A moment later, Lin Chen opened his eyes.
Seeing everyone staring at him in astonishment, he awkwardly scratched his head and asked,
"Did I practice wrong?"
Zhao Qingshan raised a hand, and Lin Chen was pulled right in front of him.
After examining him, Zhao Qingshan's expression finally relaxed.
"Solid foundations, a long, steady Qi Meridian, not the least bit superficial. Excellent, excellent!"
Hearing the Sect Leader's praise, Lin Chen trotted out the explanation he had prepared long ago.
"Though I have a Five Elements Root, my comprehension is good. I understand some things as soon as I see them..."
This was the second time Zhao Qingshan had heard Lin Chen say this.
To be honest, the first time he'd heard it, he hadn't given it a second thought. He'd even left the assessment grounds right away.
He'd invited Lin Chen to Sect Leader Peak for the storybooks.
Besides, Sect Leader Peak really did need a quick-witted servant.
Now, it seemed his decision had been absolutely right.
He'd also heard that before Lin Chen had completed his enrollment, people from the Alchemy Hall and Scripture Depository had both tried to recruit him.
It seemed Lin Chen's exceptional comprehension was the real deal.
So Zhao Qingshan casually asked, "What else have you learned in these three days?"
Lin Chen thought for a moment, then immediately counted off on his fingers. "The first layer of Flame Primer, Sword Control Art at the proficient level, Concealment Art at the proficient level, and Body Forging Art at the beginner level."
After hearing this, Ming Bufan and the others were shocked once more.
Was this even human?
In just two short days since joining the sect, he'd learned so many cultivation techniques and arts.
And he hadn't merely learned the basics—he'd reached the proficient level.
Could someone who had just joined the sect really do that?
Even someone with a Top Grade Spiritual Root couldn't, could they?
Besides, Ming Bufan and the others knew that Sword Control Art, Concealment Art, and Eternal Spring Art had all been given to Lin Chen yesterday at noon.
Even counting from then, not even a full day had passed.
And he'd practiced them to this level? Th-this... it made no sense!
Even Zhao Qingshan's expression turned solemn.
As Sect Leader, he was extremely interested in Lin Chen's unusual ability.
If they made good use of it, their third-rate sect might be able to rise to second-rate status.
What an astounding achievement that would be!
If they really managed it, Zhao Qingshan's name would be remembered for generations.
The main difference between a third-rate sect and a second-rate sect was its heritage, followed by its resources.
And the most important part of a sect's heritage was its legacy.
That was exactly what Green Mountain Sect lacked most.
"No wonder those old fossils at the Scripture Depository were fighting to recruit him. So that's why."
Zhao Qingshan had already made up his mind.
He looked up at Lin Chen. "Since you have such talent, we can't treat you like an ordinary Five Elements Root.
"How about this? You'll receive the benefits of an Inner Disciple... no! You'll receive the benefits of a Sect Leader's Inner Disciple."
Zhao Qingshan rose to his feet, his expression serious. "Lin Chen, I'll personally provide your cultivation resources. If you can reach the Return to Origin Realm within a year, I'll accept you as my formal disciple."
Lin Chen looked up and met Zhao Qingshan's gaze. His face lit up, and he eagerly held out both hands.
"Sect Leader, could you give me all the resources for the year at once?"
His thinking was simple. As long as he had enough resources, forget a year—he could reach the Return to Origin Realm in a single day.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Qingshan gave a cold snort. "The path of cultivation depends on perseverance and steady progress. You can't just stuff yourself until you're fat. Bufan, give him his first month's resources at noon."
With that, Zhao Qingshan vanished from the spot.
Lin Chen didn't feel awkward about it.
This was part of his plan.
Only this way could he keep the system under wraps.
Otherwise, he really had no way to explain his rapid increase in cultivation.
But what he cared about most now was the benefits of being the Sect Leader's Inner Disciple.
Yesterday, Jin Yuanbao had told him about the benefits Inner Disciples received.
A hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones a month, three bottles of Qi Condensation Pills, and one opportunity a year to cultivate in a Yellow Rank Secret Realm.
They were also required to complete sect missions after reaching the fourth level of Qi Condensation before receiving the full rewards.
Surely a Sect Leader's Inner Disciple would get at least as much as that, right?
Lin Chen turned to Ming Bufan and asked with a grin, "Senior Brother, what exactly are my benefits?"
Ming Bufan didn't say a word. He simply handed Lin Chen a sheet of paper.
Lin Chen opened it and took a look.
Good heavens.
Five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones a month.
Ten bottles of Qi Condensation Pills.
Three chances a year to cultivate in a Mystic Rank Secret Realm, plus a set of Top Grade Magic Tools.
It was a long list.
Most importantly, these benefits would continue to increase as his cultivation improved.
These starter perks were maxed out!
"Lin Chen, be sure to take Master's words to heart. You mustn't rush your cultivation. I'll bring your resources over at noon."
Ming Bufan patted Lin Chen on the shoulder, then turned and left.
Qi Ruming also winked at him. "Don't forget the roast goose!"
"Don't worry, Third Senior Brother." Lin Chen nodded.
A moment later, everyone left one after another.
Lin Chen sat back down.
He hadn't expected to gain so much today.
"There's no such thing as a free lunch. The more you get, the greater the price you have to pay."
Lin Chen understood that perfectly well.
Zhao Qingshan had left in such a hurry because he was surely off to find work for him.
Just then, a Paper Crane flew over.
"Brother Chen, hurry down the mountain. The storybooks have been printed!"
Hearing the voice from inside, Lin Chen tossed out his Flying Sword, stepped onto it, and shot down the mountain.
From afar, he saw Jin Yuanbao pacing in place.
He soon reached him, descending from the sky.
Jin Yuanbao jumped in fright. "B-Brother Chen, you've learned Sword Control Art?"
"I just learned it." Lin Chen put away his Flying Sword. "Where are the storybooks?"
Thinking of how he'd fallen until he was covered in bruises, Jin Yuanbao looked both envious and impressed.
He gave Lin Chen a thumbs-up. "Brother Chen, you're incredible."
Then he brushed his hand over his Storage Ring, and a wooden box half a meter square landed on the ground.
"Here's the set of a hundred copies you asked for. Two hundred sets in all—they're all here."
Lin Chen opened the box, picked up a book, and flipped through it. His eyes immediately lit up.
Jin Yuanbao was definitely a business genius.
The storybook had been made vividly, and it was several levels better than the one Lin Chen had bought before.
It was sure to sell like hotcakes!
"Not bad."
Lin Chen flipped through several copies in a row. The quality was consistent. "How many copies did you print altogether?"
"Two hundred sets, twenty thousand books in all." Jin Yuanbao looked proud.
He'd spent a fortune and rushed the job through overnight.
Lin Chen could tell, too. "We can start selling tomorrow. We'll sell only a hundred copies of the first volume each day. Anyone who wants one will have to preorder and pay a deposit first. Then we'll print more. That's called Hunger Marketing."
"Brother Chen, what if they use the hundred copies they buy to make their own copies and sell them? What do we do?" Jin Yuanbao asked worriedly.
There was no such thing as copyright in this world.
But Lin Chen had already thought of that. "That's why we need to print the volumes as a series and put a unique mark on them. Only people who have the first volume can buy the second volume from us..."
Jin Yuanbao suddenly slapped his thigh, enlightened.
He looked at Lin Chen, his face alight with excitement. "Brother Chen, you're so clever! That's brilliant!"
"Also, we should offer discounts for ordering the series. For example, if someone orders the next ten volumes in advance, we can give them a discount or include a little gift..."
As Lin Chen explained, Jin Yuanbao grew more and more excited. He even took out a small notebook and began writing things down.
The two stood there talking for a full half hour before finally parting.
Lin Chen put away the wooden box. It was spiritual nourishment for the Sect Leader.
He turned to head back up the mountain, but suddenly heard someone calling behind him.
"Lin Chen, wait a moment."
Lin Chen turned around and saw a young man in Outer Disciple robes flying toward him from afar.
He frowned slightly. He didn't recognize the man.
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