Chapter Twenty-Three: First Place on Both Lists

Once again, it was the day for the Inner Sect’s merit leaderboard to be updated. Many disciples of the Inner Sect gathered, craning their necks in anticipation.

The merit board was more than just a list of rankings; it served many purposes. For instance, the points one earned could be exchanged at the Pill Hall for the elixirs they needed, or used to enter the Flame Valley to commission a personal spiritual weapon from one of the smiths there.

But above all, the greatest use for sect merit points was access to the Sect’s Scripture Pavilion!

For any sect, the Scripture Pavilion was its very foundation—the repository of all its knowledge, even spells and techniques could be found there. Exchanging points for time within the Pavilion was the most cost-effective use; if fortune favored you and your comprehension was keen, you might even come across a superior technique—what a profit that would be!

...

“Xiao Zhiyuan, 980 points, ranked tenth.”
“Leng Zhen, 1,888 points, ranked ninth.”
“Wang Kun, 1,888 points, ranked eighth.”
...
“Fang Qiyang, 1,888 points, ranked sixth.”
“Chen Shuang, 1,888 points, ranked fifth.”
“Wu Qing, 1,888 points, ranked fourth.”
“Qiao Xinyu, 1,888 points, ranked third.”
“Qiao Xinran, 1,888 points, ranked second.”
...

On a broad stone wall, rows of names appeared. What was shocking was that those who had always been active in the top ten had now fallen out, replaced by names completely unfamiliar to the crowd.

“This leaderboard must be rigged—how can they all have exactly 1,888 points? Did these ten all complete the same mission?”

“Nonsense, that’s impossible. Such a high amount must mean a red-level mission.”

Someone scoffed, “I know Fang Qiyang—he’s only at early Foundation Establishment. With that level, could he really complete a red-level mission?”

At that moment, a sharp-faced, sprightly fellow squeezed through the crowd. As soon as he appeared, all eyes turned to him, for he was the Cangyun Sect’s walking encyclopedia—nothing escaped his notice.

“Monkey, you showing up must mean you’ve got some juicy news, huh?” a disciple teased with a laugh.

“Ahem, but of course!”

The little Monkey puffed out his scrawny chest. In truth, his whole figure was rather small, almost monkey-like indeed.

“Big news, big news! The current top ten on the merit board are all disciples who returned from the same mission! And moreover...” He paused, dragging out the suspense until everyone was hooked, then continued, “The number one spot belongs to an Outer Sect disciple!”

At these words, countless eyes stared at him as if they’d seen a ghost. An Outer Sect disciple not only appeared on the Inner Sect leaderboard, but even took first place? What kind of joke was this?

“You must be kidding,” said one disciple, clearly skeptical.

“Don’t believe it?” Little Monkey grinned smugly, pointing to the top nine and identifying each by name.

...

“Qiao Xinran, eldest daughter of the Qiao family from Yueyang City, first stage of Qi Training, disciple of Elder Bai Yiran. Possesses a Heavenly Water Spirit Root!”

“Qiao Xinyu, youngest daughter of the Qiao family from Yueyang City, first stage of Qi Training, Elder Bai Yiran’s last disciple. Possesses a Heavenly Water Spirit Root!”

“Shen Qingyun, background unknown, cultivation unknown, a new Outer Sect disciple of Cangyun Sect. Possesses dual Earth Spirit Roots of Thunder and Wood!”

After Little Monkey finished, a hush fell before the stone wall. Mouths dropped open wide enough to fit an egg.

“This... that can’t be!” A disciple forced a laugh. “No matter how you put it, he’s just an Outer Sect disciple. To rank first on the Inner Sect board, isn’t that a bit...” He trailed off, but everyone knew what he meant—he was hinting at unfairness within the sect.

Little Monkey only smiled mysteriously. Who knew where he got his information, but it was always spot on.

“The Deeds Board is updated too! Let’s go check it out!” someone suddenly shouted. The Deeds Board, famed for rarely changing, had actually been updated at the same time as the merit board.

The Deeds Board was different from the merit board—merit points were earned through completing tasks, but deeds could only be gained by fulfilling certain designated missions, or by performing acts of salvation and rescue. Even then, there was only a chance of gaining a merit deed.

And the sole use of these deeds was also for the Scripture Pavilion, but unlike merit points, which determined how long you could remain inside, a deed allowed you to select and keep a single technique or item of your choosing.

Remember, to take away—not just to borrow! Though both involved acquiring something from the Pavilion, the difference was immense. Borrowing meant you eventually had to return it, while taking meant it became yours forever.

...

“Shen Qingyun, 1,888 merit deeds, ranked first. Additionally: for saving senior brothers and sisters in mortal peril alone, and single-handedly slaying a great demon of the Manifestation Realm!”

“It can’t be...” The crowd of disciples could only stare as Shen Qingyun’s name and merit deeds topped the ranking, outstripping the second place, Xiao Zhiyuan, by over a thousand deeds—securing a solid hold on second place.

Moreover, the reason for each person’s major contribution was noted. When everyone saw “single-handedly slaying a Manifestation Realm great demon,” they were too stunned to speak.

They were all still at the Foundation Establishment stage and knew well how formidable the Manifestation Realm was. During the Qi Training stage, with enough effort and resources, you could rise a stage a day—of course, that was just a saying, meant to highlight how easy it was to advance during Qi Training. Only upon reaching Foundation Establishment did they realize progress could be so arduous.

After a silent pause, the crowd before the Deeds Board erupted into a frenzy.

“Monkey, he’s just an Outer Sect disciple, how does he deserve such treatment?”

“Yeah! I can’t accept this!”

“He hasn’t even entered the Inner Sect, yet he enjoys Inner Sect privileges. The sect is playing favorites!”

...

Faced with the torrent of questions, Little Monkey remained calm and shook his head. “The sect doesn’t play favorites. Besides, the reasons for his deeds are written there for all to see. What is there to doubt?”

He shot them a mischievous look, as if he saw through their thoughts, and continued, “However, I advise you not to trouble this Outer Sect disciple.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s still a new recruit, protected by the sect.”

“Nonsense!” a disciple shouted. “Anyone who can slay a Manifestation Realm foe must also be at the Manifestation Realm. How could such an expert be a new recruit?”

“I never said he was a master of the Manifestation Realm,” Little Monkey replied breezily. “Soon enough, you’ll all see what sort of person this new Outer Sect disciple really is.”

His final words left the crowd bewildered.

But they would soon understand...

Not only did the news of a double first place sweep through the Inner Sect, but another announcement rocked the Outer Sect as well:

The quota for the Path to Ascension among the Outer Sect disciples had just been released!