Outer Sect of the Azure Cloud Sect, Side Hall of the Discipline Office.
Outer Sect Elder Zhang's white eyebrows were practically knitted into a knot as he looked at the Suggestions for Improving the Cultivation Efficiency of Azure Cloud Sect Outer Disciples, written on coarse grass paper.
"Establish a spiritual attribute screening mechanism... Optimize the task assignment process, introducing 'Performance' and 'Contribution Points'... Establish a research group for basic spell optimization..." He muttered these unfamiliar terms under his breath, his gaze finally resting on the signature:"Servant Disciple, Li Fan."
Had he seen this a few days ago, he would have dismissed it as nonsense and tossed it away. But now, he hesitated.
A few days prior, the servant named Li Fan had acted strangely in the Green Bamboo Garden—measuring grass one moment, staring at the sky the next—leading people to secretly label him mad. Yet, this same person was able to instantly see through the hidden injuries of Zhao Hu and his group, intimidating them into leaving; subsequently, he guided Wang TieZhu, who was considered dull-witted and only physically strong. In just two or three days, Wang TieZhu, who had been stuck on the first layer of the Body Strengthening Formula for five years, was showing signs of a breakthrough!
Although this report's language was strange, its core methodology—detailed observation, problem summation, and proposing targeted solutions—seemed to align with Li Fan's recent actions.
"This boy... perhaps he is not talking nonsense, merely thinking differently from ordinary people." Elder Zhang mused for a moment, then made a decision. He tidied the rough report, transcribed it onto a jade slip, and added a brief note mentioning Li Fan's recent unusual behavior and the success of his guidance to Wang TieZhu.
"Fine. Whether it is a pearl or a stone, let the higher-ups decide," he summoned a trusted disciple and instructed,"Send this jade slip to the Inner Sect, for the Sect Leader's Royal Study."
His action was born both of a desire to nurture talent and a measure of prudence. If Li Fan proved to be a rare talent, he would have the merit of recommendation; if the report was pure fantasy, the Sect Leader would judge it, and it wouldn't implicate an Outer Sect Elder like him.
Thus, this report, carrying Li Fan's initial concept of "Scientific Cultivation," quietly landed on Sect Leader Situ Hong's desk via this inconspicuous route.
At this moment, Li Fan, now a temporary disciple in the Hall of One Hundred Arts, was completely immersed in his research on the Water Condensation Spell.
Inside the small, temporarily assigned dormitory, he frowned at the System interface.
［System: WARNING: Multiple ambiguous zones and non-standard configurations detected in the spell's spiritual energy circuit, which conflict with the System's basic database. In-depth analysis requires consuming 8 points to unlock the 'Fuzzy Logic Inference' module. Confirm?］
"8 points?!" Li Fan winced at the thought of spending nearly half of his remaining 16-point "fortune"—almost half the reward from the Wang TieZhu mission.
But recalling the Sect Leader's words,"Whether a concept is viable must be tested through practice," and the anticipated scrutiny from Elder Chen Xuan, he knew he had no retreat.
"Confirm unlock! Begin analysis immediately!"
The points were deducted, and a more complex information stream poured into his mind. The spiritual energy circuit map on the System interface now displayed many translucent, boundary-blurred areas.
［Analysis Result: The basic model of the Water Condensation Spell contains multiple fuzzy nodes that rely on subjective factors such as the caster's willpower and state of mind. Efficiency is low and stability is poor.］
Li Fan understood the crux of the problem. Spells in this world were full of "self-realization" gray areas. His task was to quantify and fix these gray areas.
For the next three days, he stayed cloistered, maniacally casting, recording, and analyzing. He used himself as a test subject, utilizing the System to record the correlation between every spiritual energy fluctuation and mental focus level.
Failure was routine. Water spheres disintegrated, shapes were lost, and sometimes his meridians faintly ached due to spiritual energy conflicts. But he was undeterred; every failure provided data for the System's model correction.
The breakthrough came late on the second night. When he stopped trying to forcibly understand the operational principle of a core fuzzy node and instead precisely controlled the frequency of spiritual energy pulses upstream and downstream of it, an unprecedentedly stable and clear water sphere quietly condensed on his fingertip!
"Success!" Li Fan was greatly encouraged."Since I can't understand the black box, I'll control its input and output!"
He mentally named this method:"Parameter-Based Boundary Constraint." Using this technique, he and the System collaborated to conquer the remaining core fuzzy nodes one by one. He also drastically eliminated the redundant structures in the original spell that existed to accommodate variations like "Cloud-Rain" and "Mist Gathering," customizing an extremely efficient spiritual energy path for the singular goal of "High-Efficiency Condensation."
On the morning of the third day, a perfectly round, artistic water sphere hovered above his palm. With a mere thought, it moved as if an extension of his arm. The optimization was a success.
［System: Task "Analysis Report on Water Condensation Spell Optimization" completed! Reward: 20 Research Points have been issued!］
The pleasant prompt sounded. Li Fan dared not delay, quickly recording the optimized circuit diagram and detailed data comparison into the jade slip. However, when explaining the principles, he cleverly replaced technical terms like "fuzzy node" and "parameter constraint" with phrases more aligned with this world's understanding, such as "Mental Aperture" and "Spiritual Energy Domain".
Carrying the jade slip that would determine his future, Li Fan arrived outside the office of Elder Chen Xuan, the Hall Master of the Hall of One Hundred Arts.
Inside the room, an old man with white hair and beard and a ruddy complexion was deeply furrowed in thought over an array diagram, with piles of jade slips and materials stacked on his desk. This was Elder Chen Xuan, known for his stubborn rigor and fiery temper.
"Disciple Li Fan, I come under the Sect Leader's command to submit the research report on the Water Condensation Spell," Li Fan respectfully presented the jade slip.
Chen Xuan did not look up, casually took it, his tone carrying undisguised perfunctoriness:"Mm, just put it there. A basic spell, what novelty could it have? Don't disturb me."
Li Fan's heart sank. He stepped back as instructed, feeling inevitably anxious.
However, at sunset, a Discipline Disciple hurriedly sought him out, his expression odd:"Junior Brother Li, Elder Chen requests your immediate presence."
Stepping into the office again, the atmosphere was completely different. The jade slip was placed at the center of the desk. Elder Chen Xuan sat up straight, his gaze sharp as lightning, locked onto Li Fan.
"The content in this jade slip, is it from your hand?" The voice was deep, suppressing some kind of emotion.
"It is, Elder."
"Hmph!" Chen Xuan slammed the table, his voice like a great bell,"Nonsense! Heterodox!"
Li Fan's heart tightened.
But Chen Xuan's next words froze him on the spot:"What 'Mental Aperture,''Spiritual Energy Domain'! Vague statements! But this optimized circuit of yours, it is clearly... a 'Dead Array' that discards all variations for the sake of singular efficiency!"
He grabbed the jade slip, his fingers slightly trembling from excitement, and pointed to the data:"Yet this 'Dead Array'... has a 30% increase in condensation speed! A 20% reduction in spiritual energy consumption! Stability beyond 50%! Manipulation precision... How is this possible?! How did you do it?! This completely violates the Principles of Basic Spell Configuration!"
Li Fan realized. It wasn't rejection, but the tremendous shock of a paradigm shift.
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and calmly explained:"Elder, with all due respect, this disciple believes that a spell's value lies in specialization. The old method sought completeness and was burdened by it. This disciple merely focused on the essence of 'Condensation,' eliminating superfluous branches, thus improving performance. As for the concept of 'Apertures,' it is this disciple's attempt to use a more precise method to constrain spiritual energy and reduce the interference of mental fluctuations."
"Focus on the essence... eliminate redundancy... constrain interference..." Chen Xuan murmured, his eyes full of struggle. This concept contradicted his lifelong studies, but the irrefutable data was violently assailing his cognitive wall.
He stared at Li Fan for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh, and pushed a green jade token and a small bag of spirit stones across the table. His tone was extremely complex:"Your report... is unbelievable. This old man cannot immediately judge whether it is a blessing or a curse."
His voice paused, then his expression turned solemn:"But in terms of the effect of 'Condensation' alone, it is indeed remarkable. This is the Official Disciple Jade Token of the Hall of One Hundred Arts, along with this month's stipend. Starting tomorrow, you will report to the 'Basic Spell Analysis Chamber' for duty."
"Thank you, Elder!" Li Fan suppressed his excitement and accepted the items with both hands. He knew he had finally taken a firm first step within the sect.
"Don't celebrate yet," Chen Xuan warned coldly, his gaze sharp."The Analysis Chamber's work is tedious, requiring persistent effort. Since you possess 'unique ideas,' I grant you this opportunity. But you must remember: the foundation of the Hall of One Hundred Arts lies in 'Rigor'! Any idea you have, if you wish to convince others, must pass a thousand verifications and be backed by ironclad proof! Otherwise, it will surely bring disaster!"
"This disciple will bear your teaching in mind!" Li Fan bowed solemnly. He understood that this was not the end, but the beginning of the real challenge.
Carrying the newly acquired identity token, Li Fan returned to his accommodation. Just as he was about to plan his work in the Analysis Chamber, the System prompt sounded again:
［System: Detected host has obtained a stable research position. Long-term Task Unlocked:[Spell Standardization Research].］
［Sub-Task One: Select three or more basic spells and complete their standardized optimization. Reward: 50-200 points, depending on completion level.］
The huge point reward excited him. However, before he could think further, a knock sounded at the door.
Standing outside was Su Miaoran, who had returned. Her fair face carried a trace of subtle seriousness.
"Junior Brother Li," her voice was still cool, but it held a different meaning,"The Sect Leader just issued a decree, commanding you to report to the Royal Study for an audience alone tomorrow at the Si hour (9-11 AM)."
Seeing the Sect Leader again? Li Fan's heart immediately tightened. Was this solitary summons a blessing or a disaster?