Wenda Peak, main hall.
Li Chunsong, who had been busy all night, flew back to report to the senior members of the Daoist Sect.
"The cultivation technique Chu Huaixu is practicing has issues, it's quite treacherous!"
"It seems like it's based on the Artifact Refining Technique, modified to follow the path of Inner and Outer Cultivation."
"I suspect the person who created this cultivation technique has an extremely high level of artifact refining skills, possibly a grandmaster in artifact refining!"
Listening to his words, everyone in the hall frowned deeply.
Sect Leader Xiang Yan opened his mouth to inquire, "Did you investigate where this cultivation technique came from?"
Li Chunsong nodded: "I went to the Library Pavilion and checked the records."
"Was there any issue?" Law Enforcement Elder Lu Pan asked.
"This cultivation technique was brought back a few years ago by Junior Martial Uncle." Li Chunsong spread his hands.
Disciples of the Daoist Sect, when obtaining a cultivation technique or technique outside, could bring it back to the sect for review and entry into the library.
The sect has its own set of review standards, rates them, then gives rewards.
Of course, the entry review could also be rejected.
But considering the identity of that storyteller, it was special.
The things he brought back, would anyone dare obstruct the review? Would the review obstruct them?
Xiang Yan frowned, somewhat unable to understand, feeling like hair was going to grow on his bald head:
"Junior Martial Uncle specially brought back a cultivation technique for the Acupoint Opening Stage?"
Li Chunsong shook his head and said, "No, I checked, and along with it, two techniques, and a set of superior artifact refining techniques were brought into the library."
"This 'Refining Sword Formulas' was just incidentally packed along."
"Therefore, I suspect Junior Martial Uncle during his last travels, by chance, obtained a legacy of a grandmaster in artifact refining."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly, this made much more sense.
Li Chunsong continued to voice his speculation: "Of course, it's also possible that Junior Martial Uncle killed some grandmaster in artifact refining."
This statement made everyone feel it was even more reasonable.
Everything just seemed coincidental, the cultivation technique Junior Martial Uncle threw back into the sect years ago, happened to be learned by a youngster he picked from the mountain.
After pondering for a moment, Xiang Yan spoke: "Then remove this 'Refining Sword Formulas' from the cultivation technique library."
It's too treacherous and rather useless, with obvious drawbacks.
It doesn't match the proper Daoist Sect disciples at all.
Li Chunsong suddenly laughed upon hearing this.
"Why is Sixth Junior Brother laughing?" Xiang Yan was puzzled.
"The Sect Leader is unaware, I just used my Divine Sense to check, that kid is already awake, and he wrote four words on the small booklet recording his cultivation insights."
Nangong Yue immediately asked, "What words?"
Li Chunsong couldn't hold back his smile any longer, he burst into laughter: "Supreme Divine Skill! Haha, hahaha!"
In an instant, the main hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere, the senior members of the Daoist Sect couldn't help but laugh along, except the Great Elder.
"Hmph! This young man chosen by Junior Martial Uncle seems to have a rather dark heart." Law Enforcement Elder Lu Pan snorted coldly.
"Uh." Li Chunsong immediately restrained his smile, realizing he had misspoken.
People like this aren't favored by the Senior Brother here!
Sure enough, Great Elder Lu Pan spoke again: "Since it's a Supreme Divine Skill, let the stewards of the Outer Sect supervise him more, and ensure he practices diligently!"
...
...
Medicine Mountain, bamboo house.
The sky gradually brightened.
He studied the [Heart Sword] for a long time but didn't understand anything.
"It's normal, the Acupoint Opening Stage is actually just laying the foundation for future cultivation, strictly speaking, I can't even be considered a cultivator yet."
Chu Huaixu touched his stomach, he was already starving.
Cultivators in the Profound Yellow Realm do not completely fast.
Everyone has to eat, without exception.
Compared to ordinary people, besides having more powerful abilities, cultivators aren't much different.
Even their lifespan isn't that much longer.
In the cultivation realm, living to a hundred is more of a blessing than a curse.
The Medicine Mountain where Chu Huaixu currently resides has a cafeteria, where disciples can pay monthly and go for meals on their own.
Of course, if you want to buy ingredients and cook at home, that's also fine.
The Outer Sect of the entire Daoist Sect doesn't really feel like a sect academy, it's more like a small town formed by low tier cultivators, self-contained.
There are ordinary cafeterias, as well as upscale restaurants.
There are tailor shops, Spirit Pill Shops, and even Weapon Pavilions...
Therefore, living here, everything costs money.
Including the bamboo house Chu Huaixu is currently living in, starting next month, he also has to pay rent to the sect.
If he has the ability to do business and wants to open a store, he'll need to apply for a "permit" from the Daoist Sect, get a "business license," and then pay taxes.
Of course, he could also work as an apprentice in someone else's shop, doing hard labor.
Besides, the Daoist Sect itself also offers some job positions to its disciples.
The most typical employment project on Medicine Mountain is spiritual medicine maintenance.
As for someone like Niu Yuanshan, an Outer Sect Steward, he actually belongs to the official management, a genuine leadership position with great authority.
However, the Inner Sect of the Daoist Sect is vastly different from the Outer Sect.
It truly resembles a sect.
The disciples' main goal is cultivation, to become stronger!
As for money, Chu Huaixu doesn't worry for now.
Don't forget he has a silver note worth one hundred taels.
This money is enough for him for a while.
Chu Huaixu, holding the Outer Sect map, heads to the canteen operated by the officials.
On the way, some enterprising individuals are already setting up stalls and making money.
"Fellow senior and junior brothers, why not take a look at my newly developed Grain Avoidance Pill."
The rumbling stomach of Chu Huaixu was drawn by this voice.
In the Profound Yellow Realm, there's no Fasting Stage, but there are Grain Avoidance Pills, after eating which you don't need to eat food.
The man selling it continued to promote: "Junior brother, look at my newly developed White Face Grain Avoidance Pill, it's white and soft, very well made, and tastes soft too."
Chu Huaixu asked speechlessly: "Senior brother, the principle of the Grain Avoidance Pill is to eat one to not be hungry, not to feel full and not be hungry."
Damn it, isn't this fist-sized thing just a steamed bun!
"Not so, not so, junior brother, this is a White Face Grain Avoidance Pill. After eating it, it's equivalent to five same-sized white steamed buns!"
"And you need to use the restroom after eating steamed buns, right?"
"You don't need to with this White Face Grain Avoidance Pill."
"Just tell me if it's suitable for use during a closed-door training!" The disciple looked very proud.
Chu Huaixu: "..."
With curiosity, he continued to stroll around.
When he played Borrowed Sword, the Outer Sect of Spring and Autumn Mountain was like this—self-contained, and Chu Huaixu knew it well; he even ran a shop himself.
But it's his first time in the Daoist Sect.
"Spring and Autumn Mountain is notorious for having many weirdos, so it's a bit more chaotic."
"The Daoist Sect is much better in this aspect."
"But I must say, the prices are just as ridiculous as Spring and Autumn Mountain!" he thought indignantly to himself.
Since ancient times, it has been said that cultivation emphasizes wealth, techniques, companionship, and land.
Cultivation really costs a lot of money.
His one hundred taels of silver could give him a comfortable life outside for a long time.
But within the Outer Sect of the Daoist Sect, it might be a different story.
When Chu Huaixu reached the canteen door, he ran into an acquaintance.
Wearing a veil, Han Shuangjiang walked out from inside, not looking happy.
"The things here are all so expensive; overall, the sect canteen is the cheapest, but you need to pay for the month's meals in advance." She was short on money.
Having grown up in a brothel and later going to the Joy Sect, she had no choice.
After the collapse of the Joy Sect, she led a life of wanderings.
After meeting that storyteller, she hurried to Wumeng Mountain, and her traveling expenses were almost used up.
Han Shuangjiang now only has 103 wens.
Given the terrifying prices in the Outer Sect, this mere 103 wens aren't even enough for today's three meals!
This means she has to find a job today.
The daily life of a registered disciple typically involves working during the day and cultivating at night.
These difficult days are beckoning to this ice mountain.
At this moment, Han Shuangjiang looked forward, her gaze inevitably gathering on Chu Huaixu.
With morning light spilling over half his body, in the bustling crowd, standing on the high steps looking down, it was hard not to notice him.
No help for it, after all, he was the finest Furnace Cauldron.
Yet Han Shuangjiang only intended to nod at him in passing.
After brief interactions, she felt this Furnace Cauldron wasn't particularly easy to talk to.
Had upset her several times.
Who would have thought, bathed in the golden morning light, the man took the initiative to greet her with a smile.
"Morning, have you had breakfast yet?" Chu Huaixu said, his gaze beginning to assess.
Just seeing her worried look earlier, he already had an answer in his mind, thinking everything started to feel manageable.
This cold "world protagonist"...
——Turns out you're just dirt poor!
...
(ps: New book phase, ask for monthly tickets!)