......

An hour later, Chu Tianyao emerged from the depths of the grove.

The system's voice echoed in Chu Tianyao's mind.

"Boom! Detected that the host has successfully used the Yin-Yang Derivation Heaven Technique. Gained 200 Derivation Points!"

"The current 310 Dao Points are sufficient to advance your cultivation level. These 310 Dao Points will automatically be converted into cultivation level..."

"It takes 300 Dao Derivation Points to advance from the ninth level of the Innate Realm to the first level of the Qi Refining Realm. Each advancement in the Qi Refining Realm requires 300 Dao Derivation Points."

"Current cultivation level: Qi Refining Level 1! Remaining Dao Evolution Points: 10."

In that instant, Chu Tianyao felt as if he possessed some kind of wondrous vital energy within his body!

"Is this the Qi Refining Realm? It's completely different from the Innate Realm... I can clearly feel the flow of spiritual energy in the world. And I can vaguely absorb spiritual energy."

"My entire body is completely different now; the internal energy has begun to circulate on its own..."

"From this moment on, I have officially stepped into the threshold of cultivation... In the eyes of ordinary people, I can be considered a terrestrial immortal."

"Although I only advanced by one realm this time, it was more effective than advancing by thirteen realms before!"

"Boom! Detected that the host has broken through a major realm. System rewards obtained. Martial skill: Cloud Mist (movement technique). Magic weapon: Crescent Moon Shield (armor), Crystal."

The next moment, the profound meaning of Yun Zhongwu's movement technique completely entered Chu Tianyao's sea of ​​consciousness.

After a long while, Chu Tianyao slowly opened his eyes.

"When this Cloud and Mist movement technique is cultivated to its extreme, one can transform into clouds and mist and disappear into the sky. It is a very powerful movement technique... However, it is not yet possible to do so at the Qi Refining stage."

He looked at the crescent shield in his hand. The shield was shaped like the brightest crescent moon in the night sky, with a faint glow emanating from it. The flowing light seemed to be sprinkled with moonlight, making people forget the mundane world when they looked at it.

"This is a very powerful defensive magic artifact..." Chu Tianyao pondered for a moment, "It should provide a considerable defensive boost..."

"As for 10,000 crystals, they can be used to buy some low-level magic artifacts... However, there are too few Qi Refining cultivators in this Bitter Sea Town, so they are not sold in the town."

"But speaking of which... why was I able to get 500 Dao Derivation Points from Nalan Youruo last time, but only 200 from Tang Nairou?"

"Tang Nairou is clearly at the Innate Realm just like Nalan Youruo..."

Just as Chu Tianyao was racking his brains trying to figure it out, Tang Nairou had already walked out of the grove.

She looked visibly tired, and her expression was somewhat complicated.

Tang Nairou walked to Chu Tianyao's side, sat down quietly, and didn't say anything.

Chu Tianyao pondered for a moment, then stood up.

He looted the bodies of the six men in the forest cave...

There are approximately two hundred crystals.

Chu Tianyao handed the crystals to Tang Nairou, saying, "Miss Tang, please accept these crystals."

Tang Nairou took the crystal, her expression towards Chu Tianyao somewhat strange...

She thought to herself, "Wait... what do you mean by giving me the crystal? What happened in the grove earlier... aren't you going to say anything? Give me, a young lady, an explanation?"