Chapter 12: Entry-Level Qi Practitioner

Li Ang didn't hesitate and immediately chose to take up the role of 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】, after all, that was exactly why he had come.

The next moment, he felt a chilling clarity in his spirit, as if his mind had become much sharper, while a new force emerged within his body.

No, not emerged—it was more like Li Ang had felt this force for the first time.

Before he could even understand what had happened, the 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】 job information appeared before his eyes.

——

【Occupation: Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】

【Level: 1/10 (0/100)】

【Attribute Bonuses: Body Strength +0.1 per level, Spirit Strength +0.1 per level, Energy +1 per level】

【Occupational Skill: Qi Control (Entry 0/10)】

【Occupational Specialization: Calm Mind, Still Spirit】

【Career Progression: Qi Practitioner (Sanyi), Qi Practitioner (Longhu), Qi Practitioner (Wudang)】

——

"Of course no comparison to that sewer job, 【Prisoner】."

"No wonder people in that world cared so much about occupations."

Compared to 【Prisoner】, 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】 not only had a five-level higher cap, but also added bonuses to Spirit Strength and Energy—rounding up, it was like a billion times better.

This didn't even count the occupational skill and specialization; the gap would've been even wider, considering 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】 was merely a basic occupation with barely any supernatural ability.

More importantly, the subsequent career paths of 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】 were clearly far stronger than those of 【Prisoner】.

For example, 【Qi Practitioner (Sanyi)】.

——

【Occupation: Qi Practitioner (Sanyi)】

【Requirements:】

1. Obtain prerequisite occupation 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】 (√)

2. Participate in the Sect's transmission of methods of the Xuanmenmen Sect's Sanyi Sect (x)】

【Upon advancement:】

1. Attribute increase

2. Gain occupational skill—Reverse Birth: Three Layers

3. Gain occupational specialization—Refine Essence into Qi, Return to Primordial State

4. Gain special bonuses:

Slight increase in energy recovery speed

Slight bonus to experience gained when practicing Xuan Sect spells】

——

【Qi Practitioner (Sanyi)】 was clearly far stronger than 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】, making Li Ang intensely envious.

Just the skill Reverse Birth: Three Layers alone was enough to make him willing to risk everything, let alone the other attribute and special bonuses.

"Participating in the transmission of methods of different sects should allow me to advance into the corresponding Qi Practitioner path."

Based on the advancement requirements for 【Qi Practitioner (Sanyi)】, Li Ang deduced information about other occupations.

For instance, 【Qi Practitioner (Longhu)】: if he received ordination at the Celestial Master's Mansion, he should be able to advance into that role, with skills like Golden Light Mantra and Thunder Art instead, likely even stronger than Sanyi Sect's.

Thinking of this, he opened the other career paths—and indeed, they matched his guesses almost exactly.

But Li Ang felt no anxiety or regret; after all, his occupation slot had no limit, and he would surely obtain stronger, better occupations in the future.

He was already deeply grateful that the Sanyi Sect had accepted him.

Moreover, since there was a universal skill slot, he might even learn the Celestial Master's Mansion's ultimate techniques, and perhaps even the Eight Marvelous Arts not yet revealed.

As Li Ang was lost in thought, the young man beside him spoke: "For now, you'll stay here. Your daily tasks are fetching water and chopping firewood."

He pointed to a large water vat nearby and a pile of firewood stacked in the corner.

"When your trial is complete, someone will notify you."

"By the way, what's your name, younger brother?"

Hearing this, Li Ang realized he hadn't introduced himself and immediately replied: "Li Ang. Li as in 'wood' and 'child,' Ang as in 'lofty.'"

"Brother Li, it's getting late today. Just pick any bed to rest in—I'll bring you bedding later."

With that, the young man turned and walked up the mountain.

Li Ang scratched his cheek, looked up at the darkening sky, then followed the young man's instructions and picked a random bed in the nearby room.

After a day of travel, he was already tired, so he immediately took off his shoes, got into bed, and examined the 【Entry-Level Qi Practitioner】's skill and specialization.

【Qi Control: You can now perform simple manipulation of the Qi within your body.】

【Calm Mind, Still Spirit: You will find it easier to calm your emotions and enter meditative stillness.】

The first skill was unremarkable—purely a free gift to Li Ang.

He tried manipulating the so-called Qi, but felt only a warm flow within his body, nothing else.

Oh, and a bit of skill experience was added.

【Manipulating internal Qi, skill experience +1】

He couldn't help muttering inwardly: "Can't even project it outward for attack? Can't even strengthen the body? What's the point of this Qi Control?"

Thinking of this, Li Ang exhaled irritably—he'd thought he finally had an offensive ability, but reality had slapped him hard.

He couldn't possibly use this skill to scare those bugs in his previous world, could he?

What's the difference between that and scaring a truck on the national highway?

Of course, Li Ang suspected it might just be because his skill level was too low.

Beginner, proficient, skilled, expert, master—perhaps at higher ranks, 【Control Qi】 gains additional abilities.

But it's not all bad news.

The professional skill 【Calm Mind and Steady Breath】 has produced a curious chemical reaction with the prisoner's 【Slow Recovery】.

Because Li Ang discovered that meditative stillness also counts as rest.

How he discovered it, though.

When the young man returned with bedding, he found Li Ang already seated cross-legged, sunk into deep sleep.

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, then draped the blanket over Li Ang.

"This Brother Li's temperament—"

"Is quite remarkable."

【Sitting in meditation, professional experience +1】

【Sitting in meditation, professional experience +1】

When Li Ang woke the next morning to the rooster's crow outside, he suddenly saw his panel's 【Beginner Qi Refiner】 experience had increased by 32 points.

"Can sleeping make you stronger?!"

Li Ang was stunned—he never expected such a good thing.

Unfortunately, he only gained 32 experience points in one night; relying on this to level up quickly was unrealistic.

Moreover, Li Ang needed to go out and labor during the day.

Thinking of this, he quickly sat up, tidied his bedding, and stepped outside to carry out the tasks instructed by yesterday's unknown senior brother.

After enduring twelve hours of death-line labor, fetching water and chopping firewood meant nothing to Li Ang.

Especially since he could obtain experience from within.

【Fetching water and chopping firewood, professional experience +1】

【Fetching water and chopping firewood, professional experience +1】

Though he didn't know why doing chores also granted experience to a 【Beginner Qi Refiner】, it was ultimately good for Li Ang.

Days passed monotonously for a week; through Li Ang's relentless cycle of working and sleeping, his 【Beginner Qi Refiner】 had reached level 3.

While Li Ang was furiously grinding experience, a quiet conversation about his fate was unfolding within the Sanyi Sect.