Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

There are approximately three to four thousand outer disciples in Falling Star Valley, of whom more than a thousand belong to the three major halls and five minor halls.

These eight disciples are mostly skilled in various arts, such as alchemy or spiritual plants, and are generally not good at fighting or combat.

Therefore, the sect specially arranged independent assessments for the outer disciples of the eight halls. Every ten years, a competition was held based on the characteristics of each hall. The Dan Hall competed in alchemy, the Fu Hall competed in talisman skills, and the top ten in the competition could obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill quota. Although the number of disciples in the five minor halls was small, there were still three or four Foundation Establishment Pill quotas.

For this reason, most disciples of the Eight Halls can obtain Foundation Establishment Pills through safe assessments, and very few would risk their lives to participate in the secret realm competition for outer disciples.

Aside from the more than one thousand disciples of the Eight Halls, the sect has about two thousand outer disciples remaining. After excluding those who are not strong enough, too old, or have no hope for their own path of cultivation and are afraid of the dangers of the secret realm, at least seven or eight hundred disciples will eventually go to the secret realm to participate in the competition.

Seven or eight hundred disciples compete for only twenty spots. Even fellow disciples might resort to ruthless killings to survive and gain the opportunity to establish their foundation.

Therefore, in every outer sect competition, two or three tenths of the outer sect disciples would die in the secret realm, all falling in pools of blood from fratricide.

Before entering Falling Star Valley, Wu Fan had only heard that outer disciples could obtain Foundation Establishment Pills by participating in secret realm competitions, and he had also had such thoughts in his heart.

However, when he learned that the Pill Hall had its own independent pill-making assessment and that he could also obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill quota, he decided to make the secret realm competition his last resort.

After all, the Dantang competition is held six months in advance. Even if you don't make it into the top ten, you will still have the opportunity to participate in the outer sect secret realm competition, which is equivalent to having another chance to win the Foundation Establishment Pill.

As his thoughts raced, Wu Fan nodded slowly and said in a calm tone:

"I have heard my fellow disciples from the outer alchemy room mention this matter, but they were vague about it. I am not very clear about the specific details of this competition. Since you specifically brought it up, Junior Sister, you must know the inside story. I wonder if there is anything unusual about this outer sect competition?"

Jiang Ling slowly put down her teacup, her expression becoming increasingly solemn, and her tone deepened as she softly said:

"This outer sect competition was exceptionally fierce, with more than 40% of the participants being killed or injured."

"More than 40%?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Fan gasped, his eyes filled with shock.

"How is this possible? In previous competitions, the casualty rate was only 20% to 30%. Why are there so many casualties this time?"

Jiang Ling sighed softly, her tone tinged with regret:

"I heard about this from my senior sister in the inner sect. I heard that after the outer sect disciples entered the secret realm, they didn't fight individually. Instead, they spontaneously formed several alliances to compete for the tokens in the secret realm, attempting to join forces to exclude other disciples. However, the strength of each alliance was too evenly matched, and the stalemate lasted for several days without a clear winner or a final spot. Until the last day of the competition, the alliances completely lost patience and simply started a melee. Swords flashed and there was no restraint. It was because of the infighting among fellow disciples that such a tragic death and injury occurred."

As Wu Fan listened, his brows furrowed tightly. He instinctively wanted to ask why the sect didn't send anyone into the secret realm to stop the chaotic battle, and why they were just watching so many outer disciples die in vain.

But the words were on the tip of his tongue, and he swallowed them back.

He knew perfectly well that the sect's purpose in holding such a brutal competition was probably precisely for this effect.

This is clearly a method similar to raising poisonous insects. The top twenty disciples who have fought their way out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood not only have excellent personal strength, but also must have good luck and a ruthless and decisive nature.

Such disciples will go further in the future and have a greater chance of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage; they are exactly the backbone that the sect wants.

After all, for a Nascent Soul sect like Falling Star Valley, ordinary outer disciples are not of great strategic significance. Foundation Establishment cultivators are the foundation of the sect, and the miscellaneous tasks at the bottom are handled by the servant disciples.

Moreover, the inner disciples of a sect are either top-grade spiritual roots or exceptionally talented.

They were either outstanding individuals among the top-grade spiritual roots in the Illusionary Realm Trial back then, with an unwavering heart for seeking the Dao, and were key figures cultivated by the sect. Naturally, the sect was unwilling to let them participate in such a dangerous life-or-death competition, thus wasting talent.

Thinking about it this way, the most embarrassed and pathetic people are these outer disciples.

Those whose talent is inferior to that of inner disciples and who do not receive special training from the sect have no choice but to risk their lives and fight to the death in the secret realm if they want to obtain the opportunity to establish their foundation.

A sense of sadness welled up in Wu Fan's heart, but he wasn't too surprised.

He already knew that the cultivation world was this cruel, a place where the strong prey on the weak and only the fittest survive.

If one does not have an extraordinary family background or outstanding talent, one can only rely on one's own hands, risking one's life, to fight for that sliver of hope.

At least Falling Star Valley provided him, an outer disciple, with the opportunity to compete for Foundation Establishment Pills.

Even if the opportunity is fraught with danger, a near-death experience, or even requires sacrificing one's life, the cultivator would be willing to take it.

Even so, he is still far better than those rogue cultivators who can't even reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

He also understood why Jiang Ling had specifically brought these things up with him.

His initial intention in joining Falling Star Valley was to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill and establish his foundation as soon as possible, something Jiang Ling must have known.

Her earnest mention of this was likely because she worried that if he failed to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill in the alchemy assessment, he might impulsively participate in the extremely dangerous outer sect secret realm competition and needlessly lose his life.

Having figured this out, Wu Fan felt a warmth in his heart, and his gaze towards Jiang Ling held a touch more gratitude.

He spoke slowly, his tone firm:

"Thank you for informing me of this, and thank you for your concern. I understand your thoughts, so please rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

Looking at the determination in his eyes, Jiang Ling nodded gently, her tone still carrying a hint of concern, but with a touch of admonition:

"I naturally believe you have your own understanding, but Brother Wu, I still want to offer you some more advice. Although the alchemy competition is difficult, it is at least safe. You have devoted yourself to alchemy for many years and have considerable talent; you will surely stand out. The outer sect secret realm competition is far too dangerous; one can easily lose their life. Unless absolutely necessary, you should never attempt it lightly. After all, as long as you're alive, you can always make a comeback. Only by living can you have the opportunity to continue your pursuit of the Dao."

Wu Fan felt even warmer inside, and cupped his hands in a smile:

"Junior sister, rest assured, I know what I'm doing. I'm quite confident in my alchemy skills and will definitely do my best in the alchemy competition. As for the secret realm competition, unless I'm truly desperate, I will never go rashly and let you down."

Seeing his words, Jiang Ling smiled again and nodded gently.

"That's good, I trust Brother Wu."