Ling Wei didn't stop.
One broken jar after another—
he carefully cleaned every inner surface.
Not a single trace was wasted.
The faint aroma of spirit wine gradually disappeared from the room.
Each lingering strand of spiritual essence entered his body.
Tiny amounts.
Almost insignificant on their own.
Yet—
there were hundreds of jars.
Gradually—
he began to feel it.
A gentle warmth spread throughout his body.
His spiritual energy became increasingly lively.
His meridians felt as though they were being washed by a warm current.
Ling Wei's eyes brightened.
*It accumulated...*
*The residue from all these jars...*
*It's actually enough to make a difference.*
He glanced around the room once more.
Every broken jar had been cleaned until not even the faintest scent remained.
Satisfied—
he immediately stood.
Without wasting another moment—
he returned to the Spirit Gathering Formation.
He sat down cross-legged.
His breathing gradually slowed.
His mind settled into complete tranquility.
His cultivation technique began circulating once more.
Whoosh—
The Spirit Gathering Formation responded instantly.
Pure spiritual energy flowed toward him from every direction.
The warmth left behind by the spirit wine residue merged naturally with the incoming spiritual qi.
The two streams intertwined seamlessly.
His newly advanced Fifth Stage cultivation became even more stable.
The spiritual energy flowing through his meridians grew increasingly refined.
The lingering medicinal properties hidden within the spirit wine slowly dissolved under the guidance of his cultivation technique, circulating throughout every part of his body.
Nothing was wasted.
Every trace was absorbed.
Ling Wei remained completely immersed in cultivation.
Not far away—
Ling Yue continued cultivating peacefully, still showing no sign of awakening.
On the bed—
the tiny white-scaled lizard remained curled into a loose coil.
His breathing was slow and even.
He appeared to be completely asleep.
Only for the briefest instant—
one golden eye opened ever so slightly.
It glanced toward Ling Wei.
The corner of his tiny mouth lifted by an almost imperceptible amount.
Then—
the eye quietly closed once more.
The room returned to silence.
Only the steady hum of the Spirit Gathering Formation and the quiet circulation of two cultivators' spiritual energy echoed softly throughout the chamber.
Another day quietly passed.
The room remained tranquil.
The Spirit Gathering Formation continued drawing spiritual energy into the chamber without interruption.
Then—
Ling Wei slowly opened his eyes.
He exhaled softly.
The spiritual energy within his body had become considerably more stable after an entire day of cultivation.
His gaze naturally wandered around the room.
The tiny white-scaled lizard still lay curled atop the bed.
Completely motionless.
Ling Yue remained seated within the Spirit Gathering Formation opposite him.
She had yet to awaken.
"...Hm?"
Ling Wei noticed something beside her.
Several small pill bottles.
Empty.
He blinked.
"...Spirit Gathering Pills..."
Realization slowly dawned on him.
*So that's what Yue has been doing.*
*No wonder she still hasn't stopped cultivating.*
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"...She's making full use of this opportunity."
It wasn't difficult to understand.
Cultivating inside a high-grade Spirit Gathering Formation while consuming Spirit Gathering Pills...
The effects would far surpass relying on either one alone.
Ling Wei silently reached into his storage pouch.
A small jade bottle appeared in his hand.
He looked at it briefly.
"...I should do the same."
Removing the stopper—
he poured a single Spirit Gathering Pill into his palm.
Its rich medicinal fragrance immediately spread through the surrounding air.
Without hesitation—
he placed it into his mouth.
The pill dissolved almost instantly.
A warm current spread throughout his body.
Pure medicinal energy surged into his meridians.
Ling Wei immediately closed his eyes once more.
He calmed his breathing and began circulating his cultivation technique again.
Whoosh—
The surrounding spiritual energy responded.
The Spirit Gathering Formation continuously fed refined spiritual qi into his body.
At the same time—
the medicinal power of the Spirit Gathering Pill spread through every meridian.
The two energies merged together.
One guided the other.
Every circulation refined another portion of the pill's essence.
Every breath steadily increased the spiritual energy within his dantian.
The room once again fell completely silent.
Three cultivators—
One asleep.
Two cultivating.
Only the faint hum of the formation and the slow circulation of spiritual energy marked the quiet passage of time.
Two more days passed.
The room remained undisturbed.
The Spirit Gathering Formation continued operating with quiet precision.
Then—
the tiny white-scaled lizard slowly opened his golden eyes.
He uncoiled his body.
Stretching each tiny limb one after another.
His wings flexed lightly.
His tail swayed once.
Satisfied—
he spoke inwardly.
*Status of my soul.*
The System responded immediately.
**"Analysis Complete."**
**"Soul Condition: Fully Restored."**
**"Soul strength has increased beyond its previous state."**
Lizarius remained silent.
*So...*
*I've completely recovered from my injuries.*
There was no excitement.
Only calm certainty.
*I can return now.*
His golden eyes slowly swept across the room.
Ling Wei.
Ling Yue.
Both remained completely immersed in cultivation.
He observed them in silence for several moments.
Then—
without another thought—
he activated the poison mark.
The connection linking them stirred.
Only the tiniest fraction of its power was released.
Instantly—
both siblings' eyes snapped open.
Their bodies trembled violently.
"...!"
"...Hng!"
The spiritual energy circulating within their bodies became unstable for a brief instant.
Both immediately clenched their jaws.
Without the slightest hesitation—
they redirected their cultivation techniques.
Spiritual energy rapidly flowed through their meridians once more.
Several breaths later—
their qi stabilized completely.
Neither had suffered any injuries.
The disturbance had lasted for only a brief moment.
Silence.
The siblings slowly raised their heads.
Their gazes settled upon the tiny white-scaled lizard hovering before them.
Lizarius simply looked back.
Ling Wei rubbed his chest lightly.
His breathing gradually returned to normal.
Inside—
he couldn't help smiling bitterly.
*...Still the same.*
*Senior really doesn't care whether we're cultivating or not.*
*If he wants our attention...*
*He'll get it.*
*We've gotten too comfortable...*
Across from him—
Ling Yue puffed out her cheeks.
She stared directly at the little lizard.
"...Senior."
"...Why did you do that?"
"We're in the same room."
"You could've just called us."
She folded her arms.
"Were you trying to kill us?"
"I thought you said you wouldn't..."
"...As long as we obeyed."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"...Or did you suddenly change your mind?"
The tiny lizard simply stared at her.
His voice remained perfectly calm.
"I merely used the mark to awaken you."
"It was activated only briefly."
"You would not have been injured."
Ling Yue immediately replied,
"...Even so..."
"You still could've just called our names."
No answer came.
Instead—
Lizarius calmly flew forward.
He landed lightly atop her head.
His tiny claws settled comfortably among her soft hair.
Then he spoke.
"...Move."
"We're returning."
Ling Yue blinked.
"...Returning?"
Ling Wei's expression also became serious.
"...Back to Lotus City?"
Lizarius offered no further explanation.
Silence lingered for a brief moment.
The siblings exchanged a glance.
Neither asked another question.
They immediately rose to their feet.
Their cultivation had already been interrupted.
There was no reason to remain any longer.
Ling Yue walked over to the table and picked up the jade room token.