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Qin Shu **grinned**. "I've got it all memorized!"

"Since both Senior Brothers are here today, why don't we **invite Senior Sister** and have a barbecue together?"

At this, Wen Chi let out a **light scoff**.

"She's a **fire spirit bird**. Are you planning to **feed her meat?**"

Qin Shu: **"?"**

She **hadn't thought about that**—

But she quickly recovered and **smiled confidently**.

"No problem! I'll **grill some spirit fruits** for Senior Sister instead!"

This time, both Wen Chi and Cheng Yan **looked dumbfounded**.

"Spirit fruits... can be grilled?"

Qin Shu's **expression turned solemn** as she declared—

"**Anything can be barbecued!**"

Her conviction left the two senior brothers **baffled yet intrigued**.

Feeling inspired, Qin Shu suddenly thought of **her little junior brother**—

"If we're grilling spirit fruits, then I should invite **Senior Brother Rui Ming**, too!"

"And of course, **my friend He Xin!**"

Cheng Yan, who had initially agreed to **just one meal**, now found himself **watching helplessly**—

How did a simple **thank-you dinner** suddenly turn into **a full-blown gathering**?

———

When Qin Shu **sent out invitations**, **Chi Yu** hesitated for **a moment** before accepting—

Meanwhile, **He Xin and Rui Ming** agreed **instantly**, their excitement overflowing.

Since **He Xin** couldn't enter the inner sect freely, they had to **rely on Rui Ming** to smuggle her in.

Thus, two senior brothers—who had long **abandoned mortal cravings**—

Now found themselves **sitting with four eager juniors**—

Watching Qin Shu **light a fire with her bare hands**.

The firewood she used?

She **casually broke off** branches from a **Golden Rainbow Pomegranate Tree** in the western mountains.

The meat?

**Freshly hunted** in the same area.

She **washed the cuts clean**, skewered them, and seasoned them with **salt and other mysterious ingredients**.

Meanwhile, she also **skewered various spirit fruits**, preparing them in the same way.

Once everything was ready, Qin Shu **cast a small fireball spell**—

And began **grilling** before everyone's eyes.

She even sprinkled some **unidentified seasonings** onto the food.

Surprisingly—

A **rich, mouthwatering aroma** immediately filled the air.

———

Qin Shu **handed two skewers of grilled spirit fruit** to Rui Ming and Chi Yu.

But the two of them...

**Kept staring** at the meat skewers in her hands.

Qin Shu **chuckled**.

"What's wrong? **Thinking about breaking your diet?**"

The two shook their heads.

"We're just curious."

Meanwhile, Cheng Yan—

Who had originally **been the guest of honor**, ended up being **the last** to receive his food.

The **fragrance** was so intense that he **couldn't help but be intrigued**.

By this time, Wen Chi had already taken a bite.

He had **eaten grilled meat before**, but this...

This was on **an entirely different level**.

Could the difference **really lie** in whatever Qin Shu had **sprinkled onto the skewers?**

———

Once everyone had **eaten their fill**, Cheng Yan **finally reminded them**—

"The trial begins tomorrow. **Arrive at the sect square by morning.**"

"**Do not be late.**"

As he spoke, he **locked eyes** with Qin Shu.

Qin Shu **nodded obediently**.

"I'm never late."

She might **seem unreliable**, but she was **a punctual person**!

Cheng Yan then **glanced at the other two junior sisters**—

Both **nodded as well**.

———

After seeing everyone off, Qin Shu **cast a cleansing spell**—

Tidying up the entire courtyard.

Her eyes landed on the **flower she had transplanted** near the rose bush.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it—

But **the flower seemed even more beautiful than before**.

Was the color... more vibrant?

She had **read countless books** on spirit plants but had never seen **this type before**.

Qin Shu **shook off the thought** and returned to her cave dwelling.

Tonight, she planned to **cultivate one last time** before the trial.

With **the small spirit-gathering formation** the snake had left her,

Even **during the daytime**, her cultivation speed was **still quite decent**.

———

Yet, she never expected—

**In the dead of night... she broke through.**

With one final refinement of her meridians,

Her cultivation **flowed smoothly**, and she **effortlessly advanced**—

**Qi Refinement Level Four.**

Qin Shu quickly **guided her spiritual energy** through a full circulation.

Once her realm was **fully stabilized**—

She **opened her eyes.**

**"Oh no! I'm late!"**

———

Just last night, she had **confidently promised** Cheng Yan that she was **never late**—

And now, **she was about to slap herself in the face.**

Without hesitation, she **leapt onto her green leaf**—

And **rushed** toward the mountain's base.

———

By the time she arrived—

Everyone was **already gathered**.

Cheng Yan glanced at Qin Shu—

Immediately noticing **her increased cultivation level**.

His **eyebrows raised slightly**, but he **said nothing**.

Instead, he gave the group **final instructions**—

"**This talisman will protect you in life-threatening situations.**"

"**Once activated, you will be teleported out.**"

"You will be **randomly scattered** upon entry—so sticking together is **pointless**."

"Remember—**you only have ten days inside.**"

"For some of you, these ten days **could be more rewarding than years of training.**"

Cheng Yan's **naturally imposing aura**, combined with his **headmaster-like tone**,

Made all the junior disciples **both excited and serious**.

Once he **summoned the flying vessel**, the young disciples finally let their **enthusiasm show**.

———

He Xin **grabbed Qin Shu's arm** the moment she arrived.

"**Why are you so late?!**"

"If Senior Brother **wasn't in charge of the trial**, he wouldn't have waited for you!"

Chi Yu, standing beside them, crossed her arms and said calmly—

"She had a breakthrough."

Qin Shu was **shocked**.

She **had no idea** that the snake's spell **concealed** her energy fluctuations from everyone except high-level cultivators.

She also wore a **jade pendant** that supposedly **blocked detection**.

Had she **spent a fortune**... only for **it to be useless**?

"You can see my cultivation?" she asked Chi Yu.

Chi Yu, seeing Qin Shu's **reaction**, instantly understood—

She must be wearing some **low-grade detection blocker**.

She explained lightly, "A natural talent of the **fire spirit bird clan**."

Qin Shu **finally understood**, but she couldn't help **feeling envious**.

Why did **everyone** have some kind of **innate ability** except her?!

———

By now, most disciples **had boarded the flying vessel**.

Qin Shu and her friends quickly **followed suit**.

Their destination?

A **small world sealed off by the sect's first grandmaster**.

After flying **all morning**, they finally **arrived**.

The **floating mountains stretched endlessly** before them.

Cheng Yan retrieved a **scroll**, casting a **hand seal upon it**—

And suddenly—

The air **rippled** like a **disturbed lake**.

A **giant portal** materialized.

Cheng Yan then turned to the group.

"The trial **gate is open**—"

"**Enter quickly.**"

The disciples exchanged **nervous glances**—

**No one** dared to **go first.**

———

Without hesitation—

**Qin Shu stepped forward.**

**She didn't hesitate.**

Not even for a second.

Treasures were **waiting inside**—

And if someone wasn't eager **to claim them...**

Then that person **must have a problem.**