Chapter 83: Half a Step Ahead

After studying for three full years, Academy Disciples would leave the Academy to seek their paths. Among these paths, the best option was naturally joining a County Sect to cultivate deeper techniques. According to long-standing rules, entering a County Sect required an Instructor’s endorsement. Only those chosen as top choices in talent, knowledge, cultivation, family background, and Merit would gain the opportunity to be selected by County Sect Elders.

However, normally, County Sects would choose disciples only after Academy Disciples had completed their three years at the Academy. Nobody expected this endorsement process had started already. The County Sect Elders seemed quite impatient…

But Fang Cun wasn’t too worried.

His talent, knowledge, and family background spoke for themselves, and his Merit comfortably placed him within the Academy’s top ten.

The only thing lacking was cultivation level.

Yet recently, by using Qi Refining Pills as a cover, he had accelerated his cultivation specifically to prepare for this goal.

Since his image was that of a genius, he should act the part.

Though his cultivation had begun two years later than others, he absolutely needed to join the Academy’s elite within this single year!

“As long as you study within my Lan Shuang Pavilion, you needn’t worry about this endorsement!” Master Lan Shuang sighed softly, addressing Fang Cun. “An Instructor’s endorsement is crucial—it decides a disciple’s future path. I will show you no favoritism. By your lineage, talent, and knowledge alone, you absolutely merit the highest assessment. Even your cultivation level, with your gifts, can certainly improve rapidly.” His tone grew heavier. “But the matter of County Sect entry… is likely more complicated than you imagine.”

Fang Cun smiled lightly. “If I top all categories, how would I remain unselected?”

“The County Sects today are not what they were before…” Master Lan Shuang shook his head ruefully. “In the past, selecting disciples focused chiefly on Merit. The others were secondary. Any Academy Disciple who built significant Merit, even if slightly less talented, qualified for entry and received focused training. Nowadays…” He gave a weary sigh. “Merit as a measure has gradually been neglected. Though formally listed among the five standards, it has become the most dispensable one…”

He paused briefly, his expression turning hesitant. “Do you know about your elder brother’s entry into a County Sect years ago?”

“My brother?”

At the mention of his elder brother, Fang Cun’s expression grew somber.

He did know. Back then, his brother had slain a powerful demon in the Southern Mountains, forcing the Former Academy Head to step down in humiliation. While this brought immense fame, it also created countless enemies. Even though his brother stood unparalleled in talent, knowledge, and Academy Merit, County Sects had suddenly become unwilling to select him. That peerless genius might as well have been invisible.

Perhaps that marked the moment Merit began losing its worth.

Fang Cun considered it calmly. “What if my cultivation level also reaches the highest assessment?”

This mirrored his elder brother’s solution.

When his brother faced such universal exclusion despite his talents, his response was brilliantly simple. At the brink of despair—his Elder Mentor seriously ill, and others fleeing his presence like plague—he didn’t break. Instead, through self-study, he cultivated the Five Qi Refinement Form and succeeded in Foundation Establishment. The phenomenon that day shook the land. County Sects found it impossible to ignore him any longer. Finally, an Elder from Nine Immortals Sect—Qingjiang’s most formidable power—overcame all opposition to accept him under tutelage.

“Cultivation level…” Master Lan Shuang’s expression dimmed. He slowly shook his head. “I told you, under long-standing rules, the Academy provides endorsements to County Sect Elders. Then, the Elders choose suitable disciples. Meaning, who gets selected ultimately depends on them.” He met Fang Cun’s gaze directly. “No matter how impressively you perform, what good is it… if no County Sect Elder dares pick you?”

Hearing this, Fang Cun also gave a soft, helpless sigh.

Likely within White Xiang Academy, Master Lan Shuang alone would speak such unforgiving truths to him.

Would his Academy endorsement truly matter?

Not at all.

If someone favored him, it wouldn’t matter even if he lacked cultivation entirely and acted horribly. He’d still get chosen.

But if all County Sect Elders feared trouble… No matter how stellar his endorsement, would any dare risk taking him?

If that held true… wasn’t he just sitting back passively, waiting to be chosen… or rejected?

Fang Cun frowned. He liked being in control—this helpless passivity unsettled him.

Observing Fang Cun’s deep thought, Master Lan Shuang’s own expression grew conflicted. Though he’d spoken honestly, he seemed troubled by how candidly he’d framed Fang Cun’s plight. Unable to bear the silence, he finally asked, “Did you… always plan to enter a County Sect for cultivation?”

Fang Cun nodded faintly. “That was the plan.”

“And… consuming Qi Refining Pills so recklessly to quickly boost cultivation—was that also part of it?”

After a slight hesitation, Fang Cun nodded again.

Though secretly skipping the pills, his doubled cultivation speed within plausibility limits still aimed directly at this: reaching Treasured Body Realm before the three-year mark, to maximize County Sect entry chances.

“Taking pills isn’t forbidden. But for your sake… using them sparingly is wiser.” Master Lan Shuang looked momentarily saddened before continuing sincerely, “Though boosting cultivation matters, extreme haste remains foolish. The world has geniuses achieving Treasured Body within a year. Yet why do clan elders and Academy Instructors insist they complete three full years here?”

“Simply because,” he emphasized gravely, “speed often compromises foundation. What glitters may not endure.”

“I understand, master.”

Fang Cun nodded politely before smiling wryly. “But if this stands… does County Sect entry become hopeless?”

“Leaving it entirely to their whims would indeed bind you…” Master Lan Shuang seemed to wrestle internally. But soon, resolution settled over him. He turned decisively toward Fang Cun, a trace of lightness returning to his eyes. “But whoever decreed Academy Disciples must wait passively for Elder selection to advance?”

Fang Cun looked thoroughly confused. “Didn’t you just declare that?”

“Before I spoke,” Master Lan Shuang’s posture relaxed slightly. “This time, I can help.”

“Hmm?”

Genuine surprise hit Fang Cun.

He looked up at Master Lan Shuang’s now-composed face—all traces of earlier worry replaced by sober determination.

Fang Cun hurriedly stood and bowed respectfully. “Master, enlighten me!”

“No need for ceremony. Accepting you brought foreseeable difficulties. They must be met.” Master Lan Shuang waved dismissively before leaning in intently. “Do you know what follows after completing the Breath Refining Realm?”

Fang Cun answered immediately. “Perfecting Breath Refining leads to cultivating the Treasure Body and laying the Foundation Establishment!”

Master Lan Shuang gave a small nod. Then, unexpectedly probing deeper: “And what about the precise method of tempering Treasure Body?”

This stumped Fang Cun. “I’d heard the Academy possesses Treasure Body Methods… though my cultivation remains shallow…”

“That precisely brings us to my point!” Master Lan Shuang’s expression brightened. “The Treasure Body signifies Foundation Establishment. Reaching Breath Refining Realm perfection floods your pathways with Internal Breath, endlessly nourishing flesh and meridians. Over time, even without cultivation, the body naturally grows tougher than ordinary flesh. But guided by proper methods combined with dedicated refinement?” Master Lan Shuang’s voice became resonant.

“The body transcends! Strength sharpens. All senses heighten. Even lifespan extends. That is the legendary Treasure Body!”

He continued with weighty clarity. “Major cultivation’s journey truly begins here—with laying the Daoist Foundation. That is why Treasure Body Realm is also called Foundation Building Realm.”

“The grand cultivation path traverses Three Gates and Nine Tribulations: the First Gate unlocks the Treasure Realm. Second to Divine Realm. Third to Immortal Realm.”

“Those modest in gifts… require steady progression. Step by gradual step.”

Master Lan Shuang’s gaze pierced Fang Cun. “But the supremely talented… possess the potential… to walk half a step further.”

Half a step further?

Master Lan Shuang’s words were unprecedented. Fang Cun stared, stunned.

Though new to the Academy, as Immortal Master Fang Chi’s younger brother, Fang Cun encountered cultivation principles extremely early. He knew the vital importance of foundation. Cultivation resembled building—only the deepest foundations supported the grandest heights. Each step devised by predecessors followed meticulously; an error-free path permitting not one misplaced step. This was the first time he’d heard anyone suggest… stepping ahead of standard progress.

Moreover—he already raced against time! Wouldn’t stepping further slow him?

Recognizing Fang Cun’s conflicting thoughts, Master Lan Shuang affirmed quietly: “Entrance into the County Sect… pivots entirely upon that half step.”