10,000x Cultivation: I Gain Power by Adopting Training Acolytes

The words "Sect Master of Southern Mountain Sect" elicited puzzled expressions from Zhang Yun and the other Spirit Immortal Sect elders.

The Southern Mountain Sect, like the Spirit Immortal Sect, ranked among the top five cultivation factions in Southern Cloud Province. Located less than a thousand miles apart in the southern region, the two sects had long been bitter rivals competing for resources and influence. For the Southern Mountain Sect's leader to appear here was unthinkable.

All eyes turned to the Spirit Immortal Sect Master. His calm demeanor confirmed this meeting had been arranged.

"Today's assembly concerns an agreement between our sects," the Spirit Immortal Sect Master announced. "We will hold an exchange event with Southern Mountain Sect."

"An exchange? With our sworn rivals?" Several elders blurted out.

"Consider it... a friendly competition," interjected the Southern Mountain Sect Master with a shark-like smile. "Rather than direct confrontations between elders, this event will focus on mentoring junior disciples."

He produced an ornate sandalwood box. "To incentivize participation, we're offering this as the top prize."

When opened, a medicinal fragrance so potent it made golden core vibrations surge filled the hall. The Spirit Immortal Sect's Grand Elder nearly choked on his saliva.

"A Nascent Soul Formation Pill?!"

The box contained a pearl-like pill radiating prismatic light - the legendary elixir that gave Golden Core Peak cultivators a 30% chance to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Even in major auction houses, such treasures rarely appeared, often selling for over 100,000 spirit stones.

"First place claims this prize," confirmed the Southern Mountain Sect Master. "Additionally, all participants will earn sect contribution points based on performance."

The rules were simple: Each elder would guide two Qi Refining disciples through survival trials in the Southern Wind Forest. Points would be awarded for completing missions and hunting spirit beasts over five days.

As murmurs of excitement spread, Zhang Yun noticed the Spirit Immortal Sect Master's subtle frown. This "cultural exchange" clearly had hidden stakes.

"Whatever their motives," the sect master declared, "since they've brought out such bait, we'll swallow it whole. Moreover, this event's results will factor into this year's elder rankings."

Zhang Yun's eyes sharpened. The elder rankings determined resource allocations - and his very position hung in the balance.

After the Southern Mountain delegation left, elders hurried to prepare. Only Zhang Yun lingered.

"Sect Master," he grinned sheepishly, "about those cultivation resources you mentioned..."

"You already extorted ten thousand stones from Meng Zhong!"

"My disciple devours resources like a starving dragon!" Zhang Yun spread his hands helplessly. "We're already scraping the barrel."

With a resigned sigh, the sect master tossed him an access token. "Take what you need from the treasury. But Zhang Yun..."

He fixed the younger man with a piercing gaze. "However you managed to recover to Foundation Establishment Peak, don't get reckless. True strength requires foundation."

Zhang Yun bowed deeply, hiding his smirk. If only the sect master knew his "disciple" had become his greatest cultivation cheat.

Outside, moonlight silvered the mountain paths. Zhang Yun patted the storage pouch containing his ill-gotten gains. The Southern Wind Forest trials would be his stage. Let the old fossils scramble for their precious pill - he had greater prey in sight.