The days slipped by in quiet seclusion as Lin Mo shut himself away in his humble hut, cutting off all contact with the outside world to devote himself entirely to cultivation. The noisy chatter of the outer sect disciples, the whispers of curiosity and fear, and the faint undercurrents of hostility from the Wang family’s supporters all faded into irrelevance. For him, this month before the outer sect trial was not a time for rest or complacency, but a rare window to temper his strength and bridge the gap between Qi Refining Great Perfection and the coveted Foundation Establishment realm.

The ten low-grade spirit stones he had obtained from the Spirit Stone Pavilion became his most precious assets. Each day, he sat cross-legged on the stone bed, holding a spirit stone in each palm, and activated the Heavenly Immortal Art to its full capacity. The rich, pure spiritual energy within the stones gushed forth like a spring, surging through his meridians in a steady stream, far more concentrated than the thin energy floating in the outer sect air. His Six Paths Immortal Root worked tirelessly, refining every trace of raw energy into a gentle, unshakable cultivation base, erasing the last traces of instability left by his sudden breakthrough.

As the days passed, the spiritual energy in his dantian grew denser, condensing from a vast lake into a swirling vortex of pure power. His control over spiritual energy reached a new height; he could summon a wisp of energy to dance at his fingertips, shape it into a thin blade, or form a defensive shield with barely a thought. He also took the time to study the few basic cultivation scrolls he had collected over the years, practicing the most elementary offensive and defensive spells—Spiritual Energy Palm and Body Lightening Step. Though simple, these spells were the foundation of combat in the Qi Refining realm, and mastering them would be critical for surviving the outer sect trial’s battles.

Under the relentless nourishment of spirit stones and the guidance of the Heavenly Immortal Art, Lin Mo could feel a faint barrier pressing against his dantian, the invisible wall separating Qi Refining from Foundation Establishment. It was thin, almost fragile, yet unyielding; breaking through would require an enormous surge of energy and a perfect state of mind. He did not rush the process, knowing that forcing a breakthrough would only lead to an unstable foundation, a fatal flaw in the cutthroat world of cultivation. Instead, he focused on polishing his current realm, making every meridian and every strand of spiritual energy as strong as possible.

One evening, as the moon hung low and the hut was bathed in silver light, a familiar ethereal voice echoed in Lin Mo’s mind once more—Elder Qing’s sound transmission, calm and wise.

“Your cultivation is progressing well, child,” the elder’s voice said softly. “You have consolidated your realm perfectly, and your grasp of basic spells is solid. But the outer sect trial is not a simple duel of strength; it is a test of combat skill, adaptability, and survival instinct. The trial grounds are located in the outer sect’s Misty Forest, filled with low-level demonic beasts and hidden traps set by the sect elders. This year, Elder Wang has used his influence to rearrange the trial’s layout—he has placed stronger demonic beasts in your path and arranged for his most loyal outer sect disciples to target you during the trial.”

Lin Mo’s expression darkened, his fingers tightening slightly around the spirit stone in his hand. He had expected Elder Wang to plot against him in the trial, but the extent of the tampering was worse than he had feared.

“Do not fear,” Elder Qing continued, sensing his unease. “I have taught you all I can for now, but I will send a wisp of my spiritual energy into your token. It will not fight for you, but it will warn you of imminent danger and weaken incoming attacks once. Use it only when your life is in peril. Additionally, focus on your speed and precision in battle—your Six Paths Immortal Root gives you an edge in spiritual energy control, so do not rely on brute force alone. Outsmart your opponents, and conserve your energy.”

A warm surge of energy flowed from the cloud-patterned token in his robe, settling gently in his meridians, unnoticeable unless he focused on it. Lin Mo bowed his head slightly in gratitude, his heart filled with resolve. “I will remember your teachings, Elder. I will not let you down.

“Good,” Elder Qing’s voice faded. “The path of a genius is paved with trials. Survive this, and you will take your first step toward true immortality.”

ln the inner sect’s luxurious hall, Elder Wang’s fury had reached a boiling point. He stood before a group of outer sect disciples handpicked for their loyalty and strength, all at the late-stage Qi Refining realm, their faces solemn and obedient. Li Feng stood beside him, his arm still bear