Senior Brother Jiang spoke calmly, "Junior Brother Qin, I can make an exception this time on account of Junior Brother Meng. This time, I will only deduct your monthly salary. However, if you fail to complete the task again, I will have no choice but to report it truthfully and let the sect handle your punishment according to the rules."
Meng Ruhui added, "Junior Brother Qin, you must take care of yourself."
As Qin Sang watched the two senior brothers leave, the look of shame on his face vanished without a trace.
Finally, when the agreed time arrived, Qin Sang sensed the barrier at Huiyang Valley being triggered. He opened it and welcomed Zhao Yan inside.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"Junior Brother Qin, here is your Nine-Spirit Sand..."
Zhao Yan, holding up a Mustard Seed Pouch, shouted as he approached. Once he stood before Qin Sang, he said in a deep voice, "Let's talk inside."
Immediately afterward, Yu Hua appeared out of thin air and joined them inside as well.
When Yu Hua asked about Qin Sang's cultivation, Qin Sang answered the question by mentioning his Qi-Gathering Pill.
After inspecting Qin Sang’s demonic eye, Yu Hua nodded in satisfaction. "Junior Nephew Qin, you’ve been diligent, but you're still too slow. From now on, you must activate the demonic eye at least three times a day and master the array in Huiyang Valley as quickly as possible!"
Qin Sang stood there, hesitating as if he had something to say.
Yu Hua noticed this and asked curiously, "Junior Nephew Qin, is there something else?"
Feigning hesitation, Qin Sang embellished the events from two days ago and complained, "I spend the entire night controlling the demonic eye, leaving me only the daytime to cultivate. I barely have any time to manage the herb garden. Could I trouble Senior Uncle Yu to say a few kind words to Senior Brother Jiang? Otherwise, I really won’t be able to complete the task and might be expelled from the Yuanzhao Sect."
Zhao Yan snickered from the side. "So what if you don’t cultivate for a year or two? Do you really think you can—"
Yu Hua cleared his throat, cutting off Zhao Yan. Frowning, he said, "This is indeed a tricky situation. I can't interfere with matters in Cloud Valley too often..."
Qin Sang gazed at Yu Hua expectantly. Zhao Yan was clearly a hothead, but Yu Hua was an experienced hand in the martial world, which was why Qin Sang had waited until seeing him to make his request.
Kuiyin Sect had gone to great lengths to get Qin Sang into Huiyang Valley. Until their objective was achieved, they certainly wouldn’t harm him, nor would they allow him to be expelled.
By now, the demonic eye’s sight had turned westward. Based on Qin Sang’s calculations, he would complete his task in another three or four months.
Over the past year, Qin Sang had been confined to Huiyang Valley. He had only seen Yu Hua twice, both times through Zhao Yan’s arrangements.
Whenever Zhao Yan urged him, his tone grew increasingly anxious, giving Qin Sang a foreboding sense that when their mission was complete, a great upheaval would surely follow!
Sensing that the spiritual power within him was nearly depleted, Qin Sang withdrew the demonic eye and returned to his cave dwelling.
His cultivation level wasn’t high, but the spiritual qi in the Yuanzhao Sect was more than enough for him, so he didn’t need to rely on the spirit-gathering array.
Sitting cross-legged on his Waterheart Bamboo mat, Qin Sang examined himself with his inner vision. Thanks to the lingering effects of the hundred-year-old Stone Milk, his cultivation had advanced rapidly over the past year. He was now only a step away from reaching the eighth stage.
Today, he finally sensed the opportunity to break through. Qin Sang quickly took out the Bewitching Mirror and set it up at the entrance of the cave before settling into meditation.
Ten days later, Qin Sang emerged from seclusion, feeling refreshed and energized. He was almost ready to shout to the heavens in triumph. His long period of arduous cultivation had finally paid off—he had successfully broken through.
That day happened to be the scheduled time for herb gathering. Not long after Qin Sang dismantled the spirit-gathering array, Meng Ruhui and Senior Brother Jiang arrived together. When they discovered that Qin Sang had once again broken through, they were both shocked beyond belief. After collecting the herbs, they left in low spirits.
Qin Sang respectfully saw them off, without displaying the slightest hint of pride. There was no benefit to offending them.
At the end of the month, Zhao Yan arrived once again.
Standing at the valley entrance, Zhao Yan spotted Qin Sang flying toward him on an artifact and was momentarily stunned. He couldn’t help but exclaim, "You’ve broken through again?"
Landing, Qin Sang greeted him with a bow. "Congratulations to Senior Brother Zhao for breaking through to the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm!"
A hint of pride appeared on Zhao Yan’s face, but he quickly restrained it, though he couldn’t hide the envy in his eyes. "It’s nothing compared to you, breaking through two stages in a single year."
Qin Sang hurriedly replied, "I wouldn’t dare. I only managed this thanks to the great favor of the sect leader, who bestowed upon me a Qi-Gathering Pill. When Senior Brother Zhao accomplishes great feats and returns to the sect, the sect leader surely won’t be stingy with rewards. I, as your junior brother, can only look on in envy."
Zhao Yan, indeed pleased, laughed heartily. He found Qin Sang much more agreeable than before, his eyes glinting with thoughts unknown.