Seeing Qi Yuan’s “I’ve learned my lesson” demeanor, Daoist Hengzhen did not continue lecturing. Instead, he shifted the topic and spoke slowly.
“This world is vast, and its cultivators as countless as grains of sand. Yet fewer than one in ten thousand can form a Nascent Soul. Countless geniuses fail at this barrier, left with nothing but regret.”
“You formed a top-grade Golden Core, so breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage shouldn’t be a major problem. However, Nascent Souls themselves are divided into grades, and the differences between them are as vast as heaven and earth.”
“According to the sacred texts of our sanctuary, a cultivator’s Nascent Soul is categorized into five grades: the Dead-end Nascent Soul, the Purple Mansion Nascent Soul, the High Purity Nascent Soul, the Divine Splendor Nascent Soul, and the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, which exists only in legend.”
“The lowest grade, the Dead-end Nascent Soul, has impure and chaotic spiritual power. Those who form this type have reached a dead end in their path; there is simply no possibility for further advancement. Hence it is called ‘Dead-end’.”
“The Purple Mansion Nascent Soul is slightly better. Those who form it have roughly a twenty percent chance of advancing to the Soul Formation stage. The High Purity Nascent Soul is superior to the Purple Mansion grade. Those who possess it have hope on the immortal path, with a fifty percent chance of reaching Soul Formation.”
Daoist Hengzhen paused briefly before continuing.
“I formed the next grade up: a Divine Splendor Nascent Soul. Those who form one have at least an eighty percent chance of reaching Soul Formation, with boundless prospects beyond.”
“As for the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul… only a handful have appeared throughout history, all formed by people blessed by destiny. I have never seen one in this age.”
“Your Eldest Senior Brother, Lu Changfeng, possessed talent even greater than mine. Yet, he became infatuated with romantic love, allowing inner demons to take advantage. In the end, he barely managed to form a High Purity Nascent Soul, ultimately falling short.”
At this point, Daoist Hengzhen gave Qi Yuan a meaningful glance.
“You must learn from this lesson and take it as a warning.”
“This time, I overruled dissenting opinions to have you assume the position of Holy Scion before your Nascent Soul breakthrough precisely so you could eliminate distractions, solidify your Dao heart, and step into the Nascent Soul realm with an indomitable and fiercely advancing spirit.”
“Apart from you, the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary’s Holy Scion who has yet to form a Nascent Soul, the Holy Scions and Holy Maidens of the other sanctuaries have all formed Divine Splendor Nascent Souls…”
Hearing these words laced with admonishment, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but feel a jolt of alertness and nodded in acknowledgment.
“Yes, Master. I will remember.”
His Master’s meaning was already very clear. As the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, if he couldn’t condense a Divine Splendor Nascent Soul, his position likely wouldn’t be very secure.
The path to immortality has always been about survival of the fittest.
Qi Yuan achieved his current status by defeating one exceptionally talented competitor after another.
As Holy Scion, he faced both open and concealed challenges from the sanctuary’s many gifted disciples. He also had to pit himself against the Holy Scions and Holy Maidens of the other sanctuaries, testing their strength and debating the Dao.
At this moment, Daoist Hengzhen seemed to remember his original purpose for summoning Qi Yuan and immediately gave a light cough.
“Qi Yuan, I have gained some insight into the Great Dao over the past few days. I will soon enter seclusion for a time.”
“I summoned you here originally intending for you to follow Hall Master Xu to learn how to manage sect affairs. However, since your Nascent Soul breakthrough is imminent, it’s better for you to focus on cultivation. Let’s set this matter aside for now.”
What luck!
Hearing this, Qi Yuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Being sent to learn the ropes at the Internal Affairs Hall now would be a real nuisance. Its endless business would probably leave him no chance to complete his current system mission.
A post at the Internal Affairs Hall brought rank and influence, but to Qi Yuan it was a quagmire. Success would earn him little credit; the slightest mistake would invite criticism. All that effort, with nothing to show for it.
The Supreme Mystery Sanctuary’s rules were strict. As the newly appointed Holy Scion, he was under intense scrutiny; countless people were dissatisfied in their hearts, just waiting for him to make a mistake.
Thinking of this, he quickly said:
“I would like to travel for a while, Master, to contemplate the Heavenly Dao, temper myself, and seek an opportunity to form my Nascent Soul. May I have your permission?”
“Hmm?”
Daoist Hengzhen first frowned slightly but then relaxed his expression and said calmly, “Very well. Shutting oneself away can rarely lead to great achievement. It’s fine for you to go out and walk around.”
“While traveling outside, exercise utmost caution in all matters. If you encounter danger you cannot overcome, do not stubbornly insist on victory; retreat promptly and leave it for senior members of our sect to handle later. Understand?” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“I will heed your advice, Master.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan was overjoyed.
With his Master’s words like a shield behind him, not only could he freely leave to complete system tasks, but he could also legitimately call upon help from the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary when encountering powerful enemies.
In the cultivation world, besides one’s own cultivation level, background often mattered greatly.
Fortunately, his background was quite formidable…
…
Over ten days later.
Eastern Divine Domain.
Outside Reed River City lay Canglan Mountain, stretching for a thousand li. Its towering peaks abounded in birds, beasts, wild delicacies, and medicinal herbs, supporting countless hunters and herb gatherers.
At this moment, outside a secluded valley deep within Canglan Mountain, crowds surged, gathering several hundred youths—boys and girls alike.
These youths wore varied clothing, their family backgrounds vastly different. Some wore tattered clothes, appearing poor, while others wore fine silks, clearly pampered. All wore expressions of excitement, looking eagerly toward the valley entrance, anticipation clear on their faces.
“Isn’t Falling Cloud Valley supposed to recruit disciples? Why is there no movement yet?”
“The dry rations I brought are almost finished. If it doesn’t start soon, I might go hungry.”
A short youth wearing gray cloth couldn’t help complaining.
Beside him, a dark-skinned youth also sighed, wearing a worried frown.
“They say Falling Cloud Valley’s tests are extremely strict. Each time eliminates over ninety percent. Those who remain start as Servant Disciples, not even Outer Sect Disciples. Wonder if I can persist till the end…”
While the two conversed, a richly dressed, plump youth cast a disdainful glance at them, his tone full of contempt.
“Then get lost if you cannot handle it. You penniless lowlifes have no business cultivating in the first place. You will be eliminated anyway, so have some sense and leave before I have to look at you any longer.”
“You…”
The gray-clothed youth flushed with anger and wanted to argue, but wary of the burly servants behind the plump youth, he dared not act out. He finally snorted and turned away.
The dark-faced youth, however, looked indignant and angrily said:
“Wang Luchuan, I know your family is prominent. But cultivation relies on spiritual root talent. Who is superior is not yet certain. Why look down on us!”
Hearing himself named, Wang Luchuan, the plump youth, was not angered. Instead, he chuckled and beckoned to a delicate, pretty girl not far away.
“Liu Yingying, tell Lin Zhen: which of us has better aptitude—me, or those two?”
The delicate girl trembled, her expression conflicted. She bit her thin lip, finally lowered her head, and softly answered:
“Brother Wang already had an immortal master test him before coming. He possesses wood and water dual spiritual roots. He can be called a rare cultivation genius, one in ten thousand.”
Upon hearing this, the crowd surrounding the youths erupted in exclamations.
Dual spiritual roots!
Among mortals, such aptitude was exceptionally rare, with a brilliant future all but assured.
If Liu Yingying’s words were true, Wang Luchuan would not only easily join Falling Cloud Valley but also receive great attention, cultivated as a future Legacy Disciple.
Under the crowd’s envious and reverent gazes, Wang Luchuan directly stepped over, pulled Liu Yingying into his embrace, proudly puffed his chest, and said arrogantly:
“Trash. I’m not afraid to tell you: This childhood sweetheart fiancée of yours is now my woman. From now on, you better stay far away. Otherwise, I’ll break your legs.” Find the original chapter at novelping dot com.
The girl, Liu Yingying, struggled twice but couldn’t break free. She could only bury her face in shame within Wang Luchuan’s embrace.
“Yingying… is he telling the truth?”
Seeing the girl didn’t deny it for a long time, Lin Zhen’s face showed a complex mix of heartache, grief, and indignation. He clenched his fists, his whole body trembling, eyes almost spitting fire.
He and Liu Yingying were childhood sweethearts, betrothed since they were young. Both families had long had an understanding and waited for the two to become adults to marry.
Now, seeing his beloved throw herself into another’s arms, the impact on him was immense.
Liu Yingying raised her head, her gaze flashing with resolve.
“Lin Zhen, I have already pledged myself to Brother Wang. Our engagement is canceled. From now on, please don’t pester me.”
“So that’s how it is…”
Lin Zhen stood stunned for a moment. Later, he suddenly gave a bitter smile and slowly stepped back.
Distraught, he turned and started to walk away, apparently intending to give up on the entrance assessment.
Seeing this, Wang Luchuan laughed triumphantly, then said meaningfully:
“Lin Zhen was born lowly and unlucky. If he wanders into these mountains alone, some demonic beast might carry him off. Should he end up a wandering ghost, he can hardly blame me.”
“Young Master is right. I think this brat won’t last many days.”
The servants behind him immediately understood and grinned ferociously, watching the direction Lin Zhen left.
Seeming to realize something, Liu Yingying’s face turned pale. She wanted to plead, but a glare from Wang Luchuan silenced her.
In a secluded corner of the crowd, Qi Yuan watched this splendid drama with keen interest, his heart utterly calm.
Qi Yuan had changed his appearance before coming to conceal his identity. His face was now so unremarkable that he could disappear into any crowd.
Thus, compared to other assessment candidates, besides appearing slightly older in age, there was nothing noteworthy to attract attention.
The boy named Lin Zhen was in a miserable situation; his life might even be in danger. But it was still a private grievance. What did it have to do with Qi Yuan, a bystander who knew none of them?
Before completing his task, Qi Yuan didn’t want anything to complicate matters.
Besides, with so many gathered outside the mountain gate, Falling Cloud Valley would surely monitor strictly. Everything happening here wouldn’t escape the cultivators’ notice. Since the hosts chose not to intervene, there was no need to meddle in others’ business and bring unnecessary trouble to himself.
Just then, the task system interface suddenly appeared before Qi Yuan’s eyes:
【Encountered special event; hidden side quest activated: Child of Destiny Lin Zhen is currently at the lowest point of his life. Host can choose to step forward and rescue him from peril.】
【Quest Difficulty: Two stars (Simple)】
【Quest Objective: Rescue Child of Destiny Lin Zhen from a group of thuggish servants and form a favorable connection with the future Child of Destiny.】
【Quest Reward: 50 Reversal Points; 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Gain a certain amount of destiny growth.】
【Note: This side quest can be abandoned. Failure incurs no penalty.】
Destiny growth?
Qi Yuan’s eyes lit up.
This kind of good thing… only a fool would pass it up!