That shout from Senior Brother Wang Long also reminded Zhang Wanzhi and Mo Tu.
The two of them wore expressions as if they had just awakened from a dream, seemingly only now noticing Li Xiuchang's Cultivation Level.
Zhang Wanzhi made no attempt to hide his shock. Even Senior Brother Mo, a man normally so calm and taciturn, could not help drawing in a sharp breath.
"That was too much. Way too over the top." Zhang Wanzhi could not resist sending Mo Tu a voice transmission to remind him.
Mo Tu immediately restrained his expression.
Li Xiuchang sighed inwardly. He had originally only planned to test Senior Brother Wang Long's reaction, but he had not expected all three of them to learn about his Cultivation Level.
Fortunately, it was not a major matter that he could no longer conceal, and all three Senior Brothers had a good relationship with him.
Li Xiuchang said sheepishly, "I was too impatient and took a Breakthrough Pill."
Wang Long said anxiously, "Junior Brother, you took that Breakthrough Pill far too early. You should have saved it for when you were breaking through to the Late Qi Condensation."
He immediately consoled him as well. "It isn't a major matter. But remember this, Junior Brother: you must not take another Breakthrough Pill while in the Qi Condensation Stage, or it will damage your potential."
"Yes, yes." Li Xiuchang nodded repeatedly.
"Right." Wang Long seemed to remember something and added, "Don't tell anyone about this. Whatever you do, don't tell them you've taken a Breakthrough Pill!"
"What's wrong?" Li Xiuchang asked, puzzled. "Could there be some taboo about taking a pill? Does the sect forbid it?"
Wang Long shook his head. "The sect doesn't care, but Senior Brother Yan from the General Affairs Hall does. Senior Brother Yan is... not easy to talk to."
Li Xiuchang was somewhat confused. "This Senior Brother Yan is..."
Wang Long explained, "Senior Brother Yan is the steward of the General Affairs Hall. This position is also known as the 'Outer Sect Senior Disciple Brother.' He is in charge of all manner of Outer Sect affairs, and is also responsible for urging all Outer Sect disciples to practice their skills and cultivate.
"Senior Brother Yan is a man whose very name sounds strict. He is so diligent that he borders on harshness, and has established countless rules. Several of the current sect regulations were proposed and refined by him. He also has a separate set of regulations specifically for Outer Sect disciples, one of which forbids taking a Breakthrough Pill before reaching the sixth layer of Qi Condensation.
"Once he discovered someone violating the rules, he would not show the slightest leniency. If he said there would be punishment, punishment there would be—he never showed mercy."
Zhang Wanzhi agreed. "Yan Song really is strict!"
Li Xiuchang said helplessly, "But I didn't know about these rules. I've never heard of them."
Wang Long wore an awkward expression. He had been the one to bring Li Xiuchang into the sect, so he should have been the one to explain these matters to him.
"I didn't expect you to advance so quickly either, Junior Brother. I thought you wouldn't be able to violate these rules for the time being. Besides, I later stopped working at the Reception Area, so I just..."
This was the first time Li Xiuchang had heard that there was a separate set of Outer Sect regulations. He did not like the feeling of being bound by layer upon layer of rules.
However, Senior Brother Yan held great power, and Li Xiuchang had no need to cause himself trouble. He planned to wait another six or seven months before going to the General Affairs Hall.
By then, explaining his Cultivation Level would not be so troublesome, and he would not need to mention taking a Breakthrough Pill.
Zhang Wanzhi suddenly asked, "Has Junior Brother Li turned eighteen yet? Have you gone to the General Affairs Hall for your routine examination?"
"I'll turn eighteen in a few days. I received a summons from the General Affairs Hall this time, which is why I came out of seclusion early."
Upon hearing this, Wang Long hurriedly advised him, "Then wait a few months before going. Senior Brother Yan is the one overseeing the routine examination."
Zhang Wanzhi also cautioned him, "For the next few months, focus on your seclusion and don't go out. Otherwise, if someone sees you, it'll be difficult to explain your absence to the General Affairs Hall."
Li Xiuchang nodded helplessly. "But I still have to attend my teacher's lecture in half a month. It seems I can only miss it. And this is the first lecture after I became his disciple..."
"There's nothing to be done about that. You'll have to weigh it for yourself, Junior Brother. If all else fails, take the punishment. It would indeed be a pity to miss Elder Zhao's lecture." Wang Long spoke.
Mo Tu, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly said, "Find a technique that can conceal your Cultivation Level."
Zhang Wanzhi shook his head. "It won't work. Junior Brother Li is only in the Qi Condensation Stage right now. The secret techniques in the Outer Sect Library Pavilion can at most help him conceal his Cultivation Level across one major realm. They can only fool someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm. It might work if he could use a secret technique from the Inner Sect Dao Transmission Pavilion."
For a moment, the group fell silent. The secret techniques in the Inner Sect Dao Transmission Pavilion were not something an Outer Sect disciple in the Qi Condensation Stage could obtain.
After a moment, Wang Long seemed to think of something. Acting as Zhang Wanzhi's mouthpiece for a while, he said, "Perhaps Junior Brother could try his luck at the Preaching Ranking."
"The Preaching Ranking?" Li Xiuchang found the term somewhat familiar. After thinking briefly, he remembered seeing it in the Beginner's Guide.
However, the Beginner's Guide had only given a cursory introduction to the Preaching Ranking, speaking vaguely and merely saying that it was a place where all the people of the Immortal Dust Sect exchanged insights and experiences.
After Wang Long mentioned it, Zhang Wanzhi seemed to have been reminded as well, and quickly said, "Right, you can take a look at the Preaching Ranking. It has everything. Some people have even sought out immortal arts there."
The more they explained, the more confused Li Xiuchang became. "What exactly is this Preaching Ranking?"
Wang Long spread his hands. "Although I've used the Preaching Ranking quite a few times, when it comes to its origins, I've only heard bits and pieces."
Then Wang Long looked at Zhang Wanzhi and Mo Tu. "The two of you entered the sect several decades before I did. Perhaps you know more?"
Zhang Wanzhi nodded slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I do know a fair amount about the Preaching Ranking. It appears to be a mural on a wall, but in truth, it is a Confucian Treasure, equivalent to a Daoist Sect immortal artifact of our level.
"After the Confucian Sect declined, it vanished completely only after enduring a long period of turmoil. As for this Preaching Ranking, it was said to have fallen into the hands of our Immortal Dust Sect through a twist of fate during those turbulent years.
"The Confucian Sect revered the principle that education should make no distinctions between classes. The Preaching Ranking was the bridge between high-level and low-level cultivators. Within the Preaching Ranking, everyone could cast aside their identities, communicate, and exchange their insights and experiences."
The more Li Xiuchang listened, the more wondrous he found it. He began asking about the Preaching Ranking's specific functions and how to use it.
Wang Long explained, "When your Spiritual Sense enters the Preaching Ranking for the first time, you can choose a title for yourself. That title cannot be changed, and from then on it will represent your identity within the Preaching Ranking."
At this point, Wang Long paused to remind him, "Whatever you do, don't use your real name, and don't use a title that could make people associate it with your identity. Several seniors who didn't understand the Preaching Ranking's rules mistakenly used their real names, and now they regret it terribly."
Li Xiuchang nodded. Choosing a username—he understood.
Wang Long continued, "The Preaching Ranking contains the insights and experiences of many seniors, including some techniques they created themselves. You can browse whatever interests you. You can also directly ask other people on the Ranking for advice. Perhaps someone will answer your questions. For example, you could seek out a senior skilled at creating techniques and ask for a secret technique to conceal your Cultivation Level."
Li Xiuchang asked in confusion, "But why would these seniors help me? What benefit would they get?"
Zhang Wanzhi coughed. "I told you, this is a Confucian Treasure. The great Confucian scholars of the Confucian Sect believed that education should make no distinctions between classes, and they were willing to answer the questions of anyone who sought them out. This also benefited their own cultivation.
"The same was true in our Immortal Dust Sect. Everyone who can enter the Preaching Ranking now is a fellow disciple of our Immortal Dust Sect. Thus, the sect's seniors do not begrudge the younger generation their guidance. When they have time, or when they are in a good mood, they will respond to the disciples' questions.
"Moreover, if you can make it into the top one hundred of the Annual Preaching Ranking, you can receive one opportunity each year for the Preaching Ranking's Anointing. That is why the competition for the top one hundred each year is exceptionally fierce."
Fellow Daoists, if you see anything unpleasant or any poisonous flaws, feel free to curse me awake. I'm desperate to improve!
Before you continue