54: Chapter 54 Advancement to Outer Sect

Chen Erniu also stopped his harvesting actions, moving the Spirit Rice Stalks he had reaped to the edge of the field. He maintained that same honest and dull appearance, keeping his head low and remaining silent.

Manager Ma Yingjie walked up to him and merely gave the Spirit Rice Stalks a cursory glance before waving his hand to signal his subordinate Disciples to record it. There was no scolding or careful verification; clearly, he was showing favoritism, a stark contrast to his treatment of other Utility Disciples.

Before long, Manager Ma Yingjie also arrived in front of Qin Changsheng.

He stopped his pace and waved his hand.

His many trusted aides immediately began counting Qin Changsheng's Spirit Rice Stalks.

"Reporting to Manager Ma, the count is complete. A total of two hundred and thirty catties."

Manager Ma Yingjie nodded, took out a small cloth bag from his robes, and tossed it casually to Qin Changsheng, his tone impatient: "This is the one hundred Spirit Sand rewarded by the Sect!"

Qin Changsheng took the cloth bag and found that there were only sixty grains inside.

There was no look of surprise on Qin Changsheng's face; instead, he understood perfectly.

Having stayed at Servant Peak for so long, he had long since figured out the Sect's rules. The reward for Utility Disciples harvesting Spirit Rice and tending to the Spirit Fields should have been one hundred grains of Spirit Sand. In reality, every time the reward was distributed, the deacons, managers, and others would skim off a portion, calling it 'respect,' but in truth, it was to line their own pockets.

"Thank you, Manager Ma!" Qin Changsheng said gratefully.

"Mm, farm well. This manager will not mistreat you!" After Ma Yingjie finished speaking, he led his many aides toward the next location.

...

Early the next morning.

Qin Changsheng arrived at the assessment site.

The Outer Sect Assessment Office was located on the east side of the Outer Sect area, adjacent to the Sect Square. It was an open courtyard with a specialized Assessment Platform in the center. Several wooden tables were arranged around it for the deacons and Disciples in charge of the assessment to rest and work.

At this time, many Utility Disciples like Qin Changsheng had already arrived for the Outer Sect assessment. Each appeared nervous yet expectant, gathering in small groups to discuss the assessment matters in low voices and probing each other's cultivation levels.

Qin Changsheng quietly walked to a corner of the courtyard and found an inconspicuous spot to stand. Using the passive effect of his Breath Concealment trait, he restrained his Qi Refining Stage 6 cultivation, disguising himself as an ordinary Utility Disciple around Qi Refining Level 3.

Before long, a figure slowly walked into the assessment courtyard. Everyone stopped their discussions, and their gazes shifted in unison toward that person.

It was a middle-aged man dressed in the green robes of a deacon. He had a square face with a hint of arrogance between his brows. His body radiated the fluctuations of a Qi Refining Stage 8 cultivation, and his expression was serious, carrying an air of natural authority.

The middle-aged deacon walked to the Assessment Platform in the center of the courtyard and stopped: "Quiet down! I am in charge of today's Outer Sect assessment. You should all be familiar with the rules: if your cultivation has reached Qi Refining Level 3 or above and you can proficiently cast a basic Spell, you will pass the assessment and promote to the Outer Sect. Now, line up and come forward for assessment one by one!"

As his voice fell, the Utility Disciples orderly formed a long queue, each looking respectful and not daring to make any noise.

Qin Changsheng also slowly stepped forward and joined the end of the line, patiently waiting for the assessment to begin.

Time trickled by, and the queue gradually moved forward. The Utility Disciples in front went up for assessment one by one; some passed smoothly, joy appearing on their faces;

Others failed to meet the requirements and were rejected on the spot by the middle-aged deacon, leaving the assessment courtyard with crestfallen expressions.

The middle-aged deacon was very strict in his assessment. He carefully checked every Disciple's cultivation test and Spell casting, occasionally posing difficult questions.

Over an hour later, Qin Changsheng arrived before the middle-aged deacon.

"Disciple Qin Changsheng is here to participate in the Outer Sect assessment. I humbly request the Lord Deacon to assess me."

The middle-aged deacon looked up, sizing Qin Changsheng up from top to bottom. His gaze lingered on him for a moment before he asked, "Do you understand the rules?"

Qin Changsheng's heart stirred, instantly understanding the middle-aged deacon's meaning.

Having stayed at Servant Peak for so long, he had already figured out the unspoken rules at the bottom of the Sect.

Whether it was handing over Spirit Rice or participating in assessments, if one wanted to pass smoothly or gain some convenience, they often had to offer some benefits to the responsible deacons or managers. It was called 'respect,' but in reality, it was a disguised demand.

By asking this now, the middle-aged deacon was clearly hinting that if he wanted to pass the assessment smoothly, he needed to offer some benefits.

If he didn't 'understand the rules' and give benefits, even if his cultivation was sufficient and his Spells proficient, the middle-aged deacon might not let him pass smoothly. He might even intentionally make things difficult or find excuses to reject his assessment application.

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Changsheng carefully handed over twenty grains of Spirit Sand.

Twenty grains of Spirit Sand were nothing to him.

After all, just from robbing Lin Hao, Qin Changsheng had gained tens of thousands of Spirit Sand.

A trace of barely perceptible satisfaction flashed in the middle-aged deacon's eyes. The arrogance and impatience on his face dissipated slightly, and his tone softened a bit: "Since you understand the rules, then good. Rise. Begin the assessment; first, test your cultivation."

Qin Changsheng bowed slightly and saluted again: "Thank you, Lord Deacon."

The deacon said: "Circulate your Cultivation Technique and release your Qi. Let me see your cultivation Realm."

Qin Changsheng nodded and, without further hesitation, slowly circulated his Cultivation Technique. He deliberately suppressed a portion of his cultivation, only releasing the aura of Qi Refining Level 3.

The seriousness on the middle-aged deacon's face faded more, and his tone became even gentler: "Qi Refining Level 3 Early Stage, you meet the assessment requirements. Next, perform the basic Spell you are most proficient in, and you will pass the assessment."

Qin Changsheng bowed slightly and replied: "Yes, Lord Deacon."

As his voice fell, he raised his hand and pinched the hand seals for the Fireball Technique. In a moment, a fireball appeared in Qin Changsheng's hand.

The middle-aged deacon nodded and signaled him to withdraw the Spell: "Fireball Technique, proficiently executed, Spiritual Qi controlled appropriately. You meet the assessment requirements. Qin Changsheng, you have successfully passed the Outer Sect assessment. From this day forward, you are an Outer Sect Disciple of our Heavenly Sword Sect."

Hearing these words, Qin Changsheng felt a surge of joy.

At the same time, Qin Changsheng understood that being able to pass the Outer Sect assessment so easily was the result of his hard work in Cultivate all these years.

Of course, it was also thanks to the support of his many traits.

"Thank you for your grace, Lord Deacon." Qin Changsheng cupped his hands toward the deacon.

The middle-aged deacon waved his hand and beckoned to an Outer Sect Disciple dressed in blue robes not far away, instructing loudly: "Come here. Take Qin Changsheng to register his Outer Sect Disciple identity and collect his Outer Sect robes and Disciple Token."

The blue-robed Outer Sect Disciple immediately stepped forward and bowed to the middle-aged deacon. Then he turned around to look at Qin Changsheng, a gentle smile appearing on his face, his tone respectful and friendly: "Junior Brother Qin, congratulations on your successful promotion to the Outer Sect. Follow me; I will take you to handle the identity procedures."

Qin Changsheng nodded slightly: "Thank you, Senior Brother."

After Qin Changsheng finished speaking, he secretly pressed ten grains of Spirit Sand into this Outer Sect Disciple's hand.

"Junior Brother Qin, you really do understand the rules!" The Outer Sect Disciple patted Qin Changsheng and led him toward the General Affairs Hall.

Along the way, this person introduced some of the Outer Sect's rules to Qin Changsheng.

He also mentioned the timing for the distribution of Sect stipends.

He also told Qin Changsheng that the monthly stipend for an Outer Sect Disciple was one hundred grains of Spirit Sand.

At the General Affairs Hall, there was also a service to exchange Spirit Sand for Spirit Stones.

Every hundred grains of Spirit Sand could be exchanged for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

At the same time, this Outer Sect Disciple told Qin Changsheng that it was best to give the Disciple in charge of registration some Spirit Sand.

Otherwise, that person would stall Qin Changsheng for a long time and assign him the worst living quarters.

Before long, this Disciple brought Qin Changsheng to a wooden table.

"Junior Brother Li, this is Qin Changsheng, who just passed the Outer Sect assessment. Please help him with his identity registration and collect his Disciple Token and Outer Sect robes."

Senior Brother Li looked up at Qin Changsheng but ignored him.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Li!" Qin Changsheng bowed slightly while handing over ten grains of Spirit Sand.

Senior Brother Li's eyes lit up, and his tone became much warmer: "So it's Junior Brother Qin. Please state your name, age, and the Servant Peak area you were previously in. I will register your information and create your Disciple Token."

Qin Changsheng answered each question truthfully, his tone calm.

Upon hearing that Qin Changsheng had stayed at Servant Peak for ten years, he shook his head slightly.

A moment later, he finished registering the information. He then took out a black token from a drawer. On the token were carved the three characters 'Qin Changsheng,' along with the insignia of an Outer Sect Disciple.

This was the identity credential for an Outer Sect Disciple. With this token, one could freely enter and leave the Outer Sect area and collect cultivation resources.

"Junior Brother Qin, this is your Disciple Token; keep it safe." Senior Brother Li handed the token to Qin Changsheng, then turned around to take out two sets of neatly folded robes from the cabinet behind him. Handing them over, he said with a smile, "These are the Outer Sect Disciple robes, two sets in total. You can change into them yourself."

"Our Outer Sect Disciple robes are all blue. The fabric is much better than the gray robes of Utility Disciples. Not only are they comfortable to wear, but they can also weakly absorb Spiritual Qi to assist in cultivation."

Qin Changsheng inspected them and then asked, "Senior Brother Li, I wonder where my residence is?"

Senior Brother Li picked up a key and said, "On the east side of the Outer Sect, there is an independent small courtyard. It is right next to a branch of the Outer Sect's Spiritual Vein, so the Spiritual Qi is several times denser than in ordinary residences. It's usually vacant, so I'll assign it to Junior Brother Qin today."

Hearing this, Qin Changsheng was momentarily stunned, a flash of unbelievable surprise in his eyes.

He never expected that he would actually be assigned such a courtyard.

One had to know that even Zhang Han, Hu Nan, Lin Yao, Li Hu, and the others all had ordinary houses.

At the same time, Qin Changsheng understood that those ten grains of Spirit Sand had done their work.

Qin Changsheng took the key with both hands and carefully put it away, his tone respectful: "Thank you, Senior Brother Li."

"Go on, familiarize yourself with your residence and adapt to the Outer Sect's cultivation life as soon as possible." The Disciple surnamed Li waved his hand, indicating they could leave.

Qin Changsheng bowed again and then retreated.