In the world of cultivation, the breakthrough from the fifth level to the sixth level awarded a substantial improvement in power and ability, far more than the previous levels. It was a special threshold that separated the lower stages from the middle stages within a realm. It was not just a new title; it was something real and tangible, that everyone knew about and respected.

Someone at the fifth level was expected to always defeat an opponent at the fourth level. However, going up against two opponents, both at the fourth level, was still a difficult prospect. There was no guarantee that the fifth-level fighter would be able to win a majority of the time.

This was not the case for one at the sixth level. They were able to take on two, three, or even four opponents at the fifth level without any threat of defeat. The improvement to their strength was truly this fearsome. Instead of a step-wise improvement, it was akin to a leap. Otherwise, there was no point in a separate set of titles within each realm.

This difference was why the ranks of head guard and bandit leader were only given to those at the middle stage of the Spiritual Strengthening Realm. Only a middle stage warrior could lead a group of cultivators successfully. it was their suppressive strength over their subordinates that instilled respect, fear, and obedience.

Gray was now at the middle stage and he noticed the clear differences. It was no longer just raw strength, speed, and agility. He felt his body had fundamentally improved. Every muscle, bone, and tendon were filled with spiritual energy and hummed with power. His skin was tough like leather. His organs were hard as steel. This was what it felt to be a true cultivator, to have his body filled with boundless spiritual strength.

He tried to act calm and composed but he finally couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Yes!” He pumped his fist into the air in celebration.

It was a great feeling. Every breakthrough was good but this one was special. Even without spiritual stones or jade, he was able to cultivate and make progress. His goal of seeing Xueling again was alive and well and he was getting steadily closer.

He was also happy because this breakthrough came at an opportune time. He was deep within enemy territory and the longer he stayed, the more dangerous it became. The past few days had been tense even though there was nobody else around.

Now, at the sixth level, he was much safer. With his unnatural innate strength, his true combat ability was around the ninth level of Spiritual Strengthening. With such fearsome strength, he had little to fear in these wild plains. He did not have to worry about herds of bison or nosy packs of wolves. And most importantly, he could easily beat up that despicable bandit Tang if they met again.

After the excitement wore down, Gray set aside the next few days to consolidate his foundation and stabilize his spiritual sea. Improving by two levels rapidly strained the body and there was a chance it could be problematic in the future. The Tome of Glorious Fortune contained passages that helped him by stimulating every corner of one’s body to clear away scars and impurities. It would make sure everything was in optimum condition for further cultivation and future breakthroughs.

As he sat down to begin a long, boring practice session, a happy memory drifted to the forefront…

---

“Good. You’ve understood the essence of the recovery mantra.”

Xueling’s voice caused Gray to open his eyes.

She was squatting rather close and observing him. He wasn't uncomfortable with her proximity and instead hoped that she could stay like that longer. She did not indulge him and merely patted his arm before standing back up. Even so, that small action was enough to cause his stomach to flutter and his chest to swell.

She ignored him and started on one of her lectures, “Remember, each breakthrough is a small transformation. A person’s body may not react well to it under certain conditions. Spiritual gates and spiritual veins might get weakened or damaged. There can also be a buildup of scars and impurities across other parts of the body. Your spiritual sea may also become unstable and fragile. All of these will cause eventual bottlenecks along the path of cultivation. Even if the bottleneck is not in the Spiritual Strengthening Realm, it could be at Spiritual Control Realm or perhaps the Spiritual Impulse Realm.”

“I thought the tome was supposed to be a good cultivation art.” Gray said.

“It’s an amazing cultivation art!” She replied hotly.

Gray laughed which made her realize that he was only teasing. She huffed and tried to act angry for a few moments before letting out an amused chuckle.

Gray beamed with happiness.

“Fine, I should have mentioned this before.” She said, oblivious to his reaction, “The Tome of Glorious Fortune is not infallible. Even the absolute best cultivation method under the heavens isn’t either. Not everyone that cultivates a secret art can reach the peak or even achieve the same results. Each individual is different, with different starting points, innate talent, cultivation resources, as well as methods of practice. It is a very long journey but for some, it ends rather quickly. At each level and realm, countless disciples meet an impossible bottleneck and one point or another and that's where their progress ends.”

“For those that inevitably meet a bottleneck they cannot cross, their only recourse is to seek out a great treasure, one with far more spiritual energy than they need, that can overpower the bottleneck and breakthrough forcefully. This either costs a great deal of money or in most cases, there is only demand but no supply and they have to find it themselves. This is why countless cultivators go into the wilderness, dangerous lands where beasts and nature rules, to search for treasures that can help them improve.”

“Cultivation at all realms and levels eventually reaches this state, this endgame. It is unavoidable. It is a natural circumstance, almost like an innate law of the world. Everybody seeks treasure, from the lowly disciple to the most revered master. The whole world seeks treasures. I have to admit that when I was ambushed, I was on my way to the ruins of an ancient kingdom to seek a treasured artifact.”

Gray tugged at her sleeve, distracting her from her long-winded explanation.

“What?” She asked.

He reached over and snatched the citrine gem out of her hand.

“So, what you’re saying is…” He said with a grin, “My gem is rather useful. It will save you a lot of time treasure seeking. Perhaps then... besides this difficult to practice tome, I deserve another reward?”

“Hey!” She tried to reach for it but he held it out further.

“How about you make dinner for once?” He asked.

“No.”

“How about you clean up the absolute mess you made of my home?” He asked, pointing out how her belongings had managed to take over almost every corner of his humble cave.

“Never!”

“How about you marry me?”

“…” She raised a fist, “How about I beat your ass!”