Chapter 305 - 277: New Policy: Jinyun Valley Grand Competition

Chapter 305: Chapter 277: New Policy: Jinyun Valley Grand Competition

"Ding Fei, I hear you’re going to be a father?"

Sipping his Spirit Tea, Chen Che asked casually.

"Thank you for your concern, Valley Master."

Ding Fei answered first, then explained, "It was just a few days ago. My wife suddenly started feeling nauseous and had constant acid reflux. I took her to see Chief Zhao, and that’s when we found out she was pregnant."

As Chen Che’s Realm grew ever higher, the gap between the two widened. Ding Fei no longer dared to joke around like he used to, and his words were always tinged with deep reverence.

Chen Che was naturally aware of this as well.

Every Grand Realm had its own circle, one which a Low Tier Cultivator simply could not enter.

It was just like him—he couldn’t enter the circle of Golden Core Cultivators either.

These things were not determined by one’s will, but judged solely by one’s Cultivation Realm. Forcing one’s way in would be like treading on thin ice.

The mortal saying, "accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger," was the perfect example.

"Raise your child well, so they can inherit your legacy in the future."

Not dwelling on the topic, Chen Che handed over a Jade Bottle. "Consider this a gift from me..."

"A Foun-Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Ding Fei took the Pill and was stunned. "Valley Master, this gift is too valuable. I’m afraid I can’t accept it."

"It’s fine."

Chen Che waved his hand, unconcerned.

From his trip to the Shuzhou Five Races, he had obtained over forty Foundation Establishment Pills, with his share being twelve.

Ding Fei had followed him for so long, always working diligently without complaint, and had earned his deep trust. He naturally deserved such a reward. Unfortunately, Ding Fei’s talent was not high. Not only was he now over sixty years old, but he had also lost his ambition. Otherwise, he might have had a chance to push for Foundation Establishment.

...

Just as Ding Fei left, the sound of soft footsteps echoed from outside the meeting hall. The newcomer held their breath, moving with extreme care as if afraid of stepping on an ant.

They even straightened their clothes outside the hall before stepping inside and immediately kneeling from a distance:

"Greetings, Valley Master."

"Tributor Li, what is your success rate for painting Talismans now?"

Chen Che sat perfectly still, his eyes half-closed.

The visitor was none other than Li Changqing.

"Reporting to the Valley Master, my success rate for painting Tier One High Grade Talismans has barely reached ninety percent. For Tier Two Low Grade, it’s fifty percent. And for Tier Two Middle Grade, I can achieve forty percent."

Hearing the question about his Talisman Painting progress, Li Changqing answered promptly and respectfully.

Recently, six Cultivators skilled in painting Tier Two Talismans had arrived in the Valley, and the Talisman Hall had been established with them as its core. These Talisman Cultivators were all from Slave Households, and when teaching disciples, they were even more serious and meticulous than he was.

’Compared to training a Talisman Cultivator from scratch, who wouldn’t prefer to use one that’s ready-made?’

’If I can’t meet the requirements, there’s no telling when Jinyun Valley might discard me.’

"Not bad, but you’re still a ways off from becoming a Chief."

Chen Che nodded slightly.

’At around thirty years of age, such achievements could only be considered average on Earth Element Star, but in this world, they were already outstanding.’

’After all, those from the Slave Households are about twenty years older than Li Changqing.’

’Their skills were also built up with resources and time.’

"For now, you will serve as the Vice Chief of the Talisman Hall. You will only be permitted to attempt Foundation Establishment when your success rate for painting Tier Two Low-Grade Talismans reaches seventy percent. If you fail to achieve this within three years, don’t blame me for sending you to the front lines."

Opening his eyes, Chen Che spoke in a slow, deliberate tone.

"I obey."

Hearing that he would be sent to the front lines, Li Changqing’s scalp went numb.

’I know that for an existence like the Valley Master, once a word is spoken, it’s as good as law. Besides, Jinyun Valley is no small sect. If I dared to flee, I’d not only have to live in hiding under a new name, but I’d probably never be able to use the Talismans I rely on for my livelihood again.’

Chen Che was actually quite satisfied with Li Changqing’s current level.

’However, to prevent him from slacking off, a little prodding from time to time might just unearth even greater potential.’

...

Next, Chen Che successively summoned the three Chiefs: Lu Qinglian, Zhao De’an, and Liang Yuan.

Jinyun Valley’s prestige was at its zenith recently, and many Loose Cultivators had come seeking to join. However, the standards of the Sacrificial Hall had also been raised. Aside from those proficient in many arts, they were no longer planning to recruit ordinary Qi Refining Realm Cultivators. After all, the character of these outsiders was a mixed bag, and their loyalty could not be guaranteed.

Of course, this wasn’t to say that Jinyun Valley would no longer recruit Loose Cultivators as Tributors. It was just that every Tributor had to undergo a strict Divine Sense Inquiry to ensure they held no ulterior motives.

Currently, including Lu Qinglian, the Sacrificial Hall had a total of seventeen people.

Four Foundation Establishment Cultivators and thirteen Qi Refining Cultivators.

There wasn’t much to report from the Alchemy Hall. The only thing worth mentioning was that after the war in Hunzhou began, the demand for Pills had soared, which had helped cultivate a batch of outstanding Pill Master disciples. Unfortunately, none had yet reached the level of a prodigy.

Meanwhile, the Forging Hall, once the most unpopular hall, was now bustling with activity, almost catching up to the Alchemy Hall.

After all, there are three bitter tasks in the world: poling a boat, smithing iron, and grinding tofu.

In the early stages, a Cultivator’s Cultivation is insufficient to forge Weapons with True Essence, so they must rely more on manual labor.

Fortunately, Chen Che’s previous collaboration with Meng Changtu and the others to forge the Red Dragon Lock Chain had broadened the horizons of many disciples. It showed them that refining Magical Artifacts wasn’t just simple hammering and banging—it could be refined in such a way!

After meeting with the three Chiefs, Chen Che announced a new policy:

"We Cultivators walk a path against the heavens; closing our doors to the world is a poor strategy. Now, at this time of Jinyun Valley’s rise, to encourage friendly competition among the disciples, a Sect-wide Grand Competition will be held in three months. All disciples in the Valley, regardless of whether they are servants, are eligible to participate."

"Henceforth, it will be held once every three years."

So far, this was all quite normal.

Whether it was a Sect or a family clan, most held similar competitions. The goal was naturally to have the disciples hone their Martial Techniques and Cultivation, and to foster a competitive spirit.

This prevented the disciples from becoming a pool of stagnant water over time due to a lack of competition.

Furthermore, it could also be used to scout for some dark horses—disciples who were unknown but possessed formidable strength. After all, with so many disciples in the Valley, it was impossible to pay close attention to everyone.

Of course, the source of everyone’s shock was the rewards Chen Che announced at the same time:

The top fifty in the Grand Competition could enter the fourth floor of the Library Pavilion and choose one Martial Arts technique to cultivate.

The top ten, in addition to choosing a Martial Arts technique, could also enter the fourth floor of the Treasure House and select a Weapon.

The top three, on top of the previous rewards, would be granted a Realm-Breaking Pill.

As for the champion of each competition, they would be rewarded with a Foundation Establishment Pill, but they would not be allowed to participate again.

...

After the news spread, everyone, from the disciples to the vassal families, was amazed by Jinyun Valley’s extravagance.

"This Valley Master Chen... his vision is extraordinary. He is a rare talent, capable of shaping the world..." Xiao Zongrui said with great emotion in a brilliantly lit mansion in Chi State.

He was just over ninety years old, which should have been the prime of his life compared to the three-hundred-year lifespan of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. But now he looked ancient, mainly because Jinyun Valley’s great victory had created problems for his family, causing him severe mental and spiritual exhaustion.

Not only had Chen Che lavishly rewarded his own disciples, but he had also sent someone to deliver the Spirit Stones for the Golden Flower Dew Fruit.

"Of course!"

Ding Fei nodded slightly, stating as if it were obvious, "The Valley Master rose from humble beginnings; he is a man of utmost principle. He knows life is not easy for Low Tier Cultivators, so he never does anything that goes against his morals."

"Yes, yes, of course..."

Before, Xiao Zongrui wouldn’t have believed a single word of it.

From the very beginning, he had never intended to ask Jinyun Valley for the Spirit Stones for the Golden Flower Dew Fruit. Now that they were a vassal family, they had to be prepared to bow their heads and act subservient.

But now, with the announcement of the Grand Competition’s rewards and thirty thousand Spirit Stones placed right in front of him, he had no choice but to believe.

"The Valley Master said to just focus on your duties and not to worry about miscellaneous matters."

Ding Fei finished his tea and slowly rose to his feet. "I won’t disturb you any longer. I must return to the Valley."

"Chief Ding, wait a moment."

Xiao Zongrui quickly spoke up. Under the other’s surprised gaze, he slowly took out a brocade box and pushed it awkwardly across the table. "This is Flowing Cloud Water. I obtained it years ago while traveling, from an ownerless Cave Mansion."

He had obtained three bottles of Flowing Cloud Water back then. He sold one in Primordial City and kept the remaining two as part of his clan’s foundation.

If offering the Golden Flower Dew Fruit was an attempt to curry favor with Chen Che...

...then offering the Flowing Cloud Water was a genuine act of returning the favor.

As the saying goes, a fine bird chooses a good tree to nest in. Following the right master was countless times better than serving a greedy one.

"My Cultivation is too low; I don’t recognize this item."

Now it was Ding Fei’s turn to be embarrassed. "I’ll have to take it back to the Valley for the Valley Master to appraise..."

"It’s fine. I trust Valley Master Chen’s character."

With that, Xiao Zongrui took out a sheepskin Scroll and gently pushed it in front of Ding Fei. "This is a map to a Black Stonecutter Flower, but it’s in the territory of a Hexagonal Demon-toothed Elephant. Besides that, a pack of Bilang also lives there..."

"Those are all Foundation Establishment Great Demons!"

Ding Fei clicked his tongue in amazement. At the same time, he glanced at the map and saw that the location was in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain range in Chu State.

Chu State was the only one of the Sixteen States that was covered in mountains and rivers. Its mountain range stretched for one hundred and eighty thousand li and was also known as the Hundred Thousand Mountains, teeming with Demon Beasts.

"...Yes."

Xiao Zongrui’s old face flushed, and he nodded slightly.

Chu State was sparsely populated, so it held many Spirit Treasures, but by the same token, the number of Demon Beasts was also considerable. He had only obtained this map by a stroke of luck, but his Cultivation was too low to ever go there, so he simply decided to sell it for some Spirit Stones.

"No problem. Once the Flowing Cloud Water is authenticated, I will have someone deliver the Spirit Stones immediately. As for the map, its authenticity will need to be verified."

Ding Fei didn’t mind. He put away the map and the brocade box. "I’ll also ask Clan Head Xiao to help spread the word. If there is news of any other Materials, please inform Jinyun Valley. After confirmation, we will pay a reward in Spirit Stones equal to ten percent of the item’s market price."

After the Spirit Stones were put up as a reward, in just a few short days, they learned the locations of more than ten other Spiritual Objects.

Most of them were scattered across the Sixteen States.

Some were even outside the Primordial Sect’s sphere of influence.

Of course, Chen Che didn’t need to go and collect these himself. He just had to post them as tasks in Jinyun Valley’s mission hall, and Tributors would naturally retrieve them for him to earn Contribution Points. Even if their own strength was insufficient, they could team up with Loose Cultivators from outside the valley.

’When you have no power of your own, you have to do everything yourself. If I still have to do everything myself after gaining power, then what would be the point of having Jinyun Valley?’