Chapter 42: Breakthrough plans

At the same time, on Big Bamboo Peak...In the tranquil bamboo forest, Grey sat in his usual spot, surrounded by the rustling leaves and the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees.The forest was calm, bathed in a serene, silvery light, but Grey's mind was elsewhere. He rubbed his nose after sneezing for what felt like the tenth time this night. A slight smirk playing on his lips."Who's thinking about me this much?" he muttered to himself, chuckling at the old superstition.But his attention quickly returned to the object in his hands—the Six Directions Mirror, a powerful artifact bestowed upon him for winning the tournament. He turned it over, admiring the craftsmanship and the faint glow of its mystical energy.The Six Directions Mirror was no ordinary treasure. It could both defend and reflect attacks, provided the wielder's qi was strong enough.Most disciples would have been overwhelmed with excitement to possess such a tool, but Grey simply saw it as another item in his growing collection.After all, his raw physical power was so immense that he often found such artifacts unnecessary. He could shatter boulders with his bare hands—what need did he have for a mirror?Briefly, he considered devouring the artifact, using his Stellar Refinement Technique to absorb its power.Consuming it would increase his strength, but he quickly dismissed the idea. It would be a waste. The Six Directions Mirror might not be essential to him now, but it could serve a purpose later—or perhaps someone else would benefit from it more than he ever would.Grey's gaze drifted upward, focusing on the full moon hanging high above the bamboo canopy.The cool breeze brushed against his skin, and his thoughts shifted to his cultivation. He stood on the edge of a breakthrough, teetering between the Foundation Establishment stage and the coveted Golden Core stage.Reaching the 9th stage of foundation in just five years was an achievement few cultivators could even dream of.What made it even more extraordinary was Grey's dual cultivation of both Qi and Demonic Energy, thanks to his Heavenly Demon Cultivation Technique.His Qi reserves were ten times greater than a normal cultivator's, and his strength was unmatched even by those in the same realm.In fact, Grey was certain he could hold his own against a third-stage Golden Core cultivator, despite still being at the Foundation stage.But even with all this power, Grey knew the real challenge was yet to come.The tribulation that awaited him would be unlike any he had faced before. His instincts warned him that this breakthrough would unleash a force far beyond what he was prepared for.If he wasn't careful, the devastation could be catastrophic, not just for him but for anyone nearby."I can't do it here," he thought, glancing around the peaceful forest. The sect grounds were too densely populated, filled with disciples and masters alike.He would need to find a place far from the sect, somewhere remote where he could unleash his full power without worrying about collateral damage.Kong Sang Mountain came to mind—a place known for its seclusion and the dangerous demonic cultivators that infested it.The mission to cleanse the mountain was already looming, and Grey knew that once it was completed, he could search for a secluded spot there to undergo his breakthrough.The idea excited him rather than worried him. The greater the risk, the greater the rewardDetermined, Grey opened his system interface, a part of him still marveling at the mysterious tool that had guided him on his path so far. His eyes scanned the latest mission.[Mission: Break through to the Golden Core realm][Reward: Qi Manifestation]Grey's brow furrowed. He wasn't entirely sure what "Qi Manifestation" entailed, but if it was anything like the previous rewards he had received from the system, it would be invaluable.Every enhancement had brought him closer to mastering his cultivation, and this one would be no different. The system had never failed him, and he trusted that this reward would be just as game-changing.A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. The future was uncertain, but Grey was ready for whatever challenges awaited him.The tribulation, the mission, the mysteries of the system—each step was a new adventure. And despite everything, Grey knew that all of this would lead him to the one thing he desired most: a peaceful life.