"And now? The millions of Mortal Servants on Beimang Ridge are scrambling over each other for a chance to work for those two families. You could say their extravagance knows no bounds."
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow, hearing the envy in Yang Xun's voice.
It seemed the ultimate goal of a Qi Cultivation Clan was to transform into a proper sect, one that had received its own Daoist Lineage and Method.
Just as Yang Xun finished speaking, a Little Daoist Child served their food and drinks.
Jiang Yi had specially requested the preparations from a waiter at the Ice and Fire Cave. The meal consisted of the finest Spirit Rice and various mountain delicacies like frozen mushrooms, matsutake, snow frog, and Ruffed Grouse.
"It tastes good, but don't go to such trouble next time. I've reached the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer in my Cultivation; I either fast or consume elixirs. I don't place much importance on gluttonous pleasures."
Yang Xun glanced at the food, then picked up another piece with his chopsticks. He knew Jiang Yi had put a lot of thought into this.
「It was the cusp of winter, a time when heavy snows would soon seal the mountains.」
These mountain delicacies were quite rare and must have cost a significant amount of talisman money.
Jiang Yi smiled shyly.
"I'm just glad you find it to your liking, Servant."
Yang Xun sampled a few more bites before continuing.
"Now, where were we?"
Jiang Yi picked up the thread.
"The Zhao You Sect, which calls the shots on Beimang Ridge, and the Fu and Kang Clans."
Yang Xun nodded and remarked with a sigh,
"I've mentioned the saying, 'With Qi Cultivation, one forms a clan.' In truth, it's followed by another line: 'With Foundation Establishment, one's breed is called noble.'"
"The Fu and Kang Clans each have a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator watching over them. The descendants of these two families are the so-called 'Noble Cultivator Species,' and they have a chance to enter a Thousand-Year Great Sect and truly become Dao Material."
Jiang Yi silently did the math in his head. 'How far am I from being one of those Noble Cultivator Species?'
"Don't even think about it. You should first focus on getting past the Third and Fourth Layers of Qi Cultivation and work your way toward the Primordial Inner Mansion."
Yang Xun gave a sudden smile, as if he had seen right through Jiang Yi's thoughts, but his tone remained cold.
"Only when you reach the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer will you be considered to have the aptitude for true Cultivation."
Jiang Yi kept up his persona as a diligent and inquisitive student.
"Is it because only at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, after opening the Primordial Inner Mansion, can one absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism?"
Yang Xun nodded. This was not information one would hear in lessons on Daoism, but among the schools of the Qi Cultivation Clans, it was hardly a secret.
"In the Qi Cultivation First Realm, the first four layers are meant to temper the physique and forge it into a cauldron. This is to prepare it for the Fifth Layer and beyond, allowing it to contain Spiritual Energy, which you can then collect and refine.
"Once you reach the Fifth Layer, the method of Cultivation changes drastically.
"The myriad types of Spiritual Energy that exist in the world have different properties. Some are pure, others turbid; some are dense, others volatile.
"For example, the Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique that I practice requires me to gather qi that is Yin, arid, and potent in nature.
"Therefore, it is best to circulate my power at noon and midnight.
"If you were to practice a Cultivation Technique related to the 'Great Sun,' you would have to choose the hours of the Hare or the Dragon to absorb the violet qi of the sun as it rises in the east.
"You must understand these principles clearly. Otherwise, if you make a mistake during Qi Collection and it conflicts with your Cultivation Technique, you'll inevitably risk suffering from qi deviation."
Jiang Yi pondered. 'No wonder those at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer can become Servants in the sect.'
'On the one hand, once the Primordial Inner Mansion is opened, their Power and Cultivation increase dramatically, creating a huge gap between them and those at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. They're considered the backbone of the Sect.'
'On the other hand, if they still had to toil away at manual labor after reaching the fifth floor, how could they possibly complete their Qi Collection exercises?'
'Furthermore, with the countless attributes of Spiritual Energy, circulating one's power is naturally a tedious process that demands extreme caution and cannot be neglected.'
'But this also makes it easier for the Sect to 'manage' Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer!'
'Everyone on Red Flame Peak practices the Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique, so their methods are all compatible.'
'Presumably, the other three peaks of the Outer Sect are the same.'
'The Daoist Lineage and Method is truly meticulous and strict!'
Though his mind was wandering, Jiang Yi said aloud,
"I will do my utmost to comprehend the Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique and not disappoint your high hopes, Servant."
Yang Xun just smiled, not taking him seriously.
With Jiang Yi's Cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer, it would take him at least three to five years to fully master the Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique, a Qi Cultivation Ninth Grade technique.
At the absolute fastest, it would still take a year or two!
"Today's lesson is on the house. But next time you ask for my instruction, I'll be charging you the going rate for an Inner Sect lecture."
Yang Xun waved his hand, dismissing Jiang Yi.
Although he found the boy agreeable and was willing to give a diligent cultivator a chance to succeed,
whether or not the boy could leap the dragon gate and change his own fate still depended on whether he had the strength to back it up.
If his strength and talent were lacking, he would just end up like Zhi'er—dying a premature and senseless death.