Chapter 57: Great Cleverness?
Ever since Li Yan entered the sect and heard that gentle voice, then saw Wei Chongran's modest and courteous face, and later went through the process of becoming his disciple, he couldn't help but constantly associate Wei Chongran with Strategist Ji.
Even though the two men's physiques were drastically different, one fat, one thin, utterly unalike, he just had that inexplicable sense of familiarity.
So he had this feeling that even though he'd formally taken a master, it was more like being forced to bow under the eaves, what choice did he have, being so weak right now? But deep down, he had never held the slightest respect for this master. He didn't know whether, behind that courteous face, there was also a hidden knife.
But now that Wei Chongran called him up, he had no choice but to brace himself and rise.
As he stepped forward, everyone below turned to look at him. They too had no idea what the master was about to do. Only the mistress seemed to know what would happen next. Seeing the nervous look on Li Yan's face, she couldn't help but smile sweetly.
That smile was like a breeze through summer woods. Her red lips parted slightly.
"This little fellow looks a bit scared."
Wei Chongran also noticed Li Yan's expression, and his deep, mellow voice followed.
"Just checking your aptitude so I can pick the right cultivation method for you!"
Until now, he knew very little about this newly accepted disciple's cultivation background. Even Li Yan's origins had been self-reported, and his aptitude was merely based on what Senior Brother Feng had said. Unlike other disciples, who either had detailed records submitted by affiliated sects or underwent personal testing from him.
As he finished speaking, he reached out and grabbed Li Yan's wrist. Just a moment ago, the man had looked like an ordinary chubby mortal, but in an instant, his aura turned sharp and fierce. Before Li Yan could even react, he felt a surge of pure, warm sunlight-like spiritual energy invade his body.
That spiritual energy came suddenly and vanished just as quickly. By the time Li Yan looked up, it had already disappeared without a trace, and the pressure on his body was completely gone.
Wei Chongran released Li Yan's wrist, his face contemplative. Although he'd heard what Li Yan's aptitude was and didn't doubt Senior Brother Feng's words on the matter, he still held onto a faint hope.
But the result was still a bit disappointing, mixed spiritual roots, truly mixed spiritual roots. Even in the Wraith Sect, this was one of a kind. Not even servant disciples would normally be accepted with such a root.
After a moment of thought, Wei Chongran smiled.
"Li Yan, among your spiritual roots, the water attribute is the strongest. So don't bother cultivating the entry-level technique from the Spirit Insect Peak anymore. Later, have your senior brother take you to our peak's Treasure Repository and pick out a water-element cultivation art and a few immortal techniques, that'll be much better suited to your practice.
Once you've chosen, your senior brother can begin instructing you. If you run into anything you don't understand, you're welcome to come directly to me with questions. How about that?"
Li Yan was briefly stunned, so this was about helping him choose cultivation methods and immortal techniques? Although he had no intention of practicing the sect's techniques, with them offering so kindly, of course he couldn't refuse.
Besides, even if he didn't want the cultivation methods, those immortal techniques he did need. Ever since he'd witnessed Strategist Ji cast "Fireball Technique" and "Wood Spike Technique," he'd been quite eager for immortal techniques.
What Li Yan didn't know was that Wei Chongran's care for him was exceptional. Normally, for entry-level techniques in the Qi Condensation stage, all major sects had senior disciples at the ninth or tenth level of Qi Condensation teach them. These Transmission Senior Brothers specialized in guiding new disciples.
Having a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Li Wuyi personally instruct him would be considered massive overkill. Even having the seventh senior brother Lin Daqiao, who was still in Qi Condensation, teach him would be more than sufficient.
But the higher the level of the instructor, the more one could grasp, so Wei Chongran allowing Li Yan to consult him directly was a rare privilege in the sect.
Wei Chongran knew Li Yan's aptitude was poor, so he wanted to give him the best possible support.
Of course, Li Yan knew none of this. He simply thought this was normal master-disciple behavior, especially since it was only the senior brother who would guide him. So, with a respectful tone, he said:
"Thank you, Master."
"That's all for today, then. You may all go. Wuyi, take Li Yan to settle his accommodations, and then go to the Treasure Repository to select his cultivation method and immortal techniques."
"Master, Senior Brother, let me take Little Junior Brother instead. This sort of task I can still handle. When it's time for him to begin practicing, then he can go to Senior Brother for guidance."
At that moment, a crisp voice rang out.
Everyone looked over. It was the lanky Lin Daqiao, who had already stood up and was walking toward Li Yan.
Wei Chongran understood the situation instantly. Lin Daqiao had entered the sect later than the others and had yet to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Among all these disciples, he was the only one still a registered disciple. Now it seemed he had finally found a companion, naturally, he was happy.
Wei Chongran smiled and nodded.
"Hehehe… Very well. Wuyi, assign Daqiao a few things."
With that, he glanced at the elegant lady in white palace robes beside him. The two rose simultaneously and drifted out the door like mist, leaving the group of disciples to rise and respectfully see them off.
Once the two disappeared through the doorway, a pleasant voice rang out.
"Daqiao, you're already calling him Little Junior Brother? Trying to boost your own seniority, huh?"
It was Fourth Senior Sister Miao Wangqing in her pale-yellow long dress, her expression full of playful teasing as she looked at Lin Daqiao.
Before Li Yan had arrived, Lin Daqiao had been the youngest registered disciple here. Naturally, everyone called him "Little Junior Brother," which always made him feel like others saw him as a kid. He'd long been displeased. Now that Li Yan had just arrived, he was eager to shed that title.
Lin Daqiao had already reached Li Yan's side and threw an arm warmly around his shoulders. Looking back at his Fourth Senior Sister, he replied:
"Isn't that how it is? If you keep calling me Little Junior Brother, then wouldn't I have to call Junior Brother Li, Senior Brother Li?"
With that, he even winked at Li Yan.
Since the Strategist Ji incident, Li Yan had grown unused to being so physically close to others. But seeing how friendly and familiar this Seventh Senior Brother was, he didn't want to push his hand away. So he just smiled.
Miao Wangqing looked at Lin Daqiao's smug expression, then glanced around to see that the others were all watching her. She secretly stole a glance at Li Wuyi, straightened her ample chest to further emphasize her curvy figure, and was just about to speak again when another voice cut in:
"Fourth Senior Sister, let's go!"
It was the short-haired Sixth Senior Sister Gong Chenying. She stood up, her figure looking even more long and athletic. She cast Li Yan a mild glance, then tugged Miao Wangqing's sleeve and walked off.
"Junior Sister, Junior Sister, I still have something to scold Daqiao for, don't leave so quickly!"
Miao Wangqing was being dragged out by the cold and aloof Gong Chenying, still sounding a bit reluctant.
"Really? Are you sure you're talking about Daqiao?"
By now they had reached the doorway, and a faint voice drifted back, though it seemed to deliberately emphasize a particular word.
At this, Miao Wangqing said no more. Somewhat flustered, she quickly covered Gong Chenying's mouth and dragged her away at full speed.
Only the three of them were left inside the hall. Li Yan was completely confused, but he could clearly feel the arm of his Seventh Senior Brother, who was still holding him, trembling slightly, and his face struggling to hold back a smile.
The next moment, Lin Daqiao's expression shifted. He turned back and looked mournfully at Li Wuyi, then said in a low voice:
"A man just shouldn't be too handsome. Otherwise, you won't dare go out every other day!"
Li Wuyi touched his nose with a gloomy look on his face.
At this moment, the second senior brother, overly brawny and large, walked up to Li Yan, stretched out a hand, and patted him on the shoulder.
"Eighth Junior Brother, come to my courtyard when you have time. If you have any questions, you can also ask me. You need to start cultivating soon so you can have a spar with Second Senior Brother. Sigh!"
Though he addressed Li Yan at first, his eyes drifted toward Li Wuyi at the end and he gave a long sigh, before turning and leaving the main hall.
That one pat felt to Li Yan as if a big black bear had slammed him, it left half his body numb, and he couldn't help but grimace in pain.
He was only fifteen years old and found everyone here to be talking in strange ways, but it all seemed to be about the Eldest Senior Brother.
"Second Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother! You have to call him 'Little Junior Brother,' 'Little Junior Brother'!"
Lin Daqiao shouted toward the departing figure of the big man.
"Ahem, Eigh... Little Junior Brother, your Second Senior Brother is a cultivation maniac. Once your level rises, he'll probably... well, how do I put this... your Second Senior Brother might like to discuss cultivation methods and immortal techniques with you, frequently."
Li Wuyi coughed and spoke to Li Yan, and he did in fact call him "Little Junior Brother," which made Li Yan think to himself:
"Looks like this Second Senior Brother just enjoys sparring with others."
But at the moment, he didn't take it seriously. Who knew when he would even reach the Foundation Establishment stage?
Li Wuyi then looked toward Lin Daqiao, who was still staring at the door, muttering to himself nonstop.
"Heh heh... Daqiao, after you help Little Junior Brother settle into his lodgings, explain the sect rules to him clearly."
"Also, tell him everything you learned when you first joined. You heard earlier about his background, he doesn't know much about the cultivation world, so the more detailed, the better."
"Hmm, as for choosing cultivation method, I'll handle that myself. After you finish these arrangements, it'll probably be evening, so I'll come find Little Junior Brother tomorrow morning."
He was letting Lin Daqiao handle Li Yan's entry-level orientation, something he could trust him with. But when it came to selecting techniques, a crucial matter, he preferred to handle it personally. One had to admit, he was indeed meticulous.
"Got it! Don't worry, Eldest Senior Brother!"
Lin Daqiao grinned happily. Hearing Li Wuyi call Li Yan "Little Junior Brother" more smoothly with each time made him increasingly cheerful.
"Alright then, Little Junior Brother, I'll take my leave for now. By the time all this is done, it'll be evening. Take a good rest and get familiar with the environment. I'll come find you tomorrow morning to pick the cultivation method and spells."
Li Wuyi made sure everything was covered, then reminded Li Yan once more.
"Alright, Eldest Senior Brother. Thank you for everything today!" Li Yan replied politely.
After that, the three of them left the main hall and went their separate ways outside.
Li Yan followed the path behind the main hall, walking uphill along the mountain. Lin Daqiao led him, chatting along the way.
Li Yan found that Lin Daqiao was someone who liked to talk, but gave off a good impression, he seemed like a straightforward person, the type who said whatever came to mind. Li Yan would occasionally chime in, and Lin Daqiao always answered thoroughly.
Just like that, Li Yan quickly learned a few things about Lin Daqiao.
Lin Daqiao was twenty years old this year and came from a third-rate sect in the Endless Firmament Province, which was also under Wraith Sect's jurisdiction. His area was in the southwest of Wraith Sect's territory, dominated by several third-rate sects, there wasn't even a single second-rate one.
In that region, Lin Daqiao's sect was one of the top among the third-rate sects, and he had the best aptitude among them at the time. He had been discovered and recruited into his sect at the age of twelve, which was considered late.
Even so, he had entered the cultivation path years before Li Yan. In just one year of training at his home sect, he reached the second level of the Qi Condensation stage and was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius by that sect.
In his third year, he broke through to the fifth level of Qi Condensation, and just happened to catch the Wraith Sect's disciple recruitment. He was sent along and unexpectedly caught the eye of Wei Chongran, who accepted him as a registered disciple.
It had been more than six years since he joined, and he had now reached the tenth level of Qi Condensation, roughly one level every year.
As cultivation becomes more difficult the further one advances, such progress was no less impressive than Li Wuyi's. He was now preparing to break through into the Foundation Establishment stage.
Li Yan found it odd, why would lower sects send their most promising disciples away after so much effort? How could they develop like that?
But Lin Daqiao's next explanation made it clear to him.
When the four great sects recruit disciples, the subordinate sects can choose not to send their disciples. But that would mean their disciples miss the best opportunity to ascend to immortality.
Because whether it's cultivation methods, spells, or resources, the four great sects have an abundance that those small sects can't even imagine.
Their own limited resources, even if pooled for centuries, likely wouldn't be enough to produce a single Core Formation cultivator. But in the four great sects, that potential existed.
Those who are sent to the great sects and manage to establish their foundation or reach the Core Formation stage are required to become elders or grand elders of their original sects but they can still remain in the great sects to continue cultivation.
At that point, the great sects will also reward the original sects with generous resources, recognizing their efforts in finding talented individuals.
These rewards could be equivalent to decades or even centuries of accumulation by the small sects. That often leads to a huge boost in strength and rapid development. So why would these small sects refuse?
As for why the four great sects would bother with such seemingly thankless efforts, well, that was due to Li Yan's ignorance.
These smaller sects still belonged to the jurisdiction of the four great sects. The stronger they became, the more powerful the great sects became overall. The most critical point was that after establishing their foundation, a soul lamp would be left in the great sects.
If the great sects ever faced danger, those cultivators and sometimes even their entire sects ould be obligated to help. If they didn't, their soul lamps could be extinguished, resulting in their deaths.
Even so, the cultivation world respected power. If someone couldn't even reach the Foundation Establishment stage and died early on, then it was far better to have joined the four great sects in the first place.
Of course, for those ambitious sects that wanted to become great powers themselves, they were reluctant to send away their best disciples.
But to the four great sects, these small fry were beneath their notice. They turned a blind eye.
They were colossal beings, if someone truly wanted to challenge them, there would always be warning signs. The moment such signs appeared, the great sects would strike decisively, and those with ambitions would find their sects turned to ashes in an instant.
(Chapter End)