Chapter 188: Entering the Sect

"Grandmaster!" Everyone in the side hall was shocked upon hearing this, and they all focused their gaze on Xia Daoming.

"What's the use of that? Martial arts reach their end at Grandmaster, and there is no possibility of further breakthrough. And at thirty-one, he is only at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, which shows that he has no potential in the cultivation path, at least Foundation Establishment is definitely hopeless." However, soon, Mo Rujun suppressed the shock in her heart and said dismissively.

"Thirty-one years old, the age is indeed a bit old, and the hope for Foundation Establishment is not great. However, no matter what, being able to cultivate martial arts to the Grandmaster realm at thirty-one is indeed considered powerful, it's just a pity that he was born in the wrong era. If it were in the ancient times, perhaps..." Mo Yongzhi said this and didn't continue, her gaze toward Xia Daoming a bit complex.

"In the ancient times, was there anyone who broke through the Grandmaster realm?" Xia Daoming's heart jumped, and he blurted out.

"It is said that the ancient times were an era of powerful races and heroic figures, so there definitely were. However, I only occasionally heard some seniors mention it. In this era, don't have any delusions about martial arts; Grandmaster is the end of martial arts.

You should now put all your heart and energy into the cultivation path, not martial arts. The foundation of Grandmaster strength is your cultivation advantage. You should use this strength to earn cultivation resources and focus on cultivation; Foundation Establishment is not impossible," Mo Yongzhi saw that Xia Daoming cared about martial arts breakthroughs, thought for a while, and said earnestly.

Mo Yongzhi didn't know at this time that Xia Daoming had an alchemist wife, nor did she know that he lived by Changqing Lake and didn't lack cultivation resources at all. Otherwise, she estimated that she would have also concluded that Xia Daoming was a rotten mud that couldn't support the wall in the Qi Refinement path, just like Shang Rui, instead of still holding hope for his Foundation Establishment.

"Congratulations, Big Xu Shixiong Xia, from now on we are fellow disciples!" Watching Lan Xue said happily, coming forward to congratulate him.

First went to the Luxuan Hall to receive the standard items for outer sect disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect and the monthly allowance.

"Taking on tasks is one way, but it's still too troublesome. Is there any faster and more direct way, such as directly exchanging spirit stones or spirit pills for opportunities?" Xia Daoming thought for a while and asked.

"This is terrible!" Watching Lan Xue said with a worried expression upon seeing this.

"What, Big Xu Shixiong can take out eight hundred?" Watching Lan Xue widened her eyes.

"Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong, that's not what I meant, but these two months are my last..."

The standard items include an identity token, some commonly used talismans, some daily necessities, and a storage bag with a very small space, which is also the most valuable item among the standard items.

Watching Lan Xue thought this made sense, and soon turned from worry to joy.

Watching Lan Xue's thinking is naive and simple. For the complex cultivation world, it is like a clear stream. Others might not like her, but Xia Daoming likes her.

"That's not necessarily true; Big Xu Shixiong had better choose another place," Watching Lan Xue continued to hesitate.

Xia Daoming had just walked to the gate of Watching Lan Xue's courtyard when he heard the conversation between Watching Lan Xue and a woman inside.

"Mm, mm! I'll still call you Big Xu Shixiong," Watching Lan Xue nodded heavily, full of joy.

Mo Yongzhi valued Qiu Cong quite a bit, which made him very proud in his heart, but he restrained himself well in front of Mo Yongzhi and appeared very humble.

Only when seeing inner sect Qi Refinement disciples, regardless of age and cultivation, must one call them Xu Shixiong Sister or Xu Shixiong. If they are inner sect Foundation Establishment disciples, regardless of age and cultivation, one must call them Xu Shixiong Uncle or Xu Shixiong.

"Big Xu Shixiong, you have been designated by Elder Mo to join the Spirit Field Hall, so you are now a disciple of the Spirit Field Hall, and your daily work is to cultivate spirit fields.

But now Watching Lan Xue told him that wanting to observe the secret map of late-stage Qi Refinement required at least two or three years of hard work to exchange for merit points, which was enough to exchange for the opportunity to observe.

Watching Lan Xue introduced while walking.

"Fine, if you don't want to help, don't help, why find so many reasons!"

"Big Xu Shixiong!" Watching Lan Xue looked anxious and uneasy upon seeing this.

A dragon claw had already appeared in front of Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong, and the huge dragon claw grabbed her whole person into the palm of the claw like an eagle catching a chicken.

The Leading Disciple in charge of keeping cultivation methods at the Transmission Hall, hearing that Xia Daoming actually wanted to spend spirit stones to exchange for the opportunity to observe secret manuals, had eyes that were shining.

Watching Lan Xue saw that Xia Daoming's mind was made up, and although she felt sorry for the spirit stones, she couldn't make the decision for him, so she had to accompany him to the Transmission Hall.

Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong's magic tool fell to the ground because its owner was caught and lost control.

Xia Daoming frowned upon hearing this.

These two or three years, you can completely work hard to accumulate merit points on one hand, and go to the Transmission Hall to listen to the Dao and learn spells on the other, working hard to cultivate and accumulate.

"That is the Transmission Hall, where Leading Disciples help to teach and solve doubts every day, but the Transmission Elder only opens the altar to teach the Dao three times a month. Once is for early-stage Qi Refinement, once for mid-stage Qi Refinement, and once for late-stage Qi Refinement.

The Transmission Hall has special practice rooms for disciples to observe and comprehend secret maps.

"Don't forget, I am a martial arts Grandmaster," Xia Daoming said.

"No need, no need. There is no hard rule for the address between outer sect disciples to be based on who entered the sect first; generally, it is based on age, cultivation, and friendship."

The monthly allowance for mid-layer Qi Refinement outer sect disciples is five low-grade spirit stones, ten catties of spirit rice, and one Qi Nourishing Pill. To receive extra spirit stones, spirit rice, spirit pills, or even magic tools every month, one needs to exchange them with merit points.

"There are many vacant courtyards and houses in the Xicheng. As long as they are vacant and unoccupied, Big Xu Shixiong can choose them as your place to live and practice," Watching Lan Xue led Xia Daoming through the main road running through Qingyun City, introducing while walking toward the west.

Moreover, Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong is only at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement.

"There really is one, why didn't you say so earlier!" Xia Daoming was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Besides, don't forget I am also a martial arts Grandmaster. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators can rival me. What is there to worry about with the fellow disciples living in the Xicheng, the most powerful of whom is only at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement?" Xia Daoming said.

"Entry has a sequence; should I call you Xu Shixiong Sister from now on?" Xia Daoming smiled.

"Is there someone you secretly like over there? Are you afraid that my going there will cause misunderstandings?" Xia Daoming asked.

In this world, the most injured are always those who are kind and have no background or strength.

He was now eager to get the secret map of late-stage Qi Refinement, spend a year or a half to cultivate to the Qi Refinement perfection realm, and then enter the inner sect.

"Fine, just live next to you," Xia Daoming interrupted.

Watching Lan Xue saw that she had talked for a long time, but Xia Daoming hadn't listened at all. She stared at him for a long while before saying helplessly: "There is a way to exchange for opportunities directly with spirit stones."

The perfection of the Grandmaster realm a few days ago, the whole body was washed and cleansed, limbs, bones, internal organs, and spiritual intent all became powerful, and the eight extraordinary meridians and dantian were also affected, rising with the tide.

If it weren't for the lack of subsequent cultivation methods for the "Azure Wood Evergreen Art," he would have long since broken through to become a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, and wouldn't even need the "Cloud Condensing Pill" that helps break through the realm.

"How to earn merit points?" Xia Daoming received the things, put them into the storage bag, and asked.

"Fine, if you don't want to help, don't help, why find so many reasons!"

He originally thought that years had passed, and Watching Lan Xue had only cultivated to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, so her cultivation talent could only be considered medium.

"Ah, no, no, Big Xu Shixiong, what are you thinking!" Watching Lan Xue waved her hands repeatedly upon hearing this, and her face turned a bit red.

We have known each other for a long time, and you are older than me, and your cultivation is the same as mine, so naturally, we should follow the old way of addressing each other," Watching Lan Xue waved her hands hurriedly, and then lowered her voice.

He couldn't afford such a long time!

"Two or three years is too long, is there a faster way?" Xia Daoming asked.

"Not relying on others, not colluding with others to bully others, and taking advantage of others is correct. You can stick to this point, your courage is commendable, and your will is praiseworthy. You can't do things like intrigue with others, only be your true self, which is also not blameworthy, and not necessarily impossible.

"Mm." Mo Yongzhi nodded and said: "You don't need to be assessed, just go directly to the outer sect Spirit Field Hall to work."

Of course, if the matter really gets big and goes to the Law Enforcement Hall, the Law Enforcement Hall will definitely judge right and wrong according to reason and make corresponding punishments.

"Thank you, Elder!" Xia Daoming bowed respectfully to Mo Yongzhi, thinking, this old woman is reasonable.

Mo Yongzhi glanced at Mo Rujun sideways.

In the courtyard stood Watching Lan Xue and a young woman with a pointed chin.

Bullying is truly everywhere, actually even in the cultivation sect!

Xia Daoming heard this and looked at Watching Lan Xue, feeling quite distressed.

Mo Rujun's subsequent words were swallowed back alive.

"Who are you? Oh, I know, the new disciple next door. Hmph, do you understand the rules? You just joined the sect today, and you dare to manage the affairs between me and Watching Lan Xue!"

"Oh, that's quite convenient. By the way, are there any vacant courtyards or houses nearby where you live? It would be good for us brother and sister to live closer and take care of each other," Xia Daoming thought for a while and said.

As soon as he returned to the new residence, Xia Daoming found that the overgrown courtyard had been cleaned up, and the inside of the house had also been tidied up.

"Slap!"

Xia Daoming saw Watching Lan Xue's sincere and happy expression and felt warmth in his heart.

But don't forget, cultivation is an act of defying heaven. If you don't have the courage and determination to go against the current, you will ultimately only be submerged in the crowd. If you had the courage to break the situation of being bullied by others in these years and go against the current, you might be covered in bruises, but at least there would be hope of entering the inner sect. Instead of being like now, with dim hope!"

Watching Lan Xue had known Xia Daoming, so she naturally took the initiative to take on the task of arranging for Xia Daoming.

Uh!

Everyone was surprised and unexpected.

Xia Daoming walked out of the Transmission Hall and returned to his new residence in the Xicheng.

"There is!" Watching Lan Xue said with a look of joy upon hearing this, but immediately seemed to have remembered something, and the joy on her face quickly turned into trouble, hesitating: "Big Xu Shixiong, I have one over there, but it's not very convenient. How about changing to another place!"

Of course, if she knew that Xia Daoming had restarted enlightenment at the age of nearly thirty and stepped onto the path of cultivation, I am afraid her thoughts would have undergone a earth-shaking change.

"You... fine, very good!" Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong was so angry that her face turned iron-blue, and she finally couldn't help but point at Xia Daoming, and a green light shot out, turning into a flexible green rope, entangling toward Xia Daoming.

Mo Yongzhi's few words, although there was no substantial content, Xia Daoming saw hope in them.

After all, it was the first day of joining the sect, and everyone was a fellow disciple, so a little lesson and warning were enough.

After the assessment, naturally, Li Li Zhishi Disciples were arranged to arrange accommodation, then receive daily necessities, monthly allowance, and familiarize with the outer sect environment.

"That is also a way for the sect to encourage disciples to forge ahead, so as not to raise a group of lazy people," Watching Lan Xue smiled.

The East City of Qingyun City is the place where Hall Masters and Hall Elders of the outer sect live and practice, and it is also the place where the branch of the third-tier spirit vein flows.

Now it seems that Watching Lan Xue can cultivate to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement in this situation, and her cultivation talent is definitely stronger than it looks on the surface.

"It's not that I didn't say it earlier, but the price is too high, it needs eight hundred spirit stones! Eight hundred spirit stones! The monthly allowance given by the sect is only sixty spirit stones a year. Even if you don't use a single spirit stone, you need to save for more than ten years! What else is there to think about, it's definitely better to work hard for two or three years," Watching Lan Xue said.

The young woman with a pointed chin saw Xia Daoming push the door and enter, waving her hand at her with disgust and impatience, like driving away flies. She was stunned for a moment, then pointed at Xia Daoming and scolded with shame and anger.

This is the most conventional way for Spirit Field Hall disciples to earn merit points. If you want to earn more extra merit points, you can go to the Task Hall to receive tasks, and completing the tasks will earn corresponding merit points," Watching Lan Xue explained.

"There is some small conflict. Big Xu Shixiong is new here. If they cause misunderstandings and target you, it won't be good. It's better to..." Watching Lan Xue was stunned when she was guessed by Xia Daoming, and finally confessed.

The oldest, Bai Yifeng, was brushed off, and the twenty-six-year-old Gui Hongli was also brushed off.

Strive to break through after observing the secret map, and step into the late stage of Qi Refinement in one fell swoop." Speaking later, Watching Lan Xue looked solemn.

Xia Daoming had to ask Watching Lan Xue to go back first, while he paid eight hundred spirit stones on the spot, took the cultivation method secret map, and entered the practice room to observe and comprehend.

Mid-layer Qi Refinement disciples are required by regulations to cultivate fifty acres of spirit fields a year and turn in one thousand catties of spirit rice. The excess can be exchanged for merit points.

In the past six months, he had basically been nourishing and strengthening his meridians by Changqing Lake.

The outcome was not unexpected.

Xia Daoming settled down.

"What's so terrible about it? This kind of person, the more you follow her, the more she will push her luck. It's better to have a falling out. And there is also the saying that good people are bullied, and horses are ridden. Facing some people, you must change your personality and be stronger," Xia Daoming said earnestly.

"You have already called me Big Xu Shixiong, can I watch you being bullied? Don't worry, your brother is from the secular world, I have seen all kinds of scenes, I understand human feelings and worldly wisdom better than you, I know what to do."

"Now you can go." Xia Daoming let go of his hand.

"Watching Lan Xue, don't worry about this matter, let me do it! Like this kind of person who takes other people's kindness for granted, and if it doesn't go her way, it's as if you owe her, I have seen too many. You don't need to care about her feelings at all, just refuse when you should refuse," Xia Daoming waved his hand at Watching Lan Xue.

"Thank you, Big Xu Shixiong, I actually know these. It's just that I have no background or strength in the sect. If I am strong, the situation might be even worse.

No way, the distance between the two was less than two zhang, which was really too close.

"Spirit stones can be earned again after they are used up. Once time passes, it can't be returned! Let's go, accompany me to the Transmission Hall," Xia Daoming smiled faintly.

Otherwise, with his powerful spiritual sense and the resources he held, if he didn't care whether the foundation was solid, he could definitely cultivate to the Qi Refinement perfection realm within half a year.

The cultivation method secret map cannot be taken out of the Transmission Hall.

"What's inconvenient? Even if the people living around are female cultivators, anyway, they are all independent houses, so it shouldn't have any impact!" Xia Daoming said.

But I can't do things like relying on others, bullying others with them, or taking advantage of others, nor can I do things like intrigue with others. So, so..." As she spoke, Watching Lan Xue lowered her head.

Soon, the two arrived in the Xicheng.

That is the Alchemy Hall. If you go out and pick suitable medicinal materials, you can also ask them to help refine them, but the price will not be low..."

"Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong, managing the courtyard and rooms doesn't take much time, nor does it require consuming any magic power. But performing the cloud-summoning and rain-making ritual lasts for several days, and it consumes magic power..."

Outside of the Profound Origin Immortal Mountain, the Profound Origin Sect still has spirit fields in many places within the Great Liang Kingdom. Most of those spirit fields are rented to tenant farmers for cultivation. Disciples of the Spirit Field Hall can request to go out and serve as field patrol envoys; if the spirit rice turned in exceeds the quota, they can also exchange it for contribution points.

The Profound Origin Sect does not forbid disciples within the sect from dueling, only that there is a rule against causing serious injury.

"Big Xu Shixiong, the city where the outer sect is located is called Profound Cloud City. Beneath it converge multiple first-rank and second-rank spirit veins, as well as a branch of a third-rank spirit vein extending from the inner mountain.

"Watching Lan Xue is my younger sister; as her big brother, I naturally have to look after her affairs. I am telling you now, Watching Lan Xue is willing to help you out of kindness and affection. If she doesn't help you with the cloud-summoning and rain-making, that is her right. You have no qualification to put on airs, as if she owes you!" Xia Daoming said coldly.

The assessment method is very simple: Mo Ru Jun casts spell attacks from a distance, and the four of them work together to defend.

"By the way, I have already cultivated to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. Can I go to the Scripture Transmission Hall now to request to observe and study the subsequent cultivation techniques?" Xia Daoming asked.

"Every cultivation technique requires exchange with contribution points; it is impossible for sect members to obtain them for nothing without labor. Big Xu Shixiong, if you want to observe the secret diagrams for the late-stage Qi Refinement of the 'Azure Wood Evergreen Art', it is estimated that you will need to work hard in the spirit fields for at least two or three years to earn enough contribution points," Watching Lan Xue replied.

"That is the Artifact Refining Hall. Big Xu Shixiong, if you want to refine magic tools, you can go to the Artifact Refining Hall to find someone to help, but the price is not cheap. Sometimes it is not as cost-effective as going to the marketplace in Evergreen City to find someone to refine them or buying them directly.

Hearing this, Xia Daoming really could not listen any longer and pushed open the slightly ajar courtyard gate.

He had already cultivated to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement before coming to Evergreen City.

"Elder, is this..." Mo Ru Jun said, feeling a bit unconvinced.

Haste makes waste; Big Xu Shixiong actually doesn't need to be so impatient. The transition from the sixth to the seventh layer is a major threshold in the Qi Refinement stage, requiring accumulation and consolidation.

"This Watching Lan Xue!" Xia Daoming looked inside and outside, a trace of a smile inevitably appearing at the corners of his mouth. After thinking for a moment, he walked out of the house and headed toward Watching Lan Xue's room.

The South City of Profound Cloud City is where consulate disciples live and cultivate, the Beicheng is where the various halls of the outer sect conduct business, and the Xicheng is where ordinary outer sect disciples, including deacon disciples, live and cultivate.

Once in the middle of the month, there is a session aimed at the mid-stage of Qi Refinement. Big Xu Shixiong, don't forget to come and listen to the lecture; you will gain something, and you can ask about things you don't understand. However, you can generally only ask twice; exceeding that number requires contribution points."

"Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong, I'm sorry, I really need to go into secluded cultivation recently. These days, I truly have no way to help you perform the cloud-summoning and rain-making for that spirit field."

"A faster way is to go to the Mission Hall and accept some high-difficulty tasks. However, high-difficulty tasks are generally very dangerous, and sometimes they also consume a lot of time and energy!

For example, hunting down evil cultivators with sect bounties, or entering some dangerous places to help find and pick special spirit herbs or hunt special spirit beasts, and so on.

"Alright, stop talking. I understand what you mean; you just think it's bitter and tiring, and you refuse to do me this favor."

Now that Watching Lan Xue mentioned the Scripture Transmission Hall, Xia Daoming naturally had to ask about the matter of cultivation techniques.

"Alright, you are right; Watching Lan Xue just doesn't want to do you this favor. Now that you know, you can leave."

Even if there isn't, those older generation figures should have information in this regard, or at least clues.

Xia Daoming thought to himself, and with a smile on his face, said: "Then I will continue to call you Little Sister Lan in the future."

Therefore, seeing Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong unable to resist making the first move, he was not alarmed but happy instead. A smile hooked at the corners of his mouth as he reached out a hand toward Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong from a distance.

Having said that, Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong left in a huff with a livid face.

The area where Watching Lan Xue lives is called the Immortal Seeking Workshop. The third house to her right is vacant, occupying nearly two acres. Apart from the courtyard not being maintained and having some weeds growing, the house itself is quite good.

Twenty-three-year-old Qiu Cong and twenty-seven-year-old Yan Xingmei were kept after passing the assessment.

It seems that in the Profound Origin Sect, seniority is determined by strength and status.

"It seems that in the Profound Origin Sect, contribution points are even more useful than spirit stones!" Xia Daoming said.

It doesn't matter where one lives anyway.

No magic tools, only pure spell-based maneuvering.

Soon, Mo Ru Jun's assessment of Qiu Cong and the other three began.

"I almost forgot that Big Xu Shixiong is still a Great Martial Master, whose strength is not inferior to a Qi Refinement perfection cultivator!" Watching Lan Xue patted her forehead, suddenly realizing. Following that, she seemed to have remembered something, hesitated, and then added: "However, even for Big Xu Shixiong, it would take quite some time to accumulate eight hundred spirit stones. It would be better to save them to buy spirit pills to take when breaking through."

However, besides feeling the heartache, Xia Daoming was also somewhat secretly pleased.

"Many thanks to the Elder for the guidance; this junior has learned much!" Xia Daoming bowed respectfully with a face full of reverence, though his heart was burning with excitement.

"Big Xu Shixiong!"

However, considering the issue of a solid foundation, the plan in Xia Daoming's heart was for this process to be not half a year, but preferably set between one to two years.

Xia Daoming was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and said: "Eight hundred, that is a bit much, but no problem, I can still come up with eight hundred."

After settling the residence, Watching Lan Xue took Xia Daoming to the Beicheng.

The Profound Origin Sect very likely has secret records of the path beyond the Great Martial Master.

"So, there are people there who don't get along with you, and you are worried about implicating me?" Xia Daoming's expression sank slightly.

Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong picked up the rope magic tool from the ground, glared at Xia Daoming and Watching Lan Xue with hatred, and said: "We shall see!"

Two hours later.

Furthermore, when disciples of the sect are out and about, their own people cannot have conflicts or duels. Otherwise, once the Law Enforcement Hall finds out, they will be severely punished!

Xia Daoming had long since learned about these rules from Watching Lan Xue and knew that this matter was just a small contradiction and conflict in daily life. As long as he didn't seriously injure Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong, it wouldn't escalate to the Law Enforcement Hall.

"You are a Great Martial Master!" Xu Shixiong Sister Zhong exclaimed, her eyes revealing a look of horror.

Although secretly pleased in his heart, Xia Daoming appeared exceptionally serious on the surface. He had to wake Watching Lan Xue up; otherwise, even if he helped her this time, the same thing would happen next time.

No matter how much he appreciated and liked Watching Lan Xue as a younger sister, he could not take care of and support her forever!

(End of this chapter)