Ascending from the mortal realm to become an immortal begins with taking charge of a grotto-heaven.

The cultivators discussed among themselves, and many of those who had bet on the outcome had mixed expressions.

The other three Golden Core cultivators on the main peak exchanged glances, each with their own plans. The bet was just something they did on the side, and whether it succeeded or not was not a big deal. The most important thing was to use this battle to test the attitude of the Qingxuan Sect.

The current battle has ended in a draw, which is something they are happy to see.

On the side peak, Pei Yiming let out a long breath and turned to look at Zhang Li: "This is truly an eye-opener. If it weren't for this opportunity, how could I have witnessed two Golden Core cultivators battling it out?"

Zhang Li nodded slightly, then asked, "The final attack from those two Golden Core cultivators just now, was it a divine power of unfathomable might?"

Although the tone was questioning, the answer was already in her heart.

Pei Yiming looked at the two figures falling from the sky onto the main peak and sighed, "That's right, that's supernatural power. Qi Refining cultivators like us can only practice the most basic techniques. After advancing to Foundation Establishment, we can practice more powerful spiritual techniques, and after achieving Golden Core, we can cultivate supernatural power."

"Moreover, as far as I know, the cultivation of supernatural powers is not something that can be achieved overnight. When you saw the two Golden Core cultivators use their supernatural powers just now, the sword shadows and mountain phantoms that appeared behind them were mostly illusions."

Zhang Li thought about it carefully and realized that it was indeed the case. He had thought it was because the two had stopped fighting, but he did not expect it was because their supernatural powers had not been fully cultivated.

With the battle between the two Golden Core cultivators coming to an end, the Golden Core Ceremony gradually drew to a close.

The cultivators who came to watch the ceremony from several side peaks got up and left one after another. However, the other three sects did not leave immediately. The Qingxuan Sect stayed for a few days, probably to discuss important matters.

However, these things had nothing to do with the Qi Refining disciples in the sect. After the ceremony and receiving his reward, Zhang Li bid farewell to Pei Yiming and returned to his cave alone.

Now that everything has settled down, he should continue his practice of consuming elixirs and cultivating his inner energy to achieve enlightenment.

……

Two years later.

Inside the cave on Lingyun Peak.

Streams of delicate and dazzling golden energy emanated from his abdomen, flowing through his limbs to the soles of his feet, circulating throughout his body in a continuous cycle.

As he stood up, golden energy suddenly expanded outwards, then began to adhere to his body surface.

A moment later, a faint golden light seemed to cover his body, with flowing light subtly protecting him. A series of clear humming sounds came from his body, and all twenty-eight spiritual apertures were opened, with his vital energy circulating continuously through them.

Under Zhang Li's control, the fierce and domineering Vajra Qi became exceptionally docile. Only when it flowed through the gaps in his muscles and bones would it burst forth with a sharp edge, before returning to peace in an instant.

Over the past two years, with a significant investment of resources and time, Zhang Li has opened all sixteen spiritual acupoints in his lower limbs and chest and abdomen.

Zhang Li has now cultivated the Golden Body Technique to the Great Perfection of the first level, and all twenty-eight spiritual apertures have been opened.

Only after all his spiritual apertures were opened did he truly experience the terrifying explosive power of a body-refining cultivator. Combined with the Vajra Palm, a divine power recorded in the first level of the Golden Body Technique, he could kill a Qi Refining Perfection cultivator wielding a high-grade defensive magic weapon in just a few rounds.

Zhang Li's strength in cultivation was already quite good among those of the same level, but it was nowhere near his current strength in body refinement.

Of course, this is under the condition that he does not use the [Gengjin Sword Talisman] and talisman treasures.

The only problem now is that although Zhang Li cultivates an ancient body-refining technique, he lacks matching attack methods, only having the Vajra Palm, which is a bit too simplistic.

However, the Vajra Palm technique is enough for now. Even without any additional moves, he can kill most Qi Refining cultivators of the same level with just his brute strength.

After absorbing the Vajra Qi circulating around his body into his spiritual aperture, Zhang Li began to consider methods for advancing to the second stage of body refinement.

According to the Golden Body Manual, the method to advance to the second-level body cultivator is not only not complicated, but can be said to be extremely simple.

Simply put, it's about transforming the Qi in the spiritual aperture into Qi Yuan. To achieve this, you only need to refine a large amount of spiritual herbs that can nourish blood and strengthen bones and muscles. Use the essence of these herbs to repeatedly permeate the spiritual aperture and condense the Qi, further compressing and solidifying the flowing gaseous Qi into liquid Qi Yuan.

Once all the Qi in the twenty-eight spiritual apertures has been transformed into Qi Yuan, one can advance to the second-tier body cultivator and begin cultivating the second level of the Golden Body Technique.

In other words, compared to the arduous path of Dharma cultivators from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, the path of Body Cultivators is much simpler and more straightforward.

Advancing to the second level in body cultivation has nothing to do with comprehension level; the only hurdle is resources.

"It seems that my body refinement cultivation will be difficult to break through to the second level in a short time unless I can get high-level body refinement elixirs. Otherwise, I can only take it slowly."

Zhang Li muttered to himself softly, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

Without the nourishment of pure and abundant medicinal essence, the Vajra Qi within the spiritual aperture cannot complete the qualitative change from gaseous to liquid state.

Recognizing the current situation, Zhang Li did not become agitated.

After five years of arduous training, he has perfected the first level of body refinement, and his strength far surpasses that of his peers. Even if he cannot break through to the second level for the time being, his combat power is enough to dominate the Qi Refining Realm.

He already had plenty of confidence for the Crimson Trial, which was at least two months away.

Even now, Zhang Li hasn't been able to find out a single thing about the Crimson Trial.

There was no hope for Wu Feng. It was probably because they saw that his cultivation level was still stuck at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and that even if he participated in the trial, it wouldn't be of much use. So they didn't even reveal any details of the trial to him.

However, even if Wu Feng didn't tell him, Zhang Li had other ways to get things done.

He didn't know many cultivators in the sect. Among them, the only ones he was relatively familiar with and who might know about the trial were Pei Yiming and Su Qinghe.

After considering it for a moment, Zhang Li decided that since Pei Yiming's place was crowded and noisy, he would try his luck at Su Qinghe's place first.

If we can't get any information from Su Qinghe, we'll arrange to meet with Pei Yiming again.

When Zhang Li arrived at the Dan Ding Tower in Hanxi Valley, Su Qinghe was introducing pills to two fellow disciples.

Upon seeing Zhang Li, he merely gave a slight nod before continuing his introduction.

Zhang Li didn't mind at all, and stood quietly to one side of the shop door, waiting silently.

A moment later, the two fellow disciples thanked them and left, and the Pill Cauldron Pavilion instantly became quiet. Su Qinghe then turned around, her gaze falling on Zhang Li, and asked softly, "Junior Brother Zhang, it's been a long time. Did you come here today to see me?"

"As expected, I couldn't hide it from you, Senior Sister. I've come here today to inquire about some information from you." Zhang Li bowed slightly, his attitude humble.

Su Qinghe's eyes flickered slightly, revealing an expression of expectation. She said, "Junior brother, come with me. I just got a new box of spiritual tea. Let's drink and talk."

With that, he led Zhang Li to the second floor of the Dan Ding Tower.