"Hall Master, we just received a message from a Foreign Affairs Disciple. The Zhao Family of Anyu City and the Sanhe Gang of Qinghe County don't plan on offering their medicinal herb tribute to the Cyan Yuan Sect this year. Instead, they're sending it to Lingyu Palace."
Sikong Yan held a letter that had been rushed over from the Foreign Affairs Hall as he reported the latest intelligence to Gu An.
He was in charge of collecting the medicinal herbs, so he had begun arranging for people to investigate the various factions that had offered tribute in previous years to confirm the details of their offerings.
"This is a year of natural disaster. For Lingyu Palace and other factions to try and provoke our Cyan Yuan Sect again... they truly never give up."
"What other factions under our protection want to switch sides?"
A cold expression appeared on Gu An's face when he heard this.
As the top-level faction in Qing State, the Cyan Yuan Sect controlled most of the resources, which naturally made them a target for other covetous powers.
Lingyu Palace is just one of them. On their own, they would never dare to make a move. They must have formed an alliance.
"We've only received this one message so far. The rest of the intelligence is still on its way."
Sikong Yan shook his head and said.
For a protected faction to switch sides was undoubtedly a slap in the face to the Cyan Yuan Sect. It was no small matter. This wasn't something a mere Steward like him could handle; only the Elders or the Sect Leader could.
"Once the messages from the other regions arrive, bring them all to me. I will personally go to the Cyan Jade Hall to discuss this matter with the Sect Leader and the other Elders."
Gu An took the letter Sikong Yan had brought and left.
In a year of natural disaster, all sorts of calamities were sure to be plentiful.
There would surely be no shortage of rebellions, uprisings, and proselytizing evil cults. At the same time, the various factions would fight endlessly amongst themselves.
Cultivation Resources were already limited, and they became even scarcer after the natural disaster arrived. It was only natural that conflict would break out over them.
'Qing State is suffering a drought, a natural disaster. I wonder how far the chaos will spread this time.'
Sikong Yan's brow furrowed slightly as he watched Gu An leave.
Every time the factions fought, people from the Sect—disciples, Stewards, and the like—might have to personally participate in annihilating the provocative powers.
Take the Zhao Family of Anyu City and the Sanhe Gang of Qinghe County, the most immediate examples. The Cyan Yuan Sect would certainly arrange for people to eliminate them completely.
This was the Cyan Yuan Sect's way. To make an example of them, they would act with extreme cruelty to stamp out any thought of betrayal.
And, of course, they wouldn't let the powers behind them off easily either.
...
「Servants' Courtyard.」
After leveling his Ox Demon's Mighty Fist to Tier One, Yang Chan found that his Talent hadn't improved. This didn't surprise him. 'If it had such a function, the Cyan Yuan Sect would be filled with countless genius disciples.'
However, the fact that his lifespan had increased after he comprehended Power confirmed one of his suspicions: 'The stronger I become, the longer my lifespan will be.'
Not only could he use the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill to increase his lifespan and Talent, but he could also increase his Cultivation to extend his life.
After his advancement, Yang Chan performed a set of the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist. Just as he expected, his proficiency didn't increase.
Although it was still a percentage, increasing his proficiency would now require many more practice repetitions.
He hadn't confirmed exactly how many it would take, but it was definitely more than one.
Yang Chan didn't try again. He wasn't bothered by the sounds of others practicing the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist in the courtyard outside.
Because things were different now.
The next morning, after arriving at the Medicine Hall and listening to Steward Zhao announce the servants' tasks, Yang Chan didn't leave with the others. Instead, he walked up to the steward.
"Yang Chan, what is it?"
Zhao Xingyun asked upon seeing Yang Chan.
As he spoke, his brow furrowed slightly. He assumed Yang Chan had experienced the benefits of the Qi Nourishing Soup and wanted to ask for more. It wasn't the first time something like that had happened.
"Steward Zhao, this disciple has comprehended Wild Ox Force. I request to take the Cyan Yuan Sect's assessment for Official Disciples."
Yang Chan's voice wasn't loud, but it stunned the Servant Disciples who hadn't left yet. Envy then filled their eyes.
"No... You've comprehended Wild Ox Force?"
Zhao Xingyun had been about to refuse, but upon hearing Yang Chan's words, his brain caught up, and he stared intently at him.
As far as he knew, ever since the Cyan Yuan Sect had announced the one-month deadline for Servant Disciples, countless had died, but not a single one had managed to comprehend Power and become an Official Disciple.
Many had already decided to give up.
"Yes. I must also thank Hall Master Gu, Steward Sikong, and you, Steward Zhao, for bestowing upon me that bowl of Qi Nourishing Soup. It allowed this disciple to practice the Ox Demon's Mighty Fist a few more times, which was just enough to comprehend Wild Ox Force."
As Yang Chan spoke, he walked over to a stone millstone on the side.
This millstone was used by Official Disciples for strength training. It weighed about five *dan*, and they would lift it to practice while supervising the Servant Disciples at their tasks.
Many of the Servant Disciples had secretly tried to lift it after the Official Disciples left, but they couldn't even budge it.
Now, Yang Chan walked to the millstone and circulated his Power.
"Hah!"
He lifted the millstone straight up with both hands, making it look effortless.
"Good, good! Yang Chan, since you've comprehended Power, you no longer need to do servant tasks. Luo Yang, take Yang Chan to the Medicine Hall's assessment area to be tested."
Seeing Yang Chan lift the millstone, all doubt vanished from Zhao Xingyun's eyes, and he spoke with delight.
This also meant that the casual gesture made by Hall Master Gu and Steward Sikong had paid off.
His gaze swept over the eager eyes of the other Servant Disciples, and he knew they would all work even harder from now on.
Having a living example right in front of them was naturally very inspiring.
Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd of Servant Disciples, Yang Chan followed the Official Disciple, Luo Yang, toward the assessment area within the Medicine Hall.
"Junior Brother Yang, let me be the first to congratulate you."
Luo Yang said with a smile as he led Yang Chan on the way to the assessment area.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Luo. I was wondering, what does the Official Disciple assessment involve?"
Sensing the goodwill in Luo Yang's eyes, Yang Chan quickly asked.
He knew about the Official Disciple assessment, but he didn't know what it entailed.
"Don't worry, Junior Brother Yang. The Official Disciple assessment mainly tests whether you've comprehended Wild Ox Force. They'll also run a background check and things like that."
"Since you were able to become a Servant Disciple, you don't need to worry about any of that."
"You just need to complete the Power assessment at the assessment area."
Luo Yang explained patiently to Yang Chan. To an Official Disciple, this was all just common knowledge.
For Yang Chan to be on the verge of becoming an Official Disciple meant he had at least some potential. Luo Yang was naturally willing to use such unimportant information to get on his good side.
Perhaps one day, he might need Yang Chan's help.
"I see. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Luo."
Yang Chan nodded in understanding.
His background in this world was clean. He had no hidden backing, nor was he a spy from another sect, so he naturally didn't have to worry about a background check.
As for the Power assessment, that was even less of a problem.
Sure enough, the whole process went very smoothly. After having him lift a millstone and confirming that the only Power within his body was Wild Ox Force, Yang Chan was officially made an Official Disciple of the Cyan Yuan Sect.