Half an hour ago, Celestial Character No. 4 Room.
Zhang Yuanshan and his two companions arrived earliest, gathering together to discuss their respective gains in the sect over the past six months.
"Since entering the Artifact Refining Hall, I've been assisting my clan uncle.
Discovered that I have a bit of talent in Artifact Refining, my family increased their investment in my training, enabling me to advance to the Fifth-Layer Qi Refining in six months.
Half a month ago, I was even able to forge a Magic Artifact Embryo on my own."
"Senior Brother Zhang has boundless prospects, enviable.
Little sister barely broke through to Qi Refining Fourth Level a month ago, far behind."
Chu River said in a muffled voice:
"Senior Sister, stop being modest, I only broke through to Mid-stage Qi Refining yesterday, doesn't that make me look too foolish?"
"Haha, everyone has a great future ahead," Zhang Yuanshan smoothly changed the topic:
"Several months ago, Ji An came to Red Copper Mountain looking for us, saying he wanted to borrow Spirit Stones.
At that time, I saw that even though he was at Second-Layer Qi Refining, he was able to practice the Small Cloud Rain Technique to Minor Success, and coupled with his persuasion, I agreed. He borrowed two Spirit Stones from each of us."
"Ah, he also asked you two for Spirit Stones?"
Zhao Mengyao was startled.
"Also? Junior Sister, did he borrow Spirit Stones from you as well?"
Zhao Mengyao nodded slightly embarrassed:
"I too considered that despite his paltry Magical Power at Second-Layer Qi Refining, he managed to practice the Small Cloud Rain Technique to Minor Success within a month, so I decided to support him with Spirit Stones."
Now she suddenly felt a bit regretful and added:
"Thinking carefully now, even a Minor Success in the Small Cloud Rain Technique only increases Spirit Grain output by about ten percent."
The three of them calculated together, realizing that Ji An already had a debt of 16 Spirit Stones, which should exceed the limit of a Early-stage Qi Refining cultivator's ability to repay!
Chu River clenched his fist and angrily said:
"I need to be frugal with Spirit Stones to maintain my cultivation, and this guy is doing well for himself!"
Zhang Yuanshan pondered for a moment and said:
"A truly promising Spirit Farmer is someone who brings one of the Small Cloud Rain Technique, Thick Earth Technique, or Life and Death Technique to Great Success Level.
Ji An has high comprehension of Water Element Magic, but who knows how long it'll take him to reach Great Success in the Small Cloud Rain Technique.
He promised to repay us a batch of Spirit Stones in six months; let's see his performance then.
However, we can't lend him Spirit Stones anymore, and today we need to caution him.
Also, we need to mention using the Beast Taming Secret Technique to settle debts."
The true test of magical abilities is the leap from Minor Success to Great Success; Entry and Mastery levels can be quickly achieved with enough practice.
But escalating a Minor Success technique to Great Success requires more than just practice; without sufficient comprehension, it may take years or might never be achieved.
A promising Spirit Farmer is worth befriending, but continuously lending Spirit Stones is not worthwhile.
The opponent's debt is indeed too heavy.
I used to not notice, but how could he rely on borrowing Spirit Stones for cultivation?
Damn, it's all because that guy's rhetoric contrasts so sharply before the Meridian Opening.
...
Ji An observed the expressions of several people, sat up straight, and said warmly:
"Senior Brother is correct.
The sect imposes a three-year assessment on new disciples; relying solely on Minor Success Level planting techniques to clear debts is absolutely impossible within several years."
"You knew?!"
Chu River struck the table with restrained force, thinking, when you borrowed Spirit Stones, it wasn't what you said!
"It's impossible relying on Minor Success techniques, but could Great Success techniques still work?
This junior did not expect, in recent days, to have practiced both the Small Cloud Rain Technique and Thick Earth Technique to Great Success.
I've planted two acres of Spirit Grain, which yielded 580 pounds of Yellow Sprout Rice the day before.
This year I don't need to pay land rent and tax to the sect; if I sell everything, I could earn 580 Spirit Crystals."
Ji An cupped his hands, speaking sincerely:
"After today's small gathering ends, I invite Senior Brothers and Sisters to visit my place for half a day, to taste the bounty of harvest."
Zhang Yuanshan's gaze focused, not even half a year, achieving Great Success in two techniques?!
Zhao Mengyao's eyes also held astonishment; if this were true, a reevaluation of his magical potential would be needed!
Zhang Yuanshan nodded and smiled:
"Junior Brother's achievements make Senior Brother proud.
Tonight we'll disturb Junior Brother, and enjoy ourselves."
Caution? Forget about caution!
...
More disciples began to arrive, Zhang Yuanshan glanced around, noticing all 16 disciples from the same period had come, he instructed the tavern to serve the dishes.
Glasses clinked together, joyous and harmonious.
Half-drunk, Zhang Yuanshan gently put down his wine cup and sighed:
"Unfortunately, I don't know if in six months I can return here to drink with everyone."
His voice was soft, just enough for everyone to hear clearly.
Zhao Mengyao was surprised:
"Senior Brother, what do you mean by this? Did you receive a sect assignment requiring you to leave?"
Sometimes, the sect assigns guard duties to disciples above Qi Refining Fourth Level, but that's usually aimed at those with inadequate production capabilities. Additionally, disciples entering the sect in the first three years were typically exempt from task allocations.
At this time, disciples have just entered the sect, with insufficient magical proficiency, safety is unassured.
Everyone asked questions filled with concern.
New disciples sent away, surely something major is happening.
The sect does not lack enemies, not to mention internal conflicts within the Human Race, the Demon Race from the deep mountains to the northwest often battle with the sect.
"In a way, but it's a good thing," Zhang Yuanshan laughed:
"Yesterday, my clan uncle told me that recently, the sect's Great Cultivators had several battles with the Green-eyed Demon Ape Race at Mo Ya Mountain, and slain the Ape King.
The sect has now occupied Mo Ya Mountain, where a Tier One Upper Grade Spiritual Vein is located, waiting for the Mountain Protection Array to be set up, then cultivators will be dispatched for guarding.
My clan uncle was selected, and I'm benefiting by tagging along.
I estimate that in a few days, the news will be officially released; junior brothers, if you have connections, might as well make arrangements."
"Cultivating within a Tier One Upper Grade Spiritual Vein, Senior Brother's cultivation will progress rapidly, Mengyao here wishes Senior Brother to break through Late-stage Qi Refining soon."
"Congratulations, Senior Brother."
The crowd offered their congratulations, while Ji An was secretly envious, thinking if he also had the opportunity to cultivate within a Spiritual Vein, how much spiritual mechanism the Stone Turtle could absorb per day.
But he merely thought about it, such good fortunes are unlikely to fall on someone like him who has no support.
This matter inspired him further to advance to Late-stage Qi Refining soon, and seek a good mentor to rely on, like the saying goes, blessed is the one with a solid backing.
The sect values mentor-disciple traditions greatly, only cultivators at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment or above are qualified to take on disciples.
To ensure the mentor teaches earnestly, upon taking a disciple, the mentor receives contribution points.
If the disciple is at Seventh-Layer Qi Refining, the mentor receives 700 points annually; as the disciple advances a layer to Eighth-Layer Qi Refining, the mentor gets 800 contribution points annually and an additional reward of 700 points.
Each Foundation Establishment Cultivator has a quota of four non-Foundation Establishment disciples, and more rewards are given when a disciple advances to Foundation Establishment.
There's also a benefit to be accepted by a mentor, that is to advance into the circle of Foundation Establishment cultivators early, gain more insider information, and suffer less in resource allocation.