Apotheosis

"There are two ways." Sean extended two fingers as he spoke, "The first is to spend a hundred points in visiting Hell Mountain."

"Points?"

Since his came to Cloud Sect, Zen had been bombarded with references to points many times.

Previously during the initial exam, the old man told him of the points necessary to enter the powerful pressure space.

Before participating in the blooded test, Zen was in a fight with members of the Wang Clan. At last, the inner disciple who had started the fight had been punished with a penalty of a thousand points.

"What use do these points have? How can we obtain them?" Zen asked eagerly.

"Within Cloud Sect, it is impossible for disciples to do anything without these points. And all of you should be well informed of their functions." Sean Zhou then began to lecture them, "Outer disciples need to obtain sufficient points to be accepted as inner disciples. Points are also needed to swap elixirs used for cultivation and to eat and live. These points are recorded in your disciple cards."

"How can we obtain a hundred points within a short period?" Zen, at that moment, cared less about the use of these points and more about how to earn enough points to visit Yan at Hell Mountain.

"Masters of Cloud Sect will assign daily tasks to you. On completion of these tasks, you will gain the corresponding number of points. But outer disciples normally get fewer points. And it may take half a year for outer disciples to earn a hundred points. By the way, since my admission to Cloud Sect, I am in possession of less than a hundred points," Sean explained with a forced smile.

"Half a year?" Zen found it unacceptable to wait that long. He was eager to find a time-efficient solution.

"Well, you can swap two hundred cubic crystals for a hundred points," Sean suggested.

Upon hearing that, Zen was happy because he had many cubic crystals in his space ring. However, the exchange rate worried him.

Any outer disciple of Cloud Sect could become a millionaire at this exchange rate after resuming a civilian life.

'Even if I swap a hundred cubic crystals for fifty points, how would I collect the rest?' Zen was overcome with anxiety.

It would take at least three months to complete enough tasks to gain the remaining fifty points. However, Zen was desperate to reach Hell Mountain and see Yan.

Zen was eager to hear of the other alternative to reach Hell Mountain from Sean.

Sean then suggested that if Zen were to violate the rules of Cloud Sect, he would be exiled to Hell Mountain.

"......."

Zen remained silent for a long while. He chuckled as he thought, 'A good alternative, indeed.'

But that option was not feasible for Zen.

Without the backing of a noble clan or a patron at Cloud Sect, Zen had to bide his time patiently.

Zen told himself to w

able to follow the instructions in the book easily, and he had learned how to turn his soul into a thorn, each time he tried, Zen felt uneasiness in his heart. Overwhelmed by this feeling, Zen failed to complete the cultivation method.

After spending ten days in his room practicing this cultivation method, Zen found that he hadn't been able to make a breakthrough despite intensive research.

At last, Zen came to realize that he had to conquer the insurmountable.

Well, from hard practice comes virtuosity.

Finally, Zen decided to take a reprieve by looking around Drizzle Peak. He had sequestered himself in his room for so long that Zen felt that a walk would help clear his mind.

Zen's extensive practice since his admission to Drizzle Peak attracted the attention of many outer disciples.

When Zen walked out of his tiny room and came across a mirror, he was stunned to see that his hair was disheveled and that he had grown a full beard.

As Nory passed by, he scrunched his nose and demanded that Zen take a shower.

Drizzle Peak boasted of various living facilities including bathrooms, dining rooms, gardens, and tea lobbies.

After taking a shower, Zen and Nory went to dine together.

The dining room was featured with properly arranged tables and chairs and exquisite decorations worthy of a royal palace.

After they sat down, delicacies were placed on the table in front of them.

It was worthwhile to mention that Dragon Teeth Rice, a tribute from the Eastern Region was available to the privileged of an ordinary clan and to any outer disciple of Cloud Sect. This type of rice was tender, fresh, sweet, and aromatic.

When the two of them were about to enjoy their meal, several people entered the dining hall and headed straight for Zen and Nory.

"This seat is reserved for me. Move aside!" The leader of this group challenged Zen.