the highest cultivation. She was already at the Qi Condensation Eighth Layer.

Jiang Xiaochuan, Han Zong, Li Linhao, Zhang Feixian, Shi Wantong, Lin Xian'er, Qian Yuanbao, and Su Mo had all reached the Qi Condensation Sixth Layer.

Just like him, they were firmly stuck at the exact same threshold.

"Oh, isn't that Senior Brother Xu?"

"How rare! Senior Brother Xu has actually emerged from seclusion."

"Heh, the cultivation maniac is finally taking a break."

The gazes of the entire group shifted up toward Xu Changshou.

Jiang Xiaochuan smiled and waved. "Senior Brother Xu, what brings you out of seclusion?"

Xu Changshou offered a polite smile. "I grew fatigued. I wish to rest for a few days."

Ye Shanhu chimed in, "He's encountered a bottleneck as well."

"No wonder he stopped cultivating."

"Makes sense."

"I was wondering how our resident maniac could stomach idling about."

...

Xu Changshou descended the stairs, entered the pavilion, and greeted the group.

"Senior Sister Ye, Fellow Daoists, how is it you all have so much free time today?"

Ye Shanhu smiled warmly. "Junior Brother Xu, today is the first day of the lunar month-the day Danxia Peak's market opens. I just helped them reserve a batch of Barrier Breaking Pills..."

Barrier Breaking Pills...

The very mention of Barrier Breaking Pills piqued Xu Changshou's immediate interest. "Senior Sister Ye, roughly how many Spirit Stones does a single Barrier Breaking Pill cost?"

Ye Shanhu replied, "The Sect officially prices them at three Spirit Stones. Buying them down in the market will definitely be cheaper."

"That expensive?"

A wave of desolation washed over Xu Changshou's heart. A single Barrier Breaking Pill cost three Spirit Stones. There was no way his meager pockets could afford that.

Jiang Xiaochuan jumped into the conversation. "Our Sect's market was established by the disciples of Danxia Peak. It exists primarily for private transactions. The pills sold there are the leftovers alchemy disciples keep after fulfilling their Sect quotas. Since the transactions happen between disciples without the Sect acting as a middleman, they're definitely cheaper."

"Ah, I understand!"

Xu Changshou nodded slowly.

"Junior Brother Xu, do you wish to tag along?"

Ye Shanhu smiled slightly, revealing two shallow dimples on her cheeks.

In that fleeting instant, Xu Changshou found himself slightly dazed. He suddenly realized Ye Shanhu felt different than before. She possessed a heart-stirring aura, a charm he had previously only sensed from Senior Sister Liu.

It wasn't that Xu Changshou had suddenly developed lecherous interests in Ye Shanhu-it was simply the undeniable fact that she had grown up.

In two and a half years, both Ye Shanhu and Lin Xian'er had blossomed into graceful, beautiful young maidens.

Ye Shanhu, in particular, had developed an impressive figure, her robes now pressing against substantial curves.

"I happen to have no pressing matters. I will join you to take a look," Xu Changshou nodded.

"Let's go!"

Ye Shanhu patted the Storage Bag at her waist, summoning a flying White Jade Boat. The group leaped aboard, steering straight toward Danxia Peak.

The market was located at the eastern foot of Danxia Peak. It was a sprawling open-air bazaar that only opened its gates on the first and fifteenth of every month.

Before long, the White Jade Boat touched down just outside the market's perimeter.

Dismounting the vessel, the bustling market unfurled right before their eyes.

Nestled at the foot of a sheer mountain cliff, an endless stream of cultivators flowed through the streets.

Rows of cultivators sat behind makeshift stalls, acting no different than mortal street peddlers as their hawking cries echoed through the air.

"Spirit Spring Water! Genuine Spirit Spring Water to boost your cultivation! One large bucket for just one broken Spirit Stone!"

"Come and buy! Qi Gathering Pills, twelve for a single Spirit Stone! Authentic goods! I'll compensate ten for every fake!"

"Talismans! Buy your talismans! Fellow Daoists, top-grade Fireball Talismans..."

"Clear Breeze Swords! Everyone, come buy my Clear Breeze Swords! They slice iron like mud, guaranteed to be ten times sharper than the Sect's standard steel swords!"

"Come look, come look! Top-quality Blood Lingzhi, nourishes Qi and enriches the blood..."