8: Chapter 8: First Glimpse of Talent

Having cultivated for two hours under the Origin Star's 2x time flow, his points increased by 20, leaving a balance of 30.

"System, what's the task for today?" he asked while putting on his Menial Servant uniform.

[Today's Menial Servant assignment has been accessed.]

[Task: Clean the eastern Martial Arts Arena.]

[Duration: Eight hours.]

[Sect Task points: 20 points.]

[Reward: Three Low-Grade Spirit Stones.]

The Martial Arts Arena again.

Lin Muchen picked up his broom and dustpan and pushed the door open to leave.

As dawn broke, people were already moving about in the Zayiyi. He passed through several corridors and walked toward the Martial Arts Arena.

Over a dozen Outer Sect Disciples were already cultivating on the Martial Arts Arena. Sword winds whistled, and fists and kicks cut through the air; it was quite lively.

Lin Muchen began sweeping from the edge of the field, keeping his head down and trying his best not to attract attention.

He was halfway through when a clattering sound came from beside him.

A pile of rubble suddenly scattered, rolling everywhere.

Lin Muchen looked up and saw Wu Hai standing not far away, retracting his foot.

"Oh, my bad." Wu Hai grinned. "I didn't see you sweeping and kicked them by accident."

The expression on his face made it clear it was intentional.

Lin Muchen said nothing, picked up his broom, and began sweeping the rubble.

"You don't mind sweeping it again, do you?" Wu Hai walked over and blocked his path.

Lin Muchen stopped and glanced at Wu Hai.

"I don't mind."

His voice was flat as he continued sweeping.

Wu Hai was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Lin Muchen to be so straightforward. He had originally wanted to find more trouble, but now he was left speechless.

"Hmph, at least you know what's good for you." Wu Hai curled his lips and turned to leave.

Lin Muchen continued sweeping, gathering the rubble into his dustpan piece by piece.

[Martial Arts Arena cleaning task in progress.]

[Additional obstacles encountered; task difficulty increased.]

[Additional points upon completion: +15 points.]

The System's notification sounded.

Lin Muchen's heart stirred.

There was such a good thing?

He swept with even more vigor.

It took nearly two hours to clear away that pile of rubble. Just as he finished, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Not bad."

It was a gruff voice.

Lin Muchen turned and saw Zhao Tieshan standing there, watching him.

Zhao Tieshan was an Outer Sect Elder in his forties, tall with a scar on his face. He was usually responsible for managing Menial Servants and some Outer Sect affairs, and he held high prestige in the Zayiyi.

"Elder Zhao." Lin Muchen put down his broom and bowed.

"Mm." Zhao Tieshan nodded and looked him over. "Your name is Lin Muchen, right? What level of the Qi Refinement Stage are you at?"

"Second level," Lin Muchen answered cautiously.

"Second level?" Zhao Tieshan raised an eyebrow. "From the way you were sweeping just now, your stance was very stable. You don't look like someone who just entered the second level."

Lin Muchen's heart tightened.

"In response to the Elder, this Disciple usually does a lot of work, so I've built up my strength."

"Is that so?" Zhao Tieshan didn't ask further and changed the subject. "In three days, the Outer Sect will hold the Menial Servant Promotion Assessment. Have you signed up?"

"Not yet."

"Go and sign up," Zhao Tieshan said. "Someone who works as steadily as you should Move up."

"Thank you for the guidance, Elder."

Zhao Tieshan waved his hand and turned to leave.

Lin Muchen watched his departing back and breathed a sigh of relief.

"System, what did Elder Zhao mean by that?"

[Analyzing...]

[Zhao Tieshan is cold on the outside but warm on the inside; he often looks after Disciples who are steady and hardworking.]

[He noticed the Host's calm performance and intends to guide you.]

[Suggestion: You may participate in the assessment, but you must control your performance to avoid being too prominent.]

"Understood." Lin Muchen continued sweeping.

He had only swept twice when he heard another voice.

"Wu Hai, are you bullying people again?"

It was a female voice, clear and pleasant.

Lin Muchen looked up and saw Shen Yueru walking over, glaring at Wu Hai nearby.

Shen Yueru was eighteen years old, wearing a green-robed Outer Sect Disciple uniform. She was delicate with bright eyes. She was an Outer Sect Disciple and was said to come from a small cultivation Family with good talent.

"Shen Yueru, what business is it of yours?" Wu Hai's expression turned sour.

"I just can't stand it." Shen Yueru walked to Lin Muchen's side, glanced at him, and then turned back to Wu Hai. "He's sweeping just fine; why are you causing trouble?"

"I'm causing trouble? It was an accident!" Wu Hai stiffened his neck.

"An accident can scatter a whole pile of rubble?" Shen Yueru sneered. "Do you think everyone else is blind?"

"You!" Wu Hai's face turned red.

The two of them began to argue.

Lin Muchen stood to the side and didn't interject.

Soon, Manager Zhou arrived, having heard the noise.

"What's all this shouting!" Manager Zhou was in his sixties, thin with very sharp eyes. "The Martial Arts Arena is a place for cultivation, not for you to argue!"

"Manager Zhou, Wu Hai he..." Shen Yueru tried to speak.

"Enough, enough." Manager Zhou interrupted her. "Wu Hai, go back to your cultivation. Shen Yueru, you should also mind your own business."

He glanced at Lin Muchen, his gaze somewhat profound.

Lin Muchen lowered his head and continued sweeping.

Manager Zhou scolded the two for a few more sentences and then left. Wu Hai gave Shen Yueru and Lin Muchen a fierce glare before leaving as well.

Shen Yueru walked over to Lin Muchen.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Lin Muchen shook his head. "Thank you, Senior Sister Shen."

"Don't mention it." Shen Yueru smiled. "Wu Hai is just like that, always bullying people because he has a bit of a background. Just ignore him."

"Mm."

Shen Yueru said a few more words and then left.

Lin Muchen continued sweeping the rest of the ground.

[Martial Arts Arena cleaning task completed.]

[points gained: 20 points.]

[Additional obstacle completion reward: +15 points.]

[Current remaining points: 65 points.]

After finishing the sweeping, Lin Muchen returned to the Zayiyi.

On the way, the System's notification sounded again.

[Warning: Manager Zhou's behavior is abnormal.]

[Analysis: He appeared to scold Wu Hai on the surface, but in reality, he observed the Host's reactions multiple times.]

[Conclusion: Manager Zhou may have developed suspicions toward the Host; caution is required.]

"I know," Lin Muchen said.

Returning to his quarters, he closed the door.

"System, settle today's total points."

[Settling...]

[Today's total points: 45 points.]

[Current point balance: 75 points.]

"How is the Origin Star doing now?"

[Origin Star Status:]

[Black Iron Ant Colony size: 150 ants.]

[Ecological Completion: 6%.]

[Suggestion: You can exchange for basic spirit soil to improve the soil quality.]

"Exchange for one portion of basic spirit soil."

[Exchange successful.]

[points consumed: 50 points.]

[Current remaining points: 25 points.]

[basic spirit soil has been deployed to the Origin Star.]

Lin Muchen's consciousness sank into his Dantian to take a look.

On the Origin Star, the area of basic spirit soil had expanded slightly, and the surrounding weeds were growing more lushly. The Black Iron Ant Colony was busy scurrying in and out of the basic spirit soil.

[Ecological Completion +1%.]

[Current Ecological Completion: 7%.]

[Physical Body Strength cumulative increase: 0.35.]

[Cultivation Speed Bonus: Approximately 55%.]

Exiting his internal inspection, Lin Muchen began to Cultivate.

Two hours later, his points increased by another 20, leaving a balance of 45.

He had just finished cultivating when he heard a knock at the door.

"Is Lin Muchen there? Elder Zhao is looking for you."

Lin Muchen opened the door; it was a Menial Servant messenger.

He followed the messenger to Zhao Tieshan's place.

Zhao Tieshan was in a small courtyard, drinking tea.

"You're here?" Zhao Tieshan pointed to the stool opposite him. "Sit."

Lin Muchen sat down.

"How are your preparations for the assessment in three days?" Zhao Tieshan asked.

"This Disciple will do his best."

"Mm." Zhao Tieshan took a sip of tea. "The assessment is divided into three parts: Cultivation Level Test, Basic Cultivation Technique Demonstration, and Heart-Nature Examination. Your cultivation is sufficient, but what about your techniques? What do you know?"

"I only know the Basic Breathing Technique," Lin Muchen said.

"That won't do." Zhao Tieshan shook his head. "The assessment requires a demonstration of an offensive Cultivation Technique; you must know at least one set of fist or sword techniques. Spend the next few days practicing hard; even if you only know a few Moves, it will suffice."

"Yes."

"Also," Zhao Tieshan looked at him, "during the assessment, someone might try to trip you up. Be careful."

Lin Muchen's heart stirred.

"Thank you for the warning, Elder."

By the time he left Zhao Tieshan's place, the sky was nearly dark.

Lin Muchen was walking back when he was called out to halfway.

"Lin Muchen."

It was Shen Yueru.

She was standing by the roadside, seemingly waiting specifically for him.

"Senior Sister Shen."

"Elder Zhao spoke to you about the assessment, right?" Shen Yueru asked.

"He did."

"Let me tell you what to look out for." Shen Yueru lowered her voice. "During the assessment, the Cultivation Level Test uses a Spirit Testing Stone, so it cannot be faked. For the Basic Cultivation Technique Demonstration, you must know at least three coherent Moves, or you won't pass. The Heart-Nature Examination is the most troublesome; it might involve an Illusion Array test, so just keep your mind steady."

Lin Muchen listened intently.

"Also," Shen Yueru looked around, her voice even lower, "I heard that Wu Hai and Manager Zhou are very close. Be careful; they might play tricks during the assessment."

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Lin Muchen thanked her sincerely.

"Don't mention it." Shen Yueru smiled. "I see that you're a steady person and don't want you to be tricked by them. Prepare well; once you pass the assessment, we'll be fellow Disciples."

She waved her hand and left.

Lin Muchen returned to his quarters and closed the door.

"System, I have 45 points now. What can I exchange for to deal with the assessment?"

[Recommended exchange: Basic Fist Technique Manual (Incomplete Manual).]

[Exchange price: 40 points.]

[Content: Contains three coherent fist Moves, suitable for quick results in the short term.]

"Exchange."

[Exchange successful.]

[points consumed: 40 points.]

[Current remaining points: 5 points.]

[Basic Fist Technique Manual (Incomplete Manual) has been stored in the System Space.]

Lin Muchen's consciousness sank into the Origin Star, and he began practicing the fist technique under the 2x time flow.

The three fist Moves: Straight Punch, Swing Punch, and Uppercut. Combined, they formed a simple combo.

He practiced for an entire night.

By dawn, the three fist Moves already looked the part.

[Basic Fist Technique Mastery Level: Entry-level.]

[Combat Power: Approximately 30% of the original.]

[Sufficient for the assessment demonstration.]

Lin Muchen exited his internal inspection and opened his eyes.

It was light out.

The assessment was in three days.

Wu Hai and Manager Zhou were scheming in the shadows.

He clenched his fists.

He had 5 points left.

Origin Star Ecological Completion was at 7%.

Physical Body Strength was at 0.35.

Three fist Moves.

"It's enough," he said to himself.