[Breakthough To The Qi Gathering Realm]

After observing his status for a bit.

Jian Ning decided to sit back down and cultivate a bit, as he wanted to test his 'new' talent, though it was actually his true talent that had unlocked.

Jian Ning was so excited that he even thought he could breakthrough today.

If it had been before, Jian Ning would never have dared to think so, but now he was sure he could break through without too much trouble.

Without further delay, Jian Ning sat cross-legged and began cultivating according to his cultivation technique.

[Ding, the host cultivated for 1 minute and gained 4 cultivation points and 4 white energy]

[Ding, the host cultivated for 1 minute and gained 4 cultivation points and 4 white energy]

[Ding, the host cultivated for 1 minute and gained 4 cultivation points and 4 white energy]

...

25 minutes later, Jian Ning emerged from cultivation.

He had gained 100 cultivation points, so if Jian Ning wanted to, by cultivating for another 100 minutes, which is an hour and 40 minutes, he could reach the peak of the level and maybe even breakthrough.

His cultivation speed was incomparable to his old speed, and Jian Ning now understood better the gap that separated geniuses from ordinary people.

Jian Ning wanted to use his white energy points to increase his cultivation; after all, Ling had told him he could use them for anything he wanted.

That's why he didn't want to waste them; after all, white energy could even upgrade his talents, so he was reluctant to use them on something he could easily do with enough time.

After a moment of hesitation, Jian Ning decided to allocate 400 white energy points to his cultivation level.

Jian Ning opened his status and clicked on the (+) next to his cultivation level,

then.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for reaching the peak of the Physical Tempering realm. The next realm is a great realm; to break through, you need 1,000 white energy points]

Jian Ning took out the Rank 1 Barrier Breaking Pill; he had bought this pill two weeks ago for this breakthrough.

Without a second thought, Jian Ning took the pill.

[Ding, the host took a rank one breakthrough pill; you are beginning to break through to the Qi Gathering realm]

An enormous amount of spiritual power poured into his body, and the final barrier to his breakthrough was cleared, while Jian Ning felt new energy entering his body in the form of spiritual energy.

A symphony of bells rang in Jian Ning's head.

As swirls of spiritual energy formed around his body, a monstrous spiritual pressure emanated from him.

The pressure of his breakthrough was much more impressive than that of ordinary people; after all, his talent was truly remarkable.

— — — — — — — — — — — — —

In a grand, luxurious hall within the Jian residence,

A middle-aged man sat on an imposing, luxurious chair, his features rough and wild, with a neatly trimmed beard and piercing eyes.

This man was the current head of the Jian family: Jian Tian.

Below him were 8 chairs, 4 on each side of the hall.

Seated on these chairs were the elders of the family, among them six men and two women.

There used to be nine chairs some years ago, but since the death of the seventh elder, Jian Ning's father, one chair had been removed.

Among these elders was also Jian Ning's adoptive father, the fourth elder.

—

"Today, we gather for our meeting to select the youths who will participate in the recruitment for the Lingyuan sect in three days. This year, we have 15 spots, while the Lin and Ding families have 10 spots each."

"Clan chief, I propose we hold a tournament to select the ten most powerful young talents, and take five other talented but still inexperienced youths like Jian Ning," suggested the second elder.

"I agree with what the second elder just said," the other elders also agreed.

Everyone in the room knew that despite his young age, Jian Ning was probably the most talented among the Jian family's children.

After all, everyone remembered a few months ago when Jian Ning managed to chase away a low-level Rank 2 beast, even though his own cultivation level was only at the 8th level of physical tempering.

—

"All right, since this is accepted by all the elders, the tournament will be organized tomorrow. For now, the only one already on the list is Jian Ning; the rest will be decided after the tournament," Jian Tian declared with a majestic voice.

Jian Tian began giving orders: "First elder, you are tasked with informing all the young ones of the family about the tournament, and you, second elder, are in charge of-" Suddenly, he stopped.

In fact, all the elders fell silent as their gazes hardened.

"This pressure... it's obviously someone breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm. But why do I feel like this pressure is somewhat resembling someone breaking through to the Innate Realm?" wondered one elder.

"The pressure... it's coming from inside the residence!"

"It's heading towards the courtyard where the fourth elder's family resides."

The elders quickly identified the source of the pressure.

"Could it be Jian Ning?"

"It should be, because besides him, no one else is as close to breaking through."

"Exactly! Jian Mei reached the 9th level of physical tempering a few days ago, so it's impossible for him to break through now with his talent. And Jian Shi only managed to cultivate recently."

As the elders continued discussing among themselves, they headed towards the fourth elder's courtyard.

"We'll find out when we get there," Jian Tian said as he took the lead among the elders.

The others quickly followed.

— — —

Arriving at the courtyard of the fourth eldest, the elders finally found what they were seeking. Before them stood a 14-year-old adolescent, his black hair swirling in the wind and his closed eyes exuding determination.

It was indeed Jian Ning breaking through.

"That's Xiao Ning making his breakthrough," exclaimed Jian Zhi, the fourth eldest, with a mix of astonishment and pride.

The other elders beside him looked on with undisguised jealousy, regretting not adopting Jian Ning before him.

Nevertheless, they maintained a composed demeanor and congratulated Jian Zhi with genuine smiles.

"Congratulations, fourth eldest. Achieving the breakthrough at 14 is unprecedented. The previous record was set at 16," remarked one of the elders, admiringly.

"A dragon is rising within our Jian family. It's time for our clan to ascend!" proclaimed another elder, brimming with enthusiasm.

The elders warmly congratulated Jian Zhi.

"Fourth eldest, since it's your adopted son who's achieving the breakthrough, you have the duty to protect him during this phase," solemnly reminded Jian Tian.

"Of course, clan chief. You can count on me," replied Jian Zhi respectfully.

"Other elders, please spread the news of Jian Ning's breakthrough. Our Jian clan is destined to reach new heights with such a talented younger generation," added Jian Tian enthusiastically.

What joy to witness such a promising future for the clan.