Qingyuan Sect

Even after Yang Chan's Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique had risen to the First Stage Peeking into the Threshold, his talent was still only four points. He had entered Qingyuan Sect two and a half years ago and had yet to comprehend Jing Power, showing just how poor his talent was.

During his two and a half years at Qingyuan Sect, the fastest person he had seen comprehend Jing Power had taken one year. That person had become a Formal Disciple of Qingyuan Sect, and it was said that his talent could only be considered slightly below average.

Comparing Yang Chan's cultivation progress with that person's, if that person's talent were calculated numerically, it should have been around ten points.

As for the most outstanding figure among the stewards, he had comprehended Jing Power in half a year. His talent was superior; estimated numerically, it should have been around twenty points.

Yang Chan was merely estimating based on cultivation time, so he could only arrive at a rough figure.

By that calculation, his original aptitude had been 3—low-grade aptitude, and rather poor even among that tier. Now that it had risen to 4, he could only be considered average within the low-grade ranks.

Once his blood and qi had recovered, Yang Chan began practicing the Ox Demon Strength Fist. He first performed Ox Demon Headbutt, then followed the memories in his mind and executed its thirty-six variations. With every execution, the fist technique changed slightly, tempering his body while helping him comprehend Jing Power.

The Jing Power comprehended from the Ox Demon Strength Fist was called Raging Bull Strength. While tempering one's body, one might gain insight into this power. This power was the key to becoming a true martial artist.

After Yang Chan completed the variations of Ox Demon Headbutt, he began the seventy-two variations of Ox Demon Hoof Stomp and the one hundred and eight variations of Ox Demon Tail Sweep.

After executing them all, Yang Chan felt heat billowing from his body. More than half of the blood and qi within him had been depleted again, and his gaze turned to the panel.

[Name: Yang Chan]

[Lifespan: 16/53]

[Talent: 4]

[Potential Points: 0]

[Mastered Professions: Pharmacist (Beginner 25%)]

[Comprehended Techniques: Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique (First Stage Peeking into the Threshold 10%), Ox Demon Strength Fist (Beginner 41%)]

After one complete practice session, the proficiency of the Ox Demon Strength Fist had increased by one percent.

"So it can forcefully add one point. It's probably related to the improvement in my talent."

Yang Chan was delighted to see this change. Based on the time his predecessor had spent cultivating and the number of times he had practiced the Ox Demon Strength Fist, if it had increased by one point every time, he should have already cultivated the Ox Demon Strength Fist to perfection.

Raging Bull Strength was extremely difficult to comprehend, as it depended on timing and luck. But if one cultivated the Ox Demon Strength Fist to perfection, one would definitely comprehend Raging Bull Strength, and the tempering of the body would also be more complete.

This would greatly help with the subsequent external cultivation, saving quite a bit of time.

Yang Chan had heard of this saying as well, but he did not know the specifics, because this was not something Steward Disciples concerned themselves with.

All Steward Disciples had only one goal: comprehend Jing Power and become Formal Disciples of Qingyuan Sect.

After Yang Chan finished cultivating the Ox Demon Strength Fist, he began the Spirit and Flesh Awakening from the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique, relaxing his joints and muscles. Then he began Qi Gathering, Qi Grasping, and sat cross-legged to cultivate the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique.

This was the process of cultivating Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique, as well as one of its cultivation methods. As Yang Chan performed it, he felt a warm current flow through his body. His entire body grew pleasantly warm, and the blood and qi within him slowly began to recover.

After completing one cycle, the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique on the panel had not improved. There had been no forced addition of one point, giving Yang Chan a clearer understanding of this panel.

Once the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique reached the First Stage, improvement naturally required more than it had at the Beginner stage. It would probably take several more sessions before it could improve.

Only after the sky had completely darkened did Yang Chan end his cultivation for the day.

He did not choose to stay up late cultivating. His previous experiences had made him understand even more clearly that his body still needed to be nurtured. Besides, he had a task at the Medicine Hall the next day.

When one lacked energy, it was easy to make mistakes. He had no desire to be driven out of Qingyuan Sect so soon after arriving in this world.

By the time Yang Chan fell asleep, the Ox Demon Strength Fist had reached Beginner 43%. The Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique had not improved, so it clearly needed several more rounds of cultivation.

The next day.

The sky had only just begun to brighten when Yang Chan woke up. After washing up simply, he headed straight for the Medicine Hall. As a Steward Disciple of Qingyuan Sect, he had miscellaneous chores to do every day.

At the Medicine Hall, there were tasks such as gathering herbs, drying herbs, washing herbs, cleaning the halls, sorting medicinal materials, and much more. There were many chores, and the steward assigned them each day.

When Yang Chan arrived at the Medicine Hall, many Steward Disciples had already gathered there. These people were only a small portion of Qingyuan Sect's Steward Disciples, all of them assigned to the Medicine Hall.

After Steward Zhao divided and assigned the miscellaneous duties, Yang Chan also received his Servant Task for the day: drying herbs.

The task was simple, but extremely arduous and time-consuming, because it had to be done beneath the scorching, merciless sun.

Within Qingyuan Sect, the tasks performed by Steward Disciples were always the most arduous and time-consuming. Their food was merely enough to fill their stomachs. Though it was decent compared to outside, it was far inferior to what the Formal Disciples of Qingyuan Sect received.

The Formal Disciples of Qingyuan Sect ate rich meals of fish and meat every day, received medicinal supplements every month, and could focus wholeheartedly on cultivation. They also received a monthly stipend.

The tasks they performed could all be chosen by themselves, and their monthly workload was not high.

Especially for newly promoted Formal Disciples, during their first year, they did not need to perform any tasks at all. They could focus solely on cultivation, and there would be no shortage of food, monthly stipends, or anything else.

Such good fortune was something Yang Chan dreamed of, naturally making him even more determined to become a Formal Disciple of Qingyuan Sect.

I must become a Formal Disciple of Qingyuan Sect before the three-year deadline. Then I'll continue cultivating bitterly, increase my strength, and gain the power to protect myself.

Yang Chan silently vowed in his heart.

At his current pace, becoming a Formal Disciple of Qingyuan Sect before the three-year deadline was basically not a problem.

After receiving his task, Yang Chan followed the Steward Disciples assigned to dry herbs to the rear courtyard of the Medicine Hall, where they fetched fresh medicinal herbs.

Some fresh medicinal herbs had weak medicinal potency and needed the scorching sun to make their potency contract and gather. At the same time, the blazing sun could dry away some of the toxins contained within the fresh herbs.

Before Yang Chan lay medicinal herbs such as Jade Lotus Leaf, Andrographis, and Dragon Gall Grass. Most had been gathered from the mountain Medicine Fields by Formal Disciples leading Steward Disciples. Some had been collected from below the mountain by Formal Disciples, while others had been sent by forces under Qingyuan Sect's protection.

These medicinal herbs would be consumed by Qingyuan Sect's disciples, elders, and others, increasing their strength.

Within Qingzhou, Qingyuan Sect was the most powerful sect. Its sect master, Liu Xuan, was a renowned grandmaster-level expert of the Great Zhou Dynasty and also had ties to the imperial family.

With great strength and powerful backing, Qingyuan Sect naturally became Qingzhou's strongest force. Local magnates and aristocratic families could only shelter beneath Qingyuan Sect's banner, offering tribute every year.