Perhaps some might find it strange that the deacons would personally come to distribute resources. Was it not a waste of time?
In such a massive Sect, since this rule existed, there was naturally a reason for it.
Long ago, the outer sect disciples of Luoyang Sect indeed went to the Merit Hall to collect their cultivation resources themselves.
However, this gave the deacons room to collude and embezzle the disciples’ Spirit Stones, causing a vile impact. Ultimately, the Sect Leader was forced to step forward, executing three outer sect deacons and a Foundation Establishment Elder to suppress the matter.
From then on, Luoyang Sect mandated that outer sect cultivation resources be distributed publicly, with all disciples present.
This way, even if some deacons still wished to embezzle cultivation resources, it would be difficult to act under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Yet precisely because of this rule, Fang Ping unsurprisingly encountered Lu Shan and Ming Yulou while standing in line.
In front of all the outer sect disciples and several deacons, the two naturally did not dare to openly demand Spirit Stones.
They also seemed to realize that Fang Ping was dead set against paying. From a distance, they could only shoot him a threatening glare.
To this feeble threat, Fang Ping responded with total indifference.
The moment he returned, he swallowed an Origin Condensation Pill and gripped a Spirit Stone in his hand. He digested the pill’s medicinal power while absorbing pure Spiritual Qi from the stone, cultivating with everything he had.
Almost immediately, Fang Ping experienced a cultivation efficiency several times greater than usual—a meteoric pace.
Wisps of Spiritual Qi were drawn into his Meridians, circulating through a heavenly cycle to be refined into Five Elements Sutra Spiritual Power before finally settling into his Dantian. He could vividly feel the wonderful sensation of his strength continuously rising.
If I could maintain this kind of luxurious cultivation every day, then in half a year at most—no, perhaps in just a few months—I could break through to the third level of Qi Condensation!
Fang Ping thought this with some reluctance the moment he ended his cultivation session.
At the same time, this only further solidified his resolve to rely on the Dao of Alchemy to earn Spirit Stones quickly.
Inedia Pills, here I come!
…
With the aid of the Spirit Stones and Pills distributed by the Sect, numerous outer sect disciples entered a rare period of rapid cultivation.
Unfortunately, this wonderful experience lasted less than a month before it ran its course, returning them to a snail’s pace.
This enormous disparity left many disciples sighing endlessly in their hearts.
As for Fang Ping, the impact on him was minimal.
After he used up his Sect-distributed Spirit Stones and Pills, the Spirit Stones he earned from refining large quantities of Inedia Pills quickly filled the gap.
Although it was not enough to maintain his absolute top speed in cultivation, compared to merely breathing in and out the world’s Spiritual Qi, his efficiency was still far greater. Find the original chapter at g.com.
This sensation of his strength increasing every single day gave Fang Ping a profound sense of security.
Perhaps benefiting from this calm and unhurried mindset, combined with his uninterrupted contemplation and practice over this period, Fang Ping made a few new breakthroughs in his pill refining skills.
Now, even without relying on the Prime Cauldron to rewind time, he could keep his success rate for refining Inedia Pills steadily above thirty percent.
Earning Spirit Stones through alchemy thus became even easier.
Amidst this fulfilling busyness, time quickly marched toward the end of the year.
While the cultivation world of the State of Liang had no concept of a Spring Festival, they possessed similar customs for celebrating the new year.
The outer sect disciples of Luoyang Sect mostly hailed from the mortal world of the State of Liang. Having cultivated for only a short time, they still largely observed these traditions.
They hung new peach-wood charms on their doors and made rice cakes and other delicacies to celebrate this auspicious season of “the old cycle ending and all things renewing.”
However, the arrival of the new year also meant that the disciples who had entered Luoyang Sect’s outer sect alongside Fang Ping were about to face their greatest trial.
Only half a year remained until the once-every-five-years opening of the mountain gates to accept new disciples—and the deadline for expelling the previous batch of outer sect disciples!
Those outer sect disciples with relatively better talent and backing had already successively broken into the third level of Qi Condensation. They sat securely in their positions, some even beginning to push toward the middle stages of Qi Condensation.
But those cultivators still stuck at the second level of Qi Condensation felt a crushing, unprecedented urgency.
Before the festive mood of the new year had even dissipated, many outer sect disciples entered bitter secluded cultivation.
Some disciples even formed parties to journey into the State of Liang’s mortal realm, joining the Demon Extermination Bureau as guest elders. They hunted early-stage Qi Condensation Demon Beasts that had wandered into mortal lands, risking their lives to temper themselves and earn more cultivation resources.
Every so often, rumors would spread of a certain outer sect disciple venturing out to hunt Demon Beasts, only to be severely injured or even killed on the spot.
This added a heavy, oppressive atmosphere to the outer sect courtyards of Tiandu Peak.
Fang Ping likewise did not dare to grow complacent. Aside from his compulsory chores, he spent almost all his time on cultivation and alchemy, bitterly raising his strength.
Backed by a much more abundant supply of resources, his strength increased rapidly. He was only a hair’s breadth away from the third level of Qi Condensation.
Who could have known that at this critical juncture, a minor accident would occur within the Sect.
…
Early morning.
Fang Ping had just risen and was eating breakfast when he suddenly heard the Spiritual Power transmissions of several outer sect deacons echoing from outside the courtyard. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping dot com.
“All outer sect disciples currently in the courtyards, except those bearing mountain-guarding duties, immediately assemble outside! This applies regardless of your cultivation realm.”
Perhaps afraid that some disciples might not hear, the deacons transmitted the message three times in succession before stopping.
“What’s going on?”
“Why the sudden assembly?”
“Is something big happening?”
The outer sect disciples were alarmed and uncertain, but with the deacons summoning them, no one dared to take it lightly. They quickly emerged from their respective quarters, surging toward the open clearing outside.
In an instant, the vast clearing was packed with thousands of outer sect disciples.
They looked at one another, no one knowing what exactly had happened. For a moment, the atmosphere was tense and chaotic.
Had a Sect war broken out?
“Cease your wild guesses.”
Seeing the growing chaos, Deacon Zhao of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall barked an order, instantly silencing the crowd. “We have suddenly assembled you today because Inner Sect Elder Wang Chen has an urgent matter and requires your assistance.”
Wang Chen?
Many outer sect disciples who were unfamiliar with the inner sect felt bewildered upon hearing the name.
However, the expressions of the veteran, well-informed disciples changed slightly.
This Elder Wang was a great expert at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Apart from the five Golden Core cultivators and the Headmaster—who possessed a False Core and was known as a pseudo-Golden Core realm cultivator—his strength was the greatest in all of Luoyang Sect.
Moreover, considering Elder Wang’s dual spiritual root aptitude, he was not yet one hundred and fifty years old. With nearly sixty years of lifespan remaining, he theoretically still had a chance to reach the Golden Core stage!
With such status and strength, he could do whatever he pleased within the Sect.
They just had no idea what kind of matter Elder Wang Chen had encountered that would require the help of low-level outer sect disciples like them.
Seeing the disciples’ utter confusion, Deacon Zhao knew he had to explain the matter clearly.
He spoke slowly: “The matter is as follows. A short time ago, Elder Wang Chen’s granddaughter returned to the Wang family to visit relatives for the new year. On her way back, she accidentally lost the spirit pet crane bestowed by her family’s elders.”
“That White-Feathered Spirit Crane is a rank-one Demon Beast when fully grown, with combat strength comparable to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Elder Wang’s granddaughter values it greatly and specifically demanded it be found. That is why you have been summoned—to help her recover her spirit pet!”