The Path of Survivor begins with obtaining titles

After returning to Jin Qiao Peak, Lin Yi resumed practicing the Sword Control Technique, striving to reach the proficiency level before entering the Dan God Secret Realm.

One day, after he finished practicing the Sword Control Technique, he noticed Zhi Ling silently sitting by his side, seeming a bit dejected. Since he returned from Old Huangs funeral a few days ago, this little fellow had been in a low mood.

However, he was too occupied with practicing his Sword Control Technique and signing up for the competition to give it much thought, assuming the little guy was just temporarily upset.

Lin Yi placed Zhi Ling on his palm and asked earnestly, “Zhi Ling, are you upset about something? We are partners, you can’t keep things from me.”

Zhi Ling silently nodded, then laid down in his palm. Its tiny claw stretched out into the air before dropping in exhaustion, and it titled its head, eyelids dropping closed.

Then, it opened its eyes, uttering a couple of low, dejected chirps.

Lin Yi suddenly understood and burst into laughter, “You little fellow, eagerly waiting for my demise. Rest assured, I will not die as easily as Old Huang.”

He then jokingly added, “On the contrary, you need to cultivate diligently. I don’t want to have to bury you one day.”

The once dejected Zhi Ling suddenly perked up, shaking his small paw energetically a couple of times. Then, it began to absorb spiritual energy again, resuming its cultivation.

Ten days later, Lin Yi t s Sword Control Technique successfully advanced from a beginner level to proficiency. Under the potent effect of [Grain Wisdom from One’s Mistakes], even the bottleneck between the beginner and proficiency stage of a high-order spell could be broken through with ease.

After upgrading the level of the Sword Control Technique, a dialog box appeared before him.

“The Host’s diligence in raising cultivation levels and spell grades is astonishing. [Newbie] title has been upgraded to [Training Expert].”

Seeing the content of the dialog box, Lin Yi smiled. The leveling title had been advanced to the next stage for the second time.

He had been puzzling over this title. It should have arrived after breaking through the foundation, considering he had advanced a Great Realm. He thought he should have at least surpassed the newbie stage by now.

He didn’t expect that it required his spell to level up again to activate this title.

His gaze then fell on [Training Expert], taking in the effects of the upgraded title.

“Cultivation Speed +50%, Spell/Skills Advancement Speed +50%,

Breaking-through difficulty -15%, 10% chance of entering the Flow State.”

Seeing the new additional effects, a strange expression crept onto Lin Yi’s face. Fixating his gaze on ‘Flow State’, he read the details of its effect.

“All title effects are doubled in this state.’

The effect of all his leveling had doubled. Lin Yi couldn’t help but smile at this boost to his leveling. The 10% chance wasn’t too low.

If he was able to utilize his Little Luck state, this effect would yield the greatest results, lowering the breaking-through difficulty by 30%. Paired with [Grain Wisdom from One’s Mistakes], future bottlenecks would become increasingly easier to break through.

Next were [Little Farmer] and [Junior Dung Cleaner]. He estimated that the Farmer title could only be upgraded after this year’s Spirit Grass harvest.

As for the Dung Cleaner title, he was still unsure how to activate the next stage. Perhaps awakening another animal’s bloodline was necessary, but that would have to wait until he returned from the Dan God Secret Realm.

A month later, the Golden Sword was once again hovering in mid-air, and all the Disciples once again gathered at the Golden Sword Peak Plaza.

Golden Sword Zen Ren stood atop the Golden Sword and declared,

“Registration time is over. Today, we shall begin the ability test for the Secret Realm quotas. The three tests will be conducted simultaneously in the Golden Sword Plaza.’

“Let the most capable enter the Dan God Secret Realm. The full responsibility of this test will be carried out by my Golden Sword Lineage’s Great Disciple, Zhou Yun Feng.” With a flash of golden light, he vanished before everyone’s eyes.

“We respectfully send off the Master of Golden Sword Faction (Master/True Person).” The crowd bowed towards the sky with their fists clenched in respect.

At this moment, Zhou Yun Feng rose into the air, smiled, and waved his hand, “You don’t have to stand, please sit down.”

Hearing his words, the multitude of disciples immediately sat on the plaza.

He slowly descended and began, “First, let me announce the number of contestants for each of the three tests. The entry requirements for these tests are restricted to those at the Qi Refining Eighth Stage and above.”

“The number of combat power disciples that have signed up is two hundred and thirty, alchemist disciples one hundred and five, and farming disciples six hundred and twenty-six.”

Lin Yi couldn’t help but marvel. Indeed, the Golden Sword Lineage placed emphasis on quality over quantity. He remembered that there were almost fourteen hundred Qi-refining disciples in the sect.

Looking at the number of applicants, there are over nine hundred cultivators at the Qi Refining Eighth Stage and above, accounting for more than sixty percent. This doesn’t even include those who haven’t signed up.

Just as he had guessed, the number of disciples signing up for the farming test was staggeringly high. Many from the combat renowned Golden Sword Peak were leaning towards the farming test. Quite the surprise.

The tests for combat and alchemy disciples could be easily guessed. One would fight on the ring, and the other would refine pills. But the farming disciple test, looking after Spirit Grass, might not be so straightforward.

After all, tending to Spirit Grass is a long-term commitment. Even though there are cultivation methods that can make plants grow rapidly, the plants grown in this way are void of any nutrients and essentially, useless.

If the test is conducted on the Golden Sword Plaza, there’s only one option. The Spirit Grass must be planted in pots and handed to those who signed up for the farming test. This way, it can be conducted fairly.

Upon hearing these numbers, the cultivators on the plaza were astounded, particularly at the number of disciples signing up for the farming test almost three times more than those for combat.

“No way, there are so many signing for farming? Our Golden Sword Peak is the number one in terms of combat power in the Liu Yun Sect. Are we now trying to be the top farming peak?”

“Well, choosing the combat disciple test, you think you can defeat those senior brothers? It’d be better off to try your luck in farming.”

“Yes, I heard that other Golden Core Peaks are similar, with a huge number of people signing up for the farming test and looking after the Spirit Grass. After all, the chance to enter the Dan God Secret Realm and the Dan God’s Cave Mansion is too tempting. It doesn’t matter if it’s farming or even cleaning dung.”

At this point, Zhou Yun Feng pressed down with both hands, and the scene immediately quieted, “Now, let me announce the format for the three tests. The combat disciples will compete on a stage on one side, and the last two victorious will be awarded a place in the Dan God Secret Realm.”

“The alchemy disciples will be tested on the other side of the plaza. The test involves not only pill refining but also identifying Spirit Grass and Spirit Medicine, as well as grading pills.”

“An Alchemy Furnace will be placed on the plaza, and the disciple with the highest score will earn a place in the Secret Realm.”

“The farming disciples’ test will take place in the center of the plaza, where the Pill Hall will distribute five identical pots of Spirit Grass to each

contestant.”

“You will need to tend to them for one month. Whether you choose to leave the Golden Sword Peak after tending to them each day is up to you.”

“Those who choose to leave should have no worries about their Spirit Grass being damaged, as they will be monitored at all times. Any contestant who gets close to another’s Spirit Grass will be immediately disqualified.”

“Anyone who uses farming practices to help others will be disqualified as well.’

“After one month, the two disciples whose Spirit Grasses thrive the most will be awarded a place in the Secret Realm.”

Zhou Yun Feng outlined each test, stirring up intense discussion among the crowd.

Lin Yi smiled, he had guessed it right again. He felt this test was probably more than just looking after Spirit Grass. There would surely be other twists.

However, he, who had attained Great Perfection in all three levels of farming practices, was not nervous at all.

He would decide whether or not to hide his abilities based on the actual situation. Among the over six hundred contestants, there would definitely be excellent disciples. He could not afford to miss this opportunity because of any hidden agendas..