The Profound Pill Sect boasted one hundred thousand Outer Peak disciples, scattered across over a hundred Outer Peaks. This meant an average of at least a thousand disciples per peak.
While there might be some exaggeration, the actual number was likely close to accurate.
Little Spirit Void Peak, one of the Outer Peaks, ranked squarely in the middle in terms of strength.
The Peak Lords of such peaks were typically cultivators at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining, not those who had reached the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Only the top twenty Outer Peaks, determined by ranking, were led by Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.
The ranking of Outer Peaks hinged on a single criterion: the quality of their Spirit Veins.
Although all were Second-Tier Spirit Veins, the difference in Spirit Qi density between a barely qualified Second-Tier vein and one nearing Third-Tier status could be as much as threefold.
While threefold might not seem significant, the impact on cultivation progress was immense.
After all, Spirit Veins were among the most crucial cultivation resources in the entire Cultivation World.
At this moment, Han Yi found himself at the primary node of just such a vital resource.
Though only Second-Tier, the Spirit Qi density was the highest he had experienced since his transmigration.
However, Han Yi didn't attempt to break through in the cultivation chamber.
Firstly, he only had ten days until the Sect Return Assessment. He couldn't afford to be caught in the middle of a breakthrough and risk missing it, not even for a moment.
Secondly, even if he managed to break through within those ten days, his control over his newly enhanced Mana would be far from perfect. This wouldn't enhance his Pill Refinement skills; on the contrary, the lack of mastery could easily lead to errors when channeling Mana during refinement, increasing the risk of failure.
Furthermore, he wasn't obsessed with grinding his skill proficiency.
Within the Sect's cultivation chamber, he felt an unprecedented sense of security.
During these ten days, he focused solely on refining his physical body and Mana, meticulously adjusting his condition to peak performance.
If anyone knew he had spent ten Spirit Stones to rent the cultivation chamber for ten days just to refine his condition, they would likely denounce him as a prodigal fool.
But Han Yi didn't care. His priority was ensuring a safe return to the Sect.
Only by returning to the Sect and securing a safe environment could he execute his next plans.
Ten days later, Han Yi emerged from seclusion, his eyes gleaming with sharp light and his entire being radiating vitality, wreathed in a faint celestial aura.
After leaving his cultivation chamber, Han Yi first went to the area on Little Spirit Void Peak where Outer Sect Disciples purchased spirit medicines and herbs. There, he used Spirit Stones to buy enough materials to make thirty Qi Nourishing Pills and twenty Evil-Repelling Pills.
Next, he headed straight for the Sect Management Hall on Vermilion Bird Peak.
Upon arriving, he first checked if Guan Sheng was on duty, but finding him absent, he reluctantly approached another Senior Brother at the counter and presented his Sect Identity Token.
"Senior Brother," Han Yi said, "I'm Junior Brother Han Yi. A year ago, I didn't have enough Points and was sent down the mountain. Today marks the end of my year-long term, and I'm here to apply for the Sect Return Assessment. I would appreciate your assistance."
The Senior Brother took Han Yi's token with an impassive expression, verified the information, and nodded when it matched Han Yi's account.
Every year, many Outpost Disciples applied for the Sect Return Assessment after completing their year-long terms. However, only a handful truly passed; most were simply trying their luck.
The Senior Brother gave Han Yi no more than a cursory glance. He recorded the information and handed back Han Yi's Sect Identity Token along with a temporary assessment token.
"Take this token to the backyard of the Alchemy Hall on Black Tortoise Peak. There you'll find the steward overseeing the Sect Return Assessment. They will conduct your evaluation. Go now."
Han Yi carefully stowed the assessment token and bowed in gratitude.
Black Tortoise Peak, another of the Profound Pill Sect's Nine Inner Peaks, was not Han Yi's first visit. He had long since familiarized himself with the Sect Return Assessment process for Outpost Disciples.
The assessment required candidates to refine pills on-site at the Alchemy Hall on Black Tortoise Peak, where the Stewards on duty would evaluate their skill.
These evaluations were conducted by Stewards at the eighth or ninth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, making the requirements generally stricter than the annual 100-point quota for Outer Peak disciples. This was why returning to the sect after being stationed at an outpost was notoriously difficult.
But Han Yi approached this challenge with unwavering confidence. His proven abilities and mastery of alchemy assured him of success. He believed that if he couldn't pass, no Outpost Disciple ever could.
Upon arriving at Black Tortoise Peak and entering the Alchemy Hall, he immediately headed to the backyard.
There, seven other Outpost Disciples were already waiting in line for their Sect Return Assessment.
Han Yi didn't recognize any of them and had no interest in striking up a conversation.
However, one young man with a particularly outgoing demeanor tried to probe Han Yi for information. Han Yi's terse replies and obvious disinterest in socializing quickly discouraged him, and the youth retreated in boredom.
The line moved quickly. Disappointed disciples emerged from the assessment room, even the sociable young man among them, who wore a deep frown, clearly agonizing over his missteps and seething with resentment.
He glanced impassively at Han Yi, scoffed softly, and strode away, thinking, "Your turn next. We'll all face the same fate."
When it was Han Yi's turn, he stepped inside.
Three elders oversaw the Sect Return Assessment that day: an elderly man in his sixties, a red-faced youth in his early thirties, and a plump woman around forty.
The elderly man wordlessly accepted Han Yi's assessment token, scrutinized the information on it, and finally looked up at him, nodding slowly.
"You've been stationed at an outpost for a year. Your cultivation realm has advanced from the second layer of Qi Refining to the third, and your aura suggests you're on the cusp of reaching the fourth. Your mental state appears sound, and you exude confidence. This is commendable."
After these brief remarks, the elder tossed the token back to Han Yi and cut straight to the chase: "What kind of medicinal pills are you skilled at refining?"
"Reporting to Martial Uncle," Han Yi replied respectfully, "I've been refining Qi Nourishing Pills for years and have developed considerable expertise in their production."
Within the Profound Pill Sect, hierarchical titles were not strictly enforced. Generally, cultivators of the same cultivation realm, such as those in the Qi Refining Stage, would address each other as "Senior Brother" or "Junior Brother." When there was a difference of two realms, such as Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining, a Qi Refining cultivator could address a Foundation Establishment cultivator as "Martial Uncle."
Of course, this was the general practice. Lower-level Qi Refining cultivators would often address high-ranking late-stage Qi Refining cultivators in important positions as "Martial Uncle" out of respect. Therefore, to show proper deference, Han Yi respectfully addressed the late-stage Qi Refining Steward as "Martial Uncle."
The white-haired elder nodded. "Very well, let's proceed with the Qi Nourishing Pill assessment."
The other two Stewards—a young man and a woman—showed no reaction to the elder's decision. The Sect Return Assessment process was a fixed routine, performed daily for disciples returning to the sect.
Hearing this, Han Yi took a deep breath and stepped back. He retrieved his bronze hexagonal Pill Furnace from his Storage Pouch and arranged the newly purchased Qi Nourishing Pill ingredients around it. After meticulously preparing the Spirit Sand, Spirit Charcoal, and various auxiliary materials, he began refining the pills on the spot.
This was the streamlined and straightforward process of the Sect Return Assessment.