Chapter 123 Hiding in the Cave and Sharpening the Stick

Treason!

When Gu Fanzhou said this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

The current sect’s treatment of traitorous disciples is to hunt them down by the entire sect.

Most of the foundation-building cultivators present were not independent cultivators, or they were originally independent cultivators, but after joining the Wenjin Sect, they began to slowly branch out.

This is human nature.

When practicing as an independent cultivator, all he thought about was his own cultivation and breakthroughs. But once he joined a sect and was temporarily free from the pressure of survival, he had to start considering other aspects.

Find a Taoist companion and raise offspring.

The goal of most cultivators in the Hundred Cities is to build a foundation. Cultivating immortals is too cruel. When they were young, they had lofty ambitions and yearned for the lowest level of Golden Elixir and strived for the Nascent Soul.

Later, after witnessing the cruelty of the world of immortal cultivation, his goal became to build a foundation.

Chu Ning observed the expressions of the crowd. From their expressions, he could tell that no one had the intention of leaving anymore.

"My fellow disciples, with the sect's formation here, it won't be difficult for us to defend Wenjin City if we work together."

Gu Fanzhou didn't just give a verbal check, he directly released the trump card.

"The sect master has ordered that all foundation-building disciples are assigned to maintain order in the inner city. Twenty percent of the income from the area they are responsible for will belong to them."

"When the sect master and the elders return, they will be rewarded according to their merits and there will be a generous reward."

Except for Chu Ning, the expressions of other foundation-building cultivators in the hall changed this time, and they were no longer gloomy.

"Senior Brother Gu is right. As disciples of the Wenjin Sect, we should firmly defend Wenjin City and wait for the return of the Sect Master and the elders."

"Brother Gu, you can make the distribution. I will definitely guard my own area."

One percent of income.

The inner city of Wenjin is divided into four districts, each of which has a market town. In addition, there are those rented houses, which bring in a huge amount of spiritual stone income every year.

Wenjin City's annual income from spirit stones is one million, and if they are responsible for it, even if it is only 10% of the income, everyone present can get nearly 10,000 spirit stones.

Nearly ten thousand spirit stones may not seem like a lot to a cultivator who is building a foundation, but it is also a huge expense for a cultivator who is building a foundation.

For those who are determined to continue to sprint forward, they cannot stop making elixirs. That means spending a lot of spirit stones. Even if the elixirs are already rotten and they need to start training offspring, they also need to prepare spirit stones for them and even consider the matter of foundation-building elixirs.

Although Chu Ning is not short of spirit stones now, he can understand these foundation-building cultivators. Just like when he was in the Liang Dynasty, those martial artists had already escaped from the bottom level, but in order to climb to a higher level of martial arts, they still did not have much money, even less than an ordinary merchant.

"Brothers, go and prepare and see how to divide the areas. Junior Brother Chu, don't leave."

When Gu Fanzhou saw that Chu Ning was about to leave with these foundation-building cultivators, he called out to him to stop.

When the other cultivators saw Gu Fanzhou calling Chu Ning, they didn't think much about it. In their opinion, Gu Fanzhou called Chu Ning to discuss some alchemy matters.

The Fifth Elder was not here. Although there were still a few second-grade alchemists in the sect, everyone knew that Chu Ning's talent for alchemy was no worse than those second-grade alchemists over the years.

"Brother Gu, is there anything I can do for you?" Chu Ning asked.

"Junior Brother Chu, to be honest, before I left Shanyang City, the Fifth Elder told me to let Junior Brother Chu leave Wenjin City, and my master has already agreed."

Gu Fanzhou looked at Chu Ning with a complicated expression. He understood the Fifth Elder. Junior Brother Chu was the only disciple taught by the Fifth Elder. The Fifth Elder did not want Junior Brother Chu to have any accidents.

There is such a good thing? Chu Ning's eyes lit up. So he could leave the city now?

"But the Fifth Elder also proposed another option. Junior Brother Chu asked Jin Cheng to hold out for ten years before he could enter the mountain gate."

"Enter the mountain gate?"

Chu Ning frowned slightly and looked at Gu Fanzhou.

Are you asking if there is another sect above the current sect? Gu Fanzhou spread his hands and said helplessly, "Don't ask. I don't know what the mountain gate is either. Before this, I was like you, and I had never heard of it. This is the result of a discussion between the fifth elder and my master. If Junior Brother Chu chooses to hold on for ten years, I will give Junior Brother Chu the same token that will allow you to enter the mountain gate."

Chu Ning stared at Gu Fanzhou. He was sure that Gu Fanzhou was not lying. The only disciple of the sect master did not know what the mountain gate referred to.

Now, the choice lies before him.

Choose to stay in Wenjin City for ten years, and obtain the token from the mountain gate after ten years.

Or just leave now and ask Jincheng.

Chu Ning only considered it for a few moments before making a decision.

"I, Chu Ning, was valued by Master and accepted as his disciple. Without Master, I wouldn't be where I am today. How could I possibly abandon the sect and leave?"

Choose to stay.

This was inconsistent with his principles, but it was the choice he made after careful consideration.

The master knows me well and will definitely leave at the first opportunity. So, if he still makes this deal with the sect leader under such circumstances, it means that the mountain gate should be of great benefit to him.

My master didn’t tell me before, maybe there was no such opportunity, maybe the sect master wouldn’t agree. But this time the sect master and my master were trapped in the Wenjin Sect, which created such an opportunity.

If I give up this opportunity, I am afraid I may never have such an opportunity again in the future.

Since this is the case, he will naturally not miss this opportunity.

As for the risks...

Just as Senior Brother Gu said, if there is a powerful Jindan cultivator, everyone will just run away, but when facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even if he is in the late Foundation Establishment stage, he still has the ability to protect himself.

Even if the situation really becomes critical, I will just betray my sect and run away.

I'm alone, so there's nothing to worry about.

"good!"

Gu Fanzhou smiled as he listened to the decision made by Chu Ning.

Junior Brother Chu is willing to stay, which will be a great help in defending Wenjin City.

These are the original words of the fifth elder.

What the five elders in Shanyang City said to the Master.

Since there is no Jindan strongman in Wenjin Sect, the formation cannot be maintained for long and will automatically close in three months at most.

Chu Ning's progress in alchemy is higher than anyone expected, and the biggest difficulty that Wen Jin Sect is facing now is the fear that some foundation-building cultivators will take advantage of the situation.

The foundation-building monks in some nearby cities will not take action, as they are afraid of the revenge of Wen Jin Zong afterwards. However, the land of Hundred Cities is extremely vast, and the foundation-building monks in other cities will surely take action after hearing the news.

There are many techniques like masking and concealing breath in the world of immortal cultivation. Unless you meet someone you know, you won’t be able to recognize him/her at all.

The only way is to attract more foundation-building monks to come and help defend Wenjin City.

The thing that can most quickly attract foundation-building cultivators is elixir. Even the best spiritual weapons are not as attractive as elixir.

Improving realm is the first priority for every cultivator, followed by spiritual weapons.

"Junior Brother Chu, I will make all the medicinal materials in the sect's treasury available to you, and all you have to do is refine elixirs that can improve the realm of foundation-building cultivators."

Listening to Gu Fanzhou's words, Chu Ning was not surprised because he had already guessed it.

In terms of strength, he was apparently at the middle stage of foundation building, which had little impact on the overall strength of the Wenjin Sect. The only reason he was able to make the Sect Master and his master reach a deal was because of his talent in alchemy.

"Junior brother will definitely do his best."

Chu Ning nodded. The elixirs that could improve the cultivators' abilities at the Foundation Establishment stage were very precious, and their value started from several thousand spirit stones because of the precious materials.

Now all the medicinal materials in the sect are open for supply, and Chu Ning still has some confidence in this. The most common elixir taken by cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Stage is the Soul-Transforming Elixir.

The Soul-Transforming Pill can be taken in both the early and late stages of foundation building, and can accelerate the efficiency of converting the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into spiritual liquid.

Gu Fanzhou obviously had a lot of things to do, and did not keep Chu Ning. Instead, he gave Chu Ning a token and a set of hand seals to activate the formation. With this token and hand seals, he could enter and exit the medicine storehouse in the Wenjin Sect's treasury at will.

Chu Ning didn't delay. He took the token and went straight to the treasury.

The Wenjin Sect's treasury is guarded by an array formation, so there is no need to arrange disciples to guard it. There are only two cultivators in the late Qi Condensation stage who are responsible for the storage and access registration of items in the treasury.

Seeing Chu Ning holding the token, the two late Qi Condensation cultivators respectfully led Chu Ning to the door of the medicine storehouse.

"Uncle Chu, after you take the herbs from the treasury, put them in this storage bag. When you come out, the disciples can count the number and register them. In addition, you cannot bring your storage bag in."

Chu Ning glanced at the late Qi Condensation cultivator who was speaking and just watched silently.

"Uncle Chu, this... this is the rule for entering the treasure house."

The cultivator in the late Qi Condensation stage had sweat on his forehead as he explained tremblingly.

"Senior Brother Gu said that I can take any herbs from the medicine storehouse. Do you think I need to hand over the storage bag?"

Chu Ning's tone was calm, but it brought a lot of pressure to this disciple in the late Qi Condensation stage.

"No... no need, Uncle Chu, you don't need to hand over the storage bag."

Chu Ning ignored the other party and looked towards the door of the treasure house in front of him.

The entire treasure house is made of special black gold, which can withstand the attacks of Jindan powerhouses. There is a rectangular groove in the center of the gate.

Chu Ning placed the token on the groove. As soon as the token was put in, it was immediately absorbed into it. Then the whole gate began to flash with a faint golden light.

After a few breaths, the gate disappeared and Chu Ning strode into it.

"Uncle Chu's aura was too strong. I almost couldn't handle it just now."

"You deserve it. It's already this time, and you still asked Uncle Chu to hand over the storage bag. Do you think it's still the same as before? The sect master and the elders are trapped in Shanyang City. Uncle Chu and his men are now the elders. In the past, the elders entered the treasury. How dare you ask the elders to hand over the storage bag?"

Another cultivator in the late Qi Condensation stage looked at his companion with a mocking expression. This is the consequence of having no vision.

Chu Ning could not hear the conversation between the two late Qi Condensation cultivators outside the door because his consciousness was confined within the treasure house.

At this moment, he was making hand seals with his hands. These were the hand seals that Gu Fanzhou taught him to unlock the formation.

The treasure formation of Wen Jin Sect is inside. If he doesn't make a seal to unlock the formation, the formation will soon detect the outsider and kill him inside.

As the hand seal was formed, Chu Ning discovered that his consciousness was no longer restricted and could extend over a hundred meters away. This meant that the formation had been lifted.

As the formation was lifted, Chu Ning saw nearly a hundred shelves filled with medicinal herbs in front of him.

"Crow grass, red bamboo worm, goat weed..."

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There were so many things to see that it was too much for Chu Ning to take in with his eyes. He could only use his spiritual sense to scan, and the better herbs were placed at the back.

Chu Ning selected some rare and uncommon medicinal herbs for the Qi Condensation Stage and put them directly into the storage bag, then went straight to the Foundation Establishment Stage medicine area.

The number of medicinal herbs here is less than before. After a moment of hesitation, he directly packed half of the herbs on each shelf.

He kept half of it because there was more than one alchemist in the Wenjin Sect and the other alchemists would definitely need the herbs as well. If he took them all, it would easily incur public anger.

If these herbs were used to make pills, they would be enough for him to make them for thirty years.

Behind the Foundation Establishment Area, Chu Ning knew that this should be the Golden Core Area, but the shelves in this area were empty, without a single medicinal herb.

"My master is the only one in the entire Wenjin Sect who has the medicinal materials that can be used to refine the golden elixir. Did my master take all these medicinal materials away, or did the elders never send the medicinal materials for the golden elixir stage to the treasury after obtaining them?"

Chu Ning whispered. He felt that the latter was more likely. If the elders wanted to refine any elixir, they could just take the herbs to the master. There was no need to put them in the treasury. The elders were not short of sect points.

The medicine warehouse contains medicinal materials that are collected by the sect from the market town, as well as some that are redeemed for points by the sect's disciples.

A quarter of an hour later, Chu Ning returned with a full load. After leaving the treasure house of medicinal materials, he did not go to look for Senior Brother Gu, but went directly to his master's cave.

Now, the safest place in the entire Wenjin Sect is naturally the caves of the elders. They are all guarded by formations, and foundation-building cultivators cannot enter.

"First, refine two furnaces of attractive pills to relieve some of the pressure on Senior Brother Gu."

In Chu Ning's opinion, Senior Brother Gu is a good person and has the demeanor of a senior disciple of a sect.

…

…

Four months later.

"Brother Gu, there is a fight between foundation-building monks in the market. How should we deal with it?"

Gu Fanzhou's cave, located halfway up the Wenjin Peak, has become a temporary meeting place for the foundation-building disciples of the Wenjin Sect.

If there is something happening in the market at the foot of the mountain, this location can be reached immediately, but if it is in the hall on the top of the mountain, it will take a little more time.

"According to the sect's rules, fighting is not allowed in the market. Just capture them. If anyone resists, kill them!"

As soon as Gu Fanzhou said this, the expressions of several foundation-building cultivators present changed.

"Brother Gu, will this make us enemies in the current sect?"

Zeng Wenbo disagreed: "Now that the sect master and the elders are not here, I think we should treat them with gentle means."

"If you take a step back, the enemy will only advance a foot. These two foundation-building monks are clearly testing you. If you show weakness, believe it or not, there will be more foundation-building monks causing trouble in the market."

The market town is the basis for the Wenjin Sect to maintain its income. If the order of the market town cannot be maintained, many independent cultivators will slowly move to other cities. The most important thing is that if this trend is established, it will be difficult to restore the prosperity of the market town in the future.

"Leave this matter to Junior Brother Zeng and Junior Brother Chen."

Zeng Wenbo was stunned and wanted to refuse, but when he saw Gu Fanzhou's cold eyes, he could only nod in agreement.

Half an hour later, a fierce battle among the foundation-building monks broke out in the market town at the foot of the mountain.

One of the Foundation Establishment cultivators who was causing trouble was killed on the spot, but the other one escaped.

Just as Gu Fanzhou had expected, Wen Jinzong's thundering move frightened away many scoundrels. For the next two months, no Foundation Establishment cultivators caused trouble in the entire market.

A month later, Chu Ning came out of seclusion with three bottles of pills.

"Brother Gu, I have accomplished your mission."

Gu Fanzhou looked at the three bottles of pills handed over by Chu Ning, opened them and glanced at them, with a look of joy on his face.

"Junior Brother Chu, your elixir arrived just in time. A top-grade Soul Transformation Pill is very attractive even to cultivators in the late stage of foundation building."

"It's just luck. In order to refine this top-grade Soul-Transforming Pill, a lot of medicinal materials were wasted. If it was a mid-grade one, I'm sure I could refine ten bottles." Chu Ning said with some heartache.

"At this critical moment, there is no way to waste it. Junior Brother Chu, don't feel bad."

Seeing the pain on Chu Ning's face, Gu Fanzhou comforted him: "These three bottles of high-grade Soul Transformation Pills can play a greater role than the ten bottles of medium-grade Soul Transformation Pills."

Chu Ning was a little confused: "Is our sect in big trouble now?"

After coming out of seclusion, Chu Ning found Huang Fei first and learned about the situation. According to Huang Fei, Wenjin City is still very peaceful.

Gu Fanzhou smiled bitterly: "I won't hide it from Junior Brother Chu, although the city seems calm now, there is actually a storm coming."

"Brother, did you find anything?"

"Well, I arranged for spies to gather information outside the city. According to the spies' reports, many unfamiliar foundation-building cultivators have appeared outside our four cities. These people have secretly formed an alliance. I estimate that their first target will be Shuangyu City."

"Are these people heading to Shuangyu City?"

"That's not the case yet, but among our four cities, only Shuangyu City chose to surrender. The disciples of Shuangyu City chose to hide in the mountains and have given up control of the inner city market."

Chu Ning nodded. He knew how Senior Brother Gu came to his conclusion.

The four cities are now fat meat, surrounded by wolves. The weaker they are at this time, the more likely those foundation-building monks who have come from afar will take action.

On this point, he agreed with Senior Brother Gu's judgment, and also supported Senior Brother Gu's use of thunder-like means to deal with the foreign foundation-building cultivators who were fighting.

"How do you plan to use these three bottles of medicine, Senior Brother Gu?"

Three bottles of top-grade Soul-Transforming Pills, one bottle is equivalent to ten years of practice for a cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage, the temptation is definitely not small.

"Use it to attract late Foundation Establishment cultivators. Three bottles of top-grade Soul Transformation Pills to attract three late Foundation Establishment cultivators. Junior Brother Chu, do you have any other suggestions?"

"I only know how to make pills, I'm not good at this."

Chu Ning smiled, chatted with Gu Fanzhou for a while, and then said goodbye.

"Why do I suddenly feel like I'm making a fortune from the war?"

After walking out of Senior Brother Gu's cave, Chu Ning muttered to himself that he had actually refined four bottles of top-grade Soul-Transforming Pills in the past six months, and the remaining one was kept for himself.

If the medicinal materials had not been openly supplied this time, even with the help of the master, it would have been difficult to obtain the Soul-Transforming Pill.

Even though it is simple to refine, the key is that medicinal materials are hard to find. He now relies on the medicinal materials collected by the entire Wenjin Sect for hundreds of years.

But even with Wen Jinzong's medicine storehouse, it can only refine fifteen bottles of Zhuanling Pills at most, and this is based on the premise that it can be successfully refined every time.

Firstly, the medicinal materials in the medicine warehouse are not just put in and not taken out. Every year, medicinal materials are put into the warehouse and also taken out. In the sect points exchange, ten thousand points can only be exchanged for one bottle of ordinary quality Soul-Transforming Pill.

After returning to his master's cave, Chu Ning did not continue to refine pills, but decided to practice the Soul-Destroying Spear he obtained from Zheng Qingmin.

Judging from Senior Brother Gu's expression, the situation is not optimistic. Practicing the Soul-Destroying Thorn will give him an extra trump card to protect himself.

Soul-destroying thorn.

The principle is very simple, which is to continuously compress the spiritual consciousness until it is as small as a needle, and then disperse the spiritual consciousness during the battle. As long as the spiritual consciousness covers the opponent, it will be compressed into a needle in an instant and pierce the opponent's soul.

It sounds simple, but it is not easy to practice.

Two months later, Chu Ning compressed his spiritual consciousness into a giant stick ten meters thick.

"In fact, the giant stick is also good. If you smash it towards the opponent's soul, the power will be much stronger than a needle."

Chu Ning muttered something, but then shook his head helplessly. The person who created the Soul-Destroying Thorn technique would not be unaware of this, but controlling this giant spiritual stick would require too much from the soul.

This is not something a foundation-building cultivator can do.

Keep grinding.

If you work hard enough, you can grind an iron rod into a needle.

Just as Chu Ning was hiding in the cave and grinding the iron rod into a needle, a sensational event happened in the outside world.

The Changchun Sect in Shuangyu City was breached by a recently formed alliance of independent cultivators.

(End of this chapter)