"They're all ordinary cultivation techniques. It seems an Outer Disciple's authority still isn't enough."
Qingxuan Sect, Scripture Depository.
Shen Yi returned in disappointment. He had found neither clues to Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment nor any unique cultivation techniques.
"Are you Kongming?"
One day, as Shen Yi walked along the road, he was suddenly blocked by a group of three. From the looks of it, they were all at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Condensation.
Shen Yi did not respond and kept walking. The three shouted again, yet Shen Yi still ignored them.
"Stop!"
Seeing themselves ignored by Shen Yi, the three could not help growing angry. They each activated their spiritual power and surrounded Shen Yi.
"Three senior brothers, I'm Senior Brother Zhu Siwen's brother!"
Shen Yi wore a terrified expression as he tremblingly spoke Zhu Siwen's name, hoping it would intimidate them.
Who would have thought that mentioning it would only make things worse? The moment they heard Zhu Siwen's name, the three became even more arrogant and prepared to beat Shen Yi.
Shen Yi's gaze changed. He decided to strike first and give the three no chance to react. His Dragon Elephant Fist smashed viciously into their faces, and before long, all three had been beaten into blue-faced pig heads.
"Pah! With that little skill, you dared provoke me? I'm Senior Brother Zhu Siwen's man!"
Shen Yi easily finished them off and spat at the three. Even as he left, he did not forget to emphasize that he was Zhu Siwen's subordinate.
From the moment the three appeared, he had recognized them as lackeys of Wang Lie, Zhu Siwen's rival. Behind the two stood the interests of Second Elder Zhang Zishi and Great Elder Wang Shangren respectively. Naturally, Shen Yi would not let such an opportunity slip by. He would sow discord between them and ultimately isolate Wang Shangren.
"What a pity. I should have let them hit me first."
Shen Yi shook his head, lamenting that his plan had still not been thorough enough.
"What? Three against one, and you still got beaten into this state?"
Wang Lie's face burned with rage as he looked at his three subordinates. He felt as though iron had failed to become steel. He had wanted to take the wind out of Zhu Siwen's sails, only to lose the chicken and the rice besides.
"Zhu Siwen, Zhu Siwen, this time you win. But don't think I'll let this go."
Wang Lie and Zhu Siwen had never gotten along. Both were already past thirty and had remained stuck at the eighth level of Qi Condensation for years, with no hope of Foundation Establishment. Unwilling to lose the sect's protection, they had each found backers and focused on winning people over, both seeking to control the outer sect.
Zhu Siwen naturally learned of Shen Yi's actions as well, and he was extremely pleased. With Shen Yi suppressing the opposition, his side was destined to make its name shake the heavens and earth.
At that moment, Shen Yi sat in the residence Qingxuan Sect had assigned him in the city, holding a slip of paper in his hand. "Three months from now, Foundation Establishment in a secret realm. This chance must not be missed."
"A secret realm will open in three months?"
Shen Yi murmured to himself. This was the second time the mysterious person had sent him information, yet he had no idea what the other party's purpose was.
He had now reached peak Qi Refining and needed only an opportunity to achieve Foundation Establishment. Even so, Shen Yi persisted in cultivating every day. After each session, he could feel the spiritual power within him becoming a little more refined.
To avoid arousing suspicion, Shen Yi entered and left the mountain gate every day, always happening to encounter Wang Lie's subordinates by pure coincidence before giving them a thorough beating. Half a month passed, and the name "Kongming" had already spread throughout Qingxuan Sect's outer sect.
"Junior Disciple Kongming is truly a heaven-sent talent. He is now the number one person in the outer sect. Even I bask in his glory."
Zhu Siwen's face was piled high with smiles. Shen Yi's sudden emergence had brought him immense prestige. When Wang Lie's people saw disciples from his side, they had to take a detour. Before long, his side would surely gain even more.
Of course, all of this was thanks to Shen Yi's performance.
"Senior Brother flatters me. To serve the sect, the elders, and Senior Brother is merely this little brother's duty."
Shen Yi once again declared his loyalty, putting Zhu Siwen's heart much more at ease.
"I've received news that a secret realm will open in three months. It will be the perfect opportunity for Foundation Establishment. However, the sect's slots are limited, and priority will be given to disciples with great contributions. Junior Brother should take this to heart."
Without revealing anything, Zhu Siwen reminded Shen Yi that he should accept some sect missions, so that when the sect selected disciples, his place would be only natural.
"I will certainly not disappoint Senior Brother's great expectations!"
The next day, Shen Yi arrived at Qingxuan Sect's mission hall. The place was already packed to the brim and bustling with activity. It seemed the Outer Disciples had all learned that a secret realm would open in three months.
"Collect ten demon cores from Tier 2 demonic beasts. The reward is one Mid-grade Dharma Artifact. I'll take this mission!"
"Refine ten fourth-grade pills. The reward is one page from a third-grade alchemy tome. I'll give this one a try."
"Kill Liu Huaqiang, a traitor who fled the sect. The reward is one Low-grade spirit artifact. The reward is good, but it's far too dangerous."
"Too scared to act? What trash. I, Hao Ge, will take this mission."
Only when Shen Yi stepped forward did he clearly see the golden light screen covered in all sorts of missions. To ensure disciples' safety, the screen was divided into three sections: Foundation Establishment Realm, Qi Condensation Realm, and Body Forging stage.
"It's Kongming, that ruthless fellow."
The moment everyone saw Shen Yi appear, they instantly fell silent and made way for him.
"Guard a lineage protected by the sect for ten days. Reward: one Fifth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill."
"Tame one Tier 3 battle beast. Reward: one Beast Taming Heart Method."
"Recover a lost letter. Reward: one Mid-grade spirit artifact."
Shen Yi browsed every mission in the Qi Condensation Realm section but did not find anything he wanted. They were all ordinary missions, and the rewards did not meet his expectations. He turned and walked toward the Foundation Establishment Realm missions.
"He actually went to the Foundation Establishment Realm missions. Could it be...?"
"He's merely overestimating himself. How could Foundation Establishment Realm missions be so easy?"
"Kongming, what medicine are you selling in your gourd?"
Shen Yi ignored everyone's discussion and concentrated on searching for the mission he wanted.
"Rescue members of a lineage protected by the sect. Reward: one Earth-tier cultivation technique. May enter the Scripture Depository to choose freely."
"This is the one!"
Shen Yi accepted it without hesitation. With a flash of light, a message entered his mind.
"Proceed to the Zhao family of Qingxuan City. Learn the circumstances and rescue Zhao Xiaotian, the Zhao family's only son."
Shen Yi vanished in a blur, arriving at the entrance in the blink of an eye and disappearing from everyone's sight.
"He actually accepted a Foundation Establishment Realm mission! Those are missions only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators can complete!"
"He's just seeking attention. A lineage under the sect's protection has encountered danger—how could a mere Qi Condensation Realm cultivator possibly complete it?"
For a time, everyone talked at once, and the name Kongming once again became the topic of conversation over tea and meals among the disciples.
"Kongming, you brought this upon yourself!"
Wang Lie also learned the news, his eyes vicious. Ever since Shen Yi joined Qingxuan Sect, his side had gradually declined. At last, he had found an opportunity.
"You three are all at peak Qi Refining. You know what to do, right? If you handle this well, I will personally ask the Great Elder to reward your merits!"
The three masked men all nodded and made a throat-slitting gesture.
Wang Lie nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand. The three immediately scattered.
"This is a heaven-sent opportunity!"
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