In the illusion, Li Mu returned to his original world, where he had a monthly mortgage, worked 996 hours a week, was urged by product managers to rush deadlines, coded day and night, and his parents constantly pressured him to go on blind dates and get married soon.
Li Mu was instantly 'woken up' by a fright, genuinely not wanting to undergo the 'Heart Questioning' assessment in the 'original world.' Relying on his powerful Divine Soul, Li Mu forcibly broke free from the illusion assessment.
“Damn it! An assessment is an assessment, but why did it have to bring back those days?!” Li Mu cursed silently in his heart.
Looking at the Utility Disciples around him who were still trapped in the illusion, some had joyful and wild expressions, while others looked lecherous… they must have been having very beautiful dreams.
Li Mu was extremely displeased. While others, when passing the Heart Questioning checkpoint, either had erotic dreams or dreams of their cultivation greatly advancing and becoming immortals or ancestors, he, on the other hand, had to return to his original world and relive those unbearable past events.
Li Mu took several large strides and walked out of the illusion array.
“How did you get out? So fast? Did you even go through the Heart Questioning?” The assessing Disciple looked at Li Mu in disbelief and asked, puzzled.
“I did, Senior Brother. Did I pass the assessment?” Li Mu made up an excuse and asked.
The assessing Disciple eyed Li Mu suspiciously, then reluctantly declared: “You only took 50 breaths to break free from the Heart Questioning illusion. Your performance is quite good; you passed the assessment!”
After speaking, the assessing Disciple handed the bronze token to Li Mu. This was an Outer Sect Disciple token, only given upon passing the assessment. If one failed the illusion array assessment, the token would be revoked.
“This is your Outer Sect Disciple token. Go find Senior Brother Qiu yourself and claim your Outer Sect Disciple benefits!” The assessing Disciple looked at Li Mu and congratulated him.
“Thank you, Senior Brother!” Li Mu happily accepted the Outer Sect Disciple token; he was finally an official member.
Utility Disciples in Qingxuan Sect were considered unlisted personnel, receiving only minimal benefits and having more responsibilities and tasks. Becoming an Outer Sect Disciple meant having the Outer Sect Disciple token as proof of identity, allowing access to more Sect benefits.
Holding the Outer Sect Disciple token, Li Mu arrived at the Outer Sect Disciple material collection point.
At a wooden table placed at the entrance of the warehouse, a Managing Disciple around thirty years old was responsible for registration. Behind him, in the storeroom, two young Disciples were in charge of distributing standard Outer Sect Disciple robes and various Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts.
“Disciple token, hand it over! What kind of Spiritual Artifact do you want, a saber? A sword?” The Managing Disciple looked at Li Mu, extended his hand, and asked for the Disciple token.
“Senior Brother, give me a sword!” Li Mu quickly handed over his Disciple token.
“Hmm! Outer Sect Disciple - Zhao Huairen, receiving one Mystic Iron Sword, three Outer Sect Disciple robes, Contribution: 100 points!” The Managing Disciple recorded the information while simultaneously imbuing his Divine Sense into the Disciple token to engrave something. After recording, he returned the Disciple token to Li Mu.
“Senior Brother, I want to learn some Cultivation Techniques. Please give me some guidance.” Li Mu retrieved his Disciple token and, at the same time, subtly slipped the two lower spirit stones in his hand to the Managing Disciple.
The Managing Disciple paused slightly, then happily accepted them.
The Managing Disciple looked at Li Mu and introduced with a smile: “Junior Brother needs to learn Cultivation Techniques, you can go to the Hall of Dharma Transmission to exchange for them. However, our Outer Sect station has more common Cultivation Techniques; the more powerful ones are not as complete as those in the Sect’s main hall. If Junior Brother doesn't find a satisfactory Cultivation Technique, you can first get a Cultivation Technique catalog from a Transmitting Dharma Disciple, choose a suitable Cultivation Technique, and once successfully exchanged, the Sect will arrange for the Cultivation Technique to be delivered in a few months.”
After a pause, the Managing Disciple continued: “Exchanging Cultivation Techniques requires Sect Contribution. The more Advanced the Cultivation Technique, the higher the Contribution required. If Junior Brother wants a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, you can first go to the Contribution Hall and take on tasks to earn Contribution.”
“Additionally, if Junior Brother wants to Cultivate some ordinary Cultivation Techniques or skill-based Cultivation Techniques, you can purchase them at Chen's Cultivation Method Building. Their family’s Cultivation Methods come from Yan Sect, and the variety is quite complete. Some Cultivation Techniques are no worse than those in the Hall of Dharma Transmission.”
Li Mu roughly understood the Managing Disciple’s words!
The Hall of Dharma Transmission in the Outer Sect station contained relatively common Cultivation Techniques. He could first purchase some outside, and then get a Cultivation Technique catalog from a Transmitting Dharma Disciple to exchange for suitable Cultivation Techniques. However, the prerequisite was to earn a large amount of Sect Contribution.
“Thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance!” Li Mu expressed his gratitude and turned to leave, preparing to first go to the Hall of Dharma Transmission to see how much Sect Contribution was needed to exchange for a desired Cultivation Technique.
Li Mu possessed Five Elements Spiritual Vein, so the most suitable Cultivation Technique for him would be a Five Elements Technique.
After taking off his Utility Disciple robe and putting on the new Outer Sect Disciple robe, Li Mu, like other Outer Sect Disciples, no longer stood out as much while walking around the Outer Sect station.
However, the Outer Sect station was immensely vast, with various Artifact Refining workshops, spiritual material workshops, etc., hundreds of rooms of all sizes. It was also inconvenient to use Divine Sense to navigate, and for a time, Li Mu got lost.
“This Senior Brother, I just passed the Outer Sect assessment. May I ask how to get to the Hall of Dharma Transmission?” Li Mu stopped an Outer Sect Disciple who was wide-bodied, plump, and had a friendly face, asking respectfully.
“Going to the Hall of Dharma Transmission? Come with me! I’m passing by anyway, so I’ll give you a ride.” The other party’s small eyes narrowed slightly, and he greeted him warmly.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.” Li Mu thanked him gratefully and followed closely.
“My surname is Cheng, and my name is Dafu. Junior Brother, you’re not very old, yet you’ve already passed the Outer Sect assessment, impressive!” Cheng Dafu smiled brightly, leading Li Mu on their way, and praising him sincerely.
“Senior Brother Cheng, you flatter me. You’re not much older than me either!” Li Mu smiled humbly and gestured.
“Uh! I’m different from you. I withdrew from the Inner Sect!” Cheng Dafu’s smile disappeared, and he said with a bitter expression.
“Ah! Senior Brother Cheng, I’m sorry, I didn’t know!” Li Mu was startled and quickly apologized.
“It’s fine! I’m quite happy staying here. The competition in the Inner Sect is much more brutal than in the Outer Sect. There, that building is the Hall of Dharma Transmission. You can go by yourself now!” Cheng Dafu led Li Mu through a few corridors, pointing to a palace-like building not far away, guiding him.
“Thank you, Senior Brother Cheng, for leading the way. Oh, right! My surname is Zhao, and my name is Zhao Huairen.” Li Mu thanked him gratefully, and at the same time, gave his name.
“Alright! Zhao Shidi, let’s chat again if we have the chance!” Cheng Dafu nodded with a smile, and his portly figure turned and disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Inner Sect Disciples could also be kicked out to the Outer Sect?
Watching Cheng Dafu’s departing back, Li Mu frowned, puzzled by this question. He had originally thought that once he entered the Outer Sect and then later passed the examination to enter the Inner Sect, he could completely relax. It seemed the situation wasn’t that simple!
“Who cares? As long as no one disturbs me when I Cultivate my fields in the future!” Li Mu, unable to figure it out, simply stopped thinking about it.
Li Mu only needed a place where he could peacefully Cultivate his fields, plus the Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique provided by the Sect. As for other Cultivation resources, he could completely obtain them through Cultivation Techniques, without needing to rely too much on the benefits provided by the Sect.
Li Mu walked directly towards the Hall of Dharma Transmission, eager to know how much Sect Contribution was needed to exchange for a Five Elements Cultivation Technique that could help him Foundation Establishment.