The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

With this first tough battle won, the morale of the Xu family soared instantly.

The duel between Xu Xining and the other two was scheduled for the next day, and everyone returned to their lodgings first.

Back at the inn, Xu Yanfeng was still buzzing with excitement, spittle flying from his mouth as he told the three younger ones how brilliant and valiant he had been, and how he had punched the young master of the Sun family.

Xu Changqing didn't discourage him; he simply gave him a Qi-restoring pill and then sent him back to his room to sleep.

There are three more games to play tomorrow.

Silent all night.

The next morning, the noise in Qinghefang Market was even louder than the day before.

Since it was the last day, those independent cultivators who hadn't passed the test didn't leave; they all crowded around the perimeter of the square to watch the excitement.

According to yesterday's draw, Xu Xiwen and Xu Xiyue were scheduled for the morning session.

Although these two children have low cultivation levels, they are obedient.

They fought however Xu Changqing told them to.

That posture was as ugly and lewd as could be.

The audience booed.

"Is this what you call cultivating immortality?"

"This is an insult to scholarship! It's utterly an insult to scholarship!"

Xu Changqing stood below the stage, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his expression unchanged, and he even nodded in agreement.

How much is refinement worth?

Winning is a skill.

At this point, three of the four members of the Xu family had passed away.

As the sun began to set and the ceremony was about to end, it was finally Xu Xining's turn.

This kid is scheduled for one of the last few games.

His opponent was a dark-skinned, thin young man who came from a rogue cultivation background; he also looked like a ruthless character.

When Xu Xining went on stage, he didn't rush to make a move. He first made a face at the other person, and then started running around the stage.

He was most skilled at the "Walking Through the Forest" move, and now he was so slippery on the stage that no one could catch him.

The thin, dark-skinned boy chased after Xu Xining for half an incense stick's time, but didn't even manage to touch the hem of her clothes. Instead, he exhausted himself and became breathless.

When his opponent was exhausted, Xu Xining stopped, chuckled, and unleashed a flurry of wild, unorthodox punches, knocking the man off the stage.

"Xu Xining of the Xu family wins!"

With the referee's whistle, all four promising young talents brought by the Xu family passed the test and obtained their outer disciple identity tokens.

This achievement wouldn't be anything special for Foundation Establishment families, but for a small family like Cangwu Island that only has Qi Refining lineage, it's like their ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke.

As Xu Changqing led his men outside, many patriarchs of small families cast complex glances their way.

"Clan Chief Xu! Congratulations! Congratulations!"

Li Shan squeezed through the crowd with a smile on his face, but the smile looked forced, and there was a hint of bitterness in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Five members of the Li family came this time, but only one of their nephews, who was at the second level of Qi Refining, barely passed the test; the rest all perished.

Congratulations!

Xu Changqing didn't point it out, and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"There's no joy to be had. Those good-for-nothings have completely disgraced my old face."

Li Shan sighed, looking at the Xu family's neat and orderly procession, feeling incredibly envious.

As they were talking, the crowd in front of them automatically parted.

Zhang Shichang led his group of family members over.

The Zhang family also did well this time, with seven or eight students making the cut.

But the old man's expression was somewhat gloomy, clearly because he was still resentful about the Sun family's previous defeat.

But he was a shrewd old man, and when he got closer, he forced a smile onto his face.

"Clan Chief Xu, what impressive methods you have!"

Zhang Shichang said with a forced smile.

"With four outer sect spots, the Xu family has really turned things around this time. It seems that the Xu family's words will carry even more weight in the outer areas of the Great Swamp from now on."

"Elder Zhang, you flatter me. It's all luck, just luck."

Xu Changqing didn't want to get entangled with him any longer; the old man's smile was never a good sign.

"Luck is also a kind of ability."

Zhang Shichang abruptly changed the subject, raising his voice several decibels as if afraid the people around him wouldn't hear him.

"But outer disciples are still outer disciples; they're destined to be menial laborers. How can they compare to the prestige of inner disciples?"

He turned around and waved to those behind him.

"Qingling, come and greet Clan Chief Xu."

The girl in the white dress, who had been following at the back of the group, silently stepped out when she heard the call.

She lowered her head, obscuring her face, revealing only a section of her pale neck. She bowed to Xu Changqing, said nothing, and then retreated.

"That girl is really something."

Zhang Shichang, with a smug look on his face, stroked his beard and said seemingly casually.

"Elder Yun from the inner sect just inquired about this girl personally and said that her three spiritual roots are pure, making her a good prospect for sword cultivation. Her name has been noted down."

"Once the ceremony is over, I will directly enter the inner sect for cultivation."

A collective gasp filled the air around them.

Inner disciple!

That's like rising to the top in one step!

Li Shan listened from the side, his eyes turning red, muttering to himself things like, "Having three spiritual roots is such a good life."

Xu Changqing looked at the girl who hadn't raised her head the entire time, but his heart remained completely unmoved.

If the Zhang family wants to use this to establish their authority or show off, that's their business.

The Xu family only cares about practical benefits.

Four outer sect spots are enough for the Xu family to establish a foothold in this great swamp. In a few years, when these children grow up, the Xu family will no longer be a pushover.

As for the inner gate?

That's not something the Xu family should be worrying about right now.

"Then congratulations Elder Zhang, the Zhang family is about to produce a true dragon."

Xu Changqing's tone was flat, and even the slightest bit of polite flattery seemed perfunctory.

He glanced at the sky and decided he couldn't be bothered to argue with the old man.

"Elder Zhang, please wait. I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave now."

After saying that, Xu Changqing didn't wait for Zhang Shichang to say anything more. With a wave of his sleeve, he led his group of four children, who were still excited, and turned to blend into the bustling crowd.

Zhang Shichang watched Xu Changqing's retreating figure, showing no sign of lingering, and let out a cold snort.

"You ungrateful wretch."

As Xu Changqing led his people out of the square, the noise behind them faded away a little.

A blue-robed deacon from the Qinghe Sword Sect, hovering in mid-air on a flying sword, shouted loudly, channeling his spiritual power:

"Although the grand ceremony is over, entering the sect is no easy matter. You are given seven days to return home to settle your worldly affairs and sever your ties with the world. Gather here again at noon seven days later. Latecomers will not be waited for!"

Seven days.

Upon hearing this, Xu Changqing continued walking without stopping, already making plans in his mind.

The ample time allotted suited the wishes of those mortal families. After all, once they entered the immortal realm, it was like entering a deep sea, and who knew when they would meet again? They would have to go back and kowtow a few times and have a reunion dinner.

The group returned to the Yunlai Inn.

Closing the door shut out the noise from outside.

Xu Changqing sat cross-legged on the bed, not in a hurry to start cultivating.

He reached into his pocket and rummaged around for a while before pulling out an inconspicuous gray storage bag.

This was given to him by "Uncle Zhang," who lived in the west courtyard, before he left.

When divine sense probed in, a rustling sound was heard.

A large pile of spirit stones was poured onto the bed, instantly making the simple guest room quite bright.