Chapter 55 - 23: Qi Cultivator, Inauguration

Chapter 55: Chapter 23: Qi Cultivator, Inauguration

Indeed, Lecturer Song Zhou didn’t need to say another word. The moment they heard about the division into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Veins, Dong Hao and the others understood implicitly. Jiang Xuan was no exception.

’Is this like the difference between a top-tier institution and a regular university? No, it’s not that simple. The Upper and Lower Veins aren’t just places to study Taoist Skills; they represent power and status within the Sect. If I were to compare it to my past life, it’s the difference between a bustling Imperial City and the desolate countryside—a world apart.’

’A Sect that advocates for competition on the path of the Great Dao, indeed. This struggle really does manifest in every single aspect.’

The immense gap in status, combined with prospects as different as clouds and mud, caused even Qin Feng—who had been certain he would enter the Inner Sect—to feel his fingertips tighten and his heart fill with anxiety.

A sharp, fierce glint suddenly flashed through the cool eyes of Xie Hanyan, another of the Chen Daoist School’s prodigies.

Seeing the change in everyone’s expressions, Song Zhou nodded in satisfaction. His purpose in laying bare the stakes today was precisely to serve as a wake-up call for these youths, to instill in them a do-or-die will to win.

"Good. It seems you all understand you have no room for complacency."

"Now, let me tell you about the Chen Daoist School’s past results. In the last ten years, of the nine disciples who entered the Inner Sect each year, the majority were assigned to the Lower Vein. At most, only one disciple a year made it into the Middle Vein."

"As for the Upper Vein..." His piercing gaze swept over the forty-plus students before him. Song Zhou’s expression was solemn as he said, "In the last ten years, only one person from the Chen Daoist School has successfully entered it."

"What?!"

"One person?"

"Are the requirements for the Upper Vein that high?"

"This... Who could possibly achieve that?"

The moment Song Zhou’s words fell, the training grounds erupted into an uproar, the air filled with a BUZZ of overlapping conversations.

In ten years, out of nearly forty thousand students, only one had become an Upper Vein disciple. This despairingly low probability stunned everyone present. The fighting spirit on many faces instantly vanished, replaced by utter dejection.

Even the ever-proud Qin Feng turned pale. He didn’t think he was that one-in-ten-thousand chosen one.

This wave of dejection was, of course, not what Song Zhou wanted to see. But since he had dared to lay out the harsh reality today, he naturally had a way to deal with it.

"Alright, there’s no need to be so dejected." Song Zhou raised a hand to quiet the discussions, his tone firm. "I can’t speak for past lecturers. But I sincerely hope that someone among you can enter the Upper Vein. For you, it’s an opportunity to defy fate and change your destiny. For me, it’s also a great accomplishment. Therefore, I will do everything in my power to help you."

"Just focus on giving it your all. As long as you show the potential to enter the Upper Vein, on top of the standard cultivation resources from the Shenxiao Sect, I will personally provide you with extra supplies from my own pocket. I will even call in favors I’ve accumulated over many years to invite seniors whose paths best align with yours to personally guide your cultivation."

This resounding promise was like a spark landing in a dry field, instantly rekindling a flicker of hope in everyone’s hearts.

Seeing their fighting spirit reignited, Song Zhou immediately struck while the iron was hot and distributed the reward resources allocated by the Daoist School. This reward was far more generous than anyone had expected.

First and foremost were the Spirit Stones and Elixir Pills. As a disciple who had earned an ’Excellent’ rating in the final assessment, Jiang Xuan received a total of one hundred and eight Low Grade Spirit Stones and fifteen Essence Supplement Pills.

Beyond these basic rewards, there was also a special privilege: "You may enter the Sect’s Scripture Pavilion and choose one Profound Tier Technique or one Profound Tier Swordsmanship to cultivate."

Song Zhou’s voice rang out again, tinged with a warning: "Normally, in the early stages of cultivation, you should focus solely on refining your Magical Power and solidifying your Dao Foundation, not be distracted by other things. But that is the requirement for ordinary disciples. Inner Sect Disciples are the Heaven-Reaching Jade Pillars of the Shenxiao Sect’s Thousand Peaks and Hundred Veins. You are the successors who will inherit the legacies of the various veins in the future."

"Such disciples hold a respected status, so naturally, you must also bear the high hopes of every peak and vein. If you want to enter the Inner Sect, you must not only hone your cultivation but also master Techniques and Divine Techniques as quickly as possible."

At this point, his voice suddenly rose, booming across the training grounds like a great bell: "Remember, though the Shenxiao Sect may have a Thousand Peaks and Hundred Veins, not a single one will ever accept the mediocre."

"Only prodigies are worthy of the Inner Sect!"

Beyond the Spirit Stones, Elixir Pills, and choice of a technique, there was another exclusive benefit. Lecturer Song Zhou announced that for the next month, Jiang Xuan and the others could seek him out at any time to ask about difficulties in their cultivation, and he promised to answer all their questions, holding nothing back.

Each of these benefits was within Jiang Xuan’s expectations and perfectly matched the weight of an ’Excellent’ rating, leaving him quite satisfied.

But just as Jiang Xuan was feeling satisfied with all the arrangements, the final benefit that came from Song Zhou’s lips made him freeze, his mind filled with astonishment.

"This final item is that within this month, you may take my personally written letter of recommendation and go to any of the Sect’s peaks to serve as an Outer Disciple for a period of time."

’Huh?!’

’What’s the meaning of this?’

’Didn’t we work so hard precisely so we *wouldn’t* have to be Outer Disciples when we joined the Shenxiao Sect?’

The words left Jiang Xuan stunned. But before he could ask, Dong Hao, who was beside him, secretly shot him a look, signaling that he would explain the inside story after the meeting. Jiang Xuan understood the hint and immediately nodded, suppressing his questions and saying no more.

On the stage, Song Zhou went on to list a few other miscellaneous benefits, such as better single-person dormitories in the Daoist School and cultivation seats in the front rows of the Dharma Hall. After explaining everything, his gaze swept heavily across the crowd one last time, and he left them with one final, weighty piece of advice.