Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

Li Shen put away the fireball talisman and greeted him with a smile.

Shi Yong, still looking unkempt, chuckled and lowered his voice, saying:

"Would it be convenient for us to come in and talk?"

"Of course it's convenient."

Li Shen nodded, then made way for Shi Yong to go inside. He looked around and then closed the door.

Li Shen trusted Shi Yong quite a bit, and Shi Yong provided him with a lot of help, both in cultivation and in drawing talismans.

Li Shen was curious about how he knew his address and why he had come to his door.

He took out a box of tea leaves, which he only drank before drawing talismans, and two clean teacups from a drawer under his wardrobe. After simply brewing them with hot water, he handed them to Shi Yong.

After taking a small sip, he asked:

"Brother Shi, is there something important you need from me at this hour?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yong put down his teacup and got straight to the point:

"Young Li, do you remember the Demon Hunting Tournament I told you about before?"

Li Shen nodded slightly, and Shi Yong continued:

"The Demon Hunting Tournament notice was posted two days ago, and the registration period is only seven days. To be honest, Li boy, although I told you before that I did not recommend you participate in the demon hunting, I have now changed my mind."

There's a spiritual herb in Laoshan that I'm determined to obtain. I've already discussed it with the two late-stage Qi Refining Jade Sword Sect disciples leading the team; they'll help me deal with any monsters in the vicinity that aren't second-tier.

However, the rules for hunting demons are that, apart from demonic beasts, any other spiritual herbs and plants discovered are distributed among the team members themselves. Therefore, I need to make sure I can get that particular spiritual herb.

After patiently listening to this, Li Shen roughly understood Shi Yong's purpose. He took a sip of tea, a hint of unease on his face.

"So, Brother Shi, you want me to join your team? But my cultivation level is only at the third level of Qi Refining."

Li Shen neither refused nor agreed. Although he had already decided to sign up for the demon hunt last night, he still wanted to hear Shi Yong's thoughts.

Shi Yong seemed to have anticipated Li Shen's answer. He took out a jade bottle from his storage bag, placed it on the table, and said:

"This is a low-grade first-tier breakthrough pill, which will greatly help you break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. Coupled with your talent in talismanic arts, even if you don't get a lot of contribution points, you will definitely be able to protect yourself. As for me, I only want that spiritual herb."

Breakthrough Pill?

Upon hearing this, Li Shen's heart stirred. Although Shi Yong was an alchemist, the fact that he could offer such a precious elixir to recruit him into the team showed that the spiritual herb was truly of great significance to him.

What kind of magical herb is it? Is it worth such an expense?

Li Shen couldn't help but feel curious, but after thinking for a moment, he gave up the idea of ​​asking further.

He put away the jade bottle, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Brother Shi's invitation is so sincere, it would seem awkward for me to refuse. When shall we depart?"

Seeing Li Shen agree, a smile appeared on Shi Yong's rugged face.

He took out a square jade pendant from his storage pouch and tossed it to Li Shen:

"Young Li, this is your identification token for the Demon Hunting Tournament. Just gather at the Loose Cultivator Market at noon in five days."

After saying this, Shi Yong drank the tea in his cup in one gulp, then raised his hand to stop Li Shen from seeing him off, and pushed open the door to leave.

After locking the door, Li Shen repeatedly examined the jade plaque in his hand, which was engraved with the characters "Bing Shisan," and couldn't help but sigh inwardly:

You really can't judge a book by its cover. This Shi Yong seems carefree on the surface, but he actually knew I would agree, and he even prepared his identity token in advance.

Returning leisurely to the bedside, Li Shen sat cross-legged and poured out the Breakthrough Pill. With just a slight probe, he could feel the surging spiritual power contained within it.

Hopefully, this Breakthrough Pill will loosen up my stagnant cultivation level.

With this thought in mind, Li Shen swallowed it in one gulp and immediately began to circulate the Evergreen Technique.

the next day, early morning

Li Shen suddenly opened his eyes, a faint blue light swirling within them. The scenery he saw was clearer than before, and he could hear birdsong that he had never heard before.

"So this is the fourth level of Qi Refining? I've finally reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

Li Shen looked around at himself in disbelief, carefully sensing the changes within his body, and couldn't help but clench his fist tightly.

Although it took a whole night, it was all worth it.

In addition to the changes in his own cultivation and divine sense, Li Shen also discovered that the "Evergreen Technique" he was cultivating contained an offensive spell, the Azure Light Technique.

When the spell is activated, it will condense a blue spiritual energy ball, which can be shot out at a moment's thought.

Li Shen walked to one side of the house, facing the other earthen wall, closed his eyes slightly, recalled the incantation for the spirit energy blast, and interlocked his index and middle fingers, assuming a ready-to-launch posture.

He first tried to concentrate his spiritual power between his two fingers. As he focused his mind, a small, slightly rotating cyan ball of light, about the size of an egg, floated on his fingertip in no time.

"go!"

Li Shen gave a low shout and flicked his finger. The blue light ball shot out with a "whoosh".

Immediately following was a slightly muffled sound, the ball of light dissipated, and fine lines spread across the spot where the earthen wall had been hit, accompanied by a soft cracking sound.

Li Shen hurriedly stepped forward to check. As soon as he probed with his spiritual power, he found that the inside of the earthen wall was full of cracks. With just a little force, the earthen wall would probably break into a big hole immediately.

It strikes the enemy from within, combining penetration and destruction, making it very suitable for dealing with tough-skinned monsters. Although it consumes more spiritual energy than expected, with my current cultivation level, I should be able to use it four or five times in a row without any problem.

Li Shen's thoughts raced, and he couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. The Evergreen Manual was indeed a fortunate opportunity provided by the intelligence; it had given him another valuable trump card for this demon-hunting trip.

For the next four days, Li Shen hardly left his house, consolidating his newly broken-through fourth level of Qi Refining, mastering the execution of the Azure Light Technique and the control of spiritual power, while also seizing the time to refine his talismanic skills.

With the support of spiritual power at the fourth level of Qi Refining, his success rate and efficiency in drawing talismans have improved.

Basic Ice Cone Talisman, Fireball Talisman, and Golden Shield Talisman rarely have issues with drawing errors, and there are faint signs of a stable output of mid-grade ones.

During this period, he took some time to visit the market.

Although monster hunting is risky, there are many participants.

The low-grade talismans in Li Shen's possession had already reached a purchase price of one and a half spirit stones each.

After selling some of his low-grade talismans, he replenished his supplies with spirit ink, talisman paper, and some essential pills for travel. He also specially purchased a low-grade dagger magic weapon to defend against close combat.

The fifth day, at the end of the 9-11 AM.

Li Shen finished checking all the necessary items and kept them close to his body, placing the talismans and dagger in a place where he could take them out immediately.

There are ten low-grade Golden Shield Talismans, ten Ice Cone Talismans, and ten Fireball Talismans; two mid-grade Golden Shield Talismans; five mid-grade Ice Cone Talismans and five mid-grade Fireball Talismans; and five Breath Concealment Talismans, although they are still low-grade.

After checking the room one last time to make sure nothing was missed, Li Shen pushed open the door and strode towards the direction of the scattered cultivator market, bathed in the warm sunlight.