At that moment, Doppelganger Chen Fan seemed to have felt Yu Xingsi's state of mind as well.
Though he was only a doppelganger and did not need to think about such things.
As long as Chen Ze existed, he would exist forever.
Yet his heart was stirred all the same. Cultivation was not merely about seeking immortality.
On this road, one could also live as freely as one pleased.
This time, Doppelganger Chen Fan took the initiative to raise his wine jug and clink it against the one in Yu Xingsi's hand.
Seeing Doppelganger Chen Fan take the initiative to clink cups with him—when Yu Xingsi had always been the one taking the initiative—
Yu Xingsi suddenly felt a surge of exhilaration in his heart. He truly had not misjudged him.
"Brother Chen, bottoms up."
"Bottoms up."
"Haha, it seems Brother Chen can really hold his liquor!"
"No, no. It's my first time drinking."
Doppelganger Chen Fan was helpless as well. He was only a doppelganger; he did not even need to eat. How could he possibly get drunk?
Seeing that the wine in their jugs had already run out, Doppelganger Chen Fan said, "Brother Yu, the wine is gone. We should head back. There is still the final assessment tomorrow."
Yu Xingsi laughed heartily. "Haha, then starting tomorrow, I'll have to call you Brother Chen—Senior Brother Chen.
This junior brother wishes in advance that Senior Brother will join the Qingyun Sect and soar straight into the azure clouds from then on."
"Haha, the same to you, Junior Brother."
"Haha."
"..."
Over at the Mysterious Iron Ore mine.
Doppelganger Zhao Yun led the other doppelgangers as they mined without stopping.
Even if they dug day and night now, it would not be a problem.
The three doppelgangers with Ye Family appearances remained outside, keeping watch.
If anyone came over, they could promptly notify Zhao Yun and the others inside the Mine Tunnel.
The speed at which Doppelganger Zhao Yun and the others mined had greatly increased as well.
Three days later, the spirit herbs in the Spirit Field within Myriad Things Space ripened once more.
After Chen Ze had Doppelganger Zhao Ling'er harvest all the spirit herbs, he summoned Doppelganger Zhao Yun back from the Mysterious Iron Ore mine.
He had Doppelganger Zhao Yun take the spirit herbs to find a shop in Wannan City and sell them all.
After selling them, Zhao Yun returned to continue mining.
As long as one doppelganger was in a location, the other doppelgangers could appear by his side at any time through Myriad Things Space.
This way, Chen Ze would not need to show his face outside so often.
"Sure enough, selling these spirit herbs to outside shops brings about the same as recycling them to Myriad Things Space. Some are even a little cheaper.
After these shops buy the spirit herbs, they add a markup and sell them again."
Chen Ze had no complaint about shops buying low and selling high. After all, they needed to make money too.
It was simply that he lacked the Spirit Stones to open a shop right now and had no other good options, so he could only sell the spirit herbs at a low price.
"These one thousand Spirit Stones are still far from enough to open a shop in Wannan City."
Chen Ze pondered how he could earn more Spirit Stones and gather enough to open a shop.
Naturally, the Mysterious Iron Ore could not be sold outside. If a large amount of Mysterious Iron Ore flooded the market, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
"Ling'er, do you have any good ideas?" Unable to think of a solution, Chen Ze could only ask Doppelganger Zhao Ling'er.
"Master, Ling'er cannot think of any good methods for the moment either."
"Sigh!" Chen Ze let out a sigh. "It seems we can only slowly accumulate wealth by selling spirit herbs like this."
Doppelganger Zhao Ling'er also wore a silent expression.
"Forget it. We'll take it slowly!" Chen Ze could only compromise helplessly.
Then Chen Ze asked, "How are things going with Doppelganger Chen Fan?"
"Reporting to Master, Doppelganger Chen Fan has successfully joined the Qingyun Sect and officially become an Outer Disciple."
"Not bad. Any other news?"
"Yes. He has already found the Outer Sect Manager Master asked him to locate, and he asked how Master wished to deal with that manager."
Chen Ze pondered for a moment. "Have that manager expelled from the Qingyun Sect as well. Once he leaves the Qingyun Sect, dealing with him however we want will be easy."
"Yes, I will pass Master's order to him immediately.
There is one more matter. Doppelganger Chen Fan also said he wanted Master to decide."
"What is it?" Chen Ze was rather surprised. Chen Fan had more news?
Zhao Ling'er said, "He said that in another two years, the once-in-a-century competition among the younger generation of the major cultivation sects of the Dagan Dynasty will begin.
He asked whether he should participate too. He heard that disciples who place in the rankings can receive extremely generous rewards from the Dagan Dynasty.
He also heard that the prize for first place this time might very well be a Heaven-tier item, though no one yet knows exactly what it is."
Upon hearing about a Heaven-tier item, Chen Ze was startled inwardly.
Heaven-tier was already the highest grade he knew of in this cultivation world.
The appearance of any Heaven-tier item would stir up a storm of blood and wind.
It was only an inter-sect tournament, and among the younger generation at that. Was it not a bit excessive to offer a Heaven-tier item as the reward?
"A Heaven-tier item?
Although Myriad Things Shop will have them in the future, obtaining a Heaven-tier item would probably earn quite a few Points when recycled to Myriad Things Shop.
Fine, have him participate!"
"Yes, but Master, he also said that if he participates, he will inevitably expose his cultivation.
He only has low-grade talent, yet he is already at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. This has already caused quite a few people to grow suspicious.
If his cultivation rises too quickly later on, he fears it will draw even more suspicion."
Hearing Zhao Ling'er say this, Chen Ze said irritably, "Why does a doppelganger care about so much? What is there to fear about fast cultivation?
Have him take on more sect missions that require him to go out. When he returns to the Qingyun Sect, he can simply say he encountered a fortuitous opportunity.
Besides, he is a doppelganger. Is he afraid of dying or something?"
Zhao Ling'er burst out laughing. Chen Ze made perfect sense. "Master is right. I will send him a reply at once."
Zhao Ling'er was about to leave when Chen Ze thought for a moment and called her back.
"Don't rush. Tell him while you're at it that he can stay in the Qingyun Sect however he sees fit.
He does not need to ask for instructions on every little matter.
As long as he does not encounter a certain-death situation, what is there to fear?
Even if he does encounter a certain-death situation, it does not matter. He can just go die."
"Yes, Master. I will go tell him now." Doppelganger Zhao Ling'er could tell that Chen Ze was completely delegating authority to let the doppelgangers handle matters themselves.
After Zhao Ling'er left, Chen Ze lay on his reclining chair and muttered to himself, "These doppelgangers, honestly. Didn't I create them precisely so they could handle these trivial matters for me?
Why do they have to ask me about everything in the end?
Don't these doppelgangers have the same wisdom as me? Can't they be a little more flexible on their own?
If only all these doppelgangers were like Ling'er, then I could rest easy.
Sigh! So troublesome!"
As he spoke, Chen Ze leisurely swayed on his reclining chair again, softly humming something under his breath.
At that moment, Doppelganger Chen Fan in the Qingyun Sect wore a stunned expression after receiving the message sent by Doppelganger Zhao Ling'er.
Wasn't I being conscious of my duty as a doppelganger? Of course Master should make the decisions in everything I do!
As Chen Fan was lost in wild thoughts, he suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder and hurriedly turned around.
"Senior Brother, what are you spacing out for? Come on, we've cultivated for a whole day. Let's go have a drink."
The newcomer was none other than Yu Xingsi, the man who had led Doppelganger Chen Fan down the road of no return—drinking.
"Did you find some fine wine again?"
"Senior Brother will know once you come with me," Yu Xingsi said mysteriously.
"Alright." Though Chen Fan looked calm at that moment, his heart was still beating like a drum.
He had not yet reported his drinking to Chen Ze, mainly because he did not dare to report it.
Before you continue