Dual cultivation makes you stronger, everyone else is a prodigy, and I'm the only one slacking

Yu Luoning didn't want to sleep. By the firelight, she asked, "Where is Young Master planning to go? I wonder if we'll be traveling together afterward?"

Shi Shangxu opened his eyes, his clear eyes filled with a firm goal: "Dongbao Shangzong, to participate in the assessment for entry-level disciples."

Yu Luoning's heart tightened.

Dongbao Shangzong?

Even though she wasn't native, she had heard of the Shangzong clan.

The only top-tier sect on the Eastern Treasure Continent.

Legend has it that the area is crisscrossed by spiritual veins, attracting geniuses and prodigies from across the continent, and monopolizing high-level spiritual veins and numerous cultivation techniques for those at the Nascent Soul stage and above. Its formidable foundation is unmatched by any other sect.

Of course, only in the Dongbao Continent.

If Yu Luoning hadn't visited Xing Qi's hometown, she would probably have thought that the Dongbao Upper Sect was unapproachable.

However, she was quite self-aware. With her current strength, she was just a nobody in the Dongbao Continent, let alone other continents. She should just stay in the beginner village for now.

"What are the requirements for taking the Dongbao Upper Sect's assessment?" Yu Luoning asked tentatively.

Shi Shangxu took out a uniquely shaped black gold dagger from his bosom. Under the moonlight, a chilling spiritual power flowed from the tip of the blade.

"Those who are qualified will be given this specially made dagger as a token by the observing elders."

Shi Shangxu looked at it with a complicated expression. "Only by obtaining it can one be qualified to step into the Upper Sect's trial grounds. And I... have been observed for a full five years in order to obtain this token."

He said this with a hint of helplessness in his voice.

Five years? Even taking the civil service exam wouldn't be this difficult, right?

Yu Luoning wondered to herself, and even couldn't help but ask, "Why has the investigation taken so long?"

Shi Shangxu chuckled self-deprecatingly and said helplessly, "Actually, each observation elder has different standards. My observation elder thinks that my temperament... is not ruthless enough."

"Isn't this a good thing?"

Yu Luoning was puzzled, because in her opinion, kindness was a very precious quality.

In this cannibalistic world of cultivation, she truly wished there were more good people like Shi Shangxu.

Shi Shangxu: "No, for cultivation, this might be a fatal flaw. The elder believes that a true strongman needs the decisiveness and methods to kill. I am more disciplined than aggressive. He thinks that my personality won't last long, and it would be better for me to live a peaceful life in a remote corner of Sichuan."

Yu Luoning opened her mouth, but for a moment she was speechless.

This kind of character assessment without any standards is the most ridiculous thing. It all depends on the old man's word. If he says you're good enough, you're good enough; if you're not, you're good enough. It's just too arbitrary.

Yu Luoning curled her lip, looking disgusted, "Then your observation elder must have no taste."

Shi Shangxu remained silent, then looked up at her.

Yu Luoning said, "What's wrong with kindness? If you ask me, kindness is the rarest and most precious resource in this world. Everyone is busy killing and robbing, scheming against each other, how tiring is that! People like you who are good at fighting, handsome, and help the weak are the real heroes."

"What does that old man know? If he really likes ruthlessness, he should go to prison and pick out those death row inmates who kill without blinking an eye."

Shi Shangxu was amused, his smile as gentle as a pool of spring water. "Hmm, you have a point."

Yu Luoning chuckled, casually took out a candied fruit from his Qiankun bag, and popped it into his mouth.

"But how did he change his mind later?"

Shi Shangxu touched his nose; the firelight made his ears appear slightly red.

"Later, I mastered the Mind Clarity Technique, and I was able to detect lies by observing their aura. I kept my distance from those with impure auras who were full of lies. Over time, the elders thought I had finally seen the light..."

Yu Luoning: "So you did good deeds without any bottom line? People said their mice were so hungry they were crying, and you were willing to give them spirit stones?"

Shi Shangxu coughed awkwardly, "Actually... it's not that exaggerated."

Yu Luoning shook her head, her eyes deep and thoughtful. No wonder the old man had to observe for five years. He had finally chosen a talented young genius, but if he died soon because of his kind nature, it would be better to let him stay in his hometown, where he could be protected by his family and at least live a peaceful life.

Do you know what my life motto is?

Shi Shangxu was taken aback and asked, "What?"

"You can lie to my feelings, but you can't lie to my money."

~

After some conversation, she roughly understood the situation: the Dongbao Upper Sect was probably equivalent to Tsinghua or Peking University. While sects like the Shishangxu Sect could be entered through normal channels, there were definitely unconventional pathways.

"Is there no other way besides someone like you who's been being watched for five years?"

Shi Shangxu: "I've heard there are three types. One is the master-disciple recommendation, which means that if a senior from the Dongbao Upper Sect is willing to take you as a disciple, you can directly enter the sect without taking the exam. The second is bloodline inheritance, where descendants of aristocratic families native to the Upper Sect have a quota for entering the sect without taking the exam. However, they are very xenophobic and arrogant, and they only intermarry within aristocratic families and families from other regions. The last one is a poor student like me who gets in through the exam."

Yu Luoning froze, staring at Shi Shangxu.

"You consider yourself...from a poor family?"

Shi Shangxu's handsome face showed some unease: "Although my family has a place in Sichuan, it is really nothing compared to the rest of the continent. This year, Sichuan originally had five spots, but unfortunately... Young Master Li is still in seclusion and has not returned, and Prince Feng's Dao Heart was damaged and he was disqualified. In the end, there are only three people left."

Yu Luoning gasped.

I roughly understand.

So Dongbao Shangzong is this amazing?

For some reason, she was still a little unwilling to give up and asked again:

"Are there no other ways to get in besides these three?"

After thinking for a moment, Shi Shangxu's expression became somewhat strange.

He said, "There is indeed an unconventional method. It's called 'relatives affiliation.' Any disciple who formally enters the inner sect has the right to bring one to three relatives to settle in the outer sect. This was originally intended to appease the disciples' resolve, but it has actually become distorted."

Yu Luoning almost instantly realized the trick. "You mean, these spots can be bought and sold for money? Is that right?"

Shi Shangxu nodded: "Many disciples from humble backgrounds rent out these spots to raise money for future pill expenses. Powerful families from the outside world compete fiercely for them, hoping to enter the outer sect of the upper sect and absorb some immortal energy. Often, they are willing to give up all their possessions and fight to the death to gain the status of a distant relative."

"What happens to those affiliated with him if he dies within the sect?"

"They will be removed from the program."

"For those who went to great lengths to obtain their status, wouldn't it all be for nothing?"

Shi Shangxu said calmly, "Yes! But since we've chosen this path, we have to bear the risks involved."

Yu Luoning was a complete novice in this area, and she had to ask very detailed questions to figure out the ins and outs.

It turns out that even relatives are divided into ranks. True inner subordinates must be Daoist partners or direct siblings, who not only possess a few privileges but can also reside in the inner sect's area.

Ru Shi Shangxu ran away on his own because the family was arguing fiercely over the ownership of the three spots.

However, he was clearly unwilling to say more, and Yu Luoning did not ask any further questions.

She turned her face to look at the campfire, her eyes shining faintly.

Family quotas, right to reside in inner quarters...

She went through these thoughts in her mind again and again, and the corners of her mouth slowly curved into a smile.

Shi Shangxu is now not only her walking copy, but Yu Luoning has also set her sights on his relative's quota.

From attracting the attention of the sect to being observed and then undergoing trials to join the sect through normal channels, following the normal procedures, it's unknown how many years it would take.

It would be better to choose to be affiliated with a relative and enter the outer gate directly. Since you're closer, you'll eventually have a chance to enter the inner gate.

What's this called? This is called a roundabout way to achieve one's goals, a strategic detour.

She turned her head to look at the boy meditating opposite her, her eyes softening involuntarily.

Shi Shangxu met her gaze and was slightly taken aback.

Yu Luoning smiled sincerely: "Young master, we are so destined to meet. I am so happy to have met you."

Shi Shangxu: "..."

Why does he feel cold all over?