Seeing Qi Yuan's "obedient" demeanor, Daoist Hengzhen didn't continue lecturing him. Instead, he shifted the topic and slowly said: "This world is vast, and the number of cultivators is as countless as the sands of the Ganges. Yet, those who can form an Elemental Infant are one in ten thousand. Countless geniuses have failed at this juncture, leaving only regret.

Your pill formation is of the highest grade, so breaking through to the Elemental Infant stage shouldn't be a problem. However, even among Elemental Infants, there are distinctions, and the differences are as vast as heaven and earth.

According to the sacred land's records, Elemental Infants are divided into five grades: Dao Xiu Elemental Infant, Purple Palace Elemental Infant, Upper Clarity Elemental Infant, Divine Radiance Elemental Infant, and the legendary Heavenly Dao Elemental Infant.

The lowest grade, Dao Xiu Elemental Infant, has impure spiritual power. Those who form this infant have no hope of further advancement and are thus called 'Dao Xiu.'

The Purple Palace Elemental Infant is slightly better, with about a twenty percent chance of advancing to Divine Transformation. The Upper Clarity Elemental Infant is above the Purple Palace, with a fifty percent chance of achieving Divine Transformation."

Daoist Hengzhen paused before continuing: "My own Elemental Infant was of the higher Divine Radiance grade. Those who form this type have at least an eighty percent chance of achieving Divine Transformation, with limitless potential in their Dao path.

As for the Heavenly Dao Elemental Infant... it has only appeared a few times throughout history, possessed by those favored by destiny. I have never seen one in this world.

Your senior brother, Lu Changfeng, had greater aptitude than I, but he was led astray by romantic entanglements, allowing inner demons to take hold. He only managed to form an Upper Clarity Elemental Infant, ultimately falling short."

At this point, Daoist Hengzhen gave Qi Yuan a meaningful glance.

"Take this lesson to heart and learn from it.

I went against many opinions to have you assume the position of Dao Child before breaking through to the Elemental Infant stage. This is to help you eliminate distractions, strengthen your Dao heart, and advance courageously into the Elemental Infant realm.

Remember, apart from you, the yet-to-form Elemental Infant Dao Child of the Supreme Profound Sacred Land, all other Dao Children and Saintesses of the sacred lands have formed Divine Radiance Elemental Infants..."

Hearing these words of implicit warning, Qi Yuan couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart and nodded in agreement: "Yes, disciple understands."

His master's intentions were clear. As the Dao Child of the Supreme Profound Sacred Land, if he couldn't form a Divine Radiance Elemental Infant, his position might not be secure.

The path to immortality is one of survival of the fittest.

Qi Yuan achieved his current status by defeating one talented competitor after another.

As a Dao Child, he not only faces the overt and covert challenges of many talented disciples within the sacred land but also has to compete with the Dao Children and Saintesses of other sacred lands in debates and contests of Dao!

At this moment, Daoist Hengzhen seemed to remember the purpose of summoning Qi Yuan and lightly coughed: "Qi Yuan, I have recently gained some insights into the Dao and will soon enter seclusion for a period.

I summoned you here intending to have you learn from Hall Master Xu how to manage sect affairs. However, since you are about to form your Elemental Infant, it's better to focus on your cultivation, so this matter is set aside."

Thank goodness!

Hearing this, Qi Yuan immediately felt relieved.

Being sent to the Inner Affairs Hall for an internship would have been troublesome. The tasks there are complex, and he likely wouldn't be able to extricate himself to complete his current system tasks.

Though the position in the Inner Affairs Hall is high and influential, for Qi Yuan, it's a quagmire. Even if he achieves results, there would be no credit, and any mistake would invite criticism, making it a thankless task.

The rules of the Supreme Profound Sacred Land are strict, and as the newly appointed Dao Child, he is under intense scrutiny. Many are waiting for him to make a mistake.

With this in mind, he quickly said: "Disciple wishes to travel the world, comprehend the Heavenly Dao, temper myself, and seek the opportunity to form my Elemental Infant. I hope Master will grant permission."

"Hmm?"

Daoist Hengzhen first frowned slightly, then relaxed, saying calmly, "Very well. It's hard to achieve greatness behind closed doors. It's not a bad idea for you to go out and see the world. While traveling, be cautious in all things. If you encounter danger beyond your ability, do not act recklessly. Retreat and let the elders of the sect handle it afterward. Do you understand?"

"Disciple will heed Master's teachings."

Qi Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

With his master's words, he could freely leave to complete system tasks and, when facing strong enemies, legitimately call for reinforcements from the Supreme Profound Sacred Land.

In the cultivation world, aside from one's own cultivation, background often matters.

Fortunately, his background is quite strong...

***

More than ten days later.

Eastern Divine Region.

Outside Puzhou City lies the Azure Mist Mountain, stretching for thousands of miles. Its peaks are majestic, and it is rich in resources, producing various birds, beasts, and rare herbs, sustaining countless hunters and herbalists.

At this moment, outside a secluded valley deep in Azure Mist Mountain, a crowd of hundreds of young boys and girls had gathered.

These youths were dressed differently, with vastly different backgrounds. Some wore tattered clothes and had a humble demeanor, while others were in luxurious attire, clearly from privileged backgrounds. All of them looked excitedly towards the valley entrance, anticipation written all over their faces.

"Didn't they say the Falling Cloud Sect was recruiting disciples? Why is there no movement? I'm almost out of rations. If it doesn't start soon, I'll be starving."

A short boy in gray clothes couldn't help but complain.

The dark-skinned boy next to him sighed, looking worried: "I heard the Falling Cloud Sect's assessment is extremely strict, eliminating over ninety percent of participants each time. Those who remain can only start as servant disciples, not even outer disciples. I wonder if I can last till the end..."

As they spoke, a wealthy-looking chubby boy glanced at them disdainfully, his tone full of contempt: "If you can't endure, then leave. You lowly people have no right to cultivate immortality anyway. You'll be eliminated eventually, so save this young master the trouble and quit early."

"You..."

The gray-clothed boy turned red with anger, wanting to argue but intimidated by the burly servants behind the chubby boy, he dared not act out and could only turn away with a grunt.

The dark-skinned boy was indignant, shouting: "Wang Luchuan, I know your family is powerful, but cultivation depends on spiritual roots and talent. Who's to say who's better? Why do you look down on us?"

Hearing this, the chubby boy named Wang Luchuan wasn't angry. Instead, he chuckled and beckoned to a pretty girl nearby: "Liu Yingying, tell Lin Zhen, whose talent is better, mine or theirs?"

The pretty girl trembled, biting her lip in hesitation, but eventually lowered her head and softly replied: "Brother Wang had his spiritual roots tested before coming. He has dual wood and water spiritual roots, a rare cultivation genius."

Her words caused a stir among the onlookers.

Dual spiritual roots!

Such talent is exceedingly rare among mortals, promising a bright future.

If Liu Yingying's words were true, Wang Luchuan would not only easily join the Falling Cloud Sect but also be highly valued and groomed as a future core disciple.

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Amidst the envious and respectful gazes, Wang Luchuan walked over, pulling Liu Yingying into his arms, puffing out his chest, and arrogantly declared: "Trash, let me tell you, your childhood sweetheart fiancée is now my woman. You'd better stay away from her, or I'll break your legs."

Liu Yingying struggled but couldn't break free, burying her face in Wang Luchuan's chest in shame.

"Yingying, is it true?"

Seeing the girl not denying it, Lin Zhen's face showed a mix of pain and anger, clenching his fists, his body trembling, eyes almost spitting fire.

He and Liu Yingying were childhood sweethearts, engaged since young, with both families in agreement, waiting for them to come of age to marry.

Now, seeing his beloved in another's arms was a huge blow to him.

Liu Yingying raised her head, a hint of determination in her eyes: "Lin Zhen, I've pledged myself to Brother Wang. Our engagement is off. Please don't bother me anymore."

"I see."

Lin Zhen stood there dazed, then suddenly let out a bitter laugh, slowly stepping back.

Then, looking somewhat lost, he turned and began to leave, seemingly giving up on the entrance assessment.

Seeing this, Wang Luchuan laughed triumphantly, then said meaningfully: "Lin Zhen is destined for a short life. Walking alone in the wilderness, he might be taken by a demonic beast, becoming a wandering ghost. It won't be my fault."

"Young master is right. That brat won't last long."

The servants behind him immediately understood, grinning viciously as they watched Lin Zhen leave.

Realizing something, Liu Yingying's face turned pale, wanting to plead, but Wang Luchuan's glare silenced her.

In a secluded corner of the crowd, Qi Yuan watched the drama unfold with interest, feeling no emotional stir.

To conceal his identity, Qi Yuan had altered his appearance before coming. Now, he had an ordinary face, the kind that would blend into a crowd unnoticed.

Thus, compared to other candidates, he was only slightly older, with nothing else noteworthy.

Though the boy named Lin Zhen was in dire straits, possibly facing life-threatening danger, it was a personal matter, unrelated to him, a mere bystander.

Before completing his task, Qi Yuan didn't want any complications.

Besides, with so many gathered outside the sect, Falling Cloud Valley would surely monitor the area closely. Everything happening here wouldn't escape the cultivators' notice. Since the hosts didn't intervene, he had no reason to meddle.

Just then, Qi Yuan's task system interface appeared before him:

[Special event encountered, hidden side quest activated:]

 

[The child of destiny, Lin Zhen, is at his lowest point. The host can choose to step forward and save him from danger.]

 

[Task difficulty: Two stars (Easy)]

 

[Task objective: Rescue the child of destiny, Lin Zhen, from a group of thuggish servants and form a good relationship with the future child of destiny.]

 

[Task reward: 50 Counterattack Points, 200 lower-grade spirit stones, and a certain increase in fortune.]

 

[Note: This side quest can be abandoned with no penalty for failure.]

Increase in fortune?

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up instantly.

Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity!

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan