Chapter Twenty-Nine: Promotion to Outer Sect Disciple!

Chi Lao’s face was dark, but he said nothing.

For a moment, an eerie silence settled over the scene. The only sound was Chen Qi’s ragged, gasping breaths as he lay on the ground.

He gulped down air desperately, trying to stave off the exhaustion consuming his body. All he needed was to regain feeling in his hands.

After about a hundred breaths, and countless attempts, Chen Qi finally felt the nerves in his fingers again.

He flexed them gingerly, adjusting to the returning sensation, then couldn’t wait any longer—he summoned the PL-15K compact pistol from his storage space.

“Damn, I almost forgot I still had a gun!”

Cursing himself inwardly, his finger hovered near the trigger. If only he’d thought of this sooner, he wouldn’t have had to endure that blow from the Shadow.

The Shadow lay quietly not far from him, its overtaxed body still twitching uncontrollably, seemingly oblivious to the danger approaching.

Chen Qi, still panting, slowly adjusted his right wrist, trying for a better aim.

At last, feeling it was now or never, his trembling finger squeezed down hard.

But there was no gunshot.

Startled, he realized his finger had slipped—he hadn’t pulled the trigger at all. His control was worse than he’d thought.

With a self-deprecating laugh, Chen Qi steadied his breath and tried again, unconsciously using his own breathing technique to steady himself.

Flame burst from the muzzle. The bullet spun out.

But Chen Qi didn’t bother to check the result immediately; even the pistol’s modest recoil sent a jolt of pain up his arm.

Luckily, the shot was dead on—striking the Shadow in the abdomen. The Shadow, filled with hate, slowly dissolved.

“Chi Lao, please help me!”

As the adrenaline faded, pain flooded Chen Qi from every part of his body. He ignored the notifications from his storage space and called out desperately.

Fortunately, Chi Lao harbored no grudges. In an instant, he was at Chen Qi’s side, checking his condition.

Chi Lao frowned deeply, a trace of confusion in his voice. “All your meridians are damaged—what on earth did you do to yourself?”

Without waiting for a reply, he pressed a pill to Chen Qi’s lips. Chen Qi didn’t even have time to examine it; he only saw a deep purple glow.

The moment the pill touched his tongue, medicinal energy blossomed like gentle rain, flowing softly and steadily through his limbs and veins.

Chi Lao wasn’t done. He pressed a hand lightly against Chen Qi’s back.

Instantly, Chen Qi felt as if a warm vortex had opened behind him. The medicine’s energy surged even faster, spreading throughout his body.

It was a strange sensation—almost as if he’d grown a second heart, one pumping waves of warmth to match the rhythm of his real heart’s beating in his chest.

After two minutes, Chi Lao withdrew his hand and said sternly,

“If you don’t want your martial path to end here, you’d better rest for half a month.”

Chen Qi thanked him sincerely, taking a moment to check the notifications from his space.

[Shadow Stone: 3/10 Shadows Remaining]

[Current Reward: Yunhai Sect Inheritance Treasure Chest]

...

His risk had finally paid off. He didn’t know what might be inside the Yunhai Sect Inheritance Treasure Chest, but it had to be better than a purple skill scroll.

At last, regaining his composure, Chen Qi asked respectfully,

“Chi Lao, does this mean I’ve passed the individual assessment? Am I now an outer disciple?”

Chi Lao didn’t answer immediately. He gazed long and deep at Chen Qi, as if seeing his younger self reflected there.

He, too, had once fought a shadow to mutual destruction in his assessment. After losing, he’d stared at his master just as Chen Qi did now—unaware that defeating only the first shadow was required to pass...

And the shadow that had bested him was now only the penultimate one!

Pulling himself from his reverie, Chi Lao looked at Chen Qi with gravity and declared,

“I, Chi Liantian, hereby announce you have passed the individual assessment for service disciples and are promoted to outer disciple of the Yunhai Sect!”

Before Chen Qi could respond, he added,

“According to sect rules, any disciple with an outstanding performance in the individual assessment is awarded 500 contribution points!”

Chen Qi was overjoyed—he hadn’t expected to receive rewards from both the sect and the space.

The ‘Sprout Space’ chimed in as well:

[Congratulations, Chosen One, for completing the main quest: Promotion to Outer Disciple]

[Rewards will be settled upon returning to the space. Return now? Yes/No]

[Beep... As the Chosen One completed the main quest in under three days, the second phase of the main quest is now unlocked]

[Main Quest II Triggered: Overflowing Riches. Accept? Yes/No]

Quest Summary: Earn 1,000 contribution points from the Yunhai Sect!

Quest Info: The Yunhai Sect’s faction shop is filled with treasures. Since you quickly completed the main quest, now strive to earn even more contribution points—make a fortune!

Time Limit: 10 days

Failure Penalty: Main quest rewards halved!

...

Including the 500 points just earned from the assessment, Chen Qi now had a total of 590 contribution points. Given his current condition, earning the remaining 410 would be a formidable challenge.

But gritting his teeth, he accepted anyway—he already had several plans in mind for earning more points.

Chi Lao observed him for a while. Seeing that Chen Qi looked spirited and lively, with no apparent issues, he picked him up and started toward the cave entrance.

Carrying Chen Qi with one hand, Chi Lao said,

“I’ll carry you back. My master did the same for me, back in the day.”

As he spoke, a mischievous smile crept onto Chi Lao’s lips. He was already planning to jostle Chen Qi as they traveled the mountain roads—just as his own master had done, calling it:

“The price of recklessness!”

Then, with a note of curiosity, Chi Lao asked,

“I’ve seen much in my years, but what kind of weapon did you use just now? It could pose a threat even to outer disciples.”

Realizing Chi Lao was referring to the pistol, Chen Qi’s mind raced. He replied smoothly,

“The hidden weapon I used is called the Thunderflash Dart. Its roar is like thunder, its speed like lightning—truly formidable.”

He had no idea Chi Lao still intended to give him a hard time. Seeing his master in a good mood, Chen Qi quickly tried to seize the chance.

“Chi Lao, you promised that if I defeated three shadows, you would teach me your secret technique. You’re not going to go back on your word now that I’m an outer disciple, are you?”

Instantly, Chi Lao’s mood shifted from bright to cloudy. He grunted,

“Brat, I’ll teach you when we get back!”

And with that, his pace quickened, his figure darting and weaving even faster.

Lost in excitement, Chen Qi didn’t notice the increasing jolts as they traveled. He continued to pester,

“Will it be your Red Cloud Slash? No, a secret technique should be unique—maybe it’s the one that conjures a blood-red wolf’s head?”

Chi Lao gave a sinister chuckle.

“You’ll know soon enough.”

Before the words had faded, Chi Lao exploded into motion, bouncing and weaving wildly—like a streak of red, erratic and unpredictable.

A sense of dread crept over Chen Qi. He hadn’t expected Chi Lao’s movement technique to be so jarring, with sudden changes in speed and direction.

“Chi Lao, please slow down a bit, I’m not feeling so well—ugh!”

Chi Lao gave no reply, only increased his speed. To take a shortcut, he even leapt straight down a mountain ravine!

Landing lightly, he bent his knees to absorb the impact, then sprang forward again, agile as a mountain monkey.