The following days saw Bai Yunfei plunge into an almost 'secluded cultivation' state.
He spent nearly every waking moment comprehending the manipulation techniques for those 'basic' acupoints. Even the time meant for sleep wasn't wasted; it became dedicated to increasing his soul force. Since his days were entirely consumed by studying acupoints, he hadn't spent time actively cultivating soul force. However, Bai Yunfei had his own unique method to effortlessly boost it!
This method, naturally, was the Equipment Enhancement Art. Here in this small village, with Li Chengfeng around, he didn't need to worry about danger while unconscious. So, every single night, he would deliberately exhaust his soul force using the Enhancement Art until he passed out. Upon waking the next day, his soul force would have naturally increased – it truly was incredibly convenient.
The slightly troublesome part was that the vast stockpile of equipment stored within his spatial ring was almost entirely depleted within just a few short days. These common-grade items almost universally shattered before reaching +10, disintegrating into piles of rusted iron filings as if weathered by countless ages.
Eventually, Bai Yunfei was forced to change his approach. He would practice body control techniques or soul skills before sleep, depleting his soul force significantly. Only then would he return and use the Enhancement Art to drain the last remnants of his energy. This resulted in him 'jumping around' like a madman outside every evening before bed. Villagers unaware of the reason thought he simply had boundless energy; some well-meaning aunties even offered to introduce him to potential brides…
However, the fruits of this 'bitter cultivation' were undeniable: Within seven days, he had gained basic control over several acupoints along his arms. He could now barely unleash the 'Ninefold Fist Force' without suffering crippling side effects. This marked the completion of his first goal. Next, he would focus on the acupoints in his legs before beginning his study of the 'Rippling Steps' technique.
In terms of soul force, it steadily increased at a rate of over twenty points daily. Twelve days had passed since he first reached the early-stage Soul Warrior realm. The first five days (the travel time from Falling Stone City to the village) involved using the 'Soul Cultivation Art' to accumulate energy. Adding these seven days of intense effort, his current soul force hovered around 1,500 points. Bai Yunfei guessed the threshold for mid-stage Soul Warrior was around 1,600 points. Meaning, within a few more days, he should break through to the mid-stage.
Regarding equipment, although the enhancement success rate was agonizingly low, sheer volume yielded results. He now possessed over a dozen common-grade weapons – swords, knives, staffs – successfully enhanced to +10.
Perhaps inspired by Bai Yunfei's dedication, Li Chengfeng also trained with immense diligence. He even reduced the time spent with his beloved Ling'er. However, Ling'er proved to be a remarkably understanding wife, voicing no complaints. Seeing the genuine happiness on her husband's face while cultivating alongside Bai Yunfei brought her true joy.
When Bai Yunfei arrived, Li Chengfeng had already been at the early-stage Soul Disciple realm for some time. These past days, he juggled cultivating the newly acquired Bone and Blood Manipulation technique and the soul skill 'Tidal Wave Art', all while diligently focusing on increasing his soul force. Despite this demanding schedule, he still managed to break through to the mid-stage Soul Disciple realm within the first couple of days, steadily increasing his strength. This progress even made Bai Yunfei briefly wonder if Li Chengfeng possessed some soul force-boosting shortcut similar to the Enhancement Art…
That afternoon, Bai Yunfei ventured alone into the forested hills behind the village. Finding a secluded spot, he sat down cross-legged – he had an important task ahead: Enhancing Equipment – specifically, enhancing the equipment that had already reached +10!
Up until now, Bai Yunfei had always treated +10 as the practical limit for enhancement. But now, with a decent stockpile of +10 items, he decided to push towards higher levels. His goal was to gather more information about the Enhancement Art's behavior at these advanced stages. Since these were only common-grade items, losing them wouldn't be too painful.
Taking a light breath, he flicked his wrist. A dagger appeared in his hand. "Start with a +9 dagger... Enhance." "Enhancement successful." "Equipment Grade: Common." "Enhancement Level: +10." "…" The information appearing in his mind brought a surge of satisfaction. "Good luck! First one worked. Now then…"
"Enhance." "Enhancement failed." "Equipment destroyed." He stared at the pile of rusted filings in his palm, disappointment washing over him. "Sigh! As expected, it's not that easy…"
He produced another dagger, this one already +10. "Enhance." "Enhancement failed." "Equipment destroyed."
Next, a +10 shortsword appeared. "Enhance." "Enhancement failed." Another failure...
"Enhance." "Enhancement failed." "Enhance." "Enhancement failed." "…" … "Screw it! This time it HAS to work! Let's try the Frost Silver Needles!" "Enhance!" "…" … Half an hour later, a substantial mound of rusted filings lay piled before Bai Yunfei. His face was contorted with fury as he glared at a three-foot-long greatsword gripped tightly in his hands, his knuckles white.
"Equipment Grade: Common." "Enhancement Level: +11." "Attack Power: 31." "Additional Attack Power: 56." "+10 Additional Effect: 3% chance to inflict Knockback on attack." "Enhancement Cost: 30 Soul Points." This greatsword was the very one he'd used during the fierce battle against Hallmaster Zhong. It bore several nicks along its edge, and a distinct hole pierced its blade – the mark of an Ice Thorn.
He stared at the sword for several long minutes. Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, Bai Yunfei sprang to his feet with a jerk. He slammed the sword onto the ground with all his might, unleashing a torrent of furious curses. "BLASTED THING! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Fifteen +10 common items destroyed! AND two Frost Silver Needles! Those were SOUL ARTIFACTS! SOUL ARTIFACTS! BOTH of them blew up! And all I'm left with is this piece of junk?!" "Damn it! DAMN IT!"
The more he thought about it, the more incensed he became. Bending down, he snatched the greatsword back up, growling low in his throat, "Enhance!" "Enhancement failed." "Equipment destroyed." The sword vanished from his grasp, dissolving into yet another shower of filings that drifted down onto the existing pile. Bai Yunfei froze, his expression hardening further, his eyes almost bloodshot. A flick of his wrist, and the Ice Thorn spear materialized in his hand. "I… I…" His hand clenched around the spear shaft with bone-white intensity. Veins bulged on his forearm, and his entire body trembled slightly. His face flickered through a range of emotions – rage, frustration, temptation. He wrestled internally for a good ten minutes. Ultimately, he managed to suppress the reckless impulse. With a defeated slump, he sank back down to the ground, recalling the Ice Thorn. He simply stared blankly at the large pile of rust before him.
After a long while, as if struck by a sudden thought, he flicked his wrist once more. An object appeared in his palm – angular, blazing crimson that dazzled the eye, radiating a cold, intimidating aura. It was none other than the eternal Brick!
Bai Yunfei held a special affection for the brick (ugh… why did that sound awkward?). After all, it was an accidentally enhanced +10 brick that had allowed him to unexpectedly smash the savage wolf in the beast-fighting arena, saving his life. So, he always kept one in his spatial ring. It wasn't the original, but it served as a memento. "Heh…" He let out a self-mocking laugh, shaking his head slightly. Silently, he willed, "Enhance…" "Enhancement successful." "Uh…" His expression blanked momentarily, but he dismissed it, muttering with resignation, "Enhance." "Enhancement successful." "I… Enhance again!" His face changed, a stubborn, almost petulant edge entering his voice as he practically shouted the command. "Enhancement successful."
"......"
"…"
He sat utterly dumbfounded for half a minute. Then, mirroring his earlier outburst, Bai Yunfei shot to his feet. He hurled the brick down onto the ground with tremendous force and started jumping up and down, howling in utter disbelief and frustration. "BLASTED THING! SCREW THIS!! HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?!"