The Cause of That Day, the Fruit of Today

The Cause of That Day, the Fruit of Today

"Qi Refining Layer 5 is enough to register?"

Han Yi was slightly taken aback. This was somewhat beyond his expectations.

"That's right. I heard the Sect Master personally came down to select outer disciples and replenish the Inner Peak."

"Of course, after entering the Inner Peak, you can only become an inner disciple once you reach the Qi Refining Late Stage."

"No more talking—I'm heading over first. I broke through to Qi Refining Layer 5 not long ago, and I need to hurry over to register too."

The familiar junior brother hurried toward the main building of Little Spirit Void Peak.

Han Yi quickly followed. He had finally caught someone who knew the details; asking directly was far faster than figuring things out on his own.

"Junior Brother, how long have the Inner Peak slots been open for registration this time?"

"Almost half a month. Today is the final day to register."

"Are there any requirements? What are the selection criteria?"

"There must be requirements, but I don't know the criteria. Still, I'd guess that since our Mystic Pill Sect focuses on alchemy, the Alchemy Technique must be one of the standards. Those with stronger alchemy skills will definitely have better chances."

Han Yi, walking beside him, felt a surge of joy.

Alchemy was his specialty.

After reaching Peak Mastery, he believed his Alchemy Technique did not lose to that of most Qi Refining Late Stage disciples in the Inner Peak. Perhaps only a handful of peak Qi Refining Layer 9 alchemists could suppress him.

But among outer disciples, such alchemy skill was utterly crushing.

He did not need to compare himself to inner disciples. He only needed to outrun the outer disciples.

"Senior Brother Han, your alchemy is so strong. This time, it'll definitely be as easy as taking something from your hand."

"I heard they released a full two hundred slots this time. There are over a hundred Outer Peaks, and the slots won't be distributed evenly. The capable rise, the weak retreat—that was said personally by the Sect Master."

"Everyone has a chance."

Along the way, Han Yi asked several more questions he cared about. Before long, they had arrived at the main building of Little Spirit Void Peak.

Inside the main building, the person overseeing registration was Li Heng, the newly appointed Peak Master of Little Spirit Void Peak and a peak Qi Refining Layer 9 cultivator.

This was not Han Yi's first time meeting Li Heng. Three years ago, after Li Heng took over Fan Mo's position following Fan Mo's expedition to the Demon Cave, Han Yi had met him several times.

After his familiar junior brother registered, it was Han Yi's turn. Han Yi stepped forward, took out his sect identity token, and registered the relevant information.

"Martial Uncle Li, may I ask when the sect will conduct the assessment for this selection? Are there fixed criteria?"

After registering, Han Yi carefully asked a question.

This opportunity was once in a thousand years. He wanted to seize it with every effort. First, he needed to know what would be assessed so he could prepare accordingly.

Li Heng's expression was unusually calm as he glanced at Han Yi.

"The assessment criteria are divided into four steps."

"The first is a qualification review. The second is an Alchemy Technique assessment. The third is a combat capability assessment. The fourth is an overall evaluation."

"The specific details are posted over there. You may go take a look."

Li Heng pointed ten meters away. Han Yi had noticed that more than a dozen disciples were gathered there, discussing animatedly.

Han Yi thanked him and hurried over. As he read and listened to the surrounding disciples' discussions, he finally gained a thorough understanding of the assessment.

The first step, the qualification review, was to determine whether one personally met the requirements for this slot selection.

The second step was exactly what it sounded like: an assessment of one's Alchemy Technique.

Han Yi had initially found the third step somewhat difficult to understand, but after listening to the discussions around him, he more or less grasped it.

In this battle at the Demon Cave, the Mystic Pill Sect had suffered grievous losses. The greatest reason was that the people of the Mystic Pill Sect were not skilled in combat—though this lack of skill was only in comparison to the other sects of Great Qian.

That was why the sect's higher-ups had established the third assessment step: to encourage sect disciples to put more effort into combat rather than focusing too heavily on the hundred arts of cultivation and neglecting battle, only to stumble and fall when slaughter came.

As for the fourth step, the overall evaluation, Han Yi could not understand it, and neither could anyone else explain exactly what it was. For now, they could only assume it was a strategy by the sect's higher-ups to pick the best from among the best.

After clearly understanding these four selection steps, Han Yi's heart settled completely.

He met the qualification requirement. Qi Refining Layer 6 was absolutely sufficient.

As for alchemy, he believed himself unmatched among the Outer Peaks.

For combat capability, with the Spirit Void Finger, Sword Control Technique, and Body Lightening Technique combined, he feared not even Qi Refining Layer 7 cultivators. Among the Outer Peak disciples, who would dare contend with him?

He held the advantage in all three of the first steps. As for the fourth step, the sect's evaluation, he also believed there would be no problem. Even if there were some under-the-table dealings, as long as he ranked high enough, he would not fear being "sacrificed."

Having thought it through, Han Yi happily returned to his courtyard and continued consolidating his cultivation.

Three days later.

The list of those who had passed the qualification review was released.

Han Yi rushed to the main building of Little Spirit Void Peak, only to be told that his name was not on the list.

Han Yi was dumbfounded.

No matter how he calculated, he could never have expected that he would fail even the very first qualification review.

This was greatly beyond his expectations.

"Martial Uncle Li, may I ask why this disciple failed even the qualification review?"

Han Yi truly could not understand. He did not want to die without knowing why, so he went straight to find Li Heng and ask about it.

Li Heng glanced at Han Yi. In that single glance, Han Yi sensed an unintentional trace of contempt.

"In this qualification review, more than a dozen people on Little Spirit Void Peak met the cultivation requirement, yet were still screened out."

"The reason was the same for all of them."

"Three years ago, the Heavenly Demon True Body manifested on Little Spirit Void Peak. Peak Master Fan Mo abandoned the peak and fled. Later, the sect ordered him to redeem himself through merit by heading to the Demon Cave."

"And when he selected disciples for the expedition, more than a dozen people were excluded by him beforehand."

"As for the rest, there is no need for me to say more."

"A Golden Core Stage elder personally issued the ruling in the sect's Ceremonial Hall: those who hide their heads like turtles are unworthy of entering the Inner Peak ahead of time."

Li Heng said nothing more, but the look in his eyes as it fell upon Han Yi made Han Yi feel uncomfortable all over.

Han Yi did not ask any further questions. He cupped his hands, turned, and left.

After walking out of the main building, Han Yi returned to his courtyard, sighed, and wore a complicated expression.

The cause of that day had borne the fruit of today.

He had never expected that paying money to avert disaster more than three years ago would make him miss this Inner Peak slot today.

When weighing the gains and losses, Han Yi did not regret it.

He merely found it regrettable.

Forget it. Since I can't enter the Inner Peak early, then I'll just cultivate honestly.

I refuse to believe a living man can be choked to death by urine.

With the proficiency panel, I'll enter the Inner Peak sooner or later. No one can stop me.

Next, I'll keep grinding proficiency. I'll start with the Alchemy Technique.

With pills, there will be spirit stones. With spirit stones, there will be a foundation for cultivation.

Don't rush. Take it one step at a time.

In the days that followed, Han Yi settled down again. Occasionally, he would go to the market to sell pills, and hear that someone with only Qi Refining Layer 5 cultivation had been exceptionally admitted into the Inner Peak. Though his expression remained calm, a trace of regret still inevitably arose within him.

But this feeling was quickly cleared away by him.

Time slipped by quietly, and the selection for the Inner Peak slots had long since come to an end.

Some rejoiced, while others grieved.

Spring passed and autumn came. Another year went by.