Chapter 107 - 101: Master of Conjecture

Plus, the fifth item was a request for Summoning promotion resources.

Shao Jiefeng fell into a daze as he looked at the words "Demon Beast attack" and "Summoning promotion resources."

After a long moment, he muttered to himself, ’Seems like a ruthless and decisive type. But what’s that got to do with me?

’The Law Enforcement Team’s special investigation found nothing. Am I, relying on internal data from the Resources Department, supposed to conjure up a problem with my imagination?

’That can’t be right!

’Wait, does raising his access level count as me helping him?

’If I hadn’t raised the access level, it would have been left there as public information. The Law Enforcement Team might have noticed item four and started connecting the dots, right?

’Ugh, but can I really go and ask him for a favor based on this?

’Do I have a death wish? If I go running to him with my little theories, telling him I know his business, I’d probably be silenced, wouldn’t I?

’A big shot with connections to the Inner Sect brass... I shouldn’t risk my life for a tiny piece of the action!’

He immediately tossed the files he’d just pulled up back into the data pile, scrambling them once more.

’As for all this speculation, it’s best I just keep it to myself!’

He quickly clicked on Promotion Resources, selected Summoning Class, Promotion Formula, and the current inventory list, rapidly transferring them to his Identity Card.

After finishing all this, he hesitated no more. A Spirit Wind materialized beneath his feet, and activating his Agility Technique, he left the Outer Sect Headquarters and headed for Little Hui Peak.

...

Not long after Zhang Deming sent the message, Zuo Jiagu replied.

Zhang Deming took a look, then sat down in the courtyard to wait quietly.

About an hour later, two portly men arrived at Qingyou Pool: the moderately plump Zuo Jiagu and a slightly plump young man, Shao Jiefeng.

’This person looks familiar,’ Zhang Deming thought. ’Have I seen him before?’

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Deming remembered where he had seen him.

’Isn’t this the guy from headquarters who processed my Scripture Pavilion Entry Order?’

Zhang Deming looked at the two and quickly stood up.

When the three met, Zuo Jiagu spoke first. "Senior Brother Zhang, this is Senior Brother Shao Jiefeng from the Outer Sect Headquarters."

Zhang Deming looked at Shao Jiefeng and said, "Senior Brother Shao, this isn’t the first time we’ve met, is it?"

Zuo Jiagu was slightly stunned to hear this, while Shao Jiefeng smiled and nodded.

"Junior Brother Zhang has a good eye and a great memory. That’s right, I’m the one who handled your Scripture Pavilion Entry Order last time."

Zuo Jiagu glanced at Shao Jiefeng, a flash of understanding in his eyes. ’Ah, so that’s how Zhang Deming got on his radar.’

’That’s why they say working at headquarters is such a lucrative post. If you pay attention, you’re bound to come across a juicy opportunity.’

Zhang Deming and Shao Jiefeng exchanged greetings, and Zuo Jiagu said, "Regarding the matter of promotion resources, this needs to be handled by the Outer Sect Headquarters.

"So, from this point on, Senior Brother Shao will be handling things for you, Senior Brother Zhang."

Zhang Deming nodded, indicating he understood.

The three of them went to the stone table in the small courtyard and sat down. Zhang Deming said, "Have some tea. I haven’t studied the Tea Dao, so I haven’t prepared any Spirit Tea. You’ll have to make do."

Shao Jiefeng smiled. "This is even better. The two of us are simple men; we only drink to quench our thirst."

Zuo Jiagu also smiled and nodded, chiming in, "That’s right. When it comes to tea tasting, it’s completely lost on me."

The three sat down, and the two guests casually took a sip of tea.

But as the tea entered his mouth, Shao Jiefeng paused and said, "Junior Brother Zhang, and you said we’d have to make do? Even though this is ordinary tea, you brewed it with Spirit Water, didn’t you?"

Zhang Deming looked at Shao Jiefeng and smiled. "It seems Senior Brother Shao is also a tea lover."

Zhang Deming didn’t have any actual Spirit Water, but he did know the Tier Two Tea Dao Technique, Spirit Water Technique—and was at the Mastery level, to boot!

The two of them looked at each other and smiled. Zuo Jiagu, on the other hand, truly didn’t understand tea at all.

After finishing a cup of tea, Shao Jiefeng asked, "Junior Brother Zhang, you need advanced resources for the Summoning Class?"

Zhang Deming nodded. "Yes. Although I’m only an Intermediate Apprentice right now, so it’s a bit early.

"But since I’ve already chosen my future path, it’s beneficial to prepare early."

Shao Jiefeng nodded. "That’s not a bad idea, but..."

Seeing Shao Jiefeng’s hesitation, Zhang Deming said, "Senior Brother Shao, please speak freely."

Shao Jiefeng said, "Junior Brother Zhang, there’s no need to rush. You can wait until after you’ve been promoted to Advanced Apprentice.

"Given your circumstances, Junior Brother Zhang, I imagine it won’t be long after your promotion before you can enter the Inner Sect.

"It would be better to prepare the resources then."

Hearing this, Zhang Deming asked in confusion, "Is there a difference?"

Shao Jiefeng nodded. "An Outer Disciple who is an Advanced Apprentice and has cultivated three Basic Techniques meets the requirements for the Inner Sect review.

"However, this is only the basic requirement. It’s very difficult to be promoted to the Inner Sect this way.

"The number of disciples who meet these conditions, among all the Outer Disciples, is well over one hundred thousand.

"Out of such a huge number, less than one-tenth are promoted.

"As for the rest, they either go through another review after a breakthrough in their techniques, or they choose Promoted Tai Chi.

"The outcome for the former is uncertain, but for the latter, if their Tai Chi is successful, they can directly enter the Inner Sect.

"Because of this, the competition for promotion in the Outer Sect is quite fierce, and in terms of resources, they are at least twenty to thirty percent more expensive than in the Inner Sect.

"Moreover, it’s not guaranteed that you can buy them even if you have Contribution points; you might need to wait in line or secure a spot.

"Of course, Junior Brother Zhang, you wouldn’t be subject to the wait.

"But as for the price, that’s something that can’t be adjusted."

Zhang Deming replied, "That’s not an issue. I’ll first see what I need to gather and when, then decide."

Shao Jiefeng nodded. "Alright."

With that said, he casually tossed his Identity Card onto the table, and a virtual screen projected from the card.

Shao Jiefeng reached out and manipulated it for a moment, then said, "As an Outer Disciple, Junior Brother Zhang gets one free formula.