ragginovel Chapter 31 Foundation
Chapter 31 Foundation
Shen Qing nodded without saying anything more, but he noticed that when Zhou Bo left the meditation room, his steps were much more steady than when he came in.
During this month, several disciples whom Shen Qing valued most in the Qingyun Sect also achieved breakthroughs.
Twenty days ago, Zhong Xiu broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.
On the system panel, the daily contribution of spiritual energy jumped from six strands to eight strands.
Thanks to Shen Qing's daily guidance, the girl's loyalty steadily increased over the course of the month, reaching ninety.
Every time Shen Qing saw this number, he couldn't help but sigh. From the very beginning, the spiritual energy contributed by the young girl was equivalent to that of thirty Class C disciples.
She alone provided one-third of the spiritual energy source for her disciples.
Even though many disciples have achieved success one after another, the spiritual energy she contributes still accounts for 15% of the total.
Xu Ping and Fang Xue, who were in the second batch of disciples, also broke through to the second level of Qi Refining. These two geniuses with dual spiritual roots had caught up with or even surpassed the cultivation level of the first batch of disciples in just over a month since they entered the sect.
This was the difference in talent. With the two of them breaking through, Shen Qing felt it was time to confront them directly.
That evening, after the children were escorted down the mountain, Shen Qing asked Uncle Fu to inform Zhong Xiu, Xu Ping, and Fang Xue to come to the quiet room after evening lessons.
When the three arrived, Shen Qing was already waiting in the quiet room.
Shen Qing pointed to the three futons in front of him and the brewed tea: "Sit."
After exchanging greetings, the three sat down as instructed. Zhong Xiu, who appeared calm, and Xu Ping and Fang Xue seemed somewhat nervous.
Fang Xue, in particular, unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes with her fingers. Shen Qing did not rush to explain why she had called them here.
He took out three small porcelain bottles from his sleeve and pushed them in front of the three people respectively.
"Zhong Xiu, this is a high-quality Qi Gathering Pill. Some time ago you reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. From now on, low-level Qi Gathering Pills will not be very effective for you. This high-quality pill is just right for you."
Zhong Xiu accepted the porcelain bottle with both hands, bowed, and thanked the sect leader, saying, "Thank you very much, sect leader."
"Xu Ping, Fang Xue. You two have been diligently cultivating since you entered the sect, and you broke through to the second level of Qi Refining in just one month. I have witnessed this. These two Qi Gathering Pills are a reward."
Xu Ping and Fang Xue were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this. They accepted the porcelain bottle with both hands and bowed deeply, saying, "Disciples thank the Sect Master."
At this moment, two prompts suddenly appeared on the system panel:
[Disciple Xu Ping's loyalty +12, current loyalty: 82]
[Brother Fangxue's loyalty +10, current loyalty: 80]
Shen Qing, who had returned to the main seat, first took a sip of tea, then put down the teacup and glanced at the three of them.
"I have summoned you here today not merely to reward you with elixirs. I have something to tell you."
Upon hearing this, the three of them were startled and became focused.
"You all know about the classification of Qingyun Sect disciples. There are three levels: personal disciples, inner disciples, and outer disciples. Among them, personal disciples are personally instructed one-on-one by me and are given pills every month."
"But have you ever considered why the position of direct disciple has remained vacant until now?"
Xu Ping and Fang Xue had not been on the mountain for long. Although they had heard that Qingyun Sect had a personal disciple, they had never seen one, so they both shook their heads.
Although Zhong Xiu did not speak, his eyes flickered slightly.
Shen Qing's gaze fell on Zhong Xiu.
"Zhong Xiu, you have been with my Qingyun Sect for nearly four months. From a mere mortal to the fourth level of Qi Refining, the speed at which you have reached this level is unprecedented in my life. I have witnessed your talent, character, and diligence."
"Today, I wish to formally accept you as my personal disciple. Are you willing?"
Even though Zhong Xiu had anticipated this, his body still trembled slightly upon hearing these words.
"This disciple is naturally willing," Zhong Xiu hurriedly stood up and replied.
Shen Qing first stopped Zhong Xiu from bowing, then changed the subject, saying, "However, this matter will not be made public for the time being."
"Within the Qingyun Sect, you remain an inner disciple. To your fellow disciples, you are still the inner disciple Zhong Xiu. Only I, Xu Ping, and Fang Xue know your true identity."
The surprise on Zhong Xiu's face vanished. After a moment of silence, she looked up at Shen Qing: "Sect Master, why is this?"
Shen Qing did not answer her directly, but looked at Xu Ping and Fang Xue instead.
"Xu Ping, Fang Xue. Your talent is second only to Zhong Xiu among the current disciples of Qingyun Sect."
"To break through to the second level of Qi Refining within a month of entering the sect—such talent would place you among the core disciples of many sects. Today, I am listing you two as candidates for personal disciples. The day you break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining will be the day I formally accept you as my personal disciples."
"Similarly, this matter will not be made public."
Seeing the three people who were equally surprised, delighted, and full of doubt, Shen Qing picked up his teacup again and slowly took a sip.
"You must be wondering why I have hidden your existence."
The three nodded in unison.
Shen Qing put down his teacup, his gaze becoming profound.
"The three of you all come from the north of Qinghe City. Xu Ping used to make a living by begging. Fang Xue, your father owed gambling debts and gave you to the creditors. You fled from the south of the city to the north and ended up on the streets. Zhong Xiu, although you have never told us about your origins, you must have endured unimaginable hardships to survive in a place like the north of the city."
The three fell silent upon hearing this; Shen Qing's words had touched a raw nerve in their hearts.
"Back when you were in the north of the city, did anyone ever look at you with a second glance? Was anyone willing to teach you everything they knew? Did anyone treat you as human beings?"
The three of them lowered their heads and dared not respond.
"no."
Seeing that they didn't speak, Shen Qing answered for them.
"Because in their eyes, you are peasants, beggars, money-losing goods, and ants that can be replaced at any time. Your lives are worthless."
Shen Qing's voice wasn't loud, but every word he uttered struck them like thunder.
"Now in my Qingyun Sect, Zhong Xiu, you are my personal disciple and the hope for the future of the Qingyun Sect. Xu Ping and Fang Xue, you are candidates for personal discipleship and successors on whom I place high hopes."
"I give you elixirs, cultivation techniques, and individual guidance in your practice, not because I am kind-hearted, but because you deserve it. Your aptitude, character, and diligence are worthy of all of this."
"But people outside don't see it that way."
"Having been here for several months, you should have heard of it. Today I will tell you that the Huang family of Qinghe has been coveting my Qingyun Mountain for 130 years."
"Currently, Huang Dehou, the head of the Huang family, is a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Besides him, there is another elder in the Huang family at the ninth level of Qi Refining. If they knew that Qingyun Sect had produced a genius with dual spiritual roots, what would they do? They would destroy you at all costs."
"Zhao Yuanlang, the magistrate of Qinghe County who came up the mountain a month ago, is a Foundation Establishment expert. He is also very interested in the Qingyun Sect. If he knew that our Qingyun Sect has geniuses like you, what would he do?"
"Perhaps we'll find a pretext to nip you in the bud, or we'll offer you up to the Heavenly God Sect in exchange for our own advancement."
"Of course, you might think I'm intimidating you, or even that with your qualifications you could be valued elsewhere?"