Monday morning marked the beginning of their second month in the Outer Court.
All seventeen disciples gathered before Elder Chen Zhaolin.
Chen Shun had returned to the newcomers' line.
"The first month has ended," Chen Zhaolin said.
"Before today's lesson, several missions have completed elder review."
He began with North Quarry.
"The four disciples assigned there encountered circumstances beyond the original assessment. They withdrew safely and reported what they found."
He looked toward Chen Xueyin, Chen Gao, Chen Yiru and Chen Lanyue.
"Each receives an additional one hundred Achievement Points."
Gao's brows lifted.
Yiru smiled.
Lanyue looked surprised.
Xueyin nodded.
"Stonebridge."
Chen Shun straightened.
"The danger encountered after delivery exceeded the original assignment."
"Chen Shun receives an additional four hundred Achievement Points."
His original reward had been one hundred.
Five hundred total.
For the first time that morning, Shun looked pleased.
"Willowbank escort."
Chen Ba looked up.
"The client withheld information, causing the mission to be registered with insufficient manpower. The formation blueprint was still recovered and delivered."
"Chen Miao, Chen Kairen and Chen Ba receive an additional three hundred Achievement Points each."
Chen Zhaolin turned toward the stone board.
"The adjustments are complete."
"Monthly Achievement Ranking."
The board lit.
Rank 1 — Chen Ruoming — 8,420 Achievement Points
Several disciples looked toward the empty position where Ruoming normally stood.
"Chen Ruoming remains absent. His Achievement Points remain unchanged."
The remaining names appeared.
Rank 2 — Chen Yuanshi — 7,900
Rank 3 — Chen Zhenkai — 6,800
Rank 4 — Chen Huan — 6,180
Rank 5 — Chen Jie — 5,650
Rank 6 — Chen Tao — 5,210
Rank 7 — Chen Wenli — 4,460
Rank 8 — Chen Miao — 4,300
Rank 9 — Chen Kairen — 3,490
Rank 10 — Chen Bojun — 2,970
Rank 11 — Chen Suyin — 2,470
Then came the newcomers.
Rank 12 — Chen Ba — 1,680
The courtyard quieted.
Chen Gao turned.
"One thousand six hundred and eighty?"
"Yes."
Several older disciples looked over.
Rank 13 — Chen Xueyin — 760
Rank 14 — Chen Gao — 690
Rank 15 — Chen Yiru — 610
Rank 16 — Chen Lanyue — 560
Rank 17 — Chen Shun — 500
Chen Shun stared at the board.
Being last did not bother him by itself.
He had spent more than three weeks recovering and could not take missions.
That explained the others.
Chen Ba did not.
One thousand six hundred and eighty.
More than three times Shun's total.
Gao asked first.
"How many missions did you take this month?"
"Fifteen."
Gao stared at him.
"Fifteen?"
"Seven before I was ordered to rest. Eight after."
"When did you cultivate?"
"Not much."
"Why?"
"Normal absorption is too slow."
Chen Ba glanced at the board.
"I'd rather earn points and use the Qi Gathering Chamber."
The reasoning was simple.
The chamber needed Achievement Points.
So he earned them.
Chen Zhaolin let the murmurs settle.
"The ranking shows progress. It gives no reward."
His gaze moved across the seventeen disciples.
"Nor does rank replace the requirements for promotion."
Ten thousand Achievement Points.
Qi Adept.
Promotion Task.
"Continue."
The briefing ended.
...
Monday's lesson passed normally.
Chen Shun participated without issue, but one difference remained difficult to ignore.
He and Chen Ba were both Level Four.
Chen Shun had spent more than three weeks almost entirely on Qi cultivation.
Chen Ba had spent most of that time taking missions.
Yet their cultivation stood at the same level.
When the lesson ended, Shun stayed behind.
"Instructor."
The Monday instructor turned.
"What is it?"
"I want permission for a supervised spar."
"With whom?"
"Chen Ba."
The others stopped.
The instructor studied him.
"Reason?"
"I spent more than three weeks recovering. All I could do was cultivate Qi."
Shun looked at Chen Ba.
"He spent that time taking missions."
"We are both Level Four."
"I want to know how much difference that made."
No anger.
Only challenge.
The instructor looked at Chen Ba.
"Do you accept?"
"Yes."
"Use the training ground."
Gao grinned.
Xueyin, Yiru and Lanyue stayed.
Several older disciples stopped as well. Chen Ba's ranking had made them curious, if nothing more.
By the time the two entered the sparring area, Chen Zhaowu had arrived.
He remained at the edge.
The Monday instructor addressed both boys.
"Friendly spar."
"Spirit Items, foundational techniques and Qi are allowed."
"No deliberate lethal attacks."
Both nodded.
Chen Shun raised the Heaven-Subduing White Fang.
Chen Ba drew the Black Pole.
Qi Initiate Level Four against Qi Initiate Level Four.
No suppression.
The instructor raised one hand.
"Begin."
Chen Shun moved.