Arriving in droves, a goal set (double-length chapter)

Before the gate of a small courtyard some three li from Zhang Jing's residence.

A woman dressed in white Daoist robes quietly appeared. She raised a delicate hand and gently knocked on the gate, her red lips parting slightly. "Junior Sister Shen Qingqing, please come out and meet me."

The sudden voice drew several concealed gazes from the surrounding area.

Yet the moment they saw that lovely figure, those gazes shrank back in alarm.

Someone could not help sighing. "That's Senior Sister Liu Nanshu of Mistglow Island. Why has she come personally?"

"Tsk, since the Mistglow Squad, ranked second in the Outer Court, is here, that means the leading squads have already finished competing over those two First-Grade Prodigies."

"There's no hope left whatsoever. Let's contact those Grade B junior brothers and sisters on the list."

At once, figures wreathed in spiritual light flashed away in different directions.

Faster and faster!

Meanwhile.

Creak-

The courtyard gate opened, and a tall, slender figure emerged from behind it, her face youthful, a hint of cool reserve in her features.

"Greetings, Senior Sister," Shen Qingqing said softly.

"My name is Liu Nanshu. You can just call me Senior Sister Liu. Oh-you've already completed Qi Induction and entered the Qi Refining realm? And... judging by your aura, you must have already reached the introductory stage of your Upper-Grade Inheritance?"

Liu Nanshu gave a startled exclamation, an almost imperceptible trace of shock crossing her lovely face.

At that moment, Shen Qingqing, standing opposite her, was equally unsettled.

This "Senior Sister Liu" saw through my actual cultivation at a glance? Several senior brothers and sisters have visited over the past two days, but this is the first time anyone has seen through my cultivation.

"You can tell, Senior Sister?" Shen Qingqing asked in puzzlement.

"Of course." Liu Nanshu smiled faintly. "You certainly live up to your First Grade prodigy assessment. Your talent truly exceeds my expectations. But you've only cultivated for a few days, after all, and you aren't yet sufficiently practiced at concealing your aura."

"Of course, this time, I mainly had the advantage of higher cultivation," Liu Nanshu added.

"I see. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."

Understanding dawned on Shen Qingqing, and she also realized that this Senior Sister Liu's cultivation was probably far from ordinary!

"Junior Sister, you presumably already know why I'm here, so I won't beat around the bush." Liu Nanshu looked intently at Shen Qingqing and declared with sweeping confidence, "If you agree to join, our Mistglow Squad can give you everything others can-and everything they can't!"

"Senior Sister, I'd still like to-"

At her words, Shen Qingqing lightly bit her lip, her expression hesitant.

"Junior Sister, hear me out before you decide."

"Starting today, three bottles of Purple Spirit Pills each month, your choice of one Middle Grade Law Artifact, your choice of one Middle Grade Law Technique inheritance, plus ownership of a superior cave abode. Moreover, all the Dao Merit you earn in the Outer Court will belong entirely to you."

"In short, we'll do everything we can to support your cultivation until you enter the Inner Academy. What do you think of my offer?"

Having finished, Liu Nanshu winked playfully at Shen Qingqing.

"Senior Sister, what would I need to give in return after joining?"

Shen Qingqing was somewhat tempted, but still asked warily.

"You don't need to give anything."

Meeting Shen Qingqing's puzzled gaze, Liu Nanshu said sincerely:

"With your talent, you'll enter the Inner Academy within a few years. We only hope that once you enter the Inner Academy, you'll remember this friendship and lend the Mistglow Squad a hand once if we encounter a crisis."

"I swear on my Dao heart that not a word of this is false. The Dao Academy can bear witness!"

After a moment's silence.

Shen Qingqing broke into a smile. "Since you've put it that way, Senior Sister, then-"

"Could you let me think it over a little longer..."

Inside the reception room, Zhang Jing looked at the senior brother opposite him with a troubled expression. "Senior Brother, this is a major decision, after all. Surely I can't make up my mind immediately?"

The instant he heard the reply.

A flicker of astonishment crossed the man's face.

Then he stared at Zhang Jing incredulously and reminded him in a serious voice:

"Junior Brother Zhang, what is there to hesitate over?"

"Three bottles of spirit pills, two months' access to an ordinary Cultivation Chamber, plus thirty Spirit Stones a month in subsidies! You might not know about Cultivation Chambers. Their spiritual qi rivals that of some cave abodes and can greatly increase your cultivation speed. They're very expensive to use."

"As long as you join our Hundred Rivers Squad, I can provide everything I just mentioned by tomorrow at the latest-no, right now."

With that, the man fixed his eyes on Zhang Jing.

"Junior Brother, the terms I've offered you are already very generous. The only teams that can offer better are those ranked in the top ten. But those Mission Teams only have eyes for geniuses who might make the top ten in the assessment rankings."

"Don't blame me for speaking bluntly. Those geniuses either come from cultivation Aristocratic Clans with exceptionally abundant resources, or their talent is only a hair short of First Grade. More often, they have both."

"Barring any surprises, they'll all begin Qi Induction within these two days."

"As for you, Junior Brother-"

The man abruptly stopped speaking.

Though he did not continue, Zhang Jing understood his unspoken meaning: there was still some distance between him and those people.

"It's not that I don't want to give you more. I truly don't have the authority."

The man spread his hands, a trace of helplessness in his eyes, then continued:

"I'm not trying to discourage you, either. There are twenty-nine Grade B geniuses among you in this assessment alone. Without our spirit pills and Cultivation Chamber to support your cultivation, you might not squeeze into the top twenty and secure that reward of twenty Dao Merit per month for your first year."

"You need to weigh all the gains and losses, Junior Brother."

Seeing that Zhang Jing remained unmoved, the man continued:

"Junior Brother, our Hundred Rivers Squad ranks among the top thirty-four Mission Teams in the Outer Court. We have five senior brothers at the mid-stage Qi Refining Realm and one at the late stage. When carrying out Demon-Suppression Missions, we can ensure your safety while earning you plenty of Dao Merit."

"Do you know how many Outer Court disciples would fight until their heads bled for a chance to join us, yet still can't?"

"It's only because you received a Grade B assessment that we've invited you ourselves."

Zhang Jing remained silent, as though weighing something in his mind.

At last, he looked at the man opposite him and said with a smile:

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother. I still think I should be more cautious."

Hearing this, the man wasted no more time and rose to leave, saying evenly, "Since you insist, Junior Brother, I won't say any more."

"Until the rankings for this assessment are finalized, my offer will remain valid, even if you place outside the top twenty."

"Zhang Jing is honored that you think so highly of me, Senior Brother!"

"I'll take my leave, then, and won't disturb you any longer."

As his words fell, the man rose and headed straight outside, a hint of wistfulness in his eyes.

Though politely refused, he felt no particular stir of emotion.

In this junior brother, he seemed to see his own younger self.

Only-how could a top-ten squad be joined simply because someone wanted to?

In any case, just as he had said, judging by his experience, this junior brother might have had the slimmest chance of reaching the top ten in previous assessments. Unfortunately, this year-

Hard! Hard! Hard!

Behind him.

At the courtyard gate, Zhang Jing watched until the unfamiliar senior brother vanished before slowly closing the gate, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.

"Ah, that's the third one already. The others must be dealing with the same thing, if not more."

To tell the truth.

Zhang Jing had nearly agreed just now.

After all, of the three groups who had come, this senior brother had offered the most. Unfortunately-Zhang Jing could not fully accept the attached conditions.

Especially one requirement: for the first five years after joining, a newcomer had to hand over thirty percent of all Dao Merit earned to the Hundred Rivers Squad!

All three squads that had approached Zhang Jing had mentioned similar conditions.

Of course, from what they said, Zhang Jing could also vaguely infer that probably only the top-ten squads did not take a cut.

In other words... this was a tacitly accepted rule.

Unless you were strong enough!

Zhang Jing could not help sinking into thought.

During cultivation, the [Nether Flood Dragon Devouring the Void Dao Rhythm · Fragment] had already fully demonstrated its ability to gather and absorb spiritual qi. Moreover, Zhang Jing could sense that its power was still far from fully revealed.

And that would have to wait until he formally entered the Qi Refining realm, at the very least.

The key was that this was merely a fragmentary Dao Rhyme!

Thus, whether for cultivation compatibility that could be called the finest of the finest, or to fully complete the terrifying [Nether Flood Dragon Devouring the Void Dao Rhythm], the upper-grade [Sea-Overturning Flood Dragon Void-Drawing True Method] was something Zhang Jing had to redeem.

The only uncertainty was how quickly he could earn Dao Merit.

Under these circumstances, Zhang Jing clearly could not accept the harsh condition of surrendering thirty percent of his earnings, especially for five whole years.

Even though he knew that with a powerful Mission Team as his platform, he would only earn more Dao Merit.

Unless—he joined a top-ten Mission Team!

There would be no cut taken from his Dao Merit, and the platform they offered would be broader still, naturally providing more opportunities to earn Dao Merit.

"So that's one more reason to fight for a place in the assessment's top ten?"

At this thought.

Zhang Jing felt even more pressure.

The competition had already been fierce. Now, members of who knew how many Mission Teams had entered the fray, frantically courting all kinds of geniuses and tossing spirit pills around as though they cost nothing.

Who knew how many monsters would emerge when the time came?

Fortunately-

Who wasn't a monster these days?

The illusory Jade Talisman slowly appeared.

[Five Viscera Water-Origin Guiding Commentary · Uninitiated (29/70)]

[Pure Origin Breath-Absorbing Visualization Method · Level 1 (33/100)]

With nearly twenty days left, Zhang Jing was confident he could cultivate both the [Five Viscera Water-Origin Guiding Commentary] and the [Pure Origin Breath-Absorbing Visualization Method] to level two.

So what if others entered the Qi Refining realm first?

He stilled his mind and calmed his qi.

His breathing grew steady.

An illusory Mind's Eye slowly opened.

Within the quiet cultivation room, the sound of scales scraping continued without pause, occasionally punctuated by the faint, elusive roar of a flood dragon.

The Nether Flood Dragon Devouring the Void Dao Rhythm spread silently, stirring the surrounding spiritual qi into surging tides that gathered inside the Cultivation Chamber in an instant.

The sound of swallowing echoed.

"Senior Brother, I forgot to tell you: wherever I am, there's a Cultivation Chamber!" Zhang Jing murmured, his eyes as still as an ancient well.

"If the Dao Rhyme were complete, would wherever I stood become a cave abode? And a step further? A grotto-heaven blessed land?"

Another four days passed unnoticed.

The small courtyard nestled among the trees gradually filled with people.

In a secluded corner.

"Brother Zhang, this is Wu Mingyuan's courtyard. That fellow hasn't dared show his face since coming here, as though he's terrified I'll ask him for the Spirit Stones."

"He certainly made me search hard."

Ji Bochang spoke indignantly.

At this moment, his appearance and attire had changed dramatically.

His embroidered brocade robe had become a moon-white robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns, looking particularly graceful and flowing; the erotic illustrated fan he had once carried had also been replaced by a White-Jade Cloud-Silkworm Fan.

The only thing unchanged was the erotic image on the fan, though its depiction was even more explicit.

Clearly, this had a great deal to do with Zhang Jing's advice last time.

"Brother Ji, Brother Wu didn't receive a Grade B assessment, after all. Presumably, he hasn't prepared himself to face you yet. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Zhang Jing spoke rather helplessly.

He had been cultivating perfectly well in his courtyard, only for Ji Bochang to suddenly rouse him. Then, after turning this way and that, the two had arrived at this secluded spot.

"Ah, Brother Zhang, you don't know. Since breaking through to the Qi Refining realm, my consumption of spirit pills has increased severalfold. I'm almost out. I was planning to buy some more at Dragon Marsh Market, but happened to spot Wu Mingyuan nearby."

"If I saw him, that means fate brought us together. I might as well collect the stakes and buy another two bottles of pills."

"I see. Then why did you call me over, Brother Ji?" With a dark expression, Zhang Jing pointed at the other man's new clothes and jade fan and said irritably, "Surely you didn't just want to show me the new outfit your senior sister bought you?"

"Haha, as expected of Brother Zhang. You guessed it in one!"

Ji Bochang tugged at the hem of his robe, then gently stroked his fan and said proudly:

"Don't underestimate them, Brother Zhang. This white robe is called the 'Water-Fire Robe.' Apparently, it bears two restrictions, water avoidance and fire warding. Water and fire can't touch it. It's a real treasure."

"This White-Jade Cloud-Silkworm Fan is no ordinary item, either. It bears three restrictions: Smoke-Cloud Miasma, Spirit-Bewildering Mist, and Fire-Cloud Qi. One wave brings out smoke and clouds, blocking sight and disrupting perception; two waves summon bewildering mist, confusing minds and obscuring eyes; three waves send fire clouds surging, burning people to ashes."

"Your... your senior sister gave you all of that?"

Zhang Jing was stunned.

He suddenly began to question something: between him and Ji Bochang, who the hell was actually cheating?

Seeing Zhang Jing's gaze grow increasingly dangerous, Ji Bochang hurriedly explained:

"Calm down, Brother Zhang. I was only joking."

"You mean the robe and fan are fake, Brother Ji?"

"How could that be? My dao companion carefully prepared these two treasures for me to compete for a top-ten assessment ranking."

"You..."

"Brother Zhang, I mean that twenty of those fifty Spirit Stones are yours. Have you forgotten? Once we get the Spirit Stones, I'll take you to Dragon Marsh Market."

At that, Zhang Jing's eyes immediately lit up, and he hurriedly asked:

"Brother Ji, does the Market District sell Law Artifacts? Are they expensive?"

Seeing how thoroughly equipped and cautious Ji Bochang was under his senior sister's guidance, Zhang Jing could not help growing worried.

When it came to spiritual power and Law Techniques, with the Jade Talisman and his many skills bolstering him, he believed he would not lose to anyone.

But when it came to Law Artifacts...

Catch a Law Artifact bare-handed?

Would that be looking down on the other person too much? Oh, no-would that be thinking too highly of himself?

"Well," Ji Bochang shook the fan in his hand and very nearly sent it flying, "twenty-five Spirit Stones would just barely buy a Lower-Grade Law Artifact."

"That's a relief!" Zhang Jing let out a breath, then called out eagerly, "Come on, let's hurry and make Wu Mingyuan pay back those Spirit Stones!"