Chapter 341: Jiang Shushu grants Ye Fan a valley-rank cave dwelling

The Sect Leader is a person with many thoughts; although he was genuinely curious what good things Ye Fan could produce, after thinking it over he decided to let it be.

The two Grand Elders haven't finished their transaction yet; if he also dealt with Ye Fan, wouldn't that be rash?

This time the Sect Leader will excuse you; go and attend to the two Grand Elders diligently, don't disappoint them, and if you do well the Sect Leader will also give you a fitting reward.

Having spoken, the Sect Leader flicked his sleeve and left; Ye Fan clasped his hands in farewell, his mind clear.

It seems the Sect Leader also has an idea; after finishing service for the Grand Elders, it will likely be his turn.

Ye Fan, who previously didn't understand these worldly affairs, has now become adept at handling them; all this is thanks to the Fairy Elder Sister.

Consider his background, identity, and talent—by rights it would be impossible for the Grand Elders to favor him, yet now even the Sect Leader must show him some courtesy.

Jiang Songbai arrived a little late, saw and heard everything, and grew ever more curious about Ye Fan, his attitude shifting accordingly.

"Ye Junior Nephew, if you're free, would you like to go take a look at your cave dwelling?"

Jiang Songbai, not being as high-ranking as the Sect Leader, naturally dared not ask Ye Fan directly.

He dared not pry into the Grand Elders' affairs, but one thing was clear in his mind: from now on he could no longer treat Ye Fan like an ordinary inner-sect disciple.

Ye Fan soon took his sword and followed Jiang Songbai to continue selecting his inner-sect cave dwelling, though they did not head to the original location.

Ye Fan hurried to catch up with Jiang Songbai and inquired.

"Jiang Shushu, where are we going? Shouldn't a disciple's cave dwelling be there?"

Jiang Songbai gave a mysterious smile and kept his answer to himself.

"Ye Junior Nephew, no need to doubt; just follow me, and you'll know once we arrive."

Upon arriving, Ye Fan realized this was actually a higher-grade disciple residence; even the spiritual qi in the air was richer than elsewhere.

Seeing Ye Fan's eyes light up, Jiang Songbai smiled and stepped forward to say:

"This peak stretches out, rivaling the Sect Leader's peak, with abundant spiritual qi; it is a place the sect specially reserved for outstanding disciples to carve out their cave dwellings, and I happen to have an available slot here—would you like to open your cave dwelling here, Ye Junior Nephew?"

Ye Fan naturally wanted to; as long as he didn't make mistakes in the Cloud Heaven Sect, he could stay indefinitely.

He reckoned that, no matter what, he needed to reach mid-Golden Core in the sect before daring to venture alone into the Heavenly Net Continent.

To achieve Golden Core cultivation, training for a century is entirely possible.

If he could possess his own cultivation cave dwelling on this peak, that would be ideal.

Ye Fan looked earnestly at Jiang Songbai, thought for a moment, and said:

"Jiang Shushu, I very much wish to open a cave dwelling here; please speak plainly—what must I do to make it happen?"

Jiang Songbai didn't beat around the bush; he spoke frankly:

"Ye Junior Nephew, then I'll speak plainly: I have been in the Cloud Heaven Sect for over seventy years, yet I am only a steward, my cultivation stuck at early Golden Core for twenty years with no progress."

"As a sensible junior nephew, if you can help me achieve any breakthrough, I swear here to become your most loyal ally in the Cloud Heaven Sect."

Jiang Songbai intended to place his bet on Ye Fan, fully aware that his own talent was mediocre and that no senior in the sect would patronize him.

Whether he sought a promotion or more resources to aid his breakthrough, he could either appeal to superiors or else only place his bet downward.

And Ye Fan, among the young disciples he had scouted, was the most worthy of placing his bet upon.

Supporting juniors with early investment can yield great benefits in the long run.

Jiang Songbai does not play dirty, nor would he take advantage of Ye Fan's current modest standing to suppress him with authority; rather, he genuinely wishes to see Ye Fan rise and lend him a hand.

Such mutually beneficial exchanges, with clear terms, are quite common in the sect.

Ye Fan saw through Jiang Songbai's intention and felt reassured instead.

He thought for a moment and said:

"Jiang Shushu, since you value me so highly, I naturally cannot let you down; please rest assured, I will spare no effort to strengthen myself and not waste such an excellent cave dwelling."

"If in the future the Grand Elders or the Sect Leader have business with me, I may not be able to free myself, so I'll have to trouble you, Jiang Shushu, to help out and work together with me for the Grand Elders and the Sect Leader."

As soon as Ye Fan spoke those words, Jiang Songbai's brows relaxed and his heart settled.

He burst out laughing and couldn't help nodding at Ye Fan.

"With those words, it's worth it; this is my communication jade slip—just infuse it with spiritual power to send me a message, please keep it safe."

After Ye Fan received the jade slip, he saw Jiang Songbai casually wave his hand, and four small flags floated into the air.

"These are the sect's formation flags used to demarcate territories for opening cave dwellings; go find a satisfactory spot on this peak, set up your cave dwelling, then lay down these flags—afterward only you will be able to enter that cave dwelling."

Jiang Songbai added:

"Shushu still has other matters; I'll take my leave now. Junior Nephew Ye, if anything comes up, be sure to notify me via the jade slip."

Ye Fan felt grateful; seeing Jiang Songbai about to leave, he hurriedly called out to stop him.

"Shushu, wait a moment." Before his words finished, he took out a clay pot from his space and handed it over.

"Shushu, I have nothing to repay you with; please accept the contents of this pot first—obtaining this cave dwelling helps me greatly, and I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Jiang Songbai didn't think much and simply accepted the clay pot.

Upon taking it in hand, the pot's surface was still warm, as if it contained something hot.

When Jiang Songbai returned to his own cave dwelling and opened the pot, he instantly revealed a look of astonishment and hastily replaced the lid.

At that moment, his eyes were no longer calm.

Ye Junior Nephew actually sent him a pot of spirit rice, and it was already cooked!

At this time, Lin Meng had already purchased cosmetics for Elder Xuanling; for these items, she found the shopping quite easy.

She bought whatever the ladies liked, as long as colored items weren't garish; surely Elder Xuanling would appreciate them.

Only the fishing rod requested by Dao Lingzi still required Lin Meng to visit a specialty tackle shop to pick one out.

Upon arriving at a large tackle shop, Lin Meng received news from Ye Fan that he had found an exceptionally good cave dwelling in the inner sect, and moreover it had been granted to him by an inner-sect steward.

Lin Meng, upon hearing this, said:

"This Jiang Shushu sounds like a person with keen insight; he surely sees your bright future and intends to invest in you early."

In that case, Jiang Songbai is somewhat like her; both regard their support of Ye Fan as a kind of investment.

Of course, having interacted until now, Lin Meng's feelings for Ye Fan are naturally not merely an investment; she truly regards him as her own younger brother, sincerely hoping he can go further and stand higher in the cruel world of cultivation.

And Martial Uncle Jiang likewise saw Ye Fan's prospects, openly proposing mutual benefit—there's nothing wrong with that.

「He can give you the rights to develop such a fine cave dwelling, which shows great sincerity; you may suitably offer some benefits in return, with give and take, so the relationship can last. 」

Ye Fan nodded and immediately replied:

「Shenxian Jiejie, rest assured, I now also somewhat understand the ways of the world; I gave Martial Uncle Jiang a jar of spiritual rice, and I think he should like it. 」