Chapter 23 The Grandeur of a Sect
Li Changfeng put away the spirit-testing disc, examined it carefully for a few moments, and nodded slightly:
"Congratulations, junior brother. You can now exchange for the fourth level of the Thick Earth Technique and enjoy sect benefits. You can now unleash the Lesser Cloud Rain Technique."
The magical power flowed orderly within the immortal veins, and the hand seals in his hands moved nimbly and ever-changing, creating a unique rhythm that permeated the air above the open space.
As Ji An raised his arm slightly, white clouds gathered, followed by raindrops forming a beaded curtain, and the misty water vapor rippled outwards.
"good!"
Li Changfeng praised, "Judging from the area covered by the spell, one can tell that the spell has reached the level of mastery."
In addition, he also sensed a unique charm from the spiritual rain, indicating that this junior brother clearly had his own unique insights into the Lesser Cloud Rain Technique.
The two returned to the General Affairs Hall, and Li Changfeng bowed respectfully:
"Junior brother, wait a moment, let me check what kind of discounts you can get."
"Hey, senior brother, the preferential policies are different for each one?"
Ji An was overjoyed, thinking that this meant he would be able to enjoy even better treatment than Lao Huang.
"Of course, can a disciple who has mastered a great spell at the age of forty be the same as a disciple who has mastered a great spell at the age of twenty!"
Li Changfeng took the jade tablet, placed it on a white spirit plate, and read the information from the jade tablet.
His gaze narrowed slightly before returning to normal, his expression neither joyful nor sorrowful, revealing no emotional fluctuation.
Ji An, meanwhile, was speculating about how much of a discount he could get. Old Huang's Little Cloud Rain Technique cost 500 contribution points, to be repaid over 10 years. Ji An was offering a discount, 300 contribution points, to be repaid over 20 years. Was that too much to ask?
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Ji," Li Changfeng said, returning the jade token.
"According to the sect's rules, junior brother can exchange for the fourth level of two spells, each only requiring 200 contribution points."
He paused, then spoke again:
"It can be repaid over 40 years."
Holy crap, this sect is really impressive.
Ji An's sense of belonging to the sect increased again. 200 contribution points, which is equivalent to 10 spirit stones, is not cheap, but the fact that it can be paid in installments over 40 years makes it all the more meaningful.
Suddenly, he thought of a very real question that he had forgotten to ask when he was chatting with Lao Huang.
"Senior brother, if I repay the debt over 40 years, will I need to pay extra contribution points?"
"No need. The sect has always been generous in rewarding talented individuals. Once the agreement is signed, Junior Brother can take the technique with him."
There is an important rule I must reiterate: disciples are strictly prohibited from exchanging jade slips privately, and from selling cultivation techniques and Daoist manuals outside the sect. Anyone found violating this rule will be exiled to a mine.
"We shall naturally abide by the rules of the sect."
Li Changfeng's serious expression vanished, replaced by a warm and welcoming smile.
"Junior brother, how many years do you plan to repay this debt?"
That goes without saying, of course it's the longest term!
Only someone with a brain like a donkey would ask for a shorter loan term if it's interest-free.
"40 years!"
200 contribution points, payable over 40 years, 5 points per year. Two spells only require 10 points to be paid back per year, no pressure at all.
“That’s good. There are no copies of the fourth level’s techniques in the main hall. Why don’t you come with me to the library to get the jade slips? We can sign the agreement at the same time.”
Ji An naturally followed suit:
"Please lead the way, senior brother. I've never been to the library before, and I'd love to see it for myself."
Li Changfeng walked in front, with Ji An following closely behind, half a step behind.
"My junior brother and I hit it off immediately. If you ever encounter any problems in the future, you can always come to the General Affairs Hall to find me."
"Among the Qi Refining disciples, I, Li Changfeng, still hold some sway."
As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant the size of his palm:
“I come from the Li family of White Ape Mountain. My family also owns several shops in Qingyun Immortal City. Junior brother, you can enjoy some discounts in the shops with this item.”
"Thank you for your kind words, Senior Brother. It would be impolite of me to refuse. Please feel free to ask me for help in the future."
Ji An accepted the jade pendant generously. His senior brother was giving him face; if he didn't accept it, wouldn't he be disrespecting him?
As for the future, I will help if I can, and if I can't help, I'll just ask for your help a few more times; it's just a matter of exchanging favors.
He had never heard of the Li family of White Ape Mountain, but he knew of the name of Azure Cloud Immortal City.
Immortal City is located at the junction of the three sects: Golden Spirit Sect, Fallen Maple Valley, and Yuanhe Mountain. It is built on a mid-grade second-tier spiritual vein and is home to a large number of cultivation families. The power dynamics are complex and intertwined, and no single force can occupy this place alone.
Thus, the three sects joined forces with a number of families to build a huge immortal city, which is said to support more than 100,000 independent cultivators.
Sects eat meat, immortal cultivation families gnaw on bones, and independent cultivators drink soup; everyone can live in peace.
Li Changfeng's expression softened even more:
"Junior brother, you are so young yet you have such mastery of planting magic. I wish you a speedy rise to become a high-level spirit farmer."
The Li family of White Ape Mountain started out with a medicinal herb garden. It was in his nature to associate with promising spiritual farmers. Otherwise, why would he stay in the General Affairs Hall when he clearly had a better place to go?
The two arrived at the library, where Ji An received the jade slip, signed the agreement, and bid farewell before leaving.
Li Changfeng instructed:
"Junior brother, remember to contribute your contribution points before this time next year, or the sect will punish you."
"Thank you for the reminder, senior brother."
The setting sun painted the sky with a hazy glow.
"ah"
"Thump!"
A figure fell from mid-air into the lake, splashing up a large spray of water.
As Ji An emerged from the water, he heard bursts of laughter.
"Haha, junior brother, your fall into the water was so graceful."
"Since you've made me so happy, I won't hold it against you for disturbing the fish."
With a splash of oars, a small boat drifted by, extending a green bamboo pole.
Ji An grabbed a bamboo pole, climbed onto the small boat, recognized the person, and bowed, saying:
"It is my honor to be able to bring joy to Senior Brother Liang."
"You recognize me?"
"I went to my senior brother Wei Songnian's fish shop with him. His fish was prepared in four ways, and it was indeed exceptionally delicious."
The talisman bird that Senior Brother Wei gifted me has passed away peacefully. To see Senior Brother today is truly a wonderful coincidence.
Ji An laughed self-deprecatingly, took off his Taoist robe, wrung out the water, and put it back on.
He clearly saw the scar on the other person's forehead when the other person showed their head that day, so he remembered the other person's appearance.
Liang Qiu dropped the bamboo pole and said with a gossipy look on his face:
"Tell me what happened, junior brother."
Ji An's face was bitter as he recounted the story of the talisman bird, and sighed:
"Junior brother, I was greedy. I figured I could barely make it back to my lodgings, but I never expected this."
Life is nothing more than being laughed at by others and occasionally laughing at others. He has a thick skin and a good attitude, so he doesn't care about Liang Qiu's gloating.
If their situations were reversed, he would laugh even louder than the other person.
"It's not common for Senior Brother Wei to give gifts. He usually haggles over a single spirit crystal when buying my fish float glue."
Liang Qiu stopped smiling and said:
“Junior brother, it will get dark soon, and it may be too late to take you back. Why don’t you come back to Biyue Market with me and we can discuss this further?”
"Thank you for your help, senior brother. Without you, I'm afraid I would have had to swim back."
Ji An bowed and thanked him, then helped row the boat.
He glanced at the catch and saw several golden carp about a foot long, praising them:
"Senior brother, you've had a great haul!"
He didn't recognize the spirit fish, but he was sure it was right.
Liang Qiu smiled with a hint of pride:
"I'm able to establish myself in the sect because of my skill in catching spirit fish. Once I've saved up enough contribution points, I can rent a fishpond to raise spirit fish."
His eyes sparkled as he spoke.
Ji An looked at his skin, which had turned dark red from years of sun exposure, and nodded and smiled.
Life may be bitter, but that's okay, as long as there is hope.
Liang Qiu sang an unknown ballad, egrets occasionally skimmed across the lake, and sect disciples flew by on talismanic cranes, their black silhouettes cast by the setting sun.
Please continue reading tomorrow, thank you everyone.
(End of this chapter)
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