Zhou Wuyou actually considered him a comprehension genius!
If even Zhou Wuyou thought so, what about the higher-ups in the sect? What about the Valley Master? And the other disciples?
Despite trying his best to remain low-key, he had inadvertently revealed traces of his "genius" nature.
Thus, some clever individuals must have already guessed his exceptional "comprehension." Combined with Zhou Wuyou's resources, reaching the top fifty wouldn't seem abrupt at all.
To be honest, Su Yuan was tempted.
The benefits of being an outer sect disciple were already much better than a menial disciple—no chores or heavy labor, many welfare benefits to claim, guidance from renowned teachers, and more!
The benefits of being an inner sect disciple naturally surpassed those of outer sect disciples—more privileges, fewer tasks, greater welfare. The word "inner" alone spoke volumes!
Su Yuan could also cultivate more steadily.
Theoretically, inner sect disciples needed to reach the seventh layer of Qi Refining to apply, but Immortal Seed Valley was the only known shortcut!
Zhou Wuyou noticed Su Yuan's hesitation—hesitation was good, proving Su Yuan was tempted!
He smiled and said, "The resources I provide come with no mandatory demands. Even if you ultimately fail to enter the inner sect, I won't blame you! I can give you 25 portions of resources—that's the maximum I can obtain in a short time!"
"Aren't you going to try for yourself?" Su Yuan asked, surprised.
"Rather than believing in myself, I believe you can enter the inner sect!" Zhou Wuyou affirmed.
"Oh? Why is that?" Su Yuan was puzzled.
"At the start of cultivation, I once met you. When I asked for resources, you refused immediately. At that time, I saw strong confidence in your eyes, though I didn't understand it then."
Zhou Wuyou paused slightly. "Today, seeing your astounding results, I realized you weren't just pretending to be calm. Back then, you were already confident. Even after witnessing the shocking performance of that top-grade Spirit Root, you showed little amazement or envy. That's when I knew you were extraordinary!"
Su Yuan watched Zhou Wuyou speak eloquently, noticing the admiration in the eyes of those behind him. He thought Zhou Wuyou was quite a figure.
"Like you said, I can't guarantee anything," Su Yuan replied.
Zhou Wuyou relaxed. "I understand—man proposes, heaven disposes."
He waved his hand behind him.
A disciple immediately stepped forward, holding a box.
"Here are today's 25 portions of resources. Please take them!"
Zhou Wuyou handed the box to Su Yuan with both hands.
"No contract?" Su Yuan asked, surprised.
"None needed!" Zhou Wuyou confirmed.
Su Yuan gave him a deep look before accepting the box.
"This disciple has been my follower since childhood. You can call him Xiao Li. If you need anything, Brother Su, just instruct him. He lives in Room 318, conveniently close to your quarters. If he can't handle something, he'll contact me—nothing will delay your matters!"
"Xiao Li greets Brother Su!" A thin young man hurried forward.
Su Yuan nodded. "Not needed for now."
"No problem!" Zhou Wuyou smiled.
"Then I'll take my leave," Su Yuan said.
"Brother Su, attend to your matters first!" Zhou Wuyou replied.
Su Yuan left, first returning to his quarters with the box before heading to the Scripture Hall for a lecture.
Upon receiving the news, Zhou Wuyou's face flickered with doubt—was his decision flawed? But having made the choice, there was no room for regret.
After the lecture, Su Yuan returned directly to his room.
Though it was still early, Su Yuan was already seated cross-legged in the cultivation chamber.
He opened the box to find 25 Fragment Spirit Stones and 25 Spirit Recovery Vials. Combined with the six unused portions he had saved, he now possessed 31 Fragment Spirit Stones and 31 Spirit Recovery Vials.
These resources held little significance for him—if he wanted to improve, it would be through his cheat!
Su Yuan glanced at his system panel.
[Name]: Su Yuan
[Region]: Green Vine Continent
[Rank]: Unknown (13/100)
[Realm]: Qi Refining Stage - First Layer (66/100)
[Trait 1]: Work Hard, Rest Hard: You excel at balancing work and rest. The longer the rest period, the better the cultivation effects. Current rest time: 6 days, 1.1 hours.
Unconsciously, his rest time had reached six days!
Last time, with three days of rest, his spiritual energy reserves increased by about 260 strands, and he unlocked two Spiritual Nodes. What effects would six days bring?
"Activate [Work Hard, Rest Hard]!"
A "ding" sounded in his mind.
The next moment, Su Yuan's spirit surged!
Closing his eyes, he entered meditation in a single breath. In the darkness, countless red, gold, and green light points appeared around him.
Then, he initiated Meridian Rotation.
Nine strands of spiritual energy were mobilized, twisting into a single flexible "snake" that darted into his meridians, swiftly circulating.
The tri-colored spiritual energy of heaven and earth was immediately drawn toward his body, rushing in through every pore, merging into his meridians, and joining the rotation!
This time, Meridian Rotation felt even more effortless—almost instinctive. Su Yuan barely needed to focus as it followed its natural trajectory, saving him mental effort.
With most of his attention freed, Su Yuan began recalling the lectures he had attended and books he had read.
Thirty-two scripture lectures, fourteen profound explanations from inner sect senior brothers and sisters—covering cultivation essentials for various attribute techniques, precautions during cultivation, and Meridian Rotation techniques—all flashed through his mind, rapidly crystallizing into deep understanding.
Five hundred books from the Scripture Pavilion also resurfaced in his thoughts. Countless fragmented cultivation insights emerged, cross-referencing with the seniors' teachings. Gradually, Su Yuan's comprehension of the first Qi Refining layer skyrocketed!
Meridian Rotation had become instinctive—one cycle seamlessly followed another without his conscious attention.
Immersed in an ocean of knowledge, he repeatedly contemplated the Dao of cultivation.
By the time he fully grasped the cultivation principles from recent days, four hours had passed!
A bright gleam flashed in Su Yuan's eyes as he refocused, sensing the state of his dantian.
To his astonishment, his spiritual energy reserves had reached 2,620 strands!
"How is this possible?" he marveled.
Then, he watched as another Meridian Rotation cycle concluded—this time in just fifteen minutes!
Yet, it brought back an astounding 81 strands of spiritual energy, completely shattering his previous assumption that the ambient energy cap was 40 strands.
Immediately, another cycle began.
This time, Su Yuan took manual control, applying the insights from his four-hour epiphany to the "Burning Wood Spirit Tempering Technique."
The nine spiritual energy strands in his dantian morphed under his guidance—transforming from ribbon-like shapes into a flaming golden python. Its "flesh" consisted of green wood-attribute energy, its "blood" of fire-attribute energy, and its "skin" of metal-attribute energy forming a sleek, crimson-gold serpent that darted rapidly through his dantian.
Wherever it passed, it devoured ambient energy from his meridians, effortlessly "digesting" it during rotation to become part of the serpent!
The "Burning Wood Spirit Tempering Technique" seemed to come alive, mesmerizing Su Yuan.
When the cycle ended and the serpent dispersed back into his dantian, it left behind 108 strands—a net gain of 99 strands after deducting the initial nine!
His total reserves now stood at 2,719 strands!
"Break through!"
Su Yuan willed 360 strands to mobilize, reforming the serpent and driving it into his meridians. Following the path of previously unlocked nodes, it surged toward the third node and plunged in without hesitation.
Inside the node, the serpent "stirred the seas," rapidly expanding and stabilizing the cavity. The unlocking speed doubled, and Su Yuan sensed reduced energy consumption.
After unlocking the node, he reinforced the first three nodes into a stable structure. Once fully stabilized, the serpent dispersed back into 80 strands, meaning the actual cost was only 280 strands!
"Peak of the first Qi Refining layer!" Su Yuan noted inwardly.
This achievement already surpassed the best mid-grade Spirit Roots.
Naturally, Su Yuan didn't stop.
He initiated another breakthrough!
The fourth node yielded easily, costing 532 strands but refining his energy control further.
After recovering slightly, he unlocked the fifth node—consuming 1,007 strands!
This result exceeded even the top high-grade Spirit Roots.
By now, Su Yuan's mental energy was nearly depleted. Though an hour of rest time remained, his spirit was utterly exhausted!
"Seems I need a soul-nurturing technique," he mused before settling into meditative sleep.
Yet, his body continued Meridian Rotation instinctively.
Only when the trait deactivated an hour later did his cultivation return to normal.
Morning.
Su Yuan awoke feeling exceptionally clear and refreshed. The five nodes in his body continuously generated spiritual energy, nourishing his physique. His senses sharpened further, and his constitution strengthened.
As he stepped into the courtyard, commotion reached his ears—including Zhang Wei's voice.
Frowning, Su Yuan opened his door to find Zhang Wei brawling with several disciples. Zhang Wei was clearly losing, having taken several punches and kicks.
Su Yuan spotted another disciple—one who had traded with Zhang Wei—writhing on the ground in pain.
Neighbors peered from their windows but didn't intervene.
Su Yuan instantly pieced together the situation: Zhang Wei's rapid progress had threatened some disciples' interests. His trading activities had facilitated his rise, and now others sought to sabotage them.
Su Yuan took two steps forward, ready to intervene.
Hearing Su Yuan's door open, Zhang Wei shouted without turning, "Su Yuan, stay out of this! I'll handle it myself!"
His reply was a series of thuds.
Zhang Wei blinked—his opponents were suddenly rolling on the ground, howling in pain!
Looking up, he saw Su Yuan standing calmly before him, hands behind his back.
Zhang Wei stared in disbelief. Clearly, Su Yuan had intervened in that split second.
But how? He'd only seen a blur before they fell. What had happened?

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