The Administrative Hall.
Ji An had come to post a recruitment notice. Tasks like this were considered cushy jobs, so it wouldn't take long before suitable candidates appeared.
The disciple on duty noticed that it was a Foundation Establishment shishu arriving and dared not show the slightest neglect. He immediately invited him upstairs.
The room upstairs was filled with the fragrance of tea. Tian Qingbai chuckled:
"Since it's Senior Sister Ge's medicine garden looking for daily caretakers, I'll help oversee the process myself. We'll choose only the best among the applicants."
"Many thanks, Senior Brother."
Ji An gave a slight nod, raised the teacup before him, and took a sip.
"What fine tea. Its color is like autumn leaves steeped in amber, mellow on the tongue, smooth going down, leaving a lingering fragrance afterward."
He felt as though the spiritual energy within him grew more lively under its influence. Secretly, Ji An made a note to plant several varieties of spirit tea trees once he secured his own cave-dwelling.
To think after cultivating, he could steep a pot of spirit tea, recline in a chair, let his mind drift in the fragrance, watching the sunset dye mountains and valleys into a play of light and shadow, while listening to the sparrows flit overhead. Wasn't that, too, a kind of joy?
"Junior Brother is a man of taste as well. Take some with you when you leave. Hahaha, from now on, let us draw closer."
Tian Qingbai's broad smile narrowed his eyes to little more than black beads, spinning shrewdly like those of a field rat.
"As long as Senior Brother doesn't find me bothersome."
Ji An returned the warmth. He thought, Not paying him a few more visits would hardly be worthy of the five spirit stones I handed over before.
The two chatted at length about all manner of topics. Tian Qingbai was only at the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment, but his experience was broad.
After two ke of conversation, Ji An exhaled quietly, concealing the movement. He had gained new insights and broadened his horizons. Truly, one should never underestimate anyone.
"Senior Brother, I'll take my leave. I still have matters to attend to."
"Speaking with you today was most pleasant. When you have time, come chat with me again."
Tian Qingbai, who no longer harbored ambitions of reaching higher realms on the immortal path, had plenty of leisure these days.
As they spoke, he retrieved a celadon jar painted with mountain-and-river motifs from the shelf behind him and pressed it into Ji An's hands.
"This tea is called Empty Mountain After Rain. Among first-rank spirit teas, it's a fine product. Consider it a gift."
"This… how could I accept? Senior Brother, no merit, no reward."
Ji An gripped the jar and waved his hand.
"You're being too formal. We are fellow brothers in the sect, kindred at first sight. From now on, let's look after one another."
"In that case, I'll accept with thanks. Senior Brother, until we meet again."
"Walk safely, Junior Brother."
Tian Qingbai stroked his chin, his eyes narrowing to slits.
His Foundation Establishment Pill wasn't due for another five years, and yet he's already broken through. Clearly, Senior Sister Ge values him greatly. Another Foundation Establishment cultivator under thirty years old… our sect grows ever more prosperous.
The cry of the gray-feathered sand goose echoed outside. Tian Qingbai stepped to the window and watched its shadow disappear into the distance. He let out a wry laugh.
"Just bought that spirit tea, which cost me over thirty spirit stones. A losing bargain indeed!"
The mount slowed, then descended to the mountainside. This was Lingxiao Mountain, part of the sect's inner ring, close to the core region.
Ji An dismounted and entered the Labor Hall, where he bowed to an elderly cultivator who was sitting with eyes closed in meditation.
"Senior Brother, I am Ji An. By fortune, I've succeeded in Foundation Establishment and have come to replace my sect identity jade token."
Labor Hall - As the name implies, a place of diligent service.
Here, Foundation Establishment cultivators handled the administrative affairs of the sect.
Once a disciple broke through to Foundation Establishment, they became part of the sect's backbone and could finally enjoy true sect benefits.
Of course, such benefits came with obligations.
The fortunate part was that, unlike the Qi Refining stage, where one carried mostly obligations and few privileges, things were far better here.
...
"Strange… It's not yet time for the sect to distribute Foundation Establishment Pills. How did you manage to establish your foundation already?"
The old cultivator opened his clouded eyes and gave the young man before him a careful look. Stretching out his hand, he said:
"Hand it over."
Ji An presented his old jade identity token.
"Age twenty-eight, disciple of Ge Ying. My surname is Ye, given name Changqing. Just call me Old Ye." The elder gave a faint smile. "Junior Brother, you've done well. Anyone who establishes their foundation before thirty enjoys Grade-B treatment. Your prospects are limitless."
"Senior Brother Ye!"
Ji An cupped his fists politely. Old Ye? More like he just wants to take advantage of me by calling himself that, he grumbled inwardly.
Ye Changqing produced a palm-sized, azure jade token. Faint interwoven patterns could be seen inside it, clearly brimming with restrictive spells.
"Junior Brother, force out a drop of your blood essence and let it fall upon the token," he instructed, handing over a silver needle artifact.
Ji An pricked his finger and, under Ye Changqing's guidance, pressed out a droplet of crystalline, silvery-red blood essence. The bead sank into the jade token and vanished from sight.
"Each Foundation Establishment jade token is unique and directly linked to the sect's Mountain-and-River Diagram.
Within a radius of five thousand li, centered on Chaoyang Peak, every token's position can be displayed on the diagram.
Keep it close to you at all times. Don't store it in your pouch, or it will interfere with its tracking function."
He continued:
"Through the jade token, you can also send an emergency transmission. If you encounter a threat beyond your ability, immediately call for aid. The Law Enforcement Hall will rush to your rescue.
They are equipped with Piercing-Cloud Flying Shuttles. Their speed surpasses even that of sword cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
But remember, Junior Brother, the transmission only works within the sect's territory."
Under Ye Changqing's instruction, Ji An practiced activating the signal. At last, he truly felt the security of belonging to the sect.
Had I possessed such a token when I faced those marauders, would I have needed to waste so many talismans? …No, that's not right. If I'd had this jade token back then, it would've meant I was already in Foundation Establishment. I wouldn't have needed the sect's help at all to rip those bandits apart with my own hands.
"Come with me now. Heh heh, time for the most exciting part: choosing your cultivation cave-dwelling."
Ye Changqing led the way upstairs. Ji An followed close behind and found himself in a chamber where a circular table about a zhang wide dominated the center, with chairs scattered around it.
On the tabletop lay a round piece of white jade, within which faint projections of landscapes flickered: mountains, valleys, streams, and deep pools.
"This is the Mountain-and-River Diagram artifact. The sect has several such instruments, all capable of tracking the positions of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
I know for certain there's one in the Law Enforcement Hall, watched day and night. If a cultivator sends a distress call, the diagram will sound an alert."
He pointed at the lights shining inside the jade.
"Look, Junior Brother. The different colored points of light represent spiritual vein nodes, that is, the sites where cave-dwellings are located.
Green dots mean the cave is unoccupied.
Red dots mean it's already taken.
And those scattered yellow dots at the edges? Those are leased out to external cultivators or affiliated families."
In the Mountain-and-River Diagram, the majority of the points shone red, fewer than a hundred gleamed green, and only seven or eight glowed yellow.
Ji An blinked in surprise.
"The sect even runs a rental business?"
Ye Changqing grinned.
"Junior Brother, you don't know. These cave-dwellings sit on decent spiritual nodes, but each has its own problems that make them far from ideal for cultivation.
Foundation Establishment cultivators don't want them, and Qi Refining disciples can't withstand the intensity of the spiritual currents.
Besides, most of them are branch veins on the sect's periphery. Leaving them empty is a waste. Renting them out brings in spirit stones."
He leaned closer, voice genial.
"So, tell me what you are looking for? I'll help you weigh the options. With a goal in mind, choosing will be quicker. Otherwise, you'd have to compare one by one, and that'll delay my sleep."
Ji An chuckled, half in jest.
"Is there a place where earth fire gushes, golden winds rage, peaks are elegant, and streams gather into lakes?"
If he could find a place where all five elements manifested, then the stone turtle could draw from eight types of spiritual essence.
Ye Changqing lowered his gaze, thoughtful. After a long pause, he suddenly looked up.
"Funny you should ask, there really is such a cave-dwelling."
Ji An froze, astonished. Really?
Pointing at a yellow dot in the northwest of the map, Ye Changqing said gravely:
"That place is called Chiyan Peak, Crimson Flame Peak. It matches your conditions perfectly. It's a second-tier, lower-grade spiritual vein.
But there's a catch. Each morning when the sun rises, scorching winds and searing fire rage across the land. The spiritual qi becomes too violent, too domineering to cultivate safely.
Forcing cultivation there risks damaging your meridians and harming your foundation. Only in the evenings, after the golden crow sets, and at dawn, is the place truly suitable for cultivation."
Ji An's eyes lit up. If the stone turtle can absorb so many kinds of spiritual essence, then fine, during the day I'll just rely on spirit-gathering arrays. Spending a few extra spirit stones is nothing compared to deepening my insight into the Dao.
"Senior Brother, since the sect has already leased that place out, how long would I need to wait if I chose it?"
"For our own disciples, the sect naturally gives priority. At most, you'd wait three months.
The rental agreements always include a clause that if a sect cultivator chooses the dwelling, the tenant's spirit stones are refunded, and they must vacate within three months.
Of course, the ones who rent those places usually have some connections. The sect can't just throw them out on the spot."
Ji An considered, then said:
"Senior Brother, could you also recommend a few places rich in wood-element qi? I'll inspect them myself and choose whichever suits me best."
"Of course. That's the normal procedure. You must survey the cave personally before moving in. Once you settle, there's no going back."
Ye Changqing pointed out two green dots, describing their locations in detail. Then he smiled.
"Take your time, Junior Brother. Once you've made your decision, let me know. But first, let's head to the Soul Hall and light your soul lamp."
The soul lamp monitored a cultivator's condition. If it burned bright, all was well. If it dimmed, it meant serious injury or waning life. If it went out, it signaled death.
The two men left through the back door of the Labor Hall. Immediately, Ji An saw a tall and solemn hall looming ahead.
The plaque above the entrance bore two golden characters on a black background: Soul Hall. The brushstrokes carried a faint, chilling undertone.
Stepping inside, Ji An was met with a subtle cold aura that coiled through the air.
At the main altar stood ancestral tablets, memorials to generations of Patriarchs and Golden Core Elders.
On either side of the hall, rows of bronze oil lamps flickered. Their mottled surfaces told of centuries of use.
Ye Changqing produced three sticks of golden incense and handed them to Ji An.
"Pay your respects to the Patriarchs."
Ji An lit the incense, bowed deeply, and offered his prayers with a solemn face.
The curling smoke and flickering lamps gave him the uncanny sense of being watched by countless cultivators, stirring reverence in his heart.
Then, Ye Changqing brought out a bronze oil lamp identical to the others. With a few incantations, he activated the restrictions etched into it. The lamp itself was an artifact.
Following his seniors' instructions, Ji An pressed out a drop of blood essence and strands of his qi into the lamp.
Moments later, the wick ignited on its own, and a bright inch-long flame swayed gently. Ji An immediately felt a strange, intimate connection with the lamp, familiar, reassuring, and unexplainably close.
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