C18 Spiritual Energy Pavilion!

The efficacy of the Blood Generating and Qi Replenishing Soup is directly tied to the grade of the Demonic Beast's flesh and Bone Root from which it's made. The higher the Demonic Beast's level, the more potent the soup's effects, enhancing one's Qi and blood, fortifying the bone marrow. Even those of a lower level can benefit significantly. For Lin Tian, a Level Five Martial Apprentice, this particular soup was perfectly suited to his needs.

In the days that followed, Lin Tian dedicated himself to a routine of sipping the Blood Generating and Qi Replenishing Soup while engaging in his cultivation practices. During this time, Yuan Rou, the daughter of Yuan Hee, visited several times. Lin Tian met with her twice, but otherwise, he devoted every moment to his training.

After ten days, Lin Tian had exhausted all his ingredients. His aura had become exceptionally stable, and his Inner Strength surged with unprecedented vigor. "Alright, my foundation is solid, and I've accumulated enough strength. Next, I'll head to the Spiritual Energy Pavilion's cultivation room to leverage its vital energy and make the breakthrough to Level Six," he mused to himself before rising and departing the courtyard.

The Spiritual Energy Pavilion was a notably unique establishment within the capital of the Celestial Dragon Country, rivaling the grandeur of the Pill Tower Chamber of Commerce. By the time Lin Tian arrived, evening had set in. Typically, business would wane at this hour for most commerce hubs, but the Pavilion's entrance was alive with activity.

Among the crowd were mostly young men and women clad in fine garments, though a smaller contingent of less affluent youth was also present. Lin Tian understood that these individuals were all here with the same goal: to secure a room within the Pavilion for their cultivation endeavors.

Even the members of the Celestial Dragon Sect, the preeminent sect of the Celestial Dragon Country, would opt for the Pavilion's facilities when they had ample resources and funds at their disposal. The reason was simple: the Pavilion's rooms were exceptional, each equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array. For those with exceptional talent, a single day of cultivation inside could yield the results of an entire month's effort outside. Such efficiency was an irresistible draw for cultivators far and wide.

Certainly, gaining entry came at a steep price. Luckily, after Lin Tian left the Outer Sect, Zhao Danhua, though he hadn't paid a personal visit, had someone deliver a token to Lin Tian. This token afforded Lin Tian substantial discounts at any merchant house within Celestial Dragon City, and he could even charge purchases to Zhao Danhua's account. Lin Tian, of course, didn't hesitate to take advantage of this.

Reaching into his pocket, Lin Tian retrieved the token and stepped into the Spiritual Energy Pavilion.

As soon as he entered, he was greeted by a throng of people and a bevy of young women in green dresses, all busy attending to the guests.

"Young Master, my name is Xiao Waner. You've come to use one of our pavilion's rooms, haven't you?" A crisp voice rang out beside Lin Tian as a young girl in a green dress approached with a welcoming smile.

"Yes, I'm looking to cultivate in a room infused with vital energy," Lin Tian confirmed with a nod.

"May I ask what level of room you require? Our rooms are categorized into Heaven, Earth, Mortal, and Common, each with a different price point," Xiao Waner inquired, her smile unwavering.

"With this token, which level room am I entitled to?" Lin Tian asked, presenting the token Zhao Danhua had sent him, which momentarily caught Xiao Waner off guard.

After examining it, a flicker of astonishment crossed Xiao Waner's eyes. "Unless I'm mistaken, that's the token of Pill Tower Elder, Great Master Zhao. Given his status, you're entitled to use a Heaven Level Spiritual Energy Room for one day, free of charge."

"Then the Heaven Level room it is. Please make the arrangements," Lin Tian replied calmly, his demeanor betraying no hint of the extravagance he was about to indulge in.

Xiao Waner's shock deepened, her attitude shifting to one of utmost respect. She was well aware that the Heaven Level spiritual energy room was reserved for the elite—only the core scions of the nation's most prestigious families dared to use it, and even they did so with great caution, given the exorbitant cost of ten thousand gold taels per day. Yet Lin Tian's serene request to use the Heaven Level room spoke volumes of his extraordinary character; he was clearly no ordinary individual.

"Alright, please follow me," Xiao Waner beckoned Lin Tian to a counter and presented a sheet of paper. "Kindly write down your name for our records. Once you're registered, we can seek confirmation from Great Master Zhao Danhua."

"Understood." Lin Tian nodded and signed his name, aware of the costly rates for the Heaven Level Spiritual Energy Rooms. Despite possessing Zhao Danhua's token for complimentary access, the staff at the Spiritual Energy Pavilion still needed to verify with Zhao Danhua, given the significant stakes involved.

Meanwhile, in the central room of the Heaven Level Spiritual Energy Rooms on the fourth floor of the Spiritual Energy Pavilion, a middle-aged man clad in black studied a massive circular array on the floor. Intricately carved lines crisscrossed the surface, converging at nodes with grooves that housed glowing green jade stones—each a treasure of immeasurable value.

After a moment, the man addressed a black-robed elder beside him, "Elder Zhang, this new Spirit Gathering Array Compass was acquired by our Pavilion Master after considerable effort from headquarters. It's the highest-grade array compass in Celestial Dragon Country, a Common Level High Rank. It's said that even the prodigies from powerful families in the Central Continent use this level of compass for their cultivation. Handle it with care; we can't afford any damage. Apart from myself and the Pavilion Master, no one else is permitted to touch it, understood?"

"Yes, Vice Pavilion Master Wang. I fully grasp the importance and will manage it with the utmost care, ensuring no one else comes into contact with it," Elder Zhang responded, bowing deeply.

"Good, let's leave it at that," Vice Pavilion Master Wang affirmed, then turned and departed.

With Vice Pavilion Master Wang gone, Elder Zhang gazed at the grand array compass below with a mix of awe and delight. "Truly worthy of a Common Level High Rank, the effects are remarkable. Just being near it, I can sense my Inner Strength burgeoning. If I continue to oversee it as before, I'm bound to receive an immense boost of vital energy. Even without active cultivation, my realm is sure to advance rapidly! This is indeed fortuitous."

As Elder Zhang reveled in his delight, a voice abruptly pierced the air from outside the door, "Master Zhang, I have an urgent matter to report."

"An urgent matter? What's going on?" Elder Zhang's brow furrowed as he stepped out of the room to find a man clad in black awaiting him.

"Master Zhang, the Earth Level spiritual energy room under Supervisor Xu's management shows signs of damage. No one knows the cause!"

"What?! Cracks in the Earth Level Spiritual Energy Room?!"

Elder Zhang's face shifted with concern. He was well aware that each room in the Spiritual Energy Pavilion was linked to the Array Compass; any damage could significantly impact the entire system, prompting his immediate and grave attention.

"Show me!"

With a commanding shout, Elder Zhang followed the man in black who had already turned to lead the way. In his haste, Elder Zhang neglected to close the room's door behind him.

Meanwhile, Lin Tian, having completed his registration, was escorted by Xiao Waner to the Heaven Level cultivation rooms on the fourth floor.

"Young Master, each of these rooms is of Heaven Level quality, with equal concentrations of vital energy. Please, choose any one you prefer."

Xiao Waner's invitation was met with a nod from Lin Tian, who nonchalantly selected a room and was instantly enveloped by the rich vital energy.

"Have you decided on this room, Young Master?"

Xiao Waner inquired.

"Yes," Lin Tian confirmed, stepping inside. Xiao Waner promptly added, "Then I shall leave you to your cultivation, Young Master. I won't impose any further."

With a respectful bow, Xiao Waner departed.

Once alone, Lin Tian prepared to shut the door and commence his cultivation. But just as he was closing it, his eyebrows twitched, and his gaze was drawn to another room nearby.

The door was ajar, and the vital energy seeping out was even more potent than that in his own room!

Intrigued, Lin Tian made his way to the corridor for a better look.

At a single glance, his eyes sparkled with recognition.

"A Common Level High Rank Spirit Gathering Array Compass! Incredible, this is the central hub of vital energy for the entire Spiritual Energy Pavilion! It's the heart of the operation! I never imagined I'd lay eyes on it!"

Murmuring to himself, Lin Tian's expression turned resolute. Without hesitation, he stepped into the room and firmly shut the door behind him.

He couldn't fathom why such a pivotal area was left unguarded, but Lin Tian recognized it as a prime opportunity. With the Spirit Gathering Array Compass at his disposal, he was certain he could make the leap to Level Six in a short span of time. Seizing the moment was the only thing on his mind.

Stepping into the center of the Array Compass, Lin Tian scrutinized the intricate patterns before him. A nod of approval; the compass was a fresh creation, devoid of wear or instability, making it perfect for his use.

Seeing as it was ideal, Lin Tian wasted no time. He settled into a cross-legged position at the heart of the compass and commenced the Dragon Gate Breathing Technique.

"Hu... exhale..."

His breaths, long and steady, echoed as thick streams of vital energy spiraled up from the compass, converging upon Lin Tian's form.

With each influx of vital energy, Lin Tian felt a surge of life force throughout his body. The pulsation of his flesh and blood was palpable, as was the burgeoning Inner Strength within his meridians.

His Inner Strength swiftly intensified, and with its growth, his physical tissues and organs simultaneously experienced a boost in resilience.

Yet, the pace of this enhancement was painstakingly slow.

This didn't catch Lin Tian off guard; he understood it was the price of possessing such formidable power.

Given his current physical prowess combined with his Inner Strength, Lin Tian was confident he could vanquish any Martial Artist Stage opponent, even those with an awakened Spirit Body. While this certainly worked to his advantage, it also meant that his breakthrough would be all the more challenging. A trade-off, as gains come with their respective costs.

Thankfully, the Spiritual Energy Room he had chosen was the very nexus of the Spiritual Energy Pavilion. Although his advancement was gradual, Lin Tian remained assured of his ability to ascend to Level Six.