Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Time flowed like water, slipping quietly through the gaps between one’s fingers. In the blink of an eye, another half-year had passed.

Qin Lu sat cross-legged on a prayer mat in the center of his room. His eyes were half-lidded, his spine rigid as a spear shaft. His hands rested on his knees, thumbs and index fingers lightly touching to form a mudra.

He was deep in meditation.

Under the circulation of the [Heavenly Heart Sword Art], the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth surged toward him from all directions.

Qin Lu breathed not just with his lungs, but with every inch of his skin. He expanded his pores, transforming his body into a vortex that devoured the ambient energy. Regardless of where the Qi entered, it flowed like a river into the sea, converging in his Dantian and steadily increasing his reserves.

In the Foundation Establishment realm, the cultivation of Qi was divided into four distinct phases: “Obtaining Qi,” “Circulating Qi,” “Dredging,” and “Impact.”

These four stages represented the critical metamorphoses required to advance.

In the early stage, a cultivator used Qi to clear their meridians and nourish their blood, tempering the physical vessel to withstand greater power. Once the body was reinforced, the cultivator entered the “Obtaining Qi” phase—continuously absorbing energy until they reached a critical saturation point.

However, every cultivator was unique. The specific “node” or limit of their Dantian varied wildly.

Most cultivators were like blind men groping in the dark. They could see their Qi reserves, but they had no idea where the finish line was. Even when they felt full, they often couldn’t break through without sensing a specific, elusive “opportunity” or epiphany.

This was why advancement in the Foundation Establishment realm was so arduous. Many cultivators spent their entire lives stuck at a single bottleneck, unable to sense the timing for their breakthrough.

But to Qin Lu, these insurmountable hurdles were little more than a trivial game.

He possessed the attribute panel.

For him, the nebulous concept of “cultivation progress” was quantified into a precise percentage. As long as he grinded, the number went up. It never regressed, and it never hid the truth.

He didn’t need to worry about “sensing the opportunity.” He knew exactly when it would happen.

And he knew that today’s meditation session was the moment.

A few days ago, his progress bar had hit 99/100.

According to his rhythm, this session would push him over the edge.

Thump!

Suddenly, a dull sound, like the beating of a heavy war drum, echoed from deep within Qin Lu’s chest.

The vortex of Qi swirling around him abruptly stalled.

Qin Lu’s face instantly flushed a deep crimson, as if he were holding a breath that threatened to burst his lungs.

Is it here?!

Joy surged in his heart. This violent reaction was the signal—the internal pressure of his Qi undergoing a qualitative change.

Seconds ticked by. The heat radiating from his body grew intense. His skin turned the color of cooked prawn, and faint wisps of green smoke began to rise from the crown of his head, steaming in the air.

Then, just as quickly as it began, the pressure vented.

The redness faded from his skin, and the smoke dissipated.

“Hoo…”

Qin Lu exhaled a long breath of turbid, gray air.

A wave of indescribable comfort washed over him. Every muscle fiber and meridian felt charged with explosive new power. He pressed his hands down to steady his Qi, then slowly opened his eyes.

They shone with wild, uncontainable delight.

With a thought, he summoned the interface.

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage: 1/100]

“Indeed!”

Qin Lu clenched his fist, feeling the raw strength coursing through his arm.

“My theory was correct. With the attribute panel, minor realms have no Bottlenecks. I simply fill the bar, and I level up. The only time I’ll face a true wall is when breaking through a major realm!”

During Qi Condensation, his path had been smooth. But the jump to Foundation Establishment had required him to leave the safety of his home, venture into the wilderness, and seek enlightenment through combat and seclusion.

“According to Gu Yue, breaking through a major realm requires comprehending the Qi of all things and the laws of heaven and earth. The next time I face a hard stop should be the transition to Golden Core. That will be the true moment of ‘contending with fate’…”

“Still, my path is far easier than others. I didn’t even need a pill to assist this breakthrough.”

“But I must not get complacent. I need to prepare.”

Qin Lu solidified his resolve. He stood up, stretching his limbs. His bones cracked and popped, releasing the tension of months of sitting.

“My strength has increased again. This feeling… it’s truly intoxicating.”

Qin Lu flicked his wrist.

Hum!

A silver streak flashed through the air, resolving into a long sword hovering before him.

The weapon was elegant and ancient in design. It was a straight, double-edged blade, its surface a shimmering silver-gray that suggested both the hardness of diamond and the fluidity of water. The scabbard was crafted from two slabs of red ironwood, offering a striking contrast.

This was the 2nd Tier High Grade Magical Artifact he had commissioned from Zhang Jinglong: the [Silver Sand Sword].

Forged from the rare [Wu Xian Silver] and [Gray Ancient Sand], the blade was a masterpiece.

It responded to his Qi with zero resistance, allowing for sword techniques that blended rigidity and flexibility seamlessly. When paired with Qin Lu’s agile movement arts, his combat style became dashing and unpredictable.

Most importantly, Zhang Jinglong had delivered on his promise. This was a true flying sword.

Qin Lu stepped onto the blade. It could only carry two people—far fewer than the [Flying Cloud Paper]—but the speed was incomparable.

“Time to test it out.”

He sheathed the [Silver Sand Sword] and strode out of the manor.

Since his schedule was clear, he intended to find a quiet patch of wilderness and unleash his new power.

As he walked through the bustling streets of White Jade Market, he passed a familiar storefront.

[Rhyme Clothing Pavilion]

This was the robe shop he had originally assigned to Lu Xian and Qian Li. Now, Qian Li managed it alone as the shopkeeper.

Lu Xian had been reassigned.

The Qin Sect had expanded again.

In recent months, demonic cultivators had become rampant in the surrounding regions. They were slaughtering mortals in the mortal dynasties and ambushing low-level cultivators, causing chaos.

The Demon Slaying Sect was stretched thin, dispatching disciples constantly to quell the unrest. Casualties were mounting.

In response, Manager Jiang Ge had organized a local “Demon Slaying Squad” within White Jade Market to handle threats that the main sect couldn’t immediately address.

Qin Lu, naturally, had joined the squad.

After two successful sorties to eradicate evil cultivators, he had been rewarded with the deeds to four additional shops.

With the business expanding so rapidly, the husband and wife team had split up, each managing their own store to maximize the sect’s income.

Business was booming, and as the Sect Master, Qin Lu’s pockets were getting heavier by the day.

He glanced at the [Rhyme Clothing Pavilion] but didn’t stop. He turned and headed straight for the market gates.

Since advancing to Foundation Establishment, he had been studying several new spells. However, because high-tier spells consumed vast amounts of Spiritual Qi, his practice had been slow and halted.

Now, with his reserves expanded, things would be different.

Qin Lu flew out of the market, speeding toward a remote, uninhabited valley deep in the wild.

He landed and took a deep breath.

Then, he unleashed hell.

BOOM!

In moments, the tranquil forest was filled with deafening explosions. Trees shattered, the ground ruptured, and shockwaves rolled through the valley as if destroying heaven and earth.