Cultivation is just so scientific!

"Today marks the end of the newcomer period, and to the thirty-two disciples who have condensed a Spiritual Energy Vortex, congratulations on becoming apprentice disciples of our sect. Representatives from the Eight Peaks will come to choose among you, and you may refuse if selected," Zhu Ji said with a serious expression as he looked at the thirty-two Qi Refining disciples standing before him.

Aside from joining the Eight Peaks, if you have a secondary profession, you may apply to rent a cave dwelling within the sect's sea domain," he continued.

"Besides the mandatory tasks assigned annually, other tasks serve as crucial means for you to earn good deeds. If you want to become stronger, take on tasks!" Zhu Ji said sternly to the disciples in front of him.

He paid no attention to the eighty or so others behind them, as those individuals would become servant disciples.

Servant disciples could at least stay within the sect, and in an environment rich in Spiritual Energy, slowly proceed by just spending time, but their future prospects were almost nonexistent.

Li Shiming had inquired from Zhu Ji that each of the Eight Peaks specialized in different areas. Entering any peak required the completion of daily tasks set by the peak, and only after these tasks could one have personal time.

The perks of the Eight Peaks were similar; there was a monthly sermon, sometimes delivered by late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and sometimes even by Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Moreover, the Eight Peaks also provided opportunities to learn a secondary profession. In the process of continuously completing tasks within a peak, one would encounter respective secondary professions.

If one possessed talent in a secondary profession, there was a definite chance to master it.

This was extremely beneficial for newcomers who lacked any foundation, and the majority of them would choose to join the Eight Peaks.

However, Li Shiming had his own plans as he needed ample time and space to pursue his personal matters.
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He did not need to learn a secondary profession, as he already possessed two at novice level: Junior Spirit Plant Cultivator and Talisman Maker. Though basic, these were sufficient in the early to mid stages of Qi Refinement.

Zhu Ji said no more, and the newcomers standing below dare not move.

They waited nearly two hours before a cultivator walked in from outside.

Zhu Ji sighed inwardly upon seeing the incoming cultivator.

The Eight Peaks were named according to the Eight Diagrams, and the one who came was a low-level steward from Qian Peak, showing that Qian Peak was not very interested in the newcomers this time.

Soon, cultivators from the other peaks arrived, all low-level stewards, with not even one senior steward who could take charge present.

Within the sect, low-level stewards were late-stage Qi Refining cultivators with no hope of promotion, serving the sect to gain certain resources.

Some of these stewards served for the sake of their progeny or families, while many had no relatives left, with the sect being their only home, staying until they faded into oblivion.

If properly cared for, a Qi Refining cultivator could live past 150 years, by which age almost two generations of ordinary humans would have died.

All the Qi Refining new disciples gathered near the eight low-level stewards, hoping to choose them at the first opportunity.

Yet, Li Shiming approached Zhu Ji's side, and Zhu Ji glanced at him without surprise.

Li Shiming was acquainted with Junior Master Cui, who might have made arrangements for him.

"Senior brother, I would like to test for Junior Spirit Plant Cultivator first, before deciding my path!" Li Shiming said to Zhu Ji.

"You are well-prepared, alright. Once this is over, I'll take you there," Zhu Ji replied with a smile and a nod.

Normally, once he had handed over his duties, his task of leading the newcomers would have been considered complete, but he saw potential in Li Shiming and decided to make a connection. Spending a little time to help him was a trivial effort, and why not do it if it benefits both?

The low-level stewards of the Eight Peaks were indifferent in their attitude. They didn't particularly despise anything, since these apprentice disciples were simply adding to the ranks of the lower disciples.

As for Li Shiming, who had already reached the third level of Qi Refinement before his novice period, they didn't even know of his existence.

Even if they had known, a disciple with a common spirit root of three types was nothing rare in the Eight Peaks, and it wasn't enough to warrant their personal invitations.

On the first floor, the disciple candidates in the Qi Refinement Realm were divided among the Eight Peaks. Those newcomers who hadn't reached the first level of Qi Refinement were taken away by the stewards of the servant disciples.

From then on, the fates of these two groups diverged: some were joyful, others were sorrowful; some resigned, and some felt numb.

Li Shiming followed Master Zhu on a paper crane, heading toward Xun Peak, which specialized in Spirit Plants.

The paper crane landed in front of a green, mist-enshrouded pavilion named Thunder Rain Pavilion. Li Shiming felt the vitality in the surrounding Spiritual Energy, a sensation only experienced after the "Spring Breeze and Rain Skill" had been cast.

The life vitality contained in the Spiritual Energy of Xun Peak was so potent that one might not even need to use the "Spring Breeze and Rain Skill" to grow Spirit Rice here; a spirit field alone would suffice for its growth.

Little did he know, each spirit field on Xun Peak was of intermediate quality or higher; it wouldn't be used to grow mere Spirit Rice.

"Greetings to Master Cheng!" Upon entering the Thunder Rain Pavilion, Zhu Ji stepped forward and saluted the elder cultivator inside.

Li Shiming quickly bowed in respect, not expecting that within the Thunder Rain Pavilion there would be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"What do you need?" Master Cheng glanced at the two and asked.

"This disciple wishes to be assessed for the Junior Spirit Plant Cultivator!" Li Shiming maintained his bow as he responded.

"Display the basic spirit plant cultivator spell then!" Master Cheng said without any further ado.

Li Shiming channeled his Spiritual Power, drawing a rune in the air, and instantly dense clouds accumulated, forming a rain cloud roughly a hundred square meters in size within the hall.

Before the rain started to fall, Master Cheng waved his hand, and the rain cloud dispersed.

"The true essence of the 'Spring Breeze and Rain Skill' isn't handed down by our sect, but your proficiency and the essences you've captured are no inferior to those of the sect. Well done!" Master Cheng showed a hint of interest and commented.

The 'Spring Breeze and Rain Skill' was the spell Li Shiming used most frequently. In the space of the machine room, seventy square meters by four of Spirit Rice, spirit tea trees, and spirit bamboo required the 'Spirit Rain' from the 'Spring Breeze and Rain Skill' daily.

"Master Cheng's observation is sharp indeed. Junior Li has only recently joined the sect, and he learned his spirit plant cultivation skills outside the sect!" Zhu Ji said with a smile, offering praise.

"Anything else?" Master Cheng ignored Zhu Ji's words and spoke to Li Shiming.

Li Shiming then performed the 'Geng Metal Skill' and the 'Earth Spirit Technique.' Since he needed to make a 'Primary Geng Metal Talisman,' his proficiency with the 'Geng Metal Skill' was adequate, but his execution of the 'Earth Spirit Technique' was considerably slower.

"Bring your Identity Jade Disc here. You've passed the Junior Spirit Plant Cultivator assessment!" Master Cheng nodded.

Li Shiming took out his Identity Jade Disc and handed it over. Master Cheng didn't take it; instead, he cast a spell on it.

He saw a small tree icon appear on the Identity Jade Disc; this must be the identity marker for a Junior Spirit Plant Cultivator.

"Go now. Being a Junior Spirit Plant Cultivator is just the beginning. I hope the next time I see you, it will be for your Intermediate Spirit Plant Cultivator assessment!" Master Cheng waved his hand and said.