Elder's Praise, Xu Qing's Gift!

"You're the disciple Xu Qing mentioned, the one who had already reached Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation?"

"Greetings, Elder. This disciple is Li Yun of Rank 95 Academy."

"Li Yun? Not Gu Yunzheng, nor Zhang Chu?"

A flicker passed through Zhang Cong's eyes.

"I remember Rank 95 Academy having one with First Grade Aptitude and another with top-tier Second Grade Aptitude, but there was no one like you."

"Elder, when this disciple entered the sect, my aptitude was Rank 5 Aptitude."

"Rank 5 Aptitude? Heh... and with Rank 5 Aptitude, you managed to reach Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation within a month?"

"Are you trying to tell me there was an error in your aptitude assessment when you entered the sect?"

"No, no... Elder, you misunderstand."

"This disciple... sigh, I truly cannot explain the reason either. But when I comprehended Basic Stance Cultivation, things did indeed go a little more smoothly. Perhaps it was... luck?"

"Luck?"

"Ha...?"

Zhang Cong could not help laughing.

"If luck alone could allow someone with Rank 5 Aptitude to reach Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation within a month, breaking the Celestial Martial Sect's record for the fastest Initial Accomplishment Realm among Outer Sect Disciples throughout the years, then your luck is truly no ordinary luck."

"Enough. I won't waste words with you."

"Demonstrate it for me once."

"Yes!"

Li Yun was not nervous in the slightest. Since he had come with Xu Qing, this ordeal had been unavoidable.

He directly took several steps back.

After finding a suitable spot, he immediately began demonstrating Basic Stance Cultivation.

From the first stance to the twelfth.

Every stance went smoothly.

There was not the slightest pause.

Perhaps in Zhang Cong's eyes, it still seemed somewhat unpolished and had not yet reached the point of flowing in one seamless breath, but Initial Accomplishment Realm was still Initial Accomplishment Realm.

There was no falsehood whatsoever.

What was rare was that each of the Twelve Stances Li Yun displayed could be called standard, with scarcely any flaws to pick out.

If he continued cultivating with such form, he would reach Proficient Realm in at most a month. In the future, he truly had a strong chance of reaching Perfection Realm within a year.

"Could he truly be a pearl left behind in the vast sea?"

"Or was there really a problem with the aptitude assessment when he entered the sect?"

Amid his delight, Zhang Cong could not help harboring private doubts.

Of course, he could not truly have Li Yun undergo another aptitude assessment merely because of that suspicion.

After all, he was not the only Outer Sect Elder.

Nor was he the one responsible for aptitude assessments.

Having Li Yun suddenly undergo another aptitude assessment a month after entering the sect—wouldn't that be slapping someone else in the face? He would not do something that offended people.

Most importantly, if there truly had been an issue with Li Yun's aptitude assessment, then the trouble would be enormous.

This year alone, the Outer Sect had recruited a full forty thousand new disciples. All of them would have to be reassessed, and that would likely alarm the sect's upper ranks.

When the board came down, a whole string of people would suffer.

And this Li Yun was indeed somewhat extraordinary. He could not be ignored.

Thus, after considering it without revealing anything, Zhang Cong decided not to alert anyone for now and to observe him secretly a while longer.

"Alright, very good."

"Reaching Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation within a month proves that you do have some talent and have worked hard enough."

"The sect will not be stingy with rewards for disciples like you."

Zhang Cong smiled.

Then he took out a white jade porcelain bottle.

"There are two Qi and Blood Pills inside. One is your reward for reaching Initial Accomplishment Realm in Zhuang Gong within three months, and the other is your reward for breaking the record."

"Thank you, Elder."

Li Yun accepted the white jade porcelain bottle in delight, not forgetting to express his gratitude to Zhang Cong.

Zhang Cong nodded in satisfaction.

"However, do not become arrogant."

"Basic Stance Cultivation is merely the foundation beneath all foundations of the Martial Dao. The road ahead is still long. I hope you continue to persevere, study diligently, and train hard."

"I'll make you a promise here. If you can cultivate Basic Stance Cultivation to Proficient Realm within half a month, you may come directly to me without going through Xu Qing."

"When that time comes, not only will I give you another two Qi and Blood Pills as a reward, I can also make an exception and teach you a Martial Skill."

"This instruction will not count toward your Martial Armory selection quota. It will be my personal instruction!"

The moment those words came out.

Both Xu Qing and Li Yun were stunned.

Especially Xu Qing.

He had also come up through the ranks of Outer Sect Disciples and understood their experiences better than anyone.

All Outer Sect Disciples cultivated Basic Stance Cultivation the moment they entered the sect. No one was exempt.

Only after Basic Stance Cultivation reached Minor Accomplishment Realm were they permitted to enter the Martial Armory and choose a genuine Martial Skill.

How could ordinary people possibly attain Minor Success in Zhuang Gong in a short time?

Therefore, the first year was basically spent bitterly enduring Zhuang Gong. Those with poorer aptitude might spend a year and a half, or even two years, on it.

That meant there would not be much time left in the three-year period to achieve Acquired to Innate Reversal.

Li Yun only needed to make another push and cultivate Zhuang Gong to Proficient Realm within half a month, and he might obtain a Martial Skill ahead of time.

What was that called?

That was called getting one step ahead of others.

In Martial Dao cultivation, one step faster meant every step faster.

Within three years, Li Yun might truly succeed in achieving Acquired to Innate Reversal and, like a carp leaping through the dragon gate, become an Inner Sect Disciple.

More importantly, the Martial Skill would not count toward his Martial Armory selection quota. That meant it was Zhang Cong's personal instruction, which was equivalent to Zhang Cong sharing the bond of half a master with Li Yun. If word got out, anyone wishing to harm or suppress Li Yun would have to weigh matters carefully.

In short, the benefits were immense.

So immense that even Xu Qing was filled with envy.

Back then, if he had encountered such an opportunity at the very beginning of entering the sect, perhaps he would be an Inner Sect Disciple by now.

Why would he have had to bitterly endure three years just to barely become a Deacon? And his term as Deacon was only two years. This was already the second year. If he failed to break through again, he could only leave the Celestial Martial Sect.

"Li Yun, you must seize this opportunity well!"

"Listen to me. For those without a Spirit Root, achieving Acquired to Innate Reversal is truly far too difficult. If you can genuinely earn Elder Zhang Cong's favor and guidance, you'll be able to avoid many detours!"

After leaving Zhang Cong's residence.

Xu Qing once again solemnly reminded Li Yun. The earnestness on his face showed that he sincerely hoped Li Yun could obtain this opportunity.

Afterward, he brought Li Yun to his own residence.

As a Martial Arts Deacon, he had his own separate residence in the Outer Sect. It was not large, but it was enough for sleeping, daily living, and storing some personal belongings.

After returning to his residence, Xu Qing rummaged through chests and boxes before pulling a yellowed booklet from a wooden chest.

"As a Martial Arts Deacon, I have no authority to privately teach you any other martial arts."

"However, I have a set of Stance Cultivation Notes that I spent a great sum buying from an Inner Sect Disciple back then. I'll give it to you!"

"I have no other intentions. I merely want to help you as much as I can. Remember this: do not let word of it spread."

Li Yun took the notes and flipped through them. His eyes immediately lit up.

Because the system reacted intensely!