Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Entry Level and Reward
"I’m sorry, Zhang Chi, but things have changed. A Sect senior feels that your Spirit Root is average, and it would be a waste for you to receive an Upper Grade Cultivation Technique. Therefore, he’d like you to give up this opportunity. Are you willing?"
"If you cooperate, you will surely gain his friendship and a generous compensation! Also, don’t speak of this to anyone. Otherwise, not only will you lose the compensation, but you won’t be able to keep your Cultivation Technique either, and you’ll offend that Sect senior!"
The Foundation Establishment Cultivator had taken a moment to compose himself before speaking. Filled with regret, he had used a Sound Transmission Technique to deliver this bad news.
"This concerns my Dao path. I’m afraid I cannot comply!"
Zhang Chi was stunned for a moment, but then he decisively refused.
He had a Top Grade Demon Technique, but he would never turn his nose up at an Upper Grade Cultivation Technique.
After all, he still lacked a Divine Forging Technique, a good Body Refining Technique, and other Guardian Dao Cultivation Techniques.
He had specifically aimed for first place precisely for the reward.
If he gave it up, getting another chance would be next to impossible.
Besides, he didn’t believe he’d be lucky enough to easily obtain another technique like the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique if he passed on this opportunity.
Furthermore, the other party’s talk of compensation was clearly just an empty promise. It was highly unlikely they would give him anything afterward.
Even if they did, it would only be a token gesture.
If they were truly willing to pay the price, they could have just exchanged for it directly within the Sect instead of targeting him.
Therefore, even if it meant offending a Sect senior, he had to make his stance clear.
’After all, being cautious isn’t the same as being a coward. When you have to fight for something, you fight.’
Of course, he left himself some leeway by also replying via Sound Transmission.
If the other party continued to force the issue, he would have no choice but to reveal the matter publicly. At that point, they would surely have to give up, but they would lose a great deal of face.
By doing so, he would make an irreconcilable enemy of that person.
He wouldn’t do that unless he was absolutely forced to.
"Are you sure? This isn’t a negotiation, it’s a notification. If you refuse, don’t regret it later. That person is someone even I can’t afford to offend." The Foundation Establishment Cultivator was taken aback, his attitude changing in an instant as he sneered coldly.
Clearly, he hadn’t expected Zhang Chi to have the guts to refuse.
’No matter who they are, if they dare threaten me and try to steal my opportunity, I’ll make them regret it once I become stronger! And this Foundation Establishment Cultivator in front of me... he doesn’t seem like a good person either. I’ll be sure to ’repay’ him handsomely in the future!’
Zhang Chi fell silent. The other man thought he was scared, but in reality, Zhang Chi was making a silent vow.
"I’m sorry, but even if the Sect Leader himself came, I would still refuse. The fact that I haven’t made this public is already a show of respect."
Zhang Chi then replied calmly via Sound Transmission.
The implication was clear: if they pushed him any further, he would go public.
And under the watchful eyes of the crowd, even a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse couldn’t possibly silence all the gossip, much less make a move directly.
"Fine. Very good. Then you just wait to collect your reward!"
The middle-aged Foundation Establishment man clenched his fists, but finally relaxed them. With a cold laugh, his figure flickered and transformed into a streak of rainbow light, leaving the scene.
"Senior Brother Song, I’m sorry, I failed. That kid is completely stubborn and even threatened to go public. He’s despicable! Please punish me!!"
A short while later, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator arrived at a cave residence. He stood before a fellow sect member, his face filled with terror as he bowed and begged for forgiveness.
This sect member looked very young, like a youth, but the Spiritual Power fluctuating from his body was extremely strong. He was, shockingly, at the Foundation Establishment Peak.
Although he was remarkably handsome, impeccably dressed, and wore a smile, the middle-aged Foundation Establishment man didn’t dare to even lift his head to look at him.
"He refused? He’s that bold? My informant reported that he’s just from a Loose Cultivator background, isn’t he?" This Senior Brother Song was slightly taken aback and asked in confusion.
"Yes, he is indeed a Loose Cultivator, and an orphan. But with the Sect rules in place, there’s really nothing we can do to him. Once he goes to the Sect Hall to complete the procedures and claims the reward opportunity on his Identity Token, we won’t be able to take it even if we wanted to."
"So, Senior Brother Song, will you go yourself? If he sees you in person and learns of your background, he’ll definitely cooperate obediently!"
The middle-aged Foundation Establishment man hurriedly replied.
"Forget it. Against a fledgling nobody like him, threats of power and influence are often useless. So there’s no difference between you going and me going."
"If I go, certain people might use it against me. Since he won’t give up the Cultivation Technique, then let’s just drop it. By the way, here are some Tier Two Low Grade Elixirs. It wasn’t easy for you to make this trip, Junior Brother Xie. Take them!"
"Also... I feel that someone who doesn’t know how to respect his Sect elders isn’t fit to remain in this world. Do you know what I mean?"
Senior Brother Song’s smile quickly returned as he casually tossed over a Storage Bag.
"Understood. Rest assured, Senior Brother. I already have a plan. I will definitely satisfy you."
Junior Brother Xie looked as if he’d received a pardon. He took the Storage Bag, and after a glance inside, he was overjoyed and immediately made a solemn promise.
Then, seeing Senior Brother Song pick up his teacup, he quickly bowed his head, backed away a good distance, and only then turned to return to the sect gate plaza.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the sect gate plaza, Zhang Chi and his group had already completed the third trial.
Those who hadn’t woken up by the time limit were all disqualified.
Word had spread among the Immortal Seeds that Zhang Chi, having awakened in just nine breaths, was certain to be the first-place winner of the three trials.
The Immortal Seeds were abuzz with exclamations and discussion.
Many even went up to him directly to offer their congratulations.
"I’m Qin Susu. Greetings, Senior Brother Zhang. Congratulations on taking first place in the third trial."
"Now that Senior Brother Zhang has won an Upper Grade Cultivation Technique, you’ll surely succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment in the future!"
Qin Susu, for instance, had come over with her small group.
"Haha, thank you. But the entry test isn’t completely over yet. It’s too early to draw conclusions."
"Also, congratulations to all of you for passing as well."
Zhang Chi didn’t keep these fellow disciples at arm’s length; he even chatted and laughed with them easily.
’Why does he feel so familiar? Could it be that person? No, that doesn’t seem right!’
After Qin Susu and the others got closer, they all felt a little puzzled.
After all, they had become somewhat familiar with each other before.
Moreover, Zhang Chi’s Qi Concealment Technique couldn’t change his personal aura.
However, Zhang Chi had long since changed his clothes and was using his real voice. Coupled with the fact that their Cultivation was too low, they couldn’t accurately identify a Cultivator by their aura alone.
Thus, they were only slightly suspicious.
Afterward, they didn’t pry any further, knowing it would be tactless.
As for Zhang Chi, he certainly wasn’t going to reveal his identity voluntarily.
Of course, even this slight suspicion made Qin Susu and the others value Zhang Chi more. They felt a greater sense of closeness and secretly decided to build a good relationship with him.
Zhang Chi, meanwhile, was distractedly observing his surroundings. He noticed a Cangwu Sect Servant who seemed to have been given orders to keep an eye on him, so he had to dismiss the thought of heading to the Sect Hall early.
The group had only been chatting for a short while when the Foundation Establishment Cultivator Xie returned to the scene. He even personally led Zhang Chi’s group to handle the entry procedures.
Everyone was very grateful, even feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
Only Zhang Chi knew that while the man appeared to be helping out of kindness, he actually hadn’t given up. He was using a mix of threats and persuasion via Sound Transmission the entire way, trying to convince him.
It wasn’t until the entry procedures were complete that the man finally left in disappointment.
At that moment, the man’s face wore a smile, but his fingers were trembling slightly. He was clearly furious.
Zhang Chi was also very unhappy, but he remained patient and polite, giving the man no opportunity to lash out. This, in turn, left the man extremely disappointed.
* * *
"Zhang Chi, although the entry test isn’t completely over, you are definitely the first place in the third trial. Even if you weren’t, you’d still be qualified to receive the reward."
"Therefore, according to Sect regulations, you may go to the Inheritance Hall and choose one Upper Grade Cultivation Technique for free."
"Additionally, as an Outer Disciple, you also have one chance to select a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique."
Meanwhile, in the Sect Hall, Zhang Chi had not only become an Outer Disciple but had also, as expected, received his Sect reward.
