Chapter 2: Tend the Ling Tian

Chen Zhao stared at nearly a hundred gray-robed disciples before him, his lips twitching.

Seeing him line up obediently, the senior brother's anger turned to a smile.

"Younger brother, you should come earlier next time."

"The Ren-rank tasks at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall refresh every three months, and with today's new recruitments, many have been waiting since three days ago."

Chen Zhao looked grim.

He had just joined the sect—how could he compete with veteran disciples?

Everyone was picky; the good tasks were surely already gone.

Midnight approached.

Only then did Chen Zhao walk to the front of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

The task ledger on the counter was scribbled over, leaving only three assignments.

He checked the Divination Tube, but all were dirty, exhausting jobs:

"Assist in refining a First-grade Mid-tier Pill, reward: five Low-grade Spirit Stones," "Tend the Ling Tian, reward: three Low-grade Spirit Stones," "Kill a First-grade Mid-tier beast, reward: ten Low-grade Spirit Stones per beast."

Ren-rank tasks were all physical labor, lasting three months.

Chen Zhao's eyelids twitched.

A First-grade Mid-tier beast was comparable to a Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator—choosing this meant death.

Tending the Ling Tian required the Spirit Rain Technique; self-study would take at least a month—who would wait for him to learn on the spot?

Assisting in Alchemy seemed decent, yet no one dared pick it—surely it wasn't harmless.

But if he didn't choose, he got no Spirit Stones, and his cultivation crawled like a snail.

He hesitated, forced to wait for the Divination Tube to refresh, hoping for a hint.

Fifteen minutes later.

Ink surged in his palm.

【Divination has refreshed】

【Today's Divination·Lucky】: Favorable for tilling soil; resolving the sign requires one Low-grade Spirit Stone.

Seeing this, Chen Zhao secretly rejoiced.

The Divination was vague, but the cost to resolve it was low.

He clutched the Spirit Stone he'd received that morning, silently thinking "resolve sign."

The ink shifted, forming a line of tiny cursive script.

【Today's Divination·Lucky】: You wish to secretly learn Alchemy—go behind the Dan Tang, spy on others refining pills, and accidentally step on something unusual under a tree; dig through the soil to find Li Zhiwei's hairpin.

Li Zhiwei?

The patron of the "Tend the Ling Tian" task?

The task ledger said she was an Inner Sect Disciple.

If he could recover the hairpin, he might leave a good impression on Sister Li.

The task might become easier!

Chen Zhao immediately selected "Tend the Ling Tian."

He abandoned the line of dozens behind him and walked straight up the mountainside.

Crossing the plank bridge, a row of pavilions filled with medicinal fragrance lay ahead.

Fifty-six in total, collectively known as the Dan Tang.

As a Golden Core powerhouse in Yue Guo, Tiankui Sect grants each Alchemist who can refine Second Grade Pills a private pavilion for teaching and Alchemy.

Such Alchemists can produce Second Grade Pills, beneficial to Qi Refining Great Perfection and Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, and hold esteemed status.

Behind the pavilions, green trees cast thick shade.

"The Divination didn't say which tree, but since it mentioned stepping under a tree to spy on Alchemy, the object must be detectable by foot… take your time, you'll find it!"

Chen Zhao steadied his mind, took off his shoes, and began searching.

Beneath his feet, mud was damp and cool; branches occasionally scraped him, autumn insects crawled past.

He walked, paused, adjusted his angle, and peered into the pavilions…

Several hours later.

The waning moon slanted westward; Chen Zhao's legs trembled.

Finally.

A sharp pain pierced his sole—a silver-edged corner flashed into view.

Seeing no one around, Chen Zhao quickly dug it out and hid it in his sleeve.

"Exquisitely crafted, carved with clouds and phoenixes, engraved with the characters 'Zhiwei'—this is it!"

He carefully examined it, his heart thrumming with excitement.

This item was precious—if discovered by others, he'd be labeled a perverted thief.

"Dawn is near—better to return it directly to the owner, before anything else happens."

Chen Zhao pounded his legs, then rose and headed for the Ling Tian.

The cottage and the Ling Tian were separated by a pond, beneath which a clear spring cascaded in a waterfall—Spirit Qi here was more than ten times denser than at the training grounds.

Chen Zhao gripped the hairpin in his sleeve and gently knocked on the wooden door.

The moment his fingers touched the wood, a woman's voice came from inside, like cold spring water rinsing jade:

"What is it?"

"I am Chen Zhao. I accidentally found this hairpin bearing your name, and have come to return it."

Chen Zhao pulled out the hairpin and bowed deeply before the wooden door.

Squeak.

The door swung open, revealing a woman in black robes standing inside the courtyard.

She had slender eyebrows like distant mountains, her gaze faintly cold, yet a tear mole beside her eye added an unexpected allure; her silver hair spilled loosely beside her wasp-waist, blending chill with a peculiar charm.

"Six months ago, this item was struck by the explosion's shockwave and vanished—thankfully you found it. Thank you."

Li Zhiwei took the hairpin, then shifted her tone:

"But, younger brother, you only accepted my task last night—and today you just happened to find this hairpin? How fortunate."

"Could you tell me exactly where you found it?"

The coincidence of these two events was too great to ignore—someone might suspect Chen Zhao had orchestrated it.

Chen Zhao inwardly muttered, "As expected," then delivered his prepared explanation:

He had just arrived and sought a place rich in Spirit Qi to practice the Spirit Rain Technique.

Since the Dan Tang and Miscellaneous Affairs Hall were not far apart, he trained in the back mountains—and accidentally found this item.

"A newly arrived Registered Disciple..."

Li Zhiwei raised an eyebrow.

Her gaze swept over Chen Zhao's mundane clothing and his muddy legs, then she gave a slight nod.

Moments later.

"I misjudged you—my apologies."

Li Zhiwei was remarkably composed.

She formed a hand seal and tossed a Jade Slip from her Storage Bag:

"This Jade Slip is my thanks—it contains the Spirit Rain Technique and Spirit Driving Technique, useful for summoning spirit rain and repelling insects. Simply touch it to your brow, and you'll master it in an instant. Return and learn the techniques; tomorrow you may begin work on the Ling Tian."

Chen Zhao's spirits lifted.

The learning efficiency of a Jade Slip was worlds apart from paper books.

With this, he would surely complete the task!

Li Zhiwei paused, as if deep in thought.

"I heard you ranked second in the Soul-Shaking Bell trial?"

"If so, I'll give you three Low-grade Spirit Stones per month—for the next three years, you may remain here to work."

Her tone was cold, yet her fingers caressed the hairpin, her gaze holding a hint of pity:

"Alchemy demands strong Mental Power—if you advance to Outer Disciple, I can recommend you to the Dan Tang."

Three times the Spirit Stones—and a long-term labor position?

This was both repayment and investment.

To her, the Spirit Stones meant little—just a quiet move on the board.

Chen Zhao understood at once and bowed in thanks.

If he succeeded and joined the Dan Tang, their connection could endure, yielding substantial long-term returns!

But his immediate priority was mastering the Spirit Rain Technique.

Ren Zi Yi Mao Dong Fu.

Inside the Cave Abode, only Chen Zhao remained.

He took the Jade Slip and lay on the bed, breathing to restore his Qi.

"In just a few hours, I've gained months of insight—this thing is truly miraculous."

He formed the hand seal, and a thin, mist-like cloud drifted into the cave, filling it with moisture.

Plink.

A drop of Spirit Rain landed on his face; Chen Zhao was startled, then delighted:

"The Spirit Rain Technique—it actually works!"

This was his first technique!

Thank heaven he arrived early—if someone else had claimed the task, even with the hairpin, he wouldn't have gained this reward.

Chen Zhao recalled last night's scene, a chill of dread rising in him.

Dozens had been behind him then—Zheng Daocai among them.

Given his nature, Zheng Daocai would never let such a task slip away.

At that moment,

A series of footsteps approached.

"Oh no, this grand sect—can't even get a task, and the Cave Abode leaks? What a shoddy operation!"

Zheng Daocai rubbed his head and happened to spot the Jade Slip in Chen Zhao's hand.

He rushed to the bedside, his face instantly twisting into a sycophantic smile:

"A technique Jade Slip? Brother Chen, where did you get this?"

"Bought it with Spirit Stones," Chen Zhao replied vaguely.

"What kind of bond do you think we have? A Rank-Huang technique Jade Slip costs at least seven Low-grade Spirit Stones—don't try to fool me, Brother Chen."

Zheng Daocai slung an arm around his shoulder and chuckled:

"Did you get it as a task reward?"

The task roster listed Chen Zhao—he wouldn't mistake it.

Without hesitation, he pulled two Low-grade Spirit Stones from his robe and grinned:

"Earlier you gave me the Spirit Spirit Lingzhi—I still haven't repaid you. These few Spirit Stones are a small token."

"I beg you to lend me a hand—let me share in the bounty."

Chen Zhao quickly pushed the Spirit Stone back.

Take money, then do the job.

If you fail to meet the other's expectations, you risk earning their hatred.

"Brother Chen, you're about to ascend—Spirit Stones can't be lacking."

But Zheng Daocai insisted on giving them.

In his view, the "tending the Ling Tian" task was a soft post!

The paper income was low, yet it granted Jade Slips of spells—Chen Zhao must have befriended a high-ranking cultivator.