Chapter 2081 — The Contest Begins (Part One)
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Though the Small Qi Condensation Pill was not as brutally potent as the Qi Condensation Pill itself, Wei Zhao had been through the same ordeal when he broke from the peak of the Mystic Rank into the Earth Rank, and that suffering was agony for any cultivator. Han Xiaohu, naturally, was faring no better now.
Still, Wei Zhao believed this little hardship should be nothing for Han Xiaohu. If he could not endure even this much pain, he was not destined for anything great.
By the time the heaven-and-earth spiritual energy around Han Xiaohu thinned and dispersed, Wei Zhao knew the breakthrough was complete. Han Xiaohu had officially become a capable fighter at the early Earth Rank—he had joined the ranks of true cultivators.
Sure enough, Han Xiaohu opened his eyes, astonishment and delight mingled on his face. He held out both hands as if unable to believe it. "Boss, I'm really an early Earth Rank expert now?"
"Early Earth Rank, naturally," Wei Zhao said with an unruffled nod.
"This... this is simply incredible..." Han Xiaohu still felt as though he were dreaming. "Boss, is this the legendary power transfer?"
"You can think of it that way," Wei Zhao said. "But remember—do not mention this to anyone."
"I understand the stakes!" Han Xiaohu nodded hastily. "Even if Grandfather asks, I won't run my mouth..."
In truth, when Han Xiaohu broke through, he had drawn a vast amount of heaven-and-earth spiritual energy to gather around him. That was the difference between breaking past one's own limits and receiving a transfer from Wei Zhao. When Wei Zhao transferred power, unless he used that compressed true qi method to force a breakthrough, he did not stir the heaven-and-earth spiritual energy; only in that other, ordinary method of elevating someone did he refrain from drawing it in.
The spiritual energy Han Xiaohu had stirred up naturally drew the attention of every cultivator in the Hidden Han Family, especially Old Master Han Tianba. But Han Tianba, with level-headed restraint, instructed the family to stay away—no questions, no disturbances.
Whether it was Wei Zhao or Han Xiaohu who had broken through, it benefited the Hidden Han Family either way. Why go asking questions and make themselves a nuisance?
"As long as you keep your mouth shut, there will be benefits for you later! The peak of the late Earth Rank—even the Heaven Rank—is not impossible!" Wei Zhao said coolly. "That is what you get for being my subordinate!"
"Yes, Boss!" Han Xiaohu's eyes burned with fervent light. The peak of the late Earth Rank? Even the Heaven Rank? These were realms he had once only dared dream of—and now they were no longer so far out of reach!
"Above the Earth Rank, the only pill that can be taken is the Qi Condensation Pill, and I cannot refine it yet—let alone your family," Wei Zhao said evenly. "And your aptitude is not especially good. Cultivating on your own further is meaningless; you likely won't make progress. So while you have the time, devote it to studying martial techniques! As for your strength—when I reach a higher realm, I will raise it for you again."
Wei Zhao did not explain outright that those whose power he had raised could no longer absorb heaven-and-earth spiritual energy through their own cultivation. But from the fact that the Small Qi Condensation Pill still worked on Han Xiaohu, it was clear that the energy of pills remained highly effective for cultivators whom Wei Zhao had elevated.
Wei Zhao himself was proof of that.
"Yes!" Whatever Wei Zhao said, Han Xiaohu believed. If Wei Zhao said his aptitude was poor, he did not doubt it for an instant—if it were good, would he still be stuck at the mid Yellow Rank? So Wei Zhao's words were pure gold: told to study martial techniques, he would study martial techniques. As for cultivating to raise his strength—that he would leave to Wei Zhao.