novelraw Chapter 27 – Then I'll let you wait for this mid-tier Spirit-Gathering Pill
Chapter 27 – Then I'll let you wait for this mid-tier Spirit-Gathering Pill
Chapter 27: Then I'll Let You Wait for This Mid-Grade Spirit-Gathering Pill
As dawn broke, the soft golden light filtered through the cracks of the Listening Bamboo Pavilion's window lattice, gently illuminating two sleeping faces. Su Yao and Lin Yue slept nestled together, their long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, and the corners of their mouths unconsciously curved into a satisfied and happy smile.
Mu Xiaochuan had long been awake, feeling the increasingly solid and vibrant Foundation Establishment seed within his dantian, and the abundant spiritual power flowing through his limbs and bones. He felt refreshed, his eyes bright. Last night, he gained 50 thrill points, causing the corners of his mouth to lift involuntarily.
He remembered that yesterday, both of their cultivation bases had steadily broken through to Qi Refining Stage Four.
"Qi Refining Stage Four..." Mu Xiaochuan stroked his chin, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Although it's not top-tier among the Outer Disciples, it should be enough to handle today's assessment, especially since..." He recalled the traits of Su Yao and Lin Yue. These two girls were meticulous and quick-witted; compared to strength and endurance, their true strength lay in their reaction speed. And the assessment system he had just announced yesterday, the content of the first day's assessment, according to Xiao Yunhe and the others' initial plan, seemed to be... strength?
"Hmph, the rules I set won't let these two girls suffer," Mu Xiaochuan chuckled inwardly, tidied his robe, and strolled out of the Listening Bamboo Pavilion.
At this moment, although it was still early, the Martial Practice Arena in the Outer Sect area of the Heaven Vault Pavilion was already bustling with activity. Since Mu Xiaochuan announced the novel "Assessment Leaderboard" system yesterday, the entire Outer Sect disciples of the Heaven Vault Pavilion seemed to have been injected with a shot of adrenaline. Those who used to follow routines, or were even somewhat lax, were now full of energy, engaging in various training exercises. In the center of the Martial Practice Arena, various temporary strength-testing apparatuses had been set up. The massive "Thousand-Pound Locks" were repeatedly lifted and dropped by the disciples, emitting dull thuds; around the heavy "Rock Monoliths," disciples gathered to take turns trying to shake them, testing their limits; some disciples even paired up to engage in the most primitive wrestling matches... The air was filled with the scent of sweat, the disciples' heavy breathing, and their encouraging shouts, exuding a beauty of masculinity and strength.
Xiao Yunhe was leading a few Inner Sect disciples, carefully inspecting each piece of equipment to ensure the smooth progress of the assessment. Seeing Mu Xiaochuan approaching with his hands behind his back, he quickly stepped forward to greet him respectfully, "Greetings, Elder Mu! The assessment apparatuses are ready and can begin at any time!"
Mu Xiaochuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the bustling training scene, a barely noticeable smile appearing on his face. He then spoke calmly, "The preparations are good. However, today's assessment content needs to be changed."
"Change... change?" Xiao Yunhe was taken aback, somewhat puzzled. Hadn't the elder agreed to assess strength first yesterday? The assessment details had already been announced, and the disciples had been preparing for two days. Why the sudden change?
Mu Xiaochuan glanced at him, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, "What? Do you have any objections to my words?"
"No... no, disciple dares not!" Xiao Yunhe's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his head. He had witnessed firsthand how this Elder Mu "convinced people with reason." The miserable outcome of Qian Jiangyuan yesterday was still fresh in his mind. How could he dare to question? It's just... this sudden change might cause dissatisfaction among the disciples.
"That's good." Mu Xiaochuan nodded in satisfaction, seemingly seeing through Xiao Yunhe's concerns, and continued, "The path of cultivation requires not only strength but also keen reflexes and agile movement. Focusing solely on strength is the way of a brute. Today, we will assess reaction speed. Remove those strength-testing apparatuses and replace them with the 'Flowing Light Wall' and 'Hundred Illusion Stakes.'"
The "Flowing Light Wall" is a jade wall inscribed with runes. Once activated, it randomly shoots out fast-moving beams of light. Disciples must dodge or shatter as many beams as possible within a set time, testing their reflexes and dynamic vision.
The "Hundred Illusion Stakes" are dozens of staggered, randomly moving wooden stakes. Disciples must quickly navigate through the stake array, touching specified targets, testing their agility and spatial judgment.
"Yes! I will handle it immediately!" Xiao Yunhe dared not hesitate any longer, immediately turning to command the other disciples to start replacing the assessment apparatuses.
This sudden change left the Outer Disciples, who were in the middle of strength training, stunned.
"What's going on? Wasn't today supposed to be about strength?"
"Yeah, I even took an elixir to boost my strength yesterday and practiced weightlifting all night!"
"Why the sudden switch to reaction? I'm terrible at agility..."
"Shh! Keep it down! Didn't you see it's Elder Mu's order? Do you want to end up like Brother Qian?"
Voices of discussion, complaints, and confusion arose among the crowd but quickly subsided.
Most disciples, though puzzled and somewhat dissatisfied—after all, they had prepared for the strength assessment for two days—did not dare to openly express dissent under the formidable reputation Mu Xiaochuan had established yesterday.
Some quick-witted disciples immediately put on a smile and loudly agreed, "Elder Mu is wise! Cultivation should indeed be unpredictable; when facing an enemy, there's no prior notice!"
"Exactly, exactly! The elder must have his reasons; we were almost too focused on brute strength!"
"Wow! Elder Mu is truly farsighted! Our gap with Elder Mu is not just in cultivation."
For a moment, the Martial Practice Arena echoed with waves of flattery, and the expressions on the disciples' faces turned "happy," as if they genuinely supported and approved of the sudden change in assessment content.
Mu Xiaochuan looked at these "perceptive" disciples, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He didn't care whether these disciples were truly happy; he only cared whether his decisions could be executed and whether his women could benefit.
Soon, the assessment apparatuses were replaced. The reaction speed assessment officially began. The disciples stepped forward one by one according to their numbers to undergo the test.
The assessment concluded, and the results were quickly compiled.
Xiao Yunhe, holding the ranking list, hurried to Mu Xiaochuan and respectfully reported, "Elder Mu, the Outer Disciples' reaction speed assessment is complete. Please have a look!"
Mu Xiaochuan glanced at it; Su Yao ranked eighth, and Lin Yue ranked ninth! Not bad.
"Alright, noted." Mu Xiaochuan nodded lightly, his face betraying no emotion. But those familiar with him could sense that he was in an exceptionally good mood.
Seeing his arrangements smoothly executed and Su Yao and Lin Yue achieving satisfactory results, Mu Xiaochuan felt a wave of satisfaction.
"Ding, congratulations to the host for feeling pleased, gaining 15 thrill points," the system's prompt sounded in Mu Xiaochuan's mind.
Content, Mu Xiaochuan opened the system panel to check.
[Host: Mu Xiaochuan]
[Thrill Points: 330]
[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)]
Unknowingly, he had accumulated 330 thrill points. Should he exchange them for something? Mu Xiaochuan pondered.
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Just then, a disciple responsible for delivering messages hurried over to report, his face barely concealing his excitement, "Elder Mu, major news, Elder Liu Ruyan has successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment Stage Five!"
"Oh, she succeeded so quickly." Hearing this news, Mu Xiaochuan was delighted, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
Great! The mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Pill he gave wasn't wasted; Liu Ruyan really broke through!
Foundation Establishment Stage Five, in the Inner Sect Elders of Yunqi Peak, wasn't considered low!
"Let's go! To congratulate Junior Sister!" Mu Xiaochuan immediately decided.
Liu Ruyan's breakthrough was also a great thing for him.
He instructed Xiao Yunhe on a few things, letting him continue to oversee the subsequent assessments, while he eagerly flew towards Purple Mist Peak.
However, when he excitedly arrived at Liu Ruyan's Cave Abode at Purple Mist Peak, he found the door tightly closed, with only Liu Ruyan's maid, Liu Yunxia, guarding outside.
"Elder Mu." Seeing Mu Xiaochuan, Liu Yunxia quickly stepped forward to greet him.
"Where is Elder Liu? Is she stabilizing her realm?" Mu Xiaochuan asked with a smile.
Liu Yunxia shook her head, speaking softly, "Elder Mu, my Hall Master just exited seclusion and hasn't had time to stabilize her realm before... before the Peak Master sent someone to call her away, saying the Peak Master had important matters to discuss."
"Called away by Yun Wange again?" Mu Xiaochuan immediately understood and laughed, "Seems like you're eager for that mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Pill. You want me to wait for Junior Sister Liu, then I'll let you wait for this mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Pill."