Participation is key

After finishing his shift at the medicinal garden, Qi Yuan walked to the Outer Sect Main Peak.

The main peak was significantly taller than the surrounding peaks; standing out like a crane among chickens, its Spiritual Qi density was also far greater than elsewhere.

"Junior Brother Qi, what are you doing here?"

Just as he reached the outside of the hall, Qi Yuan was blocked by two Disciples guarding the entrance.

After the events of the past few days, he was now somewhat famous in the Outer Sect. The two Outer Sect Disciples clearly knew who he was, so they spoke politely and did not try to drive him away.

Qi Yuan cupped his hands to the two of them and directly stated his purpose.

"Senior Brothers, I am here to see Elder Mo. Please inform him."

The two guards looked at each other, then nodded, sending one person inside to report.

Soon, that Disciple walked out of the hall and said to Qi Yuan:

"Junior Brother Qi, Elder Mo says you may enter."

Qi Yuan gave his thanks and stepped into the main hall.

At this moment, Mo Zhengyang was sitting upright at his desk, holding a Jade Brush and writing rapidly on a Golden Scroll.

Hearing the movement, Mo Zhengyang slowly looked up, his gaze falling on Qi Yuan as he asked in a kind tone:

"Martial Nephew Qi, what business do you have with this old man?"

He had a good impression of this newly entered Utility Disciple. Not only was his Heart-Nature excellent, but he was also clever enough. Unfortunately, his Aptitude was a bit lacking, destined for a difficult path on the Dao... As he was thinking, he suddenly let out a soft "eh" and couldn't help but cry out in surprise:

"How are you already at the fourth layer of Qi Refining?"

One must know that he was only at the mere second layer of Qi Refining when he joined the Sect. Now, in less than ten days, he had actually broken through two realms to reach the fourth layer of Qi Refining. Such cultivation speed was simply unheard of!

Is this a freaking Four-Element Spiritual Root?

Qi Yuan smiled modestly and said:

"The fifty High Grade Spirit Gathering Pills you bestowed last time were truly effective. After consuming them, I felt my spiritual power was abundant and my spirit was full, so I fortunately broke through two levels."

Hearing this, the corners of Mo Zhengyang's mouth twitched, thinking to himself that Spirit Gathering Pills didn't have the power to make a Cultivator with a Four-Element Spiritual Root rise two levels within ten days.

Although he was puzzled, he did not dwell on it further. Instead, he looked at Qi Yuan again and said:

"You came to see me today; there must be something else, right?"

Qi Yuan answered respectfully:

"This Junior has indeed come to ask for a favor."

"Speak."

Mo Zhengyang raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting for him to continue.

Qi Yuan nodded and said with a slight smile:

"This Junior heard that the Sect will hold the Outer Sect Grand Competition in half a month. The top ten of the competition can directly enter the Inner Sect. I am drawn to it and hope to participate in this grand competition. I hope you, Elder, can grant permission."

"You want to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition?"

Hearing this, Mo Zhengyang was somewhat surprised and took a deep look at him. "Although the Sect does not forbid Utility Disciples from participating in the grand competition, your batch of Disciples has only just entered. Isn't participating this year a bit forced?"

Seemingly afraid that Qi Yuan didn't understand the situation, Mo Zhengyang stroked the beard under his chin and continued to explain:

"According to previous years, to enter the top ten, one must have at least a cultivation of the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Your current cultivation is only at the fourth layer of Qi Refining. If you participate recklessly, you might not even pass the first round."

Qi Yuan's expression remained unchanged, and he said with a serious face:

"This Junior just wants to see the world at the grand competition. As for whether I can win, it truly doesn't matter. It's the participation that counts."

Seeing that his mind was made up, Mo Zhengyang stopped dissuading him and nodded, saying:

"Very well. Since you insist on giving it a try, this old man will give you this chance. Later, take my Token and go to Deacon Niu to register."

Qi Yuan was immediately overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior Martial Uncle Mo, for your help."

Mo Zhengyang said no more, threw a Token to Qi Yuan, and waved his hand, saying:

"Go and prepare yourself."

...After leaving the main peak, Qi Yuan couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of relief.

Even if he hadn't refreshed this System task, he would have found a way to enter the Inner Sect of Falling Cloud Valley as soon as possible.

After becoming an Inner Sect Disciple, he could leave Falling Cloud Valley under the pretext of doing Sect tasks or going out for travels without fearing it would affect subsequent tasks. It could be said to be a choice that killed several birds with one stone.

Of course, the most important point was that the additional reward for this task was too attractive to him; there was absolutely no reason to give it up.

Thinking of this, he put aside his stray thoughts and once again immersed his mind in the System interface:

"In half a month, Falling Cloud Valley will hold the annual Outer Sect Grand Competition. The top ten of the competition can not only directly enter the Inner Sect but also receive corresponding rewards. For you, it is an important Immortal Fate to escape the fate of a utility worker."

"Note: This task is an open task and can be actively abandoned."

"Task Goal: Obtain the qualification to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition and achieve a top ten finish in the competition."

"Additional Reward Condition: Shock the audience in the Outer Sect Grand Competition and take first place."

"Task Reward: 500 Counterattack Points, 15 Top-Grade Qi Gathering pills, 1 Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, 1,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"Additional Reward: Appropriately improve the Host's Spiritual Root Aptitude."

Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude once again!

After the last improvement, Qi Yuan's current Spiritual Root Aptitude was already quite ridiculous. He couldn't even imagine how terrifying his potential would be if it were improved once more.

Perhaps, it might truly be possible to touch the realm of the legendary Immortal Spiritual Root!

A Cultivator who doesn't want to achieve Immortal Ascension is not a good Cultivator, and Qi Yuan was naturally no exception.

However, according to the internal records of the Taixuan Holy Land, although the Dao laws in this great world were prosperous and powerful experts emerged in large numbers, no Cultivator had ascended to the Immortal Realm for hundreds of thousands of years.

Even if a peerless Prodigy crossed layers of Dao Tribulations and reached the Mahayana Realm, they would still be trapped within this world, unable to transcend.

Therefore, many Cultivators at the Perfection of the Mahayana Realm would choose to leave this realm and exile themselves in the endless Void Realm, seeking a sliver of Immortal Fate for Immortal Ascension.

There were even rumors that unless someone was born with an Immortal Spiritual Root or possessed an Immortal Fate, it was absolutely impossible for a common Mortal to achieve Immortal Ascension.

Things like opportunities are too ethereal, and an Immortal Spiritual Root is a once-in-ten-thousand-years rarity. Even if the living beings between heaven and earth are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, few can attain an immortal seat and live long and free.

Although Mahayana Realm Cultivators can be said to have great Divine Abilities and long Lifespans, they cannot withstand the changes of the world and the erosion of time. Even if they can live for tens of thousands of years, they will ultimately fail to escape the end of their lives and the dissipation of their Dao, ending up with nothing.

No one is willing to endure such an ending.

Now that the Opportunity to continue strengthening his Spiritual Root was before him, how could he miss it?

After a surge of excitement, Qi Yuan steadied his mind and walked toward his residence humming a little tune.

Right at that moment.

A giant, fiery-red tiger suddenly emerged from a secluded forest ahead. This giant tiger was massive, about seven or eight zhang long, surrounded by rolling red smoke and an astonishing Evil Qi.

"Roar!"

The giant tiger roared majestically, opened its bloody maw, and pounced over with bared fangs and brandished claws...