"Are you the disciple Xu Qing spoke of who has achieved Initial Mastery in Basic Stance Training?"

"Greetings, Elder. This disciple is Li Yun, a disciple of Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch."

"Li Yun? Not Gu Yunzheng, nor Zhang Chu?"

Zhang Cong's eyes flashed.

"I recall Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch had one with first-grade Aptitude and one with top-tier second-grade Aptitude, but you weren't among them?"

"Elder, when this disciple was at Entry, my Aptitude was fifth-grade."

"Fifth-grade Aptitude, heh... With fifth-grade Aptitude, you were able to achieve Initial Mastery in Basic Stance Training within a month?"

"Are you trying to tell me that an error occurred during your Aptitude test at Entry?"

"No, no... Elder, you misunderstand."

"This disciple... sigh, this disciple cannot truly explain the reason either. But when this disciple was comprehending Basic Stance Training, it indeed went a bit smoother. Perhaps it was... luck?"

"Luck?"

"Ha...?"

Zhang Cong couldn't help but chuckle.

"If mere luck could allow someone of fifth-grade Aptitude to achieve Initial Mastery in Basic Stance Training within a month, in one stroke breaking the Heavenly Martial Sect's historical record for the fastest Initial Mastery of Basic Stance Training among Outer Sect Disciples, then this luck of yours is truly extraordinary."

"Enough, I won't waste words with you."

"Demonstrate it once for me to see."

"Yes!"

Li Yun was not nervous in the slightest. Since he had come along with Xu Qing, this was bound to happen.

He stepped back several paces directly.

Finding a suitable spot, he immediately began demonstrating 【Basic Stance Training】.

From the first stance to the twelfth stance.

Every stance flowed smoothly.

Without the slightest pause.

Perhaps in Zhang Cong's eyes, it was still somewhat raw and had not yet reached seamless Perfection, but Initial Mastery was Initial Mastery.

There was not the slightest fabrication.

What was rare was that among the twelve stances of 【Basic Stance Training】 performed by Li Yun, each stance was standard, with virtually no flaws to be picked out.

If he continued to cultivation with this kind of momentum, he could reach the Proficient realm within a month at most, and in the future, it was truly very likely he would reach the realm of Perfection within a single year.

"Could he truly be a pearl hidden in the depths of the sea?"

"Or did an issue truly occur with the Aptitude test at Entry?"

Amidst his pleasant surprise, Zhang Cong could not help but harbor secret doubts.

Naturally, he wouldn't actually make Li Yun retest his Aptitude over mere suspicion.

After all, he was not the only Outer Sect Elder.

Nor was he the one in charge of Aptitude testing.

A month after Entry, suddenly making Li Yun retest his Aptitude would be slapping someone else in the face, wouldn't it? He would never do something that offended others.

Most importantly, if an issue had truly occurred regarding Li Yun's Aptitude test, the situation would spiral out of control.

This year, as many as forty thousand new Outer Sect Disciples had been recruited. If all of them had to be retested, it would likely alarm the Sect's upper echelons.

When the blame came down, a large string of people would meet misfortune.

Moreover, this boy Li Yun was indeed somewhat out of the ordinary, and could not be ignored.

Thus, after considering it calmly, Zhang Cong decided not to alarm anyone for now and simply keep an eye on him in secret first.

"Fine, very good."

"Being able to cultivation Basic Stance Training to Initial Mastery within a month proves that you indeed possess some Talent and are diligent enough."

"The Sect will not be stingy with rewards for a disciple like you."

Zhang Cong smiled.

He then took out a white jade porcelain bottle.

"Here are two Qi and Blood Pills. One serves as your reward for achieving Initial Mastery in Stance Training within three months, and the other as a reward for breaking the record."

"Thank you, Elder."

Li Yun took the white jade porcelain bottle with delight, not forgetting to express his gratitude to Zhang Cong.

Zhang Cong nodded with satisfaction.

"However, you must not grow conceited."

"Basic Stance Training is merely the most fundamental foundation of the martial path; the road ahead is still long. I hope you will persevere and practice diligently."

"I give you a promise here: if you can cultivation Basic Stance Training to the Proficient realm within half a month, you will not need to go through Xu Qing, and can come find me directly."

"When that time comes, not only will I grant you another two Qi and Blood Pills as a reward, but I will also make an exception and teach you a Martial Technique."

"This instruction will not count toward your selection quota from the Martial Repository—it will be taught by me privately!"

As soon as these words were uttered.

Both Xu Qing and Li Yun were filled with shock.

Especially Xu Qing.

He had also walked the path of an Outer Sect Disciple and was clearer than anyone about their journey.

All Outer Sect Disciples, upon reaching Entry, cultivated 【Basic Stance Training】, with no exceptions.

Only when 【Basic Stance Training】 reached the realm of Minor Achievement would they be permitted to enter the Martial Repository to choose a genuine Martial Technique.

How could an ordinary person possibly attain Minor Achievement in Stance Training in a short time?

Therefore, in the first year, people were essentially toiling away at Stance Training; for those with slightly inferior Aptitude, toiling for a year and a half or even two years was entirely possible.

This meant that out of the three-year limit, hardly any time remained to reverse back to Innate.

Li Yun only needed to put in a bit more effort to cultivation Stance Training to the Proficient realm within half a month, and it would be possible to obtain a Martial Technique ahead of time.

What was this called?

This was called staying one step ahead.

In the martial path's cultivation, being fast by one step means being fast at every step.

Within three years, Li Yun truly had a possibility of successfully reversing from Acquired to Innate, leaping through the Dragon gate like a carp to become an Inner Sect Disciple.

More importantly, the Martial Technique would not count toward the selection quota of the Martial Repository, meaning it was Zhang Cong's private instruction. That was equivalent to Zhang Cong sharing the bond of half a master with Li Yun. If word spread, anyone wishing to act against or suppress Li Yun would have to weigh their actions carefully.

All in all, the benefits were immense.

So immense that even Xu Qing was envious.

Back then, if he had been granted such a fated opportunity right at the start of Entry, he might very well be an Inner Sect Disciple right now.

Why would he have needed to struggle bitterly for three years, only to barely get by as a deacon? What's more, the deacon's term lasted only two years, and this was already the second year; if he failed to achieve a breakthrough, he would have no choice but to leave the Heavenly Martial Sect.

"Li Yun, you must seize this opportunity!"

"Listen to me: for someone without a Spiritual Root, wanting to reverse from Acquired to Innate is truly far too difficult. If you can truly obtain Elder Zhang Cong's favor and guidance, it will save you countless detours!"

After coming out of Zhang Cong's residence.

Xu Qing solemnly urged Li Yun once again. Seeing his earnest expression, it was evident he truly wished from the bottom of his heart for Li Yun to obtain this fated opportunity.

Afterward, he brought Li Yun to his own residence.

As a Martial Arts Deacon, one had an independent residence in the Outer Sect. Although it was not large, it was sufficient for sleeping, daily life, and storing some personal belongings without issue.

Upon returning to his residence, Xu Qing rummaged through chests and cupboards, pulling out a yellowed booklet from a wooden box.

"As a Martial Arts Deacon, I do not possess the qualification to teach you other Martial Arts in private."

"However, I have here a booklet of Stance Training notes that I spent a fortune to buy from an Inner Sect Disciple back then. I will give it to you!"

"I have no other intentions; I merely want to help you as much as possible. Remember, you must never speak of this to the outside world."

Li Yun took the booklet of notes and flipped through it; his eyes instantly lit up.

Because the System's reaction was quite intense!