The Elder

Su Tong looked at a drop of red liquid in his palm.

"Is this the essence that remains after refining the Uncommon Flame Orchid?"

Since the ancient gods' language was so powerful,

Su Tong didn't dwell on it anymore.

At this time, he was even more interested in the drop of red liquid in his palm.

"With just this one drop, it can increase the strength of the Refining Realm by one level?"

Su Tong curiously poked the drop of red liquid.

He didn't feel anything.

"Let's try it!"

After hesitating for a moment, Su Tong directly swallowed the drop of red liquid.

Boom!

The moment Su Tong swallowed it, his ears rang for an instant. Then he felt a warm, surging, tidal energy spreading through his body, like water.

This energy was countless times more concentrated than spiritual energy.

Yet it wasn't overbearing at all. As someone in the Refining Realm, he could just bear it.

"It seems this stuff is very easy to absorb. No need for further purification, it's pure energy."

Su Tong thought to himself.

This energy was very warm. Su Tong even felt his whole body enveloped in warmth.

It was very comfortable, making Su Tong feel like he was soaking in a hot spring.

"Cultivation would be so nice if it always felt this comfortable!"

That was Su Tong's thought.

Of course, absorbing spiritual energy wasn't painful either, just not as pleasurable.

As expected, using spiritual herbs to increase strength was the best method.

Not only were they extremely pure, they also had no side effects.

Of course, not just any spiritual herb could be used.

Some unsuitable ones, if you couldn't refine the tremendous energy in them, could make you explode and die.

But this Uncommon Flame Orchid was perfect for the Refining Realm, so Su Tong was able to have such a comfortable experience.

After cultivating for about an hour,

Su Tong had completely absorbed the spiritual liquid refined from the Uncommon Flame Orchid.

At this time, as expected, Su Tong's cultivation level had reached the second level of the Refining Realm.

"Is cultivation really this simple?"

Su Tong smiled.

If others heard these words, they'd probably vomit blood from anger.

Because for them to reach the Refining Realm, none had taken less than a year.

The difference was like heaven and earth.

Sensing the power in his body, Su Tong became even more obsessed with power.

"My current cultivation level is still too low. I wonder if there are more spiritual herbs around here!"

At this time, Su Tong also had some expectations.

If there were lots of spiritual herbs, increasing his strength would be even simpler.

But Su Tong didn't know about the growth and distribution of spiritual herbs.

"Has Elder Su Tong returned?"

Just then, Su Tong heard a voice outside.

It was none other than Shi Lei.

Su Tong was curious. He had only been back for a few days, how did he find him so quickly?

Still, he went downstairs to see.

"I'm here, what's the matter?"

Su Tong walked out of his residence and looked at Shi Lei, asking.

"Elder Su, good thing you're here!"

Seeing Su Tong, Shi Lei also seemed a bit excited.

It looked like something was really going on.

Su Tong just looked at Shi Lei without asking more.

Shi Lei then spoke, "The Sect Master is looking for Elder Su. She asked me to come find you!"

"The Sect Master?"

Su Tong was surprised the Sect Master was looking for him.

"Yes, after Elder Su Tong returned, the Sect Master said you must go see her!"

Shi Lei nodded in reply.

"Alright, I'll go now. Where is the Sect Master right now?"

Although he didn't know what it was about, he still had to go see the Sect Master.

"In the Council Hall!"

Shi Lei quickly answered.

Su Tong nodded, then headed straight for the Council Hall.

In the past few days, he had become familiar with this Crimson Gang Sect.

Soon, he arrived at the Council Hall.

After a disciple announced him, Su Tong went in.

"Sect Master, the elders are here too!"

Su Tong saw that not only was Luo Zi Yin in the Council Hall, but the Grand Elder and several other influential elders were also present.

"Elder Su Tong, perfect timing, I was just looking for you... your strength?"

Luo Zi Yin had just started speaking when she suddenly froze.

Because at this moment she noticed Su Tong's cultivation level.

"Refining Realm?"

The Grand Elder also exclaimed in shock.

At this time he could sense that Su Tong's strength was at the Refining Realm.

Since Su Tong hadn't attacked, he didn't know which level.

But it was definitely the true Refining Realm.

"The Grand Elder has sharp eyes!"

Su Tong smiled.

This was indirectly admitting that he was now in the Refining Realm.

"This... hasn't Elder Su Tong been at Crimson Gang for less than half a month?"

One elder said.

Su Tong remembered this elder's name was Lu Zhuo.

"Reached Refining Realm in half a month? Elder Su Tong's perception is truly exceptional!"

Another elder also shook his head helplessly.

People really couldn't compare to others, it was infuriating.

Back in her day, it had taken her a year and three months to reach the Refining Realm, and about another year to reach the Tempering Realm, so almost two and a half years total.

But now, Su Tong had surpassed the Tempering Realm and entered the Refining Realm in just half a month.

The difference was like heaven and earth.

"It seems the elders won't have any objections to this matter then?"

Luo Zi Yin now looked towards those elders with a faint smile.

Su Tong still didn't know what they were discussing.

But it looked related to him.

"No objections!"

"Elder Su Tong is qualified for this position!"

"Right, no problem!"

The elders all voiced their approval.

Su Tong was still very curious what they were talking about.

"Haha, Elder Su Tong, do you know about the new disciple trials?"

Luo Zi Yin now asked him a question.

"I don't know!"

Su Tong answered almost immediately.

He really didn't know.

Luo Zi Yin: "..."

"Ehem, every year new disciples join Crimson Gang, and disciples from the previous year must undergo a trial to test their achievements over the past year. If they do well, they continue to be cultivated, if not, most will be expelled."

The Third Elder cleared his throat and explained to Su Tong.

"There's this too?"

Su Tong had thought that once you joined Crimson Gang, you could stay.

"Of course, if you want to stay without passing the trial, that's possible too. But you'd have to contribute to the sect in some way. Many of those attendants, cleaners, and guards are disciples who failed the trial!"

The Third Elder supplemented.

"Then...what does this have to do with me? I don't have to participate too, right?"

Su Tong was confused, this didn't seem related to him!

Could it be he had to go on the trial with those disciples too?

"Yes, precisely. The Sect Master wants Elder Su Tong to go too!"

The Third Elder nodded.

"Ah?"

Something so humiliating? Take the trial with the disciples?

"Of course, Elder Su Tong would be going as an accompanying elder, not to take the trial. The Sect Master's intention is for Elder Su Tong to become familiar with the surrounding terrain, environment, and the sect. We were worried Elder Su Tong's strength wasn't enough before, but seeing it today, Elder Su Tong can go!"

The Third Elder reiterated the Sect Master Luo Zi Yin's intention.

Accompanying elder?

So it wasn't to take the trial together?