C5 Eighteen Years Old

Yang Ying made his way to the familiar spot at the edge of the cliff. By now, his reserves of True Qi were running low. He settled onto his usual meditation stone and assumed a cross-legged posture to regulate his breath.

Since advancing to the Third level of Qi Refining, he had noticed a significant increase in the thickness of his True Qi. Back when he was at the Second level, it had been as fine as a strand of hair, but it had since grown to the girth of his pinky finger.

In silence, he tuned into the surge of True Qi within him, now several times more potent than before. He gently guided it through his meridians, becoming intimately acquainted with its flow.

He understood that a deep self-awareness was essential to unlocking his full potential.

"In my excitement today, I completely forgot to search for the demonic beast illustrated handbook. That was careless of me! But I'm out of Origin Strength now; I'll have to find it another time. I need to strengthen my mental state. After all, I've only just realized that Origin Strength can be used to learn cultivation techniques. Alright, enough pretending."

The original owner of this body had toiled daily to achieve Initial success in the Basic Sword Arts. Yet, Yang Ying had effortlessly reached Great Completion and had also mastered the Soaring Movement Arts. This experience had given him a profound appreciation for the extraordinary capabilities he possessed.

The cultivation techniques he learned with Origin Strength seemed etched into his soul, ready for use without a moment's thought, as though he had rehearsed them countless times.

Once Yang Ying had fully attuned to his True Qi, he rose to his feet, directing the energy into his sword, and practiced the Basic Sword Arts once more. The technique's power had now doubled. "With this, I'm even more confident about tomorrow's hunt for the demonic beast!"

Heading back to the dormitory, the night had grown deep, and he was reminded of late nights spent working overtime. He took in his surroundings and gazed up at the twin moons, "I'm no longer on Earth. How are my parents faring? Can I ever return? No, I must persevere—I will find a way back!"

Clutching his fists with resolve, he thought, "Perhaps reaching the Nascent Infant Stage will be my ticket home! With this system at my disposal, I'm certain I can make it happen!"

Over the next few days, Yang Ying established a routine of cultivating each morning and then picking up missions at the Mission Hall. Afterward, he would venture to Back Mountain to hunt demonic beasts and search for spiritual herbs.

Time flew, and before he knew it, more than ten days had passed, bringing him to his eighteenth birthday.

Yang Ying followed his usual morning ritual of cultivation at his regular spot. Once he completed his Basic Sword Arts practice, he headed for the dormitory to grab his things before setting out to hunt demonic beasts on Back Mountain.

He hadn't quite reached the dormitory when a clamor up ahead caught his attention. Advancing a few steps, he saw a group heading toward his living quarters.

Leading the pack were Lu Chenghua and two others, followed by several individuals clad in the Law Enforcement Team's uniforms.

Upon spotting Yang Ying, Lu Chenghua called out, "Yang Ying, hold it! The Law Enforcement Team has arrived. You'd better pack your bags and descend the mountain!"

Yang Ying paused, his demeanor calm as he faced them. "Senior brothers of the Law Enforcement Team, are you here for me?"

"I'm Liu Fann of the Law Enforcement Team. You're Yang Ying, aren't you?" the leading member inquired.

"Yes, Senior Brother Liu, that's me," Yang Ying replied, his tone respectful yet assertive.

"Today marks your eighteenth birthday, correct?" Senior Brother Liu pressed on.

"Indeed, today I turn eighteen."

"You're aware of the sect's regulations, right? Disciples who have not reached the Fifth Level of Qi Refining by their eighteenth birthday must leave Qingyun Mountain. They have the option to either depart from the Green Cloud Sect or become an outer sect disciple. We're here to assess your current level of cultivation."

Liu Fann observed Yang Ying's composure, which was unusual compared to the usual panic and subtle despair he had seen in others when faced with this predicament.

"Yes, I'm aware. My dormitory is just up ahead. Shall we go there to evaluate my cultivation level?" Yang Ying maintained his equanimity.

Noticing Yang Ying's unflappable demeanor, Liu Fann felt a twinge of curiosity. Perhaps Yang Ying had some ace up his sleeve? With this thought, his voice softened somewhat, "Junior Brother Yang, let us proceed together."

Yang Ying gestured with an open hand, "Senior Brother Liu, right this way, please!" He then took the lead toward the dormitory.

Lu Chenghua and his companions were visibly thrilled at the prospect of Yang Ying being expelled from the Green Cloud Sect. "He was merely at the Second Level of Qi Refining not too long ago. Now, at best, he's reached the Third Level. He's definitely getting the boot. He won't be so cocky now, will he?"

"Let's go watch him grovel for mercy!" The trio strode ahead, and upon witnessing the scene, other Outer Sect disciples couldn't help but follow. Among them, one disciple murmured to himself, "What are we going to do? Is Senior Brother Yang truly going to be cast out?"

While talking to himself, he dashed off in the opposite direction, pondering, "Deacon Faang has always looked out for us. Maybe I should seek him out for a solution?"

This concerned disciple was Wang Mingxuan, who had always been particularly close to Yang Ying.

The group advanced a few dozen meters and soon reached Yang Ying's dormitory.

"Members of the Enforcement Team, please come in," Yang Ying invited, producing his identity medallion and unlocking the dormitory door before turning to address them.

Once Yang Ying and the Enforcement Team had entered, the remaining onlookers crowded around the entrance, craning their necks to catch a glimpse inside, all eager for the unfolding drama. "It seems everyone enjoys a spectacle," Yang Ying remarked with a wry smile.

Senior Brother Liu placed a magic weapon on the table, suggesting, "Junior Brother Yang, shall we get down to business first?"

"Sounds good," Yang Ying agreed, taking a seat at the table. He laid his hand on the magic weapon, and a faint green hue began to emerge.

"He's not just at the Second Level of Qi Refining; he's already reached the Sixth Level and is on the cusp of the Seventh!" Liu Fann was taken aback by the color emanating from the crystal ball.

This magic weapon, a creation of a Master Refiner from a millennium ago, was designed to assess the cultivation levels of lower-tier cultivators. Simply by placing one's hand on the crystal ball, it would radiate a spectrum of light.

Cultivation levels, from the lowest to the highest, are categorized as follows:

From the first to the second level of Qi Refining, the aura is red.

At the third and fourth levels of Qi Refining, it turns yellow.

From the fifth to the sixth level of Qi Refining, the aura becomes cyan.

The seventh to the eighth level of Qi Refining is marked by a green aura.

The ninth level of Qi Refining is signified by a blue aura.

Reaching the tenth level of Qi Refining and achieving Perfection is indicated by a purple aura.

Additionally, there is a magic weapon designed to assess one's talent, which operates in the same manner as the one mentioned above.

"This can't be right!"

"Exactly, he was just at the Second level of Qi Refining not too long ago. We even had a sparring session recently."

"This magic weapon must be malfunctioning! That has to be it!"

"Senior Brother Liu, there's definitely an error with this test result!"

Lu Chenghua and the other two voiced their doubts emphatically.