The new chapter is going to be posted on the public domain twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday), and thrice a week in my Patreon:
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Profound Sun Sect.
Zichen Peak.
This is where the outer sect disciples receive their sect stipends and undergo their examinations to advance to the inner sect.
On most days, the number of people coming for the inner sect examinations is not high, so the peak is usually quite desolate.
But today was different.
Today was the monthly stipend distribution day.
Tens of thousands of outer sect disciples swarmed the peak.
By the time Li Xun arrived, it was already late, and the number of people had dwindled significantly compared to earlier in the day.
Standing on a platform, he glanced at the two large halls ahead.
One hall was the Hall of Transmission, and the other was the Hall of Examinations.
The Hall of Transmission was where stipends were distributed and where elders lectured and transmitted teachings.
The Hall of Examinations, as the name suggested, was for examinations.
At this moment, there were still people on duty at the Hall of Transmission, but the Hall of Examinations had already activated its protective formation, barring any entry.
"It seems I can't become an inner sect disciple today," Li Xun sighed softly and walked into the Hall of Transmission.
Inside, he went directly to a counter. Behind it, an outer sect disciple was dozing off.
Thud, thud, thud!
Li Xun knocked on the counter, saying, "Junior brother, I'm here to collect my sect stipend."
"Huh?"
The disciple jolted awake, wiping drool from his mouth.
His initially irritated expression softened upon recognizing Li Xun.
Although Li Xun kept a low profile, his reputation was well known.
Having reached the tenth level of the Body Refinement realm within just two years, he was considered a genius.
It was almost certain he would become an inner sect disciple soon.
Who would dare to offend a future inner sect disciple?
"So, it's Senior Brother Li Xun."
The disciple's face brightened with a smile as he fetched a dusty bag from beneath the counter and handed it over.
Then, as if recalling something, he retrieved a few extra spirit stones from another bag and added them to Li Xun's, before handing it over again.
"Senior Brother, here is your stipend, please take it."
"Hmm."
Li Xun nodded, casually taking the bag.
He didn't comment on the disciple's actions, as this was a common occurrence.
The sect overlooked such minor incidents, and the unlucky ones just had to accept it.
After storing the bag in his storage ring, Li Xun turned to leave.
"Storage ring!"
The disciple's eyes gleamed with envy as he glanced at the ring on Li Xun's finger before quickly averting his gaze.
"Safe travels, Senior Brother!" he called out to Li Xun's departing figure.
Outside the hall, Li Xun looked once more at the darkened Hall of Examinations, shook his head, and prepared to descend the mountain.
Just then, a series of curses reached his ears.
"Another spirit stone robbery?" Li Xun murmured.
Such incidents were all too common among the tens of thousands of outer sect disciples.
Every month during stipend distribution, some would have their stipends stolen.
Li Xun himself had experienced this in the past.
Luckily, he improved his strength quickly and had Lu Changhe's support, so no one succeeded in robbing him.
"Wonder who's unlucky this time."
He started to leave, not intending to intervene.
Outer sect disciples were not considered official members of Profound Sun Sect.
The elders didn't concern themselves with such matters, so why should he?
But the next moment, Li Xun froze.
Because a system notification sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master, for discovering a blue-level investment target. Invest one Blood Qi Pill to receive a Pure Yang Body and the Azure Dragon Halberd (Supreme Spiritual Treasure)!]
"Blue-level?"
Li Xun stopped, his eyes glinting with surprise.
The white-level investment had given him twenty years of cultivation, leading to a tremendous transformation.
Now, the blue-level investment offered not only a Pure Yang Body but also an Azure Dragon Halberd!
The Pure Yang Body would significantly enhance his already excellent aptitude, elevating him from a regular genius to an exceptional one.
Though it wouldn't immediately boost his strength, it promised unparalleled future achievements.
As for the Azure Dragon Halberd, it was even more enticing.
In the cultivation world, weapons were ranked as mortal weapons, magical treasures, spiritual treasures, dao weapons, sacred weapons, and imperial weapons.
A spiritual treasure was already quite high up the hierarchy, usually possessed by elders in Profound Sun Sect, and even then, not always of the highest grade.
That he, merely in the Qi Condensation realm, could obtain a supreme spiritual treasure was unbelievable.
With the Azure Dragon Halberd, he could easily dominate without encountering formidable elders.
Following the system's guidance, he looked toward the source of the curses.
"Could it be the person being robbed is my investment target?"
A possibility dawned on him. His eyes turned cold.
Broad daylight, in a sect renowned for its righteousness, and yet, disciples engaged in robbing spirit stones was disgraceful.
If this continued, how were they any different from the demonic sects?
Since he encountered it today, he had to intervene!