Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

Inside the attic.

When Zhou Yi saw Jiang Ming's visit, he frowned and looked displeased. He said, "Why did you suddenly come here? Didn't I tell you to just focus on your cultivation during this time?"

Cultivation is not a game; the "Small Furnace Fire Reaching Heaven Technique" is extremely difficult, and three months is a very tight timeframe for even getting started.

"Grandpa, I've run out of spirit stones, so I've come to borrow some from you." He didn't rush to reveal the faint glow of the furnace fire.

Jiang Ming scratched his head, looking at Zhou Yi with an embarrassed expression.

With a sigh, Zhou Yi took out a small bag of spirit stones from his storage bag and casually tossed it over, a hint of disappointment inevitably rising on his usually stern face.

He couldn't help but think: Could it be that the technique is too difficult and this kid thinks he can't master it in three months, so he wants to get some benefits in advance?

Thinking of this, Zhou Yi couldn't help but offer some advice, speaking with the air of someone who had been through it all, "This technique is indeed difficult. Back then, it took me a whole year to barely get the hang of it."

If you encounter setbacks in your cultivation, there's no need to worry. Even if you can't master it in three months, I'll still be your grandpa.

You'll receive all the help you need.

With a faint flame flickering in his palm, Jiang Ming explained with a smug look on his face, "Thank you for the spirit stones, Grandpa. I've mastered it, and my cultivation has broken through to the fifth level as I wished."

I deliberately concealed my spiritual power just now, because I wanted to give you a surprise.

After communicating with Madam Zhou several times, Jiang Ming also learned how to pull and tug. Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi immediately sat up in surprise, his eyes shining.

The look of admiration on his face was like that of a butcher seeing a fine piece of pork, his eyes brimming with joy.

"Good lad, you've really opened my eyes! I knew I hadn't misjudged you, you are indeed a promising talent!"

Reaching the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm isn't difficult, but at your age, without a good background or resources, it's truly remarkable that you've come this far.

"Grandpa's in a good mood today, so I'll give you some more spirit stones. Take them and buy some pills to strengthen your foundation and consolidate your cultivation!"

Zhou Yi tossed another bag of spirit stones to Jiang Ming, his brows unfurrowing with delight. He said in a gentle tone, "Boy, do you remember what I once said about bestowing upon you a fortuitous opportunity?"

You meet the two hard requirements of being at the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm and under thirty years old. I can use the quota I have to recommend you as an inner sect candidate!

If you can pass the next round of assessments, you'll be able to enter the inner sect.

"Grandpa, is this really true?" Jiang Ming's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but feel excited.

Compared to the confined space of the outer sect, the inner sect is undoubtedly a much wider world.

If you can get into one of them, no matter what, your future development potential will be much higher than that of the outer sect!

"It's true, of course. Every five years, Furnace Peak has three nomination slots, with each manager having one slot."

In the past, when I couldn't find a suitable candidate, I sold my spot at a high price. This time, it's perfect for you...

"Thank you for your guidance, sir!" Jiang Ming bowed and was immediately relieved. With Zhou Yi's help, the title was definitely secured.

"No need for thanks. You should hurry back and solidify your foundation; that's more important than anything else."

Besides meditation and seclusion, remember to buy some pills to take. Don't be stingy with your money; you can earn more spirit stones if you run out.

"If you don't lay a solid foundation after your breakthrough, you'll regret it in the future." With a wave of his hand, Zhou Yi quickly kicked Jiang Ming out of the attic.

With a hearty laugh, Jiang Ming strode to the blacksmith's workshop, found Wang Yousheng, handed him a bag of spirit stones, and patiently gave him instructions.

"Find some time to go to the alchemy shop and buy me some pills to strengthen my body and nourish my vital energy. You happen to know someone there."

I just broke through to a higher cultivation level, so I'm going back to my cave to cultivate now.

Wang Yousheng stared at Jiang Ming with wide eyes in surprise, his gaze filled with joy, but even more so with envy. He naturally knew what Jiang Ming meant.

Strengthening the foundation and cultivating vitality is a necessary preparation for advancing to the sixth rank after breaking through the fifth rank!

"Don't worry, Brother Jiang, I'll take care of this!" Wang Yousheng readily agreed, watching Jiang Ming leave, his expression inevitably a little somber.

He had once dreamed of breaking through, but even if he split the spirit stones in his hand in two, it would still be far from enough.

Spiritual practice is ultimately not suitable for ordinary people. Without the support of a benefactor, a person is like tea leaves at the bottom of a teacup; no matter how much they rise and fall, they will never rise to the bottom.

With a sigh, Wang Yousheng put down his work and hurried to the alchemy room to find his proud fellow villager whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

……

He secluded himself in the cave for several days.

The fire in Jiang Ming's palm had become increasingly stable.

As a price, the willow wood evil spirit was completely subdued at this moment, no matter how much spiritual power Jiang Ming poured into it, or how he mobilized the Yin-Yang Ritual Music Harmony Ode to communicate with it.

The other party didn't react at all. It seems that the constant turmoil recently has finally damaged its essence.

Unless you give up the enlightenment boost brought by the willow wood evil spirit, restoring it will be a huge expense.

Spirit stones are something you can never earn enough of, no matter how hard you try.

After waiting for several days, the pills that Jiang Ming had asked Wang Yousheng to buy had not yet arrived, and Jiang Ming couldn't help but feel a little impatient.

Taking advantage of his stable cultivation level, he immediately went to the blacksmith's workshop to inquire about the reason.

Upon entering the blacksmith's workshop, the scorching heat of the fire hits you.

Wang Yousheng was no longer in his usual spot, and Jiang Ming's heart sank upon seeing this.

I initially thought he had done something wrong and was being punished by Zhou Yi, but upon closer examination, I realized that this guess was illogical.

With his own connections, Zhou Yi shouldn't make things difficult for Wang Yousheng; otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically handed over the affairs of the blacksmith's workshop to him.

"Brother Jiang, something's happened! Wang Yousheng went to the alchemy shop to buy medicine for you, but he refused to sell it to you several times."

Last time, Wang Yousheng couldn't control his anger and argued with the other party for a few words before his legs were broken. He is currently recuperating in his cave.

He was afraid of disturbing your cultivation, so he didn't let us go and inform you...

Listening to the grumbling of his underlings beside him.

Jiang Ming had a general understanding of the matter.

For some reason, Zhao Yongkang, the clerk of the alchemy workshop, refused to sell pills to Wang Yousheng.

The first time, they used the excuse that everything was sold out to make Wang Yousheng wait for two days.

When he went a second time, they said they were sold out again. After Wang Yousheng gave them some more spirit stones, they agreed to reserve some. But as soon as he stepped out, he saw a disciple carrying a bottle of pills coming out of the alchemy room.

Out of caution, Wang Yousheng didn't argue with him. On his third visit, Zhao Yongkang, who had promised to reserve the pills, stopped acting and simply avoided him.

Not only did they refuse to sell the pills, but they also refused to refund the spirit stones!

In a fit of rage, Wang Yousheng cursed at him, which led to trouble.

"We have no grudges against each other, why is it like this? Fine, I'll go ask Wang Yousheng and check on his injuries."

After raising an eyebrow and sighing, Jiang Ming bid farewell to the blacksmiths and hurried to Wang Yousheng's cave.

After waiting for a long time, Wang Yousheng finally came to greet him.

At this moment, both of his legs were broken and wrapped in blood-stained white cloth. He could only move by shuffling along with his hands. His once bright eyes were now filled with bitterness.

Looking at Jiang Ming with a nervous expression and his head down, he said, "I'm sorry, Brother Jiang, I couldn't buy you the pills."

I don't know what's wrong with my fellow villager. Even if he's become successful, he shouldn't treat me like this.

They even called me a bully who relied on his master's power, saying I was going too far. Who did I rely on? This son of a bitch is practically shitting on my head, and he still has the nerve to bite back...

Wang Yousheng couldn't explain it either.

Jiang Ming nodded, patted his shoulder seriously, and said patiently, "Don't move around. Stay in the cave and rest and recover."

I'll go and get justice for you, and find out why.

"No, no, no, Brother Jiang, it's not worth turning against him for my sake. His cultivation is higher than yours, and he's valued by Manager Wu of the alchemy room."

It was unwise to provoke this mad dog. I'm fine, it just looks serious, I'll be better after a month of rest.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Wang Yousheng waved his hands repeatedly, trying to stop him.

Calmly closing the stone door of the cave, Jiang Ming ignored his advice, his feet barely touching the ground, his eyes flashing with sharpness, and headed straight for the alchemy room.

They embezzled my money for no reason and even beat up my people. This debt must be settled properly!