The Yuan Condensing Pill was originally meant to be consumed before stepping into the Qi Refining Stage. It acts on the whole body’s meridians and dantian, refining the absorbed Spirit Body to make cultivated magical power more condensed, about thirty percent more than that of the same stage.

Of course, its greatest function is not to compete in magical power, but the condensing of magical power determines the quality of the Dao Foundation when establishing the Foundation.

After sending off Long Zhenxiao, Li Jizhou consumed the Yuan Condensing Pill gifted by the Crown Prince.

Having cultivated only for a month, the whole body’s meridians and dantian were not fully formed, but they were reshaped under the effect of the Yuan Condensing Pill.

In the following month, the magical power cultivated by Li Jizhou was forcibly expelled from the dantian and underwent further refinement.

With the Cyan Emperor Creation Skill’s vigorous progress, the magical power was completely condensed within just a day and night.

"Boom!" A burst of condensed magical power formed into a wooden needle that flew from the fingertips, instantly striking a large tree in the courtyard and sending leaves swirling. The magical power needle penetrated the tree three inches deep before stopping.

Even at the Qi Cultivation First Level, such power was five times more formidable than the Evergreen Skill cultivated for a year in the previous life.

Collecting his magical power, Li Jizhou wasted no time taking out the Soul Condensing Needle secret skill gifted by Long Zhenxiao.

The ancestral Ancient Divine Forging Skill of the Long family specializes in the Divine Soul, and the secret soul techniques passed down within the clan are indeed extraordinary. Li Jizhou simulated the whole Soul Condensing Needle several times, eliminating potential hazards and risks based on previous life Golden Core Peak Divine Sense and experience, and marveled repeatedly.

"It seems Long Zhenxiao still held some words back!"

After simulating multiple times, Li Jizhou discovered that the greatest effect of this secret skill might not simply be to condense the Divine Soul before Core Formation with the power of the Primordial Spirit; its impact on the Divine Soul should be much greater after the Primordial Spirit.

Unfortunately, Long Zhenxiao gave Li Jizhou only the technique for condensing the Divine Soul before Core Formation, not for after.

"If faced with the Long family in the future, a supreme treasure to protect the Divine Soul is a must!" Regarding the Dragon Aspect lineage, Li Jizhou grew more cautious.

In the following two days, Li Jizhou focused entirely on the study of the Soul Condensing Secret Skill.

The Soul Condensing Needle is a technique for condensing the Divine Soul, not a cultivation method. Plus, with the previous life’s Golden Core Peak Divine Sense and his practice of the Carefree Palace’s soul-related secret techniques, it’s not unfamiliar.

He grasped the basics on the first day and barely managed to perform a novice version of it by the second day.

Now, Li Jizhou’s magical power at Qi Cultivation First Level is as potent as Qi Cultivation Third Level Divine Sense, and after the Soul Condensing Secret Skill, the density of the spirit threads doubled at the very least.

However, Li Jizhou hasn’t tested precisely how much, as today is the academy examination day, and he must conserve his Divine Sense.

Every year today is an exceptionally lively day for the Jiuli Dynasty.

Geniuses from all parts gather, and people with or without connections flock here. Even if they can’t enter the two top Daoist schools, it is an honor to just witness potential future high-ranking officials and generals.

It’s also considerable capital for bragging later.

At a quarter past the hour, the gates of Jiuli Daoist School opened wide.

The massive White Jade Square was quickly bustling with heads, water-tight, leaving only the central examination area clear.

This tradition allows people to come in and witness the examination ceremony.

"Silence!"

With the long and calm voice of Chongwen Residence’s head on the high stage, the entire scene quieted down like cicadas in winter.

Nominally, Jiuli Saint Emperor Li Yuan is the head of Jiuli Daoist School, but the actual person in charge is the old master of Chongwen Residence.

This individual is extraordinary, being Li Yuan’s former teacher, with only a few in the whole court having such veteran credentials.

Yet, he is eccentric, uninterested in fame, fortune, power, or beauty, merely fond of spirit wine, often intoxicated and absentee-minded.

Only during the annual examination ceremony can one see him sober.

Soon, three hundred examinees entered in orderly fashion.

Li Jizhou and Ninth Prince Li Chaoyang appeared before the crowd, but instead of standing with the examinees below, they walked straight up the platform to pay respects to Chongwen Residence, then each took a high seat beside Chongwen Residence, overlooking both examinees and observers below.

Following the routine declaration of the grand imperial favor by several other heads, a special examiner announced the contents and method of the examination.

The time spent proclaiming the grand imperial favor was rather lengthy.

Li Chaoyang couldn’t help but look at Li Jizhou: "Seventh Brother, Ninth Brother first congratulates Seventh Brother on winning the first place in this examination."

Li Jizhou was slightly stunned: "Ninth Brother, why say such words? With you here, I have no plans to step forward and make a fool of myself!"

Li Chaoyang’s mouth corner showed a smile, aware of the situation.

Today before entering the academy, Consort Rong repeatedly instructed him, making Li Chaoyang feel stifled.

However, for the future spoken of by Consort Rong, he must obey.

Unable to suppress the discomfort in his heart, he spoke up now.

This was to remind Li Jizhou that if he let him win today, it wasn’t because he was inferior!

"Haha, Seventh Brother, you’re too modest. Don’t worry, if I say you will win first place, you definitely will!" Li Chaoyang confidently winked.

Li Jizhou paused slightly, then suddenly understood.

Old Jiu is also offering his good favor?

However, it’s clear that his youthful pride is unwilling.

Without any hesitation, Li Jizhou immediately cupped his hands and respectfully saluted Ninth Prince.

The academy examination process long had dedicated people reporting to the palace.

Both Li Jizhou and Li Chaoyang are already familiar in their hearts.

The first test is the talent barrier; unsurprisingly, Li Chaoyang’s Myriad Thunder Spirit Body takes the lead, welcomed by a chorus of praise.

Shortly after, a small unexpected event occurred—Li Jizhou’s innate Wood Spirit Body didn’t secure second place, but instead, the allegedly damaged source physique Nine-Yang Body Jing Bohang surprisingly ranked second.

As Jing Bohang’s hands pressed onto the Spirit Stone, fourteen out of nineteen tree root-like patterns lit up, only one less than the Ninth Prince’s Myriad Thunder Spirit Body.

When Li Jizhou pressed his hands, only twelve lines lit up.

Then, the ordinary Celestial Spirit Body lit up ten lines.

Earth Spirit Root eight lines...

This forced everyone to sigh again. Jing Bohang, even with a damaged source, is already extraordinarily talented—if the source were intact, it might light up sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen lines?

"Truly the name of the Great Path’s Source Body is well-deserved. Remember the legendary Sacred Body and Divine Body only lit eighteen lines, right?"

"If Jing Bohang’s innate source was not damaged, others might not say, but at least he could rank in the top ten in our Jiuli Dynasty talent history!"

"Regretfully lamentable! Just wait and see if Jing Bohang can receive boundless imperial favor to repair his source after entering Jiuli Daoist School."

...

With the presence of Jing Bohang, Li Jizhou’s Wood Spirit Body received less discussion, and even the Ninth Prince’s Myriad Thunder Spirit Body paled.

This added to the Ninth Prince’s frustration, causing his long-suppressed competitive spirit to stir.

He initially planned to hold back in the third test, but now, his eyes burned with determination.