Chapter 49: Premium Foundation Establishment Dao Art

Thinking of this, Lin Mo directly opened his panel:

【Cultivation Base】: Qi Refining 7th Layer (1500/3000)

【Merit Points】: 1100

【Destiny Points】: 36

【Techniques】:

1. Heavenly Thunder Spell (Mid-Class): 1450/2000

2. Kui Star Stance (Low-Class): 610/1000

3. Rain Summoning Scripture (Low-Class): 200/1000

4. Fire Control Scripture (Low-Class): 200/1000

5. Basic Sword Art (Low-Class): 113/1000

……

He ignored those unimprovable values: spiritual root purity, aptitude, and bone quality.

The only things he could currently improve were still 【Cultivation Base】 and 【Techniques】.

Raising cultivation naturally increased the upper limit of his true qi.

Moreover, increasing the proficiency of 【Techniques】 could also enhance true qi thickness somewhat.

Especially after cultivating the Heavenly Thunder Spell to the Peak Level, Lin Mo clearly felt his true qi thickness had increased by at least half a percent.

If raised to Perfection Level, it would add at least one percent to his true qi value.

For some reason, Lin Mo suddenly thought of Chu Wange.

Her true qi must be far thicker than that of an ordinary Qi Refining Full Layer.

How much true qi would that entire set of Perfection Level sword techniques add?

He slowly drew his mind back, refocusing on the panel.

“I don’t know how long this dungeon bug will last—better to prioritize cultivation for stability…”

He muttered to himself, then directly poured the 1,100 merit points he had accumulated since entering the dungeon into his cultivation art.

【Ding! You invested 1100 Merit Points into your cultivation art. Technique experience +429 (1100 * 39%)】

As his cultivation experience surged, Lin Mo immediately felt his Qi Refining 7th Layer foundation solidify, and his internal true qi surged upward by a small notch.

“Not enough—still far from enough!”

Lin Mo squinted at the cultivation value on the panel, his fingers curling and straightening slightly—

【Merit +1】

He patted the ample “ammunition” in his inventory.

Clearly, the real “hard battle” was just beginning!

……

……

“Shhh!”

Another green light flashed across the Immortal Ascension Platform.

“Another green grade!”

Meng Xianzhang watched the faint glow in the Mirror Flower and Water Moon, shaking his head slightly: “This must be the last one among the first batch to clear.”

Principal Zhu also stared at the Mirror Flower and Water Moon: “This batch seems to have produced three blue lights—the highest added 18 bonus points.”

Feng Xianzhang spoke up: “Five blue lights. You missed two while using the latrine—the highest added 20 points.”

Principal Zhu smiled awkwardly, about to speak, when Feng Xianzhang continued: “Frequent latrine visits and excessive sweating indicate Yang Deficiency. You should practice stances more often to strengthen your physique.”

Principal Zhu: “……”

Old Li and Chief Wang exchanged a glance, then both turned away, pretending to admire the scenery.

Meng Xianzhang cleared his throat and said: “Though many candidates cleared the first batch, they barely met the admission threshold—average strength naturally yields low-quality dungeon rewards.”

After Meng Xianzhang’s repeated explanations of Immortal Exam dungeon mechanics—even Old Li, who’d never seen one before—knew that the higher the dungeon score, the greater the chance of obtaining high-quality treasures.

The highest score among the first batch of candidates was just over 200 points; none exceeded 300.

Their combined scores ranged from 500 to 700, still far behind the true top-tier candidates.

Naturally, their probability of obtaining high-quality dungeon treasures was much lower.

Old Li quickly said:

“Meng Xianzhang just said that candidate was the last of the first batch—so Lin Mo is confirmed to enter the dungeon a second time?”

At the mention of that name, Meng Xianzhang’s expression grew slightly complex, then he said: “That’s correct.”

Old Li exhaled in relief: “He still has energy for another run—this kid must be fine.”

Both Ye Chen and Lin Mo’s names still glowed on the Immortal List, neither appearing in the first batch.

They must both have chosen to attempt a second trial.

In other words, Nan Shan’s three Immortal Seedlings are all secured!

Principal Zhu’s awkwardness eased slightly; a smile appeared on his face:

“Now we just wait to see whether Ye Chen or Lin Mo scores higher—and whether Chu Wange can hold onto first place.”

Old Li waved his hand: “Ah, Lin Mo got lucky this time—just clearing the line is enough; how could he compare to Ye Chen?”

Principal Zhu nodded, clearly agreeing.

Ye Chen had been famous at Nan Shan since three years ago—ordinary talent, yet he rose against all odds to become one of Nan Shan’s few Immortal Seedlings.

Lin Mo, by contrast, only emerged suddenly this past month; though blessed with destiny, Meng Xianzhang had already verified him last time—he didn’t even meet the lowest threshold of a Destiny-Endowed candidate, so he could never compare to Ye Chen.

In fact, even now Principal Zhu still felt he’d stumbled upon a lucky find with Lin Mo.

Mainly because he never expected Chu Wange to come with a “buy one, get one free.”

Meng Xianzhang sighed:

“Lin Xiao you reaching this point is truly unexpected—according to my estimate…”

He recalled the previous scene, then fell silent.

Principal Zhu smiled encouragingly: “Meng Xianzhang, please speak freely—we’re already immensely satisfied with this outcome.”

It wasn’t because of that… Meng Xianzhang cleared his throat, then thought better and said:

“Lin Xiao you likely performed averagely in the first round and wishes to try again—a common occurrence in the Immortal Exam.”

Some candidates didn’t realize they could adjust their state before the dungeon reopens; seeing their true qi nearly depleted, they simply withdrew.

A few clever ones knew they could exploit the brief window before reopening, gaining another chance.

Top-tier candidates like Chu Wange always run all three rounds, then take their highest score for final calculation.

“So Lin Mo and Ye Chen won’t emerge until tomorrow at the latest?”

Old Li asked again.

Meng Xianzhang shook his head:

“Not necessarily—the second round’s exit time depends on the candidates’ rest periods, but earliest tomorrow afternoon, latest the morning after.”

“The third round follows the same pattern—earliest the day after tomorrow, latest… it could stretch to the sixth or even seventh day of the dungeon.”

Excluding today, the slowest would require five more days of testing.

Principal Zhu finally understood: Ye Chen and Lin Mo might not stay the full five days, but Chu Wange had a real chance to do so.

Meng Xianzhang said:

“Based on my estimation, Lin Mo and Ye Chen will emerge on the third day of the dungeon—tomorrow.”

“Under similar cultivation levels, the second run typically reaches their personal limit.”

Old Li bowed respectfully: “Thank you, Xianzhang, for your insight—I’ve been worried about Lin Mo.”

Meng Xianzhang waved his hand: “Not at all.”

Feng Xianzhang looked around, puzzled by the seemingly harmonious yet exclusionary atmosphere.

Did I say something wrong again?

……

……

Day Three of the Immortal Exam Dungeon, evening.

A blue light suddenly flared atop the Immortal Ascension Platform, drawing gasps from the surrounding students.

Old Li, who had been staring intently at the Mirror Flower and Water Moon, suddenly cried out:

“It’s Ye Chen—he’s out!”

Meng Xianzhang and Feng Xianzhang, who had been meditating, slowly opened their eyes and turned toward the Mirror Flower and Water Moon.

There, Ye Chen held aloft an ancient book glowing with blue light; though dusty and disheveled, his face radiated joy, ending with a long, triumphant roar.

The surrounding Immortal Exam candidates were drawn to the commotion; upon seeing the scripture in his hand, they all wore expressions of envy.

Meng Xianzhang gazed at the blue light on the Immortal Ascension Platform and smiled:

“A blue-grade treasure—and it’s…”

Feng Xianzhang’s eyes lit up, finishing: “A Premium Foundation Establishment Dao Art!”