"Could it be because I refused all the olive branches extended by the three major factions of the Cyan Origin Sect, and now there’s no faction’s higher-ups willing to fight for this tricky resource for me?"
"But according to the regulations of the Cyan Origin Sect, those who receive a ’pillar of support’ rating must be given resource preference. Can the sect’s higher-ups already ignore the sect regulations? Or are they going to employ some delaying tactic again?"
Because in the past two months, Qi Ping had already communicated with a large number of sect disciples and had become more familiar with the Cyan Origin Sect than many of the disciples. Thus, at this moment, Qi Ping was able to perceive the strangeness of this situation, something that had never occurred before!
"Could it be that resources for the late-stage Foundation Establishment are really in such short supply? Or has something unforeseen happened?"
Moreover, no Golden Core Cultivator has come forward to resolve this matter in accordance with sect regulations!
The deeper meaning here is rather thought-provoking; letting high-talent disciples with a ’pillar of support’ rating die previously, and now giving the cold shoulder to high-talent disciples with the same rating— is this not a case of bad money driving out good?
This left Qi Ping utterly disappointed with the current higher-ups of the Cyan Origin Sect.
Qi Ping was not truly concerned about those resources; what he truly cared about was the privilege to exchange for rare cultivation techniques and knowledge, and the levels of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion he could access.
Only by obtaining higher privileges could Qi Ping view more valuable cultivation knowledge! That’s what Qi Ping cared about the most!
"Forget it. Since that’s the case, I’ll just treat myself as an ordinary inner disciple for the time being!"
"First, take on tasks to earn contribution points, and then view the knowledge available to inner disciples; at worst, I’ll use contribution points to promote my level later..."
After all, what Qi Ping truly cared about was the knowledge within the Cyan Origin Sect, especially the knowledge concerning Water and Fire, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements. This was key for Qi Ping to build a Yin-Yang foundation and condense a Yin-Yang Golden Core.
"As long as I gain sufficient foundational knowledge, I can buy some Yin and Yang attribute Spirit Wood and Yin Yang Technique from the Mysterious Black Market. Using the talent of the ’Plant Monarch’ to accelerate my understanding of true Yin and Yang essence, building a Yin-Yang foundation and condensing a Yin-Yang Golden Core won’t be much of a problem..."
Having clarified his future direction, Qi Ping decided no longer to pay attention to the affairs of the Cyan Origin Sect’s higher-ups.
Instead of waiting for others’ pity, it’s better to carve out a path for oneself!
As long as he doesn’t violate the sect’s regulations, the Cyan Origin Sect won’t expel him; he’ll just be unpopular. There are many such people in the Cyan Origin Sect.
Moreover, within the Cyan Origin Sect, there are also higher-ups who protect these disciples who are loyal to the Cyan Origin Sect but not engaged in factionalism; however, their power isn’t enough to seize the distribution rights of the cake from these factions.
...
After making his decision, Qi Ping prepared a comprehensive plan and contingency strategy, then stopped caring about other matters and immediately departed from the Seventh Immortal Mansion of the inner sect, heading straight to the Task Hall of the Cyan Origin Sect!
Qi Ping’s actions naturally attracted the attention of many interested individuals.
Due to Qi Ping’s top-grade talent and the evaluation from the Heart-Questioning Mirror, nearly every inner disciple in the Cyan Origin Sect knew of Qi Ping’s existence.
As they wondered which faction Qi Ping would join, they instead received news of Qi Ping rejecting all olive branches!
This move caused quite a stir among the inner disciples of the Cyan Origin Sect.
Yet another person with a ’pillar of support’ rating chose to reject all factions!
In the last hundred years, there have been two such individuals with such talent and high Heart-Questioning Mirror evaluations in the Cyan Origin Sect, and both made the same choice!
So everyone gradually realized, maybe it’s not because they were foolish, but precisely because of their special mindset that they could receive a high evaluation from the Heart-Questioning Mirror!
"What a pity! Born at an unfortunate time. If born a hundred years or more earlier, they would undoubtedly receive focused cultivation, but now it can only be said that there is a path to self-destruction!"
That’s what most people thought.
After all, whether it was Qi Ping or the previously deceased person with a ’pillar of support’ rating, joining any faction would have ensured sufficient protection and cultivation support; the Golden Core Realm might have been within reach!
Compared to becoming a Golden Core Great Cultivator, what do a contract and a Heavenly Dao Oath matter? Why is this person so stubborn?
How many people have begged for these things without success!
They were unaware that the Heavenly Dao Oath would affect Qi Ping’s main body, while the death of the Tree-man Clone would hardly impact Qi Ping.
For this reason, even those who previously called Qi Ping a brother directly kept their distance from Qi Ping.
They avoided him like the plague, fearing to be innocently involved.
Some were better; though they kept their distance from Qi Ping, their eyes were full of helplessness and regret. Simultaneously, their eyes contained a hint of admonition; they still hoped for Qi Ping’s well-being, but for their self-preservation, they dared not take risks.
However, there were also people who didn’t care about these matters, treating Qi Ping as before and genuinely considering Qi Ping a friend, but such individuals were ultimately in the minority.
The warmth and coldness of human relationships were vividly displayed at this moment.
Qi Ping felt quite helpless about this; he understood everyone’s choices, but experiencing it personally did make it somewhat difficult.
However, Qi Ping didn’t mind much. Such is the nature of the world, and this experience could be considered a honing of his Dao Heart.
What he truly pursued was the Immortal Dao and eternal life; all these current issues are but episodes along his path to longevity!
With this mindset, a white-clad Qi Ping, with unwavering determination, entered the Task Hall of the Cyan Origin Sect. This path ultimately had to be ventured by himself.
Although it was Qi Ping’s first time here, he wasn’t too unfamiliar, for he had long known all the details through communication with others.
Qi Ping ignored the peculiar gazes of others, proceeding straight to the task board, seriously searching for suitable tasks for himself.
"Guardian of Spirit Fields, Spirit Beast Rearing—forget about these types of tasks. They’re time-consuming and labor-intensive, not to mention they offer few contribution points..."
If it were Qi Ping’s main body, he would surely choose to develop discreetly, but the Tree-man Clone didn’t need to do so.
"I’ll look directly for tasks that offer more contributions!"
"Reward for the slaughter of a demonic butcher at the late-stage Foundation Establishment; not bad..."
"Exterminate the Huang Family, who practice cannibalism secretly and are suspected of colluding with the Demon Sect... this one works too!"
"Exterminate a batch of Foundation Establishment Demonic Insects hiding in the Black Mountain Range... I’ll take this one too!"
...
"These three tasks first!"
"Once completed, I can enter the Cultivation Technique Pavilion to study for a while; gaining knowledge is what matters most..."
After scanning the list, Qi Ping found several high-contribution but highly dangerous tasks among those for Foundation Establishment cultivators!
Although they’re dangerous, only these tasks can meet Qi Ping’s need for contribution points.
"But with my current strength, handling them shouldn’t be a problem..."