From the thousands of different pills, Bai Qi selected the [12 Stars and 8 Reflections] pill. This latter was considered one of the hardest to refine among the common tier and meant to cleanse the circulation system of a Warrior Lord from any impurities. Although Bai Qi's cultivation wasn't yet on that level, his circulation system was, not to mention that he had opened the secondary meridians since before.

Bai Qi avoided using the 'Ghostflame', opting to play it safe. Based on this, he used a simple fire talisman for the process.

Even so, the pills that resulted were perfectly round, with an obscure golden color without any speck. Bai Qi grew excited as he examined each of the resulting nine pills closely. He only required one for the process as for the others, probably the Elders of the pack will be very grateful for such gift. After all, the [12 Stars and 8 Reflections] pills could be dissolved in beast blood and then would serve for cleansing a Saint Beast spirit core.

***

As Bai Qi began cleansing himself after ingesting the pill and sitting down in meditation, he found a couple of surprises. First, it seemed as if some parts from the recuperation pills weren't fully used up. And now, by absorbing them, he should be able to fill his qi pool.

The second one was more surprising and alarming, but a good thing nonetheless. Because of something Bai Qi could not trace, his qi recuperation and circulation speed were almost doubled! It was apparent that the effect was temporary, but even so, it was a true blessing, considering he desired to breakthrough. And for that, he needed to cleanse, replenish, and prepare. For the first two, he had allocated a few hours, but now, it was likely that he could do it in half the time!

The feelings and questions were troubling indeed. But after a brief thought, Bai Qi decided to ignore the matter. Indeed, what the Beasts had done wasn't so important. The point was that he gained from it without any effort. So after running a few circulations and confirming that the slightly unusual qi was under his control, Bai Qi decided to use it.

***

Bai Qi's assessment after he woke up was that he had reached the array mastery required to become a Grandmaster of the path. And after he cleansed himself from impurities, as well as recuperated more than nine-tenths of his qi pool because of the unexpected boons, he proceeded to confirm it.

The array that withstood over three full days of attacks by the swarm of [Astral Bats] did not survive the encounter with Elder Xiaoshan. Still, all of the initial lines remained, and it took Bai Qi only a few minutes to set it up again.

A test would not require more than a few seconds, so Bai Qi sent a small wave of qi to the still placed amulets. And after that, one of aura to the orbs.

*Glimmer*

As the newly constructed defensive array activated, the golden half-transparent barrier appeared, and Bai Qi's imbued consciousness immediately sensed the difference. Still, to make sure, Bai Qi even separated himself from it, to examine it from outside, confirming that the golden glow was not pristine now.

Slightly visible lines now floated in the light, the most common sign of an Array Grandmaster. Later, as his mastery grew, the lines would become almost tangible. And when they combined to form the character 'Defense' or any of the other two terms of the Array path, Bai Qi would have reached the level of an Array Saint!

Without an actual test, it was hard to know. Still, Bai Qi felt that it could probably even protect against a Warrior King as it was now. This meant that if he powered it fully, filling the 24 sockets that he had imagined, the array could probably even withstand a few light attacks from a Warrior Emperor!

Bai Qi shook his head, freeing his mind from the unproved theories. For some reason he could not feel that he was entirely ready, but at the same time, the feeling of a block had disappeared as well. Thus, Bai Qi decided to make an attempt, only committing if he felt close to achieving it.

___________________________________________________________________

When the fourteen trainees arrived the next morning, they were surprised to see a fully active array. And no signs of their human teacher anywhere. A few glances with the others later, Chi used his senses, and after confirming that Wu Guang was inside the array, called for him.

"Oh, I am sorry. I was cultivating through the night and probably missed your arrival" Bai Qi appeared just a moment after being called, with a sheepish smile on his face.

*Sniff*

Like most Saint Beasts, Dian preferred to use a physical sense like smelling to activate his qi sense, so he sniffed at the air. "Wu Guang, you have made a breakthrough? I feel that your aura is stronger" His single eye widened as he spoke.

The surprise was understandable. After all, Bai Qi had overextended himself against the swarm and then spent two days unconscious. He had recuperated less than a day ago, and now he had made a breakthrough?

"Mmm, I will need some time to assimilate it, but indeed, I advanced" Bai Qi answered with a shrug, and noticing the surprise of everyone except one added, "I came here to make a couple of restrained breakthroughs, and the events from the swarm seemingly made me able to do one"

Bai Qi had said the truth, as his plan for cultivating here was indeed like that. As for the restrained part, conditions and restrains could be said to be the same, at least for cultivation.

***

They had missed four days of training. But Bai Qi remembered everyone's results. Thus, he decided to slightly change the manner of training. While Chi and the man-tigers would continue with the [Aura Holding Orb] part, the others would go to the next level.

"These are scales made of [Void Stone]" Bai Qi explained to the remaining five as a few dozens of scales appeared from inside his [Void Ring]. After separating them into five even parts, he commanded the ten small triangles to land before each of the five remaining trainees.

He then continued, "[Void Stone] can be both a Spirit and an Earth tier material, the one that you see before you are from the former. But don't think that because it is just Spirit-tier, it will make your training easier. The stone's main quality is to resist aura and qi, so moving even a small piece like this requires training"

Seeing that Xi Ai had something to ask, Bai Qi reassuringly nodded, prompting her to speak.

"Excuse me, but why scales? And if the material is so hard to influence with one's aura, why the training involves it?" Xi An asked while slightly blushing.

"The answer to the first one is simple. The smallest items that I have made from the material are these scales, ones that I before used with a... companion as a way to train material refining" Bai Qi slightly stopped at the mention of Xia Fan, trying to find a term that he could use for her.

As the thought crossed his mind, he felt that his aura was slightly agitated, and probably even his face showed some emotion as Xi Ai's and Bai Rui's gazes changed.

But Bai Qi quickly regained control, continuing as if nothing, "As for the other question, while it is a good one for someone inexperienced, I would hope that you can understand the reasons for yourselves"

Xi Ai's head was one of a rhinoceros, and even Bai Qi was surprised to see one blush. Not that he wanted to make them ashamed, no, he truly wanted to make them find the answer by themselves. After all, if they could, it meant that they understood the reason for the training entirely.

"Hmm. Can it be that the harder and smaller the material, the more control we would need to employ?" Bai Rui began half-questioningly. But then added more confidently, "So if we learn to work with the scales, then most of the objects that we would control will give us no problems?"

"Almost right. In truth, the bigger the object, the more aura you will expend. But you are right about the control. Smaller and special material objects, like these scales, will allow you to feel confident and train your control. Thus, making you able to control different items later" Bai Qi made a thumbs up towards Bai Rui and explained.

***

Bai Qi chose to observe the training this time, even giving a few tips and examples to the advanced group. Or at least to most of them, as Bai Ze continued to avoid interacting with him. And even when he explained something, she only nodded in response without her usual curiosity showing in any way.

He had planned to talk with her after training, but Bai Qi's breakthrough, and one that even he was surprised at the ease of, made him change his priority. He had confirmed that he was close to becoming a Pill Grandmaster as well. And that meant he had to quickly assimilate his new cultivation level and prepare to make another breakthrough.

The best way to do so was by actually fighting, and one of his conditions for the Elders was freedom to spar with the pack members. At the moment, he had fourteen 1st and 2nd level Saint Beasts in front and excluding Bai Ze, thirteen of them would not refuse his request.

While observing their training, Bai Qi also had the opportunity to gauge their auras and even slightly glean into their manner of fighting. For example, Dian was quick and aggressive, something that showed out in his manner of controlling aura. While Xi Ai preferred to start slow, only to later grow her aura into an enormous wave.

These observations were the reason for Bai Qi's decision to ask Chi. He was calmer than his fire-tiger kin, and his control showed a mix of fierceness and thought. While his talent for some aura control parts, in this case controlling objects, wasn't high, the other parts and the aura itself showed an impressive level.

So when everyone began to finish today's training, with Xi Ai showing an impressive talent to disregard the [Void Stone] blocking effect, Bai Qi approached Chi and asked directly.

"A spar? I would be glad to as I have nothing to do for the rest of the day"

***

Bai Qi and Chi moved slightly away from the camp to avoid disturbing anyone and most importantly, not damaging anything.

Standing one in front of the other, they both released their auras, starting the first stage of any fight - the aura clash.

Although Bai Qi was just a 5th level Sage, his Soul power allowed him to increase his aura up to a 7th level Warrior Lord even before the breakthrough, and he had yet to test his new limit. It wasn't necessary to test it out now either, as he planned to use this fight to assimilate the recent breakthrough. Thus, he only increased it enough to match Chi's 1st level Saint Beast's one.

This latter surprised Chi, but he avoided distracting himself or his opponent, deciding to ask Wu Guang about his powerful aura later, after they finished.

Like most Beastmen, Chi used his body to fight. As a member of the tiger race, his main method of attack was based on the claws. And as a member of the fire-tiger kin, his aura contained the fire element. Thus, after Bai Qi's words about using their full strength, Chi covered his claws with aura, they were immediately surrounded by bright-red flames.

Bai Qi used his combination of 'Scorching' and 'Blazing' claw skills, and so, both of them clashed while releasing sparks and flames.

*Clash* *Slash* *Swipe* *Clash*

Bai Qi analyzed as he blocked the man-tiger's side slash with his flame-covered right forearm and countered with his free left claw.

Chi even slightly backed as their two claws connected directly, finding that the human wasn't weaker than he. Wu Guang also had an advantage in speed, which was even more amazing, but Chi knew about it before as Bai Ze had told them about their meeting.

Chi had fought human cultivators before, during an event in the Man-Beast King of the Sea camp. His opponent had been an 8th level Sage, and Chi easily beat him up while using only his bare body. But now, Chi could not assure that he would beat Wu Guang in a real fight. Granted, he wasn't using anything else than an aura cover, but the human wasn't using anything except the claws either!

*Swoosh* *Swipe* *Bruise*

Bai Qi was surprised by his opponent as well. Beastmen usually went into a kind of rampage when fighting, acting directly as they felt and sensed, without stopping to plan. But Chi was truly different, as he did take a few pauses here and there to modify his strategy and find counters to Bai Qi's style.

*Bruise* *Tear* *Slash*

The sparring session went for over two hours, with both parties ignoring bruises, torn clothes, and other light damage. And in the end, both of them ended bruised, scratched, and panting. But with the same idea in their mind, one they both expressed as they broke the clash of claws, "Truly enjoyable"

Neither Chi nor Bai Qi had used anything but claws, and the latter had slightly restrained himself to make the fight equal. Still, it was indeed a surprise for both that they ended with a tie. And as both said their farewells, their thoughts were practically the same.

Chi questioned himself.

Bai Qi analyzed the combat while trying to figure out what he should use and do if they both clashed with all their power.

***

Bai Qi would require a couple of combats like this one to fully settle down his breakthrough, but it should be not so hard to do with the amount of beastmen in the camp. Thus, he planned to start preparations for the Earth-tier pill. And start spending more time refining materials and weapons.

He still did not know what requirements would his cultivation method ask him for the advanced levels of the realm. But with how it was going, the most probable candidates would be either insight or combat.

Both of them should be possible with the help of the pack, but Bai Qi did not want to simply spend time in the camp, no, he already decided to explore the region if possible.

But Bai Qi's plans for the day weren't destined to happen. Neither were the ones for the next couple of days either, as when he reached his base, he found one of the elders waiting for him. He had barely interacted with the milk-colored snake Saint Beast before, but he knew that in all reality, it was both the strongest and most respected of the elders.

"Young human, because of the swarm the supplies in the camp are dwindling, so a hunting expedition will be sent out. Although you are not a member of the pack, we thought that it may interest you" As soon as the snake elder noticed Bai Qi, it directly revealed the matter that brought it here.

"Mmm, if I can help, I will go" Bai Qi answered affirmatively, but after a few moments still asked, "But, will I be of help? I am not so strong as to protect the others, and may require protection in turn"

"The elders, or better said I, consider that you will be more useful than any of the members of the pack. After all, the target of our hunts are Beasts that fell into Chaos" The snake, which name Bai Qi never learned, answered without hiding anything.

"Understood. When does the expedition depart?" Hearing about the Chaos Beasts made Bai Qi think of a heavenly gift. Their meat wasn't of use for him, but the rest of their bodies? It was a trove of treasures and materials!

"Tomorrow at noon. The members will gather here then" The Beast elder inclined its head and without saying more slithered away.