Chapter 41: Life 58, Age 27, Martial Master 4
The following year, I took time to study and practice the various Rank 2 alchemy techniques in the elder’s library. The limit of one technique per month was just enough to allow me to grasp the basics of one technique before moving on to the next. Instead of completely mastering each technique in isolation, I wanted a basic understanding of all the techniques first. Then, I would be able to build out a comprehensive methodology.
During this year, I also took the time to carefully read through every Rank 1 technique in the elder’s library. I didn’t need the fighting or cultivation techniques yet, and the alchemy techniques were all inferior to the Rank 2 manuals I had access to, but I diligently copied them for later use. I wanted to read through the Rank 2 cultivation and fighting manuals as well, but since I could only read one a month, I had to first focus on what would bring me immediate benefits.
After this year of study, I was able to make Meridian Builder Pills with up to 105% efficacy. It was far from what Wen Hao was able to accomplish, but it was a definite improvement.
At the same time, I took Deacon Liu’s advice and started slowly increasing my cultivation. When I hit Martial Master 4, I began to feel changes in my thought processes, but they were easy enough to suppress when necessary.
I would have continued this slow improvement in seclusion, but Deacon Liu interrupted it. The competition to select new inner sect disciples was about to take place, and he wanted me to watch so I could better understand my place in the sect.
There were no places to hold large competitions in the village or on the mountain, so the Inner Sect Challenge was held in the same arena in the city as the Outer Sect Competition.
No nominal or servant disciples were allowed to attend, nor were they even informed. The stands held only deacons and disciples of the inner and outer sect. The competition was to be judged by a panel of three elders.
In the arena, twenty competitors stood next to workbenches. In front of them, a man dressed in elaborately embroidered robes of a dark blue hue sat on a podium. He looked on as deacons finished setting everything up, with elders occasionally approaching him for short discussions. When everything was ready, and the audience had all been seated, he stood up and walked to the front of his podium.
“Welcome, everyone,” he said. “I am Tan GaoFeng, the Deputy Sect Master for the Twin Mountains Sect in charge of the Alchemy Peak. If you are new to the sect, and this is your first time at one of these competitions, I welcome you.”