After the Assistant or perhaps the Butler of Senior Kang saw him, he walked towards Finlay. Clearly, he had been sent here to escort Finlay back. Finlay was just embarrassed that he was searching the skies, expecting to be given a lift on a flying tool again. He could only hope that none noticed his act as he greeted the new arrival who came to escort him, despite being of a higher cultivation level.
Identity :
Du Zhen
31 yrs old
Male
???
Character type :
Neutral Good
Mortality :
Sura (Mortal)
Job :
NA
Titles :
Outer sect Disciple - True Sky Immortal Sect
Cultivation Talent
Qi Cultivation : poor
Body : Low
Constitution : NA
Cultivation :
(Spiritual)
Qi condensation level - 5
Finlay’s eyes lit up when he saw the name being fully revealed. He had initially never been told the First name of this Assistant and had only known the surname, similar to Elder Kong, but the system automatically revealed the rest of the name and also the fact that he was an outer sect disciple.
‘So, this must be part of the new improvements of the Analyse skill from going up in grade.’
With added cheer, Finlay called out to him in a cheerful manner.
“Judging by the expression on your face, it seems your seclusion has gone well,” the senior disciple guessed with a faint smile.
“Hehehe, Senior brother is indeed correct. It went rather well. If we exclude the boredom,” he added the latter part in a mutter.
“Boredom??” the other couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in an amused fashion before continuing, “Junior brother, do you even realise how many fellow brothers and sisters would risk their lives for treatment such as this? You better cherish these gifts and show your gratitude properly towards the Senior Elder Kang.”
Finlay obviously realised the importance of such a Qi rich environment that could even be used by very high tier cultivators. The very room he used was only the 4th best available room out of a total of 15 rooms. These 15 were there for the use of the entire sect including the Zife realm, true powerhouses and backbones of the sect. Of course, they gain very little advantage beyond a certain level of cultivation from such an environment, but the fact remains regardless that they were considered some of the most important treasures of the sect.
“Ofcourse, I understand senior brother. I am very grateful towards the generosity of Senior Kang and the sect as well.”
The other simply nodded his head with a “Hmm”, seemingly pleased with the response given by Finlay. They then proceed back on the same path the Senior disciple came up the mountain from.
Even though this assistant appeared to be in charge of Senior Elder Kang’s dwelling and appeared as nothing but a simple butler, Finlay knew that only sect disciples lived in the sect apart from the mortal servants hired in some places. He concluded this fact even before the Analyse skill upgrade revealed the detail. Moreover, this person was clearly not just a simple servant either and seemed to be in charge of all the chores pertaining to Senior Kang and his palace. Moreover, he was already well into the mid Qi condensation stage realm even though his age was not too high at only 31 years. Which was why he immediately addressed him with respect as ‘Senior brother’.
Such a servant student's position was the most sought after way for a disciple to make a living. One could also join the other branches if they had the necessary knowledge and ability required. For example, Administrative offices, Artifact making, Alchemy and pill making, Spiritual garden managing and cultivating. There was even a department dedicated especially to manage and maintain the various formations of the sect. These fields also provide the valuable experience necessary for a cultivator to excel in a certain field apart from the salary and other benefits provided by the sect.
These were all very coveted jobs by the disciples who do not have massive backgrounds like Cultivation families, clans or other wealthy organisations’ backing. Despite that however, the most sought after jobs were actually being servants or assistants who help the more powerful Elders manage their dwelling or their chores. This type of Servant and assistant disciples not only get paid a salary by the cultivator, they also have plenty of chances to interact with and form relationships with powerful cultivators despite being very low in status and strength. Even a small grace from such figures could be a life changing opportunity for an average disciple.
As they both walked down, Finlay was very curious as he stared at the surroundings and the distant but approaching bustling buildings at the foot of the mountain. Noticing his curious gaze, the senior disciple smiled slightly as he explained the various things to Finlay.
“...that right there is a resting area where you can relax, purchase some snacks or drink and spend time with others. It is made primarily for those who are cultivating in one of the numerous, rentable dwellings on this mountain. Of course, that is not an appropriate place to spend a jolly time with your brothers, those kinds of things can be found at that central plaza at the foot of the mountain.
“The whole place is a little town that the sect uses exclusively for its own members. Outsiders are usually not allowed here unless there is some special event.
“...that tall building is the Peacock scripture plaza. You can purchase various books, manuals and guides if you have the money. The hostesses there are all very pretty. You should certainly go take a look just for that alone. Hahaha…
“...That building is …this courtyard if for…”
As they walked, the senior disciple enthusiastically explained some of the more unique places. This place was different from the big city he had seen when he first entered the sect. Apparently that one was a typical cultivator city managed by the sect for the use of both sect folk and outsiders as well. It was a major source of revenue unlike this little town that has the primary purpose of the sect providing an opportunity for its disciples to make much fairer trades with smaller profits of goods, services and even techniques restricted from being traded with the outsiders.
This was also the first time in a while when Finlay was able to not only see a big internal town deep inside the sect territory, he also saw various male and female disciples of the sect in slightly different uniforms roaming about or chatting with each other. While the valley certainly had a central marketplace, it was a far cry from an entire small little town built for the use of tens of thousands of sect members or however many are in the sect. He was still a bit unaware of the various details of the sect. He had a feeling that with his graduation done, it should be about time to be taught or informed about such matters.
They eventually approached a tall tower with a huge platform on the top. On closer observation, Finlay was amazed to find that it was more like a helicopter landing pad instead of a tower. Occasionally he could see simple looking platforms, glowing with various runes that floated in the air, carrying people or luggage on top of it. Finlay was a bit shocked when he went to the roof and one such platform slowly landed before them, being controlled by a disciple no stronger than the senior disciple standing beside him, Du Zhen. His shock comes from the fact, it was a common understanding that only those at late stage Qi condensation realm could power advanced flying tools to slowly fly about. That speed was not even very high at only about a 100kmph yet this seemingly puny mid stage Qi condensation disciple of their sect gracefully flew over and he was even flying at a high speed.
Finlay was led onto the platform as the senior disciple showed a jade stone carved talisman and gave a destination. The platform soon took off when another passenger boarded who was going to a destination on their way. Finlay was very confused and he tried to identify the other operators of the flying platforms and found that all of them were in the mid Qi condensation realm with no late stage disciples.
Identity :
????
Female 35 ??
Title :
Outer sect disciple of the True Sky Immortal Sect
Cultivation :
Qi condensation level 4 (water attribute cultivation)
Identity :
????
male 33 ??
Title :
Outer sect disciple of the True Sky Immortal Sect
Cultivation :
Qi condensation level 6
Identity :
????
male 37 ??
Title :
Outer sect disciple of the True Sky Immortal Sect
Cultivation :
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Qi condensation level 5
Finally noticing Finlay’s quiet attitude and the confusion on his face, The senior brother asked what’s wrong.
Finlay expressed his confusion, surprising the senior disciple.
“Junior brother, it is indeed a fact that only late stage Qi condensation realm disciples are strong enough to operate the flying tools, but right now we’re inside the sect grounds. Here, the spiritual vines make the environment rich in Qi compared to the outside. The sect uses these simple flying tools that can directly make use of the Qi in the surroundings to power themselves. The Qi condensation disciples are simply controlling the various formations and not actually supplying the Qi required for the operation of the tool.”
Finlay was enlightened and he closely paid attention to the glowing lines of Qi in the various formations on the surface of the flying platform.
“Junior brother, I am more impressed by the fact that you know about such intricate things despite just entering the Qi condensation realm not long ago.”
“Haha I am simply someone interested in the field of formations and with my meagre knowledge, this was something I came to understand. Ahh, some of these formations don’t even make sense to me,” Finlay lamented on finding the formation lines too complex.
“Wha-what do you mean Junior brother? Ar–are you saying you actually understand some of this??”
“Hahaha, it is no big deal. I only understand tiny pieces here and there. Nothing much.”
“...formations? Brother you also spent so much time on formations? But you…You even…”
The Senior disciple was actually shocked silly. He knew from being so close to Senior Elder Kang and dealing with all the affairs of Finlay that Finlay was an excellent seed of the sect who completed his body transformation realm in at least 2 elements in less than 6 months, but he imagined that that was only possible due to the full support of the sect’s resources and the diligent cultivation of FInlay without distractions. He was already impressed by Finlay, yet it seemed like he not only didn’t waste time on comprehending formations, he even seemed to understand a little bit of the profound formations in these flying platforms that the sect disciples were so proud of.
Even though Finlay said he only understood small bits and pieces of it, he as someone who was around for so long in the sect understood the profundity of the formations used to create these flying platform tools. To be able to understand some of it by just studying formations for 6 months straight would already be an impressive achievement for someone like him, but this junior of his was only doing it offhandedly as he also set a cultivation record? He could only bitterly smile and lament at his lack of talent.
Finlay found these flying platforms very interesting and spent his entire time focused on them, even forgetting his earlier curiosity towards the various sect buildings and landscape. Du Zhen, on the other hand, was in deep thought as he bitterly smiled and occasionally sighed. Soon their destination arrived and Finlay was brought out of his daze by the shouts of the driver and senior disciple’s urging to get off the flying platform. Finlay could only embarrassingly apologise to them before leaving.
Du Zhen led FInlay inside to a side room to wait for Senior Elder Kang. The waiting wasn’t long before he was called into the main hall.
Senior Elder Kang greeted Finlay with a big smile and Finlay offered the appropriately respectful greeting. After a moment of deliberation, Senior Elder Kang asked everyone to give the two the room before speaking up.
“Kid, how was it? You never came out to seek me for any cultivation guidance. Did everything go alright with establishing your Qi sea and entering the Qi condensation realm?”
“With your grace, everything went very smoothly for me, Senior Kang. I have nothing but gratitude for providing me such a valuable place to begin my first steps on the path of cultivation. I have successfully become a Qi condensation disciple.”
“Hahaha, Don’t worry about it. The sect naturally will nurture its important seeds. It was something you earned through your own efforts. If you need any more resources in the future, feel free to come directly ask me. The sect will naturally provide you with some but since we’ve decided to keep a low profile, I’m going to enter you into the records as a simple inner sect disciple on the surface,” Senior Elder Kang explained.
Finlay once again bowed in thanks before replying.
“Please accept my thanks to you as well, Senior Kang, for helping with that matter. Regarding the resources…”
“Hmm? What is it? You wish to say something? Don’t worry, just speak freely,” Senior Elder Kang cheerfully encouraged Finlay.
“That…uhh…Can I get a few more of those Qi replenishing pills?” Finlay asked in a quiet voice, embarrassed.
“What did you say? I didn’t catch it. Can you ask again?”
“I used up the pills you provided, Senior Kang. Would it be possible to get a few more of those pills?...Maybe it is fine. I don’t really need them. I apologise for being impudent…” by the end, FInlay found that the expression of the face of Senior Elder Kang was growing stranger by the second and his last words were said in barely a whisper. By now, the squinting eyes of Senior Elder Kang who was all smiles turned round and big.
“I gave you five of those if I remember correctly though?...How could you have possibly used them up??!”
Finlay was now very embarrassed to have brought up the matter at all. He was sweating profusely as he cursed at himself for stupidly revealing something it seemed he shouldn’t have…
“Maybe I forgot and gave you less? That should be it right?...No wait, why don’t you come here to me?” as if realising something, Senior Kang quickly called Finlay over to check him properly, instead of the simple scan he performed on him from a distance with his spirit sense.
Finlay took a deep breath, praying to The Nine, hoping his slip of the tongue and greed was not about to cause another big headache for him on top of the things he was already dealing with. He still walked closer to the Senior Kang though and offered his hand.
Senior Kang quickly grabbed his hand and sent his divine sense inside FInlay’s body to thoroughly examine his body and especially the cultivation level.
The powerful cultivator sent his late stage foundation establishment divine sense into FInlay to scan each inch of him. In a panic, FInlay had already tried his best to close off all his meridians except for 4 of them, trying to make it appear as though only 4 meridians were fully formed. Thankfully, Senior Elder Kang was primarily focused on the dantian and didn’t pay much attention to the meridians.
The late stage foundation establishment cultivator had his expression change constantly as he kept checking and rechecking before his eye lids flew open and he stared at Finlay in shock. He kept looking with his mouth slightly open for a few moments before he blurted out the words on his mind.
“You’re already at Qi condensation level 2?! If I’m not wrong, you’ve achieved it long ago as well. Meaning, you hadn’t even taken 2 full months to go from Body transformation to establishing your Qi sea and breaking through into the 2nd level?!”
Finlay was completely drenched in cold sweat on his back as he was almost scared at the large, unexpected reaction from the powerful cultivator. He could only simply answer the rhetorical question.
“..ye–yes?”
To be continued.
Preview - System Status
Identity :
Finlay
Male
14 yrs old
–
Mortality :
Sura (Mortal)
Job :
None
Titles :
None
Cultivation : (Body cultivation)
Perfected Body Transformation stage;
Perfect Harmony of all elements;
Cultivation : (Spiritual)
Qi condensation realm Level 2; (🠕)
Origin Qi;
Skills :
The All seeing eye (Analyse) :
(Grade D- ) (🠕)
Authority granted by the first god of the world, Dinn. You can peer into the secrets of things and beings of this world as long as you know what you’re looking for. (Requires activation conditions)
Dabbling in Alchemy:
(Grade F-) (🠕)
Rewarded for your meagre efforts in Alchemy. It boosts your success rate of any pill below Tier 3 by 5 %; Improves the control of the user over the Qi infused into the pill.
Inventory space :
(Dantian space)
(Locked until Foundation Establishment)
Universal Language comprehension (Grade A+);
Mana Blast (Grade F+)
Preview - Stats
Spiritual :
Cultivation Talent :
S+ Grade (Appears as C-)
Divine Sense :
None
Law Comprehension :
S Grade
Physical :
Body Type :
Five Element body (Grade : B+(Aggregate)) (Appears as C-)
Elemental Attunements :
Metal
S- Grade
Five Element Body Type
(Dominant trait)
Earth
A Grade
Wind
C+ Grade
Fire
C Grade
Water
D Grade
Light/Darkness(Yin/Yang)
D- Grade
Lightning
F+ Grade
Other Talents :
Weapon Talents :
Sword/Bladed type
A+ Grade
Ranged
C+ Grade
Hand to Hand
C Grade
Polearms/Spear
D Grade
Soul based/Mental type
D- Grade
Qi Circuits :
(Arrays, Formations, Magical Restrictions)
B- Grade
Crafting Talent :
C+ Grade
Alchemy Talent :
D+ Grade