“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Ya!” Han Li and the old foundation-building steward said in unison, cupping their fists in congratulation.
The way they looked at Qi Ping was filled with even more envy.
Facing their blessings, Qi Ping also cupped his fists in return, then asked:
“Does this mean I’ve passed the assessment and can become a disciple of the Qingyuan Sect?”
But then Qi Ping noticed something unusual in their eyes, so he tentatively added:
“But what exactly does this ‘Pillar of the Sect’ evaluation mean?”
“Fellow Daoist Ya—no, I should call you Senior Brother Ya now.” Han Li took a gentle breath to calm himself before continuing:
“Senior Brother Ya, your insight is sharp indeed. The ‘Pillar of the Sect’ evaluation really does carry great significance in the Qingyuan Sect!”
“The core rules of the Qingyuan Sect state that anyone who receives a ‘Pillar of the Sect’ evaluation from the Mirror of Heart Inquiry must be given priority training, and their resource allocation must be raised by at least one level from their original grade! Certain restricted cultivation techniques and resources will also have their exchange qualifications directly opened!”
After hearing Han Li’s explanation, Qi Ping was filled with astonishment.
“This evaluation actually comes with such benefits?”
Qi Ping had never imagined that not only would he smoothly pass the Mirror of Heart Inquiry test, but he would also gain exchange qualifications for certain restricted cultivation resources and techniques!
Among them, the qualification to exchange for restricted techniques was what Qi Ping valued most. This kind of precious cultivation knowledge was exactly the purpose of his visit!
“An unexpected delight!” Qi Ping thought to himself with joy. He hadn’t expected that gaining the Mirror of Heart Inquiry’s recognition would come with such benefits!
Once the Mirror of Heart Inquiry results came out, the old foundation-building steward in charge of the test immediately and efficiently began handling Qi Ping’s entry procedures.
Although the strength and aptitude Qi Ping had shown so far couldn’t be called top-tier, the old man didn’t dare show the slightest negligence. Toward these people who might one day become big shots, being overly attentive might not necessarily bring benefits, but offending them would certainly bring no good outcome.
Very quickly, the old man handed Qi Ping a series of items for joining the sect.
“Fellow Daoist Ya, this is the sect’s identity token and a matching spirit artifact robe. There are other items inside the storage pouch as well, including a jade slip that records the sect’s history and rules.”
“Within my authority, what I can temporarily set is the status of inner sect disciple. As for other statuses and permissions, I need to report to the Sect Master and the others for them to decide.”
Qi Ping accepted the entry items and said:
“Then I’ll have to trouble you!”
“You’re too kind. I’ll contact you once there’s any news!”
“Thank you!”
After taking leave of the old man handling the entry procedures, Qi Ping walked out of the sect hall together with Han Li.
“I didn’t expect to join the Qingyuan Sect so easily.” Qi Ping found it a little hard to believe how smoothly things had gone.
The most surprising part was still the Mirror of Heart Inquiry test. Not only had he passed smoothly, but he had also obtained an extremely high aptitude evaluation, and even gained exchange permissions for some rare resources and techniques because of it.
According to Han Li, the Mirror of Heart Inquiry was a supreme treasure passed down by the Qingyuan Sect that possessed a spirit artifact. It was loyal only to the Qingyuan Sect and was not controlled by anyone.
Moreover, aside from the Mirror of Heart Inquiry, the Qingyuan Sect had more than one similar supreme treasure.
“The Qingyuan Sect’s heritage is even better than I imagined!”
Qi Ping felt that with these things around, situations where one person’s word dominated the sect could be greatly reduced, preventing the sect from being completely controlled by a single faction. However, the specific situation would still require deeper understanding.
As for the other status benefits the old man mentioned, Qi Ping wasn’t in a hurry. He would first use his inner sect identity to familiarize himself with the Qingyuan Sect’s internal situation.
Although this was just a tree-person clone, if it were to be lost here, sneaking in again would not be so easy.
So taking things step by step was still necessary.
“Senior Brother Ya, let me first take you to the inner sect disciple’s cave dwelling! The sect token also contains much information about matters to note within the sect!”
After Han Li led Qi Ping out, he continued speaking.
Once he brought Qi Ping to the cave dwelling assigned on the token and finished explaining some matters to note, his task would be considered complete.
“Alright, thank you, Brother Han!”
Then Qi Ping followed beside Han Li, quickly flying toward a distant mountain peak.
Along the way, Qi Ping passed a forest of spirit trees rich in spiritual energy, a vast spirit field planted with all kinds of spiritual herbs, and an outer sect disciple area filled with immortal residences.
In these places, many qi-refining disciples and menial disciples were busy at work. Some were casting spirit rain spells to water spiritual herbs, while others carefully picked ripe spirit fruits.
This peaceful and harmonious scene was somewhat beyond Qi Ping’s expectations.
“Greetings, Senior Brother!”
“Greetings, Senior Brother Han!”
Along the way, many junior brothers and sisters greeted Qi Ping and Han Li proactively after seeing them, and Han Li nodded to each of them.
“Brother Han, the sect’s management seems quite relaxed?” Qi Ping asked.
“Yes. Normally, aside from some specific large lectures and sect competitions, everyone cultivates freely. Apart from some mandatory assigned tasks, sect missions are also taken on freely.”
“I see!” Qi Ping nodded.
This was indeed much more relaxed than he had imagined.
“However, most disciples don’t receive a monthly stipend. If they want to exchange for resources and techniques, they can only work hard at missions to earn contribution points. Missions are the main way to obtain contribution points. Without doing missions, there will be no contribution points to exchange for resources and good spells. Entering the Technique Pavilion to study cultivation knowledge also requires contribution points.”
Through Han Li’s explanation, Qi Ping quickly understood the Qingyuan Sect’s operating model.
To put it plainly, sect disciples were workers with good aptitude. Apart from some basic benefits, almost everything required doing missions to earn contribution points in exchange. Not doing missions was like not working—you couldn’t buy anything, and you might even face the risk of being dismissed.
In any case, under this model, sect disciples might earn a little, but the big share would always remain in the sect’s hands. Moreover, the sect could also require its disciples to carry out missions involving life-and-death danger. It was simply an enhanced version of being a worker.
But because of the temptation of seeking immortality and the Dao, this enhanced version of being a worker was still an opportunity countless people dreamed of.
If one did well, there was also a sliver of a chance to become a core member enjoying high-level benefits—a true disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, or even part of the real management.
And if Qi Ping wanted to enter the Technique Pavilion to study cultivation knowledge and exchange for techniques, he had to earn enough contribution points.
Even though he had been evaluated as a Pillar of the Sect by the Mirror of Heart Inquiry, he still had to work hard at missions to earn enough contribution points, unless the sect’s higher-ups later granted corresponding benefits.
Amid questions and answers, Qi Ping soon followed Han Li to a more luxurious immortal residence. The spiritual energy here was clearly richer as well, reaching the second-tier level.
And what was assigned to Qi Ping was, remarkably, Immortal Residence No. 7!
“Senior Brother Ya, I’ll leave you here. If you have any questions later, you can use a transmission talisman to ask me!”
After bringing Qi Ping to inner sect Immortal Residence No. 7, Han Li was about to leave, but suddenly paused. He seemed hesitant to speak, and only after a while did he make up his mind and say:
“Senior Brother Ya, you’ve also cultivated to the late foundation-building stage, so you surely know how rare foundation-building resources are. The closer one gets to golden core resources, the rarer and more precious they become—even in the Qingyuan Sect.”
“I naturally know this. Brother Han, feel free to speak your mind!” Qi Ping said seriously, cupping his fists.
“Competition for resources at this level is fierce. Every spot is taken, and one radish occupies one hole. Once your list of qualifications for exchanging rare resources comes down, Senior Brother Ya, it will inevitably disrupt the original distribution of interests.”
“And according to sect rules, your exchange qualifications will definitely be allocated. No one can change that. At most, there’s room to maneuver regarding quantity. But even if you obtain allocation qualifications, Senior Brother Ya, you still need enough contribution points to exchange for them.”
“And there aren’t many missions that can earn large amounts of contribution points. Basically, all of them carry no small risk. I once had a senior brother who received a Pillar of the Sect evaluation, and he died because of this. So if you take on this kind of mission later, Senior Brother Ya, please be sure to be careful.”
