Immortality and cultivation: Heaven rewards diligence, and success is inevitable.

Jiang Shi followed Manager Lin to the inner training room and sat cross-legged on a futon.

"Your cultivation has improved, and you have already entered the third level of the Qi Refining stage."

"You must have gone to Luolong Lake to cultivate the Water Spirit Technique, which is why you've made such progress."

"Master is absolutely right."

Manager Lin immediately saw through the changes in Jiang Shi's body.

It's no secret that Luolong Lake is rich in spiritual energy and suitable for cultivating water-based techniques.

The entire Qingyun Mountain, including all the major and minor cultivation sites, had long been thoroughly explored by the Qingyun Sect.

These treasure troves hold no secrets.

The kind of extraordinary adventures that happen in the mountains are just plots that exist only in novels and picture books.

"Lake Luolong is extremely cold, and the cold gets stronger the further you go down into the lake."

"This chill won't make you feel cold; you can't detect this chill by testing. But the longer you cultivate within it, the greater its impact on your body."

"For ordinary people, practicing in shallow water is naturally not a problem."

"You went to cultivate in the deep water area, and now the cold air has already entered your body. If you don't remove the cold air in time, it will definitely affect your foundation."

Jiang Shi was secretly alarmed upon hearing this, for he possessed a destiny that allowed him to examine himself.

He did not find anything unusual.

What was the purpose of this forest steward's lie?

Jiang Shi knew there was a problem, but he couldn't bring it up.

"Master, what should I do? Please save me!"

As he spoke, Jiang Shi stood up and bowed deeply.

Since things have come to this point, we can only take it one step at a time.

He played along with Manager Lin and continued the charade.

"Now that you have become my disciple, I will certainly not abandon you."

Manager Lin took out a small porcelain bottle from the storage bag.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the small porcelain bottle floated up into the air and came to Jiang Shi's side.

This is a technique of controlling objects that can only be practiced in the late stage of Qi Refining.

"This medicine is one I obtained before, and it is called Dingyang Pill. This medicine is strong in yang and can easily dispel cold."

"This medicine also has the miraculous effects of transforming the body and strengthening the foundation."

Jiang Shi took the porcelain bottle, opened it, and smelled it.

A scent as warm as the summer sun wafted over, and just smelling it made Jiang Shi feel warm all over.

He used his destiny number, "Heaven rewards diligence," to examine himself and found nothing unusual.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At least this medicine is not poison.

"Jiang Shi? Why haven't you taken your medicine yet? Are you worried about your master?" Manager Lin's voice rang in my ears.

Jiang Shi knew that he couldn't avoid this hurdle no matter what.

He picked up the small porcelain bottle and poured the contents into his mouth.

Jiang Shi swallowed a small red pill.

"It's so hot!" Jiang Shi felt as if he had swallowed a fireball.

The burning sensation inside Jiang Shi's stomach grew increasingly intense.

Just as Jiang Shi was in unbearable pain, Steward Lin spoke up.

"Jiang Shi, I will now teach you the Fire Spirit Technique. You should start cultivating it quickly."

The incantation of the Yellow-grade low-level cultivation technique, "Fire Spirit Technique," rang in my ears.

Jiang Shi sat cross-legged on the futon.

The miraculous effects of the futon began to manifest, even though Jiang Shi was in excruciating abdominal pain.

It also began to cultivate the "Fire Spirit Technique" automatically.

[Proficiency +20, Proficiency +20]

Their proficiency kept increasing, and the amount they did was greater than the amount of hemlock trees they chopped down.

Before long, the Fire Spirit Technique had broken through to the minor completion stage.

[Fire Spirit Technique: Minor Success (10/1000)]

And it keeps increasing.

Two hours later, the burning sensation in Jiang Shi's abdomen had disappeared.

Proficiency no longer increases.

[Fire Spirit Technique: Minor Success (500/1000)]

Jiang Shi finished his practice and stood up. His body was covered in a thick layer of grime, which was the impurities expelled during his practice.

When Manager Lin saw Jiang Shi get up, he stretched out his hand, and a beam of white light shone on Jiang Shi.

Soon, the impurities on Jiang Shi's body were washed away by the white light.

The dust-removing technique is also one of the commonly used spells by cultivators.

"Thank you, Master." Jiang Shi felt completely refreshed and his body felt much lighter.

His skin, which had been sallow from sun exposure, has now become fair and smooth, like jade.

"You can go to Luolong Lake to cultivate the Water Spirit Technique, but remember not to go too deep. Every month of cultivation, come here to continue taking the Dingyang Pill."

"That's what Manager Lin instructed."

"Yes, Master. Thank you very much." Jiang Shi bowed respectfully.

"We are master and disciple, no need to be so polite."

If Jiang Shi didn't know what kind of person Manager Lin was, he would have really regarded him as a good mentor.

After Jiang Shi left the courtyard, his cultivation level increased by another step.

Breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining is just around the corner, but my doubts are growing.

What exactly is the forest ranger's purpose?

The two are not related, so why would they go to such lengths to improve his cultivation?

Could it be that, just like in my past life, this Manager Lin is going to fatten him up and take over his body?

What should I do if that happens? How can I get rid of this forest steward?

However, even if Jiang Shi racked his brains, he couldn't find a solution.

The only thing to do is to focus on cultivation first, and then talk about other things once you've reached a higher level of cultivation.

Perhaps joining the outer sect of Qingyun Sect in the future will provide a solution.

"Junior Brother Jiang, what skill you have!" Li Ze had been waiting outside for a long time before Jiang Shi came out, and he hurriedly went to greet him.

"That Liu Zhiming is a despicable man. He always indulges his brother in his bullying and tyranny. It's truly a joyous occasion that you've gotten rid of him today. Let's have a drink!"

Li Ze watched as Jiang Shi broke through to the third level of the Qi Refining stage in just one year.

He must have some extraordinary abilities, and even though Jiang Shi is ruthless, he is willing to befriend him.

Jiang Shi was not traveling alone, and it was only a matter of time before Li Ze broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining and entered the outer sect.

Jiang Shi and he are friends, and they will surely benefit each other in the future.

Since the two had similar ideas, they instructed the kitchen servants to cook a few dishes before heading to Li Ze's house.

Li Ze was not alone in his home; there was also a young woman in the room.

Before Jiang Shi could ask, Li Ze spoke frankly.

It turns out that this woman was a Qi Refining Stage 1 cultivator from Ding Academy.

She used her beauty to hook up with Li Ze.

She became Li Ze's concubine.

This is the cruelty of the cultivation world. Many low-level cultivators who want to climb up will choose to attach themselves to cultivators who are stronger than themselves.

If Jiang Shi hadn't been away cultivating every day and never returned home, someone would have come knocking on his door long ago.

Men served as his subordinates, and women served as his concubines.

Of course, even if they found Jiang Shi, he would refuse.

It's not that he's indifferent to women, nor that he doesn't know how to enjoy life.

However, with his cultivation level currently low and Steward Lin eyeing him covetously, he simply doesn't have time for such romantic entanglements.

Jiang Shi and Li Ze toasted each other and chatted happily.

The woman was pouring wine and serving food.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Ze gestured for the woman to leave.

After the woman left the courtyard, Li Ze spoke up.

"Junior Brother Jiang, a while ago, Senior Brother Chen, an outer disciple, came to visit. He saw that I was about to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining and invited me to a gathering in a few days."

"This is a gathering of outer disciples. I can talk to Senior Brother Chen, and you can come with me."

Li Ze was a little nervous about attending the gathering at the outer gate for the first time, so he thought of bringing Jiang Shi along so that he could have someone he knew well to accompany him.