"Is this what it means to have the Aptitude of an Immortal? This is just too exaggerated."
Han Xuanji was inwardly excited, but not a trace of it showed on his face.
A Celestial Spiritual Root!
One must know that a Heavenly Spiritual Root was already considered the highest innate talent in the secular world's understanding. Once detected as a Heaven-Grade Aptitude, one would likely be pre-selected by a major figure from the Inner Sect the very next second, or even fought over.
And possessing a Celestial Spiritual Root meant his talent had already surpassed almost everyone in the entire cultivation world!
"Just the first reward makes Immortal Ascension seem within easy reach?"
Han Xuanji was incomparably excited in his heart.
On the way here, there were some books on the flying boat, which recorded parts of the Shenxuan Sect's history. It was said that the Shenxuan Ancestral Master also possessed a Celestial Spiritual Root. His cultivation speed was unparalleled in his era; he spent only a thousand years to ascend to Immortality, later founding the Shenxuan Sect, leaving a Legacy for eternity.
Han Xuanji's thoughts surged. He still found it a bit unbelievable that he now possessed the Aptitude of an Immortal.
But he could clearly feel that the surrounding Spiritual Qi was incredibly abundant, completely different from his previous perception. With every breath he took now, he could feel his cultivation progressing a little.
If this were a game, his head would probably keep popping up with '+1 EXP'...
Soon, the oath-taking ceremony concluded.
This batch of new Disciples would also be assigned to various parts of the Sect.
Among them, the Inner Sect Disciples had already chosen their Masters, the Outer Sect Disciples could also decide their destinations on their own, while the remaining Utility Disciples could only follow arrangements.
Not long after.
Han Xuanji received his own jade token from a Senior Brother. After dripping a drop of blood onto it, causing a spiritual glow to converge, his aura was imprinted on it. Even though his cultivation was still insignificant, he could feel a slight connection established between himself and this jade token.
And he also learned his assignment.
"Lingxiu Peak, Utility Disciple, Han Xuanji."
"Assignment: Seventh Utility Peak."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, recalling the rumors about Lingxiu Peak.
The Shenxuan Sect had thirteen branches of Legacy. Among them, Lingxiu Peak was once ranked among the top three. Unfortunately, in recent years, it had been declining, fading a lot. In every major competition, it basically belonged to the tier with the worst results—a vicious cycle, one could say.
"Disciples assigned to Lingxiu Peak, follow me."
"Disciples for Tongtian Peak, over here!"
"..."
Among the crowd, various Senior Brothers guiding the newcomers shouted.
A short while later, Han Xuanji also found his assigned welcoming Senior Brother and followed him onto a small flying boat.
On the flying boat, the Senior Brother in charge of welcoming them had a straightforward and cheerful temperament and began the introduction:
"My name is Li Shanhai, and I'm also the manager of the Utility Peak. From now on, we're all people of Lingxiu Peak. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."
"Make sure you don't lose your personal identity jade tokens. If you lose it, remember to go to the Affairs Hall for a replacement, but it's a troublesome process."
"These are your entry items. Inside is an introductory Jade Slip that will let you understand the Sect's rules. Just place it against your glabella to read."
...
Not long after, the flying boat landed.
They arrived at a spot halfway up a mountain peak. Here, the Spiritual Qi was abundant, the environment beautiful, with various courtyards and Immortal Caves built—truly a treasure land.
In the outside world, it would be impossible for mere Utility Disciples to reside in such a place.
One could only say that the treatment in a major Sect was still quite good. Even for Utility Disciples, the essentials were all provided.
The Sect would assign them an independent courtyard, not small in size, with a bedroom, latrine, shower room, cultivation chamber, and even a kitchen. Furniture was also complete, all powered by Qi-operated daily-life Spiritual Artifacts.
Within the Sect, you might be a Utility Disciple, but in the outside world, you are a noble Cultivator.
The Shenxuan Sect didn't recruit Utility Disciples just to have them do menial chores, but to learn various skills, such as Alchemy, planting, talisman-making... completing tasks that only Cultivators could handle.
After skillfully explaining some rules, Li Shanhai let them go to their own courtyards.
After all, they were all Cultivators; the focus was still on cultivation, and they wouldn't spend too much effort guiding newcomers.
The crowd dispersed. Some began forming small groups of two or three, while others left alone, with no intention of socializing.
Han Xuanji was among the latter. He didn't think about forming groups but quickly left. With some effort, he soon found his own courtyard.
Entering the courtyard, he walked into the front hall.
Soon, Han Xuanji found the cultivation chamber located on the second floor. The cultivation chamber was extremely quiet, containing only a meditation cushion with a slight calming effect.
Han Xuanji sat on the cushion and couldn't wait to start operating his Cultivation Technique:
"Let's test the cultivation speed of a Celestial Spiritual Root."
For those like them without a Master, the entry-level Cultivation Technique they learned was the 'Shenxuan Qi Refining Method'. Although this technique wasn't exceptionally powerful, it was a proper, orthodox Cultivation Technique, extremely detailed, and very suitable for those just starting cultivation.
Previously, his Comprehension Ability was good, and he quickly mastered the technique to a proficient stage, entering the phase of drawing Qi into the body. However, due to his Aptitude and the local cultivation environment, the spiritual power within his body was weak, and he hadn't yet reached the standard of the Qi Refining Realm.
At this very moment, as soon as he started operating the technique, Han Xuanji could feel invisible Spiritual Qi flooding into his body like a tide, widening his Meridians and tempering his blood and Qi.
"Amazing!"
Han Xuanji couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.
Previously, cultivating required his full concentration. Not only was progress slow, but it was also quite dull. Sitting in prolonged, dry cultivation could even be harmful rather than beneficial.
But now, cultivating felt like surfing on the ocean—incredibly exhilarating.
*Crack!*
In less than half an hour, Han Xuanji's body shook, as if an invisible shackle inside him had been broken. Spiritual power coursed through his limbs and bones, and he could feel a powerful warm current within his Dantian.
"Have I already reached Qi Refining, First Layer?"
Han Xuanji opened his eyes, overjoyed.
In this world, cultivation starts with Qi Refining, followed by Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Void Returning, Body Integration, Undergoing Tribulation, and Ascended Immortal. Each major Realm is further divided into ten minor layers.
And the Qi Refining Realm already counts as a true practitioner of the Dao, allowing one to start learning Spells.
Han Xuanji experienced the benefits of high Aptitude and sighed with emotion:
"No wonder they say cultivation Aptitude is extremely important. In the previous evaluations, many only looked at Spiritual Root Aptitude... As long as Spiritual Root Aptitude is good enough, other aspects aren't as crucial."
It wasn't that Heart-Nature and Comprehension Ability weren't key, but the benefits brought by Spiritual Root Aptitude in the early stages were too great.
Without the early stage, how could there be a Late Stage?
Even though Han Xuanji's personality was relatively calm, at this moment, he was also incomparably excited.
"If I were to reveal this kind of talent, probably all the Powerful Experts in the entire Shenxuan Sect would be scrambling to become my Master."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.
However, he still felt that since he already had a System, slowly developing would lead to invincibility. Why put himself in the spotlight?
After all, just a few days ago, he was a Utility Disciple with average Aptitude. Now suddenly becoming a peerless Genius would inevitably attract the prying eyes of those with ulterior motives.
He was afraid there might be bad people within the Shenxuan Sect.
First, let's see how many more benefits the check-in System could bring him.
In short.
Lay low. Just lay low for now.
After his Breakthrough, Han Xuanji didn't continue cultivating. Instead, he took out a Jade Slip, pressed it against his glabella, and a stream of information flowed into his mind.
He was born into a Mortal family in this life and didn't know much about this world.
Now, this Jade Slip served to clear his doubts.
This world was vast beyond measure. The continent he was on was called the Nine Provinces Continent. The Shenxuan Sect was located in the Eastern Cang Province of the Nine Provinces, within the borders of the Great Xia cultivation Imperial Dynasty, and was a hegemon-level Sect within Great Xia's territory.
Within it, there were countless Powerful Experts, and Prodigies were as numerous as clouds.
Each peak had profound heritage (foundation/Legacy), and the Sect's history had even produced several Immortals.
Among them, the Lingxiu Peak he was assigned to, in terms of Legacy alone, was also ranked among the top few and had once produced an Immortal.
After reading it, Han Xuanji knew he had come to the right place.
"Isn't this a place filled with Dao essence everywhere..."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.
Evening.
Han Xuanji finished his cultivation and went to the cafeteria on Utility Peak.
Before reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, one cannot achieve grain abstinence.
Utility Disciples receive three free meals daily, but only the basic meal plan. If one wishes to enjoy the Advanced meal plan, they need to spend Spirit Stones to become a member. Wealthier Disciples can also spend Spirit Stones to purchase Advanced spirit-nourishing foods.
These spirit foods are prepared by professional Culinary Cultivators. Consuming them can accelerate cultivation speed and, more importantly, replenish Qi and blood while enhancing the Physical Body.
Having just joined the Sect, Han Xuanji was short on funds, so naturally, he could only eat the basic meal plan.
The basic meal plan wasn't actually bad; it included both meat and vegetables and tasted quite good.
The next day.
Han Xuanji woke up naturally. After finishing breakfast in the cafeteria, he picked up his Disciple Jade Slip.
In reality, this thing was an extremely sophisticated Spiritual Artifact capable of performing many tasks.
Such as accepting Sect missions, chatting, and accessing some publicly available information.
"I wonder who invented this..."
Han Xuanji tapped on one of the bubble-shaped buttons.
A chat group popped up. Li Shanhai had created a group chat and added all the Disciples from Utility Peak.
At that moment, some newcomers were enthusiastically discussing things, clearly very excited about having just entered the Sect.
Meanwhile, the older Disciples remained silent, quietly lurking and cultivating.
Completing missions to earn Spirit Stones, using Spirit Stones to buy Medicinal Pills, cultivating... this was their daily routine.
"Apart from lacking entertainment features, it's quite similar to a mobile phone..."
Han Xuanji glanced at the group chat. Finding no useful information, he promptly opened the mission interface to select a utility task.
As Utility Disciples, they also received a stipend. However, they needed to complete a certain number of tasks each week to receive the basic stipend. Each task also offered a Spirit Stone reward; roughly every three or four of the simplest tasks would earn one Spirit Stone.
Many Utility Disciple tasks weren't actually difficult. Even for a newly-joined Disciple like him, there were suitable tasks, such as sweeping floors, picking Spirit Medicine, processing medicinal ingredients, helping in the kitchen, and so on.
If one mastered several Spells, they could accept even more tasks.
For example, if you cultivated a cloud-rain Spell for irrigating spirit fields, the Spirit Stones earned would certainly surpass those from menial tasks. However, it would also be more tiring, as low-Realm Cultivators found it difficult to cast Spells. After a single casting, they needed to rest for a long time.
After some thought,
Han Xuanji accepted a simple cleaning task located at an Alchemy Workshop on Lingxiu Peak.
Lingxiu Peak housed various Legacies. As Alchemy was the most popular profession among various Immortal cultivation arts, Lingxiu Peak naturally had its own Legacy. However, the conditions for recruiting Disciples into the Alchemy Workshops were very strict, and they didn't recruit many people throughout the year.
Even so, many Utility Disciples still wanted to give it a try.
Han Xuanji left the cafeteria and arrived at an open area on Utility Peak.
This was the docking area for Spirit Boats. Utility Disciples who had accepted tasks could ride the public Spirit Boats for free to various locations on Lingxiu Peak, greatly facilitating travel for low-level Disciples like them.
If one had money, they could even call for a special delivery by Immortal crane from Spirit Beast Peak, equivalent to a taxi service.
After waiting quietly for a while, Han Xuanji boarded a Spirit Boat and arrived at the location of the Alchemy Workshop.
This Dao peak looked much more majestic than Utility Peak, with countless palaces and pavilions, shimmering with endless spiritual light.
Upon reaching the mission location, Han Xuanji could see many people coming and going. He entered the interior of the Alchemy Workshop, found the Managing Senior Brother, and quickly began his work of cleaning a designated area.
"This place seems to have some history as well. System, is there any Dao essence here?"
Han Xuanji silently asked in his heart.
[Yes.]
"Check-in."
Han Xuanji didn't hesitate and immediately decided to check in.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully checking in at Lingxiu Seventh Alchemy Workshop. Obtained one bottle of Supreme-Grade Qi Condensation Pills.]
[Note: This location allows for repeated check-ins.]
[Congratulations, Host, on receiving a physical reward for the first time. System space unlocked. Rewards can be claimed from the System space at any time.]
"No reward entry was given; instead, Medicinal Pills were directly rewarded."
Han Xuanji's heart stirred.
In terms of reward, it naturally paled in comparison to the entry for [Immortal's Aptitude], indicating that the Dao essence here was probably not very high. The advantage was that it allowed for repeated check-ins.
Moreover, for his current stage, this reward was actually quite good.
He had seen the price of Qi Condensation Pills. Even for a bottle of Low Grade Qi Condensation Pills, a Utility Disciple would need to save for several months to afford it.
As for the effects of Supreme-Grade Qi Condensation Pills, they were naturally far superior to Low Grade ones. Such pills were usually consumed internally upon being refined and rarely circulated for sale. After all, which Old Ancestor didn't have some descendants?
That day, no incidents occurred.
As a mere Utility Disciple, he was utterly inconspicuous, blending into the crowd without anyone paying him any attention.
After finishing his work, Han Xuanji returned to his own room in the Utility Courtyard.
He took a refreshing bath, changed clothes, went to his bedside, and retrieved a small white jade bottle from the System space.
Han Xuanji opened the bottle cap. Inside were ten perfectly round, excellent-looking pills, colored cyan, with a faint medicinal fragrance wafting out.
Qi Condensation Pills were low-level Medicinal Pills suitable for Qi Condensation Cultivators to consume. They had the ability to increase cultivation. The higher the grade of the pill, the better its effects and the fewer its side effects.
Pills of this Supreme-Grade could rival five Low Grade pills and had almost no pill toxicity, allowing for consecutive consumption multiple times.
Looking at the perfectly round pills, Han Xuanji's eyes lit up.
His cultivation speed was already very fast. With the aid of pills, wouldn't that be Heaven-Defying?
Gulp.
Han Xuanji immediately swallowed one pill.
The potent medicinal power instantly formed a large surge of heat, rushing through his limbs and bones.
Han Xuanji instinctively felt something was wrong, wondering if he had been a bit reckless.
If outsiders saw this, they would definitely stop Han Xuanji from such behavior.
Normally, the medicinal power of Supreme-Grade pills was potent. For someone who had just started cultivating like him, directly swallowing one could easily cause internal injuries due to the powerful medicinal force, resulting in more loss than gain.
However...
Han Xuanji's current body was not ordinary and absolutely could not be assessed by normal standards.
[Immortal's Aptitude] was no joke. Often, the superiority of one's talent determined everything.
Even though the medicinal power was fierce, rampaging through his Meridians like a flood or a savage beast,
the next moment, it was refined into pure spiritual power, and his cultivation visibly surged.
He didn't know how much time passed. The rapidly increasing cultivation seemed to hit a certain Bottleneck and began to slowly stabilize.
"Qi Condensation, Second Layer..."
Han Xuanji opened his eyes, his expression filled with joy.
He now felt like a pay-to-win player; his cultivation seemed to soar like a rocket, rapidly climbing.
One must know that some Utility Disciples who had joined the Sect for one or two years might only have reached this level of cultivation.
"Although these pills are good, I shouldn't be too greedy with them."
Han Xuanji silently calculated the appropriate daily dosage.
After all, this was real Immortal cultivation, not playing a game.
Consuming too many pills would not only make one's cultivation unstable but also generate pill toxicity. Even a Heavenly Spiritual Root couldn't avoid this unless one possessed a special Physique with extremely high drug resistance.
"I can first inquire about any special places."
Han Xuanji pondered many things in his heart.
Some places might be difficult to approach, but surely some places were open to access, right?