Volume One: Beauty Brings Calamity — Chapter 19: Success Comes Naturally

The moon set and the sun rose; in the blink of an eye, it was already the next morning.

Fan Caiyun lay deeply asleep on the bed, breathing evenly, her complexion slightly weary. Several bottles of Bai Ling Elixir on the table had already been emptied.

Clearly, while Jiang Hao was cultivating, Fan Caiyun had consumed all the Bai Ling Elixir on the table.

“Just a little longer, and I’ll break through the Spiritual Spring Realm’s barrier!” Jiang Hao silently urged himself. The world before his eyes gradually brightened and sharpened, and his spiritual power reached an unprecedented height.

As Jiang Hao’s spiritual energy gathered continuously, the aura in his dantian surged like a roaring tide, striking the invisible barrier with increasing intensity. His heartbeat quickened, and the spiritual energy within seemed to rejoice eagerly, yearning to break through this obstruction.

“One more push, focus!” Jiang Hao whispered in his mind, clenching his hands tightly. His fingertips trembled slightly, as if he could feel the spiritual energy flowing between them.

With every deep breath, the spiritual energy in his dantian condensed further, forming a powerful vortex—like the calm eye at the center of a storm, harboring boundless strength.

At that very moment, Jiang Hao felt a violent tremor, as if the spiritual energy inside him was fiercely colliding with the barrier.

His consciousness was suddenly drawn into a wondrous realm; everything around blurred except for the surging spiritual energy in his dantian, which grew clearer, as if whispering the secret to breaking through.

“Now!” Jiang Hao roared in his heart, without hesitation pouring all his spiritual power into his dantian. His intense will struck the barrier like lightning.

With an invisible roar, Jiang Hao felt a massive shockwave surge through his body, as if a towering mountain had been torn apart. The spiritual energy cascaded like a flood, instantly shattering its constraints.

Boom! A muffled explosion erupted within him—the barrier of the Spiritual Spring Realm was completely broken!

In an instant, a clear and radiant spiritual spring emerged in Jiang Hao’s dantian, like dewdrops shimmering in the dawn, dazzling with brilliance. His body was enveloped by this power, the spiritual energy flowing freely within, bringing an endless sense of comfort.

“I… made it!” Jiang Hao’s heart surged with wild joy. The formation of the spiritual spring gave him a power he had never felt before, as if the entire world had opened its doors to him.

At this very moment, Jiang Hao’s cultivation had advanced to the early stage of the Spiritual Spring Realm. The spiritual energy within him flowed like a raging river—unceasing, abundant, and full.

Nourished by this power, Jiang Hao’s senses grew sharper; the sounds and auras around him became distinct. He could hear the gentle ripple of water in the wooden bucket, as if every drop was cheering for his success.

“So this is the power of the Spiritual Spring Realm?” Jiang Hao murmured to himself, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

As the spiritual spring formed in his dantian, subtle changes took place in Jiang Hao’s body. The flow of spiritual energy steadied his aura, making it as stable and unshakable as a towering mountain.

---

“Kid, not bad at all! I didn’t expect you’d break through to the Spiritual Spring Realm with just one Concentrated Spring Pill,” Feng Ling’er’s voice carried a hint of praise.

“Master, it’s all thanks to your guidance. Without your direction, I could never have broken through so easily,” Jiang Hao replied respectfully.

“Enough with the flattery. Your breakthrough is the result of your hard work over these past days—it just came naturally today,” Feng Ling’er said casually.

“Natural, huh… maybe…” Jiang Hao mused aloud, his thoughts wandering.

“Not only did you break through last night, but that little girl did too,” Feng Ling’er reminded softly.

Jiang Hao was slightly startled, then glanced over at the still-sleeping Fan Caiyun, surprised: “I didn’t expect Caiyun to break through as well. She’s already at the fourth layer of the Spiritual Energy Realm.”

From Jiang Hao’s perspective, it was only a matter of time before Fan Caiyun advanced with the help of the Bai Ling Elixir, yet he hadn’t anticipated she would improve a whole level in just one night.

“Don’t underestimate that little girl. She’s quite tenacious in her cultivation. Last night, while you were cultivating, she poured all the Bai Ling Elixir bottles from the table into the wooden bucket,” Feng Ling’er said indifferently.

“That girl, she’s reckless! Those bottles of Bai Ling Elixir weren’t meant to be used up in one night!” Jiang Hao’s heart jumped, filled with frustration.

Jiang Hao had prepared a week’s supply to prevent his cultivation from taking too long, never expecting Fan Caiyun to consume it all overnight.

Staring at the still-sleeping Fan Caiyun, Jiang Hao hurriedly asked, “Master, is Caiyun alright?”

Consuming seven bottles of Bai Ling Elixir in one night would be hard for any adult cultivator to endure, let alone someone as young as Fan Caiyun.

“Why are you so anxious! As long as I’m here, that little girl won’t come to harm,” Feng Ling’er said coldly.

“Master, I’m just worried! Caiyun is still so young…” Jiang Hao said with a hint of grievance.

“She’s fine, just a bit overexerted. Once she gets enough rest, she’ll naturally regain her energy,” Feng Ling’er explained.

“Alright, if you say so, Master, I’m relieved,” Jiang Hao nodded in response.

“What are your plans now?” Feng Ling’er asked.

Jiang Hao frowned slightly, unprepared for his rapid breakthrough in such a short night.

---

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Hao answered seriously, “Master, I plan to rest well in this inn for a few days and stabilize my cultivation. Since we’re in the territory of the Wild Wolf Gang, it’s best to avoid unnecessary trouble before the auction.”

“Mm,” Feng Ling’er responded softly, seemingly approving Jiang Hao’s decision.

At that moment, a familiar voice gradually filled the room.

“Braised Lion’s Head… Steamed Osmanthus Fish… Stir-fried Black Bear Paw…”

Fan Caiyun, still deep in sleep on the bed, mumbled intermittently while drooling slightly at the corners of her mouth.

Jiang Hao couldn’t help but smile wryly. “This girl, even in her dreams she’s eating—she really is a foodie!”

Unconsciously, a warm feeling welled up inside Jiang Hao. To him, Fan Caiyun was a precious gift bestowed by fate.

“Kid, isn’t this exactly the kind of childhood bride you like!” Feng Ling’er teased, her tone laced with playful mockery.

“Huh? Master, what are you saying! I don’t think like that at all!” Jiang Hao’s heart tightened as he hurriedly defended himself.

“Oh? Starting to make excuses now?” Feng Ling’er sneered with a glint of amusement in her eyes.

“Master, I think you must be hungry. I’ll go prepare something for you right away!” Jiang Hao stammered, trying to change the subject.

However, Feng Ling’er’s next words made Jiang Hao so embarrassed he wished he could disappear!

“You brat, that’s enough! In my current state, do you think I can eat anything?”

“If you want to prepare food for that little girl, just say it openly. Don’t use me as an excuse!”

“You really are courting death, kid!”

“Master, I’m sorry!” Jiang Hao hurriedly fled the room, making sure to close the door behind him, feeling deeply chagrined.