Qin Shu's thoughts **drifted back** to the bustling food stalls near her high school.

On graduation day, she and her classmates had eaten **endless skewers of grilled meat** and even ordered two bottles of beer.

They were **both happy and sad**, promising to meet up again in the future—

But that day **turned out to be their final farewell.**

With a sigh, Qin Shu felt a wave of **melancholy** wash over her.

Unexpectedly, a **stern voice** suddenly rang in her ears—

"**No drinking.**"

Startled, Qin Shu **instinctively looked up** at Cheng Yan.

He stood with his **hands clasped behind his back**, his expression **solemn and serious**.

"A child like you," he said, **his voice heavy with disapproval**, "still dares to speak of drinking? If Master finds out, you'll be **punished to sweep the entire mountain path.**"

Qin Shu felt **something odd** about his words.

Seeing her lower her head, Cheng Yan assumed she had **listened obediently** and changed the topic—

"You mentioned something called 'small barbecue'—what is that?"

Qin Shu was **shocked**.

He **doesn't even know what barbecue is?!**

She **raised a thumb** at him, her face full of admiration—

"Senior Brother is truly a **transcendent immortal untouched by worldly desires!**"

Cheng Yan's **eyebrows furrowed**.

"That," he said slowly, "does not sound like a compliment."

Qin Shu **grinned mischievously**.

"**So... are we still going to have barbecue?**"

"Of course."

Cheng Yan had **no need for food**, but Qin Shu's mention of it had piqued his curiosity.

Qin Shu **stood up**, carefully **returning the book** she had taken—

Only then did Cheng Yan finally **catch a glimpse of the title.**

**《On the Possibility of Transplanting a Beast's Strongest Traits into Humans》**

Cheng Yan: **"???"**

Cultivation methods **could be diverse**, but they **must not be crooked.**

Worried that **Qin Shu was too young** and might stray onto the wrong path, he **took the opportunity to warn her**.

"**Qin Shu.**"

Hearing the **serious tone**, Qin Shu **immediately stiffened**.

Facing his **stern, authoritative expression**, she had a strange thought—

**This man could totally be a school principal.**

"Did I... put the book back in the wrong place?" she asked **nervously**.

Cheng Yan frowned slightly but shook his head.

Seeing her **pat her chest in relief**, he continued—

"You may read, but **do not touch these kinds of books in the future.**"

"There are **no shortcuts** in the path of cultivation. You must **advance step by step** with diligence—"

Qin Shu **zoned out** halfway through.

It wasn't like she wanted to **transplant beast traits into herself**—

She just wanted to **figure out how to remove the beast core from her body**... **that's all...**

"**Did you understand?**" Cheng Yan's voice pulled her back to reality.

Seeing how he could **lecture so passionately**, Qin Shu **didn't dare protest**—

She quickly **nodded**.

"**Understood!**"

Only then did Cheng Yan lead her out of the **Scripture Pavilion** and summon his **flying sword**.

"Come on," he gestured.

Qin Shu, however, immediately **shook her head in refusal**.

Recalling a **rather unpleasant** past experience with flying swords, she quickly said—

"Senior Brother, **you go ahead. I'll follow.**"

Without waiting for a reply, she swiftly **summoned her green leaf**.

After all, she **worked for sixty years to get this thing**—

It would be **a waste not to use it!**

Cheng Yan **glanced back** at her struggling along at a snail's pace.

Fortunately, **Dan Sect's territory wasn't too vast**—

Otherwise, she'd end up **eating dinner as midnight supper.**

———

Upon landing, Qin Shu noticed that **Wen Chi was also there.**

Seeing her and Cheng Yan arrive **together**, Wen Chi's expression **turned puzzled**.

"Why are you two together?"

"I asked Senior Brother to help me sign up for the trials, so I'm treating him to barbecue," Qin Shu explained.

Wen Chi's **nose wrinkled slightly**.

"Why would you eat that? It's **fishy and disgusting**."

Qin Shu was **confused**.

"How could **barbecue** possibly taste bad?"

Then, she suddenly **remembered** something.

"Oh, right—Senior Brother, why are you here?"

Wen Chi's **expression darkened** instantly.

"Why else?!"

"Your **transmission jade slip** was unreachable, and it's been **an entire month**—"

"Not a **single pill** has been refined for the tasks you agreed to!"

"I had to **see for myself** what exactly my little junior sister has been busy with!"

Qin Shu **cleared her throat guiltily**.

"I was... reading in the Scripture Pavilion."

As she spoke, she **secretly shot Cheng Yan a look**, silently pleading—

**Don't say anything!**

Luckily, Cheng Yan **stayed silent**.

Wen Chi, however, was even **more surprised**.

"Reading?" He raised a brow.

"If you wanted to learn something, why not just **ask me directly**?"

Qin Shu **blinked in surprise**.

She was **so used to relying on herself**, she had **never considered** simply asking her senior brothers.

Her **eyes lit up**.

She looked at Wen Chi, then at Cheng Yan.

"Tell me," she said hesitantly, "is it possible—just hypothetically—"

"That a human who **swallowed** a beast's core... could actually **absorb and use its spiritual power**?"

The moment she finished speaking—

**WHACK!**

Wen Chi **whacked her on the head** with his folding fan, his tone **harsh**—

"**What nonsense is that?!**"

"**Cultivation requires diligence—there are no shortcuts!**"

Qin Shu **clutched her head**.

He **really didn't hold back**!

She could **already feel a bump forming**.

**Tearfully**, she looked at him in protest—

"**I'm not taking shortcuts!**"

"I was just... just..."

She stammered, unable to find the right words.

There was **no way** she could tell them she had **swallowed a snake's core**.

Feeling **completely misunderstood**, she muttered under her breath—

"I was just curious..."

"**Curiosity is no excuse!**" Wen Chi **snapped**.

It was rare to see him **this strict**, even Cheng Yan was **slightly surprised**.

Qin Shu **pouted in frustration**.

"Fine, fine! But—"

"**Is it truly impossible?**"

Before Wen Chi could scold her again—

A calm, deep voice answered instead.

"**It is impossible.**"

Qin Shu turned to Cheng Yan, who continued—

"**Beast cores are too violent in nature.**"

"Even if one suppresses its energy, the residual aggression **remains**."

"As cultivation increases, this energy accumulates—**eventually triggering inner demons.**"

"Once it erupts, **almost no one survives.**"

Qin Shu's **eyes widened in shock**.

Wen Chi **crossed his arms** and added—

"**Every possible shortcut has already been explored over countless years.**"

"Those who tried **paid the price with their lives.**"

"Your little tricks won't get you anywhere—better **discard them now.**"

Qin Shu couldn't **explain** her situation—

But she was **certain** of one thing.

Her two senior brothers were **being strict for her own good.**