Time flies like an arrow; the sun and moon shuttle by.

  Another month has passed.

  During this month, Li Qinghai has been hiding in the Green Bamboo Residence to cultivate.

  He didn't dare to go to Morning Cultivation Mountain to train, naturally to avoid Lu Beixue.

  Not seeing Lu Beixue for a month had a decent effect.

  He successfully stabilized his Dao heart again.

  Of course, that was secondary.

  The main thing was that his cultivation had made tremendous progress.

  After continuously consuming pills for dozens of days, he successfully broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

  However, the consumption of Qi Gathering Elixirs was astonishing.

  Breaking through the seventh level of Qi Refining took 5 days and consumed 15 Qi Gathering Elixirs.

  Breaking through the eighth level took 10 days and consumed 40 Qi Gathering Elixirs.

  And breaking through the ninth level took 15 days and consumed a full 100 Qi Gathering Elixirs.

  Originally, he had 200 Qi Gathering Elixirs, but now only 45 were left.

  Naturally, 45 would not be enough to advance to the tenth level of Qi Refining.

  Therefore, Li Qinghai planned to stop taking pills for the time being.

  He would cultivate on his own first, and once he faintly touched the threshold of the tenth level of Qi Refining, he would take the pills to break through in one go.

  Morning.

  Li Qinghai had not yet gotten out of bed.

  He heard a voice coming from outside.

  "Senior Brother."

  Li Qinghai was not in a deep sleep, so he opened his eyes and got out of bed.

  He went to the door and opened it.

  He saw Wang Dafu, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

  Although Wang Dafu was still as fat as before, his demeanor had changed somewhat, with an added touch of nobility.

  He seemed like a boss now.

  Wang Dafu was as happy as ever to see Li Qinghai, his face full of smiles.

  But soon, his smile froze.

  Because he realized he could no longer see through Li Qinghai's cultivation level.

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  There are generally two possibilities when one cannot see through another's cultivation.

  One is that the other person's cultivation is higher than theirs.

  The other is that the person has cultivated a technique to conceal their cultivation.

  A small Qi Refining cultivator wouldn't waste time on a technique to conceal their cultivation.

  So there was only one possibility left.

  Li Qinghai's level had surpassed his.

  Thinking of this, Wang Dafu was even more dumbfounded.

  This cultivation speed was just too outrageous, wasn't it??

  Unable to contain his curiosity, Wang Dafu asked blankly.

  "Senior Brother, what... level are you at now?"

  "Ninth level of Qi Refining."

  "Nine... ninth level."

  Wang Dafu swallowed hard; this cultivation was truly monstrous.

  Li Qinghai didn't bother with Wang Dafu's shocked expression and asked.

  "Did you come to see me for something?"

  Only then did Wang Dafu remember his purpose for coming here.

  He took out a bottle of pills from his Storage Bag and handed it to Li Qinghai.

  "Senior Brother, I just went to collect some Fasting Pills and bought a bottle for you as well."

  Fasting Pills were very cheap.

  One spirit stone could buy a bottle.

  But Wang Dafu's thoughtfulness in bringing him Fasting Pills was mainly due to his loyal attitude.

  "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Junior Brother." Li Qinghai accepted the pills.

  "Serving Senior Brother is my duty," Wang Dafu said with a smile.

  "By the way, have you heard any news about Ye Feng recently?"

  "I heard Ye Feng is in seclusion, trying to break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. He hasn't come out of his cave residence, so he's probably breaking through."

  Li Qinghai nodded slightly.

  No wonder there hadn't been any movement from Ye Feng after he killed the Ye family brothers.

  Turns out he was in seclusion.

  But it seemed like even if Ye Feng wasn't in seclusion, he couldn't do anything to him.

  After all, he hadn't left his residence for a month.

  Perhaps it was precisely because of this that Ye Feng felt there was no opportunity and chose to go into seclusion.

  Wang Dafu suddenly remembered something else.

  "Oh, Senior Brother, there's one more thing."

  "What is it?"

  "In another month, the sect will hold the Outer Disciple Competition. I didn't think much of it at first, given my seventh level of Qi Refining, I'd just be a punching bag. But I didn't expect you to reach the ninth level of Qi Refining, so you can definitely participate without waiting for next year."

  "The Outer Disciple Competition..." Li Qinghai pondered slightly.

  He wondered if participating in this competition would help restore his qualification to cultivate immortality.

  As long as the Book of Good Fortune didn't return his cultivation qualification, Li Qinghai felt a thorn in his side.

  He believed he had been diligently cultivating this past month.

  Could it be that the Book of Good Fortune still didn't think he was passionate about cultivation?

  Maybe the problem was his lack of understanding in cultivating immortality?

  Participating in the competition, going through rounds of combat, should make the Book of Good Fortune realize that he understood cultivation, right?

  Forget it, there's no other way.

  He could only treat a dead horse as if it were alive.

  Thinking of this, Li Qinghai asked.

  "What are the rules for the Outer Disciple Competition?"

  Wang Dafu's eyes lit up, "Senior Brother, are you going to participate?"

  "Yes, I probably will."

  "Great, I'll definitely come to watch you in action, and gather some junior brothers and sisters to cheer for you!"

  "Ahem, those are just superficial. Keep it low-key!"

  "Hey, Senior Brother, you'll definitely shine in the competition; you won't be able to keep a low profile even if you want to."

  After a round of flattery, Wang Dafu finally began to explain the rules of the competition.

  The Outer Disciple Competition, in name, is open to all outer disciples.

  But most disciples know that if their strength isn't enough, they'll just be cannon fodder, so it's better not to embarrass themselves.

  The ones who truly participate are those who believe they can place.

  The top ten disciples can shed their outer disciple status and become inner disciples.

  The favorable treatment of inner disciples is incomparable to the hard-working outer disciples.

  Especially the top three, who not only receive Foundation Establishment Pills as rewards but also Xuan-level techniques and treasure artifacts!

  The preciousness of the top three rewards is enough to drive all outer disciples crazy.

  But these rewards are not for outer disciples to covet.

  Because some inner disciples with average talent will lower their status to become outer disciples.

  In the end, it's these disciples who not only get promoted to inner disciples but also receive a free reward.

  Of course, many inner disciples disdain doing this.

  As long as they have enough confidence in themselves, they choose to cultivate within the inner sect.

  If they can compete for resources within the inner sect, it's much better than wasting a year in the outer sect.

  But regardless, every year, there are at least three inner disciples participating in this competition.

  Wang Dafu, true to his name, had comprehensive information.

  After listening to his introduction, Li Qinghai understood what the Outer Disciple Competition was all about.

  After Wang Dafu finished his introduction, he chuckled.

  "Senior Brother, with your strength, as long as you don't encounter those inner disciples who lower their status, you'll definitely make it into the top ten. Then you'll become a prestigious inner disciple!"

  Li Qinghai also smiled, "Well, let's hope so."

  "Senior Brother, you should focus on your cultivation. I'll go gather information for you, see which guys are strong and what their weaknesses are."

  As a boss, seeing his subordinate so dedicated, Li Qinghai felt he should reward him.

  Moreover, gathering information surely required some expenses.

  Li Qinghai patted his Storage Bag, and a pile of spirit stones, about dozens, flew out.

  "Take these," Li Qinghai said.

  "Thank you, Senior Brother!" Wang Dafu was overjoyed, thinking he had indeed chosen the right person to follow!

  He couldn't wait to prove himself.

  "Senior Brother, I'm off then."

  With that, Wang Dafu quickly left.

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