Chapter 56: White Soul Bird and Silver Marrow Spiritual Milk

“It can still be done.” Su Jin sent two more threads of spiritual sense into it.

The silver-white sphere lit up completely as Su Jin’s spiritual sense flowed in.

A soft silver-white light radiated directly from the sphere, and at its center, a tiny white bird took shape.

“This is the White Soul Bird—an extremely rare creature, naturally endowed with powerful spiritual force,” Master Liu smiled on. “It’s said the silver-white testing sphere in your hand was modeled after some special ability of the White Soul Bird.”

“Alright, you can let go now.”

Su Jin released the sphere from her grip.

In the instant she let go, an extremely pure spiritual force suddenly reversed and flowed back.

The silver-white sphere instantly dimmed, its light gone.

The spiritual force Su Jin had just sent into the sphere returned—not only intact, but slightly purer.

“Master Liu, can this sphere purify spiritual force?” Su Jin asked in surprise.

“Mm-hmm, but the effect isn’t very noticeable,” Master Liu replied indifferently. She tucked the sphere away; she’d hand it to the headmaster later—he had his own methods to determine Su Jin’s Spirit Refining realm.

“Su Jin, you’re the first in the entire grade to break through Spirit Refining Level One with your Spirit Refining technique,” Master Liu said, unable to suppress a smile.

First place. Grade first.

And it’s the Spirit Refining technique—the hardest of all foundational techniques.

“This bottle is the family’s reward: Silver Marrow Spiritual Milk,” Master Liu handed her a small porcelain bottle. “It contains twenty drops of Silver Marrow Spiritual Milk.”

“Silver Marrow Spiritual Milk has a miraculous effect in boosting spiritual force. It can greatly increase your total spiritual force.”

Su Jin thought to herself: I’m actually progressing fastest in my Spirit Refining technique—I’ll likely break through to Spirit Refining Level Two soon.

I really don’t need Silver Marrow Spiritual Milk at all.

But then Master Liu added, “The faster you advance in your Spirit Refining technique, the more attention the clan school will pay to you.”

“Even the rare spiritual items you’ll need for Foundation Establishment, the clan school will prepare in advance.”

“Do you want the Foundation Establishment spiritual item you desire?”

“Then train your Spirit Refining technique well!”

The words Su Jin had been about to refuse instantly died in her throat.

Her mother had told her that Foundation Establishment spiritual items were rarer and harder to obtain than Foundation Establishment elixirs. Her mother had said a spiritual item perfectly suited to oneself was nearly impossible to find.

So if the clan school could provide one, no need to think twice—take it.

Absolutely cannot let this Foundation Establishment spiritual item slip away.

“Master Liu, rest assured—I won’t let my Foundation Establishment spiritual item get away,” Su Jin immediately patted her small chest and declared.

Master Liu was satisfied. “Excellent. That’s the spirit. Whenever you break through another level in your Spirit Refining technique, come tell me privately. I’ll help you fast-track your resource applications.”

“Understood. Thank you, Master Liu,” Su Jin replied at once.

“Also, don’t mention the special rewards for breaking through your Spirit Refining technique in public. If anyone asks, say you don’t know.”

“But if someone else breaks through Level One too, send them to me,” Master Liu added.

After returning, Su Jin went to the Third Classroom to practice spells. After killing ten more vines, she joined Su Wuji and the others for lunch. In the afternoon, she returned to the Third Classroom to continue cultivating.

After reaching the limit of her meridians’ endurance, she dismantled the array plate and began studying the technique for extracting Wood Essence Qi.

The next day, after school, her elder brother Su Jian told her the subterranean Blue Heartberry Spiritual Dew had settled and was ready—she could take some to drink.

Su Jin happily filled two small flasks, each holding half a catty.

One for herself, the other for Su Hua.

Her secondary cultivation technique was the Snow Skin Jade Bone Art.

Blue Heartberry Spiritual Dew was exactly what she needed.

After sealing the ceramic jar, she picked up the two flasks and went to find Su Hua.

“Su Hua, how’s your cultivation going lately?” Su Jin asked as she entered Su Hua’s small room.

“Fine. With the Spirit Gathering Array Grand Uncle gave me, I should hit Qi Refining Level Four before year’s end,” Su Hua said casually.

“That’s great news!” Su Jin was genuinely happy for her.

“It is good news,” Su Hua sighed, “but everyone else can do it too.”

“My father got me a Spirit Gathering Array. My classmates all have them too, provided by their families.”

“Almost everyone in our class now has one to aid their cultivation.”

“So in the classroom, spiritual energy isn’t enough—we’re always interrupting our sessions.”

“Sigh, what can you do? Everyone uses Spirit Gathering Arrays.”

“And the top ten students in our class are pushing themselves to the limit.”

“It’s like everyone’s become clockwork puppets, driven mad by cultivation.”

“Now in the classroom, the atmosphere is tense. Everyone’s squeezing even mealtime to steal extra minutes for cultivation.”

Su Jin whistled in disbelief.

“Little Aunt, let me tell you—there’s a girl in our class who quit school because she couldn’t handle the psychological pressure.”

“Are you okay?” Su Jin asked quickly.

“Don’t worry—I’m fine. I’m Su Hua, the one my father constantly knocks down. My mental resilience is top-notch.” Su Hua grinned confidently. “I’m actually hoping everyone ahead of me drops out from stress—that way, I’ll jump straight into the top ten.”

Su Jin: “…”

“I know what you’re going to say—you’re thinking cultivation ultimately depends on yourself, not on others dropping out, right?” Su Hua asked.

Su Jin nodded vigorously. “Yes, that’s exactly what I meant.”

“Relax. I’m fully aware. Back when I had no resources, I held onto twelfth place in class.”

“Now with Grand Great Uncle and Father’s support, they’re no match for me. I’m not the most gifted in class,”

“but I won’t lose to them easily.”

“At least in my view, they’re nowhere near as strong as they claim!” Su Hua smirked, eyebrow raised.

Grand Great Uncle had given her not only a Spirit Gathering Array and three hundred spirit stones,

but a few days ago, he’d had her father deliver fifteen Yijing Pills.

These pills strengthen the foundation, reinforce the five viscera and six bowels.

They’re specifically designed to help students break from Qi Refining Level Three to Level Four.

Normally, no one takes them.

Because they contain poison, and cause the body to develop resistance.

But that doesn’t mean they’re useless.

When used at the critical moment, their effect becomes exceptionally potent.

Like the Yijing Pills.