Chapter 85: The Necessary Price for the Quota

“What? There’s only one quota for the Five Elements Cave this year?”

Yao Xi, who had gone to the Internal Affairs Hall to register, was stunned upon hearing the steward’s words. Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.

The steward, equally helpless, sighed. “Yes, this year, the sect gained one more direct disciple. The total number of direct disciples has increased to four. And all four of them have chosen to enter the Five Elements Cave this year.”

He paused, then added, “So, the remaining quota for disciples below the direct disciple rank is just one.”

Yao Xi’s expression stiffened at these words. She had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining last year, but the competition for the Five Elements Cave quota had been too fierce, and she hadn’t managed to secure a spot.

This year, however, several of the ninth-level Qi Refining senior brothers either failed their breakthroughs or had aged out and left the sect to manage mundane affairs. Among the ordinary disciples, only she and Li Xiaoyao had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining.

Yao Xi had thought that this year, the Five Elements Cave quota would surely be hers. And with this year’s Five Elements Cave filled to the brim with Five Elements Spiritual Qi, it felt like the heavens were assisting her. Yet, to her dismay, there was only one remaining spot.

Li Xiaoyao had broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining three years ago, achieving the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. His mastery of the Green Cloud Sword Art had reached an extraordinary level, and he was already at the pinnacle of the Great Completion realm. His strength was nearly on par with the direct disciples. Competing with Li Xiaoyao for this last quota seemed almost impossible.

This left Yao Xi genuinely worried. Resources in the sect were limited, and they had to be fought for. If she couldn’t enter the Five Elements Cave this time, her strength would stagnate. Without that breakthrough, she wouldn’t be able to secure first place among the ordinary disciples in this year’s sect competition, nor would she receive the Foundation Establishment Pill. The saying “one step slow, every step slow” wasn’t an exaggeration.

After registering her name, Yao Xi returned to her small courtyard with a troubled expression in her eyes. Even the idea of refining pills, which she had originally planned to do, no longer seemed appealing. She simply went inside to rest.

In the quiet of Yao Xi’s courtyard, a female cultivator was in the middle of her training. Upon seeing Yao Xi, she smiled and said, “Senior Sister, you’re back? Your courtyard is filled with so much Spiritual Qi; it’s so much better than mine. Thank you for letting me use it.…”

If Ye Chen had been there, he would have immediately recognized this female cultivator. She was the same one who had sold him Dragon Grasp at Green Cloud Market.

Yao Xi waved her hand, signaling that there was no need for thanks.

The female cultivator, noticing the sorrow in Yao Xi’s expression, asked with concern, “Senior Sister, you don’t seem well. Is something wrong?”

Yao Xi let out a deep sigh, her expression filled with a pitiful melancholy. “This year, there’s only one quota for the Five Elements Cave! I’m most likely no match for Senior Brother Li, and it seems I’ll be missing out on the Five Elements Cave again this year. Looks like I’ll have to wait another year to break through to Foundation Establishment.”

The female cultivator, confused, responded, “How can there be only one quota? Even if all the direct disciples go, there should still be more… Oh, it’s that new direct disciple, right? He’s also going to the Five Elements Cave this year?

“That’s such a waste. He’s only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, right? He must be much slower at absorbing Spirit Qi. How could he compete with the other direct disciples? Even if he goes, he won’t be able to absorb much. It’d be better if the spot went to you, Senior Sister. Senior Sister, why don’t you ask him to give up his spot? If he does, then there’ll be two quotas for ordinary disciples. Besides Li Xiaoyao, no one else should be a match for you. This way, you’ll have a guaranteed chance.”

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The female cultivator had figured out the problem and immediately suggested a solution to Yao Xi.

However, upon hearing this, Yao Xi only smiled bitterly and shook her head. “Ye Chen may like me, but he’s not foolish. This year, the Five Elements Cave’s Spiritual Qi is overflowing, and the effects will be even greater than before. Any cultivator aiming for Foundation Establishment won’t miss out on such an opportunity.”