rule 12

Chapter 122

Medicine City

Inside a house, Lin Jiang walked in and there were already five disciples from the Five Elements Sect waiting. When they saw Lin Jiang, they smiled.

"Brothers, our lucky charm has arrived."

"Brother Zhao, you're teasing us. I'm not a lucky charm, you guys are."

Lin Jiang chuckled and said. This is Brother Zhao, who previously worked with me to earn Merit Points. He's a disciple from the Five Elements Sect's Talisman Hall named Zhao Jiang.

"Brother Zhao, let's not waste time on small talk. Let's divide the spirit stones. I still have to go back to my duty."

"Same here, dividing the spirit stones is important."

The rest of the group were a little nervous, tonight they were going to divide the spirit stones.

"Okay, let's divide the spirit stones. Today we have a total of twenty stalls, and we sold..."

Zhao Jiang took out the books and read them to everyone.

Lin Jiang didn't just cooperate with Yue Qing, but with several others too. Zhao Jiang and his group of Talisman Makers were included. Almost five months ago, Lin Jiang convinced them to join him, and their goal was to create spiritual talismans.

They received discounts when purchasing materials for drawing symbols within the Five Elements Sect. The prices were much lower than the market outside. Even in the Talisman Hall, they had extra materials. Because of the success rate, they required thirteen materials to draw ten symbols.

Lin Jiang convinced them to buy a large amount of materials and then sell the symbols at a low price. The Five Elements Sect had a constant influx of newcomers, and Lin Jiang convinced them to teach talisman techniques. The condition was that they had to sell all their spiritual talismans, except those needed for sect tasks, at cost price to Lin Jiang within six months.

Lin Jiang personally guided them in teaching talisman techniques. With his level of expertise, it was more than enough to instruct these first-level Talisman Makers. Eventually, they didn't even need to find people; others came to them.

As a result, ordinary disciples learned more talisman techniques, while Lin Jiang and his group accumulated a large number of spiritual talismans. So many, in fact, that they couldn't fit them all in several storage bags.

At the current Medicine Conference, they hired disciples in the Qi Refining Period to help them sell spiritual talismans. They had a total of twenty people, and they obtained the best locations in the market of Medicine City.

The result, just as Lin Jiang expected, was very good. The spiritual talisman sold very well, and within one day, they sold seven to eight thousand of them.

"Wow, no wonder Senior Brother Xiao is called the God of Wealth. In just one day, we've almost earned back our investment. Tomorrow we'll definitely make a profit, and the day after, it'll be pure profit. This is more than what we earn in a whole year at Talisman Hall."

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😜)

"Are you dreaming? Talisman Hall can only earn a few spirit stones. But Senior Brother Xiao is really a God of Wealth. Senior Brother Xiao, after the Medicine Conference is over, I'll treat you to a drink. You can't refuse."

"Me too! I've lived for thirty-five years and never earned this many spirit stones. Senior Brother Xiao, from now on, you're like a big brother to me."

After dividing the spirit stones, everyone became excited. According to the investment ratio, even the lowest amount they received was seven or eight hundred spirit stones. They would make back their investment in just two days, and after that, it would all be profit.

"Brothers, we still have plenty of time left in the ten-day Medicine Conference. During our Qi Refining Period, we can go without sleep for three to five days. Let's spend some time drawing more talismans and earning a little more."

"Senior Brother Xiao is right. I'm going to leave first. I don't need to be on duty today. I plan to stay up all night drawing talismans."

"I'm going back to the sect and get another batch of talisman papers. I'll make those disciples work all night drawing talismans for me. This time, I'll make a killing."

Some people were determined to stay up all night drawing talismans, while others were eager to convince others to stay up all night too. Everyone was as excited as if they had taken a stimulant.

Zhao Jiang wanted to drink with Lin Jiang, but it seems like they can't drink now. They decided to meet up and have a drink after the Medicine Conference. Everyone dispersed immediately.

But Lin Jiang didn't go back to his own place. Instead, he went to another courtyard where a few people were waiting for him. The leader was Zheng Yi, whom Lin Jiang had been working with for many years. Even though decades had passed, Zheng Yi still had not achieved his goal. He had missed the opportunity to build a foundation, but he had gotten married and had children. His two sons and one daughter all had special abilities. Lin Jiang took advantage of this and convinced Zheng Yi to invest his wealth with him.

"Senior Brother Xiao"

"Senior Brother Xiao"

"Senior Brother Zheng, how is the situation?"

"There are good and bad aspects. Which one would Senior Brother Xiao like to hear?"

Zheng Yi said that Lin Jiang had approached him for a business project in the "residential" sector of the "food, clothing, shelter, and transportation" industry. Lin Jiang remembered the crowded situation at the major inns in Yunzhong City back then, and that some people even stayed overnight in rented yards as independent cultivators.

So, after convincing Zheng Yi to invest, Lin Jiang started planning three months ago in Medicine City. He secured the rights to use five inns and hundreds of houses for a period of four months, at a slightly higher price than the market value.

At that time, people in Medicine City didn't know what the Medicine Conference would be like. When they saw that Lin Jiang was offering a higher price than the market, they mostly agreed.

In the first three months, they rented out these inns and houses for short stays, at the same price as usual. They made a little less profit, but then Lin Jiang made a request. He said that no matter who came to rent, they would not rent to them in the five days before the Medicine Conference, because prices would go up.

So, their real money-making time started five days ago. As cultivators from various places arrived one by one, the accommodation prices in Medicine City increased daily. They weren't being unfair - they raised prices just as much as others did. Today, the prices have doubled compared to normal, and they will continue to increase tomorrow.

"I guess the bad news is that the landlords of these inns and houses are not happy, right?"

Lin Jiang said, as expected. It's human nature - how could they know that the Medicine Conference would be such a scene? Naturally, they covet the income of Lin Jiang and the others.

Actually, not many people expected this. Only the higher-ups know some details. Because this time, the Five Elements Sect has really put in a lot of effort. There are 5,000 types of spiritual herbs and 5,000 types of elixirs. It's uncertain if they have that many. But the Five Elements Sect has made it clear that just their sect alone will auction off 200 Building Foundation Pills this time. This is a fatal temptation for independent cultivators and cultivators from smaller factions. It's really difficult for them to get even one Building Foundation Pill on regular days.

"Senior Brother Xiao predicts things accurately. It's indeed so. Most of the landlords are going to break the contracts. Senior Brother Xiao, do you have a way to remedy this?"

"What about the previous contracts?"

"They are with me."

"That's good. These customers and landlords have different backgrounds. We treat them differently. If they are weaker than us, we can use our power to pressure them and make them reconsider. If they are stronger than us, then we can take legal action. Whether it's the administrative office of Medicine City or the Law Enforcement Hall of the sect, we have a solid case. We're not afraid of making a big fuss. If they insist on taking it back, then we'll compensate them according to the contract."

Lin Jiang said, they are in the right in this matter. Lin Jiang is not afraid of causing a scene. They need to uphold the appearance of fairness in both the sect and the city.

"Senior Brother Xiao, this might offend many people."

"Senior Brother Zheng, if we are afraid of offending people, then we won't make this money. We live our whole lives, can you guarantee not offending anyone?"

"No, we can't."

"Then it's settled. Let's all work together. Those with connections should use them, and even if you don't have connections, you should act confidently. We are poor people, and this is our chance to turn the tables. Whoever dares to stop us, we'll fight them to the end."

Lin Jiang encouraged loudly. In fact, they had carefully chosen the patrons and landlords. They wouldn't dare to accept anyone with a strong background. The powerful people here were only slightly stronger than them, not to the extent that they wouldn't dare to resist.

Lin Jiang's words made many people's eyes turn red. Those in the room were mostly part of Zheng Yi's professional team, which consisted of poor people in the sect. They had been poor for decades, and now they had a chance to turn their lives around. If anyone tried to stop them, they were ready to fight to the death.

"Senior Brother Xiao is right. I've been farming for decades, but I haven't made as much in the past half month. Anyone who dares to stand in my way, I'll fight them."

"I feel the same. I haven't started a family anyway. I'm just a bachelor, hoping to live a carefree life with these spirit stones. If I have to suffer for decades, I might as well die."

"My son is close to completing the Building Foundation stage, and I hope to use this money to buy the Building Foundation Pill. Anyone who dares to stand in the way of my son's future, I will fight with all my might."

Several people expressed their opinions, saying that they had endured years of poverty and now the opportunity to become wealthy was right in front of them. They would not miss this chance again.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. We'll deal with them tomorrow. For now, let's divide the spirit stones."

"Senior Brother Xiao, the spirit stones have all been divided. Here is the account book, and here are the spirit stones. Your share, please check it."

"No need, I trust Senior Brother Zheng. There will be more people tomorrow, and there will also be a rise in bandits outside the city. The property prices will increase. You all have to resist the temptation and not raise the prices prematurely, especially for those who have booked for many days. Don't increase the prices at the last minute and provoke the anger of the people."

"Understood, Senior Brother Xiao."

"If you want to make more money, you can think of other ways, such as those residential houses with yards. You can build a few more rooms in the yard and leave a pathway. After all, it's only for a few days, so the prices can be a bit lower. Don't worry, there will be tenants."

Lin Jiang continued to teach them various tricks. Whatever kind of trick there was for subletting, he would teach them. Safety and comfort weren't considered, as it was only for a short period, around ten days.

This time, he was not only a profiteer, but also a dishonest merchant, a merchant without morals.

Chapter 123

Medicine City, the third day of the Medicine Conference.

Lin Jiang stood on a tall balcony, looking into the distance. His eyes were still filled with a crowd, like a popular tourist spot during a holiday.

"These are moving people, no, these are moving spirit stones!"

Lin Jiang was in a great mood. Three speculative projects, all of them were successful. The most profitable one was selling boxed lunches. By selling them at a low price, they outdid the small vendors in the city and even managed to put some lower-end restaurants out of business.

The sixteen Qi Refining Period disciples who tried selling boxed lunches to Lin Jiang and his friends, each of them got hit twice. They were disliked by many people. But Yue Qing wasn't one to be taken lightly. He brought in a senior relative from his family to teach those attackers a lesson.

Half of the frozen meat from three warehouses had already been used up. While Yue Qing continued to restock, he went to places farther away from Medicine City. Every night, his close friends were thrilled and stayed up all night counting their spirit stones.

Have you heard the saying "Closed for three years, open for three years, and that's how it goes"?

"Pill, Talisman, Item, and Formation. I've got a touch of each. Except for the clothing industry, I'm involved in everything related to food, shelter, and transportation. Today, it's time for the fourth speculative project, which is about transportation."

Lin Jiang thought to himself, this time at the Medicine Conference, he engaged in four risky projects, each one carefully planned. He collaborated with the people from Talisman Hall, not only to make money but also to win over a group of people from Talisman Hall.

As for the residence, he worked with a group of people including Zheng Yi. He valued the unity of Zheng Yi and his group. Lin Jiang had been at Qingyang Mountain for twenty years, and apart from those who left the sect after reaching a certain age, Zheng Yi's group remained unchanged. They had always been old comrades, demonstrating their strong unity. This kind of team was quite powerful. Most of them had descendants who could cultivate in the future, and they might be able to help each other. At the very least, they could establish a good relationship.

On Yue Qing's side, the main focus was on making money. Moreover, there was a bit of flattery involved. Yue Qing was good at researching and had many friends in the Building Foundation Period, which brought many benefits to Lin Jiang's risky undertakings.

The fourth project was about traveling. Lin Jiang had participated in the Yunzhong City Centennial Celebration twice and knew the current situation outside the city. Thieves were rampant, most of whom were ordinary cultivators within the city. It was only the temptation of huge benefits that turned them into thieves. Every time such a large gathering took place, it turned into a slaughter outside the city. One could only imagine how many lives would be lost.

Since there was danger, there would also be a need. And the demand was very high. Lin Jiang had already made arrangements a long time ago.

······

"Junior Brother Xiao, I'm at the City Lord's Residence. Come quickly."

In the afternoon, Lin Jiang received a message using the Sound Passing Talisman. Inside was a single sentence. Lin Jiang immediately went to the City Lord's Residence.

"Junior Brother Xiao, I'm here."

A serious-looking strong man waved his hand at Lin Jiang, who eagerly walked over.

"Hello, Uncle Zhang Martial."

Lin Jiang greeted a person named Zhang Shuhua, who was a cool disciple he had brushed Merit Points with before. Later, Lin Jiang and Zhang Shuhua had worked together a few times, so they were somewhat familiar with each other.

Afterward, Lin Jiang asked a guide to find out which Building Foundation Period experts were powerful within the sect. The guide introduced Zhang Shuhua and listed his brilliant achievements.

Zhang Shuhua was a well-known Merit Points hunter among the outer disciples. Within the Qi Refining Period, he almost single-handedly took over more than half of the difficult and high Merit Points tasks, especially killing evil cultivators and hunting down traitors. He had a record of killing those at the early stages of the Building Foundation Period, but nobody knew how he did it.

In short, most people described him in two words: ruthless and incredibly strong.

This made Zhang Shuhua an excellent partner for Lin Jiang. So Lin Jiang approached him and, with his persuasive tongue, successfully convinced him.

However, Lin Jiang had a small share in this venture. Firstly, because he didn't have much money left after investing in three previous projects. Secondly, because Lin Jiang's own abilities were lacking, if he had a larger share, there would inevitably be troublesome disputes later on. Therefore, he only took a small portion, leaving the rest to Zhang Shuhua and his fellow disciples as a way to make friends.

"Junior Brother Xiao, I am sorry."

"Ah"

Lin Jiang was confused. Who wouldn't be, hearing this for the first time? What is this guy up to? Is he planning to deceive me and take away my shares?

"I told Zhang Martial Uncle about our matter."

"What matter? Don't make things up, we don't care."

Lin Jiang's face changed, he immediately turned around to run, but as soon as he did, he saw Zhang Wanjing and abruptly stopped in his tracks.

Fine, can't run away. If we were outside the city, we could rely on Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao to escape. But here, forget it.

"Hello, Martial Uncle Zhang."

"Xiao Yi, we meet again. It's quick, isn't it?"

"Yes, look, the weather is really nice today."

Lin Jiang felt embarrassed, as he was caught red-handed being scheming. Did the Five Elements Sect actually commit the crime of scheming and betrayal?

If not, then I won't be in vain.

"Come in, Martial Uncle Zu invites you for tea."

"Martial Uncle Zu, let's just talk here."

Lin Jiang frowned. Drinking tea isn't just a casual thing. This statement has multiple meanings. Please don't make me guess randomly, I might misunderstand.

"Don't be afraid, I..."

"I'm not afraid."

"Martial Uncle is speaking, please don't interrupt."

Zhang Shuhua said. What's going on? Have you no manners? Don't you know you shouldn't interrupt others while they're speaking?

"Please don't scare him, Shuhua."

"Yes, Martial Uncle."

"Xiao Yi, I'm not blaming you for coming, but to tell you that your business is gone, taken by the sect."

"Martial Uncle, I don't understand."

Lin Jiang continued pretending to be dead, but he had already guessed what was going on.

"It's okay if you don't understand, Martial Uncle. Anyway, thank you for your support. I will repay you the money you lent me, and I will also give you credit. Your suggestion was great, and I've already talked to the sect about it. I'll try to see if I can apply for a Building Foundation Pill for you."

"Building Foundation Pill! Oh, Martial Uncle, I understand now. It was my idea, my suggestion!"

When Lin Jiang heard this, he couldn't help but smile. The Building Foundation Pill was worth at least thirty thousand spirit stones. With his one-tenth share from Zhang Shuhua, how could he possibly receive so many spirit stones?

"Shuhua, you young people talk it out. I have something to do, so I'll leave first. After you finish talking, come get support from me with the spirit stones."

"Yes, Martial Uncle."

"Young man, work hard. I have high hopes for you."

Before leaving, Zhang Wanjing gave Lin Jiang an encouraging look.

"Martial Uncle, may I ask, who is Martial Uncle Zhang to you?"

"He is my father."

"Oh."

"Are you surprised?"

"Then why don't you call him 'father'?"

"My father said that within the sect, we must address each other by our official rank (level of cultivation)."

"Still not right, I asked about you. Without a powerful backer in the sect, if your father is a highly skilled steward with a golden core, you should have entered the inner sect. Why stay in the outer sect and take on dangerous tasks?"

Lin Jiang shook his head. The news from the pimp should be very reliable, there shouldn't be such a mistake.

My father looks down on disciples who enter the inner sect right away. Inner sect disciples don't have to do tasks for the sect, and they receive ten times the salary compared to outer sect disciples. So they never understand the hardships of lower-level cultivators, they don't know about the ways of the world. Even if their cultivation level is high, they think they're useless. That's why he specially applied to the sect, so that I could start from the outer sect.

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😢)

As for my identity, it's simple. My mother is not a disciple of the Five Elements Sect. I joined the sect through her. My father and I didn't say anything, so naturally no one knows."

"Martial Uncle Zhang has great integrity, Xiao Yi greatly admires him."

When Lin Jiang heard this, he was filled with respect. Being in a high position but not profiting from his own people, how selfless he must be. Could it be that Zhang Wanjing is the justice of the cultivation world?

Lin Jiang knew he couldn't be so selfless himself. He was just an ordinary person, consumed by worldly desires. But he greatly admired such individuals.

"Many people still don't know about this, please don't spread it."

"Don't worry, no one else knows for sure."

"Come with me to collect the spirit stone, I'll give yours back to you."

"Okay."

"Don't be sad, my dad noticed you, you're lucky!"

"Ahem, we need to be clear when we talk, we can't be vague and let people misunderstand."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing, just kidding, let's go, Martial Uncle."

Lin Jiang shrugged, this person is really cold, doesn't even know how to joke.

On the other side of City Lord's Manor, Lin Jiang took the spirit stone and saw twelve large flying ships. He couldn't help but ask, "Does the sect want to expand our business?"

Lin Jiang and Zhang Shuhua's cooperative project was to jointly buy a large flying ship and start a transportation business. They would have Zhang Shuhua, a strong cultivator in the Building Foundation Period, as the transporter, and the backing of the Five Elements Sect. Lin Jiang believed that no bandit would dare to attack them.

With this large flying vessel, we can easily fit hundreds of people inside. Each person could even receive ten spirit stones. If the journey is long, the fare could be even higher. By making three to five trips a day, we can easily earn tens of thousands of spirit stones.

"You have a narrow perspective."

"Then please, Martial Uncle, enlighten me."

"It's free. My father applied to the sect for it. In order to host a successful Medicine Conference and allow it to continue, he specially requested twelve large flying vessels. Each vessel will be guarded by a cultivator at the Golden Core Period, with a Nascent Soul Ancestor available for support. Twelve routes have been selected, and anyone traveling on these routes can ride for free. Though we may not be able to cater to all the visiting cultivators, we can accommodate around seventy to eighty percent of them."

"Martial Uncle, I... I can only say that I admire you."

Lin Jiang took a deep breath. This time, he was truly astonished by Zhang Wanjing's move. It was something he never expected, a grand strategy beyond the ordinary.

"Father, well...forget it. I am also a guardian disciple and don't have time to chat with you. I will find you after the Medicine Conference."

Zhang Shuhua shook his head. His father had faced severe criticism regarding the transportation of the flying vessels. It required a significant expenditure of spirit stones to operate the twelve vessels and allocate personnel for protection. Originally, this could have been a great opportunity for the sect to earn a large amount of spirit stones.

With hundreds of thousands of cultivators attending, if each person could contribute three to five spirit stones, imagine how much that would amount to. However, due to his father's narrow perspective, that money was lost, and who knows how many people now resent him.

Chapter 124

Medicine City

Envoys from Zhonghang Sect and Cloud Sword Sect stood at the city gate, watching the orderly queue of independent cultivators waiting to board the flying boat. Their expressions were unpleasant.

The Yunzhong City Centennial Celebration was always filled with continuous killings. Don't they know that? They must know. Don't they know that they can use flying boats for transportation too? They know.

Then why not do it this way, for the benefit?

Twelve flying boats, twelve golden cores, plus dozens of Building Foundations, how much money would that be? Do you really think that Zhonghang Sect and Cloud Sword Sect are charity organizations?

They also thought about charging money, but it's too troublesome. Cultivators from different places come from different distances, so it would be so much trouble to determine how much to charge. Since it's troublesome, they just don't do it. After all, the ones who die are not their people, just some independent cultivators and disciples of small factions. They're just like leeks, a large batch will grow out a hundred years later.

"Now the pressure is on us. If we don't go along with it, both sects will definitely be criticized."

"Yeah, throwing away hundreds of thousands of spirit stones like this, Five Elements Sect is really generous."

"I heard that even the Five Elements Sect didn't want to, but it was Zhang Wanjing who insisted on it, and even alarmed the important people in the Five Elements Sect."

"Zhang Wanjing, having someone like this in the Five Elements Sect, I wonder if it's a blessing or a curse."

"If a tree stands tall in the forest, the wind will surely break it. If the wind can't break it, then it must be a towering tree."

The envoys of the two sects were in conversation. Although the sects often carried out shady actions, they had to maintain a righteous appearance on the surface. They were well-acquainted with human nature, which tends towards goodness and, at the very least, requires kindness from others.

Now that the Five Elements Sect has taken the lead, they can't be left behind. Just the thought of wasting hundreds of thousands of spirit stones makes them feel a great heartache.

"Let's go back and study it. The Yunzhong City Centennial Celebration should have some new ideas."

"Alright, when the time comes, we will communicate with the two sects. We can't let the Five Elements Sect surpass us."

The envoys of the two sects had a great understanding. In their view, the wealth of independent cultivators and smaller cultivator forces in the cultivation world is constant. If the Five Elements Sect gains more, then they will get less. Now that the Five Elements Sect is starting to compete with them, they have to work harder and strive to snatch back their share.

·······

Day ten of the Medicine Conference

In the afternoon, in Jiangshan Town, Lin Jiang and Yue Qing went to the warehouse to separate spirit stones. The piles of spirit stones almost filled the warehouse, and everyone's eyes were almost blinded by the bright shine of the spirit stones.

At this moment, Yue Qing couldn't help but admire Lin Jiang. He had made everyone take a solemn vow in advance, otherwise they would have started fighting each other by now. Money really has a way of stirring people's hearts.

"Jiang Shu, have you settled the accounts?"

Yue Qing asked. Jiang Shu was a local in Jiangshan Town and one of Yue Qing's sworn brothers.

"Senior Brother Yue, the accounts have been settled."

"Give me a general idea."

"Alright, including today, we sold a total of one million three hundred and twenty-five thousand six hundred small box lunches, ninety-seven thousand eight hundred medium box lunches, and eight hundred and fifty-three thousand large box lunches. The price of a small box lunch is twenty spiritual beads, a medium box lunch is thirty-five spiritual beads, and a large box lunch is sixty spiritual beads. The prices have fluctuated slightly, and there have been discounts for bulk purchases. The total income is..."

Jiang Shu explained the accounts one by one. These millions of orders were not sold in just these ten days, but also included the quantities sold in the previous four months. There were also daily sales ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand.

"After deducting warehouse rent, formation operation, personnel wages, and the cost of box lunch ingredients, our net profit is 153,800 spirit stones, plus several thousand spiritual beads which haven't been converted into spirit stones yet."

"Even if it's 150,000 spirit stones, the remaining thousand spirit stones will be divided among others as their bonuses."

"Senior Brother Yue, take a look..."

"Listen to Xiao Yi, we've earned over a hundred thousand spirit stones, don't hog it all for yourself."

Yue Qing immediately agreed with Lin Jiang's suggestion, while Jiang Shu and others, although feeling a little reluctant, also agreed.

There were sixty people (excluding mortals) who helped them, the number of people selling box lunches increased to thirty, and there were also thirty people helping to cook in the warehouse. They had been working almost non-stop with only two hours of sleep a day for the past ten days. It was very laborious, so it was normal to give them more money.

"We started with a capital of 50,000 spirit stones. The subsequent investments are all made from the money we earned. Now we are calculating pure profit. I invested 10,000 spirit stones and took a 20% share. Calculate mine first."

"Yes, Senior Brother Yue."

"In less than six months, exchanging 10,000 for 30,000. Junior Brother Xiao, I admire you."

Yue Qing received the spirit stone, he sighed and thought that it only took about six months, and he didn't even have to do much, he just helped connect people, the money was too easy.

"I invested twenty thousand spirit stones and got sixty thousand, not bad."

Lin Jiang also received his share of the money, he earned forty thousand spirit stones, which is almost the cost of a Building Foundation Pill, enough for him.

The remaining sixty thousand was divided among Jiang Shu and the other three people, each of them could at least get ten thousand. They were also very happy because their previous annual income was only about two thousand. This was the result of Yue Qing's support. If no one had helped, it would have been even worse. In just six months, they earned at least five years' worth of income. This was definitely a huge profit for them.

"Junior Brother Xiao, shall we find a place to celebrate?"

"Not today, I still have things to do."

"Alright, it seems like you're very busy now."

"Martial Uncle Zhang needs me for something."

"Then congratulations to you even more."

Yue Qing raised an eyebrow and realized that Lin Jiang was the real winner. Not only did he make money, but he also joined Zhang Wanjing Magical Eye, which meant a bright future ahead.

"Senior Brothers, what should we do with the remaining materials?"

"Keep selling them. The people in Medicine City won't buy everything at once, and there are already hundreds of thousands of residents there. Keep arranging for people to continue selling the remaining materials. Use the profits to buy more raw materials, but be mindful of the production volume. Don't bring in too much at once. In short, we won't invest more money, but we'll keep doing business. Whatever we earn is our long-term source of wealth."

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😃)

"Junior Brother Xiao is right. Jiang Shu, decide whether you want to monitor it yourself or ask our brothers to do it. Any profit you make from now on is pure profit. Don't waste it."

"Senior Brother, I'm planning to try breaking through the Building Foundation level. I'll leave this matter to the other brothers."

"Okay, I trust you. You make the arrangements. Let's meet in Medicine City in a few days to celebrate."

Yue Qing nodded. There won't be such huge profits in the future, but consistent and steady income is still good. As long as there are cultivators in Medicine City, there will always be a market for them.

Lin Jiang and Yue Qing left together. Jiangshan Town was only thirty miles away from Medicine City and was within the patrol range of the disciples of the Five Elements Sect. It was quite safe.

After returning to Medicine City, Lin Jiang immediately went to see Zheng Yi and the others. Zheng Yi distributed spirit stone daily, so there was no large sum today. However, adding it all up, Lin Jiang received a dividend of nearly 20,000 spirit stones from Zheng Yi. He had invested 5,000 spirit stones.

"Senior Brother Xiao, let's find a place to meet up. Our brothers have been tired these days, much more tired than farming."

"Senior Brother Zheng, rest when you're tired. We can celebrate anytime. I have something to do here. Zhang Wanjing Martial Uncle needs me."

Lin Jiang mentioned Zhang Wanjing again. Now he wants to take advantage of Zhang Wanjing's influence. His involvement in multiple speculative projects won't stay hidden for long. In just half a year of being at the Qi Refining stage, he earned at least seventy to eighty thousand spirit stones. This is a dangerous situation. Without protection, someone will surely come to exploit him for his wealth, although Lin Jiang is not afraid, he doesn't want to reveal his true strength.

"Okay, let's meet up again in the future."

Zheng Yi heard that Zhang Wanjing was looking for Lin Jiang and immediately didn't dare to say much. He felt a little disappointed. They come from humble origins and have always been honest and hard-working. Despite their dedication, they haven't earned much money. This time, they witnessed Lin Jiang's talent and wanted to befriend him, hoping that Lin Jiang will continue to lead them to prosperity.

According to the contract, they still have about half a month to take care of the residential and inn properties. Lin Jiang told them to continue renting them out and keep the money they earn for themselves.

After finishing up some final matters, Lin Jiang went to find Zhao Jiang. The income from Zhao Jiang's place was even more impressive. The profit from spiritual talismans couldn't be determined in advance and relied on the skill of the Talisman Maker. However, spiritual talismans are in high demand among cultivators, along with weapons and medicinal pills. It's rare to find a cultivator without a few spiritual talismans on them, unless they are extremely poor.

Zhao Jiang's group was even larger, and they had prepared a larger quantity of spiritual talismans. After ten days, Lin Jiang earned over seventy thousand spirit stones. His total income from the Medicine Conference exceeded one hundred thousand spirit stones.

"Junior Brother Xiao, let's find a place to drink. How about the Sweet Red Building? I heard there are many young fairies there this time."

Zhao Jiang and a few others gave Lin Jiang a knowing look, like brothers who understood each other.

Lin Jiang had been living a virtuous life for the past twenty or thirty years, but now a rebellious fire ignited within him. Still, he shook his head and said. Never mind, Senior Brother Zhao. We have been quite conspicuous these past few days. It's time to lay low and quietly make our fortune. The Sweet Red Building can be visited at any other time; there's no need to join in the excitement right now.

"Senior Brother Zhao, Senior Brother Xiao is right. Let's go back to the mountain gate. I feel like it's dangerous here."

Lin Jiang's words received agreement from the others. Their activities at Talisman Hall were quite noticeable, considering they involved over a hundred Talisman Makers. It was impossible to keep it a secret.

"Go away, kid. You have a partner, but I don't. Once I have money, why shouldn't I enjoy myself? What's the point of earning money?"

"Haha, Senior Brother Zhao is right. Anyway, I'm going to the Sweet Red Building tonight. At least I'll have a heart-to-heart conversation with two pretty fairies."

"With your scrawny build, you won't be able to handle two. Don't end up dead at the Sweet Red Building."

"Bah, I've got a strong backbone. I can handle ten."

"Screw it, I don't believe it. Dig it out and let's see."

"Stop messing around, let's all disperse now. Those who want to go can go, those who want to return to the mountain gate can go back, disperse."

When Lin Jiang saw a group of experienced drivers about to race, he couldn't resist anymore. He had to go to Sweet Red Building later in the evening, there was an important matter to attend to.

Chapter 125

Outside Medicine City

200 miles away from Medicine City, there is a town called Ba Shan. It is surrounded by eight mountains, hence the name Ba Shan Town. Ba Shan Town is the largest populated town under the Five Elements Sect, it's almost like a small city.

When Lin Jiang arrived at Ba Shan Town, it was already completely dark. He was wearing a long cloak, unable to see any physical features, and his spiritual sense couldn't penetrate it either. This cloak is an extremely high-quality magical artifact.

There is a black market outside Yunzhong City, and of course there is one in Medicine City, too. It is set up in Ba Shan Town. Lin Jiang had already come here when he settled in Medicine City before, so he already knew the situation very well.

He arrived at a residence in the black market with ease. A middle-aged man appeared and said to Lin Jiang, "I don't know what I can do to help the esteemed guest."

"Get someone else, it's a big deal."

"Dear guest, please wait for a moment."

The middle-aged man wasn't angry and quickly left. It wasn't long before a person wearing a mask appeared.

"What important business brings a distinguished guest?"

"I want to use the Split Spirit Technique."

"Split Spirit Technique, my, my, what skillful guest we have here! You actually know about this secret technique."

"In one word, do you have it or not?"

"Yes, but what do you have to exchange? This technique is of high grade, and only extraordinary items can be traded."

"News about Pill King Li Ruoxu."

"Please go ahead, distinguished guest."

"News is unique. I spoke it out, you said it didn't meet your requirements, and my news leaked again. I suffered a loss."

"What does the esteemed guest want?"

"I engraved the news on the jade scroll. We will exchange them at the same time. I am here, so you shouldn't be afraid of me deceiving you, right?"

"Okay."

The masked person nodded. Pill King Li Ruoxu is a very special and important person in Yun State. Information about him has always been extremely valuable in the black market. Some information can help certain people accomplish important tasks, such as asking Li Ruoxu to refine powerful and crucial medicinal pills.

The masked person brought the jade scroll of the Split Spirit Technique, while Lin Jiang also had a floating jade scroll in front of him. They exchanged the scrolls, and as soon as Lin Jiang received it, he immediately opened it and used his spiritual awareness to quickly understand its contents.

"Pill King Li Ruoxu's disciple, Wen Xing, is a very bad man who has many women."

"Thief, how dare you deceive me!"

After the masked person received Lin Jiang's jade scroll, there was only one sentence. Suddenly, he became extremely angry and slapped Lin Jiang with a palm, causing his body to instantly burst.

After the explosion, instead of blood and flesh flying around, there were flying pieces of metal and wood, along with a storage bag.

"Puppet"

The masked person was extremely angry. He didn't expect to be tricked by a puppet. He put away the storage bag, and the markings on it almost disappeared easily, inside it was a pile of spirit stones and a jade scroll.

"Forgive me, Taoist friend. I don't have anything valuable to trade for the Split Spirit Technique, so I can only offer these. There are fifty thousand spirit stones and a high-quality cloak, with a total value of eighty-five thousand. I hope you understand."

When the masked man saw the words on the jade scroll, he became so angry that he burst into laughter.

"Is my face worth so little?"

The masked man sneered and then soared into the sky. He controlled the puppet with his divine sense, knowing that his real body must be nearby.

However, when the masked man reached the sky above Baishan Town and released his divine sense, he didn't see anyone. This greatly surprised him, and he murmured. It's impossible, they ran away so fast in just an instant?

"Could they still be in the black market?"

Soon, the Masked Man thought about whether it was a plan, and quickly arrived at the town of Eight Mountains, patrolling everywhere.

······

"That was close! Luckily I went to the black market before, I have a token, otherwise I would have been exposed."

Lin Jiang sat on the back of Big Shadiao, already high up in the sky. This was Lin Jiang's adventurous journey. He had already found out what he needed to exchange for the Split Spirit Technique.

But he couldn't afford it, and there was a greater probability that the black market would raise the price, because the Split Spirit Technique was the best way to infiltrate the sect and avoid leaving behind a Soul Lamp mark. As soon as Lin Jiang made this request, they would know his intentions, and raising the price was inevitable.

So Lin Jiang had planned ahead and bought a puppet in Medicine City. He attached his spiritual consciousness to the puppet and covered his body with a top-grade cloak to conceal himself and block his spiritual consciousness. In this way, he obtained the Split Spirit Technique through deception.

"This can only be done around noon, because something bad will happen in the morning or evening."

Lin Jiang sighed and controlled Big Shadiao to land in an uninhabited area outside of Medicine City. He was ready to go back to Medicine City. This trick could only be used once, as no one would fall for it a second time.

Returning to Medicine City, there were still a lot of people. Today was the last day of the Medicine City Medicine Conference, which would end at daybreak. But there were still many activities tonight.

Lin Jiang didn't bother with anything else and went into the yard he rented. He took out the Split Spirit Technique and engraved it on a jade slip. Cultivators have exceptional memory, but as time passes, they may forget some things, so it's better to write them down.

The Split Spirit Technique is an extremely advanced secret technique. It is said to have been created by a powerful individual who extracted inspiration from the externalized incarnation during the Soul Changing Period. The Split Spirit Technique can split the cultivator's soul, forming a complete individual soul that is closely related to the original soul, almost identical.

As long as the soul power is continuously provided, the split soul can exist indefinitely. The effect of the split soul is also extremely useful, for example, it can be refined into special spiritual talismans to resist soul-related attacks and can also replace the original body to carry out dangerous tasks.

However, this secret technique was quickly misused when someone discovered that it could be combined with puppetry to feign death and escape.

The specific method is to split the soul in advance, then cultivate and strengthen it. Then, perform a second split from the split soul and give it to the other person to create a Soul Lamp or other secret techniques. Then, place the first split soul into the puppet. When feigning death and escaping, all that is needed is to shatter the puppet, and it will appear to the other side that the soul master is dead, achieving the goal of feigning death.

Currently, the major sects are unable to defend against this method. They can only try to monopolize the Split Spirit Technique and prevent it from spreading freely.

Of course, not just anyone can feign death using the above method. It requires many conditions. First and foremost, the caster's soul must be extremely strong and resilient. Otherwise, even if it's just a first split, the caster could end up becoming a fool.

As for Lin Jiang, he discovered multiple methods to avoid the Soul Lamp, but he chose the Split Spirit Technique because he meets the necessary conditions. Very few people are able to cultivate the Soul Refining Technique, and it takes the consumption of Soul Nourishing Pills to sustain it for over a hundred years. Lin Jiang accomplished this. Before re-cultivating, his cultivation was at the middle stage of Building foundation, but his soul power was not inferior to the later stage of Building foundation. Through re-cultivation, his cultivation was impacted, but his soul power was preserved.

········

"Junior Brother Xiao, what's wrong with you? Your face is so pale."

Two days later, Yue Qing was surprised to see Lin Jiang at the entrance of the Five Elements Sect. What is Junior Brother Xiao up to?

"If Senior Brother Yue were to spend two days at the Sweet Red Building, he would be the same."

Lin Jiang said casually. Sweet Red Building my foot. He practiced the Split Spirit Technique and almost killed himself.

"Junior Brother, you're being reckless. Listen to Senior Brother's advice, the women at the Sweet Red Building are like tigers, you should stay away from them."

"Is that so? Then why did I hear Senior Brother Jiang say that Senior Brother Yue has several admirers at the Sweet Red Building?"

"That's just slander from Jiang Shu. Don't listen to him."

"Haha, Senior Brother, just kidding. I'll go first."

"Junior Brother, are you really this busy?"

Yue Qing quickly said that he wanted to communicate more with Lin Jiang to see if they could make more money.

Lin Jiang ignored him, saying that speculation is only accidental fortune and should not be a regular way to earn a living, otherwise you never know how things will end up.

Lin Jiang arrived at the inner gate and finally reached Zhang Wanjing's residence. In the inner gate area, one can establish a residence during the Building Foundation Period, but the size of the residence cannot exceed ten acres. During the Golden Core Period, the size can be up to fifty acres.

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😨)

Fifty acres in the inner gate is already very impressive. The spiritual energy here is tens of times higher than the outer gate. Besides, it is a sign of status and position.

"Martial Uncle Zhang"

At Zhang Wanjing's residence, Lin Jiang saw Zhang Shuhua and quickly greeted him.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so pale and unstable?"

"I had a little trouble with my cultivation practice, but it's nothing serious. It's all fine now."

"Cultivation practice requires steady progress. If you don't understand something, you can come and ask me."

"I can't just enter this inner door freely."

"After today, you will also be an inner disciple."

"I haven't agreed yet."

"Haha."

Zhang Shuhua laughed coldly. The esteemed ancestor with a perfected golden core has accepted you as a disciple, and you still refuse?

"Greetings, Martial Uncle."

"No need for formalities, find a place to sit on your own, I have no rules here."

"Thank you, Martial Uncle."

Lin Jiang obediently sat down, and Zhang Shuhua also found a place to sit.

"Xiao Yi, I've managed to get credit for your achievements. Instead of giving you a Building Foundation Pill, I made an exception and promoted you to the inner sect. I also gave you ten bottles of high-quality Spirit Gathering Pills and allowed you to choose a lower-grade mysterious technique or secret art from the Library Pavilion."

"Thank you, Martial Uncle. Thank you, Sect."

"Indeed, it's a profitable venture. Not a single flicker of emotion when the Building Foundation Pill was gone."

"I am grateful for the favors bestowed upon me by the sect, as they are like thunder and rain nurturing the land. Xiao Yi only knows gratitude."

Lin Jiang quickly flattered. Come on, it's just a Building Foundation Pill. I can afford it.

"That statement sounds somewhat untrue."

"He made a lot of money this time and can buy a Building Foundation Pill on his own."

Zhang Shuhua chimed in, having secretly investigated as his father intended to take Lin Jiang as his disciple. Although he didn't know the exact amount of money earned, it was definitely a significant sum, considering the few speculation projects involved.

"Xiao Yi, can you tell us how much money you made?"

"Where can I find a lot of money? All the money I have is earned through hard work, a drop of sweat for a spirit stone, you know?"

"Well, I don't mind sweating every day."

"So, Martial Uncle must be exchanging a drop of sweat for a Premium Spirit Stone."

"Haha, no need to flatter me. Let me ask you, would you like to become my disciple?"

"Are you interested in being an official disciple or a special disciple?"

"I never take official disciples."

Zhang Wanjing said, expressing his strong distaste for taking official disciples. Those who do take official disciples just make them do all the chores, like servants or slaves.

"Disciple greets the Master."

Lin Jiang quickly exclaimed, wanting to cling onto someone with a complete golden core. He would get angry if anyone tries to stop him.

Chapter 126

Five Elements Sect

The Sect of the Five Elements is big and small. There are many disciples in the inner sect because they automatically promote to the inner sect during the Building Foundation Period. Considering the size of the Sect of the Five Elements, there are at least several hundred people in the Building Foundation Period. However, there are very few disciples in the inner sect who have reached the Qi Refining Period.

Generally speaking, there are only three types of people in the inner sect who have reached the Qi Refining Period. The first type is those who are talented and show exceptional potential at the time of entry, with a Single Spiritual Root talent or a different kind of Spiritual Root. The second type is those who are admitted under special circumstances, such as Zhang Shuhua, who has a relative in a high position within the sect and has decent aptitude. The third type is those who are admitted exceptionally due to outstanding contributions to the sect, like Lin Jiang. Lin Jiang was admitted exceptionally because he had made significant contributions to the sect.

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😔)

Naturally, there are very few people who are admitted exceptionally, because in the minds of ordinary people, how much contribution can someone in the Qi Refining Period actually make to the sect. The last exceptional admission was more than a hundred years ago.

Therefore, Lin Jiang immediately became the center of attention in the inner sect's Qi Refining Period. Lin Jiang's past was immediately dug up and exposed to the sunlight.

However, they quickly found out that Lin Jiang's past had hardly any impressive highlights. Perhaps he did okay at the Shanxue School, but who knows how many others also did okay there. After the Shanxue School, Lin Jiang disappeared for almost twenty years, spending most of his time farming at the Qingyang Mountain. Besides interacting with Zheng Yi and his friends, he rarely socialized with others.

It was only in the two years before the Medicine Conference that Lin Jiang started earning Merit Points at the Internal Affairs Hall of the outer sect, showing some activity. But logically speaking, this wasn't very surprising. After farming for twenty years, Lin Jiang had learned a powerful talisman technique, and earning Merit Points didn't require much effort.

The only thing people found interesting was Lin Jiang's speculative venture at the Medicine Conference, the spiritual talisman project. It brought in a considerable amount of money with the box lunches and accommodation. Many people were discussing how much money Lin Jiang made this time.

"Definitely a lot of money, during the entire Medicine Conference, those boxed meals were being sold everywhere, and the whole Medicine City was filled with those used meal boxes, at least a million of them."

"A million of them, is there really that many?"

"What do you think? With over a million people, three meals a day, multiplied by ten days, imagine how many that would be."

"Not everyone eats though, right?"

"Hehe, almost ninety percent of the cultivators who come from other places are in the Qi Refining Period, and they are all poor. Can they afford to eat at restaurants? As long as thirty percent of the people eat boxed meals, it would be astronomical."

"That's true."

"In my opinion, they should be fined for it. They sell boxed meals and then litter everywhere after eating, it looks extremely dirty. They should be charged for hygiene fees."

········

"Junior Brother Xiao is probably going to be in trouble."

Inside the Zhang Wanjing's cave, Zhang Shuhua said to Zhang Wanjing that he has officially become Zhang Wanjing's disciple, both student and son, as the top disciple of Zhang Wanjing.

"You underestimate your junior brother, he hasn't done anything wrong."

"Being outstanding in a group is not a good thing."

"So you don't truly understand your junior brother. He is an excellent person, for him, these small matters are nothing. Regardless of the discussions outside, as long as Xiao Yi remains firm in his beliefs, nothing else matters."

"If he goes out..."

"You have been in Qingyang Mountain for twenty years, do you think he lacks patience like you?"

Zhang Wanjing said. What do rumors and discussions matter? They are only useful for those whose beliefs are not strong. As long as one is ruthless, cold-hearted, thick-skinned, and able to handle any criticism, these hypocritical words mean nothing.

It is indeed dangerous outside the mountain gate, but if they don't leave, who would dare to commit murder within the Five Elements Sect?

"Does father really have such high expectations of him?"

"Is something wrong?"

"I don't think he's that outstanding, but rather I think he's more cunning."

"Is it bad to be cunning? When you were at the Qi Refining Period, could you earn more than him?"

"No, but not much less either."

Zhang Shuhua said, as he was a hunter for Merit Points in the Outer Gate, how many tasks did he do, can he earn less?

"What he earns is achieved by using his brain, not by working hard for a long time like you did in exhaustion."

"That's taking advantage of opportunities."

"That's also a skill, earning more at the Medicine Conference. Why don't you earn as well?"

"Dad doesn't like using power for personal gain, you know."

"Of course, I don't like being selfish with power, but if someone has real skills, how can I not like them?"

Zhang Shuhua stayed quiet; his father liked Xiao Yi, so whatever he did was right and made sense. There was no point in arguing.

"Don't underestimate your junior brother, really, Dad is not lying to you. A fierce warrior can rise from humble beginnings. Someone who can cause such commotion even during the Qi Refining Period will definitely go far in the future. Though you are brave, you lack flexibility. If one day I'm not here anymore, you and your younger brothers should get along well. He will be able to help you in many ways."

Zhang Wanjing looked at his son's scornful expression and said with deep meaning. Back in the day, he too started from nothing. Don't underestimate others.

·······

"Senior Brother Yue"

Zhang Wanjing's residence, Yue Qing came to find Lin Jiang. Lin Jiang welcomed him inside. For a personal disciple, being like family to the master, Lin Jiang didn't have the qualifications to have his own residence yet, so he moved into Zhang Wanjing's residence.

They moved into a big wilderness.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Xiao."

"Please don't say that, now I'm being targeted by everyone."

"Haha, that's just because those people are incompetent, and they only know how to envy others. Don't think that all the disciples in the inner sect are exceptional, there are also a bunch of fools and idiots."

"By saying that, you're also including me in the scolding."

"Don't be too modest, if you're too modest, others will think you're easy to bully."

Yue Qing said, as he looked at Zhang Wanjing's cave dwelling. How envious he was! It was fifty acres in size, and other than the one acre of buildings, the rest was developed into spiritual land, planted with valuable medicinal herbs. This is all money!

"What does Senior Brother want me to do this time?"

"Look at what you're saying! Can't you come visit me without any specific reason? It seems like you've climbed up the social ladder and forgotten about your old friends. Don't forget, we even slept together for three years!"

"Cough, we slept in the same courtyard for three years."

"It's all the same, it's all the same."

Lin Jiang reluctantly shook his head. This was different, and he didn't want to be misunderstood if he said it out loud.

"Junior Brother, what else do you think we can do to make some money?"

"Senior Brother Yue, the Medicine Conference only ended a few days ago. Are you already short of money?"

"Sigh, Junior Brother, you're not an outsider. I'll tell you the truth. When I was in the outer sect, I fooled quite a few people into helping me. But that's all favors, and I can't break my promises. If I earn spirit stones, I'll use them to pay off my debts."

Yue Qing said, his heart still not cruel enough. Those group of brothers, seeing him getting rich, all came to join him. In reality, they just wanted Yue Qing to repay them. Yue Qing had already spent a lot of money on them.

"Opportunities for boxed meals like this only come once, and there isn't that much money to be made."

Lin Jiang shook his head. He only believed two out of ten sentences from Yue Qing. He had seen firsthand how this guy could deceive people.

"Junior Brother..."

"Senior Brother, there's no need to say more. Right now, my main task is to build a foundation, so for the next few years, I won't be doing much else. Cultivation comes first."

Lin Jiang said that he was openly forty-one years old and that building foundation was indeed very important.

Moreover, Lin Jiang knew that he was in the spotlight right now, so if he dared to be high-profile at this time, it would be suicide. He had to keep a low profile, at least for another four or five years.

Besides, Lin Jiang didn't plan on doing speculative things often. Once was almost enough.

"What the younger brother said is right. Cultivation is the most important. Younger brother, focus on improving yourself."

Yue Qing immediately changed his tone. When he saw that Lin Jiang didn't mean it, he didn't say much either. As for those brothers, he would deceive them first before saying anything. He didn't have the money, so he couldn't really help them.

The two chatted for a while, and then Lin Jiang escorted Yue Qing out. When he turned around, he saw Zhang Shuhua.

"Big senior brother, is there something you need?"

"Yue Qing, stop coming around."

"The younger brother understands."

"Understood, if you have any questions about cultivation that you don't understand, you can ask me while I'm at home for these few days."

"Okay, I also need to go into seclusion for a period of time."

Lin Jiang said. Being an inner disciple is really great. They don't have to do any compulsory tasks. Their main task is cultivation, just focus on cultivating.

The entire Five Elements Sect is divided into several levels. The higher levels are the ruling class who control everything in the sect. The inner disciples are the reserve members of the higher levels and they enjoy the sect's support and benefits.

As for the outer disciples, they receive partial support and are responsible for most of the miscellaneous tasks in the sect. But they also receive benefits and have the opportunity to advance.

Only those miscellaneous disciples are the most unfortunate ones. They are like old oxen, eating grass and producing milk. Their opportunity for advancement is very slim. Out of tens of thousands of miscellaneous disciples, at most one or two can be promoted to the outer disciples. In the past hundred years, very few miscellaneous disciples have been able to advance to the Building Foundation Period.

Lin Jiang has now become a disciple under Zhang Wanjing's guidance. In the Five Elements Sect, this means surpassing a level and becoming a true beneficiary. He doesn't have to do any tasks in the Qi Refining Period and can receive 60 spirit stones and 20 bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills each year as benefits. And those Spirit Gathering Pills are no longer the trashy ones from the outer disciples.

The other benefits are also doubled. For example, the cafeteria for the inner disciples not only provides free meals, but the food is also spiritual and delicious, and filled with abundant spiritual energy.

Zhang Shuhua didn't say much and casually spoke a few sentences before leaving. Zhang Wanjing's residence is not small, with several dozen buildings, but currently, only the three of them live here. Lin Jiang can choose from the available rooms.

"We still need to quickly establish our Building Foundations, open our own caves. Only then can we let Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao have some freedom. We can't mistreat our old brothers."

Lin Jiang sighed. Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao have been with him for nearly two hundred years. He needs to take care of them. The Spirit Beast Bag is too cramped.

Chapter 127

Five Elements Sect

Lin Jiang's second time building a strong foundation was smooth sailing. When Zhang Wanjing accepted him as his apprentice, Lin Jiang was already at the ninth level of Qi Refining. It didn't take long for him to reach the peak of Qi Refining.

The Building Foundation Pills were provided by Zhang Wanjing. He knew about Lin Jiang's exceptional Five Spiritual Roots, so he gave him two pills at once. After that, Lin Jiang went into seclusion. With his previous experience in building a foundation, he easily succeeded with just one pill.

At this time, Lin Jiang publicly claimed to be forty-six years old, but in reality, he was two hundred and forty-nine years old.

"In a few months, I'll be two hundred and fifty. I hope I don't act foolishly."

Lin Jiang sighed. Two hundred and fifty years old. In that time, a dynasty could rise and fall, and ordinary people could have ten generations.

"Disciple Xiao Yi greeted his master."

After completing the foundation building, Lin Jiang immediately went to pay respects to Zhang Wanjing, as it is proper for a disciple to do so.

"You did well, you didn't disappoint me."

Zhang Wanjing looked at Lin Jiang with satisfaction. The Five Spiritual Roots talent was not initially advantageous in the Five Elements Sect. The fact that Lin Jiang was able to break through the foundation building in one go shows that he has good comprehension. It doesn't matter what other sects are like, the Five Elements Sect included.

"It's all thanks to the master."

Lin Jiang said that Zhang Wanjing has been very good to him. Not only did he give him the Building Foundation Pill, but also provided supporting medicinal pills and guidance on foundation building.

"The master can guide you through the door, but it is up to the individual to cultivate and one must make their own efforts."

"Yes, master."

"Now that you have completed the foundation building, things will be different. What are your plans for the future?"

"Relying solely on Master's decision"

"If I could arrange it, I would like you to work by my side. I need help urgently, but I'm also afraid it might inconvenience you."

"Master, this..."

Lin Jiang was a bit confused. What did Zhang Wanjing mean by this?

"Xiao Yi, do you know about Master's situation?"

"Disciple doesn't understand. Disciple was just an ordinary outer disciple before."

Lin Jiang shook his head. He really had no idea about Zhang Wanjing's situation. His status was too low, just an outer disciple. How much could he possibly know?

"Master, it's difficult."

Zhang Wanjing hesitated for a moment before saying this, causing Lin Jiang to furrow his brow. Wasn't Zhang Wanjing a high-ranking steward of the sect, only second to the Nascent Soul Elder?

"You're still young and don't understand. Do you know how many years the Five Elements Sect has been passed down?"

"The Yun State is the first, with a history of over six thousand years. I studied at the Shanxue School."

Lin Jiang replied that the Shanxue School teaches the history of the Five Elements Sect, which he learned. The founder of the Five Elements Sect was merely at the beginner stage, but shortly after establishing the sect, he died at the hands of a monster. However, his disciples and descendants gradually expanded the Five Elements Sect, until now, it has become one of the three overlords of the Yun State.

"Yes, I studied at the Shanxue School, but they won't teach you about the current Five Elements Sect. It's very different now. The higher-level members, including the Nascent Soul Elders, are all selfish and only interested in profiting from the sect. Their descendants occupy high positions in the sect but lack ambition. They are a group of parasites, draining the resources of the entire Five Elements Sect."

"Ahem, Master, um..."

Lin Jiang was shocked. Was his master Zhang Wanjing still an angry young person? But could he talk to him about this matter? He couldn't handle it. After all, he was just a low-ranking member in the Building Foundation Period.

"What's there to fear? Even if they dare to do it, are they afraid of being criticized? How many people within the Five Elements Sect are actually doing practical work?"

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😌)

"Master, it's serious."

"Hmph, serious? If you were in your master's position, you might realize that what I'm saying is an understatement. The Five Elements Sect hasn't recruited disciples from the mortal world on a large scale for nearly five hundred years. Now, all the disciples are descendants of sect members. Originally, this was a good thing, but the problem is that the descendants of ordinary disciples are decreasing, while those from prominent families are increasing. Several big families are on the verge of dividing up the Five Elements Sect."

"The Zhonghang Sect and Cloud Sword Sect seem to be the same, right?"

Lin Jiang said that he remembered the Zhonghang Sect and Cloud Sword Sect were the same. The disciples were mainly recruited from within the sect, unless they encountered talented individuals outside, like Cao Ying whom Lin Jiang sent, otherwise they wouldn't be recruited, or they would be placed outside the sect.

"Indeed, it is true. Whenever a sect has been passed down for more than a thousand years, there will inevitably be factions and many problems within. My Five Elements Sect is no exception. The Cloud Sword Sect and Zhonghang Sect are the same. But just because everyone is like this, does that make it right?"

"No, what Master said is..."

Lin Jiang quickly continued his words, saying that nothing is right and that he is right because he is the Master.

"I am from the lineage of Ancestor Yu Jin. Do you know who Ancestor Yu Jin is?"

"Yes, I know. I learned it from Shanxue School. Ancestor Yu Jin is the founding ancestor of my Five Elements Sect."

Lin Jiang explained that Ancestor Yu Jin is the legendary founder of the Five Elements Sect. The sect thrived under his leadership, and he had two significant accomplishments that still influence the sect today.

The first is that he nurtured the Soul Changing Ancestor, and this lineage continues to this day, ensuring that the Five Elements Sect remains one of the top three powers in Yun State. The second is the development strategy of the Five Elements Sect.

The Five Elements Sect has the most powerful Spiritual Farmer, with the most advanced system for growing spiritual medicine. It was a strategy devised by Ancestor Yu Jin. Although the Spiritual Farmer is not as rich or dominant as alchemy or sword cultivation, it is the most stable.

"Since you know, you should also know that the goal of our lineage's cultivation is not to become immortal, but to serve our sect. We are born for the sect, and in death, we become the sect's spirits. We are willing to shed every last drop of blood for the sect."

"····"

Suddenly, Lin Jiang had a sense of impending doom. This was the kind of situation he feared the most. People who would sacrifice everything for a noble belief reminded him of the word "saint."

"Protecting the enemy's saint, slaying our own saint... but what should we do if our saint is our master? Urgent help needed!"

Lin Jiang inwardly shouted. He felt that he had been too impulsive in becoming a disciple. Could he take it back?

"You seem unhappy?"

"No, I was just overwhelmed by my master's words. It gave me a sudden realization. I now understand that cultivation is not just for the purpose of becoming immortal."

"Of course, becoming immortal is a vague prospect. There has never been a case of ascension in Yun State, and it has been thousands of years since anyone in the cultivation world has heard of anyone ascending. Are we practitioners truly living only for that elusive ascension, disregarding the present moment?"

"Master said that the difficult situation he mentioned is because of this, right?"

"That's right, everyone in the Five Elements Sect's leadership is selfishly pursuing becoming a immortal. To achieve this goal, they continuously plunder resources, even disregarding the future of the sect. Because of these things, I argue with many elders every year."

"Ah."

Lin Jiang exclaimed again. You had an argument with Nascent Soul cultivators, and they didn't draw their sword to attack you?

"Are you wondering why those people didn't deal with me, or even kill me?"

"Ahem, disciple wouldn't dare."

There's nothing to be afraid of. Do you think they haven't considered it? They are all smart people and know that there are only a few who actually contribute to the sect. If they kill me, who will provide them with resources?

You know about the Medicine Conference, right? It's an event that I advocated and organized from start to finish. From the initiation, development, to expansion, inviting various sects, and the decision to offer a large amount of spiritual medicine and elixirs to attract independent cultivators. If I hadn't done all these things, how could they have such great benefits?

"So now the elders both love and hate Master?"

"Almost the same, they need me to collect money for them, but they also want me to stay out of their money collection. It's very contradictory."

"Why does the master have to do these difficult and thankless tasks?"

Lin Jiang couldn't understand. Since the higher-ups don't care about the sect anymore, why do you care so much? Just relax, give up, and let everything go to ruin together.

Now that the higher-ups know you care about the sect, they're using that to make you work. Once they've gained benefits, they'll kick you out without hesitation. Isn't that bullying an honest person? If it were Lin Jiang, he would definitely give up.

"Why? Because this is what my master taught me. It's about passing down from one generation to the next."

"Is it my turn now?"

"That's right, otherwise why would I take you as my disciple? You have potential. As soon as you knew about the Medicine Conference, you immediately started planning. You earned spirit stones during the Medicine Conference that other outer disciples couldn't earn in their entire lives. That's why I hope you use this talent for the benefit of the sect."

"I work while others enjoy the benefits. Master, disciple can't do it."

Lin Jiang revealed his position. He's not that kind of honest person. He wants to be the one who enjoys the benefits while others work.

"If everyone wants to eat meat instead of working, where will the meat come from?"

"Find someone who is willing to work."

"But what if there isn't any?"

"I don't know."

Lin Jiang said, but what he meant was, if no one is working, why should I? Why should I be the one to do it? Am I so easy to bully?

"Actually, you can also think this way. Different people in the sect have different roles to play. The elders are not useless, at least they protect the sect. Without their martial strength, all our efforts would be in vain, right?"

"Yes, but disciple wants to say, I can also protect others. I can become strong."

Lin Jiang became impatient. He finally understood that Zhang Wanjing was brainwashing him, trying to make Lin Jiang become like him, belittling himself and becoming a sacrificial cow for the sect.

"Xiao Yi, people are different from each other. You have Five Spiritual Roots, which means your growth is slow. You don't belong in that role."

"Master, are you saying that I have no choice?"

"Hmm, meeting me, consider yourself unlucky."

Zhang Wanjing also came clean. He realized that this little disciple couldn't be easily fooled. If he reveals his true abilities, it will be unlucky for anyone who encounters him. There's no point in struggling.

"When faced with danger, cut down your own ally, just as the brothers taught me."

Lin Jiang looked at Zhang Wanjing and said, the gaze of a swordsman cannot be hidden.

Chapter 128

Five Elements Sect, Inner Sect

Lin Jiang moved out of Zhang Wanjing's cave. Even though Zhang Wanjing tried to persuade him to stay, he still moved out. During the Foundation Building Period, one has the right to establish their own cave dwelling. This is a benefit not to be missed.

However, there are no more places in the Inner Sect of the Five Elements Sect where you can establish a new cave dwelling. All the good spots have been taken by others, unless it's a garbage place with extremely weak spiritual veins.

So, when choosing a cave, we can only choose the caves left by our predecessors. The Five Elements Sect has been passed down for thousands of years, and replacing and updating has become a cycle. If there are caves left after the previous generation's passing, the sect will take them back and leave them for the newly promoted cultivators who are building their foundation.

But Lin Jiang doesn't have the opportunity to get a good cave. Lin Jiang casually chooses one of medium quality. The process of moving is very simple. He asks a few outer disciples to clean the cave and do some minor repairs to the building.

After moving into the cave, Lin Jiang, like other disciples, plants spiritual herbs inside the cave. However, Lin Jiang only plants herbs that mature within 150 years. This is because Lin Jiang cannot guarantee that he will be able to break through to the Golden Core Period within the normal cultivation time. When the time comes, he will probably have to flee, and if he's going to flee, he shouldn't make it easy for others.

"Junior Brother Xiao, the spiritual herbs you're planting in your cave are not very good. Why are they all at the second or third level? Does our Five Elements Sect not have any good seeds for spiritual herbs?"

Yue Qing comes over to visit and sees the spiritual herbs in Lin Jiang's cave. He shakes his head in disappointment. They are too low-level. The Five Elements Sect relies on spiritual herbs to establish itself, even the seventh level ones.

The main sect doesn't restrict the seeds of spiritual herbs, and even sells them at very low prices, practically giving them away for free. This is because ordinary forces and cultivators, even if they spend thousands of years cultivating higher-level spiritual herbs, don't have the ability to refine them into pills and still have to rely on the main sect. In the end, the main sect still holds the majority of the profits.

Unless Pill King Li Ruoxu suddenly appears, the high-grade pills in Yun State are monopolized by the three major sects. But even Pill King Li Ruoxu understands the rules very well and never touches the benefits of the three major sects. Instead, he cooperates with them.

"I'm not sure if I can break through to the Golden Core Period in my lifetime. Even if I reach the Building Foundation Period, I can only live for two hundred years. Currently, I still have over one hundred and fifty years of lifespan left. Planting these herbs is just right. If I can't break through, I can sell these herbs and spend the remaining time in the Sweet Red Building. Senior Brother Yue, isn't this wonderful?"

"Junior Brother Xiao, you have great insight. Senior Brother is not as good as you."

Yue Qing shook his head, he didn't think that way. If he couldn't break through the Golden Core Period on his own, there would still be descendants. He could have more children and choose the most talented ones to cultivate. Once they reached the Building Foundation Period, they could inherit the family business without giving it away to others.

"Brother Yue is visiting today, is there something you want to tell me?"

"Haha, Junior Brother Xiao is getting smarter."

"So let's be frank, we've been sleeping in the same courtyard for three years."

"Senior Brother wants to know what position Junior Brother is currently holding, and if he can help Senior Brother find something to do."

Yue Qing said. There are at least hundreds of disciples in the Building Foundation Period of the Five Elements Sect, but I'm not sure of the exact number. It's a secret of the sect that only the higher-ups know.

However, whether it's Medicine City or the institutions within the sect like Chuangong Hall, Law Enforcement Hall, Internal Affairs Hall, and Foreign Affairs Hall, they can't arrange everyone. There are still many people who don't have positions and are freelancers.

Freelancers have their benefits, they have no restrictions in their actions, but they also lack a source of income. The treatment given by the sect to those in the Building Foundation Period is 500 spirit stones per year, two bottles of True Spirit Pills, and some spiritual paddy and other things. This is not enough for their cultivation. If they hold a position in the sect, they would receive another salary.

Of course, salary is secondary. If it's a position with lucrative benefits, even a small amount would be multiple times their salary.

"Senior Brother Yue, come, sit, let's talk."

"Junior Brother, what's wrong today?"

"Just chatting."

"Alright, Junior Brother, what do you want to ask? I will tell you everything I know."

"Senior Brother Yue, when we were in Medicine City, you already knew about my master's situation in the sect, right?"

Lin Jiang asked. Yue Qing's uncle and Zhang Wanjing have known each other for a long time. He definitely knows what kind of situation Zhang Wanjing is in now, but he didn't say anything. He's just being intentional.

"Yes, I have known for a long time."

"Then why didn't you tell me? I don't think I have done anything wrong to you, Senior Brother."

"Junior Brother Xiao, I'm doing this for your own good."

"Tell me, how can you help me?"

"Junior Brother Xiao, I'll be blunt. In our sect, people like you who have no backing or support are only among the ordinary disciples. Although Zhang Martial Uncle is not favored by the elders, he holds real power. By following Zhang Martial Uncle, you may not become extremely wealthy, but you will definitely be better off than being a nobody. Now that you're in the Building Foundation stage, without Zhang Martial Uncle, you would have had to buy the Building Foundation Pill. Senior Brother has saved you tens of thousands of spirit stones. Isn't that good enough for you?"

Yue Qing said seriously. Junior Brother, why don't you know what's good for you? If you don't cling to the leg of Zhang Martial Uncle, how can I find ways to benefit you?

Lin Jiang looked at him, his scheming mind resurfacing. This guy sure knows how to talk. Clearly, he's not helping but claim it's for your own good. Impressive.

"Senior Brother, I want to know the true situation of my Master in the sect."

Lin Jiang said again. Zhang Wanjing hasn't assigned him any tasks yet, but according to Zhang Wanjing, he really wants to cultivate him to become an esteemed member of the Five Elements Sect.

"As for Zhang Martial Uncle, well, he currently holds the position of Deputy Master of the Internal Affairs Hall. He has a high status and influence, but his responsibilities often change according to the needs of the sect. He is sent wherever the sect requires him."

"My Master is like a brick, always needed wherever there's work to be done."

"Junior Brother, you summarized it well."

"What a load of nonsense, my master also wants me to be like him, a brick of the sect."

"Junior Brother, Senior Brother is speaking the truth, there's nothing wrong with it. Following Martial Uncle will always keep you busy, and the sect won't mistreat you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiang's interest in exploring increased once again. You're just looking for opportunities, yet you're advising me to work hard. Is that so?

"Does Senior Brother Yue think that Junior Brother is someone who is honest, modest, and keeps to himself?"

Lin Jiang took a deep breath to prepare himself for an encounter with Yue Qing. This guy must have ulterior motives for coming here today.

"No, it's based on Junior Brother's skills at the Medicine Conference. Even if Senior Brother tried his best, he couldn't catch up with him."

Yue Qing quickly said. He thought Lin Jiang was going to cooperate with him. But he didn't expect him to have several other projects. If it weren't for Zhang Shuhua messing up the final airship transport, he would have made even more money. This method of his, he truly admire Lin Jiang.

"Then why did you push me towards Zhang Wanjing?"

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😣)

"Junior Brother, you shouldn't dwell on this matter. Besides, it didn't harm you. As long as you don't behave as rigidly as Martial Uncle Zhang, making some money won't be difficult, you know?"

"Can you explain more carefully?"

"Let me put it this way, my uncle, who is Zhang Wanjing's right-hand man, is just like Zhang Wanjing - always willing to work hard, but he never misses out on the money he deserves. Zhang Martial Uncle is not the kind of person who doesn't know how to be flexible. The benefits of the sect are meant to be enjoyed by people, and resources are meant to be used by people. It just depends on who they are given to. As long as the person doing the work doesn't go too far and understands the boundaries, Zhang Martial Uncle won't say anything."

"So basically, as long as we're not too greedy, my master won't interfere."

"Of course, if the benefits are too obvious, things wouldn't go well within the sect. It's the same for everyone. If the ones doing the work don't get any benefits, who would be willing to do it? Zhang Martial Uncle wants capable people. He doesn't mind if you take the money, but he minds if you take the money and can't do the work."

Yue Qing said. The reason Zhang Wanjing can thrive within the sect is because he has a group of capable people under him. They may not have strong backgrounds, but they have good abilities and a strong drive for success. As long as there is a future, they are willing to work.

For Zhang Wanjing, it doesn't matter if these capable people take some money. It's better than having those freeloaders eating everyone's share. After all, if the meat rots in the pot, no one would feel upset.

"If that's the case, then it's acceptable."

Lin Jiang nodded. He was most afraid that Zhang Wanjing would be the kind of moral saint who expects perfection from his own people. That would be too miserable.

"So, little brother, have you finally come to terms with this?"

"The master bowed down, and he even took the Building Foundation Pill. I can't understand the use of it."

"What is the junior apprentice preparing to do? Let me tell you, Martial Uncle Zhang is incredibly powerful. In all areas of the sect, as long as he nods, no one can be excluded."

"What's the use of being included? Going in as a soldier, earning just a little something."

Lin Jiang sneered at Yue Qing. Your perspective is still limited. Do you really think that joining a certain department will make you rich? Believe it or not, after going in, you'll really become an old workhorse, grazing on grass while others drink milk.

"That's true, but the junior apprentice..."

"I don't have any ideas for now. Let's talk about it later."

Lin Jiang waved his hand. He hasn't decided yet whether he wants to join Zhang Wanjing or not. Zhang Wanjing is an honest person from the Five Elements Sect. Following him, the future is uncertain. It's a gamble.

Seeing this, Yue Qing didn't say much anymore. He just kept emphasizing that if there are benefits, don't forget him.

After seeing off Yue Qing, Lin Jiang seriously pondered for a long time and decided to join Zhang Wanjing. Even if the sect disciples are not great, they're still better than being an independent cultivator. Besides, Zhang Wanjing is a backing.

But Lin Jiang was not as great as Zhang Wanjing. Yue Qing was right. Everyone in the Five Elements Sect is making money, so why can't he?

"Everyone hates scumbags, and everyone wishes they were scumbags themselves. Everyone scolds corrupt officials because they are not the ones being corrupt. If they became officials, they would be even more corrupt. That's human nature."

Lin Jiang sighed. He was just an ordinary person, how could he resist the temptation of human nature?