NOVEL NEXT Chapter 237: A New Face
The Third Threshold came soon after and frankly, it was easier stepping to the Third Threshold instead of the second Threshold. Or maybe it was due to the fact that Chu-Hua was there cheering me on? Whichever the case, I managed to plant my feet on the Third Threshold in less than twenty-four hours.
Needless to say, the news about my incredible feat spread far and wide the entire Higher Plane. And now, I do think that I'd be able to secure my spot in the upcoming Black Spirit Tournament which will be happening a few hours from now. I just hope that I'm prepared for it. After all, my cultivation level is significantly lower than everyone here.
"Good job making it this far." Chu-Hua congratulated me, patting me on the back. She then clung to my arm as we entered the Dorm which was located on the Third Threshold.
As stated before, each and every Threshold are slightly better than their lower counterpart. But I'm surprised to realize that such wasn't the case at all. In fact, the Third Threshold actually had a better living space, and the food was notably better than the previous Thresholds. Since I was getting hungry and there were still a few hours before the Black Spirit Tournament candidates are announced, I helped myself to some food, hoping that that would ease the worries that filled my mind regarding everyone back at the Lower and Middle Plane. I basically left all of them to survive on their own with an indefinite promise that I'll come back. But then again, it's only a matter of time before the Higher Plane decided to take over the Lower and Middle Plane and make it their own. Nothing stopped them from taking over the Higher Plane and getting rid of the Tang Clan after all. I'm just putting it out there.
"What are you thinking about?" Chu-Hua asked, munching off of some sort of bread. "If you're tired, you can continue on with your cultivation and regain your energy. I won't disturb you. The Third Threshold may be taking a toll on your body so don't force it too much." She continued.
'Honestly, Chu-Hua, you have no idea what I'm thinking' I inwardly said to myself before letting out a chuckle.
Just like what Chu-Hua implied, even if one's staying inside the living quarters of the Third Threshold, one would still feel the constant Qi Energy Pressure that filled the place. And of course, I was no exception. I had to regulate and condense my Qi Cores every second without letting my guard down, or else I'll be sent flying out of here just like what happened when stepped onto the first step. And to think that there are Ten Thresholds, totaling a hundred steps. How strong can someone get to reach the Tenth Threshold?
After eating, I headed outside to admire the long steps that reached the top of the rock formation on which the main building of the Gulong Household resided on top of it. I continued on with my cultivation, but I don't think I'll be reaching a breakthrough soon. This is one of the disadvantages of having so many Qi Cores, you may be stronger than those who are at the same level as you, but achieving a breakthrough is much harder compared to those who only have one or two Qi Cores.
The cultivation was as slow as I imagined it to be even though the place abounds with Qi Energy. I couldn't intake much Qi Energy for fear that some of my Qi Cores would go out of control. They're already on the verge of going out of control and I don't really have the leeway to let them do so. If I'm not careful, some of them might explode due to the rich Qi Energy in the atmosphere.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see a lot of cultivators staring at me and whispering towards each other. There were at least a hundred or so people in the Third Threshold and all of them decided to just stay there, never really trying to move up since they couldn't do so before. They're probably surprised and frustrated that a newcomer managed to get into the Third Threshold in less than a day, I mean, it was evident in their stares and the expressions on their faces.
If they had the time to badmouth others and talk ill of them, why don't they just cultivate? They're just like spoiled brats who always complained without even doing something about the current situation. Not that I mind though, they can backstab me all they want but at the end of the day, I'll be the one to get to the main building of the Gulong Sect in record time.
With that said, however, I can't really make any progress right now since I'm only eligible for the Black Spirit Tournament while I'm in the Third Threshold. That means until the Black Spirit Tournament is over, I'd have to stay here and cultivate. And also, I'd have to continue working on my constitution as well so my physical level would match my cultivation. The balance between the two is what'd prepare me to climb higher. And then, all I need to do is extend the influence of my Tang Sect and take over the Gulong Household. After establishing a place here in the Higher Plane, we can finally work on taking over our rightful place here once again.
And also, I shouldn't forget why I climbed up here. I'm here to find out who spread the virus over at the Lower Plane to get rid of everyone. Once I find him, I'm going to make him pay for what he did.
"Hey kid," Someone called from behind me, much to my surprise. When I turned around, I noticed a man with long black hair, descending from a higher threshold. His face looked familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger around it.
I turned around, thinking that he was talking to someone else. But then I didn't find a single soul behind me. "Me?" I cluelessly asked.
"Yes, you." The man said. "I'm Jeralt from the Sixth Threshold. I heard that you've taken quite good care of my younger brother back at the First Threshold." He smirked.
'Seriously? Is this happening right now?' I asked myself in confusion. The Black Spirit Tournament is happening soon and I'm doing all I can to prepare for it. But it seems like fate has different plans for me right now.