Eternal Life: My Talents Can Refresh-Chapter 40: The Truth Revealed

"Yes!"

After everyone responded in agreement, Elder Chen’s gaze swept around the group.

Finally, he glanced at Yuan Guang and Chu Ning, then his eyes settled on Chu Ning.

Seeing this gaze, Chu Ning felt a bit of tension rising within him.

Although his cultivation had actually reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, he deliberately used the inherent divine techniques of his Yin Wood Spirit Body to conceal it at the Third Layer of Qi Refining level.

Before this, no one had ever noticed.

But he had heard that this Elder Chen was truly a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the way he was looking at him—had he perhaps sensed something?

"As disciples of the Spirit Plant Room, both of you advancing to the Third Layer of Qi Refining in less than a year is commendable."

Just then, Elder Chen spoke slowly.

This allowed Chu Ning to breathe a slight sigh of relief while secretly marveling at the power of his Yin Wood Spirit Body’s innate divine techniques.

A middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn’t detect his true cultivation level.

As Elder Chen spoke, he continued to look at Chu Ning, a slight hint of surprise on his face:

"You are cultivating the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique, yes? Your magical power is so pure that it’s quite unexpected."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning hurriedly clasped his hands in respect and said:

"To answer Elder, the instructors and service disciples in the Sect mentioned that it might be because I am more compatible with this Wood Element Technique."

"And what about Wood Techniques? Do you have any spells that can be instantly cast?" Elder Chen asked another question.

In his mind, Chu Ning quickly turned over his thoughts and then replied:

"Also quite compatible, I can instant cast Accelerating Technique and Clearing Technique, but Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill is just a bit shy of it."

This statement was half true; in fact, he could also instant cast Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill.

However, given that he had only been in the Sect for nearly a year, if he displayed the ability to instant cast Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, it would seem overly impressive.

Chu Ning did not forget that Shang Zhaoxiang had told him earlier that there were fewer Servant Disciples in the Sect in recent years, and many were chosen to perform certain tasks outside.

Although Shang Zhaoxiang only mentioned that the Sect now assigns those at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining and above, he couldn’t be sure there wouldn’t be other situations.

If he showed too much talent in Wood Techniques, would he also be chosen?

Before he could fully understand the Sect’s selection criteria for these tasks, Chu Ning preferred not to take the risk.

But even so, Elder Chen nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good! You should cultivate Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill more; it’s very beneficial for Spirit Plant cultivation."

"Yes, Elder." Chu Ning responded.

After that, Elder Chen said no more, but the expression on the faces of others on the Spiritual Boat as they looked at Chu Ning grew increasingly complex.

A look of joy was evident in the eyes of Qiu Shunyi and Lv Xingyuan.

Meanwhile, the people around Yuan Guang alternated their gazes between Yuan Guang and Chu Ning, many with expressions of disbelief.

From the conversation between Chu Ning and Elder Chen, they now knew that Chu Ning’s cultivation was clearly much higher than Yuan Guang’s.

At least they, who often were together, didn’t know of any spell Yuan Guang could instant cast.

Moreover, Elder Chen from the Instructor Hall even mentioned Chu Ning’s extremely pure magical power.

This came as an incredible surprise and shock to Chen Youdao and others, who once thought Chu Ning was overreaching by attempting to cultivate Ink Spirit Bamboo and had fallen far behind Yuan Guang in cultivation.

As for Yuan Guang, his face was extremely embarrassed.

In fact, since learning that Chu Ning had been recommended by Zhuang Yunde to be an Art Student, he vaguely suspected that Chu Ning’s cultivation was higher than his own.

Now, Elder Chen’s words in front of everyone undoubtedly laid bare his façade of superiority.

Yet, in front of Elder Chen, neither Qiu Shunyi nor Yuan Guang, nor Chen Youdao nor others would say anything.

Still, along the journey, people’s gazes toward Chu Ning changed significantly.

Even Chen Youdao and the others no longer jested or taunted him as they once did.

The speed of the Spiritual Boat was quick, and soon it arrived at the Mountain Gate.

Elder Chen let Chu Ning and others off and then swiftly disappeared into the horizon with the Spiritual Boat.

Once Elder Chen left, Qiu Shunyi immediately turned to Chu Ning, exclaiming with surprise:

"Chu Ning, you’ve managed to instant cast several spells!"

"Exactly, and two of them at that," added Lv Xingyuan in agreement.

"By the way, have you also mastered the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill? I just learned it not long ago."

Chu Ning smiled slightly, "It just so happens that I am quite compatible with Wood Element Techniques and spells."

Watching the conversation, Yuan Guang’s face twitched slightly.

Chen Youdao, who had been standing beside Yuan Guang, hesitated, wanting to step forward and say something to Chu Ning, yet appearing somewhat embarrassed.

At that moment, another voice sounded.

"Chu Ning? Oh, all of you are here?"

It was Zhuang Yunde, who happened to be passing by the Mountain Gate and had inquired.

Being from Zone D of the Spirit Plant Room, everyone naturally recognized Zhuang Yunde, and they all greeted him.

Zhuang Yunde, who had a good temperament, responded to everyone before turning to Chu Ning, asking:

"Did you just get back from the Market? Oh yes, Mu Ling mentioned she was looking to ask if you had bought the items for her?

She tried contacting you with a Sound Transmission Talisman this morning, but you weren’t home."

"I bought them; I’ll deliver them now," Chu Ning replied.

Hearing this, Zhuang Yunde nodded lightly.

"Alright, you go ahead. She lives in Courtyard No. 32, Outer Sect. You can just head straight there."

With this, Chu Ning turned and walked towards the Outer Sect through the Mountain Gate.

Zhuang Yunde, together with the members of the Spirit Plant Room, headed toward the Spirit Fields.

After a few steps, unable to hold back, Chen Youdao asked, "Senior Brother Zhuang, can Brother Chu enter the Outer Sect on his own?"

"He can." Zhuang Yunde replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

"He was recommended to the Hundred Arts Hall as an Art Student, granting him entry to the Outer Sect two or three times a month."

"He was recommended to the Learning Art Hall?"

"Senior Brother Zhuang, what is Brother Chu studying?"

Aside from Yuan Guang, this was the first time others knew of this, prompting their curiosity to ask eagerly.

"Making Talisman Paper." Zhuang Yunde did not hide it and answered casually, then turned back to the group, somewhat surprised.

"Oh, you all didn’t know?"

Everyone shook their heads, but upon hearing Zhuang Yunde mention Chu Ning was studying Talisman Paper making, they had some idea.

Only Chen Youdao, unwilling to give up, asked persistently, "Is his Ink Spirit Bamboo harvest good as well?"

Finally, Zhuang Yunde seemed to catch on, glancing meaningfully at Yuan Guang and Chen Youdao, smiling:

"Chu Ning has already learned to make Talisman Paper. How do you think his Ink Spirit Bamboo harvest is?"

All could hear the meaning behind his words, and upon remembering how they’d once invited Chu Ning to view Yuan Guang’s Purple Sweet Potato Fruit, their faces turned quite sheepishly embarrassed.

Yuan Guang, feeling particularly awkward, could barely stay still before hurriedly leaving without much farewells.

Chu Ning, of course, did not know these things. True to his principle of quietly developing, he had not proactively mentioned being recommended as an Art Student to others.

After leaving the group, he hastened to the Outer Sect.

There, he handed over 1,000 pieces of Talisman Paper to Mu Ling and received 22 Spirit Stones for buying the paper next month. Then he quickly headed back to his courtyard.

Due to the immense value of the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit, he could not rest easy.

There wasn’t much time left before the fruit would be fully matured and ready to be picked.

Still some distance from his courtyard, Chu Ning could already see a figure standing outside his courtyard gate.

He quickened his pace.