Chapter 7 So concerned about me, Master? So concerned about me? …………
"So you're the one who sent the second son of the Chen family flying fifty miles with a single sword strike and didn't even give the sect leader any face?"
"It's me, is there a problem?"
"No problem, no problem, that was so satisfying! You really made us proud, young man."
“Those guys surnamed Chen were furious and even tried to accuse you of being a spy from the Demon Realm. We all cursed them back for you. Honestly, these past few years, any of us who aren’t from aristocratic families who have shown our talents have been subjected to this. Don’t worry, I’m definitely going to find you today.”
The disciple was instantly wide awake. He took out several large, bound stacks of old authorization orders from the cabinet and went back to working on Fu Ming's files with renewed vigor.
Since becoming a demonic cultivator, Fu Ming had never experienced such popularity, which was truly rare. This reminded him of when Xiao Huaiyuan was still a head shorter than him, and Xiao Huaiyuan always clung to him, getting more agitated than Fu Ming if anyone said anything about him.
"How did he grow up to be like that? He's so stubborn and won't listen to reason. He's really a useless son now that he's grown up," Fu Ming sighed.
System: Host, why are you so happy? How is it? Do you feel the happiness of grassroots civil servants connecting with the people? Keep up the good work, host, you'll definitely be able to pass the exam smoothly, dear^^.
Fu Ming: What were you doing when you were offline?
This was all discovered, but the system dodged the question and changed the subject: Dear host, after the automatic upgrade, we've unlocked many useful features, come and experience them ovo.
Fu Ming brought up the system page in his divine sense. Some rudimentary information appeared on the blank page of the Hunyuan Devouring Heaven Record. After the upgrade, he could directly flip through the book to query information on his own. Finally, he no longer had to be tormented by the unreliable system.
Task information, task progress, conduct value, merit value. No, the values are incorrect; they are less than estimated.
He adopted the intimidating tone typical of a demon lord, speaking slowly and in a low voice, and began his interrogation while holding the tattered book.
"I remember getting a 20% stat boost when I'm with Xiao Huaiyuan, where did that go, hmm?"
Well, haha, this upgrade also requires a certain fee—wait, host, don't roast me with fire, sob sob sob.
The system hurriedly offered an explanation but was severely punished, receiving a few pages of harsh criticism before slinking away in silence.
"No wonder you were in such a hurry to get me close to Xiao Huaiyuan. It turns out you just wanted to get those extra points yourself." Fu Ming ignored the system's pleas for mercy and continued to torture it.
How can you use the word "greed"? This system is a clean and honest one; at most, it's just a loan.
Okay, when I activated it there was only a tiny bit of energy left. If I can't recharge it, the system will automatically go into hibernation QAQ.
Fu Ming closed the book and casually tossed it into a corner of his consciousness space.
"From now on, you must report to me if you want to draw merit points or achievement points, otherwise you know what will happen."
However, the system upgrade also has its benefits. The newly added page of Hunyuan Devouring Heaven Record has a simple map that, like an unskilled game UI design, circles out the approximate location of the mission, thus eliminating many small sects.
Meanwhile, Fu Ming was skimming through the yellowed documents and maps of affiliated sects that his disciples had selected. There were over ten sects of varying sizes near Mount Tai Xuan, all reporting attacks by beast tides, concentrated in the spring when the beasts were most restless. To meet the system's requirements for accumulating merit points, these sects needed to be of a certain size; sects with fewer than fifty members were not considered. The remaining medium-sized sects were mostly concentrated around the river valleys.
I've got it! This sect is located deep within the Tai Xuan Mountains, at a crucial point on the way to the valley. It can support other sects, and the terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If it falls, the entire front will collapse.
Xuanluo Sect.
"You're going to the Xuanluo Sect?"
Xiao Huaiyuan, as the (acting) sect leader, a very busy man with administrative duties, actually had the leisure to take the initiative to care about his disciple. Interestingly, Fu Ming, who had just finished his routine report, took the initiative to step forward and tease him with a playful smile.
"Master cares about me so much?"
"I only heard from the people in the Censorate that there is something strange about that place, so you must be careful."
Xiao Huaiyuan hummed in agreement. This man was, in theory, handsome with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, but he always had a stern face, making him seem unapproachable.
The assassination case has now been solved. The Chen family pushed Chen Chong, who had not yet entered the sect, to take the blame, while completely absolving Chen Cheng, an inner disciple at the Golden Core stage. It was truly a classic case of sacrificing a pawn to save the king. After this incident, the Chen family will inevitably have to lay low for a while, and the arrogance of the aristocratic families will also be greatly diminished. The balance of power between the common people and the aristocratic families has subtly shifted.
Correspondingly, Fu Ming's false identity, Ming Chen, became famous within the Tianyan Sect. Whenever he appeared in the lecture hall or martial arts arena, he would inevitably attract a large following of students from humble backgrounds.
To prevent chaos within the sect, Xiao Huaiyuan granted Fu Ming special permission to skip the morning lectures at the lecture hall and instead stay at the sect leader's peak for individual instruction.
This made things difficult for Fu Ming. It was relatively easy to pretend to be weak among a group of new disciples, but it was really tiring to constantly remember his Foundation Establishment stage persona in front of Xiao Huaiyuan. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, so Fu Ming chose to transfer his pain to his junior brother. Since Xiao Huaiyuan insisted that he report his cultivation progress every day, he would often come to bother Xiao Huaiyuan while he was working, and sure enough, he felt much better.
"Well, I think the Xuanluo Sect hasn't experienced a beast tide for two years. They're just hunting some lone ferocious beasts. It shouldn't be a big problem, right?"
Among the peaks of the Tianyan Sect, the Sect Leader Peak is neither the most spiritually rich nor the most expansive in area. However, it is located in the center and has a relatively high elevation, offering a panoramic view of all the surrounding mountains. Therefore, it was chosen as the Sect Leader's residence.
But since the sect leader went into seclusion and Fu Ming defected, only Xiao Huaiyuan remained here. The peach trees and bamboo grove outside were neglected, with withered branches and leaves everywhere, making it seem increasingly desolate. However, by a stroke of luck, it was here that Xiao Huaiyuan honed his skills in divination and stargazing. Seeing Fu Ming approach, he counted on his fingers, burned the yarrow stalks on the table, and said...
“I have been observing the celestial phenomena these past few days and have noticed an unusual movement in the Qi in the southwest direction of Tai Xuan Mountain, but I cannot figure out why. In short, you must be careful in everything you do.”
"I think that cultivation is inherently defying the heavens, and perhaps there is a great opportunity within it—"
Fu Ming left with a grin. He had had enough fun, and he needed to buy some necessary supplies before leaving.
The slight gust of air stirred up by his footsteps vanished in an instant, leaving Xiao Huaiyuan alone to endure the boundless silence in the highest place of the immortal realm.
"...Am I doing the right thing by letting him run wild like this?"
Xiao Huaiyuan murmured softly, but no one responded.
The market within the Tianyan Sect is similar to that in the attached city. It is mostly set up by disciples of the sect to trade. There are not many rare or unusual items, but the advantage is that the buyers and sellers know each other well and conduct transactions with integrity.
Fu Ming squatted by the roadside, picking through a pile of junk on the ground. The unrefined spirit stones with many impurities were useless; the crooked calligraphy and paintings on the talismans were just for practice, why would he sell them? It was a rip-off; the antidote herbs of varying grades—he had never encountered a beast tide in Tai Xuan Mountain during his time at Tianyan Sect, but he knew that several ferocious beasts were poisonous, so these herbs might be useful.
He spent the two hundred high-grade spirit stones given to him by Xiao Huaiyuan in the market, seemingly oblivious to the intensely scrutinizing gazes of others. Gradually, a long queue gathered behind Fu Ming.
"Hey, you're Ming Chen, right?"
"Are you really an orphan? How did you manage to blast Chen Chong away by crossing two minor cultivation levels?"
"Kid, come to the martial arts arena with me for a match, and I'll give you fifty spirit stones!"
...
At first, the crowd was just whispering, but then someone started talking, and everyone started shouting back and forth.
For the disciples of the Tianyan Sect, they had been quite idle for a long time. During wartime, disciples were always dispatched to the front lines, but this month, with the war against the demonic cultivators ceasing, their lives suddenly became much easier. They even had time to keep a close eye on the news of a newly recruited Foundation Establishment disciple.
Fu Ming was squeezed so tightly that he couldn't move, so he had to draw his sword to block in front of him. The scabbard created a small gap in the surging crowd, but it wouldn't last long. He shouted, hoping to shift the blame to someone else.
"Gentlemen, I can't possibly answer all your questions! How about this: you compete for the position, whether it's a martial arts contest or an auction, and I'll only answer the winner's questions—"
Before he could finish speaking, the system in his mind beeped twice, notifying him that his conduct value had been reduced by one point due to disrupting social order. Fu Ming was still upset about the system stealing his points, so he decided to ignore the fact that his conduct value was still acceptable even after the deduction.
Unfortunately, the free-fighting or extravagant spending he had hoped for did not materialize because...
The Inspectorate has arrived.
A burly senior brother grabbed Fu Ming from behind, lifting him up like a chick. A barrier spread outwards from Fu Ming, and everyone scattered like birds. Just kidding, being caught by the Surveillance Department would be a big problem!
However, Fu Ming was deliberately trying to be caught, as he also had something to say to the people in the Inspectorate.
"Senior brother, since we ate together, could you do me a favor? I need a pass to enter and leave the sect."
Those slightly upturned, amorous eyes blinked, and then uttered these incredibly jarring words, causing the members of the Surveillance Department present to sigh: This person is always so unashamed when troubling others; their shamelessness is truly enviable.
"If you're going to Mount Taixuan, I advise you to give up as soon as possible."
Senior Sister Lin Han had not yet arrived, but her arrival ruthlessly interrupted Fu Ming's thoughts.
"Wow, Senior Sister Lin, you're so well-informed! Who told you?"
"Instead of asking who doesn't know about this, why don't you ask? Who's already thinking about leaving right after starting out? Can't you just shut up for a bit?"
Fu Ming immediately realized his mistake. He hadn't expected that the disciple from the Entrustment Pavilion that day would be such a blabbermouth. He would definitely teach him a lesson next time he saw him.
"Why is this? Does the Heavenly Evolution Sect stipulate that newly admitted disciples cannot leave the sect?"
"No, it's just that ordinary entry and exit permits are useless for Tai Xuan Mountain."
In the shadows, a pair of deep gray, wolf-like eyes silently watched Fu Ming for a long time.
Speaking of this newcomer named Ming Chen... he really does have some of the mannerisms of Fu Ming back then.
He stroked his chin and reminisced for a while, then raised his left arm. The old, incomplete, blind eagle perched on his shoulder, moved by its master's call, flapped its wings with extraordinary agility and flew into the distance.
The vulture took flight from the gaps between the eaves of the market, crossed the Kunlun Mountains where the Tianyan Sect was located, and headed west. It experienced several sunrises and sunsets before finally landing in a river valley where frost was just beginning to fall.
Cross another wooden bridge from here and walk three hundred meters to reach the Xuanluo Sect.
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