Ascending from the mortal realm to become an immortal begins with taking charge of a grotto-heaven.

Back in the courtyard on Lingze Peak, Zhang Li took out the two newly purchased magical artifacts.

Both the sword and the jade pendant are of the highest quality.

Temporarily putting away the Ink Cloud Pendant, Zhang Li placed the Burning Cloud Sword horizontally in front of him. Then, following the method Qin Song had told him to undo the seal, he made a hand seal and cast a spell into the hilt of the sword.

hum-

A deep, warm sword sound resonated from within the sword, and crimson flames lit up layer by layer along the spine of the sword, surging towards the hilt. The restriction on the hilt dissipated rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

After the restriction completely dissipated, a red stream of light flew out from the sword hilt and transformed into a sword manual light screen burning with faint flames in mid-air. Dense red characters and sword move phantoms appeared on the light screen.

"What exquisite swordsmanship!"

After a cursory glance, Zhang Li immediately took out a blank jade slip, made a hand seal, and transferred all the information recorded on the light screen into the jade slip.

Afterwards, Zhang Li put away the Burning Cloud Sword, placed the jade slip on his forehead, and began to carefully study it.

This sword technique is called the "Burning Cloud Sword Technique," and it consists of four forms: Burning Wind Slash, Flowing Cloud Thrust, Wildfire Spreads, and Fiery Clouds Obscuring the Sun.

Time passed slowly.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already noon the next day.

After studying it for more than ten hours, Zhang Li had only scratched the surface of the first move; he was still far from mastering it completely.

If he could also obtain the help of the Clear Mind Tea, he was confident that he could fully comprehend the first move within six months.

Unfortunately, when Zhang Li returned to the sect to visit Liu Lin, Liu Lin had already entered seclusion, and he didn't know when he would emerge.

He had previously tried to subtly inquire whether Liu Lin had any plans to sell saplings, but Liu Lin had flatly refused.

Shaking his head to dispel the distracting thoughts, Zhang Li began to reconsider the matter of the sword technique.

Although I've only grasped the basics of the first move, its power is not to be underestimated.

This sword technique starts at least at the second level, and the last two moves are estimated to be usable only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Zhang Li didn't know why the original owner of the Burning Cloud Sword sealed this sword technique within the sword and sold it for only 1,800 spirit stones.

You should know that even the most ordinary second-tier sword technique costs at least two thousand spirit stones, while such an exquisite sword technique would cost at least three thousand spirit stones if sold to a cultivator who also practices fire-attribute techniques.

He was incredibly lucky to be able to buy this sword technique and a high-grade magic weapon for 1,800 spirit stones.

"Regardless of the reason, this is finally my chance."

Zhang Li did not delve further into the hidden secrets.

Opportunities are rare, and thinking too much about them is pointless. Since they have fallen into his hands, they are his destiny.

……

In the courtyard of Lingze Peak.

Zhang Li sat cross-legged on the futon, reaching out to hold the Burning Cloud Sword, constantly consuming his magic power to refine it.

With his current cultivation level of just entering the seventh stage of Qi Refining, refining a high-grade magic weapon is still a bit of a challenge for him.

Fortunately, after his continuous refinement over this period of time, the Ink Cloud Pendant has been successfully refined, and the Burning Cloud Sword is only one step away from being fully refined.

A moment later, the Burning Cloud Sword vibrated slightly, establishing a mental connection with Zhang Li.

"Phew—finally."

Zhang Li let out a long sigh, got up and went to a deserted mountain near the sect.

Then, a flash of light appeared in his hand, and the Burning Cloud Sword fell into his grasp. After injecting magic power into the sword, crimson flames rose up layer by layer along the blade.

Zhang Li calmed his mind and focused his spirit, channeling his magic power according to the first move of the sword technique he had comprehended. He suddenly swung his wrist horizontally and shouted, "Burning Wind Slash!"

Buzz!

A broad, crimson sword aura, over two zhang long, roared through the air, sweeping out with fierce winds and flames, and slammed into a boulder ten zhang high in front of it.

With a deafening explosion, the surface of the boulder was instantly scorched red by the flames and shattered, sending fragments of rock flying in all directions along with billowing black smoke. A huge sword mark, a foot deep, was then ripped open in the middle of the rock.

A wave of heat hit him, and Zhang Li took a few steps back to steady himself, carefully sensing the magical power he had consumed.

He only unleashed a single Burning Wind Slash, which he hadn't fully mastered yet, and it consumed nearly ten percent of his mana. As expected of a second-tier sword technique, its mana consumption far exceeded that of directly activating a magical weapon to fight an enemy.

He gripped his sword and slowly stepped forward, gazing at the foot-deep sword mark on the boulder, a hint of satisfaction appearing in his eyes.

Although he only grasped the basics, when combined with the fully refined Burning Cloud Sword, its destructive power already surpassed his previous full-force attack.

With this sword technique, among cultivators of the same realm, only those wielding high-grade defensive magic weapons can rival him.

After testing the power of the sword technique, Zhang Li returned to his courtyard.

After resting for a while, he tidied up the courtyard and then set off for the incense hall.

With Zhang Li's aptitude of four spiritual roots, his progress to the late stage of Qi Refining in just over ten years can be described as rapid and quite remarkable.

But these days, everyone has their share of opportunities.

Zhang Li's alchemy skills alone are enough to explain the reason for his rapid progress in cultivation.

The rear hall of the incense hall.

"Outer disciple Zhang Li requests an audience with Elder Lin to apply for promotion to inner disciple. Please inform him."

As he spoke, Zhang Li discreetly slipped a few spirit stones to him.

Upon seeing this, the outer disciple on guard immediately became more polite, quickly put the spirit stones into his storage bag, and put on a gentle smile: "Senior Brother Zhang, please wait a moment, I will go in and report to Elder Lin."

Before half an incense stick had burned, the disciple quickly returned, cupped his hands, and said, "The elder has granted you permission to enter. Please follow me."

Zhang Li nodded his thanks and followed the other person into the inner hall.

Sitting in the center of the hall was a middle-aged cultivator in a gray robe, Elder Lin, who was in charge of the advancement of the sect's disciples. His cultivation level was already at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and he was surrounded by a faint pressure from the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Outer disciple Zhang Li greets Elder Lin." Zhang Li bowed respectfully.

"So you're the one applying for promotion to inner sect?" Elder Lin glanced at Zhang Li and said calmly.

The moment Elder Lin's gaze swept over him, Zhang Li could feel his body being swept over by some invisible force, as if he were standing naked in front of him, completely exposed.

"Is this divine consciousness?" He felt a chill run down his spine and respectfully bowed.

"Reporting to the Elder, it is indeed your disciple. Your disciple is satisfied with the conditions for promotion to the inner sect and has come here specifically to handle the promotion matters."

"He really is at the seventh level of Qi Refining, but his foundation is a bit weak."

Withdrawing his divine sense, Elder Lin nodded slightly and said, "Give me your outer disciple identity token."

Zhang Li took off the token and handed it over with both hands.

Elder Lin scanned the token with his divine sense, and glanced at Zhang Li with some surprise, saying, "Wu Feng? Four spiritual roots, and you were able to cultivate to the late stage of Qi Refining so quickly. You've certainly had some good fortune."

Zhang Li was under thirty-five years old, had the cultivation level of the late stage of Qi Refining, and had entered the sect through Wu Feng's connections. Elder Lin didn't even bother to investigate the reason why Zhang Li's cultivation was so fast.

After saying that, he took out a promotion certificate from his storage bag, entered Zhang Li's identity information, had Zhang Li leave his magic imprint on it, and finally left his own divine sense imprint before handing the certificate to Zhang Li.

"Within ten days, you may present this certificate to report to the Daoxuan Hall."

"Thank you, Elder."

Having received the voucher, Zhang Li thanked them again and then took his leave.