Han Yuan's Assignment

Besides the former Outer Sect Disciples watching the ceremony from the stands on either side, quite a few sect higher-ups were also observing from the summit platform atop Miscellaneous Peak.

The three great spirit peaks—Spirit Planting Peak, Spirit Beast Peak, and Spirit Material Peak;

the three refining peaks—Alchemy Peak, Weapon Refining Peak, and Talisman Crafting Peak;

the three arts peaks—Formation Peak, Inscription Peak, and Spirit Script Peak;

as well as the five elemental peaks—Ancient Wood Peak, Primordial Gold Peak, Heavenly Water Peak, Nether Earth Peak, and Molten Fire Peak. The higher-ups of all fourteen peaks had come to observe the ceremony.

Judging by their names, these peaks seemed to each possess only a single specialty. In truth, however, every peak had a complete inheritance of immortal cultivation arts; they merely differed in their areas of emphasis.

When the assessment began, the elders and Peak Lords of the various peaks had not spared a single glance downward, all sitting with their eyes closed in quiet repose.

Yet when Qin Feng's assessment result came out, several Peak Lords glanced over with interest. But it was only a glance. Then, when Han Yuan displayed Qi Refining Layer 4 cultivation—

the Peak Lords finally seemed to wake from a dream, opening their eyes one after another and looking toward the stone platform halfway up the mountain.

Earth God Sect Master Feng Jianming revealed a trace of interest and asked the person beside him, "Eh? This disciple is already at Qi Refining Layer 4? He did not seem to be on the previous list. What exactly is his situation?"

The deputy Peak Lord of Miscellaneous Peak gave an awkward smile. "Sect Master, please wait a moment."

Feng Jianming nodded faintly.

The higher-ups from every peak behind him all looked over.

The deputy Peak Lord of Miscellaneous Peak was under immense pressure. He hurriedly sent out a message to search for Han Yuan's records, and in less than half a minute, the exact information was gathered.

The deputy Peak Lord of Miscellaneous Peak hurriedly explained, "Han Yuan, eighteen years old, a villager from Han Family Village in Manzhou of the Hundred Battles Dynasty. Orphaned since childhood, he grew up eating meals from a hundred households. At sixteen, he was found to possess a Mid-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root and was admitted into the sect. As only his Wood Spiritual Root had reached mid-grade, he was initially assigned to cultivate at Ancient Wood Peak."

The Peak Lords were stunned.

"A Mid-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root, with only one root reaching mid-grade? And he is merely a village commoner—how did he reach Qi Refining Layer 4?" Alchemy Peak Lord Dai Yinzhu asked curiously.

If he had no background and had risen to Qi Refining Layer 4 in two years, whose thigh had he clung to, and how many resources had he swallowed?

Clearly, quite a few Peak Lords shared the same doubts.

Feng Jianming waved a hand. "Continue!"

The deputy Peak Lord of Miscellaneous Peak wiped the sweat from his forehead, inwardly groaning. Every one of these Peak Lords was a great expert at Foundation Establishment Late Stage. As a mere Qi Refining Peak Stage cultivator, the pressure here was tremendous. He was already cursing Lei Jiuxiao to the heavens in his heart—this was clearly supposed to be Lei Jiuxiao's responsibility.

He swallowed and continued reading the records that had just been delivered. "During Han Yuan's first-year Cultivation Assessment, he was only at the late stage of Qi Refining First Layer. According to the sect's exchange records, Han Yuan spent 100 Spirit Stones to exchange for the Spirit Rain Technique. At the beginning of the second year, he spent another 50 Spirit Stones to exchange for a Spirit Guard Formation, then accepted the task of planting Blood Spirit Rice. He completed the Blood Spirit Rice task several days ago and received a total of 162 Spirit Stones. He then exchanged for a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills, as well as the Azure Spirit Technique."

Feng Jianming saw him stop. "That's all?"

"That's all!" The deputy Peak Lord of Miscellaneous Peak nodded honestly.

Feng Jianming asked again, "Has Han Yuan left the sect at any point during these two years?"

"No!"

Feng Jianming raised his brows. "In other words, over the past two years, he obtained only a single bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills as cultivation resources. With the aptitude of a mere Mid-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root, how could he possibly break through to Qi Refining Layer 4?"

A strange look appeared on his face. Then he turned to the Peak Lords and said, "This Han Yuan—are any of you interested?"

The Peak Lords exchanged glances.

Then Alchemy Peak Lord Dai Yinzhu spoke. "Sect Master, Alchemy Peak has suffered a decline in talent these past few years. This Han Yuan would be just right to replenish Alchemy Peak's reserve of promising disciples!"

"Cough, cough, Old Dai, that is outright nonsense with your eyes wide open. Every disciple of Alchemy Peak is rolling in wealth—everyone knows that. My Weapon Refining Peak is the poorest, so this disciple should come to Weapon Refining Peak." Weapon Refining Peak Lord Xia Jiuyou spoke up.

The others also began voicing their bids.

Suddenly, all the Peak Lords paused. At that moment, they happened to see Han Yuan swallow a pill and refine it while standing. Even during the refinement process, he occasionally exchanged a few words with Qin Feng beside him, appearing completely unaffected.

"Eh, this is a cultivation method at the Minor Accomplishment Realm? He can circulate his cultivation while standing! So that is it. This disciple has decent comprehension. Though his aptitude is somewhat lacking, he managed to cultivate a Yellow Grade High-Rank Cultivation Method to the Minor Accomplishment Realm in two years. No wonder he reached Qi Refining Layer 4!" Sect Master Feng Jianming said in realization.

Then he looked at Dai Yinzhu and said, "Alchemy Peak truly lacks talent. Let Alchemy Peak have first pick of Han Yuan."

After seeing Han Yuan's performance, the desire in Dai Yinzhu's eyes immediately faded considerably. He had thought Han Yuan had obtained some great fortuitous opportunity, but it turned out his cultivation method had simply broken through. His comprehension was indeed impressive, but aptitude was the most important thing in the early stages of cultivation. A Mid-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root was still far too poor—he likely could not even break through to Foundation Establishment.

"Um, Sect Master, I have always disliked taking what others love. Since Xia Jiuyou wants him, let him have Han Yuan!" Dai Yinzhu said with a smile.

Xia Jiuyou immediately said, "Sect Master, such matters follow the order of arrival. Dai Yinzhu should take him first."

Feng Jianming understood their reactions perfectly. These two peaks were the strongest among all the peaks. Whenever talents were selected, they were usually the first two peaks to choose. Only if neither of them wanted someone would the other peaks have a chance to contend for them.

His gaze shifted to the other peaks. "What about you? Do you wish to lock in this disciple in advance?"

The Peak Lords all showed hesitation.

Among them, however, Spirit Script Peak Master Du Yuanhe revealed a peculiar look. Over the years, Spirit Script Peak had suffered the most severe shortage of talent among all the peaks. Every other peak had a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator ready to succeed the Peak Lord, while Spirit Script Peak did not even have one. This left him, a False Core Realm cultivator, continually occupying the position of Peak Lord, which was rather awkward among the many Peak Lords.

But precisely because he had reached the False Core Realm, his Spiritual Sense was already nearly at the Golden Core Level, allowing him to silently inspect Han Yuan's physical condition.

To his surprise, he discovered that Han Yuan's true cultivation was only Qi Refining Third Layer. Moreover, judging by the speed at which his cultivation method circulated within his body, how could this be merely the Minor Accomplishment Realm? This was clearly the Major Accomplishment Realm!

An abnormality in his Dantian—this meant his potential for Foundation Establishment had greatly increased!

A cultivation method at Major Accomplishment—this meant Han Yuan's comprehension was astonishing!

He was a true genius, several times stronger than the likes of Yang Yuanyang and Nangong Zhuiyue!

Thus, seeing that no one else was interested, he said, "Sect Master, my Spirit Script Peak wishes to lock in Han Yuan in advance!"

Feng Jianming was surprised. Du Yuanhe's cultivation was even higher than his own—had he discovered something unusual about Han Yuan?

"Does anyone else wish to contend for him?" Feng Jianming looked toward Dai Yinzhu and Xia Jiuyou.

Dai Yinzhu hesitated briefly, then shook his head.

Xia Jiuyou simply closed his eyes.

The other Peak Lords had no intention of competing either.

"Since that is the case, Han Yuan shall belong to Spirit Script Peak!"