Bai Yichen first pressed a stone knob beside the entrance.
Immediately, a sound of shifting stone walls echoed from outside, and the opening transformed back into a dead end.
He then walked straight ahead, stopping a foot away from the stone platform, and pressed down hard on a stone slab.
Another rumble resounded, and a door opened in the rear wall once more.
Without hesitation, Bai Yichen dashed inside and lit several wall-mounted wax lanterns with his torch.
He had already prepared a quiet room nearby in case he needed to break through his cultivation here.
In the quiet room, he found a white jade elixir bottle, covered in dust from its long neglect, yet its smooth surface still shimmered.
He unscrewed the lid and saw a dull black pill emerge.
Bai Yichen remained calm and, with a forceful shake of his hand, the black exterior seemed to peel away like the skin of a cocoon, revealing flecks of golden light until a radiant golden pill stood in his palm.
Just the aroma of the pill invigorated him, and he immediately recognized that its potency had not diminished.
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Bai Yichen's face.
Years ago, he had gone through great trouble to seek out a master alchemist in the martial world to refine this barrier-breaking pill for him.
The main ingredient of this pill had also been a century-old spiritual herb. Only the energy stored in such an herb could be effective for breaking through to the Innate realm after being refined into a pill.
Moreover, to ensure the pill's potency and success rate, Bai Yichen had instructed the alchemist to concentrate all the herb's energy into this single pill rather than creating multiple pills like other major sects typically did.
After all, he had to consider how much potency would remain after a hundred years.
Additionally, to better preserve the pill's effectiveness, he had specifically sought out a unique wax coating technique known as "Gray Iron Coat." This wax not only dulled the pill's shine, making it appear to lose its potency and easier to overlook, but also helped preserve its effectiveness.
Furthermore, Bai Yichen had painstakingly sought out skilled artisans who were elderly and had descendants, each contributing their expertise to set up these two mechanisms for the entrance, secret passage, and chamber layout.
These arrangements, even when he was in a position of power back then, had taken considerable effort to accomplish.
Of course, the gains he could reap today made all his past efforts worthwhile.
After all, hard work yields rewards, and effort brings returns, which was a blessing from Heaven.
Bai Yichen then pressed the knob to close the door to the quiet room.
Once this door was closed, it could only be opened from the inside. The quiet room also had a secret passage set up for a potential escape, ensuring thorough preparation.
Such comprehensive arrangements were naturally for his peace of mind during the breakthrough.
Thus, the closed-door retreat began!
With his realm already attained, Bai Yichen entered the Sitting and Forgetting Heart Refinement method, clearing his mind of distractions, and then operated the Yellow Court Yin Symbol Scripture as his internal strength surged through his body like the wind.
At that moment, as his internal strength flowed vigorously, the technique continued to operate, directly rushing towards his dantian.
Unfortunately, it seemed that he still needed a bit more force to surge through. His internal strength had reached a critical point, and with a few more years of accumulation, he might have succeeded, but he no longer required that now.
Once the golden barrier-breaking pill entered his stomach, it felt as if he had swallowed a tremendous surge of internal energy.
Boom!
A wave of heat far surpassing that of ten times a yellow ginseng and cooked earth pill spread through his body, sending tremors through all his meridians. The internal energy, which had previously shown signs of exhaustion, surged again toward his dantian, operating continuously.
"The method of refinement I chose back then was indeed correct. The potency of this pill is quite substantial, which is highly beneficial for my breakthrough!"
Bai Yichen's complexion turned slightly red, beads of sweat began to form, and wisps of faint white mist rose from his body. He continued to circulate the Yellow Court Yin Symbol Scripture, maximizing the effects of the barrier-breaking pill.
He did not know how much time had passed, but he seemed to hear a clear sound resonating from the void, as his internal energy from all limbs surged into his dantian, generating a group of internal breath.
Bai Yichen opened his eyes, exhaled a puff of white air, and felt a sense of relief throughout his body. The internal breath in his dantian began to flow through his limbs, with no signs of stagnation at all.
"I have achieved the Innate realm in this world!"
He then skillfully activated his internal sight, meticulously transporting the remaining internal energy to nourish his meridians.
As he first circulated his internal energy, he felt a slight tingling sensation throughout his body. After several cycles, Bai Yichen found that his internal breath flowed effortlessly, as if it was an extension of his own will.
From then on, with every movement, his internal breath circulated on its own, nourishing his body to ensure longevity, and even the slightest gesture could cause harm.
In fact, compared to his previous life, he felt even more complete and would not face the risk of a shortened lifespan.
With the breakthrough of his realm, he began to comprehend the Sitting and Forgetting Heart Refinement method once more. His distractions and delusions gradually faded, and he seemed to faintly grasp his true nature and spirit. In an instant, the light of the reincarnation seed erupted within him.
He had completed the second level of the Heart Refinement Method: "Simplicity!"
He felt as though he could hear the crackling of the flickering candlelight in the quiet room, the sound of wind blowing through the gaps, and the sight of dancing dust. His perception had grown even stronger, surpassing that of his past life.
"Oh, could it be that I truly have a connection with this method?"
This technique could actually provoke the reincarnation seed. Would that mean that in the future, as his cultivation deepened and the Heart Refinement Method matured, he would be able to master the reincarnation seed?
For a moment, Bai Yichen's heart raced with excitement, but as he began to circulate the Heart Refinement Method, his wild thoughts dispersed. He understood that he still needed to focus on the present, enhance his cultivation, and seek the traces of immortals.
Thus, Bai Yichen took the opportunity of his breakthrough to practice several major martial arts techniques.
His palms moved with his thoughts, his heart followed his spirit, and the four symbols rotated in harmony. It seemed that he had grasped the essence of the technique in an instant.
Bai Yichen concentrated all his strength, let out a loud shout, and executed the Four Symbols Harmonious Heaven technique, moving smoothly as if breaking through a barrier. He felt a vast and mighty force, with a profound intent that seemed capable of breaking open the quiet room.
Without pausing, he picked up a sword.
He practiced a set of Drizzling Rain Sword techniques, continuously thrusting with the sword, instantly creating a flickering shadow that spun and danced. His form seemed to merge with the sword, performing thrusts, slices, and slashes, as the rain of blades fell like a gentle shower, with overlapping sword shadows evolving and changing.
Gradually, the sword light in the quiet room became increasingly intricate, yet still flowed freely, like clouds and water. Finally, it converged into a swirling sword light that danced unpredictably.
The Drizzling Rain was perfected once more!
...
In such a quiet room, time seemed to stand still.
When Bai Yichen finished practicing various techniques and withdrew, he had no idea how long it had been. He only felt that a considerable amount of time had passed, and he was beginning to feel a bit hungry.
However, glancing at the provisions he had brought, he decided to consume the yellow ginseng and cooked earth pill to replenish himself.
Bai Yichen couldn't help but exclaim, "This is truly a good item; it can even stave off hunger."
If Old Master Zhang knew of this, he would probably chuckle and agree.
Afterward, he looked toward the exit of the quiet room and realized it was time to leave.