Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Opportunities and Risks

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Crow!" Han Li and the Foundation Establishment steward elder simultaneously clasped their fists in congratulations.

The look in their eyes as they gazed at Qi Ping was filled with envy.

In response to their blessings, Qi Ping also clasped his fists and returned the salute, then asked:

"Does this mean I’ve passed the assessment and can become a disciple of the Cyan Origin Sect?"

However, Qi Ping noticed the peculiar look in their eyes and cautiously added:

"But what does the evaluation of being a pillar mean?"

"Fellow Daoist Crow... no, I should call you Brother Crow now..." Han Li took a deep breath to calm his emotions before continuing:

"Brother Crow, your sharp insight has seen through everything. The pillar evaluation indeed holds significant meaning in the Cyan Origin Sect!"

"The core regulations of the Cyan Origin Sect state that anyone receiving the pillar evaluation from the Heart-Questioning Mirror must be given special focus, with resources provided at least one level higher than before! Some restricted cultivation techniques and resources will also have their exchange qualifications directly opened!"

After hearing Han Li’s explanation, Qi Ping was also filled with amazement.

"To think that this evaluation comes with such benefits?"

Qi Ping had not expected that he not only smoothly passed the Heart-Questioning Mirror’s test but also gained exchange qualifications for some restricted cultivation resources and techniques!

The exchange qualification for restricted cultivation techniques was what Qi Ping valued most, as this precious cultivation knowledge was the reason he came!

"This is quite an unexpected joy!" Qi Ping thought happily to himself, not expecting that gaining the approval of the Heart-Questioning Mirror would also come with such benefits!

...

After the results of the Heart-Questioning Mirror came out, the steward Foundation Establishment elder in charge of the test swiftly handled Qi Ping’s entry procedures.

With the strength and aptitude Qi Ping currently displayed, although not top-notch, the elder dared not show any neglect. For those who might become great figures in the future, showing a bit of diligence might not necessarily be beneficial, but offending them would certainly not end well.

Soon, the elder handed Qi Ping a series of items for his entry.

"Fellow Daoist Crow, here is the Sect’s identity token and the accompanying Spiritual Artifact Robe, as well as a storage bag containing other items, including a jade slip recording the Sect’s history and rules..."

"The status I can temporarily set within my authority is that of an Inner Disciple. The other identities and authority, I will need to report to the Sect Master for them to decide..."

Qi Ping took the entry items and said:

"Then I’ll trouble you!"

"No need to be polite, I’ll contact you once there’s any news!"

"Thank you!"

...

After bidding farewell to the elder responsible for the entry procedures, Qi Ping walked out of the Sect’s main hall with Han Li.

"I didn’t expect to join the Cyan Origin Sect so easily..." Qi Ping found it somewhat unbelievable how smoothly things had progressed.

The most surprising part was the Heart-Questioning Mirror’s test. Not only did he pass smoothly, but he was also evaluated as having exceptional talent, even gaining access to exchange some rare resources and techniques as a result.

According to Han Li, the Heart-Questioning Mirror is a supreme treasure inherited by the Cyan Origin Sect, possessing an Artifact Spirit, loyal only to the Sect and not controlled by anyone.

Moreover, besides the Heart-Questioning Mirror, there are other similar supreme treasures within the Cyan Origin Sect.

"The inheritance of the Cyan Origin Sect is even better than imagined!"

Qi Ping felt that with these things, they should greatly reduce the occurrence of situations where one faction dominates the Sect, preventing it from being entirely controlled by a single faction, though the actual situation would need to be understood in more depth.

As for the other identity benefits mentioned by the elder, Qi Ping was not in a hurry. He first intended to familiarize himself with the inner workings of the Cyan Origin Sect using his Inner Disciple identity.

Even though this was just a Tree-man clone, if it fell here, it wouldn’t be easy to get in again.

So, proceeding slowly was necessary.

"Brother Crow, let me first take you to the Inner Disciple’s mansion. The Sect token also contains many important notes about the Sect!"

After taking Qi Ping out, Han Li continued.

After leading Qi Ping to the mansion assigned to him via the token and explaining some important notes, Han Li’s task was complete.

"Alright, I’ll trouble Brother Han then!"

Following Han Li, Qi Ping quickly flew towards a distant mountain peak.

Along the way, Qi Ping passed through a Spirit Tree Forest rich in Spiritual Qi, a vast Spirit Field growing various Spiritual Medicines, and an outer disciple area with numerous Immortal Mansions...

In these places, many Qi Refining disciples and servant disciples were busily engaged, some casting the Spirit Rain Technique to water the Spiritual Medicines, others carefully picking ripe Spirit Fruits...

This tranquil and harmonious scene somewhat exceeded Qi Ping’s expectations.

"Greetings, Brother!"

"Greetings, Brother Han!"

...

Along the way, many junior sisters and brothers greeted Qi Ping and Han Li, with Han Li nodding in acknowledgment.

"Brother Han, the management within the Sect seems quite lenient?" Qi Ping asked.

"Yes, apart from specific major lectures or significant competitions, everyone is free to cultivate. Except for some mandatory tasks, Sect missions are also free to take up..."

"I see!" Qi Ping nodded.

This was much more lenient than he had anticipated.

"However, most disciples do not receive a monthly salary. To exchange for resources and techniques, they can only earn contribution points by diligently completing tasks. Tasks are the main way to earn contribution points. Without completing tasks, they won’t have contribution points to exchange for resources or good magic, and gaining access to cultivation knowledge in the Cultivation Technique Pavilion also requires contribution points..."

Through Han Li’s explanation, Qi Ping quickly understood the operation mode of the Cyan Origin Sect.

In plain terms, Sect disciples are talented workers. Besides some basic benefits, everything basically requires them to earn contribution points through tasks. Without completing tasks, it would be like not working - getting nothing and even facing the risk of being expelled.

Ultimately, in this model, Sect disciples might profit a little, but the major profit remains with the Sect. The Sect could even mandate that disciples undertake tasks with life-threatening risks, essentially turning them into enhanced workers.

However, due to the allure of pursuing immortality and enlightenment, countless people yearn for this enhanced worker opportunity.

If done well, there is a slim chance of becoming core members who enjoy high-level benefits, true disciples of the Cyan Origin Sect, or even part of the true management.

And for Qi Ping to enter the Cultivation Technique Pavilion to learn cultivation knowledge or exchange for techniques, he must earn enough contribution points.

Even though he was evaluated as a pillar by the Heart-Questioning Mirror, he also had to strive to earn enough contribution points through tasks unless the Sect leadership later provided corresponding welfare benefits.

In a question-and-answer exchange, Qi Ping quickly followed Han Li to a more luxurious Immortal Mansion area, where the Spiritual Qi was even more abundant, reaching Tier Two levels.

As it turned out, what was allocated to Qi Ping was none other than the Seventh Immortal Mansion!

"Brother Crow, I’ll leave you here. If you have any questions later, you can use the Communication Talisman to ask me!"

After bringing Qi Ping to the Inner Disciple’s Seventh Immortal Mansion, Han Li was about to leave when he suddenly paused, hesitating to speak. After a moment of indecision, he made up his mind and said:

"Brother Crow, you’ve already cultivated to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, so you must know the rarity of Foundation Establishment resources. The closer the resources are to the Golden Core, the rarer and more precious they become, even in the Cyan Origin Sect..."

"I certainly understand that, Brother Han. Please speak your mind!" Qi Ping said seriously, clasping his fists.

"The competition for resources at this level is very fierce. There is only one slot for each position. Once Brother Crow’s allocation for rare resources comes down, it will surely disrupt the original distribution of interests..."

"And your exchange qualification, according to Sect rules, will definitely be allocated to you. No one can change this, though there might be room for maneuver in quantity. However, even if you get the allocation, Brother Crow will need enough contribution points to exchange for it."

"Moreover, there aren’t many tasks that can earn a large number of contribution points, and they usually come with considerable risks. I once had a senior brother who received the pillar evaluation but perished because of this. So, if Brother Crow plans to undertake such tasks, please be extremely cautious..."