The three days of rest passed in a flash.
During these three days, Tang Xiaoqi almost never left his quarters. Aside from necessary meditation to recover spiritual power, he carefully organized the harvest from this secret realm journey. That "Basic Purification Technique" jade slip obtained from the mysterious cave, he pondered repeatedly. Though only basic, the principles of purification it contained resonated vaguely with the jade pendant's power within him, making his cultivation twice as effective with half the effort, and his control over spiritual power seemed even more refined. That Vermilion Fruit obtained by chance, he carefully sealed in a jade box. This object was abundant in spiritual energy and was an excellent aid for impacting the late Qi Refining bottleneck—not the time to consume it yet.
As for other miscellaneous spirit herbs, ores, and a small amount of spoils seized from those ill-intentioned rogue cultivators, he sorted and categorized them all. He knew these would all be important resources for exchanging for sect contribution points to support his subsequent cultivation.
At the same time, discussions about "Tang Xiaoqi" did not subside with the passage of time. Instead, under the spread by interested parties, they fermented even more intensely. "Secret realm opportunity," "mysterious purification technique," "turning the tide to save fellow disciples"... various labels were affixed to him, making this formerly transparent person suddenly become a hotly discussed figure among Qingxu Temple's outer court and even some inner court disciples. Occasionally when he pushed open his courtyard gate, he could feel some curious, probing, or implicitly jealous gazes.
To this, Xiaoqi could only try his best to ignore. He understood well the principle that the outstanding tree attracts the wind—especially since he still hid even greater secrets like the jade pendant and frying pan. The exposure of the purification technique was already unavoidable. Now he could only be even more cautious in speech and action.
On the morning of the fourth day, melodious bell sounds echoed through the valley, summoning all disciples who had participated in the secret realm trial to the Merit Hall.
The atmosphere in the Merit Hall was solemn and grave. Below the "Bright Mirror Hangs High" plaque hung high in front of the hall sat the Transmission Elder and several enforcement elders, their expressions serious. Below, hundreds of disciples stood solemnly, not a sound heard. Compared to departure time, the ranks were noticeably thinner—the empty positions silently telling of the secret realm's cruelty.
The Transmission Elder first stood up, his voice grave, reading out the list of disciples who had unfortunately fallen during this secret realm trial. With each name read, the atmosphere in the hall grew heavier by a degree. Many disciples familiar with the fallen showed grief on their faces. Xiaoqi also lowered his head, his heart darkened. The path of cultivation was indeed full of thorns, life and death unpredictable.
After the mourning came the rewarding of merits.
An enforcement elder holding a jade register began to read out names one by one according to each small team and individual's performance and harvest in the secret realm, as well as the final tallied contribution points, distributing rewards.
"Li Zheng, whose team explored the southeastern region's terrain of the secret realm, collected one three-hundred-year Purple Cloud Ganoderma, killed one second-tier demon beast. Team coordination excellent. Reward: eight hundred contribution points, fifty lower-grade spirit stones."
"Zhao Ming, collected various spirit herbs, performed outstandingly in team defense battles, did not retreat despite injuries. Reward: five hundred contribution points, thirty lower-grade spirit stones, one bottle of Healing Pills."
...
The disciples whose names were called stepped forward one by one, receiving the jade tokens representing contribution points or storage bags containing spirit stones and pills from the enforcement disciples' hands. Most faces radiated joy and excitement. Contribution points were crucial in Qingxu Temple—they could be exchanged for techniques, pills, magical artifacts, listening to elders lecture on the Dao, and even qualifications to enter certain secret cultivation grounds.
Xiaoqi stood quietly in the crowd, listening to name after name and corresponding rewards, without much fluctuation in his heart. He was more concerned about the sect's attitude toward his "purification technique."
Finally, the enforcement elder's voice rang out again, calling his name.
"Tang Xiaoqi, step forward."
Instantly, all gazes in the great hall focused on him. Curiosity, scrutiny, envy, doubt... various sights intertwined, as if wanting to see through him.
Xiaoqi took a deep breath, emerged from the crowd, walked to the front of the hall, and bowed: "This disciple is present."
The enforcement elder looked at him, his gaze lingering on him for a moment before continuing to read: "Tang Xiaoqi, in the Cloud Mist Secret Realm, independently collected various low-grade spirit herbs, assisted the team in collecting seven middle-grade spirit herbs including Heart-Clearing Grass and Mist-Hiding Flower. Participated in repelling hostile rogue cultivators, performed bravely. Independently encountered and repelled one peak first-tier Gale Wolf. In the secret realm core region, assisted the team in successfully obtaining one Vermilion Fruit. Most importantly, at the secret realm exit, timely employed a secret technique, rescuing five fellow disciples trapped by strange demon vines, preventing greater casualties."
He listed item by item, event by event, clearly stating Xiaoqi's experiences in the secret realm. Though omitting details about the purification technique's specific source and the cave jade slip, the merits were listed clearly.
A low murmur rose in the hall. Though there had been rumors, hearing the enforcement elder personally confirm it, especially the item about "rescuing five fellow disciples," still shocked many disciples. The difficulty of those demon vines was witnessed by everyone present.
The enforcement elder paused, raising his voice: "Based on a comprehensive evaluation of his harvest, performance, and merit in rescuing fellow disciples, after deliberation by the Council of Elders, the reward is decided as follows: Bestowing contribution points... three thousand points!"
"Three thousand points?"
This time, even some inner court disciples couldn't help but exclaim in shock. Ordinary outer court disciples completing one difficult mission only earned one or two hundred contribution points. Xiaoqi's one secret realm journey had directly obtained three thousand points! This was almost equivalent to many outer court disciples' total accumulation from several years of hard work!
Xiaoqi himself was also stunned. He knew this harvest wasn't small, but he hadn't expected the sect to be so generous.
However, this wasn't the end.
The enforcement elder raised his hand to suppress the commotion in the hall, continuing to announce: "Additionally, considering that the technique he employed has wondrous effects in countering demonic energy and may benefit the sect, he is specially permitted to enter the lower level of the Scripture Pavilion to select one technique or spell jade slip!"
The lower level of the Scripture Pavilion!
This time, even some Foundation Establishment enforcement disciples cast surprised gazes. The lower level of Qingxu Temple's Scripture Pavilion didn't hold those common goods from the outer court Transmission Hall but rather truly profound content requiring at least inner court disciple status or great merit to access. The techniques and spells there were all without exception the accumulated painstaking efforts of Qingxu Temple's successive sages, far superior to ordinary techniques.
Contribution points, though many, were still external things, while this qualification to enter the Scripture Pavilion's lower level represented the sect's recognition of his potential and a weighty expectation!
"This disciple... thanks the Elder! Thanks the sect for its generous bestowal!" Xiaoqi suppressed his excitement, bowing deeply again. He understood that this extra reward was likely not unrelated to his "purification technique." The sect was using this method to both reward his merit and subtly express its emphasis on that technique, possibly even hoping he would take this opportunity to find texts related to the purification technique, further "perfecting" or "contributing" it.
"Mm, hope you remain humble and not arrogant, diligently cultivate, and do not let down the sect's expectations." The enforcement elder solemnly handed Xiaoqi a jade token engraved with the number "three thousand" and a green token representing the qualification to enter the Scripture Pavilion's lower level.
Xiaoqi received them with both hands. The touch was ice-cold, yet felt heavy as a thousand jun.
The reward distribution lasted nearly an hour before ending. Some were happy, some worried, but without doubt, Tang Xiaoqi had become the most attention-grabbing one in this secret realm trial.
When dispersing, Eldest Senior Brother and Third Senior Sister walked over.
"Three thousand contribution points, qualification for the Scripture Pavilion's lower level... Xiaoqi, you've really made it big this time!" Third Senior Sister forcefully patted his back, laughing even more happily than if she had received the reward herself. "Let's see who dares look down on you now!"
Eldest Senior Brother was much more steady. He looked at Xiaoqi, his eyes carrying gratification and a trace of reminder: "Xiaoqi, though the reward is generous, it is also responsibility. The opportunity of the Scripture Pavilion's lower level is rare. Choose carefully, selecting the method most matching your own Dao path. As for contribution points, use them well—solidifying your foundation is the correct path."
"Yes, Eldest Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister, I understand." Xiaoqi nodded seriously. Of course he knew these rewards were opportunities and also tests.
He didn't immediately go to the Scripture Pavilion, nor to the Merit Hall's side hall to exchange for needed pills or materials, but first returned to his own little courtyard.
Closing the courtyard gate, isolating the outside disturbances, Xiaoqi then took out the contribution point jade token and green token, placing them on the stone table to carefully examine.
Three thousand contribution points were enough to exchange for a large amount of cultivation resources, even for a decent magical artifact. And that green token was the door to higher-level knowledge.
He gently stroked the ice-cold token, thoughts flying through his mind. What kind of technique should he choose? Continue strengthening attack, or compensate for defense? Or... search for texts related to purification, fire control, or even that magical frying pan?
And his master... he would likely summon him soon too? The origin of the purification technique ultimately needed a more reasonable explanation for the sect.
The sunset's afterglow once again filled the little courtyard, stretching his shadow long. On the stone table, the jade token and green token lay quietly, flashing seductive luster.
Harvest and rewards were already in hand. But Xiaoqi knew all this was only a new beginning. The choices that followed would directly affect his future Dao path. He had to calm his heart and ponder well.