'Could it be that because I rejected the olive branches from all three major factions, none of the high-level leaders are willing to fight for these troublesome resources on my behalf?'
'But according to the sect regulations, those with the Mainstay evaluation must receive a resource tilt. Has the upper management already reached a point where they can ignore the rules? Or are they just playing a game of stalling?'
Because Qi Ping had spent these two months communicating with a vast number of disciples, he had become more familiar with the sect than many veteran members. Thus, he was even more capable of sensing the oddity of the situation. This kind of cold treatment had never happened before!
'Has the scarcity of resources for late-stage Foundation Establishment reached such a point? Or has some other change occurred?'
The fact that not a single Golden Core cultivator had come forward to resolve the matter according to the regulations was telling. The deeper implications were worth pondering. First, they allowed a high-talent 'Mainstay' disciple to die, and now they were giving the cold shoulder to another. Was this not a case of bad money driving out the good?
This caused Qi Ping to feel a sense of thorough disappointment toward the current leadership of the Qingyuan Sect. He didn't actually care about those resources; what he cared about was the authority to trade for rare manuals and knowledge, as well as the floors of the Pavilion of Scriptures he was allowed to access. Higher authority meant access to more precious knowledge—that was his primary concern.
'Forget it. Since that is the case, I will stop worrying about it and act as an ordinary Inner Disciple for now.'
'I will first do missions to earn Contribution Points and read the knowledge available to Inner Disciples. At worst, I will eventually use my points to raise my rank manually.'
In truth, Qi Ping only cared about the knowledge regarding Water, Fire, Yin-Yang, and the Five Elements. This was the key to his next step: casting the Yin-Yang foundation and condensing the Yin-Yang Core.
'As long as I obtain a sufficient foundation of knowledge and then buy Yin and Yang attribute spirit trees and manuals from the Mysterious Black Market, I can use the Plant Sovereign talent to accelerate my comprehension of the Yin-Yang Intent. Casting the foundation and condensing the core will then be no problem.'
Having clarified his future direction, Qi Ping decided to stop paying attention to the sect's high-level politics. Rather than waiting for the pity of others, it was better to forge his own path! As long as he did not violate sect rules, they would not expel him; he would just be unpopular. There were plenty of such people in the Qingyuan Sect.
Furthermore, there were actually high-level leaders who protected those loyal to the sect who refused to join factions. It was simply that their power was insufficient to seize the distribution rights from the major factions.
Having made his decision, Qi Ping drafted a thorough plan and a strategy for contingencies. He stopped caring about anything else and immediately stepped out of Manor Seven, heading straight for the Merit Hall!
Qi Ping's movement naturally attracted the attention of those watching him. Because of his four peak talents and the mirror's evaluation, almost every Inner Disciple knew of his existence. Just as they were wondering which faction he would join, news broke that he had rejected all olive branches!
This move caused a stir in the Inner Sect circles. Another 'Mainstay' had chosen to reject all factions! In the last century, the Qingyuan Sect had produced only two people with such talent and evaluation, and both had made the same choice!
Everyone began to realize that perhaps it wasn't because they were stupid, but because they possessed a unique temperament that allowed them to receive such a high evaluation from the Heart-Questioning Mirror in the first place.
"What a pity! Born at the wrong time. Had he been born a century or more ago, he would have been nurtured with priority. But now... one can only say he is seeking his own death!" This was the common sentiment.
After all, whether it was Qi Ping or the 'Mainstay' who died before him, joining any faction would have granted them sufficient protection and nurturing. The Golden Core realm would have been within reach! Compared to becoming a Golden Core Great Cultivator, what did a contract or a Heavenly Dao Oath matter? Why were they so stubborn? Countless people would beg for such an opportunity!
How could they know that a Heavenly Dao Oath would affect Qi Ping's main body, while the death of a Treant clone meant little to him?
Because of this, some friends who had previously called Qi Ping their brother now kept their distance. They avoided him upon sight, fearing they would be implicated in his downfall. Some were better; they avoided him but their eyes were full of helplessness and regret. They wished him well but dared not risk their own safety.
Only a few continued to treat him as they always had, sincerely considering him a friend. Human nature and the coldness of the world were on full display.
Qi Ping felt somewhat helpless about this. He could understand everyone's choice, but experiencing it himself was still unpleasant. However, he didn't care much. Such was the way of the world; these experiences could be considered a way to temper his Dao-heart. His true pursuit was the Immortal Dao and longevity; all of this was but an interlude on his long journey!
With such a mindset, the white-clad Qi Ping entered the Merit Hall with an unyielding conviction. This path would ultimately have to be risked and forged by his own hands.
Though it was his first time here, he was not a stranger to the place, as he had learned every detail through his conversations with others. Ignoring the strange looks from those around him, he went straight to the mission board and began searching for suitable tasks.
'Guarding spirit fields, raising spirit beasts... forget these. They take too much time and the points are too few.'
If this were his main body, he would definitely choose to hide and develop slowly. But for a Treant clone, there was no such need.
'Let's look for missions with higher rewards!'
'A bounty for the late-stage Foundation Establishment Human-Devil Butcher... not bad.'
'Wiping out the Foundation Establishment Huang family, suspected of practicing man-eating techniques and having ties to demonic sects... this one works too!'
'Exterminating a swarm of Foundation Establishment demonic insects hiding in the Black Mountain Range... I'll take this as well!'
...
'These three missions for now!'
'Once I finish these and return, I can spend some time in the Pavilion of Scriptures. Knowledge in hand is what matters most.'
Qi Ping scanned the board and picked several missions with the highest rewards and the highest risks available for Foundation Establishment cultivators. While they were dangerous, only these tasks could satisfy his hunger for Contribution Points.
'With my current strength, dealing with these should be no problem...'