I Can Add Points Infinitely - Chapter 7
Azure Cloud Sect.
Outer Sect Plaza.
With the inner disciple selection approaching, many disciples were engaged in lively discussions.
“Tomorrow is the inner disciple selection for this year’s batch. I wonder how many geniuses will emerge this time?”
“Senior Brother Zheng, with your strength, it’s almost certain you’ll enter the inner sect. Let me congratulate you in advance!”
“Ah, it’s not that simple. Many disciples get stuck at the internal cultivation conversion stage and fail to advance. I have no confidence either. If only I could find a Profound Spirit Grass, that would improve my chances significantly.”
“Profound Spirit Grass is too rare; it’s not something ordinary disciples like us can covet. But with your strength, Senior Brother Zheng, even if you fail in the first round, you can always challenge for the spot in the second round.”
“The second round? That’s not any easier than the first. Many experts are eyeing that position, and from what I know, there are plenty of strong disciples this year. I might not even be in the running.”
“Really? I can’t believe there’s anyone who can compare to you, Senior Brother Zheng. Last time you completed a sect task, you defeated…”
“Shh, quiet! That’s nothing worth mentioning. Don’t say it out loud, or people will laugh at us.”
…
Shen Lian kept his head down as he passed by a group of outer sect disciples.
His low profile went unnoticed, but his keen hearing allowed him to catch every word of their conversation effortlessly.
Azure Cloud Sect’s inner disciple selection involved two rounds every year, something Shen Lian knew well from the original owner’s memories.
The first round was open to all disciples who had reached the tenth layer of Body Refining. Those who met this requirement could register and enter a testing formation set up by the sect.
Elders would impart the Qi Gathering Technique, and disciples had one month to focus on cultivation. Those who successfully converted to internal cultivation and broke through to the first layer of Qi Refining would pass the test and be promoted to inner disciples.
If they failed, they could choose to participate in the second round or withdraw and continue training independently. Any disciple who reached the first layer of Qi Refining within the following year could report to the outer sect stewards to be promoted.
However, the longer it took to reach Qi Refining, the lower one’s status would be within the inner sect, and the fewer resources they would receive.
For those who didn’t want to wait, there was the second round, which tested combat strength.
The disciple who demonstrated the strongest combat prowess would be given a special spot, with a status comparable to those who passed the first round.
They would also receive a Profound Spirit Grass personally bestowed by the sect and be assisted by an elder to refine it, facilitating the internal cultivation conversion.
One test assessed talent, the other combat ability.
Even if a disciple lacked talent, strong combat skills could still make them worthy of the sect’s investment.
…
Returning to his small wooden hut, Shen Lian sat cross-legged.
He had no worries about the upcoming inner disciple selection.
Not only did he have the Profound Spirit Pill as a safety net, guaranteeing his entry into Qi Refining, but he was also confident that his combat prowess could secure him victory in the second round if needed.
However, if possible, he preferred to advance through the first round directly.
He didn’t want to expose his combat strength too early and attract unnecessary attention.
In his mind, he silently practiced his sword techniques once more.
He had recently acquired a new sword technique called Aurora Sword from Xiangyong Town before returning to the sect. It was also a Yellow Grade Lower Rank technique.
Spending six skill points, he had perfected the Aurora Sword, while the remaining four points were invested in enhancing his Body Tempering Technique further, strengthening his physique once again.
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, Shen Lian stretched, feeling refreshed as he stepped outside.
Just as he exited, he encountered another outer sect disciple in a blue robe.
“Hey, Shen Lian! You’re back? When did you return?” the disciple greeted him warmly.
“Senior Brother Liu,” Shen Lian nodded, responding, “I got back yesterday.”
“Did you come back to watch the inner disciple selection? Haha, I was planning to go as well. Let’s head there together,” Senior Brother Liu suggested with a smile.
With no reason to refuse, Shen Lian followed Liu as they made their way to the outer sect plaza.
“By the way, Shen Lian, I remember you went on a task with Senior Brother Wang Hui. Has he not returned yet?” Liu asked casually as they walked.
Shen Lian glanced at him, his mind alert.
Many had seen him and Wang Hui leave the sect together, but few would know them personally, given the vast number of outer disciples in Azure Cloud Sect, which numbered in the tens of thousands. Most disciples were unfamiliar with each other unless they lived nearby.
“I’m not sure if Senior Brother Wang is back. We split up after leaving the sect,” Shen Lian answered calmly.
“Oh, I wonder what Senior Brother Wang is up to. An outer sect steward was looking for him recently; it seemed important,” Liu said absentmindedly.
“An outer sect steward? Did they say why they were looking for him?” Shen Lian asked.
“No, he didn’t mention why. He came a few times but never found Wang Hui, so he stopped coming,” Liu replied, shaking his head.
“It must have been Wang Yanglie,” Shen Lian thought to himself, considering whether he should deal with Liu. Although Liu didn’t know much, it was still a potential lead.
It was unclear how many others might be aware of this situation.
“I’ll find an opportunity to question him more closely later,” Shen Lian decided, a cold glint flickering briefly in his eyes.
The two continued to the outer sect plaza.
By this time, the plaza was packed with disciples, all clad in blue robes.
The sea of people numbered at least seventy to eighty thousand, creating a massive crowd.
Of course, not all these disciples had reached the tenth layer of Body Refining; many were simply there to watch the excitement.
Shen Lian and Senior Brother Liu squeezed through the crowd, moving closer to the front.
At the front were several outer sect stewards seated behind tables, with long lines of disciples standing before them.
These were the disciples registering for the selection test.
“Let’s stop here. It won’t be long before registration ends, and the test begins,” Liu said. “We won’t see much of the first round, but the second round is where it gets interesting.”
Shen Lian nodded silently, then stepped forward, choosing the nearest line and queuing up.
“Hey, Shen Lian, what are you doing? You can’t just jump into the line. Disrupting the selection process can lead to severe punishment from the sect!” Liu called out, surprised.
His shout drew the attention of many nearby.
Shen Lian smiled and shook his head, offering no explanation.
“You…” Liu was about to say more but suddenly paused, realizing something.
“No way! Shen Lian, have you reached the tenth layer of Body Refining and are registering for the test?” he exclaimed, disbelief written all over his face.
He and Shen Lian had joined the sect around the same time. Although they rarely interacted, they were somewhat acquainted since they lived nearby.
Liu couldn’t believe Shen Lian had already reached the tenth layer, especially since he himself was only at the fifth layer.
As the line moved forward, Shen Lian eventually reached the front.
The steward checked Shen Lian’s disciple token, reviewed his record of selecting techniques at the Scripture Pavilion, and approved his registration without needing a test.
This scene shattered Liu’s previous impression of Shen Lian.
“My god, has this guy really reached such a level without anyone noticing?” Liu muttered, his mouth agape, overwhelmed by mixed feelings.
When he looked at Shen Lian again, he couldn’t help but feel a blend of awe and lingering jealousy.