Data-Driven Cultivation: I Defy Heaven and Overthrow Interstellar Domestication

During the time Xie Yanchen was in seclusion in the library, the news had already spread throughout the Qingyun Sect.

The transmission was much faster than he had anticipated.

First, the outer sect was in an uproar. A disciple with a three-year-old useless spiritual root, who had been guarding the library, had silenced the outer sect elders in front of the entire sect, and the sect leader had personally promised him free access to the library—something that had never happened before in the outer sect's history. Those outer sect disciples with similarly poor spiritual roots, who had been trampled on for years, had their eyes light up upon hearing the news. Some slammed their fists on the table in excitement, saying that Xie Yanchen had brought honor to the outer sect; others couldn't sleep at night, tossing and turning, thinking that even useless spiritual roots could have a day of glory.

But the reaction from the inner circle was completely different.

The inner sect of the Qingyun Sect has always been the face of the sect. Disciples who can enter the inner sect must at least possess three spiritual roots, and from a young age, they are pampered, provided with rations of spiritual herbs and stones, and personally taught cultivation techniques. The way they look at the outer sect disciples is always a glance down from the corner of their eyes—not intentional contempt, but an ingrained habit. In their eyes, the outer sect disciples are mediocre, lack resources, and their lives will be the same forever; they can't possibly make any waves.

Xie Yanchen's move not only created waves, but also sent the waves crashing directly into the faces of the inner disciples.

Those inner sect prodigies couldn't sit still any longer.

As evening fell, several disciples at the fourth and fifth levels of Qi Refining huddled together near the martial arts training ground in the west courtyard of the inner sect, discussing the day's events. The leader, Zhou Cheng, was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, possessing dual metal-attribute spiritual roots, and was considered a prominent figure within the inner sect. He usually looked down on those from the outer sect, and now his expression was even more grim.

"A piece of trash with mixed spiritual roots, just by flipping through a few tattered books and spouting a few smooth words, he gets access to the library?" Zhou Cheng slammed his teacup on the stone table, spilling half a cup of tea. "We've been struggling in the inner sect for so many years, painstakingly completing tasks to accumulate contribution points, and we have to carefully budget every single time we enter the library. And him, he just opens his mouth, and the sect leader personally paves the way for him!"

The expressions on the faces of the people nearby were also grim. A Qi Refining Level 4 disciple named Meng Qiu, who was usually quiet, couldn't help but speak up: "The key is the Sect Master's words—'The future of the sect rests on your shoulders.' You all know how heavy those words are. When has the Sect Master ever said such a thing to an outer disciple?"

After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent. The silence carried an indescribable bitterness and resentment.

"No way." Zhou Cheng stood up abruptly. "We can't let this kid climb up the ranks by stepping on the faces of the inner sect so easily."

"What do you want to do?" Meng Qiu asked.

"Isn't he supposed to be a peerless genius? Let's test him and see what his true abilities are." Zhou Cheng sneered. "A Qi Refining stage cultivator with mixed spiritual roots, I don't believe he can really cause trouble. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to his place and ambush him, stripping him naked in public. With the whole sect watching, his empty reputation will naturally dissipate."

The news spread quickly within the inner circle of the sect. In less than half a night, about thirty people responded to Zhou Cheng's call. Among these people were those who disliked Xie Yanchen, those who were simply bored and wanted to join in the fun, and a few who vaguely felt something was amiss but couldn't quite put their finger on it, so they decided to go and see for themselves.

  

Silent all night.

The next day, just as dawn broke, this group of inner disciples left the inner courtyard together and walked along the mountain path to the outer disciples' residential area. More than thirty people, marching in unison, exuding an imposing aura, caused the outer disciples they encountered along the way to give way, hiding by the roadside to secretly observe them.

"Are these people from the inner sect? What are they doing in the outer sect?"

"Judging from their demeanor, they're here to cause trouble... Could they be after Xie Yanchen?"

Some reacted quickly and ran towards Xie Yanchen's courtyard. The news spread like wildfire, and soon the outer sect was in an uproar. Many outer sect disciples didn't even have time for breakfast; they grabbed their bowls and followed the crowd, completely blocking the entrance to Xie Yanchen's courtyard.

The courtyard was dilapidated. There were three low houses with mottled mud walls. The gate was made of two old wooden planks pieced together, with a gap wide enough to fit a finger. There were no decent furnishings in the courtyard. A few bundles of firewood were piled in the corner, and two faded coarse cloth clothes hung on the clothesline.

Zhou Cheng stood at the courtyard gate, looking the dilapidated place up and down, his smile widening. This kind of dwelling dared to be compared to them in the sect?

He put his hands behind his back and raised his voice loudly, deliberately making sure everyone around could hear: "Xie Yanchen, come out!"

There was no movement inside the courtyard.

Zhou Cheng paused, then raised his voice further: "I've heard you've been making waves lately, fooling the sect leader with your words to obtain access to the library, thus monopolizing resources that rightfully belong to the prodigies! We've come here today to see just how much skill this so-called genius really possesses!"

As soon as he finished speaking, about thirty people behind him took a step forward in unison, exuding an imposing aura. Some crossed their arms and sneered, some whispered among themselves and made sarcastic remarks, and some simply raised their voices to support him.

"A mixed spiritual root, only at the Qi Refining stage a few times? And you dare to challenge the inner disciples?"

"You've only deciphered one ancient text and you're already this weak? Without sufficient cultivation, everything else is meaningless!"

"An outer disciple will always be an outer disciple. What's the use of making exceptions? In a real fight, they'll be down in one move!"

"Come out! Let's have a contest in front of everyone, so everyone can see just how 'peerless' this genius really is!"

The crowd stirred. The outer disciples exchanged glances, some clenching their fists, others biting their lips, too afraid to utter a sound. They were on Xie Yanchen's side, but these thirty-odd inner disciples, the lowest in cultivation being at least the fourth level of Qi Refining, and Zhou Cheng, at the fifth level of Qi Refining, standing before them, exuded an arrogance cultivated since childhood that was suffocating. Forget about fighting; just standing there, few outer disciples dared to approach.

"What's Junior Brother Xie's cultivation level now? I remember he was at the second level of Qi Refining in the last test, right?"

"Level 2 Qi Refining versus Level 5 Qi Refining... How do I fight like this?"

"The inner sect members are bullying us too much. They know that my cultivation is much lower, but they still block the door and challenge me. It's obvious that they want to humiliate Junior Brother Xie in public."

"But they've specifically named and challenged us, so we can't just stay silent... It would be even more embarrassing to back down."

A buzz of discussion filled the air, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the dilapidated wooden door.

Just then, the wooden door creaked open from the inside.

The noise suddenly subsided. Everyone unconsciously held their breath.

Xie Yanchen walked out of the door, his steps neither fast nor slow. He wore a faded plain cloth shirt, the cuffs rolled up twice, revealing his thin but well-defined forearms. He hadn't slept much all night; his complexion wasn't rosy, but his eyes were clear, as clear as cool water just drawn from a well.

He stopped at the doorway and calmly scanned the area.

First, he glanced at the thirty-odd inner disciples blocking the entrance, then at the large, dark mass of outer disciples surrounding them. Their gazes held anticipation, tension, worry, and some were simply waiting to see a good show.

When Zhou Cheng saw him come out, he raised his chin slightly and was about to say something to put him down again, but Xie Yanchen spoke first.

The voice was soft and indifferent, as casual as asking what one had for breakfast.

"You," he said, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Cheng's face and then sweeping over the thirty or so men behind him, "want to test my skills?"

There was no anger, no fear, not even the slightest fluctuation in his tone.

Zhou Cheng was slightly taken aback by his unusual calmness, then snorted coldly: "That's right! Today—"

"Alright." Xie Yanchen interrupted him, brushing a speck of sawdust off his sleeve, and stepped over the threshold. "So, will you come one by one, or all at once?"

The room fell silent for a moment after he said that.

The disciples watching were all stunned. More than thirty inner sect prodigies were blocking the entrance and challenging him, and not only did he not dodge or evade, he actually asked them to "come at me all at once"? Some people thought they had misheard and rubbed their ears hard.

The expressions of the inner disciples behind Zhou Cheng changed drastically. Some laughed in anger, some turned ashen-faced, and some clenched their fists.

"Such arrogance!" Zhou Cheng narrowed his eyes, his contempt fading slightly, replaced by a coldness. "Xie Yanchen, do you really think you—"

Xie Yanchen looked at him, his expression unchanged from beginning to end. He stood in front of the dilapidated wooden door, and the morning light shone through the gaps in the eaves on the east side, casting a faint light on his shoulder.

He didn't say anything more, just stood there quietly.

The gesture made it clear—enough with the nonsense, let's get started.