Floating Cloud Trial

In the blink of an eye.

More than two months had passed since Chen Xuan arrived at Hundred Herb Valley.

One day, a young disciple rode a flying artifact down outside the courtyard gate.

"Is Junior Brother Chen here?"

The young man called out from outside the courtyard.

Inside, Chen Xuan heard him and rose to go out.

As he stepped outside, his cultivation technique and Dao Techniques were still cultivating on their own.

He had asked the system long ago, and it had told him that no one would notice that his cultivation technique and Dao Techniques had gained sentience.

Likewise, no matter who stood before him, they would never discover that his cultivation technique and Dao Techniques were cultivating on their own.

How could Chen Xuan possibly distrust his "godfather"?

So he confidently walked straight out.

When Chen Xuan emerged, he saw who had come and smiled, clasping his hands in greeting. "Greetings, Senior Brother Song."

Chen Xuan knew this man.

His name was Song Tao, and he was a disciple of the Pill Hall who had joined the sect last year.

He belonged to the previous batch of disciples.

Before the new batch grew familiar with the sect, the previous batch naturally took care of various minor affairs for the peaks and halls.

Hundred Herb Valley was under the Pill Hall's jurisdiction.

More than two months ago, it had been this Senior Brother Song who brought him to Hundred Herb Valley.

Now, it was once again Senior Brother Song who had come to tell him when the Floating Cloud Trial would take place and explain the details.

Chen Xuan invited him into the main room of the courtyard and poured him a cup of tea.

"Junior Brother, be sure to reach the Sect Main Hall before the hour of the Snake in three days. Don't be late."

Song Tao took a sip of tea.

Chen Xuan nodded, then asked, "Senior Brother, Senior Brother Li from Hundred Herb Valley left in such a hurry that he didn't explain the Floating Cloud Secret Realm in detail. Would you mind telling me more about it?

"Are there any dangers inside the secret realm, or anything else I should keep in mind?"

Even with the system now, he didn't dare underestimate this trial.

At the very least, he needed to understand what the secret realm was like. And if he could learn anything about the other new disciples from Senior Brother Song, that would be even better.

Among the disciples who had joined the sect alongside him this year were three geniuses with Spirit Bodies.

In this world, a cultivator's talent depended entirely on their constitution.

Constitutions ranged from weakest to strongest: Mortal Body, Spirit Body, King Body, God Body, and Saint Body.

Chen Xuan had only a Mortal Body.

Hearing Chen Xuan's question and seeing that nothing else was pressing, Song Tao eagerly began explaining.

"Junior Brother, there's no need to worry. There's nothing particularly dangerous in the Floating Cloud Secret Realm.

"Although you'll have to compete with the other disciples for tokens, and there are quite a few early first-tier demon beasts inside, the secret realm has a great formation linked to every new disciple.

"If you suffer a fatal attack, the formation will immediately block it for you and teleport you out.

"Besides that, you'll receive a Teleportation Talisman before entering. You can also tear it yourself to teleport out.

"However, if you're eliminated before the time is up, half the tokens you've earned will be deducted when you leave.

"If a demon beast eliminates you, you lose that half. If another disciple eliminates you, those tokens go to them.

"So once you enter the secret realm, remember to steer clear of the other disciples. After finding a few tokens, find somewhere to hide and stay there until the trial ends.

"Oh, there is one other thing to watch out for... Actually, yes: don't eat anything you don't recognize.

"Better yet, don't eat anything in the secret realm.

"The Floating Cloud Trial has existed for a long time. A few disciples have died in the secret realm over the years, but they all died from eating something poisonous inside.

"So as long as you don't eat anything recklessly, the worst that can happen is you come away empty-handed."

People had really died from eating something poisonous...

What kind of unlucky fool did that?

Well, it was useful information all the same. He'd remember it.

"Senior Brother, how are the rewards for the Floating Cloud Trial?"

Chen Xuan asked again.

Senior Brother Li had probably figured he had no chance of receiving the sect's rewards, so he'd left without telling him what they were. He'd only mentioned that the tokens could be exchanged for Contribution Points.

"The rewards are extremely generous. It's just a pity that only the top hundred get anything.

"Three thousand disciples join the sect each year, so making the top hundred isn't easy."

Song Tao sighed.

Then he listed the rewards for the top hundred.

The top three would receive a top-grade artifact, a top-tier Dao Technique, ten bottles of first-tier top-grade Qi Gathering Pills, and ten thousand Contribution Points.

Those ranked fourth through tenth would receive a high-grade artifact, an advanced Dao Technique, five bottles of first-tier top-grade Qi Gathering Pills, and five thousand Contribution Points.

Those ranked eleventh through hundredth would receive a mid-grade artifact, an intermediate Dao Technique, one bottle of first-tier top-grade Qi Gathering Pills, and one thousand Contribution Points.

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up as he listened.

He wanted every one of the four rewards for the top three.

Many Spirit Sea Realm cultivators didn't even have a top-grade artifact.

Top-tier Dao Techniques were incredibly precious, too.

Even the less impressive Qi Gathering Pills were still cultivation resources.

His cultivation technique and Dao Techniques could cultivate on their own, but that didn't mean he didn't need resources.

With pills to aid his cultivation, he could progress even faster.

And there was no need to mention Contribution Points. He could trade them for pills, artifacts, or even cultivation techniques and Dao Techniques.

"Senior Brother, do you know much about the three geniuses with Spirit Bodies who joined this year?

"How strong are they?"

Chen Xuan's final question concerned something crucial.

Since he wanted to take a gamble, he might as well aim for the top three.

Besides, if he asked about other Mortal Body disciples, Song Tao might not know much. Spirit Body disciples were different. Every year, the new disciples with Spirit Bodies attracted plenty of attention.

Song Tao couldn't help sighing. "It really is enviable to have a Spirit Body.

"Not only is their talent extraordinary, but they also get a huge supply of resources. In just three months, they've already reached the fourth level of Qi Gathering.

"I've been in the sect for a year. As a Pill Hall disciple, I get a decent amount of resources, but I've only just reached the fourth level of Qi Gathering myself.

"Among the disciples who joined alongside me, there was a Spirit Body too. They've already entered the Spirit Sea Realm.

"Alas... The difference between people..."

Song Tao could hardly hide his envy.

Who wouldn't be envious?

Among the disciples who joined at the same time as him, he had only just reached the middle stage of Qi Gathering, while the other had already entered the next realm.

"Junior Brother, it's getting late. I'll be on my way. Remember, don't be late three days from now."

Song Tao had said everything he needed to and was ready to head back.

"Take care, Senior Brother."

Chen Xuan walked Song Tao out.

After watching him leave, Chen Xuan summoned the panel.

[Host: Chen Xuan]

[Realm: Qi Gathering, third layer]

[Spirit Awakening Points: 2]

[Cultivation Technique: Flowing Cloud Technique (Awakened)]

[Dao Techniques:]

[Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms · Proficient (Awakened)]

[Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping · Proficient (Awakened)]

"Even the Spirit Body disciples are only at the fourth level of Qi Gathering. Among the Mortal Body disciples, there can't be more than a handful at the third level.

"Besides... My Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms and Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping have both reached the proficient level. It's not impossible for me to contend for a top-three spot."

A trace of anticipation stirred in Chen Xuan's heart.