Chapter 3: Loyal Service in Gratitude for Today’s Kindness!

The new chapter is going to be posted on the public domain twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday), and thrice a week in my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HannibalNotBarca1

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"Brother Li, I appreciate your kindness."

Lu Changhe struggled to look away from the jade box, his voice firm, "But the value of the Spirit Yuan Pill is immense. It must have been sent by your family specifically to help you break through to the Qi Condensation realm."

"If you give it to me today, I feel unworthy."

"It's better if you take it soon, perhaps you can join the inner sect earlier."

Lu Changhe naturally wanted the Spirit Yuan Pill. 

However, he couldn't, for personal gain, delay Li Xun's advancement to the Qi Condensation realm. 

With Li Xun's talent, he had a bright future ahead. 

Advancing to the Qi Condensation realm earlier would get him noticed by the elders sooner. 

For Lu Changhe, a mere commoner, causing a genius to fall behind was not worth the exchange.

Li Xun addressed him as a brother. 

How could he, as a brother, hold his friend back?

"You overthink things, Brother Lu."

Li Xun smiled, adding, "This pill is of no significant use to me now."

Initially, Li Xun was driven by the system's rewards to give Lu Changhe the pill. 

Now, he genuinely felt sincere. 

After all, facing such a valuable pill, not only did Lu Changhe resist temptation, but he also persuaded Li Xun against giving it. 

Few could do this.

If it had been someone else, they might have eagerly pocketed the Spirit Yuan Pill by now.

"Brother Li, could it be...?" Hearing Li Xun's words, Lu Changhe's eyes flashed with doubt, murmuring, "Could it be that you've already broken through to the Qi Condensation realm?"

Li Xun smiled without saying a word, confirming Lu Changhe's suspicion.

"I see."

Lu Changhe nodded, having guessed the truth. 

Yet, he still hesitated, "Even so, this pill is too precious."

"Brother Lu, do you not consider me a friend?" Li Xun suddenly asked.

"Brother Li, you misunderstand, I..." Lu Changhe started to explain but was cut off as Li Xun tossed the jade box to him. 

For Li Xun, it was nothing, but to Lu Changhe, it meant everything.

Catching the box, Lu Changhe feared it might fall.

Seeing him catch the box, Li Xun calmly said, "Since you've accepted it, I won't be taking your time any longer. Hurry back and prepare to break through to the Qi Condensation realm."

With that, Li Xun rose to see him out.

Still dazed, Lu Changhe found himself outside with the jade box in hand, feeling the cold wind. 

He looked at the box and finally came to his senses.

I actually accepted the Spirit Yuan Pill?

This pill is worth a hundred middle-grade spirit stones!

What have I done to deserve this from Brother Li?

Standing at Li Xun's door, holding the jade box, Lu Changhe was torn. 

The favor was enormous. 

To Li Xun, it was just a pill, but to Lu Changhe, it changed his fate.

He wanted to return it but felt a voice within urging him to keep it.

After a long struggle, his resolve hardened. 

He looked at the closed door, clutching the box tighter.

"When I break through to the Qi Condensation realm, I will serve diligently to repay today's kindness!"

He whispered, as if promising Li Xun and himself.

Leaving this vow, he turned and departed.

Inside, watching Lu Changhe's retreating figure, Li Xun mused, "Is this the unexpected surprise the system mentioned?"

By giving Lu Changhe a pill, on the surface, he simply gained twenty years of cultivation. 

But, due to this, in the long run, he also gained a reliable friend. 

Li Xun never doubted Lu Changhe's loyalty. 

This is a Xianxia world where breaking promises could lead to severe consequences, like heart demons or worse, soul destruction.

Cultivators valued promises highly. 

Once given, they wouldn't hesitate to uphold them even at great personal cost.

"If this continues, I might end up with friends everywhere."

Thinking of potential future allies, Li Xun felt a mix of anticipation and amusement. 

His enemies might be in for a tough time.

"I'm getting ahead of myself."

Returning to the moment, Li Xun mentally commanded, "System, where's my twenty years of cultivation?"

[Ding! Master's investment succeeded. Would you like to receive the twenty years of cultivation?]

"Yes!"

No sooner had he spoken than a surge of energy filled the room. 

His dantian erupted with divine light, filling his body with surging energy.

With a roar, a shackle within him broke, and Li Xun felt an immense clarity, as if ascending to a higher plane. 

This marked his breakthrough.

Reaching the Qi Condensation realm was a significant step for a cultivator, bestowing a cultivator with increased lifespan and power.

Li Xun's cultivation didn't stop there. 

In a short time, he advanced to the mid-Qi Condensation realm, his power solidifying further. 

The pressure in the room grew intense, capable of overwhelming lesser cultivators. 

Finally, he reached the peak of the Qi Condensation realm, his progress halting only because of his current cultivation technique's limit.

Once he became an inner sect disciple and obtained a higher-level technique, he could advance further.

"Perhaps I can become an inner disciple today and start receiving their benefits."

Checking the time, Li Xun noted it was nearing sunset. 

Whether he had time or not, he needed to try.

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Tn:

Cultivation Realm shown so far:

1st Realm: Body Refinement Realm: From 1th Level to 10th Level

2nd Realm: Qi Condensation Realm: From Early, to Mid, to Late, and then to Peak

3rd Realm: Spirit Meridian Realm

Li Xun cultivation realm before receiving the 20 years worth of cultivation is at the 10th Level of Body Refinement realm, and after he received it, his level soared to the Peak of Qi Condensation Realm.