Mortal: I have a gathering technique

West of Jiayuan City.

In front of a secluded and quiet house, Fang Qing stood with his hands behind his back. After looking the house over a few times, he went up and knocked on the door.

"Knock knock knock—"

A short while later, the door was pulled open from the inside, revealing a dark-skinned face—it was Han Li.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Fang."

Han Li's expression was indifferent, and his attitude was not as enthusiastic as expected.

Fang Qing blinked, thinking to herself, "Does this mean I'm not welcome?"

But even if they weren't welcoming, why did their tone sound so jealous?

Unbeknownst to him, Han Li was actually feeling quite jealous.

After leaving the Mo residence yesterday, Han Li instructed Sun Ergou to send people to keep an eye on the Mo residence. They then discovered that the Mo residence was scouring various restaurants in Jiayuan City for delicacies from land and sea.

Han Li wasn't stupid; after a little deduction, he guessed that this was to entertain Fang Qing.

This time, Han Li was somewhat on the defensive.

They were both disciples of the Jingjiao Society, and in terms of closeness, he, as the sect leader's disciple, was even slightly higher in status than Fang Qing.

However, when he stayed overnight at the Mo residence before, he did not enjoy such treatment at all, and was even extorted by Mo Caihuan for a bottle of Yingxiang Pills.

With such a stark difference, how could he possibly be enthusiastic towards Fang Qing?

Most importantly, Fang Qing's face was even more handsome than Doctor Mo's when he was young, making him want to punch him.

"I sense that you are in low spirits, fellow Daoist. Could it be that you are still holding a grudge against the Master?"

Fang Qing smirked and deliberately made a teasing remark.

Han Li was taken aback, then shook his head. "No, no, I... I'm just a little unaccustomed to the world of cultivation for the first time."

At this moment, Han Li finally realized that his attitude was wrong, and quickly suppressed his distracting thoughts, extending his hand to invite Fang Qing into the house.

He had asked Sun Ergou to find this house. The layout was simple, with three main rooms and a small courtyard in front.

The courtyard was also very plain, with only one jujube tree planted there.

It's early summer, the jujube blossoms are fragrant, and bees are buzzing around.

Under the jujube tree, there was a stone table and benches. The two came to the table, and Han Li gestured for them to sit down.

"Fellow Daoist, please have a seat."

Fang Qing sat down with a smile, looking at the empty table. He raised his arm, and with a flick of his palm, two exquisite white jade cups appeared out of thin air on the stone table.

Han Li's eyes widened at the sight, filled with wonder and disbelief.

Upon seeing this, Fang Qing chuckled, almost forgetting that the old demon was still a complete novice who knew nothing.

"This is a storage bag..."

While explaining things to Han Li, he took off the green gourd hanging from his waist, uncorked it, and poured wine in one smooth motion.

Once both white jade cups were filled with fiery red wine, he gently waved his hand, and one of the white jade cups steadily moved in front of Han Li.

"This is a hundred-fruit wine that Caihuan gave me. It tastes quite good. Fellow Daoist, please try it."

Hearing this, Han Li felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

We're all senior students, so why do others get to receive gifts while I have to give them?

Is being handsome really that advantageous?

Han Li gritted his teeth, his heart filled with envy and jealousy.

However, the thought of having to ask Fang Qing for advice again forced him to suppress his competitive spirit.

Immediately, he humbly bowed and asked for guidance:

"I am new to the world of cultivation and have many questions. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me, senior brother."

Hearing Han Li address him as "Senior Brother," Fang Qing was overjoyed and laughed heartily:

"No problem, no problem."

After a moment's thought, he began to explain the concepts of cultivation realms and spiritual roots to Han Li.

Han Li sat upright and respectfully, looking like a good student listening attentively to a lecture.

Fang Qing spoke at a measured pace. After finishing explaining about spiritual roots, he paused and suddenly asked:

"Junior brother, do you know your own spiritual root aptitude?"

Han Li touched his nose, pondered for a moment, and shook his head, saying, "I only feel that his aptitude is not high, but I really don't know the specifics."

Fang Qing smiled and said meaningfully, "Junior Brother has the four spiritual roots of wood, water, fire, and earth."

Upon hearing that he only possessed a pseudo-spiritual root, Han Li couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

But amidst his disappointment, he couldn't help but feel fortunate because he had the little green bottle.

Based on Fang Qing's words about spiritual roots, he realized that the little green bottle was the key to how far he could go on the path of immortality.

But upon thinking about it this way, Han Li finally realized that something was wrong.

At that moment, Fang Qing's words flashed unconsciously through his mind.

"In the cultivation world, three spiritual roots are called true spiritual roots, and most cultivators have this kind of aptitude. The worst are four or five spiritual roots, which are collectively called pseudo spiritual roots."

"Leaving aside the five spiritual roots, a cultivator with only four spiritual roots who manages to reach the seventh level of Qi Refining in their lifetime is considered to have had their ancestors' graves emitting auspicious smoke..."

"What was my cultivation level again?"

"Eighth level of Qi Refining!"

Upon realizing this, Han Li's pupils suddenly contracted, and he shuddered.

What does the person surnamed Fang mean by this?

What did he discover?

Is he testing me?

"That's right. I've only been cultivating for less than eight years in total, yet I've already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining. Anyone would know something's fishy about that..."

Damn it!

Han Li's mind raced, and his face turned ashen in an instant.

Fang Qing sipped his drink while watching Han Li's performance; Han Li looked like a cat with its fur standing on end.

'It's rare to see someone like Old Devil Han,' Fang Qing thought to himself with a smirk.

Just as Han Li was about to break down, Fang Qing finally spoke up to comfort him:

"Junior brother, don't be nervous. In the cultivation world, everyone has secrets. As long as you don't reveal any obvious flaws, you don't need to worry about being coveted by others."

After saying that, he gave Han Li a knowing smile.

Han Li was stunned and looked at Fang Qing in disbelief.

"Did I hear that right? Is this guy surnamed Fang reminding me?"

"Is he really that kind?"

Han Li was somewhat puzzled. Although he didn't know much about the cultivation world, with the examples of Elder Mo and Yu Zitong, he didn't believe that there was no deceit, murder, or treasure-grabbing in the cultivation world.

However, Fang Qing didn't seem to have this idea. At least in his view, such a test would only alert the enemy.

If it were him, the most correct thing to do would be to do it secretly from behind.

So, either the person surnamed Fang really is a good person.

"Or perhaps he thinks what I possess is just a small opportunity, not worth turning against, so he's doing me a favor?"

Han Li racked his brains and could only come up with these two possibilities.

After all, if someone really knew the effects of the little green bottle, it would be impossible for them to remain indifferent.

Thinking of this, Han Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief, while reminding himself to be more careful when using the little green bottle in the future.

"Thank you for the reminder, senior brother. I have learned a lot!"

Han Li bowed respectfully to Fang Qing.

At the same time, he tentatively asked, "Can cultivators see through other people's spiritual roots?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Qing knew what Han Li was worried about, and waved his hand with a smile:

"Of course not. Let alone Qi Refining cultivators, even Foundation Establishment cultivators or Core Formation cultivators cannot see through spiritual roots with just their eyes or divine sense."

"The reason I was able to see your potential is because I cultivated a special eye technique."

"My pupil technique is very special. In the entire cultivation world, I'm afraid you can't find another person who knows it."

This is a lie!

The reason he knew about Han Li's spiritual root aptitude was because he possessed eyes that could see into the future.

Moreover, even if he cultivates the [Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils], he can only roughly see the amount of spiritual root attributes. To determine the specifics, he still needs to examine it in person.

Han Li was half-convinced, half-doubting. He believed that a Core Formation cultivator couldn't see through a spiritual root, but he doubted Fang Qing's mention of the pupil technique.

What kind of eye technique can make a Qi Refining cultivator's eyesight better than a Core Formation cultivator's?

That's so fake!

However, Han Li breathed a sigh of relief. At least below the Nascent Soul stage, as long as he didn't reveal his spiritual root, there was no danger.

"Senior brother is amazing!"

Han Li subtly flattered him.