Chapter 20

After breaking through to the fifth level of the Qi Refinement stage, Chu He's joy was only momentary. He then got up, used a Dust-Cleaning Talisman to clean his body slightly, and prepared to go to the school.

The Dust-Cleaning Talisman is a low-grade daily-use talisman that uses magical light to remove dirt from the body, which is much cleaner than washing with water.

In this world of cultivation, all kinds of wondrous things abound, leaving one dazzled. In terms of convenience, it is not much worse than Earth, but it lacks the diversity.

Now, the classes have been changed to once every seven days. In fact, there is not much left to teach. These routine days are used to answer the students' cultivation doubts.

After all, what should be taught has already been taught. How one's destiny unfolds can only be determined by oneself. The instructors also have their own busy schedules. Time is scarce on the path of cultivation, and no one will wait for you if you fall behind.

When he arrived at the school and waited for everyone to gather, Chu He noticed that five more people were missing.

Although the instructors said they would give six months, some had already been expelled. Those who were usually expelled halfway were mostly incurable lazy people.

Not everyone has Chu He's ambition. Among ordinary people, there are still quite a few who are lazy and lack determination.

Like those few who were enthusiastic about socializing when they first arrived, they have now been sent out of Qingling Mountain, and no one knows where they are.

Of course, this is not a heartless act. As long as one puts in some effort here, the knowledge gained will be sufficient for their future. If they can reform themselves and become more diligent outside, making a living is not difficult.

Chu He glanced around and saw that there were still about forty people, mostly girls. Of the remaining forty people, all had reached the fourth level of the Qi Refinement stage, but there were differences between the early and late stages.

A few people occasionally had a glint in their eyes, indicating that they were about to break through to the next level, with their spiritual energy boiling.

These few people all had middle-grade spiritual bodies, so it was not surprising that they had this cultivation. The gap between spiritual bodies widens as one progresses in cultivation.

Chu He managed to advance to the fifth level of the Qi Refinement stage first, mainly due to the advantage of resources. When others were still struggling with half a bottle of middle-grade Qi-Enhancing Pills, Chu He was already using high-grade Qi-Enhancing Pills, naturally making up for the gap between spiritual bodies. However, with Chu He's ability to infinitely purify spiritual energy, these gaps were almost negligible.

Feeling Chu He's gaze, a fair-faced young man sitting in front turned to look.

This young man was named Tian Long, the class leader. He had been somewhat hostile to Chu He for a while, but after realizing that Chu He had no intention of getting involved in any competition and after he became the class leader, the hostility disappeared, and he even began to interact with Chu He.

Tian Long's gaze was somewhat unusual, as if Chu He's figure had suddenly grown taller, giving him a sense of pressure.

Could his cultivation have broken through again? Surprised, he was about to send a message to ask, but the instructor had already entered, so he had to give up.

In this class, the instructor did not teach anything new but continued to answer the students' cultivation doubts.

After class, Tian Long could not find Chu He's figure. It turned out that he had already left through the back door, making him shake his head: an innocent oddball.

On the way to the cafeteria, Chu He was walking quickly, thinking: After lunch, I will return to the dormitory to cultivate and consolidate my realm. After all, entering a new realm requires more exploration.

He did not think it necessary to exchange long sighs and short breaths with others after class. His doubts were always resolved immediately by seeking help from the instructor; he was not the type to leave problems unsolved overnight.

As he was about to reach the cafeteria, Chu He found it strange: There were quite a few people standing at the entrance, whispering to each other.

"Stop! Wait a moment before entering. There are no seats inside now!" A voice came from above, and a burly figure blocked the entrance, stopping Chu He.

The person blocking the way was a young man about seven feet tall, with a robust build, standing a head taller than Chu He, and already at the seventh level of the Qi Refinement stage.

"Oh? Then could this senior explain why I cannot enter?" Chu He, seeing a stranger and such a sudden action, asked curiously.

"Hmph, why should we, inner disciples, need to explain to a mere apprentice? Anyway, your mealtime today is delayed by half an hour. Just wait on the side obediently," the young man said with a sneer.

"Oh? Then may I ask if this has been approved by the garden master and the overseer?" Chu He glanced at the notice board a few yards away.

"Hmph! You can't meddle in so many things. Just stand aside, or I'll break your legs," the tall young man raised his fist and shouted loudly.

It seems that there are still arrogant and domineering people in Qingling Mountain. It looks like my previous understanding was a bit off. Chu He's lips curved, and he did not go inside but turned and left.

What's the big deal about missing a meal of spiritual food? I still have two high-grade Qi-Enhancing Pills, which are ten times better than this spiritual food. Just as he was about to turn towards the dormitory, a group of people walked over.

"Miss Qingyi, this simple meal is tasteless. Please move your graceful steps, and Qingling Mountain will treat you with fine wine and delicious food." A young man was busy persuading the girl beside him.

The young man had a handsome face and a tall figure, extremely good-looking, with a bold and heroic air. He wore a brocade robe that shimmered with light, but it did not dazzle; instead, it was soothing to the eyes.

Such a charming man would truly captivate many women on Earth.

However, this man only held Chu He's attention for less than half a second. Because the girl beside him had already overshadowed his brilliance.

At first glance, the girl seemed only to be graceful and beautiful. But upon a second look, she revealed other charms, and on a third look, one could not take their eyes off her.

"Her beauty surpasses the chrysanthemums of autumn, and her grace rivals the pines of spring. She is like a light cloud veiling the moon... Her figure is slender and well-proportioned, her neck long and graceful, her skin fair and smooth. Her lips are red and her teeth white, her hair like a cloud, her eyebrows long and delicate..." The verses from the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" immediately came to mind.

If the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" were used to describe this girl named Qingyi, it might seem a bit frivolous and ethereal. She was more like a clear lake on a holy mountain or a fresh spring in an old forest. Just a few glances at her could calm the mind and dispel the world's distractions.

Is there really a woman with such unparalleled grace in this world?! Chu He's heart raced, and his head became a bit muddled.

Damn, this long-lost feeling is not good. If I'm not mistaken, to put it in Earth terms: Cupid, you've shot me!

"Boy, get out of the way!" The tall young man behind him, impatient, swept out a palm and pushed the dazed Chu He to the side.