The breakthrough hit me like a wave, not violent, but unstoppable.

The barriers that had contained my inner world suddenly expanded, stretching outward in all directions. The sensation was unlike anything I'd experienced in my previous breakthroughs. Where those had been struggles, battles to advance that required concentrated effort and determination, this was... effortless.

Natural, like taking a deep breath after holding it underwater.

I watched in awe as my inner world grew before my eyes. The borders that had once marked its edges moved outward, the radius expanding from 800 to 1600 meters in the space of moments.

The mountains in the Northwest stretched higher, their valleys growing deeper. The garden quadrant in the Northeast doubled in size, providing vast new spaces for cultivation. The open platforms of the Southeast expanded into what now resembled the beginnings of an actual landscape, and the meditation plateaus of the Southwest became more defined, more real.

"This is... different," I murmured, turning slowly to take in the transformation.

"Indeed," Azure agreed, his translucent form shimmering with excitement. "The natural approach has produced remarkable results. Previous breakthroughs required external catalysts such as earth essence, elemental crystals, and other resources. This time, the growth of your inner world provided the necessary foundation for advancement."

I nodded. "The living energy cycles from the plants..."

"Precisely. They created a sustainable system that your inner world recognized and responded to. Rather than forcing growth through external means, you nurtured it from within. The difference is significant."

I could feel the change in my spiritual essence, the deepening of my connection to my inner world. With cautious excitement, I checked my status, mentally calculating the numbers that represented my cultivation progress.

Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage 8

Inner World: Radius of 1600 metres

Soul Essence: 5000/5000

Spiritual Essence: 5000/5000

Physical Essence: 5000/5000

The numbers confirmed what I already felt, a substantial increase in power across all aspects of my cultivation.

"If I'm reading this correctly," Azure said, "your base attributes are close to the peak of Qi Condensation Stage 8.”

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. "How do you figure that?"

"From my calculations, 6000 is the minimum threshold for Stage 9 Qi Condensation. At 5000 across all attributes, you're already at 83% of that threshold. Which means you’re not far from an early Qi Condensation Stage 9 cultivator.”

I appreciated the information, but I wasn't about to let it make me overconfident. "That's assuming we're talking about normal cultivators," I said softly, my thoughts turning to the tournament and my inevitable confrontation with Wu Kangming.

"You're thinking about Wu Kangming," Azure observed. Not a question, just a statement of fact.

"He's likely already broken through to Stage 9," I replied, watching the red and blue suns complete another cycle overhead. "And with his Beyond Heaven method and that sword ghost of his... I wouldn't be surprised if his full battle prowess is already approaching the Elemental Realm."

"A fair assessment," Azure acknowledged. "The Nine Heavens Astral Blade Method is known for producing combat strength well beyond one's nominal cultivation realm."

I sighed, but it wasn't a sound of despair, more like acceptance of the challenge ahead. "It's fine. We still have nine days before the tournament begins. That's enough time to work on battle prowess and, if we're fortunate, attempt another breakthrough."

As I spoke, I noticed movement at the edge of my vision. Yggy floated over from its small bubble habitat near the Genesis Seed. The creature had grown since I last checked on it, its tendrils longer and more numerous, weaving patterns in the air as it approached my spiritual form.

"Hello there," I greeted it, extending a hand. Yggy's primary tendril wrapped gently around my wrist. "I see you've been growing too."

Yggy's body pulsed with what I'd come to recognize as excitement. Its other tendrils gestured toward the newly expanded space of my inner world, as if asking about the changes.

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"Yes, things are different now," I said, smiling as Yggy curled one tendril around my finger. Despite being unable to speak, the living vine was remarkably expressive. "The inner world is growing, becoming more real. Soon it will be more like a proper realm."

Yggy's tendrils waved in what seemed like anticipation.

"Don't worry," I assured it, knowing how lonely the creature must be in here most of the time. "I'm going to create some companions for you soon. Other living things that can keep you company when I'm not here."

Yggy released my hand and performed what I could only describe as a happy dance, spiraling in the air and wrapping its tendrils around each other before unfurling them like a blooming flower.

"I think it likes that idea," Azure commented with a touch of amusement.

"Seems that way," I agreed, watching as Yggy continued its joyful movements. "It's been alone here too long. Even vines need companions." I gave Yggy a final gentle pat before it floated back toward its bubble, still pulsing with excitement.

"It's time I returned to the physical world," I said to Azure. "There's much to do."

With a final look at my expanded inner world, I allowed my consciousness to shift back to my physical body. Opening my eyes, I found myself once again sitting on my meditation mat in my simple outer disciple quarters. Sunlight streamed through the small window, suggesting it was early morning.

I stood, stretching muscles that felt different now, stronger, more responsive. The breakthrough had affected my physical body as well, enhancing my connection to the physical essence I'd accumulated.

"So," I murmured, "what's next?"

"Acclimation," came the reply. "Your cultivation level has increased significantly. You need to adjust to the new power flowing through your meridians."

I nodded, pacing the small room as I considered my options. "The breakthrough came more easily than expected, maybe because I was already at the later part of Stage 7, but I shouldn't count on the same for Stage 9. Even creating a few hundred more flowers probably won't be enough."

"Probably not," Azure agreed. "The jump from Stage 8 to Stage 9 is one of the most significant in the Qi Condensation realm. It would likely require thousands of spiritual plants, and the process of creating them would be far too exhausting to complete in nine days."

"Exactly my thinking," I said. "We can worry about breaking through to Stage 9 later. For now, I need to get used to being at Stage 8, and the best way to do that is through battle."

During battle, I was over-reliant on the power of the two suns, especially the runes. This would be a good chance to not only settle into the eight stage of Qi Condensation, but also gain some experience fighting using only qi techniques.

Pausing at the window, I looked out at the sect grounds. For a moment, I considered leaving the sect to find some beasts to battle in the nearby forests. The idea was tempting, natural opponents would provide unpredictable challenges that would force me to adapt.

"I wouldn't recommend it," Azure said, sensing my thoughts. "Remember what happened the last time you left the sect?"

I winced at the memory. "Fair point. Plus, with my luck, I'd probably run into some protagonist-type character on a special mission, get dragged into their plotline, and end up facing some ancient monster that's way beyond my level."

"An oddly specific concern," Azure noted dryly, "but not entirely unfounded given your history of finding trouble."

"I've died enough recently," I said with a grimace. "Best to stay within the sect for now."

That left sparring with fellow disciples as my best option. I frowned slightly, mentally running through the short list of people I knew well enough to ask for a spar. It was embarrassingly brief.

"Liu Chang and Su Yue would probably be willing," I mused aloud. "We've grown closer after the mission to Black Mist Valley."

"True," Azure replied, "but consider the practical aspects. Liu Chang is at the peak of Qi Condensation, nearly ready for breakthrough to the Elemental Realm. Su Yue is close to Stage 9 and has considerable combat experience. If you limit yourself to only qi techniques, as I assume you would in the spar..."

"It would be a one-sided beatdown," I finished the thought. "Liu Chang would wipe the floor with me, and Su Yue would probably do the same."

I wasn't opposed to getting beaten in training, humility was a valuable teacher, but there was a difference between a challenging spar and being so outmatched that no meaningful practice could occur.

"I need someone closer to my level," I continued, "someone who can push me without completely overwhelming me. That's when I'll be able to test my limits most effectively."

There was also the matter of timing. "They've only just returned from a difficult mission," I noted. "It wouldn't be right to disturb them so soon for something as trivial as a sparring match."

I considered other options. Wei Lin and Lin Mei had both left the sect in pursuit of gathering resources to complete the eighth stall.

Then a memory came to mind. Massive stone fists, grinding sounds of laughter, and a young boy with a practice sword.

"Liu Chen and Rocky," I said, a smile forming on my lips. "The last time I sparred with Rocky was over a month ago, when we were both at Stage 6."

"The stone guardian would make an ideal sparring partner," Azure agreed. "His physical resilience means you can practice at full strength without fear of causing serious injury."

"And now that he's under Elder Song's tutelage, he's probably advanced significantly," I added. "It wouldn't surprise me if Rocky has broken through to Stage 8 or even Stage 9 by now."

Elder Song was known for her expertise in earth element cultivation. Having taken a stone guardian as her disciple's companion, she would undoubtedly be feeding Rocky all manner of earth-attributed treasures to accelerate his development.

"More importantly," I continued, warming to the idea, "Rocky's nature makes him perfect for sparring. He's literally built for it."

"And I suspect Liu Chen would be delighted to see you again," Azure added. "The boy seems to have developed quite an admiration for you."

It did feel good to have someone look up to me, though I wasn't entirely comfortable with the responsibility that came with it. Liu Chen had been through a lot, and I wanted to be a positive influence in his life.

"It's settled then," I said, moving to the door. "We'll visit Liu Chen and Rocky, check on their progress, and hopefully get in some valuable training."