ATPnovel Chapter 15 Descending the Mountain Again
Chapter 15 Descending the Mountain Again
The total amount of spiritual energy extracted has increased significantly, mainly due to the improvement of inner disciples' cultivation and the successive sensing of spiritual energy by several outer disciples.
Although each person's contribution is small, they add up and the total amount is steadily increasing.
Zhong Xiu remains the biggest contributor. Ever since Shen Qing guided her in cultivation, the girl seems somewhat afraid to be alone with Shen Qing.
Although she was accepted into Shen Qing's inner sect, the girl did not seem too excited and remained the same as always.
Apart from Su Xiaomei, she had little contact with the other disciples and was not particularly noticeable during the construction of the academy. Her daily tasks included moving stones and delivering water and meals to the craftsmen.
But Shen Qing, who had been secretly observing, knew that she would still cultivate alone until late at night after finishing work every day.
On the twelfth day after the academy's construction began, he broke through to the third level of Qi Refining, and his daily contribution of spiritual energy increased from 3 strands to 6 strands.
One person provided one-third of Shen Qing's spiritual energy.
Shen Qing stood by the window of the quiet room, gazing at the brightly lit academy construction site in the night.
His disciples were still working late into the night, not because he asked them to, but because they chose to do so themselves.
The ranking of Immortal Affinity Points is posted at the entrance of the dining hall, where everyone can see it.
Those ranked at the top have numbers following their names that make everyone envious, while those ranked at the bottom are determined to catch up.
That's competition.
No need for whips or scolding; just clearly define the rules and present the rewards, and people's initiative will naturally be stimulated.
Shen Qing withdrew her gaze and looked at another piece of paper on the table.
That was his new apprenticeship plan, which he had spent three days drafting.
The first time I accepted apprentices, I cast a wide net.
We'll accept anyone who's willing to come and shows enough loyalty, regardless of their qualifications.
At that time, what he lacked most was quantity. The spiritual energy contributed by his thirty-three disciples every day increased his cultivation speed by four times.
Now, the marginal benefit of quantity is beginning to diminish. If we continue to offer zero-threshold cultivation, free room and board, and recruit a group of disciples with extremely poor aptitude to the mountain, we can certainly increase the total number, but the increase will be limited.
Moreover, it would increase management costs and food consumption, making it unprofitable for Shenqing.
This time, Shen Qing wanted quality.
Shen Qing wrote down the new standards for accepting apprentices on a piece of paper.
The primary goal is naturally to find geniuses like Zhong Xiu, who possess dual spiritual roots or higher, or have naturally clear meridians, or have a special physique.
Regardless of background or origin, as long as someone is talented enough, they will be accepted into the school at any cost.
One such person is worth a hundred Class C disciples; acquiring even one would be a huge profit, but Shen Qing knew this was unrealistic.
The second goal is to obtain a Class B qualification.
Those with decent aptitude among those with three or four spiritual roots, aged twelve to sixteen, of respectable background, and with a down-to-earth nature.
These people, once they grow up, will become the backbone of the sect in the future, the framework for its future expansion, and they will also contribute a considerable amount of spiritual energy.
As for the third target, it is to fill the gaps in the Class B category with Class C disciples. Shen Qing can accept those with poor spiritual roots but decent physical constitution. They should not be too old, should be able to endure hardship, and should be willing to cultivate mortal martial arts.
These kinds of people are cannon fodder in the future struggle for supremacy in the mortal world, the more the better, but they must have spiritual roots, at least be able to sense spiritual energy, for the system to extract them.
Shen Qing put down his pen, folded the paper, and put it into his sleeve.
A full month has passed since our appointment at Zuixianlou.
During this month, the Huang family remained silent, and the county magistrate remained silent as well.
On Qingyun Mountain, all was peaceful and serene, but Shen Qing knew that this was only the calm before the storm.
Huang Dehou was waiting, and Zhao Yuanlang was also waiting, waiting for news of Mo Wentian, waiting for Shen Qingshou's lifespan to run out.
They can afford to wait, but Shen Qing cannot.
The next morning, Shen Qing summoned Zhou Bo and eight inner disciples to the quiet room.
"I intend to descend the mountain tomorrow to accept disciples. This time, I plan to accept around forty people."
Wang Ergou's eyes lit up: "Sect Master, can I come along?"
Shen Qing looked at him and smiled slightly.
"This time, all of you will go."
Wang Ergou was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy.
Shen Qing took out the prepared plan and spread it on the table.
"This time, accepting disciples is different from the last time. Last time, it was just me who spoke; this time, it's all of you. Wang Ergou, you come from the North City Wharf, so you know the laborers there well. Go and tell them what you've learned and gained in your two months at Qingyun Sect. I'm not asking you to brag, but to tell the truth."
Wang Ergou nodded vigorously.
"Su Xiaomei, go and talk to the poor girls in the north of the city. Tell them that the Qingyun Sect treats female disciples the same as male disciples. They will learn to read, cultivate, have enough to eat, and wear new clothes. They have seen your changes, and your words carry more weight than mine."
Su Xiaomei nodded with red eyes.
"Shi Tou, you're in charge of maintaining order and registering applicants. Xiao Yue, you're in charge of the initial screening, eliminating those who are too old or obviously unsuitable. Chen Gou Dan, you're in charge of logistics, including food, water, and assisting Shi Tou in maintaining order."
"Huang An, Huang Ning, you are in charge of recording. Record the name, age, background, and family situation of every person who registers."
Huang An and Huang Ning exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Disciples obey."
"Uncle Zhou, you are in charge of examining the physical attributes. I will be in charge of examining the spiritual roots."
Shen Qing finally looked at Zhong Xiu, who looked nervous, and said, "As for Zhong Xiu, you will stay in the sect to supervise the other outer disciples."
Finally, Shen Qingzhi stood up and glanced at everyone.
"This time you descend the mountain, you are no longer peasants, no longer laborers, no longer beggars. You are inner disciples of the Qingyun Sect, the face of the Qingyun Sect. Your every word and action represents the Qingyun Sect. Remember your identity."
The crowd responded in unison, "We will obey your instructions!"
The next morning, Shen Qing, along with Uncle Zhou and seven inner disciples, descended the mountain through the morning mist.
When they appeared on Chengbei Road, passersby turned their heads to look. Some recognized Wang Ergou and were so surprised that they couldn't close their mouths.
"Isn't that Er Gouzi, the porter at the dock?"
"Two months have passed, and you've become quite the looker. Where have you been?"
Wang Ergou walked with his head held high and chest out in the line, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.
North of the city, in front of the local earth god temple.
Two months ago, Shen Qing used this very spot to accept apprentices by striking a gong. Two months later, on the same open space, the number of people gathered was three times greater than before.
When the news spread that the immortal master on Qingyun Mountain was going to take on disciples again, the area in front of the local temple was packed with people within just one hour.
This time, there's no need for gongs or shouts.
The open space was filled with people: dockworkers, beggars, refugees fleeing famine, and children from poor families. They craned their necks, gazing at Shen Qing in front of the temple.
When Shen Qing appeared at the street corner with nine inner disciples, the entire crowd fell silent.
The white-robed sect leader was at the front, followed by eight spirited young men and women dressed in matching blue robes.
Two months ago, Wang Ergou was the most good-for-nothing hoodlum on this street, only concerned with his next meal.
The current Wang Ergou is dressed neatly in blue, with a ruddy complexion, a straight back, and a look in his eyes that has never appeared before.
That's the kind of radiance only noble people possess.
Looking at the familiar faces from the past, the poor neighbors from the next street, the hard-working people who had carried bags and gone hungry together, Wang Ergou felt as if he had lived through another world.
Then, as planned, Shen Qing gestured for Wang Ergou to step forward.
Wang Ergou understood, stepped forward, and spoke with a slightly trembling voice, but his voice became more and more steady as he spoke:
"Fellow villagers, I am Er Gouzi, you all know me. Two months ago, I was just like you, carrying bags at the dock, worrying about where my next meal would come from."
"Fortunately, the sect leader accepted me into the Qingyun Sect. Don't laugh at me, but I initially joined because of the free room and board. But the sect leader taught me to read, taught me cultivation, gave me new clothes, and made me an inner disciple."