Although it came quite suddenly, it wasn't as if Tian Kai was completely unprepared for the breakthrough.
Thanks to his talent and diligence, his foundation was quite solid. This meant that it was easier for him to make small breakthroughs like this compared to other people.
It was quite worth it for him to take his time when cultivating, if he had rushed it then he might fail in the breakthrough and receive a massive backlash.
Of course if anyone were to know how long Tian Kai really spent cultivating, they would've spit out blood in annoyance.
After all, some people spent several years trying to reach the second level of Qi refinement after their eighth birthday.
Yet he did it in such a short period of time.
It probably had something to do with the battles he had been facing recently which helped him quickly solidify his power.
But even so, this speed wasn't something many people could hope to achieve in their city. Especially as he wasn't just a normal cultivator, but an elemental one!
Breathing out a mouthful of turbid air, Tian Kai felt the fire elemental energy course through his body from his dantian. Having it swirl around inside of him, he could feel the energy stored within him strengthen and empower itself.
He could feel the source of his powers growing along with his dantian strengthening itself.
This was a different sensation than body cultivation.
Tian Hai had said that body cultivation felt like pins and needles were poking at your skin and muscles constantly. It was supposed to be an extreme annoyance that caused one's mind to become distracted and unable to focus on the advancements, eventually leading to failure.
Luckily for him his constitution was a little weird, and the annoying sensation bought him a feeling like that of pleasure. He didn't find the sensation uncomfortable but instead found it slightly pleasant. This was his secret to reaching into the first level of body cultivating in less than half a year.
But even with his weird constitution, Tian Hai could not be compared to his brother.
Tian Kai's breakthrough was extremely smooth, almost nothing went wrong in the process.
If he didn't know any better, he would've even doubted if Tian Kai really went through a breakthrough.
As the elemental energy within his body calmed down, Tian Kai slowly opened his eyes. His pupils, glowing slightly with fire elemental energy, trembled lightly as a small implosion sounded out from within his body.
"Whooo" Tian Hai released a shaky breath slowly as a smile slowly plastered itself onto his face. Of course no tribulation arrived since this was just a minor level up and not a major breakthrough to the next stage.
"So how do you feel?"
Lou Ning approached Tian Kai and questioned him immediately. She and Lou Lan had yet to reach the second level and any insight Tian Kai had on it might help them in their future endeavors.
Tian Kai just shook his head indifferently.
He couldn't really tell what had changed about himself.
Clenching his fists together, the energy within his body began to tremble as a threatening aura shrouded his being.
The aura brought out and oppressive force that even caused the hearty and prideful Lou Ning to take a single step back.
Heat radiated gently from his body as the force began to dissipate.
"Incredible…" Tian Kai couldn't believe the difference between levels. His strength didn't just double, it was far more powerful than that.
It finally started to dawn on him how insane elemental cultivation truly was.
He was nearly seven times stronger than any neutral cultivator within the same level.
To say the least, he felt good.
Lou Ning slowly wiped the sweat off her brow as she released a shaky breath, "Well isn't that something."
Lou Lan just looked on admiringly while Tian Hai smirked to himself over at the side.
The four friends were preparing to celebrate with each other when a sudden gust of wind interrupted their mingling.
A strange figure appeared in front of them, surprising not only the villa inhabitants but the guard captain who was also around.
Approaching with a slow gait, a masked figure approached the group and nodded his head slowly.
Lou Ning and Lou Lan were both surprised by the mysterious man, while Sun Jianhong felt the blood quickly drain from his face.
Without any explanation, he quickly took a few steps forward and took a ninety degree bow.
"It is an honor to meet you here, Yong Heng!"
The masked figure was actually Xue Chang! More specifically Xue Chang within his adventurer persona.
This masked figure was well known within the whole city, especially for people like Sun Jianhong.
He admired this man who seemingly appeared out of nowhere and created miracles wherever he went.
Not only was their city economy booming thanks to his discoveries, but many troubles were avoided thanks to him. Such as quickly discovering the attacks instigated on the nearby villages, hidden temples within the city, and even defending the borders from monsters of all types.
Sun Jianhong was undoubtedly a fan of this man.
Xue Chang nodded his head curtly toward the guard. Although he knew the full story, he had to act as if he didn't know the man whatsoever to avoid any suspicions.
"Don't mind me, I'm just here to deliver some good news. I know Tian Kai and Tian Hai have been dealing with some troubles thanks to the Wang Family lately. I'd just like to say that I'll deal with it and that you can all relax for a bit."
And just as suddenly as he arrived, Yong Heng disappeared.
Sun Jianhong released a sigh of relief as he felt his heart beat rapidly. Meeting someone who could almost be considered a hero, and have him acknowledge your existence was a big deal of Sun Jianhong.
Switching his gaze over from the ground toward Tian Kai, he quickly reached out and grabbed his hands.
Bringing them together into his chest, Sun Jianhong asked with glowing eyes, "You know Yong Heng?!"
"Umm sort of, we worked together with him once."
"Tell me what he is like!"
Under the excited cries of their new friend, the group all walked toward the villa in celebration.
But near where Yong Heng disappeared, a single tree stretched proudly from the ground, unflinchingly facing the sky.
And within its branches was a single young boy smiling lightly to himself at the scene. His hand slowly rubbing against a small puppy sitting in his lap.
"Congratulations Tian Kai, I'm glad you succeeded. But I must say..."
As Xue Chang's worded faded away within the wind, a faint outline of silver and gold could be seen protruding from his back.
Surrounding him within the trees were the ghostly apparitions of nearly twenty arms.
"You're not the only one who got something great out of this battle."