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Chapter 53: Hidden Secrets
Chapter 53: Hidden Secrets
Zhuang Yunde hesitated for a long while before slowly speaking, "It's a sect mission, but they say it's something about frontier exploration, which we don't believe. It's obvious that this mission carries a certain degree of danger. As for the specifics of the task and the location, I'm not sure either."
Zhuang Yunde paused slightly before continuing, "And regarding your statement that no one has returned, that's not entirely true. As far as I know, quite a few have come back. And without exception, they have all been accepted as inner disciples, even those who were originally menial disciples."
Chu Ning was taken aback upon hearing this and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Zhuang, are you saying that those menial disciples who were chosen for the mission were also accepted as inner disciples upon their return?"
Zhuang Yunde nodded slightly and added, "Don't ask me why because I don't know either."
Despite Zhuang Yunde's words, Chu Ning's eyes still held a look of shock and confusion.
The gap between being a menial disciple and an inner disciple was immense. Typically, those assigned to be menial disciples were those with four or five attribute quasi-spirit roots. While some of them might stand out during the early Qi Refining stage, they would inevitably fall behind as they progressed to the middle Qi Refining stage, left far behind by those with three spirit roots or more.
In Qingxi Sect, those with three spirit roots were usually considered outer disciples unless they possessed other outstanding talents. Inner disciples were an entirely different concept—they were all exceptionally gifted. Mu Ling, being a relative of a Golden Core elder, was placed in the outer sect due to her inadequate cultivation talent.
This went to show that becoming a true inner disciple in Qingxi Sect was by no means an easy feat. Those who achieved this status were all disciples with great potential for building their foundation.
However, now it seemed that menial disciples only needed to participate in this mission and return alive to become inner disciples.
At this thought, Chu Ning's expression changed slightly. He wasn't envious of these disciples becoming inner disciples; he was pondering just how dangerous this mission must be.
Zhuang Yunde's face now wore a faint smile as he said, "If I make it back, perhaps I'll have the chance to tell you all about it."
Chu Ning asked, "Since you know that this mission is so dangerous, why did you choose to go? Was the sect forcing you to?"
"Not really," Zhuang Yunde shook his head. "If one can become an outer disciple on duty, they do have some autonomy in their choices. This time, it was my own decision to go. I've been stuck at the ninth layer of Qi Refining for too long. Forget about building a foundation; even reaching the peak of Qi Refining seems like a distant dream. So..."
Hearing these words, Chu Ning let out a soft sigh in his heart as he understood Zhuang Yunde's thoughts.
It was clear that Brother Zhuang was not content with being stuck at his current cultivation level. Even though he was living a comfortable life, he still wanted to take a gamble.
Cultivation, the pursuit of the Great Dao?
Even after leaving Zhuang Yunde's courtyard, Chu Ning's mind continued to ponder this matter. He wondered what he would do if faced with such a situation.
Soon enough, he figured it out.
His life was precious.
To achieve longevity, one must first ensure their survival.
With this realization, Chu Ning felt a sense of clarity in his heart.
Earlier, Zhuang Yunde had also mentioned that to have more choices in the future, he needed to find a way to break free from his menial disciple status and enter the outer sect.
However, these thoughts were still a bit distant for Chu Ning at the moment.
For now, his priority was to pass the promotion assessment for Area C.
Thus, after leaving Zhuang Yunde, Chu Ning took the initiative to look for He Changyou.
"You want to take the promotion assessment for Area C? I remember you were a new disciple a year and a half ago," He Changyou said, looking at Chu Ning with a mix of surprise and satisfaction on his face.
"Although your chances of succeeding in the promotion assessment for Area C at the fourth layer of Qi Refining are slim, I still encourage you to give it a try. It will be good practice. After all, we need fresh talent in the Spirit Planting Room."
After putting the jade slip away, He Changyou continued, "Your performance has been impressive. It will be good to have you compete with those senior martial brothers. The assessment will be organized in half a month."
"Thank you, Executor!" Chu Ning bowed and bid farewell.
His relationship with He Changyou was not as close as it was with Zhuang Yunde, so it was natural that he wouldn't have much else to discuss with him at this point.
Over the next half month or so, Chu Ning continued to cultivate using spirit stones, just as he had done with Zhuang Yunde. However, his goal was not to stabilize at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, but to further solidify his fifth layer and prepare for the breakthrough to the sixth.
After all, once the Ink Spirit Bamboo was harvested, he wouldn't be able to rely on it for his Green Wood Eternal Spring Art cultivation anymore. Although there was still the Iron Wire Vine in the courtyard, its speed couldn't compare to that of the bamboo.
With daily cultivation using spirit stones and the aid of the Iron Wire Vine for his Green Wood Eternal Spring Art, Chu Ning's progress was no slower than before. In fact, it was subtly faster, allowing him to gain about 5 points of proficiency every two days.
Before he knew it, half a month had passed. That morning, after finishing his cultivation, Chu Ning checked his progress.
【Green Wood Eternal Spring Art (Lower Low-Grade Yellow), Second Layer (400/900)】
【Nine Transforming Body Refining Art, First Volume, Unwithering Bones 140/600】
【Refine God Art, First Layer 101/1000】
The proficiency of the second layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art had reached 400.
According to Chu Ning's previous estimation, reaching 200 proficiency had gotten him to the fifth layer of Qi Refining, so 500 should be enough to attain the sixth layer.
All he needed now was to obtain a spirit field in Area C and plant the right spirit plants, and he should be able to fill up those remaining 100 proficiency points quickly.
In comparison, his progress in body refining and spiritual cultivation was average, and Chu Ning couldn't find a way to speed it up for the time being.
Feeling refreshed and energized, Chu Ning pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped out. Today was the day of the promotion assessment for Area C.
"Creak!"
At that moment, the gate of the neighboring courtyard also opened, and Lu Hongping and Lu Yunfang walked out.
Upon seeing Chu Ning, Lu Yunfang greeted him enthusiastically.
"Chu Ning, you're up early even during the off-season?"
She blinked and added, "And to be up so early, could it be that you're also going to take the promotion assessment for Area C?"
Chu Ning was slightly taken aback. "Senior Martial Brother and Senior Martial Sister are also taking the assessment?"
Lu Yunfang nodded. "The temporary fields we were assigned after our return have already been harvested. Those fields aren't enough for the two of us to cultivate, so we have to take this assessment. What about you, Chu Ning..."
She glanced at him deeply and continued, "To have reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining in such a short time and now taking the promotion assessment as well, your talent is truly enviable."
Lu Hongping nodded vigorously beside her, his eyes fixed on Chu Ning.
Chu Ning secretly groaned inwardly. He hadn't expected that by keeping a low profile, he would end up attracting their attention at this moment.
He could only shake his head and force a smile. "I got lucky, and the sect's executor said that this Green Wood Eternal Spring Art suits me well. But this promotion assessment is just me trying my luck. How can I compare to you senior martial siblings?"
Exchanging pleasantries, the group made their way to the assessment venue.
(End of Chapter)
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