The Wager and the Assessment

"Li Xiuchang, your Aperture Stone test showed your Spiritual Aperture potential at two and a half inches. You joined the sect four and a half months ago and are at the Third Layer of Qi Condensation. Have you taken any Breakthrough Pills?" Yan Song's calm tone carried an underlying pressure.

Li Xiuchang wasn't surprised that the other party knew his name, but he was astonished that Yan Song knew exactly how long he'd been in the sect and his Spiritual Aperture potential.

He had shown up unannounced, without a prior appointment.

It seemed Senior Brother Yan, despite his strictness, was quite diligent.

"I have not," Li Xiuchang replied.

"Hmm," Yan Song nodded, not showing any suspicion. He seemed to believe Li Xiuchang immediately and didn't press him on why his cultivation was progressing so rapidly.

This made Li Xiuchang realize that Yan Song likely didn't suspect he'd taken any Breakthrough Pills and was merely asking as a formality.

It also suggested that Yan Song knew more about him than he'd initially thought.

At the very least, the fact that he'd earned quite a few Spirit Stones by selling Smoked Spirit Meat was probably known to Yan Song.

Yan Song didn't dwell on the topic, instead asking, "How many techniques have you studied?"

Li Xiuchang's heart skipped a beat. It seemed Senior Brother Yan was indeed going to be serious about this matter.

He knew that, in principle, the sect didn't allow new disciples to concurrently study multiple techniques before gaining an initial understanding of any single one.

However, as long as it wasn't excessive, the sect wouldn't interfere too much. At least, studying two techniques concurrently was generally acceptable.

After all, quite a few Outer Sect disciples had initially chosen the wrong path and later regretted it.

But Li Xiuchang was studying more than two. He was concurrently practicing Spirit Chef, Alchemy, Spirit Plant, and Soul Manipulation—a total of four Cultivation Techniques.

However, he had only been introduced to Spirit Plant and Soul Manipulation by Senior Brother Mo Tu, so the sect was unaware of these.

Li Xiuchang's mind raced, and he immediately replied, "I have studied three techniques."

Yan Song's eyelids twitched slightly. This answer was clearly somewhat unexpected. He asked in a deep voice, "Which three?"

"Spirit Chef, Alchemy, and Spirit Plant."

Li Xiuchang hid the Soul Manipulation path but proactively revealed his study of Spirit Plant.

The Spirit Chef and Alchemy paths were impossible to hide; Yan Song already knew about them. He chose to mention Spirit Plant because he was about to register for the First-grade Spirit Planter assessment, and he was doing so at the General Affairs Hall.

Yan Song took a deep breath, his tone becoming stern. "Since you have been accepted as a disciple under Elder Zhao, an opportunity many people would beg for, how can you be distracted by other paths and waste your time!

"Your study of Spirit Chef predates your involvement in Alchemy, which is understandable. I can turn a blind eye to that. But you are concurrently studying three paths. According to the rules, I must punish you.

"Your stipend will be suspended for three months. I hope you take this as a warning and remember that the pursuit of the Dao requires sincerity and focus, not a divided mind!"

Li Xiuchang had his response ready. He replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "Senior Brother Yan, I have already gained an initial understanding of the Spirit Plant technique, so it should not be considered a violation of the rules."

If one had already gained an initial understanding of a technique, then concurrently studying others was indeed reasonable. Many Talisman Masters in the Outer Sect were stuck at the first grade and had to study other techniques to find a way forward.

Upon hearing this, Yan Song's usually stern face showed a flicker of uncontrolled emotion, a mix of shock and suspicion.

Gaining an initial understanding of a Cultivation Technique within four months wasn't enough to surprise or make Yan Song suspicious.

Many talented Outer Sect disciples could achieve this.

But Li Xiuchang had done so while concurrently studying three techniques. Even more astonishingly, he had simultaneously advanced from an ordinary mortal to the Third Layer of Qi Condensation.

In Yan Song's view, reaching the Third Layer of Qi Condensation within four months meant Li Xiuchang must have spent a significant amount of time cultivating, and his technical skills would inevitably still be in the rudimentary apprentice stage.

He never expected Li Xiuchang to claim he had already reached a first-grade level in one of his techniques.

He couldn't fathom it and his first reaction was disbelief.

He suspected Li Xiuchang was lying to avoid punishment.

"Are you sure your Spirit Plant technique has reached a first-grade level?" His late Foundation Establishment aura was subtly released, his gaze carrying a tangible pressure as he looked at Li Xiuchang.

"I came here today precisely to register for the First-grade Spirit Planter assessment," Li Xiuchang said calmly.

Yan Song was silent for a moment. "There is a First-grade Spirit Planter assessment tomorrow. You're actually too late to register and would have to wait for the next one, but I'll find a way to let you jump the queue."

Li Xiuchang was confident and naturally unafraid. He pressed, "If I pass the assessment, will I not be punished?"

"The sect's rule is that you can only concurrently study multiple techniques after passing a first-grade technique assessment. Even if you have truly reached the level of a First-grade Spirit Planter, you are still in violation if you haven't obtained the certification, and the punishment will still stand. However..."

Yan Song paused, then changed tack. "I can make a wager with you. If you pass tomorrow's Spirit Planter assessment, I will cover your monthly stipend for the next three months."

"And if I don't pass?"

"If you don't pass, you will temporarily give up the Spirit Chef and Spirit Plant paths and focus solely on studying Alchemy under Elder Zhao."

"Then I agree to your terms, Senior Brother."

Li Xiuchang's attitude and tone softened considerably. This wager, win or lose, offered no benefit to Yan Song; ultimately, Senior Brother Yan was acting in his best interest.

However, he had a cheat, and he didn't need anyone to dictate his path.

After the two agreed on the time for tomorrow's assessment, Li Xiuchang was about to leave when Yan Song called him back.

"Tomorrow's assessment is tomorrow's assessment. Your routine inspection today has passed, and the sect has prepared a gift for you."

Li Xiuchang suddenly remembered the "Coming-of-Age Gift Pack."

Yan Song called the tall senior sister from earlier and had her escort Li Xiuchang to receive his coming-of-age gift.

Finally away from Senior Brother Yan, Li Xiuchang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Being in the same space as someone like Senior Brother Yan was truly suffocating.

He felt a vague sense of anticipation for the "Gift Pack" and thus inquired about it from the Tall Senior Sister.

The Tall Senior Sister smiled and explained, "This first gift is to upgrade your Identity Token.

"After the token is upgraded, you will be able to purchase and exchange for resources within the sect that are only sold to adult cultivators, as well as enter places that are only open to adult cultivators."

"Where are these places that are only open to adult cultivators? Does our Immortal Dust Sect have such good places?" Li Xiuchang asked in surprise.

"Of course, there are. For example, the restaurant within the sect that exclusively sells Immortal Brew. Without the upgraded Identity Token, you won't be able to get in."

That's it? Li Xiuchang's interest waned.

The Tall Senior Sister continued, "Of course, the most important thing is that the upgraded token gains a voice transmission function. You can transmit messages within the sect's area, including its outskirts. However, you need to pair your token with another fellow disciple's token before you can transmit messages."

This function is quite good. Communication within the sect will be much more convenient in the future.

"Besides the token upgrade, are there any other gifts?"

"Of course, there are quite a few. You'll find out later."