Chapter 56

After rejecting several plans, Xiang Qi suddenly slapped her forehead and said, "How could I forget! You are still a new disciple of the Immortal Academy!"

A new disciple of the Immortal Academy is a special disciple. Before the unified entrance trial of the Immortal Alliance, they cannot be considered disciples of any sect. However, once admitted to the Immortal Academy, they can be considered members of the Immortal Alliance, and they are of the type with very high talent and potential. Before these disciples receive support from a sect, the Immortal Alliance ensures they have the best cultivation conditions.

In other words, disciples of the Immortal Academy enjoy various privileges granted by the Immortal Alliance, the most generous of which are the various "merit point" tasks.

For example, after June, the Immortal Academy will have a monthly trial every month, with the top ten receiving one merit point. At the end-of-year trial, the top hundred will each receive one merit point, and the top ten will receive ten merit points.

Wang Qi also remembered this. However, the cheapest book on the list, "The Theory of Computational Spirits," requires fifteen merit points. Even if he were to rank first every month, it would take him half a year to accumulate enough merit points.

Xiang Qi shook her head, "Actually, there are still some special merit point trials specifically designed for Immortal Academy disciples."

Wang Qi was surprised, "Why didn't I know about this?"

Xiang Qi sighed, "You must not have been listening, right... Your lecturer definitely mentioned this!"

Wang Qi scratched his head and smiled bitterly, "The course was so simple, it was hard not to fall asleep!"

Xiang Qi angrily said, "So you have a reason?"

Wang Qi smiled apologetically, "Please, Senior Sister, could you enlighten me about the content of these trials?"

Xiang Qi didn't beat around the bush and explained, "These trials are divided into two types: combat and exploration."

"Combat trials are relatively simple, with two types. The most common one is to defeat a same-realm demon beast one-on-one under the supervision of an Immortal Alliance inspector. I remember there are over sixty types of demon beasts to choose from, all with representative attack methods. In other words, this trial can be conducted over sixty times, with one merit point each time. The other is to join a team led by a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage or above and survive for a day in a designated trial area. The team leader will not intervene unless it's a matter of life and death. A successful trial earns one merit point. Killing several demon beasts during the trial also earns merit points, which are awarded based on actual performance."

"Exploration trials are more varied, but most involve summarizing, organizing, and calculating data from grandmasters' experiments. There are also some on-site survey tasks."

Wang Qi asked, "Since the Immortal Alliance is dedicated to the pursuit of the Dao, are exploration trials more numerous in terms of merit points?"

Xiang Qi replied, "Yes and no. Theoretically, exploration trials do offer more merit points, but not everyone can achieve this 'fast.'"

"How so?"

"These trials often involve the most tedious data organization and calculations, which are not only mentally taxing but also require a high level of mathematical skills. If you make a mistake, you don't get any merit points. On-site surveys may sound interesting, but they are actually arduous and tiring, and the data you collect must be accurate. For most new disciples, they lack both the skill and the temperament to do this, so it's better to fight demon beasts, at least it's a straightforward task."

Wang Qi pondered for a moment. He wasn't afraid of combat, but demon races have innate advantages over human races. Human cultivators can hardly match demon races before they master a few spells and martial techniques. The few divine techniques he was cultivating were indeed world-class, but it would take several months to fully grasp their benefits. If he really wanted to quickly earn merit points, exploration trials were his only way out.

Xiang Qi looked at his expression and asked curiously, "Are you really that eager?"

Wang Qi nodded, "Men are always in a hurry."

"I feel like you're leading the conversation in a strange direction." Xiang Qi shook her head helplessly, "Since you've decided to take on these trials, go ask Su Junyu."

Wang Qi was taken aback, "That goof?"

Xiang Qi: "Aren't you friends...?"

Wang Qi nodded, "That's why I'm surprised! It's hard to imagine that guy, who always stays in the warehouse, also has a side of hard work and frugality! And isn't he a born tycoon? The cliché of a rich young master working to win the heart of a poor girl is so俗 (vulgar)!"

Xiang Qi held her forehead, "I'm asking you, what do you think of the Five Absolute True Transmissions?"

Wang Qi scratched his head, "There are so many Five Absolute True Transmissions, it's not impossible for one to be a goof, right?"

"I admit, that rich guy does look... 'goofy,' is that the word?" Xiang Qi explained helplessly, "But he's not just a goof."

"Isn't he still a goof...?"

"That's not the point... His status as a True Transmission of the Myriad Methods Sect is well-deserved. His current position and status are the result of his own hard work over the years." At this point, Xiang Qi's expression became serious, "Don't underestimate any disciple of the Five Absolute True Transmissions. Do you know how many exploration trials he did when he was in the Immortal Academy?"

Wang Qi didn't answer the question but gave a look of disdain, "Senior Sister, you're being too self-congratulatory."

"Cough, cough." Xiang Qi changed the subject, "That's not the point."

"Then how many did he do?"

Xiang Qi shook her head, "I don't know the exact number..."

"Huh?"

"But for a long time after graduation, his merit points were always plentiful. In the Immortal Academy, he never hesitated to spend merit points to exchange for items. That's why our classmates called him a 'rich guy.'"

Wang Qi pondered for a moment, "So merit points can really be exchanged for anything... even an inflatable doll?"

A shut-in's needs are so simple.

However, jokes aside, Wang Qi had doubts about Su Junyu's character but trusted his professional skills—just look at how well he calculates during card games; most people can't do that.

The next noon, Wang Qi sought out Su Junyu.

Upon learning Wang Qi's intentions, Su Junyu was somewhat surprised, "Short on merit points or something?"

Wang Qi explained his reasons again, and after some persuasion to make Su Junyu believe that Xi Boche had given him guidance, the True Transmission of the Myriad Methods Sect's expression changed.

He affectionately put his arm around Wang Qi's shoulder, "Brother, you said..."

Wang Qi knew this guy's nature all too well and immediately took out the paper left by Xi Boche, "Want it?"

Su Junyu nodded so fast it was almost a blur, "Senior Xi's handwriting! The Master of Calculation's handwriting!"

"Sure! When I have enough merit points to exchange for all the books on this list, it will be yours—on the condition that you must help me."

Su Junyu nodded, "Deal."

He then became incredibly serious, "Alright, put my collection away for now."

Wang Qi was dissatisfied, "What 'yours'? It's still mine until the task is completed!"

"It's just a matter of time." Su Junyu's expression became extremely serious, "Since we're going to use the new disciple trials to quickly earn merit points... let me think of the most reasonable plan. Within three days, gather four new disciples at the Qi Condensation stage for me."