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Li Qing Feng poured himself three consecutive cups before letting out a long, ragged breath.

His originally pale face now held a touch of color.

Everything that had just happened was far beyond his comprehension.

Before, he had only heard of Ghost Creatures and spirits.

When reading storybooks or listening to storytellers, he would feel fear, but it wasn't like the impactful, real-life encounter he just had.

He had nearly died.

He truly had walked on the edge of the netherworld.

Looking at the painting hanging on the wall, he no longer felt the initial infatuation and obsession.

Although the painting was by Xu Ziming, a master from the previous dynasty, it was just an ordinary painting after all.

Looking at his four friends lying on the ground, Li Qing Feng felt only gratitude.

Fortunately, he had become a Qi Cultivator and possessed the divine artifact, the Venerable Soul Banner. Otherwise, he might not have overcome this hurdle today.

Thankfully, he had regained consciousness in time, saving his four friends from harm.

However, he didn't realize that if he hadn't become a Qi Cultivator, with the spiritual light within him, he wouldn't have attracted the attention of the Imp Ghost in the painting in the first place.

Every cause has its effect; it was all predetermined.

But what concerned Li Qing Feng the most was the Green-faced Evil Ghost that had leaped out of the Venerable Soul Banner.

That evil ghost was tall and imposing, with a magnificent aura.

Its ferocious energy assailed him, and its terrifying gaze was like lightning and torches.

He always felt that the glance the evil ghost gave him was full of meaning, but due to the short duration, communication was impossible.

He had been so scared earlier that he dropped the Venerable Soul Banner, but now he picked it up again.

He examined the small banner in his hand.

Now, the banner face of the Venerable Soul Banner was fully unfurled, depicting a ferocious evil ghost.

At the same time, he felt some worry.

The Blood Fiend Great Method stated that the evil ghosts in the Venerable Soul Banner could Backlash against the Banner Master.

It was best not to use a Venerable Soul Banner stronger than oneself if one's strength was insufficient.

So he worried if he would be subject to Backlash by the evil ghost, and what if that glance was a precursor to it?

The evil ghost within the Soul Banner had easily captured that spirit; the monkey-like spirit had no room to resist at all.

If it were to Backlash against him, could he withstand it?

No.

Li Qing Feng was well aware of his own capabilities.

Facing that ghost-faced spirit, he had been so terrified that he lost his composure, only able to rely on the divine artifact for salvation.

If he encountered a Backlash from the evil ghost within the divine artifact, he would surely die.

However, Li Qing Feng still felt that the Venerable Soul Banner would not Backlash against him.

At least not now.

Otherwise, the Venerable Soul Banner wouldn't have given a warning.

Moreover, with the evil ghost's decisive style of action, it wouldn't leave things for later; if it were going to Backlash, it would have acted long ago.

Li Qing Feng wrapped up the Venerable Soul Banner and tucked it into his embrace. "When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road; when the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten. Worrying too much is useless. I still need to work hard to improve my strength."

There was no need to continue this literary gathering. He would just let the four of them leave after they woke up.

The sun was setting in the west.

The four unconscious individuals finally woke up.

They didn't suspect each other; falling into a drunken stupor like this often happened at literary gatherings.

However, they just felt that it wasn't very enjoyable, and their bodies felt tired and uncomfortable.

Li Qing Feng couldn't say much; the truth was often cruel and unbelievable. He might as well let them believe it was just the discomfort after getting drunk.

Spending too much time with ghosts would affect even normal people, let alone being knocked out by a ghost.

Liu Chuang put away the painting, and none of the five were in the mood for anything further.

Originally, Li Qing Feng wanted to persuade Liu Chuang to burn the painting, but he realized he couldn't give a reason.

Since the evil ghost in the painting had been eliminated, the painting of the beauty had lost its supernatural quality. It would be better to let Liu Chuang take the painting back.

The group exchanged pleasantries again.

As it was already nearing dusk, they quickly dispersed.

However, there were still two who planned to stay overnight at the Music Bureau Tower.

They also tried to persuade their other friends to stay.

Li Qing Feng had no such thoughts; he still needed to return and cultivate.

This battle made him deeply realize how weak he still was.

At the very least, he shouldn't be completely drained and collapse after just shaking the Venerable Soul Banner once, unable to fight again.

When reading the strange tales in those ancient texts, he always felt that the obstacles were foolish, wicked, and hindering.

He would always curse loudly to vent the frustration in his chest.

He couldn't become the person he disliked the most. One must know that missing an opportunity could cost one's life.

Tu Shan Jun, however, didn't know Li Qing Feng's thoughts.

He was pleasantly surprised that he finally had a bridge to communicate with the Banner Master.

The Imp Ghost's skill was Dream Entry, creating a dream and then entering it.

Now that Tu Shan Jun had learned this skill, he could connect to the Banner Master's dream through the Venerable Soul Banner.

This way, he could communicate when the Banner Master was weak and lacked sufficient Magic Power to manifest in the outside world for long periods.

Even if it wasn't to impart cultivation techniques or martial arts, he needed to tell the Banner Master what to do to advance and improve the Venerable Soul Banner.

Five Treasures didn't know why his young master was so preoccupied after leaving the Music Bureau Tower and could only follow silently.

It was best not to disturb Li Qing Feng at this time.

Upon returning home, he was informed that his parents were already waiting in the main hall.

Li Qing Feng didn't have time to think much and hurried to the main hall of his house.

It seemed his parents had been waiting for a long time.

"Son, you're finally back."

"I have a great piece of good news to tell you." Father Li stood up, his face beaming with smiles, his somewhat bloated body appearing even more oily.

Li Qing Feng felt puzzled, "Father, what matter are you speaking of?"

"Three days ago, the Prefect of Eight Directions City posted a notice. Gentry from Eight Directions City and the four counties under its jurisdiction can send their children between the ages of eight and twenty to the Prefect's mansion for examination."

"The Immortal Master guarding Eight Directions Prefecture has completed his term and will take children with Spiritual Roots to join the Immortal Sect during the handover."

"Son, only you at home meet the criteria."

"Your father has secured a test spot for you."

This information struck Li Qing Feng's ears like a muffled clap of thunder.

It made him turn pale with fright.

He hadn't expected that the Immortal Master, who had been so elusive for so many years, would actually conduct tests for mortals with such fanfare.

Upon closer inquiry, he understood that each Immortal Master would be stationed for many years and then select a group before leaving.

This term seemed to be ten years.

However, he felt no joy. If he hadn't obtained the Blood Fiend Sect's secret manual and the Venerable Soul Banner, he would have gone excitedly.

Now he had already cultivated to Qi Condensation First Layer, practicing a Demonic Path technique.

It was hard to guarantee that those Orthodox Path Immortal Masters wouldn't kill him under the pretext of slaying demons and devils.

Sometimes explanations were pale.

Ultimately, it was strength that spoke.

Tu Shan Jun listened carefully and also pondered, unable to make up his mind.

Looking at Hou Boxu's attitude towards heretics and evil paths, he would rather kill the wrong person than let one escape.

He was exceptionally resolute.

When fighting, every move was aimed at killing, even to the point of mutual destruction.

He was ashamed to enter the Venerable Soul Banner to save his life, preferring to have his soul scattered than to fall into the Demonic Path.

What a ruthless person!

Tu Shan Jun couldn't do that.

If the people of the Orthodox Path were all like this, Li Qing Feng's rash departure would likely result in him being cut down by a single sword.

Tu Shan Jun was a transmigrator and didn't take the distinction between orthodox and demonic paths seriously, nor was he particularly hostile towards ghosts, demons, and strange creatures.

He only sought to survive.

But it was hard to guarantee that Orthodox Path cultivators were also like him.

Li Qing Feng was also weighing his options.

Guardians of the Dao were all lunatics, let alone the naturally opposing Orthodox and Demonic Paths. The best-case scenario was that his cultivation would be crippled, and he would have to start over.

But with Five Spiritual Roots, would he have a chance to enter an Immortal Sect?

Li Qing Feng felt the probability of not getting in was very high.

Five Spiritual Roots were considered very inferior Spiritual Roots.

Three months to sense Qi was already the limit.

Being able to reach Qi Condensation in a month was only possible because he ate meat every meal and the Qi Condensation First Layer was relatively easy, allowing him to barely get started.

"Father, I... I'll think about it."