Eternal Life: My Talents Can Refresh-Chapter 53: Secrets Within Secrets

Zhuang Yunde hesitated for a while, then slowly began to speak:

"It’s a sect mission, but when they talk about things like pioneering, we don’t believe it, because it’s clear that the mission has some level of danger.

As for what the mission actually is, or where we’re going, I also don’t know."

Saying this, Zhuang Yunde paused briefly, then continued, "And about what you said—no one comes back, that’s not entirely true either."

His eyes gleamed slightly.

"From what I know, quite a few people have returned.

And without exception, these people were admitted as inner sect disciples, including those who were originally servant disciples."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning was somewhat taken aback and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise:

"Senior Brother Zhuang, are you saying that those servant disciples selected for the task, those who returned were all admitted as inner sect disciples?"

Zhuang Yunde nodded slightly, then added:

"Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know either."

Although Zhuang Yunde said so, Chu Ning’s eyes were still full of shock and confusion.

The leap from servant disciple to inner sect disciple is unbelievably vast.

It’s known that those assigned as servant disciples are basically those with pseudo spirit roots of four or five attributes.

Such disciples might stand out in the early stage of Qi Refining.

But entering the middle stage of Qi Refining, they are clearly outpaced by disciples with three or more spirit roots.

And three spirit root disciples, unless they have other exceptional talents, are usually outer sect disciples in the Cyan Creek Sect.

What is the concept of an inner sect disciple? It implies exceptional talent.

Mu Ling, a relative of a Golden Core Elder in the sect, was placed in the outer sect due to insufficient cultivation talent.

This shows that truly becoming an inner sect true disciple in Cyan Creek Sect is no easy task.

They are all disciples with significant hopes of reaching Foundation Establishment.

But now, if servant disciples just survive the mission and return, they can become inner sect disciples.

That...

Chu Ning’s expression changed slightly; he wasn’t envious of these people becoming inner sect disciples, he was thinking about how dangerous the mission must be.

At this moment, a slight smile appeared on Zhuang Yunde’s face as he said:

"If I can come back, maybe I’ll have the chance to tell you these things."

Chu Ning couldn’t help but ask:

"Since you know how dangerous participating in the task is, why did you choose to go, Senior Brother? Is the sect forcing you?"

"Not really." Zhuang Yunde shook his head.

"Actually, if you can enter the outer sect as a service disciple, there’s a degree of autonomy. This time, it was my own decision to go.

I’ve been stuck at the ninth layer of Qi Refining for too long. Forget about Foundation Establishment, even reaching Qi Refining Perfection has been beyond my grasp for a long time, so..."

Hearing this, Chu Ning sighed slightly in his heart, understanding Zhuang Yunde’s intention.

Clearly, Senior Brother Zhuang was not content to be stuck at this realm; even if life was good, he still wanted to gamble for more.

Cultivation of immortality, striving for the Dao?

Even after leaving Zhuang Yunde’s courtyard, Chu Ning kept pondering over this matter.

He thought about what he would do if faced with such a situation.

Soon, he figured it out.

Life is precious.

To achieve longevity, one must first preserve one’s life.

Understanding this point made Chu Ning feel much more at ease.

Zhuang Yunde had mentioned something earlier.

If one truly wishes to have more choices in the future, one must find a way to shed the status of servant disciple and enter the outer sect.

However, for Chu Ning, these things were still somewhat distant.

At this moment, for Chu Ning, the first step was to complete the promotion task in Zone C.

So, after leaving Zhuang Yunde, Chu Ning proactively went to find He Changyou.

"You want to participate in the Zone C promotion assessment? I remember you’re a disciple who joined a year and a half ago?"

He Changyou looked at Chu Ning, somewhat surprised, but also with a hint of satisfaction on his face.

"Reaching the fourth layer of Qi Refining within a year and a half of entering the sect.

I remember you chose to cultivate Ink Spirit Bamboo before, so your spell cultivation should also be doing well."

While speaking, He Changyou took out a jade scroll from his storage bag, seemingly to register Chu Ning’s application information.

"Although participating in the Zone C promotion assessment at the fourth layer of Qi Refining isn’t very promising, I still encourage you to participate, even if just to practice.

The Spirit Plant Room does indeed need fresh talents to emerge."

He Changyou finished speaking, put the jade scroll back into his storage bag, and continued:

"Your performance is quite good. Competing with those senior brothers is fine, and in half a month, there will be an organized assessment for you."

"Thank you, Lord Steward!" Chu Ning cupped his hands and performed a salute, then quickly took his leave.

After all, his relationship with He Changyou was not as close as with Zhuang Yunde, so naturally, it wasn’t possible to have much other conversation with He Changyou at this moment.

In the following half-month or so,

Chu Ning truly did as he told Zhuang Yunde, using spirit stones to enhance his cultivation.

However, Chu Ning was naturally not just stabilizing at the fourth layer of Qi Refining.

Rather, he aimed to further consolidate his Qi Refining Fifth Layer cultivation, preparing for the next step towards the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining.

After all, with the harvesting of Ink Spirit Bamboo, he was unable to continue using the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill for cultivation.

Although there was still Iron Wire Vine in the courtyard, its speed couldn’t compare to Ink Spirit Bamboo.

With daily cultivation using a spirit stone, plus practicing the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill through Iron Wire Vine, Chu Ning’s speed was not slower than before.

In fact, it was subtly faster; he could increase by approximately 5 points of proficiency every two days.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed; early that morning, Chu Ning put away his work and checked his cultivation progress.

[Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique (Yellow Tier Lower Grade), Second Layer (400/900)]

[Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, Volume One, Undying Bone 140/600]

[Refining Spirit Technique, First Layer 101/1000]

The proficiency of the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique’s second layer had reached 400.

According to Chu Ning’s previous estimation, reaching 200 would achieve the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, so 500 should allow reaching the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining.

Next, as long as he could secure spirit fields in Zone C to plant well, this 100 proficiency should quickly fill up.

Relatively speaking, the progress of Body Refinement and the Refining Spirit Technique was moderate, and Chu Ning couldn’t find a way to speed it up at the moment.

Feeling spiritually recharged and full of energy, Chu Ning pushed open the courtyard door and walked out to the Zone C promotion assessment, which was today.

"Creak!"

At the same time, the gate of the neighboring courtyard also opened, and Luo Hongping and Lu Yunfang came out.

Seeing Chu Ning, Lu Yunfang warmly greeted him.

"Junior Brother Chu, early even during the off-season?"

Saying this, she blinked.

"Getting up so early, are you also going to the Zone C promotion assessment?"

Chu Ning was slightly stunned, "Are you two also participating in the promotion assessment?"

Lu Yunfang nodded.

"The fields temporarily under our charge have already been harvested, this bit of land isn’t enough for us to cultivate as a couple.

Naturally, we need to participate in this promotion assessment, but Junior Brother Chu, you..."

She paused, giving Chu Ning a deep look before continuing:

"Reaching the fourth layer of Qi Refining in such a short time and going to participate in the promotion assessment, your talent is enviable."

Luo Hongping also nodded repeatedly on the side, his eyes fixed on Chu Ning.

At this moment, Chu Ning was secretly lamenting; he didn’t expect that, even while trying to stay low-key, he would attract the attention of the two at this time.

At this moment, he could only show a troubled expression and shake his head.

"I had good luck. The sect steward said I coincidentally fit the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique.

But this promotion assessment is just trying my luck, no way to really compare with you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister."

The group spoke words that didn’t match their true feelings, then walked together toward the assessment location.