Courtyard House: After disbanding the Elderly Care Gang, I went to the countryside to cultivate immo

Lin Shengli was completely immersed in this wondrous state of introspection and circulation of the universe.

The spiritual energy within his body spun faster and faster, and the rotation of the vortex gradually accelerated. Its color changed from light blue to a deeper blue, and its volume seemed to be slowly expanding, impacting the invisible barrier.

He could "hear" the subtle humming that only his divine sense could perceive when spiritual energy flowed; he could "see" the faint glow that appeared on his meridians as spiritual energy continuously washed over them; and he could clearly feel that the barrier in his dantian was groaning under the constant accumulation and impact of spiritual energy, with cracks appearing.

After countless cycles, when the spiritual energy returned to the dantian like a tide, merging into the deep blue vortex that had reached its zenith and was almost emitting a howling sound—

This is the moment!

Lin Shengli focused his mind like a needle, concentrating all his thoughts on a single point in his dantian. Following the breakthrough technique, he suddenly activated the qi vortex, rotating it half a circle in the opposite direction. Then, with a force several times stronger than before, he unleashed a powerful burst of energy in the opposite direction!

"boom--!"

It was not a real sound, but a violent tremor existing at the level of divine perception.

It felt as if a thunderclap had exploded deep in my mind, or as if a tightly closed gate within my body had been breached by a violent torrent!

Inside the dantian, the vortex of energy that had already expanded to its limit suddenly contracted inward at this moment, its volume shrinking by nearly half in an instant, but its solidity increased dramatically! Its color also changed from light blue to a purer, more restrained bluish-black. Although the rotation speed was slower than before the explosion, it carried a heavy, stable, and powerful rhythm.

Simultaneously, the dantian space, which was originally only the size of a small bowl, was forcibly expanded by an invisible force!

Under Lin Shengli's inner vision, the spatial boundary rapidly extended outward, from the size of a bowl to the size of a washbasin, and then... finally stabilizing in a spherical space with a diameter of about one meter!

Although it is still not vast, it is vastly different from before! Inside the space, the dark blue vortex is in the center, slowly rotating like a miniature star, emitting spiritual energy fluctuations that are far purer and more profound than when it was at the third level of Qi Refining.

The spiritual energy within the cave seemed to have found a huge outlet, surging towards Lin Shengli at an unprecedented speed. A small, almost invisible vortex of spiritual energy even formed above his head, which was greedily devoured and refined by his pores, mouth, and nose, rapidly filling the slightly "empty" new dantian caused by the breakthrough and consolidating his new realm.

Refining Qi to the fourth level, all went smoothly, and the breakthrough was successful!

Lin Shengli did not stop immediately, but continued to circulate his cultivation technique, guiding the continuous influx of spiritual energy, following the cultivation path of the fourth level of Qi Refining, for a full thirty-six major cycles. Only when the newly expanded meridians were completely stabilized, the Qi vortex in his dantian rotated steadily, the spiritual power was abundant and peaceful, and the spiritual energy flowing in from the outside gradually returned to normal, did he slowly stop his cultivation.

"call--"

A long, drawn-out breath, tinged with a hint of gray impurities, was slowly exhaled by him. It lingered in the constant temperature of the cave, holding its shape for a long while before finally dissipating. He opened his eyes, a flash of brilliant light appearing briefly before returning to its deep, peaceful state.

But upon closer inspection, the depths of those pupils seemed clearer and brighter than ever before, as if they could reflect even more of the subtle details of the world.

He stood up and stretched his limbs.

A series of dense and slight "crackling" sounds immediately came from all around, like popping beans. It was the subtle adjustment and strengthening of muscles, bones and flesh under the nourishment of purer spiritual energy.

A faint, shimmering light seemed to flow across his skin before receding. He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him—his physical strength alone was probably nearly double that of when he was at the third level of Qi Refining!

Even a casual punch produces a clear whooshing sound. His agility, flexibility, and endurance have all improved across the board.

But this is only the most basic change.

The biggest difference between the fourth and third levels of Qi Refining lies in the "quality" and "quantity" of spiritual power, as well as the "depth" of its application.

First, there was a surge in spiritual awareness.

When he reached the third level of Qi Refining, his divine sense was fully unleashed, covering an area with a radius of about twenty meters around him, though it was rather blurry.

At this moment, with a slight thought, his divine sense spread out silently like mercury spilling onto the ground.

Fifty meters! The radius has been expanded to a full fifty meters! And the clarity has been greatly improved.

Within a 50-meter radius, the fine particles of soil on the black earth and the crops planted in the spiritual field are all "reflected" in the heart, more delicate and subtle than what one can see with one's own eyes.

This sense of control is far beyond what the third level of Qi Refining can provide.

Secondly, there is a leap in the total amount of spiritual energy and a refinement in its quality.

The expansion of the dantian space several times means that the total amount of spiritual energy that can be stored has greatly increased.

More importantly, the solidified cyclone is bluish-black, indicating that the purity of the spiritual energy has reached a new level.

The same spell, when cast with more refined spiritual energy, will be more powerful, while the energy consumption may be relatively reduced, resulting in a significantly enhanced endurance.

Refining Qi to the fourth level means one has truly entered the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Many spells that were difficult to cast or ineffective in the early stages of Qi cultivation can now be learned and used more easily.

For example, "Object Manipulation" can control heavier and more complex objects, "Lightness Technique" is faster and lasts longer, and can even attempt short-distance gliding. "Vine Technique," which was barely mastered before, may now be able to generate more and tougher vines at once, and be controlled more flexibly.

In addition, some auxiliary spells that require more precise control of spiritual power, such as "Cleansing Spell," "Concealing Breath Spell," and "Observing Qi Spell," will be easier to master.

He also discovered that his strength, speed, endurance, and five senses had become more acute, and he could distinguish more subtle smells.

They also have stronger internal vision abilities, and a clearer perception of their own meridians, internal organs, and bones. This is of great benefit for adjusting their state during cultivation, healing injuries, and even for precisely controlling the fire and spiritual energy when learning alchemy and weapon crafting in the future.

Lin Shengli carefully experienced the various changes in his body and mind, feeling calm and joyful.

This breakthrough is not only an improvement in his cultivation, but also an affirmation and reward for his more than two months of "refining his heart in the mortal world." With a clear and enlightened mind, cultivation naturally becomes smooth.

Stepping out of the mansion, he glanced at the cave space. After breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, the cave space had obviously expanded. He estimated that the current spatial radius was about fifty meters. No wonder his divine sense did not encounter the spatial barrier earlier.

He walked to the spring, scooped up a handful of the clear, cool water, and drank it.

The spiritual spring water entered his stomach, transforming into wisps of cool spiritual energy that nourished his newly broken-through realm, which still needed to be stabilized.

Looking at the familiar scene inside the cave, he gradually formed a plan in his mind.

Now that his cave dwelling has become a bit larger, he plans to plant more medicinal herbs, begin learning alchemy, and also pick up and diligently study the spells he had only superficially learned in the early stages of Qi Refining.

Once outside the cave, the night was deep, with countless stars twinkling in the sky.

The room was pitch black, but Lin Shengli could clearly "see" the details of every item inside.

He lay quietly on the kang (a heated brick bed), listening to the occasional barking of dogs from the village, feeling the increasingly powerful spiritual energy circulating within his body, and experiencing an unprecedentedly clear perception of his surroundings after his divine sense spread out.

The autumn night in Heisonggou Village is quiet and profound.