Qi training level

Recalling this, Li Tan couldn't help but think of "Immortal Master Huapi" recorded on the last page of "Fiend Corpse Condensation Method" in the character section.

Immortal Master Huapi was an extremely cruel Demonic Path powerhouse.

Rumor has it that Immortal Master Huapi barely stepped into the Golden Core rank through an evil method, but his combat power was low among Golden Core Cultivators, and his ranking plummeted.

His weaker cultivation and illicit identity instantly made Immortal Master Huapi an outcast, like a rat being chased down the street.

Embracing the idea of clinging to life, he decided to develop stealthily.

After a long time, coupled with some Opportunity and favorable conditions, Immortal Master Huapi truly had great luck and comprehended a brand new school of Dao!

"Flesh Assimilation Dao!"

As the first person to comprehend this Dao, Immortal Master Huapi named it "Flesh Transformation Dao!"

"One unique skill, conquer the world."

Relying on this method, Immortal Master Huapi's strength greatly increased, and he could retreat unscathed even when defeated in combat.

He even relied on his unpredictable skin-changing techniques to move like a fish in water among various major forces, stealing many true legacy secret treasures.

It was also recorded that Immortal Master Huapi's Physical Body was indestructible; even if only a single drop of blood remained in his body, he could revive! He could also manipulate Qi to invade the enemy's body, causing their Meridians to become chaotic and their Qi unstable.

The "Huapi" method with the lowest cost involved completely peeling off another person's skin! This could unleash the maximum power of this method! It was Immortal Master Huapi's signature move....

The principle was also very easy to understand: human skin tissues are all the same and can be replaced! Unless one enters the Golden Core Realm, truly undergoing a complete transformation and changing one's Physical Body!

As for Immortal Master Huapi, it was rumored that he could even deceive Golden Core powerhouses, though it's unknown what methods he used....

And human skin is all of the same material; below the Golden Core Realm, no matter how many Spirit Pills or miraculous Medicinal Pills you use, it will only make the Physical Body's skin stronger and its quality sublimated, but it will not change its root!

In a hot environment, if one peels off their own skin and the opponent's skin, because of the hot environment, the flesh and blood will not dry up and the epidermis will not stiffen.

Instead, it will be in a sticky state, at which point one only needs to rub the skin warm and put it on, and the flesh and skin will stick together on their own.

And as time passes, the skin and Physical Body will become more compliant.

The Materials needed for Huapi also seemed to be minimal, just a few Medicinal Pills for stopping bleeding, to prevent massive blood loss due to one's own mistakes.

Then there were some Materials for lighting a bonfire, of course, this was also the lowest cost required, only needing a few copper coins to buy.

.........

As for the choice of target, it naturally required careful consideration.

The Grand Elder's lineage was powerful and united; the Grand Elder's lineage had seven descendants, three of whom were similar in age to Li Tan, and each held real power, naturally making them the best choice.

Next were the temporary "shelters" formed by various Elders; although they were allied, each had their own ulterior motives and petty thoughts, merely being forced together due to the pressure from the Grand Elder's lineage.

Of course, these were not secrets within the Family, but everyone tacitly kept quiet about them.

As the saying goes, "Family scandals should not be publicized"; it's enough to know it internally.

After all, knowing is one thing, but publicizing it is another; Li Family Disciples naturally wouldn't be so foolish as to stick their necks out, understanding this most basic principle.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered, killing a chicken to warn the monkeys; they understood this principle.

And the elite Disciples valued by the Elders were also good choices; they also possessed immense power.

Relying on the Elders as their backing, they held a pass token within the Family, being respectfully treated wherever they went.

Therefore, the clues they mastered, or the channels for resources, were also in their hands, and the Elders cultivated them.

They even shielded them from wind and rain, and if they did dirty work, someone would cover for them, equivalent to a death-exemption token!

Regarding the chosen target....

The smoothest option would be to perform Huapi with a direct descendant of the Grand Elder's lineage; their benefits were the highest among all the Disciples.

"The connections and power they control are enough for me to utilize."

Of course, the risk was also the highest, but as the saying goes, "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cub?"

After much deliberation, Li Tan finally decided to choose a direct descendant of the Grand Elder's lineage as his target.

..........

To ensure the plan proceeded smoothly, Li Tan decided to first raise his cultivation to Qi Condensation First Layer, as he had already awakened his Spiritual Root, which was a huge advantage.

The gap between Mortals and Cultivators was an abyss!

After a Cultivator awakens their Spiritual Root, the cost required to Breakthrough to Qi Condensation First Layer is extremely low, only requiring a sufficient amount of Spiritual Qi.

After taking two Origin Qi Medicinal Pills, at this moment, Li Tan felt the sensation of Spiritual Qi entering his body.

Li Tan's internal organs, limbs, and Dantian were now filled with a peculiar power; this power was very volatile, wildly surging through his body.

"This power is Spiritual Qi!"

Under the mobilization of Spiritual Qi, Li Tan clenched his fists, feeling a significant increase in strength, especially his five senses; his eyes became sharper, his nose more sensitive, his ears more acute.....

He could even clearly sense the surrounding life aura; could this be!

A Cultivator's perception range!

Li Tan suppressed his restless emotions and carefully sensed the range of distance.

After a long while, he found that the distance he could perceive reached fifty zhang!

Qi Condensation First Layer!

At this moment, Li Tan officially became a Cultivator, truly shedding his Mortal identity....

...........

Li Shang, Li Shaojie, Li Geliang, their identities in the Grand Elder's lineage were undoubtedly noble; the other Disciples were either suppressed, their Bloodline purity unrecognized, or their age difference was too great.

During this period, Li Tan prepared to fully dedicate himself to exploring the intelligence of these three; any one of them would be an excellent choice.

.........

In a flash, three days passed.

During these three days, Li Tan investigated clues in various parts of Qingfeng City, and he had quite a few Mortal informants arranged.

The "drunkards" in the tavern.

The "addicts" in the casino.

Even the "profligates" in the brothel.

Even in some obscure corners, Li Tan had set up informants.

For these Mortals, the cost was merely some worldly money.

As for how the money was obtained? It was easy; just grab a few Mortals somewhere, and they would obediently drop their money bags on the ground.

As for the whereabouts of those Mortals afterward, one would have to ask Li Tan....

But things did not go as planned; Li Tan found no trace of the three, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Every young Disciple who joins a Sect is an important right-hand man of the Family; in the days leading up to the Sect entry ceremony, the order in Qingfeng City is even more strictly guarded in this environment, it's practically impregnable!

They are completely unafraid of evil demons and ghosts coming to kill and commit evil, and elite Disciples are even protected by Cultivators, so naturally, they don't need to have so many worries.

"As expected of heroes who can emerge from the Grand Elder's lineage; even in this environment, they act with such caution that even I couldn't find any useful information."

It shows how concealed their whereabouts are; every tiny clue must be dealt with cleanly.

"Life is like chess, think three steps ahead."

"Ultimately, it's because I was too arrogant, just because of some experience, I awakened my Spiritual Root first and then looked down on the Li Family Disciples of the same age."

At this point, Li Tan could only settle for the next best thing, focusing his attention on the remaining descendants that the Elders paid close attention to.

In the following two days, Li Tan focused on investigating the whereabouts and frequent locations of those Elder's descendants.

But unfortunately, apart from some neglected profligates, he had no other useful gains.

Li Tan, who had already prepared for the worst, was not affected by these minor setbacks; he decided to first follow those profligate Disciples and see how things unfolded.

While following them, he also bought some charcoal needed for Huapi.

However, these so-called elite Disciples either went drinking or ran around the streets seeking pleasure; they simply couldn't come into contact with Core Disciples of a higher status than themselves.

At this moment, Li Tan suddenly realized, even thinking he was incredibly stupid!

With his current standing in the Li Family, he still placed his hopes on these fools! These profligates simply couldn't come into contact with true "Core Disciples"!

It was even more impossible to achieve a meteoric rise and obtain their intelligence and whereabouts!

As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together."

It was exceptionally easy to come into contact with Disciples of the same level, but for Low Grade Disciples, they naturally showed disdain and contempt; how could those referred to as "Core Disciples" even notice them?

Understanding this principle, just as Li Tan was about to gradually proceed, step by step, and continue tracking that group of profligates at the tavern.

Another unexpected change occurred!

He saw the Second Elder's most beloved grandson!

"Li Yasi!"

Li Yasi's parents had once entered a Secret Realm for cultivation under the Second Elder's arrangement, but a Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast appeared in the Secret Realm, causing Li Yasi's parents to perish at the Yao Beast's claws.

Therefore, the Second Elder, Li Yong, felt extremely guilty, believing that if his estimation hadn't been flawed, Li Yasi's parents wouldn't have fallen.

Li Yasi could have had a happy childhood like a normal Family Disciple.

Perhaps because his conscience bothered him, Li Yong paid even more attention to Li Yasi.

Li Yong spoiled and doted on Li Yasi greatly; even if Li Yasi violated Family rules, he would wave his hand and cover for him.

This made things difficult for Li Tan; he had considered performing Huapi with the descendants of many Elders, but Li Yasi was not in that consideration at all.

Leaving aside Li Yasi's peculiar personality and preferences, what was important was that the Second Elder completely washed his hands of Family affairs.

The Second Elder was completely retired in the Li Family, adopting an attitude of not caring about worldly affairs, either playing with his grandson at home or walking his bird....

Moreover, Li Yasi was a grown man, yet he loved dressing up, wearing skirts, writing notes, and when he was in a leisurely mood, he would even have afternoon tea with a few 'sisters'.....

Li Tan was extremely conflicted; if he wanted to successfully complete the Huapi plan, he had to find a suitable target.

However, facing such a unique existence as Li Yasi, he couldn't help but feel a bit helpless.

Considering that Li Yasi was already the highest-ranking Disciple he had come into contact with, there seemed to be no better choice than Li Yasi.

"Besides, I've already wasted a few days. If I delay... I'm afraid another unforeseen change might occur."

Li Tan quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind and soon made up his decision.

"Unforeseen events can happen anytime, and fortune and misfortune can strike at any moment."

Since it was an Opportunity, he naturally had to seize it! However, before that, he needed to observe Li Yasi for two days.

Although Li Yasi himself was a Mortal, there was no guarantee that his doting Elder, Li Yong, wouldn't give him something for self-preservation or an offensive killing weapon.

For these two days, Li Tan would arrive early at the vicinity, disguised.

After inquiring, Li Yasi had a Qi Condensation Fourth Layer guard by his side!

Even the maidservant by his side was at Qi Condensation First Layer!

This completely overturned Li Tan's understanding; he could only say: "The foundation of a wealthy Family Disciple is beyond his imagination."

Facing such a lineup, Li Tan felt that if he followed, he might accidentally be discovered; if he had a Cultivation Technique for concealing his whereabouts, things would be much easier.

However, such a Cultivation Technique would require at least tens of thousands of Low-Grade Spirit Stones, which was far beyond what Li Tan could covet at the moment.