Refiners could use sect materials for research free of charge, though each annual allotment was limited. First-rank refiners received materials worth ten points, second-rank refiners one hundred, third-rank refiners one thousand, and fourth-rank refiners ten thousand.
The allotment would help them practice their craft, though they would still have to work hard rather than rely entirely on the sect.
Senior refiners received greater benefits but also had responsibilities. Each year they had to complete a set number of tasks issued by the sect. They could finish several years’ tasks at once or defer some work. The disciples found the arrangement reasonable; generous benefits justified a share of the sect’s work.
Soon everyone in the sect was talking about the Refining Hall.
At a training ground, several disciples rested after practicing. “The Sect Master has offered such good benefits that I want to join,” one said. “Too bad I know nothing about refining.”
“I feel the same,” another replied. “I know alchemy instead. If the Alchemy Hall offered benefits like that, I could finally use my skills.”
“I wish I had learned refining rather than alchemy,” said a third.
“Do you think the Sect Master might support the Alchemy Hall next?” another young cultivator asked.
“Perhaps. Both halls belong to the Miscellaneous Arts Hall. Why support only one?” someone replied.
“I doubt it,” a young man said with a laugh. “The Refining Hall alone will cost the sect a great deal. Can Qingyun afford the Alchemy Hall as well? I have heard that our resource consumption in the past six months has risen dozens of times over, and the stores are nearly empty.” This chapter is updated first at novelping dot com.
The others stared at him. “Where did you hear that? We are a first-rate sect. How could our stores be empty?”
“It must be a false rumor,” another said. None of them believed him, though they wondered whether such a shortage, if real, would limit support to the Refining Hall.
“Whatever happens, I will support the Sect Master. He changed my life,” one disciple said firmly.
“Me too. We used to do the hardest work for the fewest resources and suffered bullying besides. Now we stand as equals with the talented disciples. Sun Yi gave us that. I would fight anyone who maligned him.”
“So would I!” the others agreed, their faces full of admiration.
A streak of light arrived, and a young cultivator landed beside them in a hurry.
“Senior Brother Zhang, what happened?” they asked.
“Big news! The Alchemy Hall has posted an announcement too. The sect will support its development, with benefits no worse than the Refining Hall’s.”
“Really? I have to see it!” The disciple who had regretted studying alchemy jumped up. The others who practiced it followed him to the Alchemy Hall.
Hundreds of cultivators were already gathered around the noticeboard in the square. More kept arriving, and excited cries rose from the crowd.
“Good thing I studied alchemy as well as cultivated,” said another.
“Now I do not need to switch to refining. I can join the Alchemy Hall!”
“We all have a fair chance. I will always support the Sect Master!”
“I hear the Formation Hall and Talisman Hall have posted similar announcements,” someone added. “The Miscellaneous Arts Hall is changing at last.”
“I took up alchemy because my talent was poor and I lacked cultivation resources,” another disciple said. “Now I am glad I did.”
Announcements had appeared at the Alchemy, Talisman, and Formation Halls as well as the Refining Hall. Many Qingyun disciples practiced one of the miscellaneous arts on the side, though few had reached a high level. They no longer needed to abandon their own arts for refining. The sect’s wider support delighted them, and Sun Yi’s standing rose again.
Sun Yi remained in his cultivation room at the Scripture Library. With the hall arrangements made for now, he studied the jade slip containing the Split Spirit Technique.
It described the technique’s effects, dangers, requirements, and method. Only cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage could practice it, and lower cultivation improved the chances of success. Still, the stated success rate of one percent seemed almost suicidal.
Despite the risk, Sun Yi resolved to master it. The art was powerful enough to deserve its forbidden status. The slip added that low-level cultivators born with strong souls had better odds, though the exact increase depended on the strength of the soul.
He would have to find a way to strengthen his own soul. First, however, he needed to finish the new detector.