Jiang Yi stood out from the Outer Sect’s Red Fla Peak. Besides diligently consulting the Celestial Book day and night, he had also mastered the art of being "steady."
Ever since Sect Leader Liu Huan returned from his trip without having secured the Opportunity he sought, Jiang Yi had begun to consult the Celestial Book repeatedly.
Combining this with the information he gathered from people like his Grandpa Yang Xun, Li Ruohan, and Han Li, he gradually pieced together a picture of the Inner Peak.
’Elder Sui and the Sect Leader are playing a ga of chess against each other, and by chance, I’ve stumbled into the middle of it, becoming a pawn that has crossed the river.’
Jiang Yi rode his flas into the air, soaring over the thousand-fathom cliffs, his mind already calculating his next move.
The problem seed easy, almost obvious at a glance.
Sect Leader Liu Huan’s cultivation had reached the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer. If he hadn’t taken a Daoist Can and tainted his vital energy, he might have had a chance to achieve Foundation Establishnt and beco a True Master.
In contrast, Elder Sui Liushu of Observing Fate Peak had failed in his attempt to break through to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer years ago. His cultivation had stagnated ever since, and he only maintained his dignity thanks to his senior status.
Anyone with a brain and a pair of eyes would probably choose to enter Observing Sun Peak and follow Sect Leader Liu Huan to show their loyalty.
But Jiang Yi slled a rat. If Sui Liushu had truly lost so much power, how could Observing Fate Peak still stand in opposition to Observing Sun Peak?
And how could Xu Yan call the shots in the Inner Peak, carrying himself with the air of the unofficial senior brother of his generation?
’Thankfully, the Celestial Book showed a clear path, helping avoid this deep pit.’
Jiang Yi landed steadily on a wide, flat clearing. The blazing flas around him suddenly retracted, dissipating like rosy clouds and returning to his Primordial Inner Mansion.
According to the rules of the Qianji Sect, an ordinary Mortal Servant from the Outer Sect was considered to have passed if they could just manage to fly halfway up the mountain. They would then be received by a Daoist from the Qi Gong Institute to be registered as a Supplentary Disciple for the Inner Peak.
But Jiang Yi had pushed on in one breath, ascending all the way to the summit, making a huge splash.
"Junior Brother Jiang has arrived."
Han Li was the first to stand up, a look of pity rising in his eyes. This was clearly supposed to be a life-changing opportunity, a fish leaping over the dragon gate, but it had now beco a fatal dilemma with no good way out.
Unfortunately, his relationship with Jiang Yi was still shallow, and it wasn’t appropriate for him to reveal many of the inner workings, or else he would be breaking a taboo.
’If Junior Brother Jiang is smart enough, smooth enough...’
’...he could have actually waited another year, consolidated his cultivation, and observed the situation from the sidelines.’
The thought flashed through his mind, and a hearty smile appeared on Han Li’s face. He cupped his hands and said:
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Jiang, on your ascent up Qingyun Road and your promotion to the Inner Peak! From now on, we are fellow cultivators!"
Xu Yan, however, swept his wide sleeves, stood up tall, and fixed his gaze on Jiang Yi.
"In all the years of the Qianji Sect, you, Junior Brother Jiang, are truly the first person to ascend to the summit of Guanlan from the status of a Mortal Servant, riding the clouds and soaring across the great heights."
Seeing both Xu Yan and Han Li take the initiative to offer their congratulations, the other Inner Peak Disciples no longer dared to just watch the show. They all crowded around, their tones warm and friendly.
"So this is the Junior Brother Jiang who single-handedly moved mountains in Heshui Cave? He truly has a commanding presence!"
"From this day on, the Inner Peak has gained another Cultivation Seed!"
"It’s all thanks to Senior Brother Xu’s sharp eye, seeing Junior Brother Jiang’s profound potential so early on..."
Complints and congratulations rose and fell as Jiang Yi found himself surrounded by the crowd of Inner Peak Disciples.
He was like the moon surrounded by stars, a truly glorious sight.
This scene was witnessed from afar by the new disciples halfway up the mountain who had also passed the Qingyun Road test, their eyes filled with a mixture of envy and jealousy.
When had a Mortal Servant from the Outer Sect ever received such a warm reception?
Which of the veteran Inner Peak Disciples wasn’t arrogant and condescending?
They rarely showed a pleasant face to ordinary Supplentary Disciples, yet now they were being so attentive to Jiang Yi. It was truly a rare sight!
Xu Yan’s eyelids lowered slightly as he seed to offer a reminder:
"Junior Brother Jiang, since you’ve already reached the summit of Guanlan and have been added to the Inner Peak roster, you should now go to the Qi Gong Institute to register your na."
But Han Li smiled and waved his hand.
"Why trouble Junior Brother Jiang to make the trip himself? Have Zhou Fan bring the register up here!"
He turned and sent an Inner Peak Disciple down to pass on the ssage.
Before long, the middle-aged Daoist who was often seen dozing off in the Qi Gong Institute hurried over.
"Greetings, Senior Brothers! Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang!"
Zhou Fan held a thick register in his left hand and clutched a Wolf Hair Brush in his right. His waist was bent extrely low as he cautiously raised his eyes to look at Jiang Yi.
"Please leave your na, Senior Brother Jiang."
"Jiang, as in ’ginger.’ Yi, as in ’unusual.’"
"Please also state your place of origin and background."
"A Mortal from Guniu Town, at the foot of Beimang Ridge..."
Jiang Yi’s expression was calm and his tone was flat as he stated this publicly.
Many of the Inner Peak Disciples hadn’t paid attention before and didn’t know that this Junior Brother Jiang ca from such a humble, grassroots background. Hearing it now, they were all surprised.
But seeing Jiang Yi standing there with such an extraordinary bearing, they quickly retracted their slight disdain.
Zhou Fan’s brush flew across the page, recording every word Jiang Yi said in the register without omission.
After about half an incense stick’s ti, all of his "background" information, including his age, na, and relatives, was completely registered.
As for sensitive cultivation matters like his birth date and ti, it was customary within the sect not to disclose them in detail, so they were automatically skipped.
Zhou Fan’s brush tip paused. Tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he held his breath and carefully asked:
"M-may I ask, Senior Brother Jiang, which part of the Inner Peak do you intend to join?"
As soon as he said this, it was like a giant stone stirring up a thousand waves.
The surrounding Inner Peak Disciples all had different expressions: so were curious, so expectant, and so showed a hint of schadenfreude.
The lively atmosphere on the summit of Guanlan Peak suddenly faded, replaced by a subtle silence.
Xu Yan narrowed his eyes, his arms crossed over his chest, as if waiting to see what would happen.
Han Li, however, let out an imperceptible sigh, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes.
This difficult choice wasn’t really about "who to pick."
Observing Sun Peak wouldn’t necessarily pay much attention to a new disciple who had just entered the Inner Peak at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.
But if Jiang Yi chose Observing Fate Peak, it would be a blatant disregard for the Sect Leader—an act of great disrespect.
On the other hand, even if he sided with Observing Sun Peak, it wouldn’t necessarily benefit him.
Besides the fact that Elder Sui had managed Observing Fate Peak for many years, had deep roots, and could not be easily offended...
...there was another, more critical reason that very few people knew about.
"I’ve only just arrived at the Inner Peak and am unclear on the situation. I would ask for Senior Brother Zhou’s guidance."
Jiang Yi gave a Daoist bow, seemingly oblivious to the change in the surrounding atmosphere.
"This humble Daoist is just a handyman at the Qi Gong Institute! I am not worthy of the title ’Senior Brother.’ You flatter too much, Senior Brother Jiang!"
Zhou Fan was already under imnse pressure from being stared at by all the Inner Peak Disciples. Being called "Senior Brother" by Jiang Yi made his palms sweat even more.
He swallowed hard, carefully choosing his words as he slowly began to explain:
"The core of the Inner Sect consists of the three peaks: Observing Sun, Observing Fate, and Guanlan."
"Below them are four institutes: the Skill Transmission Institute, the Qi Gong Institute, the Acquisition Institute, and the Supre rit Institute."
"The Skill Transmission Institute is responsible for teaching the Dao, imparting spells, and giving cultivation guidance. The Qi Gong Institute handles miscellaneous tasks like registration, posting announcents, and filing docunts."
Jiang Yi nodded slightly, appearing to listen intently.
He had t Elder Xu of the Skill Transmission Institute a few tis before and had attended several of his lectures.
As for Elder Lin, who was in charge of the Qi Gong Institute, he was known to be a recluse who focused on his quiet cultivation and rarely showed his face.
Zhou Fan continued in detail:
"The Acquisition Institute is in charge of assigning duties. Disciples must follow orders to harvest Spiritual Materials and gather Spiritual Resources, which they can then exchange for major or minor rits based on their haul."
"The Supre rit Institute’s responsibilities are even greater. It not only enforces the discipline of the Dharma Lineage but also manages the collection of Spiritual Energy from various locations and oversees the supply of the sect’s cultivation provisions..."
Jiang Yi feigned a look of understanding, but in his heart, everything was already crystal clear.
The Acquisition Institute had been run by Elder Sui, who had handed it over to Xu Yan several years ago; it was part of the Observing Fate Peak faction.
The Supre rit Institute, on the other hand, was managed by the Sect Leader’s Senior Sister Zhou Fu, making it solidly part of the Observing Sun Peak’s Direct Lineage.
According to sect rules, all Inner Peak Disciples had to choose an institute to serve in, accumulating rit points to exchange for cultivation provisions.
But the Mortal Servants who were supplented from the Outer Sect usually had no choice. As per custom, they could only be "assigned" to do nial chores in the Skill Transmission Institute or the Qi Gong Institute, with little hope of ever getting ahead.
In other words, many people who wanted to pledge allegiance to core disciples like Xu Yan or Zhou Fu didn’t even have a way in!
But Jiang Yi had reached the summit of Guanlan, making a huge na for himself, and had long since caught the eye of both Elder Sui and the Sect Leader. His treatnt would naturally be different.
’The Celestial Book gave three strategies: superior, moderate, and inferior.’
The thought flashed through Jiang Yi’s mind. A stream of light from the golden paper flickered in his eyes, the dense, tadpole-like characters representing the results of several days of repeated deductions.
’The inferior strategy is to avoid the important and choose the trivial—pick the Skill Transmission Institute or the Qi Gong Institute. I’d have peace and quiet in the short term, but it would be difficult to obtain sufficient Spiritual Materials and Resources later on. I’d be stuck in these "cushy but powerless posts," wasting my years away just like the Daoists who guard the gates and handle registration.’
’The moderate strategy is simple and direct: choose between the Acquisition Institute and the Supre rit Institute.’
’The Acquisition Institute provides Spiritual Materials, which can be exchanged for talisman money to fill my pockets. The Supre rit Institute provides an abundant supply of Spiritual Resources, which is beneficial for advancing my cultivation...’
He had already mulled over these ideas repeatedly. After a mont’s thought, Jiang Yi asked softly:
"Senior Brother Zhou, have you perhaps missed a place?"
The question was completely unexpected, leaving Zhou Fan stunned.
He hurriedly said:
"The Inner Sect has three peaks and four institutes. Everyone knows this. How could I be mistaken? Senior Brother Jiang..."
But Jiang Yi spoke with a serious expression:
"Then how is it that I’ve heard there is another place within the Qianji Sect’s Dharma Lineage—the ’rit Supervision Institute,’ which is specially tasked with suppressing the ’Fire Cave and Water Cave’?"
Zhou Fan was completely floored, stamring:
"You must be joking, Senior Brother Jiang! The rit Supervision Institute is a place where disciples are sent for punishnt when they’ve done wrong, a place to atone for their cris through service. It’s not an ordinary post..."
Before his voice had even faded, a sudden clap of thunder shook the sky!
All the Inner Peak Disciples raised their heads in unison to see a torrential spring pouring down, like a celestial river hanging upside down, instantly enveloping the summit of Guanlan Peak.
When the spring water hit the ground, it instantly transford into a churning, murky torrent.
The radiance dissipated and the watery presence receded, revealing a tall figure with a longsword that had a green tassel on its back.
Xu Yan’s expression turned serious. Han Li quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Zhou."
Seeing this, the surrounding Inner Peak Disciples all bowed.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Zhou!"
The tall woman, however, acted as if she hadn’t heard them, striding directly in front of Jiang Yi.
The two were of a similar height. She t his gaze and asked coldly:
"You just asked about the rit Supervision Institute?"
Jiang Yi’s Heart Spirit was steady, and he remained as unshakable as a mountain.
’It’s just as the Celestial Book said. Hidden within this deadly impasse is the superior strategy for victory.’
He was neither servile nor overbearing as he bowed and replied:
"Disciple Jiang Yi is willing to relieve the Dharma Lineage of its worries, guard the Fire Cave and Water Cave, and take on the duty of overseeing the rit Supervision Institute!"
The tall woman said "Good" three tis in a row, then flicked her hand, tossing out a Jade Talisman.
Jiang Yi reached out, plucking the talisman from the air, and caught it securely. He then raised it high with both hands as a sign of respect.
"By the Sect Leader’s decree! Jiang Yi is ordered to enter the rit Supervision Institute! He is granted a first-class monthly stipend, thirty Nourishing Essence Pills, one Black Shadow Robe, and is to be recorded for one major rit!"
After the tall woman finished her public announcent, a glow of alternating clear and murky Kui Water enveloped her. Her form rose into the air, and in an instant, she flew away from the summit of Guanlan Peak.
Jiang Yi’s expression remained calm. He tucked the Jade Talisman into his robes before saying faintly:
"Disciple Jiang Yi respectfully obeys the Sect Leader’s decree."
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