Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 53, Level 2 Assessment

"What?"

Is this true?

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the eyes of several Foundation Establishment elders lit up.

Elder Han stroked his beard and laughed, "No wonder Qingwu wanted to fight for another chance for your disciple to establish his foundation... I witnessed the whole process last time, and your disciple is only one step away from successfully establishing his foundation—condensing his divine sense... This time, the chances of success are quite high."

Fu Yunzi shook his head: "We are discussing the true teachings of the hundred arts of cultivation. May I ask, Fellow Daoist Qingwu, since the Five Dragon Sons have cultivated divine sense, why are they still only quasi-second-tier alchemists?"

Qingwu's expression immediately turned grim: "My disciple failed to establish his foundation, and his recovery took a considerable amount of time and spirit stones. Fortunately, by chance, he comprehended the mysteries of divine sense... Even so, he only has less than a year to improve his alchemy skills. That's why he has only successfully made one 'Bone Spirit Blood Exchange Pill' so far. But he is currently researching the 'Muscle Regeneration and Bone Repair Pill,' and with just one or two more batches, he will definitely succeed!"

Although the aid of divine consciousness greatly reduces the difficulty of cultivating immortality and various arts.

But divine sense is not omnipotent.

For example, Fang Qing, since he mastered divine sense, has been able to refine first-order pills with almost absolute certainty. Even with brand-new pill formulas, he can master them with a high degree of confidence after studying them for a while.

However, the difficulty of making second-tier pills far exceeds that of first-tier pills. Even with the help of divine sense, it takes many failures to succeed in making one pool and grasp the essence.

Wu Longzi originally invested all his resources in Foundation Establishment Pills. After failing to establish his foundation, he had to recuperate, which consumed a lot of spirit stones. He couldn't even gather enough opportunities to practice, which resulted in his alchemy skills not improving quickly. He is still only at the near-second level.

Even these near-second-tier alchemy materials were only obtained because Qingwu Daxi, who had originally planned to withdraw his investment after he had cultivated his divine sense, continued to invest.

But to put it simply, Wu Longzi is only Qingwu's disciple, not his biological son, so Qingwu couldn't possibly invest all of his family's wealth in him.

Or rather, in Qingwu's view, the only opponent of the Five Dragon Princes is Gong Susu. Since that's the case, as long as they are both near-second-tier, they can definitely win with their talent for cultivating divine sense! There's no need to invest too much effort!

Fu Yunzi sighed, knowing that Gong Susu's chances were slim.

If Chazhu were here, with her talent...

He felt disheartened, but he had no choice but to fight for Gong Susu one more time.

After all, Gong Susu had not yet cultivated her divine sense. If she wanted to successfully refine a batch of second-tier pills, the resources she would have to invest would be several times or even ten times that of the Five Dragon Princes!

Such a resource investment could not possibly be arranged by a mere Qi Refining disciple; it must have involved the help of Master Fuyunzi, the Foundation Establishment expert.

The sunk cost is too high; even he finds it hard to bear.

"Since that's the case..."

Elder Tianding looked around, preparing to make a decision.

He didn't care whether it was Fuyunzi or Qingwu, because no matter which of the Dan Island disciples succeeded, they would all belong to his wing.

However, this year's disciples are really not good enough.

He wasn't a disciple of the array formation lineage known for its difficulty, so no one could say anything that a near-second-tier disciple became a true disciple.

If a disciple from our own Pill Island were to pass the assessment and become a true disciple with a near-second-tier alchemy skill, I'm afraid those old guys like Wanbao and Tianxing would laugh at Pill Island for becoming a place for rogue cultivators.

Just then, a talisman flew in and landed in front of Elder Tianding.

He glanced at it, then suddenly smiled: "Everyone, some disciples on Dan Island are applying for the second-tier alchemist examination... I'm afraid this matter will have to be postponed for further discussion."

"What?"

Elder Han, Fu Yunzi, Alchemist Qingwu, and the others were all shocked: "Which disciple? Applying for the assessment now?"

Fu Yunzi and Elder Han exchanged a glance, both thinking to themselves, "This aggressive approach must have come from Chongzhen..."

"A mere Qi Refining disciple dares to take the exam for a second-tier Alchemist? Is he even qualified?"

Fu Yunzi said unhappily, "Island Lord, let's finalize the quotas for this event first."

"Since the talisman has arrived, it is clearly qualified."

Tian Ding smiled slightly: "Fang Qing, a first-grade high-level alchemist on this island, has already paid enough spirit stones and contribution points. Since we are all here, we can go and watch the evaluation."

A second-tier alchemist cannot be assessed by only one second-tier alchemist.

According to the rules of Dan Island, at least three second-level alchemists must be present to observe the alchemy process. Of course, if Elder Tianding personally takes the lead, he can do it alone.

It can only be said that Fang Qing has seized a good opportunity this time.

Otherwise, if you want to wait for the assessment, you don't know when that will be.

"Fang Qing?"

Fu Yunzi's expression shifted, and he inexplicably felt that he had heard this name somewhere before.

He glanced around and found that Qingwu and Elder Han were in the same situation.

The latter, in particular, seemed to have torn off his beard and looked quite regretful.

……

After a while.

Dan Hall.

One after another, streaks of light descended, all fixed on the young man in blue.

"So you're Fang Qing? Only at the eighth level of Qi Refining?"

Fu Yunzi frowned, giving off an invisible pressure.

"Exactly."

Fang Qing bowed respectfully: "This disciple is taking the second-level alchemist exam, and I never expected to attract so many senior uncles and masters to come."

"Haha, you're lucky. It just so happens that the island lord has summoned all parties to discuss important matters."

Tian Ding laughed heartily: "It's perfect timing, since I'm here. I can supply you with the spiritual herbs from the Pill Island's storeroom for your assessment... You need to refine three types of second-tier pills, and you only have three chances for each type. Do you understand?"

"Yes, disciple wishes to refine the 'Muscle Regeneration and Bone Healing Pill,' the 'Qi and Blood Replenishing Pill,' and the 'Spirit Nourishing Pill!'"

Fang Qing revealed the three types of second-tier pills he was preparing to refine, the first two of which were used by Foundation Establishment cultivators to treat injuries.

As for the "Spirit-Nourishing Pill", it is more suitable for second-tier demonic beasts to consume. If it is a first-tier demonic beast with exceptional talent, taking this pill regularly can increase the probability of breaking through to the second tier.

He speculated that it was most likely meant for those serpents.

"good!"

With a wave of his sleeve, Elder Tianding conjured a giant azure cauldron, a magical artifact, which carried Fang Qing to a mountain peak.

After the restriction was lifted, two springs were seen, arranged in the shape of a yin-yang symbol. One was extremely hot, while the other was bitterly cold.

"This is the 'Dual Spring of Cold and Heat,' ranked as a mid-grade second-tier spring..."

Elder Tianding then had a Foundation Establishment elder personally fetch the raw materials: "Fang Qing... you can begin."

"Yes."

Fang Qing clasped his hands in a fist salute, then seemed to ignore all the Foundation Establishment elders, picked up the jade box containing the 'Muscle Regeneration Grass', and threw it into the cold spring.

Over the years, relying on the vast resources he had previously amassed, he had rented a second-tier spirit pool from the sect and had already completed many attempts to refine second-tier pills. Of course, he would claim to the outside world that the attempts had failed or that he had only successfully refined some first-tier pills.

But at this moment, he no longer concealed his abilities, and with his other hand, he picked up the bone-healing flower and immersed it in the hot spring.

"Dual cultivation of cold and heat?"

Elder Han stared intently at Fang Qing's technique, his eyes unwavering: "I never imagined that in just a few years, this boy's alchemy skills would improve so much... This water control technique already has the subtle charm of the Nine Dragons Combining."

"No... The dual cultivation of hot and cold, besides requiring water control techniques, also tests the cultivator's precision. This method is extremely difficult... unless..."

Fu Yunzi's consciousness stirred.

Under his perception, the young man in blue also had his divine sense projecting outwards, assisting in controlling water to refine pills.

"As expected, the person who dared to come for the second-level alchemist assessment has already cultivated divine sense."

Elder Tianding nodded in satisfaction.

With him present, the other Foundation Establishment elders only dared to sense with their divine sense, and could not secretly interfere with their divine sense, thus causing the alchemy to fail.

"Hmm...it seems my divination was right. Today is auspicious, suitable for assessments and alchemy. It was indeed true."

Fang Qing chose to showcase his talent, and of course, he made preparations in advance.

Several days later, a "Muscle Regeneration and Bone Repairing Pill" was successfully completed, and the many Foundation Establishment Pill Masters sitting cross-legged in various parts of the Spirit Spring nodded slightly.

Upon witnessing this scene, Qingwu's heart sank to the bottom of the sea...

……

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Below the mountain peak.

Two graceful women stood side by side, gazing at the summit.

"Fang Qing... I never imagined that someone with a mid-grade water-elemental root could pass the exam to become a second-tier alchemist?"

Gong Susu sighed deeply.

As a prospective second-tier alchemist who has successfully refined a second-tier pill, Gong Susu knows best the difficulty of the second-tier assessment, which is an insurmountable chasm that she dares not even dream of achieving at present!

It was she who suggested that Fang Qing come to Dan Island in the first place. She never expected that Fang Qing, who was just a fisherman's boy at the time, would achieve such success.

However, Cha Zhu, whom she had high hopes for, died young.

It can only be said that fate plays tricks on people, to such an extent.

"Senior sister, don't be too sad. The one who's most heartbroken is over there!"

Hua Lingsu, with a red ribbon tied around her waist, pointed to a spot not far away where a cultivator with five dragon patterns embroidered on his robe stood—the Five Dragon Sons!

Compared to before, he looked much more weathered, as if he had entered middle age.

"Yes, there's a rumor that many second-tier alchemists gathered beforehand and had almost decided on him."

Thinking about this, Gong Susu realized that she had no chance no matter what, and she wasn't too sad anymore.

"Haha... It's quite interesting. Wulongzi has actually cultivated divine sense, but his spiritual talent is not abundant. In addition, he thought he would definitely beat Senior Sister, so he did not frantically improve his alchemy skills... Otherwise, if he were also a second-level alchemist, it would be hard to say who would inherit the true teachings."

Hua Lingsu chuckled softly and lowered her voice.

"It's still hard to say whether Fang Qing can truly pass the certification." Gong Susu shook her head.

How difficult is the second-stage assessment?

It should be noted that even their master, Fuyunzi, had experienced instances of ruining several pools of spiritual pills in a row.

Not far away.

The middle-aged-looking Fifth Prince slowly clenched his fist within his sleeve: "Fang Qing... so it was you who came to obstruct my path?"

"You actually possess such potential in alchemy, and such wealth... Back during the Five Dragons Gathering, you didn't even offer your full assistance. It's simply... simply... your heart is despicable!"

At this moment, no matter how much resentment they felt, they could only grit their teeth and swallow it down, secretly praying that Fang Qing would fail in refining the pill.

He also knew how difficult it was to refine second-tier pills; even second-tier alchemists could make mistakes.

Even if Fang Qing fails, he will still be a favorite to receive the true teachings this time!

Unfortunately, Fang Qing also knew that his own level was still a little bit short of being a second-level alchemist.

Therefore, he consulted a divination before choosing this day to begin refining the elixir.

After an unknown amount of time, a series of communication talismans suddenly flew out from the peak.

Wu Longzi quickly reached out and grabbed, only to hear a voice announce: "Fang Qing, a disciple of Dan Island, has passed the second-tier alchemist assessment and will be recommended by Dan Island to participate in the sect's true disciple assessment..."

"No!"

The five dragon sons' faces flushed red and then turned pale. Suddenly, they tilted their heads back and spat out a mouthful of blood essence like mist...