Chapter Four: Wang the Fat Man

As Chen Yi regained consciousness, his stomach let out a loud rumble—he was famished. Yet, he felt invigorated and clear-headed. When he started circulating the Five Elements Technique, he was astonished to discover that his cultivation had broken through from the third level of Qi Refinement to the fourth. The joy was overwhelming.

What he couldn't figure out was why he had fainted after reciting the surging scripture. After pondering for a long time, Chen Yi still couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation. He could only attribute it to his shallow cultivation level; faced with such a mysterious tome, it was impossible for him to master it all at once. He would have to comprehend it bit by bit.

With this thought, he finally let it go. What he wanted to try most now was to see whether, after reciting the scripture, he could still absorb the surrounding spiritual energy. If he could, he would be free from the shackles of his limited talent and at least stand on equal footing with his peers.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, his stomach rumbled again. Without delay, Chen Yi climbed out of bed, intending to head to the dining hall for the servant disciples.

"Chen Yi! Chen Yi!"

Just then, someone called his name from outside. Chen Yi immediately recognized the voice as Fatty’s. Fatty’s real name was Wang Hao, the village chief’s son from his hometown. Three years ago, they had come together to the Five Elements Sect to cultivate immortality.

Because he was born chubby and grew even plumper over the years, everyone called him Fatty Wang.

Chen Yi replied in a playful, exasperated tone, "What is it, Fatty?"

Fatty rushed in from outside. He thought Chen Yi seemed a bit different than before, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly how. Remembering his purpose, Fatty quickly said, "Chen Yi, today is the sect’s pill distribution day. Let’s hurry to the General Affairs Hall."

The General Affairs Hall was located in the outer disciples’ area of the Five Elements Sect, close to their living quarters. It wasn’t large, but looked quite official with its gray-white exterior and considerable size. It was overseen by a steward at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Every day, outer disciples had to report to the General Affairs Hall, receive chores, and return upon completion to have them checked off. Only then was a day’s work considered done.

Because of this, the General Affairs Hall was always bustling with disciples coming and going. Today, with the distribution of pills, it was even more crowded than usual.

Soon, Chen Yi and Fatty arrived outside the General Affairs Hall and strode inside. The Five Elements Sect had over ten thousand outer disciples, with nearly seventy percent below the fourth layer of Qi Refinement. Since coming to the sect, Chen Yi had kept to himself and didn’t know many people.

Although he didn’t know others, that didn’t mean they didn’t know him.

"Hey, isn’t that the guy who’s been stuck at the second level of Qi Refinement forever? What’s his name again?"

"I think it’s Chen Yi. I heard he went a bit mad trying to break through in seclusion the other day, but looks like he’s fine now."

Though the murmurs were quiet, Chen Yi, with his enhanced senses after merging souls, caught every word clearly.

Fatty, walking behind, heard them too. He hurried to Chen Yi’s side and whispered, "Don’t mind what they say, Chen Yi. I still have some pills left—take them first."

Chen Yi knew Fatty had been saving these pills for months to advance in cultivation. For him to offer them now was deeply moving, and Chen Yi made a note of this brotherhood in his heart.

Because Chen Yi was now at the fourth Qi Refinement level, while those around him—including Fatty—were at the third, none had seen through his true cultivation. Chen Yi quietly released a wave of fourth-layer aura toward Fatty. Sensing it, Fatty’s mind went blank for a moment, so much so that he didn’t even notice when Chen Yi walked into the General Affairs Hall.