The Banished Immortal Reincarnated, Bestowed the Name Zhang Fengxian

"Am I really that stupid?" Niu Gan Shan frowned as he swept the ground, searching his heart as he questioned himself.

Three years after entering the institute, Niu Gan Shan had learned only the most basic Five Elements Qi Refining Art. His cultivation had barely broken through Qi Refining Level Two, and he had already fallen to the very bottom among his fellow Dao disciples.

One had to know that the Five Outstanding Ones of his cohort had all now broken through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage. Chen Jinghui, the one with the highest cultivation, was said to be nearing the Qi Refining Late Stage.

Oh, and because farming required them, Niu Gan Shan had also learned two "free," lowly spells: the Soil Loosening Art and the Cloud Rain Technique.

But what use were they?

No matter how many lowly spells he learned, they could not be used to kill enemies or protect the Dao. Could he really be content with being a spirit farmer for his entire life?

It was no wonder Niu Gan Shan was growing increasingly lost. It was all because North Sea Dao Institute had an ironclad rule: anyone who failed to achieve Foundation Establishment within twenty years would immediately be expelled from the institute.

Judging by his current cultivation progress, when twenty years passed, he would surely be swept out the door and ultimately become one of the institute's disgraced failures.

Just as Niu Gan Shan grew more frightened the more he thought about it, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder, and a voice abruptly rang out beside his ear. "Hey!"

"No! Ah..."

Niu Gan Shan jolted from head to toe in fright and hurriedly turned around. Upon seeing the visitor's thick-browed, large-eyed face, he immediately let out a breath of relief and