Chapter 25 Reaching Level Four Of The Energy Gathering Realm

Austin waved his hand without hesitation.

"Bang," a loud sound echoed as twenty more vital energy crystals were added.

Austin had got these vital energy crystals from Rafat and put them in the Space Ring he carried.

"If you can help me apply for the task at Beast Mountain, these vital energy crystals will be yours."

"You!" Excitement reflected in Farry's eyes when he saw the number of vital energy crystals on the table. He desired them like a cat covets fish.

"How did you get so many vital energy crystals? Most of them must have a mysterious source. Tell me!"

Instead of handling the situation carefully, Farry let his greed control him. He demanded to know where Austin got such a small fortune from.

"What makes you think I will answer you?"

Austin knew why Farry was asking him these questions. He squinted at Farry as he spoke with a disdainful tone.

Every disciple at large cultivating sects such as Sun Sect had many opportunities to obtain refining resources depending on their strengths and the tasks they completed.

Usually, elders wouldn't ask about the source of private treasures of disciples.

If the elders could extort a disciple's treasure at will, they would be less inclined to work. In such cases, they would use their authority to confiscate what the disciples had earned by risking their lives outside the sect.

This would undoubtedly frustrate the disciples and lower their enthusiasm to cultivate. In the long-run, this would be harmful to the development of a large sect.

So, the leaders in Sun Sect wouldn't extort a disciple's possessions so openly.

Austin's expression turned cold. He glared into Farry's greedy eyes, and questioned, "What? Are you considering stealing my vital energy crystals?"

Farry thought quickly. Now, Austin was at the third-level of the Energy Gathering Realm. Farry was at the fourth-level and was one level higher than Austin. However, Farry had heard of Austin's capabilities. He knew that Austin possessed power and martial skills beyond his level.

Unsure of how much Austin had learned, Farry lost confidence in his ability to defeat Austin should they get into a fight.

Moreover, if they fought, others would be alerted. What was worse, if the leaders found out that he had robbed a grunt disciple of his vital energy crystals, Farry would be charged with a serious crime.

Farry was a coward, greedy, and crafty. After thinking about the situation and the consequences of his actions, Farry understood that he had to control his greed. He rolled his eyes dismissively as he spoke with Austin.

"Huh? Austin, it appears that there has been a misunderstanding. If you want to enlist for the task at Beast Mountain, I will certainly help you. Just wait for my good news."

Farry changed his attitude suddenly. He had called Austin a fool many times before, but now, Farry had called him by his name.

This was the first time that Austin heard someone call him by his name ever since his demotion to grunt disciple three years ago.

Austin raised eyebrows as he contemplated the change in Farry's behavior. Meanwhile, Farry wondered where this fool had gotten so many vital energy crystals from, and how he could grab them—of course not openly. He vowed to figure out a way to take them from Austin slowly sooner or later.

After a moment's contemplation, Austin felt relieved despite the fact that he could tell by Farry's changing expression that he harbored ill-intentions.

However, Austin didn't take it seriously because he thought Farry was easy to handle.

"All right. In this case, I will wait for your news. If I can get the task at Beast Mountain, I will give you more vital energy crystals."

Austin reminded Farry as he turned to leave.

Austin had been the Deputy Director of the Sales Department in a company on Earth in his previous life. He knew exactly how to tempt and motivate people using bribes and kickbacks.

He knew that if he didn't offer money, Farry wouldn't get serious. As long as he gave some profit to a greedy person like Farry, the latter would surely try his best to fulfill Austin's request.

As expected, Farry heard Austin's leaving comment and thought Austin genuinely had a significant fortune. So, he thumped his chest and replied, "Austin, don't worry. I will help you with this matter.

Come to me if you need any help in the future."

He walked Austin to the room door. Now, as per Farry, Austin was a rich man. Of course, Farry had to be polite and wouldn't yell at him as he had done before.

It was a silent night.

Bright moonlight covered all of Sun Sect. The stars shone in the unclouded sky, and the night was deep.

In an old and shabby, thatched cottage in a remote corner of the grunt disciples' residence at the foot of the mountain, Austin sat on the bed with his legs cross

ed. He was practicing the Purple Yang Formula and absorbing the vital energy of heaven and earth.

As Austin cultivated the martial skill, the vital energy between heaven and earth was affected and started to gather around him slowly. Then it was absorbed by his energy meridians through the vital acupoints all over his body.

"Whoosh," Austin's breath became slower and longer. Austin used the power of his mind to direct the vital energy rushing through his energy meridians to the blocks of the meridians in every part of his body.

The cultivator practicing vital energy had to follow general rules when he started to learn, no matter what the cultivation method.

During the elementary course, he needed to sense the vital energy of heaven and earth around him.

Then, he had to practice the cultivation method and absorb the vital energy of heaven and earth into the energy meridians of his body.

Finally, he would lead the vital energy through the energy meridians and vital acupoints all over his body to connect the energy meridians and the belly, forming a small ceaselessly operating world. Only in this way, would he have the foundation to cultivate the vital energy.

Austin had been at the ninth-level of the Energy Gathering Realm in the past, and now he was cultivating once more. So, he made quick progress because of his previous experience.

As he absorbed more and more vital energy, many blocks of the energy meridians were broken. He could feel the heat being released as the energy meridians expanded.

Austin was certainly familiar with this feeling. He might have had a breakthrough.

It was almost time.

Since Austin had dedicated himself to his cultivation, he felt as though the changes his body was undergoing implied that he had reached the fourth-level of the Energy Gathering Realm. Ever since gaining consciousness, Austin had been determined to grow stronger. And this was a step in that direction. He was going to work harder to promote his cultivation to a higher level so that he could handle challenges while practicing on Beast Mountain.

Austin took out a green jade bottle and poured a light white pill that had a warm luster. He felt the vital energy being released, and it was comfortable.

After Austin put the elixir pill in his mouth, it slid down his throat. In the next instant, his body began to tremble as the vital energy in elixir pill flowed to every part of his body.

The vital energy scoured every acupoint and energy meridian in Austin's body ceaselessly, especially the Small Circulation of Vital Energy.

He felt a tingling sensation as if many ants were climbing over his body. Some blocks of the energy meridians and acupoints were broken immediately.

Austin guided the vital energy flowing in every part of his body to move in the Small Circulation of Vital Energy.

Then he used the power of his mind to lead the vital energy to elixir field just below his navel.

The elixir field below the navel was a key position in the whole body, as it was where a cultivator's vital energy was stored.

When cultivating vital energy, a cultivator drew into his body the vital energy between heaven and earth and stored it in the belly. Then he practiced with it and made use of it.

The quantity of the vital energy in the body decided a cultivator's vital energy level.

As more and more vital energy flowed into his belly, the feeling of having reached a breakthrough intensified.

In the end, the last of the elixir efficacy was absorbed, and Austin felt that his belly was filled.

It seemed that he hadn't broken through yet. Austin smiled bitterly and assumed that perhaps one Energy-boosting Elixir was not enough for him to promote his cultivation to the fourth-level of the Energy Gathering Realm.

Austin didn't hesitate to place the second Energy-boosting Elixir in his mouth. Again, as before, he felt the vital energy spread to every part of his body.

And it was stronger. With the spare power of the first elixir, the vital energy flowed in his body with greater force. Austin felt so comfortable that he wanted to moan.

After he directed the vital energy from the elixir efficacy to move in the Small Circulation of Vital Energy, it rushed to his belly. This time, more vital energy gathered in his belly.

Austin finally felt that his belly was filled with vital energy. What surprised him was that only half of the second Energy-boosting Elixir's power had been used.

Suddenly, the vital energy in the elixir field under the navel moved in anti-clockwise. It rotated more and more quickly before returning to the energy meridians in his body through its original path.

Austin felt his entire body tremble.

Fourth-level of the Energy Gathering Realm!

Austin couldn't be more familiar with the feeling of this breakthrough.