Only a fool would pass up such a good opportunity.

Seeing Qi Yuan's "now-obedient" appearance, Daoist Hengzhen didn't continue his lecture but changed the subject and said slowly:

"This world is vast, and those who Cultivate the Dao are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, endless. Yet, those who can form a Nascent Soul are not even one in ten thousand. I know not how many geniuses have failed at this final hurdle, leaving only regret."

"Your Core is of the highest grade, so breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage won't be much of a problem. However, Nascent Souls are also divided into different ranks, and the difference between them is like heaven and earth."

"According to the Holy Land's ancient records, a Cultivator's Nascent Soul is divided into five ranks: the Daoxiu Nascent Soul, the Zifu Nascent Soul, the Shangqing Nascent Soul, the Shenhua Nascent Soul, and the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, which only exists in legends."

"The lowest rank, the Daoxiu Nascent Soul, has spiritual energy that is mixed and impure. For those who form this soul, their path to the Dao is finished, and there is no possibility of further promotion in the future. Thus, it is called 'Daoxiu' (Dao-End)."

"The Zifu Nascent Soul is slightly better. Those who form it have about a twenty percent chance of advancing to Soul Transformation. The Shangqing Nascent Soul is above the Zifu Nascent Soul; those who possess it have hope for the immortal path, with a fifty percent chance of Soul Transformation."

Daoist Hengzhen paused for a moment before continuing:

"The Nascent Soul your Revered Master once condensed was the even higher-ranked Shenhua Nascent Soul. Those who form such a Nascent Soul have at least an eighty percent chance of achieving Soul Transformation, and their future path is limitless."

"As for the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul... only a few cases have appeared throughout history. They were all individuals blessed by destiny. Your Revered Master has never seen one in the current world."

"Your Eldest Senior Brother Lu Changfeng's Aptitude was even higher than mine, but because he was blinded by romantic love, a Heart Demon took advantage of him. Later, he only managed to form a Shangqing Nascent Soul, which was ultimately a step below."

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

"Facing such a lesson, you must take it as a warning."

"This time, your Revered Master overrode all objections to let you succeed the position of Dao Child before your Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage. This was to allow you to break through interference, strengthen your Dao Heart, and step into the Nascent Soul realm with an unstoppable and courageous momentum."

"You should know that, except for you, the Dao Child of Tai Xuan who has yet to form a soul, the Dao Children and Saintesses of other Holy Lands have all condensed Shenhua Nascent Souls..."

Hearing this implicitly cautionary remark, Qi Yuan's heart tightened, and he nodded in agreement:

"Yes, this Disciple has committed it to memory."

His Revered Master's meaning was very clear. As the Dao Child of the Taixuan Holy Land, if he could not condense a Shenhua Nascent Soul, his position would likely not be very secure.

The road to Immortal Ascension was originally a process of sifting through sand for gold, survival of the fittest.

Qi Yuan was able to achieve his current status only after defeating one talented competitor after another.

As a Dao Child, he not only had to face the overt and covert scrutiny and challenges from many Genius Disciples within the Holy Land but also had to compete and debate with the Dao Children and Saintesses of other Holy Lands!

At this moment, Daoist Hengzhen seemed to remember the purpose of summoning Qi Yuan and immediately cleared his throat:

"Qi Yuan, your Revered Master has gained some insights into the Great Dao over the past few days and will soon go into seclusion for a period of time."

"I summoned you here originally intending to have you follow Hall Revered Master Xu to learn how to manage Sect affairs. However, since your soul formation is imminent, it is better for you to focus on your Cultivation. We shall drop this matter."

Fortunately!

Hearing this, Qi Yuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

If he were sent to the Internal Affairs Hall for an internship now, it would be a real hassle. The affairs there were complex, and there was a high probability he wouldn't be able to get away to complete his current System tasks.

Although a position in the Internal Affairs Hall was powerful and prestigious, it was a muddy mess for Qi Yuan. Even if he achieved results, there would be no credit, and if any mistake was made, it would likely invite immediate criticism. It was completely thankless work.

The Taixuan Holy Land had strict rules, and as the newly appointed Dao Child, he was the center of attention. He didn't know how many people were dissatisfied and waiting for him to make a mistake.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly said:

"This Disciple wishes to travel the world to experience it, while also gaining insights into the Heavenly Dao, tempering myself, and seeking an opportunity to form my Nascent Soul. I hope Revered Master will grant permission."

"Hmm?"

Daoist Hengzhen first frowned slightly, then his expression relaxed as he said calmly, "Very well. Working behind closed doors will never lead to great things. There is no harm in you going out for a walk."

"When traveling abroad, be careful in all things. If you encounter danger and are no match for it, do not try to be brave or competitive. You must retreat in time and leave it to the Sect elders to handle afterward. Do you understand?"

"This Disciple will strictly follow Revered Master's teachings."

Qi Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

With these words from his Revered Master, he could not only go out to do System tasks as he pleased but also had a legitimate reason to call for backup from the Taixuan Holy Land when encountering strong enemies.

To survive in the Cultivation World, besides one's own cultivation, one often had to rely on their background.

Fortunately, his background was very strong... More than ten days later.

Eastern Divine Region.

Outside Puzhou City, there was a thousand-mile-long Canglan Mountain. Its peaks were majestic, and it was rich in resources, producing various birds, beasts, mountain delicacies, and medicinal herbs, supporting countless hunters and herb gatherers.

At this time, outside a secluded valley deep in Canglan Mountain, a crowd of hundreds of young men and women had gathered.

These teenagers were dressed differently, and their family backgrounds were worlds apart. Some were in rags with a humble air, while others were in silk robes, accustomed to privilege. All the youths looked toward the valley entrance with excitement, their faces full of anticipation.

"Didn't they say the Luoyun Sect was recruiting Disciples? Why is there still no movement?"

"The dry rations I brought are almost gone. If it doesn't start soon, I'm afraid I'll go hungry."

A short boy wearing grey cloth clothes couldn't help but complain.

The dark-skinned boy next to him also sighed and said with a worried face:

"It's said that the Luoyun Immortal Sect's assessment is extremely strict. Each time, more than ninety percent of the people are eliminated. Those who stay can only start as Utility Disciples, not even counting as Outer Sect Disciples. I don't know if I can hold on until the end..."

As the two spoke, a fat boy dressed in expensive clothes glanced at them with disdain, his tone full of contempt:

"If you can't hold on, then get lost already. You poor, low-class people aren't qualified to Cultivate anyway. You'll be eliminated eventually, so withdrawing early will save me the eyesore."

"You..."

The grey-clad boy's face flushed with anger. He wanted to step forward to argue but was intimidated by the burly servants behind the fat boy. He didn't dare to lash out and finally just snorted and turned his head away.

The dark-faced boy, however, was full of indignation and said angrily:

"Wang Luchuan, I know your family is prominent, but cultivation depends on Spiritual Root talent. It's not certain who is better or worse, so why do you look down on us!"

Hearing this, the fat boy named Wang Luchuan was not angry. Instead, he chuckled and crooked his finger at a pretty girl nearby:

"Liu Yingying, you tell Lin Zhen, is my Aptitude better, or is theirs?"

The pretty girl's body trembled. She bit her thin lips with a conflicted expression, finally lowered her head, and replied softly:

"Brother Wang already had an immortal Revered Master test him before coming. He possesses Wood-Water Dual Spiritual Roots and is considered a one-in-a-ten-thousand cultivation Genius."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding crowd of teenagers immediately went into an uproar.

Dual Spiritual Roots!

This kind of talent was a rarity among Mortals, and his future was clearly boundless.

If Liu Yingying's words were true, Wang Luchuan would not only easily join the Luoyun Sect but would also be highly valued and trained as a future True Disciple.

Under the envious and awe-struck gazes of the crowd, Wang Luchuan stepped forward, pulled Liu Yingying into his arms, puffed out his chest, and said arrogantly:

"Trash, I'm not afraid to tell you: your childhood sweetheart and fiancée is now my woman. You'd better stay away from her in the future, or I'll break your legs."

The girl Liu Yingying struggled twice but couldn't break free, so she could only hide her face in Wang Luchuan's chest in shame.

"Yingying, is what he said true?"

Seeing that the girl didn't deny it, a complex expression of pain and indignation appeared on Lin Zhen's face. He clenched his fists, his whole body trembling, and his eyes almost spitting fire.

He and Liu Yingying were childhood sweethearts, betrothed since childhood. Their families had a mutual understanding that they would marry once they became adults.

Now, seeing his beloved in another's arms with his own eyes was a huge shock to him.

Liu Yingying looked up, a flash of determination in her eyes:

"Lin Zhen, I have already pledged my life to Brother Wang. Let's cancel our engagement. Please do not harass me anymore."

"So that's how it is."

Lin Zhen stood there dazed. After a long while, he suddenly gave a miserable smile and slowly stepped back.

Then, looking somewhat dejected, he turned around and began to walk away, actually intending to give up on this entrance assessment.

Seeing this, Wang Luchuan laughed triumphantly and then said meaningfully:

"This kid Lin Zhen was born with a lowly life and thin fortune. Walking through the wild mountains alone, who knows if some Yao Beast might snatch him away. If he becomes a wandering ghost then, he can't blame me."

"What the Young Revered Master says is true. I think this little brat won't be hopping around for much longer."

The servants behind him immediately understood, looking at the direction Lin Zhen was leaving with cruel smiles.

Realizing something, Liu Yingying's face turned pale. She wanted to plead for mercy, but she was glared back into silence by Wang Luchuan.

In a remote corner of the crowd, Qi Yuan was watching this exciting drama with interest, his heart completely calm.

To hide his identity, Qi Yuan had specially disguised himself before coming. At this moment, he had an ordinary face, the kind that wouldn't stand out in a crowd.

Therefore, compared to the other candidates participating in the assessment, he had nothing noteworthy about him, except for appearing slightly older.

Although the boy named Lin Zhen was miserable to the extreme and might even be in Mortal danger, at the end of the day, it was just a personal grudge. What did it have to do with him, an unrelated bystander?

Before completing his task, Qi Yuan didn't want to do anything that might cause unnecessary complications.

Besides, with so many people gathered outside the mountain gate, Falling Cloud Valley would surely be monitoring strictly. Everything happening here wouldn't escape the eyes and ears of the Cultivators. Since the Hosts themselves didn't intervene, there was even less reason for him to meddle.

Just then, the task System interface suddenly appeared before Qi Yuan's eyes:

"Special event encountered. Hidden side quest activated:"

"The Child of Destiny, Lin Zhen, is at the lowest point of his life. The Host can choose to step forward and rescue him from peril."

"Quest Difficulty: Two stars (Simple)"

"Quest Objective: Save the Child of Destiny, Lin Zhen, from a group of wicked servants and establish a good relationship with the future Child of Destiny."

"Quest Reward: 50 Counterattack Points, 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and a certain amount of Luck growth."

"Note: This side quest can be abandoned; there is no penalty for failure."

"Luck growth?"

Qi Yuan's eyes instantly lit up.

"Only a fool would give up such a good thing!"