Chapter 3: A New Hex

Chapter 3: A New Hex

Wu Lao Tou had been stroking his beard, pondering how to report this extraordinary news.

Two disciples had broken through simultaneously—one of them a new initiate who’d joined the sect just this year.

According to sect regulations, this breakthrough alone would earn him at least fifteen spirit stones as a reward.

Suddenly, another surge of energy rippled through the air.

Startled, Wu Lao Tou’s hand jerked, yanking out a clump of beard.

Ignoring the sting, he focused his spiritual sense—only to discover it was Xiao Chen who had awakened!

This time, Wu Lao Tou’s composure shattered completely.

One was an Immortal Path Prodigy, the other a Clan Heiress—what was this brat’s secret?

How had he broken through too?

The other disciples gawked, their faces blank as they felt the surging spiritual energy in the lecture hall.

What was happening today? Senior apprentices and elder juniors were breaking through their cultivation bases one after another, as if core formation mid-stage was some trivial, everyday feat.

Even more absurdly, Xiao Chen—the slacker who’d never been seen cultivating—had actually awakened.

Could anyone believe this?

They could accept anyone else’s breakthrough, but why Xiao Chen?

Some disciples even rubbed their eyes to confirm they hadn’t misidentified him.

Ye Fei turned his gaze toward Xiao Chen, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Since joining the sect this year, Ye Fei had focused solely on cultivation, rarely interacting with others. He barely knew Xiao Chen.

He’d heard rumors that Xiao Chen was an unambitious failure.

But today’s revelation painted a completely different picture—a genius with extraordinary cultivation talent!

Most cultivators advanced through relentless effort, accumulating progress like water carving stone.

Yet a rare few could awaken to the Dao, grasping the mysteries of heaven and earth. A single step forward could surpass decades of ordinary cultivation.

Such awakenings were elusive, dependent entirely on personal insight. They were nearly impossible to replicate.

In ancient times, a handful of cultivators pursued enlightenment directly. Nowadays, most followed the systematic, step-by-step Path to Immortality.

Thinking back, legends of "admiring flowers and scenery" now seemed like veiled references to comprehending profound techniques and harmonizing with nature.

This senior apprentice who’d entered the sect earlier had chosen the path of enlightenment—truly an intriguing rival.

The Lihuo Sect’s outer disciples were divided into twelve Sub-Academies.

With their simultaneous breakthroughs, these disciples would likely be assigned to the same Sub-Academy.

Each Sub-Academy selected its top ten disciples as Inner Disciple Seeds, granting them additional resources based on their rankings.

Competition for those rankings was inevitable.

Ye Fei silently resolved to keep a closer eye on Xiao Chen from now on.

He glanced sideways at Jiang Si Xuan. This junior apprentice sister was equally formidable.

Jiang Si Xuan was watching Xiao Chen too.

She’d noticed the thinning spiritual energy around him and paused her own cultivation. Stepping forward, she drew a spirit stone from her waist pouch, channeling her mana to release its energy as a supplement.

Xiao Chen was following his breathing technique, condensing mana in his dantian.

To stabilize his new realm, he needed at least six successful mana formations.

Falling below seven risked regressing back to Qi Condensation Third Layer.

Ideally, he’d push forward and form nine, brushing the edge of Qi Condensation Fifth Layer.

But this was easier said than done.

The spiritual energy at Servant Peak was inherently thin, and two previous breakthroughs had already drained the area.

The lecture hall’s remaining energy could barely sustain six formations.

As Xiao Chen struggled to draw in energy, a new source suddenly appeared.

The relief was immediate.

Half a quarter-hour later, after successfully forming eight mana and stabilizing his realm, the external energy supply ceased.

Xiao Chen opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was a pale, delicate wrist adorned with a jade bangle and slender fingers gripping two drained spirit stones.

No wonder the energy had surged—she’d sacrificed two entire stones.

He quickly bowed. "I’m Xiao Chen. Thank you, Miss Jiang, for your aid. I didn’t bring any spirit stones today, but I’ll repay you double as soon as I can."

This was no lie. After discovering he couldn’t directly absorb spirit stone energy, he’d deposited his monthly stipend at the Merit Hall instead of carrying it.

Servant disciples received food and lodging, albeit coarse meals and dormitory-style housing for eight people.

Spirit stones were cumbersome to carry and unsafe to store in his room, so he’d chosen to leave them secured elsewhere.

The only stone he’d withdrawn earlier had already been exchanged for Spirit Rice.

Experiments confirmed the rice’s negligible benefits had vanished—it no longer aided cultivation.

As for the "take a break" reward, Xiao Chen now understood it required specifying a location to appear.

He couldn’t possibly retrieve it in front of everyone.

A mere servant disciple possessing a Storage Artifact capable of retrieving items from void would immediately draw suspicion of espionage.

So for now, he’d have to owe her.

"There’s no need to repay", Jiang Si Xuan smiled. "Those stones weren’t lent to you, so there’s nothing to return. We simply happened to breakthrough together—what a fortunate coincidence. I’d like to call this the start of our friendship."

She turned to Ye Fei. "Of course, this includes you too, Young Master Ye."

"Tonight at the White Jade Restaurant at the mountain’s base, I’ll be hosting a banquet with my siblings to celebrate. Would you two honor us with your presence?"

Hmm, isn’t this a bit obvious to gather your favorites publicly?

Xiao Chen glanced at Wu Lao Tou, who appeared deeply engrossed in his lecture notes, pretending not to hear.

"Sounds wonderful", Xiao Chen replied. "We should definitely celebrate this rare opportunity. What do you think, Brother Ye?"

Ye Fei nodded. "I’m free."

As their plans settled, Wu Lao Tou finally looked up. "Excellent, excellent! You’re all such promising talents!"

"Still, though you’ve broken through, there’s no harm in attending one more morning lecture. Take your seats again for now."

"As for later, I’ll report to the sect manager and arrange for your Sub-Academy transfers."

The disciples who’d stood up—including Jiang Si Xuan—promptly returned to their seats.

Only then did Xiao Chen shift his focus to the new interface hovering before him.

Exactly like the first time, three cards appeared with three choices.

[Late Stage Expert: Gain 2,222,222,222 spirit stones upon reaching Transcendence Stage.]

[Risky Move: Lose 20 years of lifespan to gain 700 spirit stones in 7 years.]

[Featherweight Competitor I: Yellow Rank cultivation manual speed increases tenfold; Yellow Tier Spell power amplifies tenfold.]

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end