C3 Change Plan!

Listening to the voices echoing in his mind and the chorus of realizations within the hall, Su Yinjian felt a suffocating pressure in his chest, leaving him uncomfortable and plagued with a relentless headache.

He had barely managed to accumulate a thousand points, only to lose half in an instant.

With a "puff," he spat out a mouthful of blood.

This action captured everyone's attention, and all eyes turned to Su Yinjian, seated at the place of honor.

Before anyone could inquire, Su Yinjian spoke up, "It's nothing. I've come to understand a few things, and my mind is clearer now. I simply spat out some stagnant blood."

The crowd observed Su Yinjian's condition and, without a word, nodded in understanding.

Su Yinjian surveyed the people below with growing irritation. Why did they have to have a breakthrough? Was it because of the few lines from Meng Zi that I recited? How did it cure those who were in the throes of madness?

And why did my words only send the Great Elder into a frenzy? Why couldn't it have affected more?

The more he dwelled on it, the more frustrated he became. He had been on the brink of success, but his own words had led to disaster.

With a concerted effort to quell his emotions, he resolved to implement some corrective measures.

But before he could articulate his plan...

Suddenly, the sound of a bell reverberated in everyone's ears, jolting them to alertness.

Simultaneously, a chant filled the air, resonating throughout the entire Spirit Sword Sect.

"The heavens, when bestowing great tasks upon a man, will first make his will endure hardship, his muscles and bones grow tired, his body suffer hunger, his person become depleted, and his actions thrown into chaos. Thus, his heart is moved, his nature tested, and he grows beyond what he once could not achieve."

The voice rang out, loud and clear, imbued with a sense of transcendence that sharpened the mind and invigorated the spirit.

As a premier sect of the East Continent, the Spirit Sword Sect boasted tens, even hundreds of thousands of disciples.

Though Su Yinjian had sent many to descend the mountain for a respite, a significant number remained. After all, one can't simply force everyone out.

At that moment, the majority who heard the voice instinctively paused in their activities.

...

On the plaza, a man with a determined visage, drenched in sweat and clutching an iron sword, heard the voice and his expression grew more solemn.

Moments later, his eyes shone with a brilliant light.

"To endure hardship in mind and body, to experience hunger and emptiness, to have one's actions confounded—now I understand, I truly understand. Years of cultivation have not been in vain. The heavens do not forsake the diligent. I have attained enlightenment."

Muttering to himself, he drew his long sword and resumed his practice, his movements now accompanied by a radiant glow. In an instant, a profound and mystical aura enveloped him, and he didn't just advance one level—he surged through three.

Meanwhile, the white-robed Son of God of the Spirit Sword Sect, Zong Tian, was roused from his meditation by the voice. Rising to his feet, he pondered the revelation.

"So it is," he murmured. "My master's wisdom is profound. I see now that the monotony of today's practice is the foundation for a formidable future."

After finishing his statement, he settled himself on the ground and closed his eyes. Almost immediately, his body began to emit a golden glow, signaling profound insights and an imminent breakthrough.

This phenomenon wasn't limited to just two places; disciples and elders within the Spirit Sword Sect also reaped benefits. Some achieved breakthroughs, some entered deep meditation, and even those who were not cultivating but indulging in pleasures found themselves drawn into a state of cultivation upon hearing the sound. The entire sect shimmered with lights of various colors, a testament to the numerous breakthroughs occurring.

In the main hall, all the elders sensed this extraordinary moment. The bald Great Elder, Luo Han, rubbed his head and declared, "The ringing of myriad bells, the hymn of the heavenly Dao—our Sect Master's words have bolstered our sect's strength by a good thirty percent."

"Absolutely, the Sect Master is truly enlightened."

"This heralds a golden era for our sect."

Praise echoed throughout, yet Su Yinjian was somewhat perplexed; he was oblivious to the transformations his words had sparked within the sect. Lacking the ability to use his Spiritual Sense or to investigate further, he remained unaware of the details.

Amidst the chorus of accolades, a voice resonated within his mind: [Heavenly Dao's hymn, the disciples of the sect have achieved successive breakthroughs, enhancing the sect's strength by more than thirty percent. Desperation Value decreased by 800. Current Desperation Value: 300.]

Hearing this, Su Yinjian nearly lost consciousness as darkness threatened his vision. Simultaneously, a golden beam descended from the heavens, enveloping him completely. A wave of soothing energy washed over him, leaving him feeling lighter and more at ease.

Spiritual Qi from the surroundings rushed into his body, forming a massive vortex around him. Concurrently, streams of golden light poured into his sea of consciousness, fortifying and amplifying it.

In an instant, Su Yinjian sensed his cultivation level skyrocketing, and his physical condition strengthening significantly. The onlookers in the hall were astounded.

"Good heavens, is this the Heavenly Merit Body Filling?"

"Indeed, it is."

"The Sect Master is truly formidable."

As he spoke, the light around him faded, revealing Su Yinjian once more.

"Congratulations, Sect Master," everyone voiced together.

Just as Su Yinjian was about to respond, another voice echoed in his mind: [The host has been blessed with Heavenly Merit Body Filling. Strength, talent, and foundation have all been enhanced, significantly boosting the sect's power. Desperation Value decreased by 500. Current Desperation Value: 800.]

Stunned by the announcement, Su Yinjian had initially resigned himself to the loss of Desperation Value, content with the increase in his own power, despite not knowing how to wield it. Yet, the points were deducted nonetheless.

Inwardly fuming at the system, yet receiving no reply, Su Yinjian composed himself and addressed the assembly, "My fellow sect members, please return and reflect on these events. Join me back here in the main hall tomorrow, and I shall impart the Dao Scriptures to you."

Without hesitation, everyone dispersed, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

After everyone had departed, he took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and fell into contemplation. Moments later, he managed to quell the emotions stirring within him.

What's done is done; anger serves no purpose now. Better to focus on how to remedy the situation.

Opening his eyes, he rose to his feet and made his way out of the hall.

In the Crafting Hall, Su Yinjian had created both a set of poker and mahjong tiles—projects that would take center stage tomorrow.

...

The following morning, in the grand hall of the Spirit Sword Sect, it wasn't just the ruling elders who were present. Some of the outer sect elders and even a few disciples had been summoned by Su Yinjian.

Once everyone had arrived, Su Yinjian presented the mahjong tiles and poker cards he had prepared and began his explanations.

Starting with poker, the name 'Fighting Immortal' was temporarily shelved, replaced with 'Fighting Cultivator.'

Though the poker decks were few, the games they inspired were plentiful.

Su Yinjian had mastered each one.

Battle Cultivator (Landlord), Protect the Sect Master (Emperor), Level Up, Enough Level, Exploding Cultivator (Golden Flower)...

In the cultivation world, the journey to power through cultivation not only enhances strength but also intelligence.

This gathering of sect elites and luminaries quickly grasped the games after just a run-through or two.

Once they had gotten the hang of the card games, Su Yinjian introduced mahjong.

In under an hour, everyone was thoroughly engaged in the play.

Even the typically aloof Third Elder, Miao Miao Jiao, was wholeheartedly enjoying the games.

After some time, Su Yinjian concluded the instruction and addressed the group, "Now that you've all more or less got the hang of it, Chen Ping, you stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed. Go and share these techniques with the rest of the sect.

These methods are imbued with profound insights. Reflect on them well, and you may find yourselves advancing in the upcoming sect ranking tournament."

The crowd nodded in agreement and dispersed.

The vast hall was left with only Su Yinjian and Elder Chen Ping, the one whom Su Yinjian held in high regard.