Chapter 7 – After the Breakthrough
A faint breath escaped Long Tan's lips.
Slow, weak… but alive.
Dark stains covered his skin, thick and sticky like rotten mud.
The smell was terrible — like a dead fish left under the sun for months.
It was the foul scent of impurities leaving the body.
His eyelashes trembled.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
The wooden ceiling came into view.
His limbs felt heavy at first, then suddenly light, almost weightless.
His skin tingled.
His breathing felt deeper.
The world around him seemed clearer — sounds sharper, air cleaner, Qi thicker.
> "I… broke through."
He whispered it softly, still unsure if it was real.
He pushed himself up, but his body wobbled.
Even so, there was a strange strength inside him, like a fire quietly burning in his veins.
The room door opened suddenly.
Su Lan rushed in, her face pale and frightened.
When she saw him sitting up — covered in black filth — she gasped.
"Long Tan! What happened?! W-why do you look like this? You smell like… like something died!"
Her voice shook as she ran to him.
Long Tan managed a small smile.
"I broke through… from third level to fourth level of Qi Condensation."
Su Lan froze. Her eyes widened with shock — then happiness bloomed on her face like sunlight breaking clouds.
"You… really?"
Her voice trembled, half disbelief, half joy.
"Then you're stronger now… safer… more protected."
"Yes," he nodded softly. "A little safer."
Relief washed over her eyes.
But she quickly coughed, covering her nose.
"B-but first, please… go bathe. You might kill me with this smell."
Long Tan looked down at himself. Black waste covered every inch.
He laughed quietly and stood up, still unsteady, and went to wash.
---
The water turned black quickly.
Each splash washed away years of impurities, weakness, and failure.
After a long wash, he stepped out clean, drying himself with a rough cloth.
His body looked the same, yet different.
Muscles felt tighter.
Skin clearer.
Bones stronger.
Breath deeper.
He clenched his fist — a quiet power pulsed inside.
> My strength increased… at least thirty percent.
He sat and focused his senses.
Qi around him felt easier to detect, like a door had opened in his mind.
> My talent… also increased. A little.
To test it, he formed hand seals.
"Fire Burst."
A small ball of fire appeared — but this time it was brighter, hotter, faster than ever before.
He stared at his hand, stunned.
> "So this is… a real breakthrough."
He picked up his saber next.
The blade felt lighter in his grip.
He swung slowly, then faster.
Each movement felt natural, smooth, powerful.
> "Tomorrow… I will consolidate my realm fully."
He exhaled deeply, satisfied.
---
Evening came.
Su Lan had planted herbs behind their hut — small sprouts now, needing time and care to grow.
Long Tan walked outside, looking at the mountains, at small huts, at tired cultivators carrying spirit wood.
The world felt wider today — not because it changed, but because he did.
He returned inside as the sky darkened.
Su Lan was cooking simple food — spirit vegetables and beast meat from yesterday.
Long Tan sat near her.
"You should cultivate too," he said gently.
"Only strength keeps us alive here."
She nodded quietly.
He gave her a small gourd of low-grade Qi wine.
"Drink a little tonight. It will help your foundation."
Su Lan accepted it carefully like it was precious treasure.
"And you?" she asked.
He tapped his dantian lightly.
"I poured the remaining medium-grade Qi wine into the spring gourd. It will grow slowly."
They ate dinner together in silence, comfortable and warm.
Tonight, there were no storms.
No thunder.
No pain.
Only a small peaceful room, two bowls of warm food, and quiet breathing.
Later, when the lamp dimmed, Su Lan leaned against him.
"You really scared me today," she whispered.
He held her hand gently.
"I won't leave you."
Outside, the mountain wind whispered softly.
Inside, warmth filled the room.
They rested together that night, close and quiet, sharing warmth and comfort after the hard day.
In a cruel world, this small peace felt rare and precious.
The world could wait until morning.
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End Chapter 7 thanks everyone who read my novel.