When Life Runs Out, the Fun Begins

Chapter 25 – Focus on your cultivation and the assessment

Upon hearing Mu Xiaochuan's words, all the disciples were filled with admiration and respect as they looked at him. They had never imagined that a seemingly simple assessment system could hold such profound significance, and they were in awe of Mu Xiaochuan's unfathomable wisdom.

With a grand gesture, Mu Xiaochuan declared, "Since everyone understands, there's no time to lose. Xiao Yunhe, immediately announce the detailed rules and methods of the assessment to the public. Make sure it's comprehensive and clear so that all the Outer Sect disciples can understand it at a glance. Also, give them a day to prepare, and the day after tomorrow, the assessment will officially begin!"

"Yes, Elder!" Xiao Yunhe responded solemnly and quickly accepted the order.

The other Inner Sect disciples also stood up, respectfully saluting Mu Xiaochuan, expressing their determination to fully cooperate with Xiao Yunhe to ensure the assessment was conducted smoothly.

After Xiao Yunhe and the others left, Leng Yunjian returned to the Hidden Heaven Pavilion to report back to Mu Xiaochuan. With a respectful demeanor, he said, "Elder Mu, the list of seven selected for the Inner Sect has been finalized. Please have a look."

As he spoke, he handed a list to Mu Xiaochuan. Mu Xiaochuan glanced at the list, which contained seven names:

Ma Mingyu, eighth level of Qi Refining, possesses immense strength, excels in close combat;

Lin Yushang, eighth level of Qi Refining, adept in music and illusion techniques;

Zhao Qingshuang, eighth level of Qi Refining, with fierce swordsmanship and agile movements;

Sun Tieshan, eighth level of Qi Refining, remarkable defense, skilled with heavy hammers;

Zhou Haoyang, seventh level of Qi Refining, incredibly swift, difficult to defend against;

Zhou Ruoshui, seventh level of Qi Refining, with astonishing defensive techniques;

Zheng Wuchen, seventh level of Qi Refining, brimming with spiritual energy, comparable to the eighth level.

Mu Xiaochuan nodded in approval as he read the list. Leng Yunjian had indeed proven reliable, selecting seven outstanding Inner Sect disciples and noting their strengths, aligning with his selection criteria.

"Not bad, not bad. Yunjian is indeed efficient," Mu Xiaochuan praised.

Leng Yunjian smiled with a hint of joy and humbly replied, "Thank you, Elder Mu, for your praise."

Mu Xiaochuan smiled slightly and said, "You've done well and deserve a reward. Take my token and go to the storage room to collect five Qi-Gathering Pills."

Upon hearing this, Leng Yunjian was overjoyed and immediately knelt down, excitedly saying, "Thank you, Elder Mu, for your generosity! I will do my utmost to serve you!"

Seeing Leng Yunjian so thrilled, Mu Xiaochuan was puzzled. Wasn't it normal to receive a reward for a job well done? Why was he so excited?

Little did he know that during Ye Qingyu's tenure at the Heaven Vault Pavilion, rewards were rare. Even when Leng Yunjian, her attending disciple, performed exceptionally, he only occasionally received a single Qi-Gathering Pill. Such generous rewards from Mu Xiaochuan were unprecedented at the Heaven Vault Pavilion.

Mu Xiaochuan thought, if it's so easy to make them this happy, he would continue to be generous with rewards.

He immediately instructed Leng Yunjian to gather Ma Mingyu and the other seven.

Before long, the seven Inner Sect disciples arrived one after another. Most of them wore simple clothes and had resolute expressions, clearly dedicated cultivators.

Upon seeing Mu Xiaochuan, they all saluted. Mu Xiaochuan smiled at them and said, "You have stood out among many Inner Sect disciples, proving your strength and effort. Later, your Senior Sister Leng will give each of you three Qi-Gathering Pills as a token of my appreciation."

The seven were immediately moved to tears. They had no backing and had reached their current level through their own hard work. So, even a single Qi-Gathering Pill was a significant treasure for them.

"Elder's kindness is unforgettable!" Ma Mingyu knelt down, tears in his eyes, his voice choked with emotion. This burly man, standing eight feet tall, was as excited as a child.

Lin Yushang also knelt down, saying, "Thank you, Deacon Mu, for your generosity. I will do my utmost to serve the Heaven Vault Pavilion and Elder Mu!"

The straightforward Sun Tieshan also wanted to express his gratitude: "I... I... I..." After stuttering for a while, he finally said, "Me too."

The others also knelt down to express their gratitude.

Mu Xiaochuan quickly helped them up. Seeing their sincere eyes, he felt a sense of satisfaction. Without spending his Thrill Points, he had gained the disciples' gratitude and respect, which was truly gratifying.

At that moment, the system's notification sounded in his mind: "Ding, congratulations to the host for gaining the disciples' gratitude and respect, making you feel thrilled, and earning 20 Thrill Points."

Mu Xiaochuan was delighted but kept a calm expression. He looked at the seven and said seriously, "Although you seven were chosen, the slots for the Yunqi Peak competition are limited. Not all of you can participate. Besides Leng Yunjian, there are six other Inner Sect disciples. You thirteen will compete for the remaining nine slots in the Yunqi Peak Inner Sect competition. Starting tomorrow, I will personally oversee your training and assessment. Do you understand?"

The seven replied in unison, "Understood, Elder Mu!"

Mu Xiaochuan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very well, go back and prepare. We'll meet at the Martial Practice Arena tomorrow morning."

The seven saluted again and then left.

Mu Xiaochuan also gestured to Leng Yunjian to quickly retrieve the Qi-Gathering Pills. Leng Yunjian, as if he had received a treasure, hurriedly rushed to the storage room.

With the matters settled, Mu Xiaochuan felt a sense of relief. He originally planned to visit Liu Ruyan to inform her about the Outer Sect disciple selection method and to enhance the overall strength of their Spiritual Herb Garden. However, as he reached the foot of Purple Mist Peak, he saw Liu Yunxia standing at the entrance, her expression solemn.

Seeing Mu Xiaochuan, Liu Yunxia quickly approached and said, "My Hall Master has already begun her closed-door cultivation to break through the realm. She specifically instructed me to inform you."

Back at the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, Su Yao and Lin Yue had already prepared spirit tea and snacks. Upon his return, the two women quickly approached, one helping him with his robe, the other offering him tea.

"Elder, you've worked hard today," Su Yao said softly, gently massaging his shoulders with her delicate hands.

Lin Yue knelt beside him, holding the spirit tea to his lips, "This is freshly picked Cloud Mist Spirit Tea, perfect for soothing the mind."

Mu Xiaochuan closed his eyes in contentment, enjoying the service of the two women. Amidst the tea's fragrance, he suddenly remembered something, "By the way, with the competition approaching, how are your preparations going?"

At his words, both women paused. Su Yao bit her lower lip and said softly, "I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Mu Xiaochuan raised an eyebrow, "Didn't I promise you could participate?"

Lin Yue's eyes reddened, "But the Outer Sect has started the assessment, and we're worried... worried about performing poorly and embarrassing you..."

Mu Xiaochuan laughed heartily, patting his chest, "Don't worry! With me here, you'll pass without a hitch!"

As night fell, and after completing their daily duties, it was time for them to return. However, just like the previous day, Lin Yue refused to leave.

Mu Xiaochuan, helpless, gently said, "Lin Yue, you've had a long day, you should go back..."

Before he could finish, Lin Yue suddenly leaned close from behind, her soft body pressing against his back, "Elder Mu, I also refined a Qi-Gathering Pill yesterday, and now my Qi Sea is turbulent. Could you guide me?"

Mu Xiaochuan's breath caught. He turned to look at Lin Yue, whose eyes sparkled with mischief, hardly looking like someone with a turbulent Qi Sea.

As they spoke, Lin Yue accidentally fell into Mu Xiaochuan's arms.

Mu Xiaochuan felt the warmth and softness in his embrace, the unique fragrance of a young girl filling his senses, and the heat in his dantian surged even more.

"Elder Mu..." Lin Yue raised her delicate face, her eyes shimmering with tears, finally gathering the courage to say, "I also wish to serve Master."

Mu Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat. Lin Yue must have guessed or Su Yao had told her about the previous nights.

He glanced at Su Yao, who, despite her blushing face, did not object but gently nodded.

...

After the rain, Mu Xiaochuan lay contentedly in bed, feeling the abundant spiritual power within him, a smile naturally forming on his lips.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for feeling joyful and earning 30 Thrill Points."

The voice in his mind was like music to his ears, filling Mu Xiaochuan with excitement and satisfaction.

With a thought, he opened the panel.

[Host: Mu Xiaochuan]

[Thrill Points: 265]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Stage One]

[Cultivation Technique: Withered Tree Revives Technique (Minor Achievement), Dragon-Subduing Staff Technique (Entry Level)]

[Secondary Cultivation: None]

[Spiritual Artifact: Greenwood Spirit-Pattern Staff (Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact)]

He immediately spent 20 Thrill Points in the Thrill System Shop to exchange for two High-Grade Qi-Gathering Pills.

He gave each of them one, "Don't worry about the assessment, with me here, there's nothing to fear."

"Qi-Gathering Pill? Why is the spiritual energy so dense? Is it mid-grade?" Lin Yue's beautiful eyes were full of disbelief. Such a level of elixir was a treasure to Outer Sect disciples, enough to significantly advance their cultivation.

"No, I've seen mid-grade Qi-Gathering Pills, and this is much more potent. Could it be high-grade?" another disciple was shocked. Such elixirs were only heard of, never seen, and should directly help them break through.

They were overjoyed, kneeling to express their gratitude, "Elder Mu treats us so generously, we... we... don't know how to repay you."

Mu Xiaochuan quickly helped them up, "It's nothing, focus on your cultivation and the assessment."