Cultivating immortality in the seas, I created an immortal island of eternal life.

Wang Yao seemed quite pleased with his tact, and her smile became more genuine.

"I need you to participate in the autumn exam two months from now, and you must pass it."

Gao Yao was stunned.

Autumn examination?

If he remembered correctly, the sixth level of Qi Refining was the threshold for registration.

Gao Yao's current level is the third level of Qi Refining. Even with subsequent cultivation techniques and pills, it would take two months to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Seemingly sensing Gao Yao's doubts, Wang Yao spoke calmly: "Cultivation is only one of the thresholds. The Autumn Trial tests not only cultivation, but also combat strength, temperament, adaptability, and even luck."

She changed the subject abruptly, her tone leaving no room for argument: "I've given you the things, and I've shown you the way. Whether you can seize the opportunity depends on your own abilities."

"If I can't even pass the autumn exams..."

Wang Yao didn't finish speaking, but just smiled, a smile that sent chills down Gao Yao's spine.

Things that have no value have no reason to exist.

Gao Yao understood what she meant, immediately suppressed all his thoughts, and showed gratitude on his face: "I will never forget your great kindness, young lady, and will do my utmost to help you!"

He stepped forward, picked up the jade slip and jade bottle with both hands, and felt their coolness to the touch.

Having obtained the goods, Gao Yao felt an even greater weight on his mind.

"Go." Wang Yao leaned back on the couch, no longer looking at him. "Prepare well, don't disappoint me."

Gao Yao bowed and withdrew. Only after leaving the house did he realize that the cold sweat on his back had completely cooled down and was sticky to his skin.

He practically ran away until he reached the dock and smelled the familiar sea breeze, at which point he felt alive again.

He took out the jade slip, stuck it to his forehead, and the cultivation technique instantly flooded into his mind.

The records from the fourth to the ninth level of Qi Refining are clearly documented.

Inside the jade bottle were three pills the size of longans, emitting a wonderfully fragrant aroma that was invigorating just to smell.

The items are good, but Wang Yao's conditions...

Gao Yao frowned.

What benefits would it bring her to enter the outer sect through the autumn examination?

Or is it that I can do something for her better from the outer sect?

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing his doubts.

In any case, obtaining the cultivation technique is a tangible reality.

With the addition of elixirs, Jade Spirit Liquid, and Spirit Eggs, it might not be impossible if one fights desperately.

Moreover, improving our strength is the most important thing right now.

As Gao Yao was pondering this, he caught a glimpse of someone walking towards the dock.

The man used a cane, walked slowly, and had a hunched back.

Old Man Ma?

What is he doing here?

The main island is not a place that ordinary fishermen can come to.

Old Man Ma clearly saw Gao Yao as well, then turned and walked towards him.

"Young Gao?" Old Ma stopped in front of Gao Yao, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "What are you doing on Rashomon Island?"

"Manager Chen sent me to deliver some things," Gao Yao said vaguely. "Uncle Ma, what is this...?"

"Just running errands and relaying messages." Old Ma waved his hand, but his gaze lingered on the man's face. "You don't look too good. Did something happen?"

Gao Yao hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "It's nothing, I've just encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation."

Old Ma could tell that Gao Yao didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't press the matter further. He leaned against the wall and took out his pipe.

A bluish-gray smoke swirled between the two, and they remained silent for a long while.

"Uncle Ma," Gao Yao suddenly spoke up, "during that shipwreck, besides you, was there really no one else who came back alive?"

Old Ma's pipe trembled slightly: "Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Gao Yao carefully described, "A few days ago at the market, I seemed to bump into someone who looked familiar, someone who resembled the one-eyed man who was next to you at the time..."

Old Ma suddenly turned his head: "Did you see clearly?"

"They're too far away, they might be seeing things incorrectly," Gao Yao shook his head.

Old Ma stared at Gao Yao for a long time, then took two more puffs of his cigarette.

"Young man," he said in a very low voice, "sometimes it's better to be a little oblivious."

"But if we act foolishly, can we get away with it?" Gao Yao retorted.

Old Ma stopped talking and just kept puffing on his cigarette.

The tobacco burned quickly, and the flame flickered unpredictably.

a long time.

"You think the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl is really a protective charm?"

Gao Yao was startled.

"This old man didn't lose his leg for nothing." Before Gao Yao could speak, Old Man Ma tapped his broken leg and answered himself, "Some things... are even worse than demonic beasts. They wear human skin and mingle in crowds; you can't tell which is a ghost."

"There's no escaping it." He paused, then looked at Gao Yao: "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

Old Ma leaned closer, the smell of smoke hitting him: "Unless you really figure out what they are."

Gao Yao suddenly remembered the evil creature that had climbed onto the island a few days ago: "What are you planning to do by telling me all this?"

"What can an old man do? He's too old, just a useless person." Old Ma grinned, revealing his teeth yellowed from smoking. "There are just some things that I need to ask someone about."

However, his eyes didn't convey the lightness he made up for.

There is hatred, resentment, and a ruthless determination to burn one's bridges.

Should we ask someone for clarification?

Sect!

Is this old man crazy?

They want to kidnap disciples of the sect!

Looking at the sect disciples hurrying to and fro, Gao Yao lowered his voice: "All by yourself?"

"One person certainly won't do it," Old Ma stared at him, "but if there are a few more people, perhaps there will be a chance..."

"Uncle Ma, I can't help you with this..."

Gao understood that the other party wanted to recruit him and trusted him, which was why they kept speaking in riddles.

But the risks are too great. Besides, apart from the help from Turtle Reef Island, what use is my meager strength?

Moreover, Wang Yao is also paying attention to him...

Old Ma looked at Gao Yao and remained silent for a long time before suddenly laughing.

"I know you're smart, but a coward." He shook his head, stood up with his cane, and said, "Oh well, everyone has their own fate."

Old Ma turned to leave, but suddenly stopped and looked back at Gao Yao.

"Young man, let me say it again: you can't survive in this world just by bowing your head."

After saying that, Old Man Ma didn't linger any longer and limped away, his figure disappearing into the crowd.

Gao Yao stood still, the sea breeze making his clothes rustle.

The jade slip and brocade pouch pressed against his chest as he recalled Wang Yao's words, Old Man Ma's words, and the terrifying sight of the ghostly creatures on the island...

After a long while, Gao Yao patted his face and walked towards the dock with a normal expression.

......

As the first rays of dawn broke through the cracks, piercing the darkness within the cave.

Gao Yao opened his eyes, a faint light seemed to flicker in them before disappearing.

Relying on elixirs and the savings accumulated on the island, he successfully broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining and reached the Knowledge Nourishing Realm in about ten days.

With a slight thought, a strange sensation emanated from Gao Yao's brow, and the trajectory of the spiritual energy flowing through his internal organs was as clear as the lines on his palm.

Extending this perception outwards, though it only covers a few feet around the body, the dew on the leaves and even the movement of tiny insects on the shallows are all reflected in the mind.

Look inward at yourself, and explore your own inner self.

Gao Yao suddenly realized why Wang Yao could see through his true nature at a glance, and why Wu Ling had already sensed the evil creature before it even landed on the island that night, and had secretly entered the hut to wait for it to come to him.

The spiritual sense nurtured by the fourth level of Qi Refining, though unable to travel far and lacking offensive or defensive capabilities, can still perceive itself and its surroundings, a state completely different from when relying solely on the five senses.

After leaving the cave, Gao Yao squatted by the fishpond and scooped up water to wash his face.

The turtle's shadow lay quietly at the bottom of the pond, its aura slightly stronger than it had been a few days ago.

Wu Ling was still asleep and recovering, so Gao Yao didn't disturb him. He just silently watched the few newly advanced spirit fish in the water for a while. He wasn't short of money right now, so he felt more at ease saving it.

It's another new day, and another day I need to be on duty at the fish market.

Thinking of the fish market, Gao Yao remembered the message that Manager Chen had sent yesterday, saying that there was a new task to be assigned today and that he must arrive early.

......