"Li Xiuchang, the Aperture Stone test measured your Spiritual Aperture aptitude at two and a half inches. You entered the sect four and a half months ago, and your Cultivation Level is the Third Layer of Qi Condensation. Have you taken any Breakthrough Pills?" Senior Brother Yan's calm voice carried a hint of pressure.
Li Xiuchang wasn't surprised that the other man knew his name, but he was surprised that he knew exactly how long he had been in the sect and even knew the aptitude of his Spiritual Aperture.
He had come knocking without warning, without making an appointment beforehand.
It seemed that although Senior Brother Yan was strict, he was still very conscientious.
"I haven't." Li Xiuchang answered.
"Mm." Yan Song nodded. He didn't show any doubt, seemingly believing Li Xiuchang's words at once, nor did he ask why Li Xiuchang's cultivation had advanced so quickly.
This made Li Xiuchang realize that the other man might never have suspected him of taking Breakthrough Pills in the first place. He had merely asked as a matter of routine.
It also meant that Yan Song probably knew much more about him than he had imagined.
At the very least, the fact that he had earned quite a lot of spirit stones by selling Smoked Spirit Meat should be known to him.
Yan Song didn't delve further into the subject. Instead, he asked, "How many techniques have you studied?"
Li Xiuchang's heart skipped a beat. It seemed Senior Brother Yan really intended to get to the bottom of this matter.
He knew that, in principle, the sect did not allow new disciples to study several other techniques before mastering one technique.
However, as long as things did not go too far, the sect wouldn't impose much control. At the very least, studying two techniques at the same time was not a problem.
After all, there were quite a few outer disciples who had chosen the wrong path at first and regretted it later.
But Li Xiuchang was studying more than two. Spirit Cooking, alchemy, Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts, and Soul Control—he was studying four Cultivation Techniques in all.
It was just that Senior Brother Mo had guided him into the Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts and Soul Control, so the sect knew nothing about them.
His thoughts raced, and he immediately answered, "I've studied three techniques."
Yan Song's eyelid twitched slightly. Clearly, this answer was somewhat beyond his expectations. He asked in a low voice, "Which three?"
"Spirit Cooking, alchemy, and Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts."
Li Xiuchang concealed Soul Control, but took the initiative to reveal that he also studied Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts.
He couldn't hide Spirit Cooking and alchemy; Yan Song clearly already knew about them. He had openly mentioned Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts because he was about to register for the Tier 1 Spirit Planter assessment, and the registration would take place at the General Affairs Hall.
Yan Song took a deep breath, and his tone grew stern. "Since you've taken Elder Zhao as your master, this is an opportunity countless people would beg for. How can you divide your attention and waste time on other paths?
"Your study of Spirit Cooking began before your study of the alchemical path, so I can understand it and turn a blind eye. But you're actually studying three paths at once. According to the rules, I have no choice but to punish you.
"Your pay will be docked for three months. I hope you'll take this as a warning. Remember, one must seek the Dao with a sincere heart and must not be of two minds!"
Li Xiuchang had prepared his response long ago. Neither servile nor overbearing, he said, "Senior Brother Yan, my Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts have already reached the entry level. That shouldn't count as breaking the rules."
If one technique had already reached the entry level, then studying other techniques as well was indeed perfectly reasonable. There were plenty of talisman masters among the outer disciples who were stuck at Tier 1 and had no choice but to study other techniques to find a way forward.
At this, Yan Song's perpetually stern face finally lost control for a moment, revealing five parts shock and five parts suspicion.
Having entered the sect for just over four months and reached Tier 1 in one Cultivation Technique was not enough to astonish or make Yan Song suspicious.
Many talented outer disciples could do the same.
But he had done it while studying three techniques at once. More astonishingly, Li Xiuchang had simultaneously gone from an ordinary mortal to the Third Layer of Qi Condensation.
In Yan Song's view, for Li Xiuchang to reach the Third Layer of Qi Condensation in just over four months, he must have spent the bulk of his time cultivating. His techniques should inevitably still be at the clumsy apprentice stage.
He had never expected Li Xiuchang to claim that one of his techniques had already reached Tier 1.
He couldn't imagine it. His first reaction was disbelief.
He suspected that Li Xiuchang was lying to avoid punishment.
"Are you certain your Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts have reached Tier 1?" The aura of his Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation leaked out slightly, and his gaze bore down on Li Xiuchang with tangible pressure.
"I came here this time precisely to register for the Tier 1 Spirit Planter assessment." Li Xiuchang remained calm and composed.
Yan Song was silent for a moment before saying, "There's a Tier 1 Spirit Planter assessment tomorrow. You would normally already be too late to register and would have to wait for the next one, but I'll find a way to put you in."
Li Xiuchang was confident and naturally wouldn't lose his nerve. He pressed, "If I pass the assessment, does that mean I won't have to be punished?"
"The sect's rules state that only after passing a Tier 1 technique assessment may one study multiple techniques. Even if you've truly reached the level of a Tier 1 Spirit Planter, studying multiple techniques before obtaining certification is still a violation. You should still be punished, but..."
Yan Song paused, then changed tack. "I can make a bet with you. If you pass tomorrow's Spirit Planter assessment, I'll pay your monthly stipend for the next three months."
"And if I don't pass?"
"If you fail, you'll temporarily give up Spirit Cooking and Spirit Plant Cultivation Arts and focus on studying the alchemical path under Elder Zhao."
"Then I'll do as Senior Brother Yan says."
Li Xiuchang's attitude and tone softened considerably. No matter whether he won or lost, this bet offered Yan Song no benefit at all. Ultimately, Senior Brother Yan was still doing this for his own good.
It was just that he had a cheat of his own and didn't need others pointing fingers at him.
After the two of them agreed on the time of tomorrow's assessment, Li Xiuchang was about to leave when Yan Song called him back:
"Tomorrow's assessment is tomorrow's assessment. You've already passed today's routine inspection, and the sect has prepared a gift for you."
Only then did Li Xiuchang remember that there was still the matter of the "Coming-of-Age Gift Pack."
Yan Song summoned the tall Senior Sister from earlier and had her take Li Xiuchang to collect his coming-of-age gift.
At last, Li Xiuchang was far away from Senior Brother Yan, and he quietly let out a sigh of relief. Staying in the same room with someone like Senior Brother Yan was truly suffocating.
He felt a faint anticipation toward the "gift pack," so he began asking the tall Senior Sister about it.
The tall Senior Sister smiled and introduced it. "The first gift is an upgrade to your Identity Token.
"After your token is upgraded, you'll be able to purchase and exchange for certain resources within the sect that are sold only to adult cultivators, as well as enter certain places that are open only to adult cultivators."
"Which places are open only to adult cultivators? Does our Immortal Dust Sect really have such fine establishments?" Li Xiuchang asked in surprise.
"Of course. For example, the restaurant in the sect that specializes in selling immortal brews. Without an upgraded Identity Token, you can't enter."
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 territory, including the areas around the sect. However, you must first pair it with the tokens of other fellow disciples before you can transmit messages."
This function was pretty good. Communication within the sect would be much more convenient from now on.
"Besides upgrading the token, are there any other gifts?"
"Of course. There are quite a few more. You'll know soon enough."
Before you continue