Incense Hall, Lin Dongpeng

The sound of rain pattered outside the window.

The fragrance of green grass mingled with the scent of soil, drifting into the distance.

Inside the room, Zhao Huaian's silver needles danced in his hands, each one piercing the acupoints of a wooden puppet with unerring accuracy.

Again and again, the puppet became riddled with holes.

At this moment, Zhao Huaian was completely immersed in his medical research.

In a daze, scenes flickered continuously in his mind.

Simultaneously, countless insights surged into his heart.

"Medical Skill (Grandmaster 3196/3200)"

"Medical Skill (Grandmaster 3198/3200)"

"Medical Skill (Perfection 1/6400)"

The Attribute Heavenly Book radiated light, its text slowly distorting and changing. Medical Skill had reached Perfection.

At the same time, as Medical Skill reached Perfection, Zhao Huaian's mental power in his mind grew several times stronger. Fatigue vanished completely, and he felt invigorated.

"As expected, Perfection-level Medical Skill not only brought me more medical experience, but it also significantly boosted my mental power."

Zhao Huaian took a deep breath and turned his gaze to the Perfection-level Medical Skill.

Immediately, his brow furrowed.

"Wait, Medical Skill is already at Perfection, so why is there still Proficiency listed afterward?"

Li Huaian was somewhat incredulous. He pondered this, and then his pupils brightened: "Could it be that there's some benefit after reaching Perfection?"

Zhao Huaian had already figured out most of the Attribute Heavenly Book.

Normally, if there was still Proficiency to be gained after reaching Perfection, there must be some kind of realm or benefit above the Perfection level.

Thinking of this, Li Huaian felt a surge of anticipation.

However, seeing the 6,400 points of Proficiency required, Zhao Huaian couldn't help but shake his head: "No rush, no rush. The most important goal now is to focus on improving my Cultivation and strength. As for Medical Skill, I'll continue to research it for an hour or two each day as usual."

Having made up his mind, Zhao Huaian felt full of fighting spirit.

However, he didn't start cultivating immediately. Instead, he picked up an oil-paper umbrella and pushed open the door, stepping outside.

Drip, drip, drip. The light rain fell on the oiled paper umbrella, and listening to the crisp sound of raindrops, Zhao Huaian felt exceptionally relaxed, his mood also becoming joyful.

"It's been over forty days, and I haven't collected this month's resources yet. It's time to head to the Incense Hall."

Holding his oiled paper umbrella, Zhao Huaian walked with light steps towards the Incense Hall.

Having been at the Greenwood Sect for over forty days, he hadn't stayed in his room every day and naturally had some understanding of the Outer Sect's areas.

For example, the Incense Hall he was heading to was responsible for managing and distributing the monthly stipends for Outer Disciples.

This trip to the Incense Hall was not only to collect the two Low-grade Spirit Stones for the month but also to claim the benefits of becoming a Qi Refining Cultivator.

According to the rules of the Greenwood Sect's Outer Sect, as long as an introductory disciple condensed Spiritual Energy and became a Qi Refining Cultivator, they could receive a set of Basic Five Elements Spells from the Incense Hall.

The previous Zhao Huaian had been too engrossed in cultivation to collect them, but now, while collecting this month's resources, he naturally had to get them all at once.

After all, in the early Qi Refining stage, it was difficult to exert strength beyond that of mortals solely through Cultivation. Only by cultivating spells and casting them with one's Cultivation could one display the power expected of a cultivator.

The spring rain continued, and the downpour intensified, the oiled paper umbrella rustling.

However, this had no effect on Zhao Huaian.

With his Cultivation, the ordinary falling raindrops did not splash onto Zhao Huaian's robes.

As for why he was holding an umbrella?

Naturally, Zhao Huaian didn't want to waste even a sliver of Spiritual Energy, lest he have to spend time replenishing it and delay his cultivation progress.

Following the path according to his memory, Zhao Huaian soon arrived at the Incense Hall.

It was already the middle of the month, so there weren't many people here. In the vast hall, only a dozen or so people were coming and going.

Of course, if it were the beginning of the month, during the resource collection period, this place would be packed.

Zhao Huaian strode into the Incense Hall. Only a few disciples with lower Cultivation were busy, while the rest sat around chatting.

Forcing a harmless smile, Zhao Huaian approached a disciple on duty. "Esteemed Senior Brother, I am a newly admitted disciple from last month. This is my identity token. I wish to collect this month's resources and that set of Basic Five Elements Spells."

"Oh... wait!"

The disciple on duty didn't even look up. After taking Zhao Huaian's identity token, he indifferently began to check it.

After confirming it was correct, he took out two Low-grade Spirit Stones and a book of Basic Five Elements Spells from under the counter.

"Here are your... huh..."

Placing the items on the counter, the disciple on duty glanced at Zhao Huaian, his pupils instantly contracting.

The next moment.

A smile appeared on his originally cold face: "Junior Brother, have you already reached Qi Refining Layer Two?"

"That's right. With my Three Spiritual Roots aptitude, I was fortunate enough to break through to Qi Refining Layer Two this morning!"

Zhao Huaian nodded calmly.

There was no pretense of playing weak to surprise others.

In this vast Greenwood Sect, to obtain better resources and more respect, one could only display the talent and strength they possessed.

Of course, being too monstrous or exaggerated was not advisable. As the saying goes, "When a tree grows taller than the forest, the wind will destroy it."

Displaying overly monstrous or exaggerated progress, severely inconsistent with the cultivation speed indicated by one's spiritual root aptitude, would only incite the greed of others.

"Junior Brother has great talent. To break through to Qi Refining Layer Two in just over forty days, even among those with Three Spiritual Roots, this is considered top-tier aptitude," the disciple on duty praised with a smile.

He then introduced himself: "My name is Lin Dongpeng. Let's form a good connection, Junior Brother. If you come to collect resources at the beginning of the month, feel free to find me. No need to queue."

Zhao Huaian smiled slightly and cupped his hands: "Thank you very much, Senior Brother Lin!"

"It's only right. As your cultivation improves in the future, we should look out for each other," Lin Dongpeng said with a chuckle.

"Naturally!"

Zhao Huaian nodded and cupped his hands to Lin Dongpeng again.

He then put away the Basic Five Elements Spell and two Low-grade Spirit Stones from the table and left under the envious gazes of one or two newly initiated disciples around him.

Leaving the Incense Hall, Zhao Huaian felt pleased.

Lin Dongpeng's initial attitude was indifferent, but after witnessing his cultivation and talent, he immediately became friendly.

This was the importance of cultivation and aptitude.

Otherwise, would a cultivator with ordinary Five Spiritual Roots or Four Spiritual Roots be treated this way?

He smiled and, instead of returning to his residence, headed towards the outer sect market of the Greenwood Sect.

He now had four Low-grade Spirit Stones and needed to spend them on items that would aid his cultivation. After all, breaking through to Qi Refining Layer Two required more Spiritual Energy, and his cultivation speed would inevitably slow down significantly. Thus, he naturally needed some auxiliary cultivation items.

Moreover, after over forty days of consumption, his Grain Abstinence Pills were running low. The sect did not provide them, so he had to purchase them himself.