Chapter 102: An Appeal to the Hierarchs (2)
News of the broken Skystride Pavilion record gradually spread through the Cloud Martial Hall, shocking both senior and junior academy disciples alike. The name Wu Yuan quickly became the talk of the martial academy.
Wu Yuan is a third-rate Adept? When Liu Ruyan heard the news, she was completely flabbergasted.
Just a little over two hours ago, she had learned that Wu Yuan possessed the strength of a martial virtuoso. How did he become a third-rate Adept in the blink of an eye? And not one at the bottom tier at that. Most ordinary third-rate Adepts found it hard to complete the first level of the Skystride Pavilion.
"How in the world does he cultivate?" Liu Ruyan sank into self-doubt.
...
Within the 200-meter martial hall on the ground floor of a private courtyard dwelling, two figures, one purple, one black, crossed blades at lightning speed. A flurry of saber rays whistled.
Suddenly, the figure clad in black retreated and sheathed his saber.
"Instructor Zhao, I concede." Wu Yuan gave a helpless smile, "Instructor Zhao, your saber skills are much swifter and fiercer than mine. Though our strength is equally matched, I am not your equal."
"You're pretty good." Zhao Baifan also sheathed her saber, sighing, "No wonder you passed, you've already mastered the Twofold Power Surge technique." Just the thought of it sent goosebumps up Zhao Baifan’s flesh.
"How did you train?" Zhao Baifan couldn’t help but ask.
"I experienced an awakening in my martial arts path. As for the Power Surge technique, during my time in Li City, Protectorate Gao Yu gifted me a book called 'Cloud Martial Power Surge: Nineteen Movements'." Wu Yuan 'honestly' explained, "I trained following the meticulous instructions of the secret technique manual, and eventually achieved my current proficiency."
Wu Yuan attributed his success to Gao Yu, but in reality, he only skimmed through the secret technique once. He believed that Gao Yu would come up with a plausible reason on his own, just like how he deduced that Wu Yuan had 'unlocked' his upper dantian lobe.
"You reached your current level just by reading a secret technique manual?" Zhao Baifan couldn't help but recall her own training process. It was a flood of bitter tears!
She suddenly understood why Wu Yuan carried himself with such pride. Heavens! If she had such talent, she'd probably be ten times more arrogant than Wu Yuan. Relative to his talent, Wu Yuan’s attitude was already terribly modest.
"What do you think of this courtyard house?" Zhao Baifan quickly changed the subject.
She had a momentary aversion to broaching the emotionally damaging subject of martial skills.
"Not bad," Wu Yuan nodded. In his opinion, everything was quite satisfactory.
The focal point of the courtyard house revolved around the cultivation of martial arts, with all the necessary provisions and amenities readily available. If one disregarded the technological disparity, this house would be considered a top-tier mansion in the former Human Federation.
"Mm, for your day-to-day affairs, four servants will be assigned to you. They will reside in the servant quarters located on the outskirts of the courtyard house. Should you require their assistance, you may summon them. Otherwise, they will refrain from interrupting your cultivation," Zhao Baifan elucidated.
Wu Yuan nodded slightly. The Cloudstride Sect had taken care of every detail for him. Prodigies such as himself merely needed to concentrate on their cultivation, while the sect would handle all other matters.
The primary duty of martial arts practitioners was going to war against the sect's adversaries during territorial disputes!
"These are the basic living standards within the sect." Zhao Baifan continued, "Regarding cultivation, there are three important aspects. I will briefly explain them to you so you may know what to expect. For details, you can refer to the 'Cloud Martial Hall Guidelines.'"
Wu Yuan nodded, listening carefully.
"Firstly, we have the courses. Eighteen instructors take turns delivering public lectures at the martial grand hall every two days. Attendance is voluntary," Zhao Baifan disclosed, "The topics will center around martial skills, body tempering..."
"Next, we have the tutorials. Every ten days, I will personally offer you guidance and assess your progress. I will inform you of the specific date and time."
Wu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.
"The second aspect pertains to auxiliary cultivation treasures. These are of utmost importance if you wish to progress swiftly. Within the Cloud Martial Hall, silver holds no value. What truly matters is contribution points," Zhao Baifan emphasized.
"I recall Uncle Ji mentioning it," Wu Yuan said.
"All disciples are awarded 5000 contribution points a year, a fixed allocation from the sect. It can be exchanged for various cultivation resources, such as body tempering pills, bone-forging pills, Qi Enhancement Pills, and even the sect's Cloudspring Blood," Zhao Baifan said.
"There are four ways by which disciples of the junior academy can earn additional contribution points, aside from the fixed allocation."
"The first is the annual competition. Ranking within the top 100 will grant you 5000 contribution points. The reward for the top 30 is 10,000, and 20,000 for the top 10.
"Secondly, by enhancing one's strength and reaching the level of a martial virtuoso, a one-time reward of 10,000 contribution points can be claimed."
"Completing level one of the Skystride Pavilion will also grant you a one-time reward of 20,000 contribution points."
"Completing level two of Skystride Pavilion will grant you 100,000 contribution points." Zhao Baifan glanced at Wu Yuan. "Your rewards will soon be calculated and distributed."
Wu Yuan nodded.
"The third method is to exchange treasures, a method accessible to all disciples of Cloudstride. Offer the sect a precious treasure, and exchange it not for silver, but other natural treasures, divine weapon tokens, or divine weapons themselves." Zhao Baifan explained.
This should be a path specially created for disciples with powerful backgrounds but lacking in talent.
Absolute fairness? That was impossible. The fact that the Cloudstride Sect was able to maintain relative fairness was already impressive.
"Your fixed allocation of contribution points will be raised to 50,000 each year as promised by the Finance Hall, a cost borne by us." Zhao Baifan continued, "In addition, as compensation for the matter concerning Xie Yu, Protectorate Gao Yu has ordered a dose of Cloudspring Blood to be delivered to you as a personal gift."
"A dose of Cloudspring Blood?" Wu Yuan was taken aback by the unexpected generosity. Protectorate Gao Yu was sparing no expense to make amends. It seemed that unless Xie Yu provoked him once more, Wu Yuan would find it difficult to harbor any ill will towards her.
"Please convey my gratitude to the protectorate, Instructor Zhao." Wu Yuan said softly.
"Mm." Zhao Baifan nodded. "The fourth method is by undergoing field trials, usually undertaken by the disciples of the senior academy."
"If you wish to learn more about anything I said in-depth, please refer to the Cloud Martial Hall Guidelines. For now, that is all."
"Take the time to familiarize yourself with your environment, I'll come again tomorrow." With that, Zhao Baifan rose. "If you have any questions, you may ask me then."
"Understood. Thank you, Instructor Zhao. Allow me to see you off," Wu Yuan stood up.
Shortly after, Zhao Baifan was ushered out.
"Cloud Martial Hall Guidelines?" Wu Yuan pulled out a hefty book. The book contained a comprehensive list of do's and don'ts for the disciples of the Cloud Martial Hall. Wu Yuan slowly began to read through it.
...
After leaving Wu Yuan's courtyard, Zhao Baifan walked to the main path, shaking her head in a quiet sigh. I wonder where Gao Yu found this mini monster.
In terms of physical constitution, a fourteen-and-a-half-year-old with a punch force of about 15,000 catties was impressive, but not exceedingly rare. But his skill in combat?
"Even among the Heavenly Rankers, was there anyone this formidable when they were at his age?" Zhao Baifan muttered to herself.
During their recent sparring session, Zhao Baifan had won. But she was well aware that Wu Yuan was merely unaccustomed to battle, lacking in experience. Given more practice, he would soon be her equal.
Such a prodigy! A prodigy so spectacular it felt unreal.
The news that he broke Fang Xia's record must have spread by now. I wonder if Sect Elder Tian has informed the hall master.
Nevertheless, such a momentous event warrants informing the hall master.
She had hurried to leave earlier to report this matter as soon as possible. The cultivation plan for Wu Yuan had to be adjusted.
Zhao Baifan swiftly left the martial academy, heading toward the eastern side of Cloudhill.
The Cloud Martial Hall was indeed vast, yet it occupied less than a tenth of the total area of the Cloudstride Sect's headquarters.
...
Soon, within another magnificent compound atop Cloudhill.
"You're suggesting that the two Hierarchs personally take Wu Yuan as their disciple and guide him on his cultivation path?" An elderly man draped in a black robe, his hair as white as snow, sat in the host seat. He appeared visibly surprised.
"Hall Master," addressed Zhao Baifan with grave solemnity, "I offer this suggestion because I refuse to witness such remarkable potential go to waste!"
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