"I'm free," Lou Yi said.

Although he didn't particularly like this Su Yu, as the man was narrow-minded and tactless.

But since they came from the same place, there was a bit of camaraderie.

Su Yu showed a look of delight and began to ask Lou Yi for advice on techniques and insights related to sensing spiritual qi.

"You need to calm your mind," Lou Yi instructed, "Keep your mind focused, avoid impatience... If it's difficult to sense at the foot of the mountain, try it at the summit."

"But there's a lot of miasma on the mountain at night," Su Yu protested.

"Here, take this," Lou Yi handed him the Clearing Miasma Pill that was distributed during the corpse selection earlier.

His body was strong and impervious to miasma, so he had saved the pill, which was now benefiting Su Yu.

"Thank you, thank you so much." Su Yu paused, hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly rubbed his hands with a nervous smile, "And that Purifying God Pill, do you have any more? I've used up all of mine."

"Here," Lou Yi handed over another small blue vial.

"Thanks a lot, Brother Lou, you're my savior reborn!

If I manage to sense qi, I will surely repay you generously!" Su Yu exclaimed joyfully.

'So if he can't figure it out, there's no return?' Lou Yi shook his head and headed back up the mountain.

As far as Su Yu was concerned, he had already done his best.

In the following days.

Lou Yi sometimes practiced in his cave abode, studying the Profound Yin Technique and Spirit Corpse.

Sometimes he went to Guest Welcoming Peak.

There, every three days, elders would give lessons, teaching a group of outer disciples the secrets of Qi Cultivation.

They also informed them of various taboos and common knowledge in cultivation, which deepened Lou Yi's understanding of cultivators.

The major realms of cultivation: Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core.

Each major realm was like a chasm; once you crossed it, your combat power would transform drastically.

Ordinary disciples needed only to focus on the realm of Qi Cultivation for now.

Qi Cultivation is divided into nine levels.

Levels one to three are the early stage of Qi Cultivation, where a cultivator's spiritual power is weak.

They can cast simple spells like Yin Qi Arrow and Illusionary Yin Finger, but often need to be paired with talismans to have power.

If high-level martial artists from the mortal world get close, it is very dangerous, with a high risk of falling.

Levels four to six are the middle stage of Qi Cultivation, where a cultivator's spiritual power is relatively abundant.

And with developed spiritual sense, they can cast more complex spells like Yin Light Shield and Soul Capturing Technique.

Compared to the early stage, there is a fundamental change, which is the ability to wield magical artifacts.

This greatly enhances the cultivator's combat ability and marks the beginning of the gap between cultivators and martial artists.

Mid-stage Qi Cultivators can be promoted to Inner Sect Disciples within the sect, a status completely different from outer sect members.

Levels seven to nine are the late stage of Qi Cultivation.

At this point, not only have cultivators opened all their meridians, but they have also formed a Qi Vortex in their dantian, with a spiritual power total several times that of mid-stage Qi Cultivators.

Spell-casting speed increases significantly, allowing for group attack techniques.

Martial artists can hardly get close, finding it difficult to pose a threat.

The most iconic spell that distinguishes the late stage from the early and middle stages is the Soaring Technique.

The cultivator's spiritual power now supports them in soaring, appearing almost like immortals in the eyes of mortals.

The title of Immortal Master, widely spread and revered by the mortal world, is primarily based on the prestige of late-stage Qi Cultivators.

At night, Lou Yi sat in the cave, sorting through his experiences to clarify his future path.

Over this period, his understanding of cultivators further deepened.

He made a relatively accurate judgment about the cultivation levels of a few Daoists who appeared in Wangjiang before.

The first Immortal Master, who was ambushed and killed by the black-robed man and Meng Konghua, should have been at the pinnacle of mid-stage Qi Cultivation.

And the female Daoist who later pursued him was likely at the beginning of the late stage of Qi Cultivation, about seventh level.

Even so, they nearly pushed him to the brink of death.

If not for the three innate talents of Petrification, tenacity, and Fireproof, it would have been difficult to say who would win.

In other words, his current strength, if up close and with the element of surprise, might allow him to assassinate a late-stage Qi Cultivator.

But if he can't get close,

unless it's Fire Element or Wind Element types; it's very hard to deal with other Five Elements cultivators, with a high risk of falling.

As Qi Cultivators reach the middle and late stages, they have too many tricks.

Some can use Curse Techniques, some can behead from a distance with magical artifacts, and some can use arrays to harness the power of heaven and earth.

If they have ample preparation, mid-stage Qi Cultivators pose a certain threat, while late stages have a strong chance to kill him.

'The mechanics of martial arts are too outdated, relying only on crazily stacking stats to close the gap with cultivators,' Lou Yi thought.

He now solely relies on martial arts, at least in the short term.

At his current pace of cultivation, breaking a level in the early stage of Qi Cultivation takes two years, reaching the middle stage requires at least seven or eight years, with the late stage even further away.

It takes a long time to form combat power through cultivation.

Recalling the attack by the Red Sun Sect elder before joining the sect,

there's no telling when a life-and-death crisis might strike; he can't bank on something ten years away.

Hence, Lou Yi finally set his course:

Focus on martial arts for the next ten years, with immortal cultivation as a supplement. Continue to strengthen advantages and find opportunities to shore up weaknesses.

Advance cultivation slowly, as long as it extends his lifespan.

Focus on strengthening martial arts prowess to ensure he won't die unexpectedly.

Lou Yi looked at his Attribute Panel:

The Martial Artist system will advance in nine days.

But advancing from Martial Artist to Martial Artist will still take about three months.

He had a feeling that once he broke through to the Martial Artist level, his strength would leap forward.

Therefore, the immediate priorities are to find the Spirit Tempering Flower to advance the Yellow Extreme Breathing Technique.

Becoming a Martial Artist is just the beginning, not the end.

The second priority is to find Dragon Mint to increase the proficiency of the Profound Yin Technique.

And to collect energy.

Though he currently has over a thousand energy points, he's only been expending energy since joining the sect without incoming replenishment, and this can't continue.

However, the Corpse-Driving Sect has an annoying rule: Outer Disciples can't leave the sect for three years.

Lou Yi racked his brain, trying to think of how to collect a steady stream of energy within the sect.

...

Elsewhere.

Atop a high peak more than ten miles from the Disciple Peak.

The mountain was covered with ancient pine trees and hanging waterfalls, surrounded by purple mist, with spiritual cranes spreading their wings and cultivators stepping on air...

In a luxurious cave abode, surrounded by a purple bamboo forest that rustled gently, koi in a spiritual spring played and occasionally broke the surface.

The inner ground was paved with Cyan Jade Bricks, brimming with spiritual light.

At each corner stood a Purple Copper Incense Burner, with rising white smoke transforming into various fierce beasts and wild birds, marvelously vivid.

"Grandfather, that Innate Spirit Corpse is such a rare thing. If I obtain it, my cultivation speed would increase by at least twenty percent.

It's one thing if it landed in the hands of a genius like You Qingyi, but it ended up with a no-name Lower-Grade Spirit Root... I'm not reconciled, can you help your grandson..."

Wang Wenbai knelt before an elder, speaking passionately with flowing saliva and an excited tone.

...

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