Though Yun Man had agreed to join him, she had not yet formally become his disciple, so the system had sent no notification. Qin Xiao brought her straight back to Seven Stars Peak.
Upon arriving at Seven Stars Peak and seeing only a dilapidated courtyard standing at the peak, Yun Man began to harbor some doubts about whether her decision was right or wrong.
“I know what worries you. Rest assured: once you become my disciple, I’ll give you everything I promised.”
Seeing the trace of disappointment in Yun Man’s eyes, Qin Xiao quickly spoke up.
“Many thanks, Master; this disciple understands.”
Realizing she had lost her composure, Yun Man quickly collected her expression and promptly replied.
“I’m the only one on Seven Stars Peak, so if you join us, you’ll have to take me as your master. Once the ceremony is done, I won’t let you down.”
Eager to find out what new supplies would be unlocked, Qin Xiao continued with his bluff.
“I mean no offense, Master. There’s plenty of spiritual qi on Seven Stars Peak, but it has only this courtyard. Can you really afford what you promised?”
After entering the courtyard and taking in its ordinary and dilapidated appearance, try as she might to trust Qin Xiao, Yun Man simply could not see what within these walls could possibly aid her cultivation.
“I know you still have doubts. Take me as your master for now. If you haven’t received everything I promised in a month, you’re free to join another peak. I won’t stop you. Wasn’t my welcoming gift enough to show my sincerity?”
To say nothing of Yun Man’s disbelief, if he had not activated the System, even he would not have believed it. Qin Xiao had no choice but to keep up the bluff.
Though he called it a bluff, it was also a stalling tactic. With the Infinite Resource System producing one Spirit Stone every second, he would accumulate over two million Spirit Stones in a month, easily fulfilling the conditions he had promised Yun Man. Yet producing it all at once right now was entirely unrealistic.
“With Master’s words, this disciple has no more worries.”
Seeing Qin Xiao give such an assurance-and considering that the initial gift he bestowed had indeed been remarkably generous-Yun Man figured someone capable of such a gift had no reason to deceive her.
“If you have no more questions, let’s perform the ceremony. Then we’ll discuss what comes next.”
Seeing that Yun Man had been taken in, Qin Xiao promptly brought up the ceremony.
Raising no objections, the two entered the main hall in the middle of the courtyard. The interior was completely empty save for a wooden table, with only a portrait of the Seventh Elder hanging on the high wall.
Though he was a nominal master who had not yet taught him anything, Qin Xiao still offered incense to him every day. After all, it was under the Seventh Elder’s protection that he had managed to secure a foothold in the Tianyuan Sect.
“Honored Master, I, Yun Man, wish to become your disciple today. Please accept me.”
Seeing tea on the wooden table, Yun Man poured a cup, knelt on one knee, and raised it toward Qin Xiao in the apprenticeship ceremony.
“Good. I accept. From now on, you’re the senior-most disciple of Seven Stars Peak.”
Taking the cup, Qin Xiao drained it in a single gulp and smiled happily.
“Congratulations to the Host for accepting the first disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root or above. Unlocked new supply: Spirit Spring. The Spirit Spring produces one drop of Spirit Liquid per minute. Successfully unlocked new supply: Spirit Stones increased to two per second.”
“Due to the successful acceptance of a disciple, the Body Refinement System has been unlocked. Host, please check the details yourself.”
Two consecutive System notifications rang in Qin Xiao’s mind immediately following the successful discipleship.
“Master, what is it?”
Seeing Qin Xiao fall into a daze, Yun Man asked in puzzlement.
“Nothing. Pick a room and settle in. I have something else to attend to. Once I’m done, I’ll come and discuss things with you.”
Leaving behind those words, Qin Xiao hurried back to his own room, eager to examine the changes in the System.
Back in his quarters, Qin Xiao wasted no time opening the System interface.
The system panel now had a Spirit Spring icon alongside the spirit stones. It showed two spirit stones produced per second, and one drop of Spirit Liquid per minute.
Qin Xiao had heard of Spirit Liquid. Condensed from pure spiritual qi, it was said to be gentle, free of side effects, and ideal for cultivation breakthroughs. Each drop cost at least a thousand spirit stones, but even at that price it was hard to find. Usually only a little appeared at auctions.
He was thoroughly satisfied with the newly unlocked supply, but he was even more curious about the Body Refinement System.
As a transmigrator from another world, he had never been able to adapt to the cultivation system of this realm, which was precisely why he remained a mere mortal after three years. Otherwise, even the most mediocre talent should have reached the Qi Refining stage simply by lying down every day in the dense Spiritual Qi of Seven Stars Peak.
Qin Xiao had tried numerous methods before finally giving up. There was truly nothing more agonizing than living in a world of cultivation and being unable to cultivate.
“The Body Refinement System is tailored specifically for the Host. Because the Host originates from another world and cannot cultivate, this new system has been added. Body Refinement is divided into three stages; currently, only the first stage is unlocked.”
“The first stage has ten layers. First layer: Strength Capable of Shattering Stone, Copper Skin and Iron Bones. Second layer: Firm as Bedrock, Unharmed by Mortal Objects. Third layer: breaking mountains with pure force, an indestructible body. The fourth layer requires the Host to reach the second layer to unlock.”
After reading the description, Qin Xiao was so excited he nearly jumped for joy. Coming to the cultivation world and being unable to cultivate had always been his greatest regret; now, the addition of Body Refinement finally offered a way to overcome it.
“I wonder how this Body Refinement compares to actual cultivation, but judging by the description, it is remarkably formidable.”
Qin Xiao was pleased. Better still, Spirit Liquid could be used for body refinement too. Perfect!
Meanwhile, Great Elder Yao Tiansheng had returned to Immortal Sword Peak with a grim expression.
“Master, what has happened?”
Seeing the deeply troubled look on her master’s face, Immortal Sword Peak’s Holy Maiden Liu Xueyue stepped forward to inquire.
“It is nothing, Xueyue. How has your cultivation been progressing lately? Are there any signs of breaking through to the Golden Core stage?”
Noticing it was Liu Xueyue, Yao Tiansheng’s expression instantly softened considerably as he asked with concern.
Liu Xueyue was the Holy Maiden of Immortal Sword Peak. While lacking a Heavenly Spirit Root, she possessed a Top Earthly Spirit Root, which fell little short of a Heavenly Spirit Root. As one of Yao Tiansheng’s personal disciples, her cultivation had already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.
“Master, that’s the good news I came to tell you! I can already feel a breakthrough coming. I plan to enter seclusion for a month. By the end of it, I’ll definitely have broken through.”
Liu Xueyue said happily. The senior brothers who had entered the sect before her were still lingering in the Foundation Establishment stage; having joined only three years ago, she was already on the verge of reaching the Golden Core stage, which naturally delighted her.
“Haha, excellent, excellent! Xueyue, you truly have not disappointed me. I will bestow upon you some pills now. Cultivate in peace during your seclusion, and when the Sect Competition arrives a month from now, show everyone that your talent is not inferior in the slightest to a Heavenly Spirit Root.”
All Yao Tiansheng’s irritation vanished. His own disciple was no less talented than someone with a Heavenly Spirit Root. He planned to take Yun Man as his disciple after the Sect Competition. Then no other peak in the Tianyuan Sect would have a chance to rise: Immortal Sword Peak would overshadow them all.
“Many thanks, Master. This disciple will not fail your expectations.”
Accepting the pills, Liu Xueyue departed with a beaming smile.
“Qin Xiao, I’ll let you carry on for one more month.”
Once Liu Xueyue left, Yao Tiansheng’s expression shifted once again, a trace of ruthlessness flashing through his eyes.
The other peaks were much the same; everyone was busy arranging for their talented disciples to cultivate or enter seclusion in preparation for the upcoming Sect Competition a month later.