Cultivating Immortality Through a Hundred Lifetimes: I Possess the Heavenly Book of Merit

"The second and final round of assessments."

"Starting from the second level, by passing the tests of each level up to the ninth level, one can be promoted to an inner disciple."

The words of the Taoist Qinglu were clearly heard by each disciple.

They looked up at the towering structure that seemed to reach into the clouds, their conviction unwavering.

Having come this far, no matter what difficulties arise, we must grit our teeth and persevere.

"Then, those whose names are called next shall enter the tower in order."

Yu Yan checked the items in the storage bag and, after confirming that nothing was missing, looked up to see the stone door of the Spirit Talisman Tower open again.

The scene inside was still unclear; only a layer of ethereal light, like a curtain of water, enveloped the entrance.

"First place, Yu Yan."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Yan stepped out and walked towards the entrance under everyone's gaze.

"Hey, if you can't hold on, get down quickly, don't push yourself too hard."

Fang Chang's voice came from behind.

"Don't waste time, there are several other people waiting to be tested."

Yu Yan ignored him and walked straight into the tower.

As the stone gate closed, spiritual energy suddenly began to surge.

Yu Yan felt himself being carried away by a strange energy, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived at an open space.

The walls were made of blue bricks, and all the light came from the runes floating above.

They hovered scattered in mid-air, flying aimlessly.

Text appeared on the wall.

"The first layer consists of fifty runes, which must be combined into a talisman within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, without missing any runes."

There are fifty runes, and they are all common runes. Even if you only learn the "Basic Runes" book that Kong Shangji gave them, it won't be difficult to pass this level.

For Yu Yan, this was even simpler.

A cup of tea?

It wouldn't even take the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea!

Soon, the disciples standing outside the tower saw the spiritual light flashing on the second floor and instantly arrived at the third floor.

"It moved! It moved!"

"So fast?"

"After all, it's an earlier assessment, so the difficulty should be relatively low."

"It will slow down later on."

"I wonder if there will be a mid-grade first-tier spirit talisman assessment later?"

They discussed amongst themselves, watching others climb the tower, and couldn't help but worry about their own future.

Just as everyone was talking, the spiritual light of the Spirit Talisman Tower rose rapidly again, directly reaching the sixth floor.

"Look, it's the sixth floor!"

One of the disciples shouted loudly, attracting everyone's attention.

"How could it be so fast?"

"The second floor is fast enough, but what about the subsequent floors?"

"Who just said it would slow down later on?"

The crowd erupted in chaos, creating an uproar.

Upon seeing this scene, Fang Chang couldn't help but click his tongue.

"You've really stolen the show, Junior Brother Yu."

"No matter how fast you climb, there's no time to recover your spiritual energy. We'll have to see how it goes in the end."

Bai Tong sat quietly to the side, looking at the Spirit Talisman Tower, her eyes darting around as if she were plotting something.

Not far away, Wei Jing stood behind Qinglu Daoist, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.

"This kid, did he eat some kind of magic pill? He's climbing so fast!"

"In your opinion, how many floors can he climb?"

Qinglu smiled with narrowed eyes, secretly nodding in approval of Yu Yan's performance.

However, Wei Jing was not so optimistic.

"In my opinion, this guy is at most on the seventh floor."

"Oh? Why?"

"His speed was so fast, he must have used up a lot of spiritual energy. With the speed at which he absorbs spiritual energy with his five spiritual roots, he can't make up for such a huge consumption."

"Even if he can't be stumped by the talisman, he will eventually exceed the allotted time due to a lack of spiritual power."

"What a pity. He's usually so steady, so why was he so greedy and reckless today? If he had been a little slower, he would have had a chance..."

Wei Jing sighed and stopped talking.

Qinglu Daoist did not answer, but simply watched as Yu Yan ascended again, reaching the seventh level.

Upon reaching the seventh level, the number of runes suddenly increased, reaching one thousand.

Dazzled.

Yu Yan stood below, and the runes resembled tadpoles in the water, constantly wagging their tails and moving back and forth.

Moreover, the types of runes involved have long exceeded those in the initial rune book, "Basic Runes".

"Thanks to the help of Daoist Tao'an, otherwise I would have truly stopped here."

Yu Yan felt fortunate and slowly closed his eyes, taking in all the runes within a ten-foot radius around him.

Even for ordinary Qi Refining disciples in the early stages, it would take a lot of time to decipher these runes, let alone connect them afterward.

Fortunately, Yu Yan had the help of his divine soul, which made him far more efficient at organizing the runes than ordinary people.

As for the problem of insufficient spiritual energy that many people are worried about, that is naturally not the case.

The spiritual power possessed by someone at the third level of Qi Refining is indeed several times greater than that of someone at the second level.

Even after climbing this far, he still has more than half of his spiritual energy left.

The seventh floor was no challenge for him.

It moved again!

"Eighth floor!"

"What's wrong with this guy? Is he only at the second level of Qi Refining?"

Fang Chang suddenly looked up, his face filled with disbelief.

"With the spiritual power of a second-level Qi Refining cultivator, it's absolutely impossible to pass the seventh level."

"Then there's only one possibility."

"Qi Refining Level 3!"

Fang Chang gritted his teeth slightly.

"Wasn't this guy only at the second level of Qi Refining a few days ago? He has the aptitude of five spiritual roots, and he just broke through like that?"

"call--"

He let out a long breath.

"Stay calm, don't let Yu Yan influence you. I'm confident I can reach the ninth level."

……

Wei Jing's mouth was also slightly open.

"When did this kid break through to the third level of Qi Refining?"

"Haha, you said you've known Yu Yan for three years and know his steady and reliable nature, how could you not have guessed his radical actions today?"

Qinglu Daoist was in a good mood and made a teasing remark.

"But he has five spiritual roots..."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and noticed the inexplicable smile on Qinglu Daoist's face.

"Father, did you give him the Spirit Gathering Pill?"

The Taoist priest stroked his beard, looking slightly smug.

"Your father's judgment is still pretty good. Breaking through to the third level of Qi Refining, this Spirit Talisman Tower is no challenge for him."

"From now on, he will be your true junior brother."

"Hmm? You want to take him as your apprentice?"

"Haha, although he has five spiritual roots, you know your father has never particularly valued these things. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken Yu Yan in. I myself only have four spiritual roots, but I still managed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, didn't I?"

"How can that be the same? You surpassed all the sects in the realm of immortal arts and talismans, which is why you have achieved what you have today."

Even when his daughter contradicted him, Daoist Qinglu wasn't angry; he simply chuckled and said:

"I think Yu Yan has the same flair I had back in the day."

Wei Jing stuck out her tongue at her father as he boasted, and then said nothing more.

At the top of the mountain, everyone stared intently at the eighth floor of the Spirit Talisman Tower.

Yu Yan had already been sitting there for about half a cup of tea's time.

If he advances just one more level, he will reach the ninth level and become an inner disciple.

Can it work?

Those present couldn't help but wonder.

I don't know if I'm asking Yu Yan or myself.

It works!

Inside the tower, Yu Yan looked at the stairs that appeared in front of him and walked up them without hesitation.