"Since they accelerated their plans, it's time to do the same on our end. Miss Xue, I need you to keep an eye on them so that we are kept informed. If you don't mind, we can set up a link between us so that you can contact me at any time. Would that be fine?"
[No problem. I give my permission.](Tianxia Xue)
"Excellent! Let me know as soon as they prepare for their ritual. The only move we got it's going to buy us seven hours and a half at max, so we need to act with that in mind."
[Got it! I'm off!](Tianxia Xue)
Fortunately, the System does provide long-distance communication between cultivators that agreed to it beforehand. As long as consent is given, even if continents are pulling them apart, they could still hear each other's voice with this method. The only downside... it costs Message Stone each time you want to employ such a right.
And there are only two ways of getting it. One is through buying it from the System, while the second one...
"Sect master Qian..."
[I know, don't worry. I still owe you a Nochi pack from the first time we underwent the official ceremony. I can throw in a couple of Message Stones as well.](Feng Qian)
"Much appreciated miss Qian."
[Leaving that aside, can you tell us what this is all about?](Feng Qian)
"Not just yet, otherwise given your position you will be forced to act. Therefore, all I can do is ask for your help with a certain matter."
[Besides sponging off us with everything else?](Yi Xuan)
"*Cough* I'm afraid so."
Seeing the sect master laughing it off and taking out two Message Stones, he thanked her and passed one to Tianxia Xue. Seeing her depart, he moved on with his formal request to the Fallen Blossom Valley.
"Now for the last request, I need to use your channels and reputation to spread the word among the nearby cities. I'm going to challenge the Altar of Heaven and Earth sect to a Contest of Tao."
[What!?](Feng Qian)
[Oh, wow! He's insane...](Yi Xuan)
[Xuan! Herman, do you know what you're saying? You are strong, no doubt, but a Contest of Tao works within the confines of the laws the System imposes. There's no breaking those laws without forcing the administration to act. This is no joking matter! I've heard of entire countries being wiped out because they messed with such laws.](Feng Qian)
"Preaching to the choir, sister! I know of a world being wiped out, not a country..."
"Yes, I am aware."
[And you still plan to go ahead with it? We're talking fifteen matches minimum...](Feng Qian)
"For our plan to work, we need that at a bare minimum. If there would be more, that would be great..."
[*Sigh* Since you're so determined, I won't try to stop you. What are your chances?](Feng Qian)
"Right at this moment? Probably zero..."
[Yup... certified insanity right there.](Yi Xuan)
[...](Feng Qian)
"Hehe! You worry too much miss Xuan. Also, sect master Qian, didn't you see me walking with the bigshot of each sect we visited?"
[Eh? Yeah... What difference does that make? We're still talking fifteen opponents.](Feng Qian)
"What difference? Well, about 16 sect skills' worth. Only 14 at the moment, but we'll change that in a bit."
[???]
Seeing the confusion on the faces of the two women, he couldn't help but snicker. The truth is that as long as you join a sect even as an outer disciple, there are two skills that you can learn: the Secret Tome that enhances Life Essence, the Sect Sutra that improves Vitality. The others are the Sect Shift Skill which provides extra Agility but needs the Inherited Disciple position to acquire and finally the Sect Physical Spell that begets Strength and needs a position of Retinue or higher.
Herman's plan of globetrotting to meet the other Basic-rank sects had a secondary purpose besides getting to know possible companions. That was to acquire extra attributes.
"At the basic rank, these sects are pretty much trash and their skills cannot give more than 12 points in each attribute, but beggars can't be choosers. With the seven sects that I've visited and the Valley of the Fallen Blossoms, I gained quite a bit of skills but had to increase my Reputation forcibly."
Sect skills work a bit different than the rest that you can just simply learn. You have a cap for them which starts at five maximum skills. That means that you are free to learn all the skills you want from a sect, but if you are to jump like a flea from one to another just to collect theirs, you would need to pay up the required price. In this specific case, the price gets paid using Reputation. Herman didn't have any Reputation at all since he just arrived at the Immortal World and could only count on his Reputation Tokens. Obviously, the 4.200 he had were nowhere close to enough.
After the five skills one can learn for free, the amount of required Reputation to learn more increases from 50 points for the sixth to 100 for the seventh, 200 for the eight, 400 for the ninth, 600 for the tenth, 800 for the eleventh, 1000 points for the twelfth until the fifteenth included and another 1200 for the sixteenth. That brings it to a total of 7350 Reputation points needed to learn eleven extra sect skills besides the six free ones. Since he had only a bit more than half of that in the first week, he used up almost 20.000 Spirit Stones each week to increase that number with an extra 2.000 Reputation Tokens bought from the Treasure Hall. Now in the third week, he gathered 10.200 points in total but spent 60.000 Spirit Stones as result.
"Now, my Dwelling coffers have only 151.312 Spirit Stones left and those numbers will lower more and more since a month will soon pass and I have salaries to pay. Also, after learning the two skills from the Fallen Blossom sect, my Reputation will drop to only 2850. I say 'only' but there are few newbies that can say the same..."
[So you've learned the Secret Tome and the Sutra of each sect we visited? That's good and all, but it's not enough. You don't have any skills or spells you can use in battle. Any disciple of the Altar of Heaven and Earth that has reached the Golden Core realm or is a promising genius is granted permission to learn the Cosmic Firmness ultimate skill. You probably aren't aware just yet, but having an ultimate skill is a big game-changer in a fight between a cultivator who has one and one who doesn't. Take the Altar sect for example. Their sect's ultimate skill gives a bonus that improves adds the total Strength attribute to the damage dealt. You don't stand a chance without one!](Feng Qian)
They were not exactly wrong. The Contest of Tao Herman was about to challenge the enemy sect too, was slightly different than the one readily available in the Heavenly Realm. Here, in the Immortal World, only participants in the race for Heaven could challenge sects to a Contest of Tao and receive rewards based on Reputation, Sect Tokens, and other stuff if they managed to win. To win, they had to fight off two cultivators belonging to each realm that the sect groomed. For the Altar sect, that would probably include two Qi Gathering realm cultivators, two Foundation, two Gold Core, two Soul-Wandering, and most likely, two Nascent Soul disciples. If the challenger - in this case, Herman - managed to defeat these initial ten, he would be able to challenge the five main positions of the sect: the Junior Disciple, the Chief Disciple, the Main elder, the Sect Custodian, and finally, the Sect Master.
Seeing how they couldn't convince the moron otherwise, Feng Qian handed over two books and left Herman to his devices. She had her own job to do besides acting as a news anchor. On the other hand, the culprit of this continuous madness returned to the nice smelling room he was given in the sect and took out the other fourteen skill books to learn. The process was simple as he only had to read through them and guide the Primordial Qi accordingly.
Two hours later, Herman gained an extra 96 points in Life Essence and Vitality accordingly.
Personal Information
Attributes
Ultimate
Pill
Name: Herman Roy
Cultivation time: 0 Years (16 days)
Spiritual realm: Foundation II
Body realm: Mortal Flesh VI
Ascension number: N/A
Attributes
Life Essence: 798
Attack: 3.990
Strength: 538
Defense: 2.690
Vitality: 874
Health Points: 13.110
Dexterity: 672
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Evasion: 2.016
Fortune: 63
Critical Strike: 21
Perception: 478 Points
Efficiency: 239 Primordial Qi points / 1 hour (reduced to 50% due to damage)
Absorption: 167.4 points
Superior Qi Absorption: 83.7 Spiritual Qi point / 1 hour
Character (Unlocked - please select to view)
Personality (Unlocked - please select to view)
Sighing and complaining at his lack of preparation, Herman made some mental calculation and realized that he should be able to easily contest with Nascent Soul disciples that have learned their sect ultimate skill. The bigger problem was the five executive positions he had to face. There was no doubt on his mind that while the world knew of their cultivation to be only at the advanced realms of Nascent Soul, that was just bullshit.
Especially if he didn't have any ultimate of his own to use.
"Do I really have no other choice?"
Treasures Hall Sutras Hall Spirit Jade Hall (3rd Level) Reputation Hall Top Up Lvl 2 Soul-gathering Pill
Cost: 4 Spirit Jades Lvl 4 Bone-refining Pill
Cost: 8 Spirit Jades Lvl 2 Soul-extracting Pill
Cost: 4 Spirit Jades Lvl 3 Soul-extracting Pill
Cost: 6 Spirit Jades Lvl 3 Anti-Human Pill
Cost: 6 Spirit Jades Lvl 2 Anti-demon Pill
Cost: 4 Spirit Jades Lvl 3 Anti-dragon Pill
Cost: 6 Spirit Jades Lvl 4 Anti-dragon Pill
Cost: 8 Spirit Jades Lvl 6 Soul-gathering Pill Formula
Cost: 30 Spirit Jades Lvl 3 Strength-enhancing Pill Formula
Cost: 14 Spirit Jades Lvl 4 Anti-human Pill Formula
Cost: 21Spirit Jades Lvl 6 Anti-demon Pill Formula
Cost: 30 Spirit Jades Lvl 5 Anti-human Pill Formula
Cost: 26 Spirit Jades Lvl 2 Anti-demon Pill Formula
Cost: 9 Spirit Jades Lvl 5 Anti-human Pill Formula
Cost: 26 Spirit Jades Divine Wind Pieces III
Cost: 150 Spirit Jades Unforeseen Pieces VI
Cost: 150 Spirit Jades Chaos Pieces VI
Cost: 150 Spirit Jades
"*Sigh* I guess I can count myself as a whale now..."
Alert!
Please confirm the purchase of Divine Wind Pieces III, Unforeseen Pieces VI, and Chaos Pieces VI!
Total cost: 450 Spirit Jades
Would you like to proceed? Yes / No
"Yes. Luckily, once I learn these three skills and because I bought them from the System instead of a sect, they will automatically be maxed out at Level 10 in their mastery. Let's see what these puppies can do!"
Holding the three new acquisitions in his hands and wondering at the amazing pressure they were bathing the room in, he realized that these were Level 4 skills. Without taking any chances, he spent a total of three hours to learn them, after which he brought up his attribute panel once more.
Even he couldn't help but click his tongue at the huge difference Spirit Jades could make.
Personal Information
Attributes
Ultimate
Pill
Name: Herman Roy
Cultivation time: 0 Years (16 days)
Spiritual realm: Foundation II
Body realm: Mortal Flesh VI
Ascension number: N/A
Attributes
Life Essence: 798
Attack: 3.990
Strength: 2254
Defense: 11.270
Vitality: 2586
Health Points: 38.790
Dexterity: 2384
Evasion: 7.152
Fortune: 63
Critical Strike: 21
Perception: 478 Points
Efficiency: 239 Primordial Qi points / 1 hour (reduced to 50% due to damage)
Absorption: 167.4 points
Superior Qi Absorption: 83.7 Spiritual Qi point / 1 hour
Character (Unlocked - please select to view)
Personality (Unlocked - please select to view)
Seeing these absurd attributes that maybe even an Ensoulment realm cultivator would barely have in his/her early levels, he couldn't help but complain about why the hell didn't the Spirit Jade Pavilion had another skill for Life Essence as well. Now the stats looked very disproportionate.
"It makes me wonder if I should've just bought them in the first week... Maybe I would've had at least 10 Level 4 skills by now and I could've steamrolled through their shitty Altar sect myself. Anyway, that wouldn't have been the brightest idea since I want to stand out, but not in an exaggerated manner. Also, these Spirit Jades are a finite resource. I cannot be a spindrift..."
Looking at his remaining 385.154 Spirit Jades, even his stingy self couldn't help but waver. Even the 450 he just slapped the System's face with were nothing more than a drop in the bucket that his Inventory held. Making a compromise with himself that he would only buy another Level 4 skill that would enhance his Life Essence and maybe another set of all four to be safe... maybe, he contacted Tianxia Xue.
"Miss Xue, how are things on your end?"
[Bad! These f*ckers actually sniffed me out somehow. They activated an array that would expose my concealment if I venture in.](Tianxia Xue)
"It's no wonder. If the Altar of Heaven and Earth is indeed a deviant sect that performs sacrifices, it's expected for them to have access to such arrays. The only problem is what that implies..."
[And that is?](Tianxia Xue)
"They might have a higher rank sect backing them up. That would explain a lot."
Herman couldn't help but remember how Mio scoured through the entire continent in his past life but couldn't find a trace of these bastards after they ran. It's like they dropped from the face of the earth. If they had the support of a higher rank sect, however, that would make perfect sense. With their help, the entire sect could relocate and continue their practices somewhere else.
Also, if they do have such connections, leaving aside the attributes they gained through previous sacrifices that enhanced their bodily cultivation, they might even have gained higher-level skills. The difference between a Level 1 and a Level 4 skill was easy to see given his newly updated attribute panel.
"Keep your distance for now. Those bastards might have attributes high enough to handle late Ensoulment or even Nihility realm cultivators. You are strong indeed, but they are many. Even an elephant could get killed by ants if they have sufficient numbers on their end."
[I get that but that doesn't change the situation. If they do have this sort of strength, not even the other eight sects combined could stop them. What do you plan to do throwing yourself in the lion's mouth like that?](Tianxia Xue)
"Well... I will be forced to call in a favor. A costly one at that... But there's no helping it. If I want to gain public recognition and increase my Reputation, I have no choice but to do this."
[...](Tianxia Xue)
"I know... It is that kind of world after all."
[You don't need to explain it to me. I am aware.](Tianxia Xue)
"..."
Herman disconnected the communication link and almost swore aloud. He shouldn't have said that! Even if the words were true, he was supposed to be a gentleman that's strong but compassionate. Now, he looked just like a politician taking advantage of the people's misfortune to announce his candidacy to the president's seat.
Lying on the bed and looking at the flawless ceiling, he took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and calmed down. When he opened them this time, there was a resolution that could be seen glimmering inside.
"There's no doubt that I'm using those poor bastards as a means to elevate myself. She is aware of it and I am as well! Also, given how shitty the future is, there will be much worse things that I will be forced to do..."
"System, I want to formally challenge the Altar of Heaven and Earth Basic-rank sect to a Contest of Tao!"
Acknowledged!
Checking to see if the user meets all requirements!
Checking attributes... checking cultivation realm...
Approved!
The Altar of Heaven and Earth has been informed! The challenge will begin in two hours!
"Good! Let's see how they have time to perform sacrifices, now that their sect will be swarmed."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While Herman was preparing mentally for what was to come, rumors of a Contest of Tao were spreading out in Mt. Taihang. Apparently, one of the newbie cultivators recently recruited by the Profound Immortal Clear Lake was going to challenge the Altar of Heaven and Earth to a competition.
This sort of lively event enforced by the System was going to be great!
[Did you hear about the challenge? I wonder who this gutsy guy is. That is the second strongest basic-rank sect after the old man's Pu Illusion sect.]
[Did you just crawl from under a rock? Of course I know about it! As for the challenger, I've heard some from one of my friends. He's the one that kicked up a fuss in the plaza about three weeks ago.]
[Hoh? He's the one that kicked the asses of the Crimson Lotus gang? That's going to make for a good couple of matches to watch. Nevertheless, he is only a Qi Gathering cultivator. What threat does he pose to such a powerful sect?]
[You both have outdated news. I've heard that this 'newbie' already visited and spared with all the other eight basic-rank sects and won. He has also broken into the Foundation realm already as well.]
[The heck!? Are you for real? It's only been three weeks since he came to our world. How?]
[Nobody knows the specifics, but get this: in the fight against the Crimson Lotus, he actually killed the avatar of the Main Elder Ji Beidou who was protecting his grandson, the leader of the gang. It was later found out that these Crimson Lotus scums were abducting cultivators for evil purposes such as forced dual cultivation or... sacrifices.]
[What!? How dare they!? Aren't they afraid that the administration will wipe them out!?]
[It's hard to do so when there is no evidence. However, most people believe that the Altar of Heaven and Earth was actually supporting them and that they have turned into a deviant sect.]
[Shh! Watch your mouth old man! Do you want to die!? And even if so, do you want to take us with you? They are still the second strongest sect and have eyes and ears everywhere.]
[Quiet my ass! This time around all eight sects would come and watch the challenge. Can you guess why?]
[Maybe they are interested in seeing how this new guy fares.]
[That's just on the surface. In fact, they want to check and see if there is any evidence of evil deeds and destroy the sect if it's the case.]
[What!? Are you for real?]
[Shh! F*ck! Can't you speak louder!? Maybe the sect master of the Altar of Heaven and Earth hasn't heard you yet...]
[Sorry, sorry, my bad! But are you certain? That would affect the dynamic of power in our small country.]
[Do you think that matters? Even the evil oriented sects abhor human sacrifices. If they find even the smallest clue, they will take this opportunity to wipe them out.]
[Who asked the Altar sect to be so overbearing...]
[Anyway... one way or another, we're in for a treat. I heard that it's only 10 Spirit Stones entry to the arena where the fight will be held. You two want to come?]
[Your treat?]
[F*ck! You two are some stingy old goats! Fine! But your treat after at the Soul Stirring pub.]
[Hmm... fine! Let's go!]
While everyone was making their way to the arena, the Altar of Heaven and Earth sect was basically boiling under the raging of the Sect Master.