The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

After seeing off the excited Xu Dayou, Xu Changqing did not rush to take the elixir.

Although the Cold Marrow Mushroom has a mild medicinal effect, his current cultivation level is only the fourth level of Qi Refining. If he swallows it directly, he might waste most of the medicinal power, or even be too weak to benefit from it.

"We still need to ask about this mirror."

Xu Changqing sat cross-legged, adjusted his breathing, and waited for his emotions to calm down before his mind once again sank into his sea of ​​consciousness.

"Through deduction, using this Cold Marrow Ganoderma as the main ingredient, how can I maximize its medicinal power to help me break through to the fifth level of Qi Refining and cleanse my meridians?"

The Heavenly Mirror trembled, and golden light appeared.

[Deduction begins]

[Deduction: The best way to consume Cold Marrow Ganoderma.]

[Time required: One day.]

"One day."

Xu Changqing slowly opened his eyes.

Perfect timing. He also needs time to adjust his condition, shake off the fatigue from the past few days of travel, and be in top form to welcome the breakthrough.

In the days that followed, Xu Changqing stayed indoors all day, except for necessary public appearances.

The seeds of the purple-veined golden peach are still being infused with spiritual energy every day, and the purple veins on them are becoming clearer and clearer, while the vitality is becoming more and more intense.

One day later.

Slice the Cold Marrow Ganoderma and simmer it for three hours to create a medicinal liquid. Then, add three qian (approximately 15 grams) of "Red Yang Powder" to neutralize its cold and yin properties.

[Take the medicine in three doses, one hour apart, while simultaneously circulating the "Eternal Spring Exercise" through the microcosmic and macrocosmic orbits to maximize absorption of the medicinal power and cleanse the marrow and meridians.]

Chiyang powder is cheap; it's made from the ash left over from burning Chiyang charcoal, and you can easily find it at home.

Looking at this extremely simple method that subtly embodies the principle of yin and yang harmony, Xu Changqing couldn't help but marvel at the practicality of this cheat code.

If you let him figure it out on his own, he'll probably just eat it raw, which would be a waste of his talent.

In a short while, Xu Changqing set up his stance in the quiet room.

A small purple clay medicine stove sits on a charcoal fire, inside which milky white medicinal liquid swirls and emits a refreshing fragrance.

He took a deep breath, picked up the medicine bowl, and drank the first dose of medicine in one gulp.

A cold liquid flowed down his throat, and wherever it passed, the flow of spiritual energy in his meridians became stagnant.

But then, the medicinal power of the Red Sun Powder that had been taken beforehand dissipated, and a warm current rose up, intertwining with the cold air.

The alternation between hot and cold, like a millstone, slowly rotated within his body.

Xu Changqing dared not delay and immediately began to circulate the "Eternal Spring Technique".

As the exercise progressed, the tangled medicinal power began to seep into the meridian walls, squeezing out impurities that were normally difficult to reach.

The pain was mixed with an indescribable sense of clarity.

One hour, two hours...

As he swallowed the third bowl of medicine, Xu Changqing felt a soft boom inside his body.

It was as if something had broken.

The previously stagnant spiritual energy surged and roared through the meridians like a flood bursting its banks, widening the originally narrow channel.

The bottleneck that had blocked him for so long at the fourth level of Qi Refining was as thin as a piece of paper, easily pierced by this immense medicinal power.

Qi Refining Level 5!

Xu Changqing did not stop. Using his remaining strength, he continued to circulate his energy to stabilize his realm.

Until the next morning.

Xu Changqing slowly opened his eyes.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, then disappeared.

He looked down at his hands and saw that his skin was covered with a thin layer of grayish-black oil, which was the impurities that had been forced out of his body.

With a slight clench of his fist, he felt his spiritual energy surge, becoming more than 30% stronger than before.

"Qi Refining Level 5, achieved."

Xu Changqing stood up, his bones crackling and popping.

He took a shower, changed into a clean robe, and walked out of the quiet room.

The snow outside finally stopped, and the long-awaited sunshine shone into the yard, almost dazzling.

After breaking through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, one should also be able to begin cultivating the offensive techniques inherited from the clan.

Just then, Xu Dayou came running over excitedly, holding a crumpled piece of paper in his hand.

"Clan leader, news has come from the market that the Qinghe Sword Sect has posted its recruitment notice!"

Xu Changqing's expression shifted, and he took the letter and unfolded it.

The document was filled with detailed assessment rules.

The beginning was all high-sounding platitudes, such as "being grateful for the hardships of all living beings" and "using this to forge connections with immortals," and so on.

Xu Changqing skipped over it and focused his gaze on the four words "Assessment Details" in the middle.

Article 1: Anyone under the age of sixteen with spiritual roots is eligible to apply.

Article 2: All participants in the assessment must pay a "trial fee" of ten low-grade spirit stones.

Ten dollars doesn't seem like much.

However, within this vast expanse of water, there are at least a hundred affiliated families, plus countless independent cultivators. The Qinghe Sword Sect could rake in a fortune just from the trial fees alone.

"The trial fee is ten yuan?!"

Xu Changqing folded the notice down slightly, his expression calm: "Uncle, keep your voice down."

"If I don't pass the exam, will I get my money back?"

Xu Dayou realized he had been somewhat out of line and gave an embarrassed smile.

No refunds will be given.

Xu Changqing read aloud the line of words written in tiny characters in the corner.

Xu Dayou frowned, muttering blasphemous words like "black shop" and "bandits."

Xu Changqing knew in his heart that this was the way major sects operated.

Cultivating immortality is inherently defying the heavens, and it also requires paving the way with money.

These ten spirit stones are the first hurdle, filtering out those poor wretches and rogue cultivators who can't even scrape together this much resource.

If you can't even afford ten spirit stones, you'll likely have no future in a sect, and the sect won't bother to train you.

"Keep watching."

Xu Changqing lowered his gaze.

Article 3: The assessment consists of three stages.

The first challenge, "Spirit Test," goes without saying. Next is "Inquiry into the Heart," which involves testing one's character with a maze-like illusion. Finally, there is the last challenge, "Battle of Magic," which is a contest of combat power.

The first two levels are manageable, but temperament is a mysterious thing, and talent is innate; there's no way to cheat.

But this final hurdle, the "battle of wits"...

Xu Changqing frowned slightly.

Those who participated in the assessment were all young kids who had just reached the Qi Refining stage. Even if some of them were talented enough to reach the first or second level of Qi Refining, they were just weaklings fighting each other. What kind of tricks could they possibly pull off?

unless……

"Chieftain, look at this last one."

Xu Dayou pointed to the bottom line of the letter.

"Those who pass the first two trials and demonstrate outstanding performance in the combat will be directly granted the 'Azure River Sword Token' and allowed to enter the inner sect for cultivation!"

Inner Gate!

Once you enter the inner sect, you are a true disciple, with a master to guide you and elixirs to supply you.

If you're lucky enough to be chosen by an elder, you'll rise to the top in one step!

If the Xu family could produce an inner disciple...

Xu Dayou was breathing rapidly, as if he could already see the day when the Xu family would return to its former status as a Foundation Establishment family.

Xu Changqing, however, was not so optimistic.

These spots for inner disciples have probably been coveted by those powerful families long ago.

"Outstanding performance in the magical duel..."

Xu Changqing gently stroked the letter with his fingers.

The word "excellent" leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

Is it considered excellent if you defeat your opponent? Or does it mean you must demonstrate some kind of amazing talent in a battle?