System: After the fortune telling, my cultivation level skyrocketed.

Chen Xuan nodded slightly and waved his hand gently, sending five simplified versions of the book and a merit card flying out of his hand.

At first, the old man didn't pay much attention, but when he saw the five simplified texts that had flown in, he was greatly shocked.

With their keen eyesight, they could tell with their naked eyes, without even using their divine sense, that these five books were all top-tier secret techniques and supernatural abilities passed down within the Daoist Canon.

The two old men looked surprised as they carefully examined Chen Xuan before beginning to check the contents of the five simplified versions.

“These three supernatural techniques are irresistible not only to newly initiated disciples, but even the older disciples of the third and second generations would find them hard to look away from. But to pick out two immortal-level Qi refining methods at once, this…” One of the elders was stunned at this point.

Another kind-looking old man looked at Chen Xuan and earnestly advised him: "Nephew, you must know that it is extremely difficult to obtain merit points. In the past, even if new disciples received special cultivation and pampering from their masters, they would mostly only choose a Qi cultivation method first, and then consider secret techniques and supernatural abilities."

"That's right. Even though you've now become a disciple of Thousand Dao, you shouldn't squander your merit points so recklessly. You should choose the methods that are most suitable for your current level and what you urgently need, and focus on cultivating them. You should know that you can't bite off more than you can chew."

Upon hearing this, Wang Kaixuan was also stunned. Unlike supernatural powers and secret techniques, Qi refining methods couldn't be practiced simultaneously. Suddenly, as if realizing something, Wang Kaixuan looked at Chen Xuan in astonishment: "Could it be... Junior Brother, you..."

At this moment, Chen Xuan met the gazes of the two elders and nodded frankly: "That's right, this 'Star Scripture' is the one I chose for my spirit beast."

"What?" the two guardians exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.

“Nephew, you…you…” the tall, thin old man said repeatedly, “It’s just a spirit beast, at most a tool to help its master. Even if you were to bestow a method upon it, you would usually choose a low-level earth-rank method, or at best a high-level heaven-rank method for refining qi. As for a high-level immortal-rank method for refining qi…you are the first person in history to exchange one for a spirit beast.”

"Nephew, do you know the rules for exchanging top-tier techniques for spirit beasts?" the tall, thin old man reminded him.

“Of course I know. Top-tier Qi Refining methods are for the personal use of formal disciples and require 5000 merit points to exchange. If used by spirit beasts, the price will double to 10000 merit points.” Chen Xuan said calmly.

Seeing that he remained unmoved, the two guardians shook their heads and sighed helplessly, then looked down to examine Chen Xuan's merit card.

With a sweep of their divine senses, they saw the accumulated merit points on the card, and both of them gasped in shock, feeling a chill run down their spines.

"Alright, since you've made up your mind, we won't try to persuade you any further."

"Wait here for a moment."

Chen Xuan smiled and replied, "Thank you for your trouble, senior."

"Junior brother, are you crazy! You want to exchange ten thousand merit points for a celestial-level Qi refining method for a spirit beast? Do you know that many third-generation senior brothers and sisters haven't even accumulated ten thousand points yet!" It wasn't that Wang Kaixuan disliked Bai Li, but as a native, he was used to treating spirit beasts as tools of their master.

However, the relationship between Chen Xuan and Bai Li is far more than that of a simple master and servant; it would be more accurate to call them family.

Over the years, without Bai Li and hundreds of descendants of the Five Immortals helping and supporting him, how could Chen Xuan's cultivation path have been so smooth and easy?

Bai Li has silently devoted herself to the Longxia Clan and Chen Xuan for many years. Although she never expresses it, how could Chen Xuan, as her master, turn a blind eye to it?

Now that he has enough merit points, he has already obtained his own immortal-level techniques, supernatural powers, and secret arts. If he doesn't exchange one for Bai Li as well, even if Bai Li doesn't say anything, Chen Xuan won't be able to get over this hurdle in his heart.

It should be understood that the immortals achieved through the Earth-rank Qi Refining Method are only at the Void Transformation level, the Heaven-rank Qi Refining Method has only a slight chance of laying the foundation for immortality, and only the Immortal-rank Qi Refining Method has a definite chance of becoming a Celestial Immortal.

"Senior brother, my mind is made up." Chen Xuan said firmly.

“Alright, with your talent and aptitude, you won’t have to worry about merit points later on,” Wang Kaixuan said, shaking his head.

During their conversation, the tall, thin old man returned with five jade slips and then handed the jade slips and cards back to Chen Xuan.

Including the 10,000 points given by his master, Chen Xuan originally had 50,000 merit points on his card. After deducting the points needed for the five jade slips, he still had 20600 points left on his card.

Among all the new disciples in the past, Chen Xuan is probably the only one who has achieved GPA freedom at this time.

Having obtained their desired immortal-level Qi refining methods and supernatural techniques, Chen Xuan and Wang Kaixuan bid farewell to their two protectors and flew swiftly towards their respective mountain residences.

By the time they returned, the sun had already set, but the two were in high spirits, having finally obtained the immortal-level Qi refining method they had been dreaming of.

In every era, who wouldn't want to obtain a Celestial-level Qi Refining Method inheritance in the early stages of cultivation, unless they had a genius or prodigy from a top-tier clan like the Qingtian Clan behind them?

But apart from the top sects and cults, how many of those in the second and third tiers can offer immortal-level techniques to their direct disciples?

Therefore, some people are destined to be unable to become celestial immortals from birth, simply because those who can lay the foundation for celestial immortality through the Heavenly or Immortal Qi Refining Methods during the Foundation Establishment stage are extremely rare.

A gentle breeze blew, causing Chen Xuan and Wang Kaixuan's robes to flutter and rustle.

Before long, the two returned together to the mountain peak outside the sect.

“Junior brother, the next few days are when we really need to put in the effort. I reckon we’ll be spending our time either visiting Master to seek enlightenment or in seclusion in the mansion to cultivate,” Wang Kaixuan said.

Chen Xuan nodded: "I'm fine, but you'd better step up your game, senior brother. In less than eight months, our Xuanqing Palace will be able to open the Nine Heavens Sword Realm Map once every hundred years."

Wang Kaixuan had done a lot of research before joining Xuanqing Palace, so he naturally knew about this matter. Chen Xuan, on the other hand, didn't feel any pressure. Not to mention being among the top fifteen of the third-generation disciples, he could even secure a spot in the Sword Realm Diagram among the second-generation disciples.

"Senior brother knows this well; the opportunity to enter the Sword Realm Map is extremely rare." Wang Kaixuan looked at Chen Xuan with envy.

"In that case, Brother Sanzang, I shall take my leave now."

"Junior Brother Beiming, farewell."

After saying this, the two turned around in mid-air and plunged down toward their respective mountain peaks.

As soon as Chen Xuan landed in the small courtyard on the summit of Beiming Peak, he smelled the aroma of food.

Soon, Bai Li, with her slender figure and waist so delicate that one could encircle her, came running out of the kitchen in the side hall, wearing a canvas apron.

She had some dirt on her face, but her eyes were full of anticipation. She ran straight over and took Chen Xuan's hand affectionately, asking him all sorts of questions.

Upon hearing Bai Li ask if he had become a disciple of an immortal, Chen Xuan was seized by a mischievous thought. He deliberately darkened his face, lowered his head, and remained silent, his expression full of displeasure.

Seeing this, Bai Li's eyes flashed with heartache, but she quickly smiled and pulled Chen Xuan briskly toward the first floor of the main hall: "Master, don't worry. With your talent, you'll be noticed by the sect's patriarch sooner or later. So what if you don't become an immortal disciple? Didn't you beat those senior disciples to a pulp in the Hall of Proving the Dao?"

"So, Master, your own strength is the key. Let's relax." Bai Li comforted Chen Xuan gently while expertly massaging his shoulders.

Unable to resist any longer, Chen Xuan reached out and took her small hand that was resting on his shoulder. With a gentle pull, her petite and delicate body fell into his arms. He couldn't bear to tease her any longer and said with a smile, "Bai Li, Master is done."