Li Yun frowned slightly when he checked his status. He had expected, and even hoped, that the multiplier would stack on top of the previous one, but that didn't happen. His 5x multiplier was simply replaced by the new 10x multiplier.
'Well, I shouldn't be greedy about this.'
He thought silently before turning his attention to the new mission.
[Task - Become the number one-ranked Outer Sect disciple in a year.]
[Reward - 25x]
Li Yun frowned again when he saw the task. While he certainly wanted to become the top-ranked disciple in the outer sect, he felt it wouldn't happen in a short amount of time.
With his cultivation only at the 1st level of the Qi Training Realm, he estimated that it would take at least several months, if not a full year, to reach the number one rank in the outer sect. Becoming the top disciple meant becoming the strongest in the outer sect, and for the current Li Yun, that goal seemed distant.
There was also the time limit. He was only fourteen years old, and a year from now, he would be fifteen. Li Yun wondered if any fifteen-year-old had ever ranked first in the outer sect. Now, he had to achieve that to earn the system's rewards.
'Sigh... If only these missions were easy.'
Li Yun sighed in resignation. He wished the missions were tasks he could complete quickly, allowing him to increase his comprehension multiplier more frequently. But the missions seemed to increase in difficulty, setting long-term goals that made it hard to benefit in the short term.
'It seems the system is designed to make me earn the rewards through effort.'
Li Yun reflected on his mysterious system, feeling that it wanted him to work for his rewards, rather than handing them to him without effort.
"Now for the rewards from the selection assessment," Elder Zhao said, drawing everyone's attention.
Li Yun, who had been brooding over the system's task, suddenly brightened. He hadn't expected there to be additional rewards from the selection assessment, and given his rank, he grew excited at the thought of what he might receive.
"From ranks 101 to 250, the rewards are 10 Qi Gathering Pills. From ranks 11 to 100, you will receive a middle-grade human-rank technique and 50 Qi Gathering Pills. For ranks 6 to 10, two middle-grade human-rank techniques and 100 Qi Gathering Pills."
Elder Zhao paused for a moment before continuing.
"For ranks two to five, the reward is a middle-grade human-rank technique, a high-grade human-rank technique, and 300 Qi Gathering Pills. Lastly, the number one rank in the assessment can choose a high-grade human-rank technique and a top-grade human-rank technique, along with 500 Qi Gathering Pills."
The disciples erupted with joy upon hearing the rewards. Even though the prizes differed significantly depending on rank, they were glad to have earned something.
Li Yun was also thrilled. He would receive two human-rank techniques—one high-grade and one top-grade—and 500 Qi Gathering Pills. He couldn't have asked for more, and the thought of the rewards brought a wide smile to his face.
Aside from the general classifications of human, profound, earth, and heaven rank techniques, there were additional distinctions based on their refinement and potency. Each rank was further divided into four levels: low grade, middle grade, high grade, and the pinnacle—top grade.
These divisions determined not only the power of the technique but also the complexity of its mastery. A top-grade technique within the human rank, for example, could rival a low-grade profound rank technique in sheer effectiveness if mastered to perfection. Thus, even within each rank, the quality of the technique played a significant role in a martial artist's progress.
'The rewards are excellent,' Li Yun mused.
"Rewards will be given in due time, but before that, the elders from various peaks will choose specific disciples to join their peaks," Elder Zhao said.
The atmosphere grew tense. Although it technically didn't matter which peak one joined, it had a significant impact on one's martial path.
Without joining a peak, a disciple would have to rely entirely on themselves for training, martial arts comprehension, and breakthroughs. But if a disciple joined a peak, specific elders would guide them, help them break through bottlenecks, and answer any questions and doubts they had about martial techniques and cultivation.
For any disciple in the Mystic Cloud Sect, joining a peak wasn't just a matter of convenience; it was essential. It could shape the entire trajectory of their martial path, making life in the sect more manageable while paving the way for their future growth.
In essence, the entire selection assessment was a way for the elders of each peak to evaluate the participating disciples and select the most promising ones from the masses.
Every disciple standing outside the cave grew nervous. They all wanted to join a peak. Even if they didn't get into their favorite, just being selected by one would be enough to satisfy them, as they understood the value of joining a peak.
Li Yun was also hoping to join a peak—one in particular. He had his eyes set on the Pill Sky Peak. Having understood the importance of alchemy, and with some knowledge of it already, he didn't want to neglect that path.
His mother had once told him that the importance of pills in a martial artist's life grew with their cultivation level. Knowing alchemy would greatly aid his cultivation, and he was determined to follow that path.
'It's definitely not because path of alchemy will make me rich. Definitely not,' Li Yun thought with a serious expression.
At that moment, seven elders walked forward and appeared in front of the cave, scrutinizing each disciple. They were the elders from various peaks of the Mystic Cloud Sect.
Seeing the elders, the disciples puffed out their chests, their expressions hardening with resolve, washing away their previous nervousness. The transformation was so dramatic, one might think they were preparing for battle.
Soon, the elders from the various peaks began selecting disciples. Since those with the lowest scores had already been eliminated, the remaining disciples were the top performers. For the elders of the seven peaks, it became easier to choose, as the remaining disciples were the best of the best.
Some elders selected disciples in large numbers, while others chose only a few but continued scanning the crowd for more. For example, the Pill Sky Peak chose five disciples, while other peaks adjusted their selections according to their needs.
The selection process concluded smoothly, with each chosen disciple receiving an emblem and instructions to report to their peak upon entering the outer sect. Almost all of the 250 disciples were selected to join a peak—almost, but not all.