43

Yue Ting scratched the back of his head, his憨笑 (a kind of simple, honest smile) widening.

“Brother Qing, do you know? I broke through to the second level of Qi Refining a year ago!”

His expression was full of pride, as if he were showing off some treasure. “How about you? How’s your cultivation been these past few years?

When we occasionally get together to discuss the Dao, we often mention you. By the way, your complexion is a bit pale. Is there something wrong with your cultivation?”

This guy just wouldn’t stop. Qing Chen replied helplessly:

“I’m about the same as you, I also broke through to the second level of Qi Refining a year ago. My complexion is a bit pale, probably because I haven’t been in the sun for a long time.”

This was half true and half false.

He had indeed broken through a year ago, but not to the second level, but to the third level of Qi Refining.

The *Brahma Demon Refining Technique* was indeed powerful; as long as there were demon beast corpses to offer, the speed of cultivation growth was much faster.

Half a year after obtaining the technique, he advanced to the second level of Qi Refining.

Half a year later, with his soul honed by the *Demon Lotus Seed*, he broke through to the third level of Qi Refining in one fell swoop.

His spiritual sense range expanded from nearly ten zhang to fifteen zhang, long reaching the spiritual strength of a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

Qingchen subconsciously touched his storage pouch; the spirit stones at the bottom were running low.

The Iron-Spine Wolf corpse he bought last time had long been refined. He had to conserve his cultivation these past few days, even he dared not use the *Brahma Aperture Blood Refining Secret Technique* too much.

That secret technique consumed essence blood; without demon beast blood to replenish it, he would have to burn his own qi and blood, and he didn't want to shorten his lifespan.

"Damn it, if I don't have spirit stones to buy demon beast corpses, this Demon Refining Technique will run out of supplies."

Qingchen muttered to himself, then remembered Yue Ting's words about 'slowly meditating,' which was worse than death.

He was used to a fast pace; he definitely couldn't accept practicing a Yellow-rank technique step by step again.

Perhaps he really should look for an opportunity to "snag a bargain";

—For example, if he encounters some clueless rogue cultivator outside, he could steal their storage pouch, gaining both spirit stones and essence blood—a double win.

Or, casually killing a few fellow disciples and seizing their resources would also be a good option.

Just as he was thinking this, Yue Ting spoke again, his tone full of envy:

"Brother Qing, you're not slow either! But Xue Yubing is even more impressive; she broke through to the third level half a year ago. A superior-grade wind spirit root is truly something else!

I heard the elders have noticed her. If she's any faster, she might even be promoted to inner sect!"

Qing Chen's heart stirred. Xue Yubing—he remembered her. She was fair-skinned, and when her spirit root was tested, the steward had praised her, saying, "A superior-grade wind spirit root, a promising seedling."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Superior-grade spiritual roots are better than anything we can compare to. Heavenly spiritual roots are rare in the sect, and earthly spiritual roots are even rarer. Superior-grade spiritual roots are the pinnacle, so they deserve to be valued.

We should focus on cultivating our own skills and not think about those other things."

These words were meant for Yue Ting, but also for himself.

He knew his mid-grade five spiritual roots were neither the best nor the worst. His current progress was entirely due to the *Brahma Refining Demon Art* and the *Demon Seed Golden Lotus*.

Especially the *Demon Seed Golden Lotus*.

If these two techniques were exposed, forget about advancing to the inner sect; he might not even survive.

"It's just that Ding Buxing is unlucky."

Yue Ting sighed, his voice lowering. "He only chose a mid-grade Yellow Rank cultivation technique in the Scripture Pavilion, and he's only just broken through to the second level of Qi Refining.

Luckily, my master Xie Yu reminded me to choose a top-grade Yellow Rank technique in the back row, otherwise I would have been delayed too."

He patted his chest, looking relieved.

Qing Chen nodded, not replying. He remembered Ding Buxing; he was tall and thin. He hadn't expected him to choose such a poor technique.

On the path of cultivation, one wrong step leads to another. Choosing the wrong cultivation technique is more fatal than lacking spirit stones.

Just then, the middle-aged cultivator standing on the steps cleared his throat, his voice even deeper than before:

"Quiet! Now we're assigning sect missions every five years. Completing them will grant you five years of rest!"

He picked up a stack of wooden plaques from the table, each engraved with a name and mission. "Ding Buxing, Hundred Arts Hall, learn from a Spirit Talisman Master for five years."

A low murmur arose from below.

Qingchen caught sight of Ding Buxing standing in the corner, his face flushed red.

He was learning spirit talismans at the Hundred Arts Hall, but his progress in the mid-grade Yellow Rank cultivation technique was stagnant; after five years, he'd still be stuck in the same place.

"Xue Yubing, transfer to the Transmission Hall, study with the Transmission Steward for five years."

These words caused a stir among the disciples below, many turning to look at Xue Yubing.

The Transmission Hall taught advanced cultivation techniques; studying with a steward was like having a powerful backer, securing his advancement to the inner sect.

Qingchen also glanced at Xue Yubing; she stood proudly at the front of the crowd.

"Yue Ting, Hundred Herbs Hall, study with an alchemist for five years."

Yue Ting immediately smiled, cupping his hands in greeting to the surrounding disciples, muttering, "Good luck, good luck."

Alchemists were highly sought after in the sect; learning from them was far better than refining talismans, and there were also pills to boost cultivation.

"Xie Yu, Refining Hall, five years to learn from a refiner."

Xie Yu nodded slightly, his expression calm. He had already made arrangements; going to the Refining Hall wasn't unexpected.

The middle-aged cultivator picked up the next wooden plaque, engraved with the characters 'Qing Chen'.

Just as he was about to speak, a gray-robed cultivator ran out from the back of the hall and tugged at his sleeve:

"Junior Brother Wu, Steward Mo is looking for you. He wants you to go to the back immediately!"

The cultivator surnamed Wu hesitated for a moment, then quickly put down the wooden plaque and cupped his hands in a respectful bow to the cultivator:

"Please trouble Senior Brother Yu to help me with this. I'll be right back."

With that, he hurried towards the back hall, forgetting even to put away the wooden plaque on the table.

The cultivator surnamed Yu picked up the wooden plaque engraved with 'Qing Chen' and glanced at Qing Chen.

His glance was devoid of warmth, as if he were looking at something insignificant, before he slowly spoke:

"Qing Chen, Huangzhu Island, five years of garrison duty