Every disciple newly admitted to the sect had one chance to choose a Human-grade Initial Stage cultivation method and martial skill. If they wanted to obtain more afterward, they would need contribution points.
In the Wuji Sect, contribution points were equivalent to currency and could be used for everything.
Outer Sect disciples could earn them by taking missions that did not require leaving the sect, or by cultivating martial skills and cultivation methods to a certain level and meeting particular assessment standards.
They could also obtain them through the various trials organized by the sect.
In short, there were many channels—so long as one was willing to work hard.
As a newly admitted disciple, Lu Ming naturally had such an opportunity as well.
He did not need a cultivation method, though he could exchange it for a martial skill.
However, he felt that he would soon break through to the True Qi Realm. Learning a Human-grade Mid Stage martial skill now would be both useless and a waste of time.
He wondered whether he could exchange it for contribution points.
So he asked the person guiding him around the sect.
The answer was yes.
"Lu Ming, it looks like you've already joined our Wuji Sect."
On the way to the Martial Arts Pavilion, he happened to run into Chu Yunxiao again after not seeing him for several days.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Chu."
The one leading Lu Ming was an Outer Sect deacon disciple. Upon seeing Chu Yunxiao, he hurriedly bowed.
Chu Yunxiao waved a hand. "It's fine, you can go. I'll show Junior Brother Lu around."
"That would be wonderful. Thank you for troubling yourself, Senior Brother Chu."
The deacon disciple did not insist. Smiling, he left.
After the man had gone, Chu Yunxiao asked Lu Ming, "How is it? What arrangements has the sect made for you?"
Lu Ming did not hide it. "I'm currently an Outer Sect disciple of the Wuji Sect."
"Just that?"
Chu Yunxiao clearly did not believe him. Though he did not know precisely when Lu Ming had begun cultivating, judging from his current age, even if he had started at twelve, his progress was still extremely fast.
The sect should have given him some special treatment.
"What else could there be?" Lu Ming shrugged, unsure how to explain it.
After pondering for a moment, Chu Yunxiao suddenly muttered to himself, "With your talent... no, there's someone in the Outer Sect who cultivated even faster than you. She's already an Inner Sect disciple now."
"She, like you, joined the sect midway through. That makes sense, then."
"Cultivated faster than me?"
Though the other man's words were somewhat disjointed, Lu Ming more or less understood what he meant.
He was therefore rather curious. Who could reach the True Qi Realm within five months?
Chu Yunxiao came back to himself and explained, "Come, let's talk as we walk."
Only through Chu Yunxiao's account did Lu Ming learn the truth.
Before he had arrived, there had been a genius disciple in the Outer Sect who had only recently joined the sect as well. She had begun cultivating at twelve and reached the True Qi Realm at just thirteen years and two months old.
That achievement had caused a sensation throughout the entire sect.
She had been hailed as the fastest cultivator in the past century—not just in the entire Wuji Sect, but even throughout the Zhao Kingdom.
"Eh, why aren't you saying anything?"
Seeing Lu Ming stroking his chin with an odd expression, Chu Yunxiao asked in confusion.
Lu Ming believed that he himself was the fastest. But then he remembered that he had not yet broken through to the True Qi Realm.
Though he had great confidence, who could say for certain what had yet to happen?
So he remained silent and merely asked, "What's her name?"
"Zhu Ningyun."
Chu Yunxiao replied, "Let me tell you, she's now the apple of those elders' eyes. Ordinary disciples like us can only look on in envy."
Lu Ming was not surprised. Geniuses were always in high demand.
"Alright, you'll learn all that once you enter the Inner Sect. For now, I'll take you to the Martial Arts Pavilion."
Lu Ming nodded.
The Martial Arts Pavilion was an important and vital place for any sect. Naturally, it was located in the core area and heavily guarded.
Led onward, Lu Ming first arrived at a plaza before a grand hall. People streamed in and out, all of them Inner Sect disciples in the True Qi Realm. It was exceedingly lively.
"What is this place?"
It did not look like the Martial Arts Pavilion to Lu Ming.
"This is the Mission Hall. Inner Sect disciples must complete at least one mission every year. Come to think of it, the trip I took to Shuofeng City last time was my first mission."
Chu Yunxiao explained, then prepared to lead Lu Ming through the plaza. But at that moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
"Make way! This is terrible! Senior Brother Yun Jianhai's mission to eliminate the Black Wind Bandit Leader has failed. His corpse has been sent back by an escort agency!"
"What?!"
A person suddenly rushed in from outside the plaza, shouting as he ran. His words instantly shocked everyone present.
"I saw that mission. According to the intelligence, that Black Wind Bandit Leader was only at the Peak Early True Qi Realm, while Senior Brother Yun Jianhai was in the Mid True Qi Realm. How could the mission have failed?"
"Exactly! Apart from his realm, Senior Brother Yun Jianhai's Human-grade Peak Stage Mountain-Shaking Fist could blast even mountains apart. How could he have lost to that bandit leader?"
"Could the other side have had helpers?"
"That must be it!"
The plaza instantly erupted into heated discussion.
Chu Yunxiao's expression darkened somewhat. "Senior Brother Yun Jianhai ranked four hundred and sixty-second among the Inner Sect disciples. I never thought he would fall like this."
Lu Ming did not know what to say. Once again, he felt the brutality faced by Martial Artists. Even after joining one of a nation's top sects, death and injury could not be avoided.
"These things are unavoidable. Every year, many people in the Wuji Sect are injured while carrying out missions, and quite a few lose their lives. Senior Brother Yun Jianhai was one of them."
Chu Yunxiao sighed again and explained quietly to Lu Ming:
"The various powers within the Zhao Kingdom are not one harmonious whole. When their disciples encounter one another, they are often at daggers drawn—especially between the three Seventh-grade sects. If things are light, they suffer some injuries. If they are serious, they may lose their lives."
"Even among those Eighth-grade and Ninth-grade sects, so long as it is a normal dispute between disciples, the sect higher-ups will not interfere."
"Then there are evil Martial Artists and the like. When we travel through the Jianghu, accidents can happen at any moment."
Lu Ming nodded. He somewhat understood the sect's thinking—they did not wish to cultivate flowers in a greenhouse.
"I'll take this mission. I want to see just how strong that bandit leader is!"
A Mid True Qi Realm disciple suddenly shouted.
"Count me in. Senior Brother Yun Jianhai and I were on good terms. I want to avenge him myself."
"I'm going too. That bandit leader might have quite a few helpers."
In the plaza, the discussions eventually transformed into a tide of righteous indignation.
"What kind of conduct is all this shouting and clamoring!"
At last, the commotion outside drew over an elder. With a stern expression, he said:
"The Jianghu is this cruel. Insufficient skill leads to such consequences. And do not underestimate anyone. Even if the opponent is lame or blind, carelessness will make you die with bitter regret, even if you possess great strength."
He used the occasion to warn the disciples.
Only then did the disciples quiet down.
"Alright. A batch of new missions has been released. Assess your own strength before accepting them, and do not aim beyond your reach."
Leaving behind those words, the elder turned and entered the hall.
The disciples then went about their own business.
The disciples who had earlier said they would accept the mission to eliminate the bandit leader had originally been preparing to leave the hall. Now, keeping their word, they entered the hall once more.
Several others followed behind them.
"Let's go too."
Chu Yunxiao said.
Lu Ming nodded. He no longer had the mood to wander around. He went to the Martial Arts Pavilion and exchanged his two selection opportunities for contribution points.
Then he bade farewell to Chu Yunxiao and returned directly to his residence.
Zhu Ningyun's matter, along with what he had just witnessed before the Mission Hall, suddenly made him eager to break through to the True Qi Realm.
Then he could take missions.
To him, the Jianghu was dangerous, but it was also deeply alluring.
So next, he planned to devote all his efforts to cultivating inner qi.
Before you continue