Chapter 41: Heavenly Grade

"There are still three days left; focus on cultivation realms and aim to break through to the Fifth Grade."

"However, there are no elixirs available for now, so we might consider a cultivation technique instead."

Xu Chen pondered.

A technique's function is not to attack, but to increase the efficiency of absorbing spiritual energy and alter its nature.

In the end, he recalled the Heavenly Grade technique from his past life, the Immortal and Undying Art.

It was not that he lacked Saint Grade or Emperor Grade techniques.

Rather, their grades were too high for him to practice at his Fourth Grade realm.

Currently, the Immortal and Undying Art perfectly matched his realm.

Once his realm advanced later, he could simply switch to another.

"The Immortal and Undying Art not only boosts spiritual energy absorption efficiency by a hundredfold, but the spiritual energy itself carries vitality."

"In other words, as long as the injury is not fatal, the Immortal and Undying Art can heal him; minor wounds can be mended instantly."

"To be honest, among Heavenly Grade techniques, this one is truly top-tier."

Xu Chen nodded in satisfaction.

The technique practiced by the protagonist, Ye Xuan, the Strange Fire Cloud Art, was also quite extraordinary.

That was the reason Ye Xuan's flames were so special.

However, if truly compared, his Immortal and Undying Art held a slight edge.

After all, as long as he did not die, he would be truly immortal.

"Voom!"

Having decided, Xu Chen began cultivating the Immortal and Undying Art.

His own formless and colorless spiritual energy turned green.

This green spiritual energy naturally carried vitality, swiftly driving away death energy.

Three days later, Xu Chen's realm changed rapidly.

"Boom!"

After a long while, Xu Chen's realm surged directly from the late Fourth Grade, bypassing the perfect Fourth Grade, and shot straight to the early Fifth Grade.

For a full quarter-hour, Xu Chen struggled to break through this realm.

Finally, Xu Chen's realm stabilized at the early Fifth Grade.

Under the refinement of this technique, Xu Chen was thoroughly stabilized at the early Fifth Grade.

At this moment, whether in realm, spiritual soul and spiritual sense, or even his physical body, everything was Fifth Grade.

Such uniformity, such strength; even senior students could not compare.

Even some Academy Elders, upon seeing this, would feel ashamed of themselves.

"Crack!"

Xu Chen habitually stretched, and his body emitted a series of cracks and pops.

"As per tradition, today is the day to contest the position of Young Palace Master."

"The top freshman from every academy must enter the Star Cloud Forest for assessment."

"This assessment zone has been surveyed by the Palace; no lethal demonic beasts will appear."

"Within one day, whoever seizes the Young Palace Master token becomes the Young Palace Master."

Xu Chen recalled this rule.

He remembered that in his previous life, many people had cooperated with Ye Xuan.

Bu Fengshuang and Li Ruoling were two of them, along with Jiang Feng from the Sword Dao Academy.

Xu Chen narrowed his eyes: "Jiang Feng from the Sword Dao Academy once severed the tendons in my hand."

For ninety-nine lifetimes, his tendons were severed ninety-nine times.

"In this life, I only need to follow the main plot; in other words, Jiang Feng can exist or not."

"That means if I kill Jiang Feng, the plot should not collapse."

Xu Chen said, his eyes flashing with killing intent.

He would not kill Ye Xuan, but he could try killing Jiang Feng.

He asked the system: "System, tell me, killing a male supporting character shouldn't be an issue, right?"

The system replied: "Based on current analysis, Jiang Feng barely affects the main plot; it doesn't matter."

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Xu Chen's lips.

Excellent; in his past life, he had endured Jiang Feng for far too long.

In every life, he had acted like a coward; in this life, he would never do so again.

"Besides Jiang Feng, there is Duan Qianyuan from the Fire Dao Academy."

"This Duan Qianyuan is Ye Xuan's lackey and has done many things for Ye Xuan."

"Back then, Duan Qianyuan threw a fireball at me, nearly disfiguring me, and mocked me."

"Such things cannot be endured; supporting characters who deserve death must be killed."

If this were elsewhere, he certainly would not kill people.

But if it were the Star Cloud Forest, there would be an opportunity.

After all, towering trees stand within, blocking the view.

Moreover, with so many demonic beasts, if these two died unexpectedly, no one would question it.

Thinking this, Xu Chen smiled and walked straight out of the cultivation chamber.

He quickly arrived at the training ground, eager to head to the Star Cloud Forest.

Yet the next second, he froze.

He saw two extraordinarily beautiful women he knew very well waving at him.

"Hi! Long time no see."

They said with bright smiles.

Who else could it be but Chi Lian and Huo Ling'er? Even Li Ruoling had come.

Xu Chen felt a throbbing headache; only seven days had passed. "Long time no see" my foot.

He remembered that in his past life, Chi Lian had not led the group.

Seeing this, Bu Fengshuang beside him remained calm, as if he had expected it all along.

Li Ruoling felt slightly nervous inside. Damn it, why do they always cling to Xu Chen?

Too many heroines have appeared near Xu Chen recently, making it impossible for her to get close. Boo hoo.

Damn it, she is clearly the number one heroine.

During this Young Palace Master assessment, she must seize the opportunity.

Brother Xu Chen is hers!!!

PS: 8 chapters!!! No data today; seems like adding three chapters tomorrow will suffice. If I say I'll add, I won't shortchange you!!! Big shots, please give data!!! I'm losing motivation for tomorrow!!!

Xu Chen looked speechlessly at Chi Lian and Huo Ling'er: "Why are you two butting in?"

You two were in the freshman trial mission, you two were in the academy tournament, and now you two are in the Young Palace Master assessment.

Chi Lian chuckled: "I am the Dean of the Women's College. I have already applied to the Palace Master for this mission. Do you have any objections?"

Huo Ling'er's eyes sparkled as she spoke tenderly: "Brother Chen, I am here too."

Xu Chen broke out in goosebumps and instinctively moved slightly away from Chi Lian.

"Then what are the rules for the Young Palace Master assessment?"

Xu Chen asked.

Chi Lian smiled lightly: "It is very simple. At that time, the Lucky Forest will have dozens of entrances.

Each of you will choose an entrance and enter to undergo the trial. The trial content is the same for everyone.

The trial lasts one day. Whoever possesses the Young Palace Master token after one day will pass the assessment and be promoted to the position of Young Palace Master.

Also, once inside the forest, disciples of the same sect are forbidden from killing each other.

Whoever violates this order will be expelled from Jixia Academy and never employed again. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

The many elite freshmen replied.

Chi Lian nodded: "In that case, let us set off. If there are any problems, send a signal at any time to call for help, and I, this Elder, will appear."

Everyone nodded again, then began to search for their respective entrances.

Xu Chen looked and found that for each academy participating in the assessment, some had one person, while others had two.

Those in pairs had applied themselves, believing they could handle it.

For instance, the Fire Dao Academy had Ye Xuan and Duan Qianyuan; Duan Qianyuan had applied on his own.

At that moment, Duan Qianyuan looked at Xu Chen with a mocking expression, and Jiang Feng beside him also had a flickering gaze.

Xu Chen pretended not to know that the two had designs on him and walked straight to an entrance.

He was then shocked to find Bu Fengshuang at the entrance to his left.

Xu Chen felt a toothache; entering the forest this way meant he would encounter Bu Fengshuang very easily.

Huo Ling'er puffed her cheeks beside him: "How shameless."

Chi Lian smiled brightly: "We will go in too in a moment."

Huo Ling'er and Li Ruoling were stunned: "The Academy rules state that Elders are not allowed to enter to avoid cheating, right?"

Chi Lian laughed so hard her body shook, her chest heaving: "I didn't say I would cheat; I just said I would enter."

Huo Ling'er and Li Ruoling clicked their tongues. Is that allowed?

The Palace Master would probably want to kill you if he heard this.

Xu Chen chose the entrance from his past life, which was Entrance Number Thirteen.

He remembered there were no demonic beasts along this path, but there were many thorns.

The traps lay in those plants: there were man-eating flowers and even highly poisonous herbs.

They looked like ordinary plants, but when they attacked, they moved as fast as lightning, leaving no time to dodge.

"However, I can crush these poisonous flowers and herbs. It is nothing."

Xu Chen said.

With that thought, Xu Chen walked leisurely along the small path at Entrance Number Thirteen.

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

After walking for a short while, Xu Chen entered the attack range of the plants.

The ordinary flowers around him transformed into man-eating flowers in large numbers.

They opened their fanged, giant mouths, spreading a foul stench, and bit directly at Xu Chen.