The bruises from the Arena fight throbbed with every step as I made my way to the sect's healing hall.
The elder assigned to the hall, a thin, sharp-eyed man, examined my arm carefully. "Nothing broken, but the muscle's strained. Rest, and apply this medicinal paste for two days. You'll be fine."
I thanked him and followed his instructions, taking the time to let my body heal.
I can't afford to push recklessly. Fighting is only useful if I can keep standing.
After a few days, the soreness faded, and my arm felt solid again. I couldn't waste any more time.
With the spirit stones I had earned from the Arena, I returned to the market.
This time, I wasn't going to be stingy.
I needed to push forward quickly.
After some bargaining and comparing different sellers, I purchased five Body Refining Pills. Each cost me five spirit stones, and while the quality wasn't top-grade, they were decent enough to assist my cultivation.
Clutching the pouch of pills tightly, I made my way back to my residence within the sect.
I sat down cross-legged, heart pounding slightly with excitement.
With these pills, I can break through to the next minor stages… I need to solidify my foundation quickly if I want to climb higher—both in strength and in the sect's rankings.
I closed my eyes, focused my breathing, and began the next step on my journey.