I Can Add Points Infinitely - Chapter 41

At the Inner Sect Scripture Pavilion.

Two hours later, Shen Lian finished studying the two Profound Rank techniques, memorizing them completely before preparing to leave.

Just as he reached the entrance, he saw the Pavilion Guardian Elder looking at him with a smile.

“Congratulations, young man, on your promotion to core disciple. Your future is limitless.”

“Who knows, one day, you might be in charge of old folks like me.”

The Guardian Elder said with a laugh.

“Huh?”

Shen Lian was taken aback.

“So soon?”

Suddenly realizing something, he quickly asked, “Elder, with my new status, does that mean I can study two more techniques?”

“Uh…”

The Guardian Elder was dumbfounded.

He hadn’t expected Shen Lian to react this way to such great news.

The elder stood silently for a while, dumbfounded, before nodding, “Theoretically, yes.”

“Inner Sect disciples and true disciples who reach Foundation Establishment can initially select two Profound Rank techniques. For each minor advancement, they can choose one more.”

“As a core disciple, this is doubled for you, so you…”

“Great, thank you, Elder.”

Before the elder could finish, Shen Lian quickly bowed in thanks and dashed back into the Scripture Pavilion.

The Guardian Elder was left standing alone at the entrance, flustered by the wind.

“This kid…is it really that urgent?”

The Guardian Elder muttered in exasperation.

Two more hours passed.

Shen Lian finished reading two more Profound Rank techniques before leaving the pavilion, finally satisfied, and bidding the Guardian Elder farewell.

This encounter left a lasting impression of Shen Lian on the Guardian Elder.

Returning to his secluded courtyard, Shen Lian noticed a young man in a yellow robe waiting for him from a distance.

Due to the time he had spent at the Scripture Pavilion, it was already nearing dusk.

Shen Lian hurried over, apologetically saying, “I’m really sorry, Senior Brother. Something came up, so I’m late.”

“No, no, not at all.”

The young Inner Sect steward, who looked only a few years older than Shen Lian, quickly returned the greeting, humbly replying, “It’s I who should be calling you Senior Brother now.”

“I only waited for a short while. No need to apologize, Senior Brother.”

According to Azure Cloud Sect’s hierarchy, ordinary Inner Sect disciples were the lowest.

Next were true disciples and Inner Sect stewards, who held similar status.

Above them were core disciples, equivalent in status to the pavilion guardians.

Finally, there were the Inner Sect Elders.

So now, even the Inner Sect steward had to address Shen Lian as Senior Brother.

“Senior Brother, here is your new token and robe. Additionally, each core disciple is assigned a personal courtyard and territory.”

“Your new courtyard is on Luoxia Peak, which will also be your territory.”

“Outer Sect disciples to attend to your daily needs and cultivation have also been arranged. You can head over anytime to take possession.”

The Inner Sect steward said, handing Shen Lian a wooden tray with his new core disciple token and robe.

The robe was black with exquisite golden embroidery.

“Thank you, Junior Brother.”

Shen Lian took the tray, storing it in his storage ring.

The steward bowed, ready to take his leave, but Shen Lian stopped him.

“Junior Brother, don’t go just yet. I still have many things I don’t understand and would like to ask you about.”

“Oh? What do you wish to know, Senior Brother? Please, ask away.”

The steward replied.

“Come, come, let’s discuss inside.”

“I…I…”

Seeing Shen Lian inviting him inside, the steward was flattered and tried to refuse politely.

But Shen Lian didn’t take no for an answer, pulling him inside.

After setting up chairs, Shen Lian waved his hand, revealing seven or eight exquisite dishes on the table.

These were leftovers he had packed from the celebration with his senior brothers at Xiangyong Town.

The storage ring had a preservation function; anything placed inside remained fresh.

The dishes Shen Lian brought out were still steaming, as if freshly cooked.

After setting the table, Shen Lian took out a bottle of fine wine, pouring a full glass for himself and the steward.

“Come, Junior Brother, let’s have a drink.”

He downed his glass in one gulp.

“Uh…”

The steward was a bit reserved, but seeing Shen Lian drink, he couldn’t refuse and followed suit.

From the Qi Refinement stage, cultivators could live without food, but that didn’t mean they had no desire for good food and drink.

Savoring fine food and wine was still a pleasure.

After a glass of wine, the steward’s face showed satisfaction.

Despite his higher status, his position was busy, and he seldom had time to enjoy himself.

It had been nearly two years since he had tasted good wine.

Seeing the steward finish, Shen Lian refilled both their glasses and asked, “Junior Brother, I mainly want to know about the privileges of being a core disciple.”

“Is there anything I need to pay attention to?”

“And also, why have I never seen any other core disciples in the sect, either before or now?”

These were Shen Lian’s primary questions. Since his time in Azure Cloud Sect had been short, he was unaware of many internal matters.

It wasn’t worth bothering the Seventh Elder over such minor things, so he took the opportunity to ask the steward.

“So that’s it.”

The steward relaxed, realizing Shen Lian’s questions were straightforward.

After pondering for a moment, he explained, “Senior Brother, core disciples are the sect’s prospective leadership and hold significant status.”

“As such, their training is increasingly geared towards management.”

“You no longer need to worry about ordinary sect tasks. All cultivation resources will be issued regularly by the sect.”

“In addition, it won’t be long before the Sect Master assigns you to oversee an external post.”

“Oversee? What does that mean?”

Shen Lian was puzzled.

“Simply put, it’s to help the sect manage some industries, honing your management skills.”

“The reason you haven’t seen other core disciples around the sect is because they’ve all been assigned out.”

“They rarely return unless there’s a significant event.”

“Since you’ve just been promoted, you’ll likely remain in the sect for a while until the leadership decides on your assignment.”

“I see.”

Shen Lian nodded slightly.

“I also heard that the core disciples are divided into two factions.”

The steward lowered his voice, prompting Shen Lian to lean closer.

The steward continued, “Since one of the core disciples will eventually be chosen as the Sect Master, naturally, you’re all competitors.”

“Of course, some who feel they have little chance of winning will align with stronger candidates, hoping for more benefits in the future.”

“As far as I know, the two factions among the core disciples are led by First Senior Brother and Fourth Senior Brother.”

“But I don’t know much about the details; you’ll need to find out more as you go.”

“Understood.”

Shen Lian nodded thoughtfully.

From the steward’s words, he could already infer much about the situation.

The competition among core disciples seemed similar to political machinations from his previous life, and the sect’s leadership appeared to allow it.

After all, only a Sect Master who emerged from such competition would be truly capable of leading the sect.

“It seems I’ll need to pay more attention to these matters in the future.”

“I wonder where the Sect Master will assign me?”

“Also, I need to make the most of my time in the sect to enhance my skills and gather as many skill points as possible.”

Shen Lian pondered silently.

He chatted with the steward late into the night.

The steward, fully satisfied with food and drink, shared everything he knew before politely taking his leave.