After binding with a genius, I became an immortal by exploiting loopholes.

The square fell silent for a moment—no one made a fuss, and no one whispered among themselves.

The fact that he achieved 40% completion of the marrow cleansing and was rated as a lower-level expert during the preliminary test had already surprised everyone.

Now that the 100-day assessment is underway, what's so shocking about someone who should be able to draw in Qi into their body doing so?

Some people did glance at him a few more times, their eyes filled with envy and感慨, but not surprise.

On the high platform, Elder Qin's expression was calm, and he nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised that Lu Qingchen had passed the test.

When the disciple completed the marrow cleansing test and was rated as a lower-level B, he knew that this disciple already had the foundation to guide Qi into the body.

It's just a natural progression now.

He added a small line to the register, then closed it and looked at it again.

"Step down."

"Thank you, Elder."

Lu Qingchen bowed and withdrew, his expression unchanged.

He sensed surprise, envy, jealousy, and curiosity in those gazes, but he simply walked calmly back to the left side of the line.

The assessment continues.

As names were read out one by one, some people were happy, while others remained silent.

Ultimately, over one hundred people participated in the assessment, with about 70% passing and being admitted to the outer gate.

Of the rest, some chose to go to the service peak, while others chose to be repatriated to their place of origin.

The crowd in the square gradually dispersed.

Those who had passed through on the left were still basking in the relief of surviving the ordeal. Some looked at each other and smiled, some breathed a sigh of relief, and some had tears in their eyes.

The rejected candidates on the right silently followed the deacon's disciple away. There were no cries, no arguments, only the sound of footsteps and the occasional suppressed cough.

Lu Qingchen withdrew his gaze and followed the crowd toward the lecture hall.

Wang Ming walked beside him, still muttering, "You scared me to death." Li Si's expression remained normal, but his pace was a bit faster than usual.

......

Soon, the disciples who passed the test were taken to a main hall on Yuxin Peak.

This place is three times larger than where the fairy seedlings have their classes, with neat desks and chairs, and the spiritual energy is much richer than in the side rooms.

Elder Chen stood on the platform, with a huge jade disc behind him, on which was engraved the map of the Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate.

"From this day forward, you will be outer disciples of the Qingxuan Sect."

Elder Chen's voice remained unhurried, but it carried a greater air of solemnity than usual: "The Qingxuan Sect has been established for over six hundred years. The sect has six Spirit Mansion True Persons, over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, and hundreds of Qi Refining disciples."

"It administers forty-six spirit fields, nine markets, three spirit mines... and several alchemy workshops, artifact rooms, talisman pavilions, and beast taming gardens, which are under the jurisdiction of various peaks."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience: "Outer disciples receive a monthly stipend of two low-grade spirit stones, which entitles them to free access to all basic courses at Mingfa Peak."

"Those who must complete three sect missions each year, or pay spirit stones to offset the cost, and those who have not reached the fifth level of Qi Refining before the age of thirty will have their outer sect disciple status and all benefits revoked."

The audience fell silent, everyone listening intently.

"In addition, you can choose to learn one Qi Refining technique for the early stages and one cultivation skill."

Elder Chen continued, "The cultivation methods include the 'Qingwei Breathing Technique,' the 'Guiding Spirit Scripture,' and the 'Five Elements Gathering Qi Technique,' among others."

"There are five categories of skills: talismans, elixirs, spiritual plants, array formations, and beast taming. You will go to the Scripture Pavilion on Mingfa Peak later to choose one."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience: "Any further questions?"

A tall young man raised his hand and stood up: "Elder Chen, can I change the cultivation technique after I've chosen it?"

"You can change your cultivation method during the Qi Refining stage, but you have to rebuild your foundation every time you change it, which is time-consuming and laborious. It's best to choose one at once and cultivate it to the fourth level of Qi Refining before considering changing to a higher level," Elder Chen replied.

Someone else asked, "When choosing a cultivation method, should we choose based on our spiritual root or our personal preference?"

"According to the spiritual root."

Elder Chen answered decisively, "If you have a fire spiritual root, choose a fire attribute cultivation method; if you have a water spiritual root, choose a water attribute cultivation method. If your spiritual root and cultivation method are incompatible, you will achieve half the results with twice the effort, and waste your time."

"Then... how do I choose among those with multiple spiritual roots?"

"Choose the cultivation method corresponding to your longest spiritual root," Elder Chen said. "Don't bite off more than you can chew."

A female cultivator stood up, her voice barely audible, "Elder Chen, when...when can we become disciples?"

This question has piqued the interest of many.

Taking on a master—that's what they care about most.

Outer disciples are merely beginners; to truly establish oneself within the sect, one must receive guidance from a master.

Elder Chen's expression remained unchanged: "Every year, the elders of each peak keep an eye out for suitable disciples on Mingfa Peak. If someone performs exceptionally well and has a solid foundation, they will naturally be chosen."

"Before that, you should listen to lectures at Mingfa Peak to lay a solid foundation."

These words sparked a murmur of discussion from the audience.

Some people's eyes lit up, eager to try.

Some people lowered their heads, silently calculating whether their meager resources would be enough to last until the elders took notice of them.

"Any other questions?" Elder Chen asked.

After a moment of silence, no one raised their hand.

"Since there are no further questions, let's disperse."

He waved his hand, "Go to the Affairs Hall first to get your identity token, then go to the Scripture Pavilion on Mingfa Peak to choose your cultivation method."

Everyone got up and walked out in twos and threes.

Wang Ming, pulling Li Si and Lu Qingchen along, excitedly talked about which cultivation methods and skills they wanted to choose, his voice echoing in the empty hall.

"Lu Qingchen, please stay for a moment."

Elder Chen's voice came from behind, not loud, but clear.

Wang Ming and Li Si stopped at the same time and turned to look at Lu Qingchen. Lu Qingchen was also somewhat surprised, but he nodded, indicating that they should go first.

"We'll wait for you outside."

Li Si said something, then pulled Wang Ming, who still wanted to stay, and quickly walked out.

Once only the two of them remained in the main hall, Elder Chen slowly spoke: "You possess the Azure Wood Spirit Body, though incomplete, but you have a natural affinity for spiritual plants. I suggest you choose to cultivate the path of spiritual plants."

He spoke in a flat tone, as if he were talking about something completely ordinary.

But Lu Qingchen knew that Elder Chen had specifically asked him to stay behind and say these words in private, which meant that he held a special place in Elder Chen's heart.

"Your disciple will keep in mind the elder's teachings."

Lu Qingchen said respectfully.

Elder Chen nodded, said nothing more, and waved for him to leave.

As Lu Qingchen left the main hall, his mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Elder Chen's suggestion coincided with his own thoughts.

Although he possesses the Dao Stele, he is still weak and has very low talent at this stage, so he must make good use of all the resources at his disposal.

Although the Green Wood Spirit Body is incomplete, it is at least suitable for the study of spiritual plants.

Moreover, the Dao Stele can further refine its spiritual body in the future, making it perfectly suitable for the path of spiritual plants.

Moreover—the path of spiritual plants sounds relatively safe.

Before our strength has been fully enhanced, it's naturally better to be as safe as possible.

He took a deep breath and quickened his pace to catch up with Li Si and Wang Ming.

Outside the main hall, Wang Ming was craning his neck to look inside. When he saw Lu Qingchen come out, he immediately went up to him and asked, "What did Elder Chen say to you?"

"It's nothing, just a few words of advice about cultivation," Lu Qingchen said casually.

Wang Ming wanted to ask more questions, but Li Si pulled him back: "Let's go, let's go to the administration office to get the token first."

The three followed the crowd toward the administration building.